Gold Blue Dragon, Khmer and Siam “Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand” with THY for 10 nights (SGN-BKK)

Gold Blue Dragon, Khmer and Siam “Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand” (SGN-BKK) with THY

Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) – Siem Reap (2 nights) – Hanoi (2 nights) – Ha Long Bay cruise (1 night) – Bangkok (3 nights)

10 nights 11 days | All city tours and entrance fees included | 7 lunches and 7 dinners included

 

Day 1 | Istanbul | Wednesday

Meet at 23:55 in front of the Turkish Airlines counter at the international departures terminal of Istanbul Airport. Overnight on the plane.

 

Day 2 | Istanbul – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) | Thursday [D]

After ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, depart at 02:55 for Ho Chi Minh City on Turkish Airlines flight TK162. Local time 17:00 arrival at Ho Chi Minh City Airport. After passport and baggage procedures, transfer from the airport to our hotel by our vehicle. After check-in, we settle into our rooms. Dinner and overnight stay at our 4* Northern Charm Hotel (or similar) in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) | Friday [B, L, D]

After breakfast at our hotel, depart for the Cu Chi countryside for the Cu Chi Tunnels tour. Built in the 1940s, the Cu Chi Tunnels are a vast underground hiding system made up of interconnected tunnels. It is said that through these tunnels, used first against French colonial troops and then during the Vietnam War, the Vietnamese achieved many military successes. This tunnel system, which allowed soldiers to approach the enemy silently and unseen, attack suddenly, and then disappear, includes long passageways for crawling, kitchen and rest areas, weapon depots, and clean drinking water wells. Afterwards, we will stop at a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, depart for a panoramic Saigon city tour. First, we will see the palace built by the South Vietnamese president in the 1960s as a symbol of independence, but after the 1975 tank assault it came to represent the fall of South Vietnam (Reunification Palace). Then we will see the Opera House, City Hall, the historic Post Office from the French Colonial period, and Notre Dame Cathedral, which is identical to the one in Paris. After visiting the War Museum, which reveals the horrific traces of the Vietnam War, and the local market called Ben Thanh, return to our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our 4* Northern Charm Hotel (or similar) in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 4 | Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Siem Reap | Saturday [B, L, D]

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete check-out and depart for the Mekong Delta tour. Our journey on the Mekong River begins with our private boat. Our first stop on the tour will be Thoi Son Island. This island is called the fruit basket of Vietnam. On this island, we will have the chance to taste various interesting tropical fruits. We will stop at a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, we will have a 15-minute horseback walking experience on a local village road. At the end of this walk, we will reach the Chuong Duong Fruit Gardens. In this area, we will have the chance to taste both tropical fruits and Vietnam’s beautiful green tea accompanied by local Vietnamese music. Then we will take a canal trip on sampan boats unique to Vietnam. After the tour, transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, fly to Siem Reap with local airlines. Arrival at Siem Reap Airport. After passport and baggage procedures, we will depart from the airport by our vehicle to the restaurant where we will have our dinner. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to our hotel. Upon arrival, we complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our 5* Lotus Blanc Hotel (or similar) in Siem Reap.

 

Day 5 | Siem Reap | Sunday [B, L, D]

After breakfast at our hotel, depart for the Angkor tour, listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and the capital of the Khmer Empire between the 9th and 15th centuries. Our first stop will be Angkor Thom and the South Gate. Then we will visit Bayon Temple, Baphuon Temple, and Ta Phrom Temple, and see the Terrace of the Leper King and the Elephant Terrace. After having our lunch at a local restaurant, we will spend the rest of the day with a visit to the legendary temple-city of Angkor Wat, listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest religious structure in the world. Angkor Wat, the largest, best preserved, and most important temple in terms of faith among the Angkor temples, served first as a Hindu and then as a Buddhist temple, and has always been an important religious center. After having our dinner at a local restaurant, we will have some free time for shopping at the evening market before returning to our hotel. Overnight at our 5* Lotus Blanc Hotel (or similar) in Siem Reap.

 

Day 6 | Siem Reap – Hanoi | Monday [B, L, D]

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete check-out and depart for the Tonle Lake tour. Tonle Sap Lake (Tonle Lake) is Cambodia’s largest lake and one of Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater sources. Its most important feature is that it has a “reverse flow” system that expands when the Mekong River flows backward during the rainy season and shrinks again in winter. Thanks to this natural cycle, the lake becomes one of the most fertile fishing areas in the region. After seeing the floating villages, communities living on the water, and rich ecosystem around Tonle Sap, we will have our lunch at a local restaurant. After the meal, transfer to Siem Reap Airport. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, fly to Hanoi with local airlines. After arrival at Hanoi Airport, after passport and baggage procedures, we will depart from the airport by our vehicle to the restaurant where we will have our dinner. After dinner at a local restaurant, transfer to our hotel. Upon arrival, we complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our 4* Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom (or similar) in Hanoi.

 

Day 7 | Hanoi | Tuesday [B, L, D]

After breakfast at our hotel, we will begin a panoramic Hanoi city tour and head towards the old square. We will pass through shops among the narrow streets and houses, learning about both the city and local culture. The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the mummy of Ho Chi Minh, the architect of the Vietnamese revolution and founder of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is displayed, and his final residence from 1958 until his death in 1969, a house built on stilts, as well as the graceful single One Pillar Pagoda rising from the middle of a lotus pond, will be among the places we visit. Also to be seen are the Old Quarter, consisting of 36 small streets crossing each other at right angles from the French Colonial Period, Silk Street, Paper Street, Shoe Street, Bronze Street, and the Pagoda. We will have our lunch at a local restaurant during the tour. At the end of this tour, we depart to watch the show of Vietnam’s world-famous Water Puppet Theater. After the show, we will have our dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner, transfer to our hotel. Overnight at our 4* Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom (or similar) in Hanoi.

 

Day 8 | Hanoi – Ha Long Bay | Wednesday [B, L, D]

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete check-out and set off towards Vietnam’s natural and astonishing beauty, Ha Long Bay. After our journey, we board the boat upon arrival. After a briefing by the boat staff, we have our set menu lunch consisting of traditional rich varieties and settle into our cabins. At the time announced by our guide, we depart for a visit to the fishing village called Vung Vieng, lasting about half an hour and accompanied by local rowboats. Afterwards, free time on the boat to enjoy the scenery and the sea. We will have our set menu dinner on the boat with rich Vietnamese varieties. Overnight on our 5* Aspira Cruises (or similar) boat in Ha Long Bay.

 

Day 9 | Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Bangkok | Thursday [B, L]

Early wake-up on the boat and an opportunity for our guests who wish to do Tai Chi with the instructor. Around 07:00, after an appetizer breakfast, the Sung Sot Cave, protected by UNESCO, will be visited. Return to the boat after the tour. Around 10:30, after clearing the cabins, depart for Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, places to be seen include the Temple of Literature, built in the 11th century and Vietnam’s first university, and Hoan Kiem Lake. We will have our lunch at a local restaurant during the tour. At the end of the tour, we head to Hanoi Airport. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, fly to Bangkok with Local Airlines. Arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. After passport and baggage procedures, transfer from the airport to our hotel by our vehicle. Upon arrival, we complete check-in and settle into our rooms. Overnight at our 4* Grand Howard Hotel Bangkok (or similar) in Bangkok.

 

Day 10 | Bangkok | Friday [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, depart for the Bangkok temples and city tour. On our city tour, places to see include the Golden Buddha Temple (Wat Traimit), the Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Pho), the Flower Market, Chinatown, the Parliament Building, and the Democracy Monument. Return to our hotel at the end of the tour. Guests who wish may join the optional Bangkok canals tour organized by our guide. Overnight at our 4* Grand Howard Hotel Bangkok (or similar) in Bangkok.

 

→ Bangkok canals tour | 35 EUR adult – 25 EUR child (04-11.99 years)

Our vehicle will take us to the pier where we will board our boat. We will take a tour among the small canals of the Chao Phraya River on long-tail boats. Our journey through the canals will give us the opportunity to see traditional Thai life more closely. We will have a unique experience as we pass by wooden houses raised on pillars, floating kitchens, Buddhist temples where we can feed sacred catfish in front of them, and small family-run businesses. When Bangkok, especially its old part Thonburi, was first founded, almost all transportation was carried out by rivers and canals (khlong). Houses, shops, and markets were built along the canals, and people went to work, school, and the market by boat. There were “waterways” instead of streets, and for this reason foreigners who came here called it the "Venice of the East." When we see old vendors rowing up and down the canal selling everything from vegetables and noodles to modern items such as electric fans and radios, we will observe that this name still remains true today.

 

Day 11 | Bangkok | Saturday [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, free time. Guests who wish may join the optional Floating Market tour organized by our guide. In the evening, guests who wish may join the optional Baiyoke Sky and Asiatique Riverfront tour with dinner organized by our guide. Overnight at our 4* Grand Howard Hotel Bangkok (or similar) in Bangkok.

 

→ Floating Market tour | 45 EUR adult – 25 EUR child (04-11.99 years)

For this tour, we will go outside Bangkok. First, we will visit a coconut farm. At the farm, we will learn where the Thai people make use of the coconut tree and see souvenirs made from this tree. After that, with a short journey, we will reach the pier where local boats depart. From the pier, we will board the boats and, with about a half-hour enjoyable journey amid exotic Thai scenery, reach the famous Floating Market. Floating markets are part of Thailand’s and the local people’s way of life. Wherever there is a floating market, there is food. Eating food by the river is an inseparable part of this lifestyle. We will see the open market set up on canoes on the river and have the chance to shop. After this unique experience, return to Bangkok and our hotel.

 

→ Baiyoke Sky and Asiatique Riverfront tour with dinner | 55 EUR adult – 40 EUR child (04-11.99 years)

On this tour, we will first go to Baiyoke Sky, the tallest building in Thailand with 85 floors and a height of 309 meters. From the viewing terrace on the 77th floor of the building, we will be able to see all of Bangkok in 360 degrees. Then we will have our buffet dinner in the restaurant on the 78th floor of the building, accompanied by this amazing view. Afterwards, we will go to Asiatique, Bangkok’s newest entertainment and shopping center, with over 1,500 shops and restaurants, based on the former warehouses of the East Asiatic Company, built at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century during the period when the first trade between European countries and Thailand began, where history and renewed modernity are intertwined. At the end of the free time we will have for sightseeing and shopping here, return to our hotel.

 

Day 12 | Bangkok – Istanbul | Sunday [B]

After breakfast at our hotel, we complete check-out and depart for Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport at the transfer time announced by our guide. After our ticket, baggage, and passport procedures, depart at 10:10 for Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK065. Arrival at Istanbul Airport at 16:45 local time and the end of our tour. We bid farewell until our next distinguished and enjoyable journey together.

 

Explanation of abbreviations: [B] = Breakfast, [L] = Lunch, [D] = Dinner