Home away from home in Bangkok & Phu Quoc (12D11N)

Today, we will take the whole day to explore Bangkok – the city of golden temples.
The first destination is the Grand Palace. This huge architecture complex is over 2 sq. kilometers, including 3 main sites: Royal Palace, Royal Office and pagodas (Wat) built in 1770s. Nowadays, the Grand Palace is no longer home of Thailand Royal, most of national significant events takes place there.
Wat Phra Kaew is the most out-standing architecture in complex, built in 1785 when King Rama I moved the capital to Bangkok. Wat Pra Kwae is famous not only for its beauty of unique Thailand Buddhism architecture but also for the sacred jade Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue will bring back fortune and prosperity for the nation.
Nearby Grand Palace is Wat Pho – the oldest and biggest pagoda in Bangkok with more than 1000 Buddha statues and the huge one sit-back Buddha in gold.
This pagoda is also famous for being a birthplace of traditional Thai massage, since there is a traditional medicine school established in 1982, educating the arts of Thai massage. The Wat Pho wall-surrounded complex was divided into 2 by Soi Chetuphon running along East – West.
The Northern complex is the one including the in Gold Buddha statue and massage school mentioned above. The Southern complex, Tukgawee, is a monastery and a school.
Then, we will visit Wat Traimit. This pagoda is famous for its unique and historic beauty, and also for the huge golden Buddha statue. Thai people believe that the statue represents for prosperity and purity, as well as strength and power. The Golden Statue was defined to be built in Sukhothai period, the 13-15th century – one of the most famous periods of Thai Buddhism architecture.
After having lunch, we will board on a boat to pay a visit along the Chao Phraya River, watching the life of local people close by
On route, we stop at Wat Arun, known as the most beautiful pagoda in Bangkok not only for its location on the Chao Phraya’s riverbank but also for the different architecture from other pagodas. “Arun” means sunrise, but it is most beautiful in the sunset.
The pagoda was decorated with glass pieces and Chinese ceramic, in a complicated style. You can climb up to the top of Wat Arun to see Chao Phraya, Grand Palace and Wat Pho at the opposite side.
Return to the hotel and you are free to explore Bangkok by night.
 

Early in the morning, we drive southwest of Bangkok, visit the Maeklong railway market, take photo, and enjoy the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Enjoy your own lunch.
Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.
Overnight in Bangkok.
 

Having a breakfast and today we will pay a visit to some sites of Ayutthaya Historical Park, situated in the old city of Ayutthaya. Being a ruin with many temples which characterize this handicraft type of architecture built with red bricks, the park was recognized as World’s Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of the most visited historical site of Ayutthaya, Wat Chaiwattanaram rests on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, to the west of the City Island. The Temple was ordered to built in 1630 by King Prasat Thong to honor his mother, featuring the architectural style influenced by Angkor temple in Cambodia-its unique feature is a large, central prang (Khmer-style pagoda) surrounded by smaller prangs, symbolizing Mount Sumeru, the gods' mountain according to Hindu belief. The lighting at night makes the temple even more exotic and beautifuL.

Then you will visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the “Monastery of the Golden Mount”, which is located just outside Ayutthaya. Then you will proceed to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will also visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand. Have lunch by your own account. Afterwards you will visit Wat Lokaya Sutha. This temple enshrines a large reclining Buddha image. Our last visit will be the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King.
Come back Bangkok and free time for relaxation.
Overnight in Bangkok.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, pick up and transfer to a hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis, contrary to its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. If we have enough time, we stroll around Saigon downtown. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city

Accommodation : At the hotel in Saigon 

Meals: Breakfast 

Morning after having breakfast, depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war.  Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all the famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next, it is on to the Old Saigon Post Office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offer guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as a variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Saigon 

Meals: Breakfast 

After 2 hours driving from HCM city, you will arrive Ben Tre province. Take the boat to visit a local factory to see many kilns to make activated charcoal from coconut hard-shell.

Crossing Mekong river, called Cửa Đại & Cửa Tiểu, 30km far from the Eastern Sea, we arrive Tam Hiep Island. Walking on small village paths through huge orchards of longan to come to the local family to enjoy some kinds of fruits & honey-tea.

Next, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time.

Biking to special farm where they are planting the creepers (called LÁ SÂM). We pick up some leaves for making & tasting this special herbal jelly.

Continue to bike back to the boat, then go us to Ut Trinh homestay for have the best lunch with some special dishes. After lunch, we can relax on the hammocks before coming back to our boat to the ferry station.
Transfer by private vehicle to your hotel in Can Tho for overnight.
Overnight at the hotel in Can Tho.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Can Tho
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

07.00 Morning cruise and morning tea break served on board.
08.00 Sampan excursion to Cai Rang floating market.
09.00 Road transfer to Rach Gia, snack box. (shuttle bus service)
13.00 Departure of ferry to Phu Quoc in Rach Gia.
~15.30 Arrival at Phu Quoc Bai Vong Pier; transfer to the hotel in Phu Quoc by shuttle bus.
 

Your time would be on your own at the beach or you might consider taking a short excursion to explore PhuQuoc, savoring the best seafood, fishing or diving and snorkeling to explore the beautiful undersea world (excluded). The coral is pristine, and the scattering of small islands at the bottom of PhuQuoc is home to a rich variety of marine bio-diversity.

Accommodation : At the hotel in Phu Quoc Island 

Meals: Breakfast 

Your time would be on your own at the beach or you might consider taking a short excursion to explore PhuQuoc, savoring the best seafood, fishing or diving and snorkeling to explore the beautiful undersea world (excluded). The coral is pristine, and the scattering of small islands at the bottom of PhuQuoc is home to a rich variety of marine bio-diversity. 

Accommodation : At the hotel in Phu Quoc Island 

Meals: Breakfast 

Your time would be on your own at beach or you might consider taking a short excursion to explore PhuQuoc, savoring the best seafood, fishing or diving and snorkeling to explore the beautiful undersea world (excluded). The coral is pristine, and the scattering of small islands at the bottom of PhuQuoc is home to a rich variety of marine biodiversity. 

Accommodation : At the hotel in Phu Quoc Island 

Meals: Breakfast 

Breakfast at the hotel, after that I was transferred to the airport to take the flight to Saigon and then connect to the flight back your home country. End of service

Accommodation : NA

Meals: Breakfast