L I V E T R A V E L

LIVE Travel in Vietnam and Cambodia

Drifting on a junk through Ha Long’s limestone karst island scenery is our relaxing introduction to Vietnam. Then, in Hanoi, on the Red River, stroll the labyrinthine French colonial and Chinese streets. Continue South to the old Cham capital, Hue, and charismatic Hoi An. We drive along the central coast to the new unique Life Resort in untouristed Qui Nhon to relax by the sea or use the spa or pool. An overnight train leads to old Saigon with its French and Vietnamese style, spicy cuisine and subtle essence of Graham Greene. Emotive reminders of cruel war at Cu Chi and the War Crimes museum contrast with the bizarre synthesised beliefs of Cao Dai, colourfully worshipping Cunfucius, Charlie Chaplin, Shakespeare, Lao Tzu, Joan of Arc, Churchill and Christ. Graham Greene described Cao Dai as: ‘a Walt Disney fantasia of the East, dragons and snakes in technicolour’. The road from Cu Chi tunnels to Tay Ninh’s Cao Dai temple was where the haunting photograph of a burning young girl and her baby brother escaping their napalmed village was taken. The brother has a café across the street beside the local Cao Dai temple.
In Phnom Penh feel the horrid memories of the Khmer Rouge’s genocide at the Killing Fields alongside the smiles of a positive dynamic present. A speedboat cruises us along the Mekong River and across Tonle Sap lake to Siem Reap and the historic highlight of the tour: the Angkor complex, over 70 Khmer ruins covering 200 square kilometres of jungle. Angkor is one of the few World Heritage sites that exceeds expectations; grand in scale but perfection in detail.

Phil Haines will be on hand throughout the tour to ensure that full benefit of time is had with background cultural visits to markets, museums, galleries, bars and restaurants.

Day	ITINERARY 19th July to 5th August 2006
1	Depart Manchester by Etihad 0940h, arrive Abu Dhabi 2000h, transfer to 2155h flight, arrive Bangkok 0720h.
2	Board Air Asia at 1220h, arrives Hanoi 1425h & transfer to Galaxy hotel. Free until Water Puppets.
3	Drive to Halong Bay and board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay. Drop anchor for the night and dinner on-board by a remote island.
4	Spend a half-day cruising through new waters, stopping to visit colourful grottoes and swim at deserted beaches. After lunch, return to Hanoi in the afternoon stopping en route at Dong Trieu ceramics factory.
5	Hanoi - sightseeing - Hue/VN247 @ 1720-1900 Spend the whole day exploring the charm of Hanoi. In the morning, visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, his former residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit Ngoc Son Temple, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Lake of Restored Sword, Quan Thanh Temple, the bustling Old Quarter, and a traditional Vietnamese long house. Transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to Ngo Quyen hotel. Free at leisure or to enjoy a Hue festival banquet.
6	Hue - Danang - Hoi An Morning cruise through the centre of Hue on the romantic Perfume river. Visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda along the riverbank, then drive to the Imperial Citadel, the elaborate tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. Stop en route at family businesses to learn how Vietnam’s famous conical hats and colourful incenses are made. Proceed to Danang by car on a trip that is a highlight of central Vietnam. The three-hour drive hugs the ocean coastline, winds through emerald-green paddy fields and climbs over the dramatic Hai Van Mountain pass. Visit stonecutters at the Marble Mountains, famed for being a “Viet Cong” guerilla hideout during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival in the ancient port town of Hoi An, transfer to Cham ambience of the Life Resort hotel. The rest of the day is free for rest or exploring Hoi An.
7	Hoi An - Sightseeing Take a half-day walking tour of this quaint town, visiting ancient merchants’ houses, a Hokkien temple, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful riverside market. Afternoon drive to visit a workshop where artisans make Hoi An’s famous lanterns. Guests learn how the lanterns are made then have a chance to create their own lanterns, from designing the frame to gluing the cloth. Finish the day with a sunset boat trip on the Thu Bon river to Thanh Ha pottery village.
8	Hoi An – Danang-Nha Trang by train SE1 train 12:37-21:06 (subject to changes) Transfer to Danang station for SE1 to Nha Trang. On arrival, pick up & transfer to Yasaka hotel in Nha Trang.
9	Nha Trang-Boat cruise and Sightseeing Enjoy Nha Trang’s turquoise waters and white sandy beaches. Take a morning boat cruise to offshore islands At leisure to relax by the sea.
10	Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh city / S1 train 2113-0400 The day is free for relaxation until transfer to the station for night train, 4 per cabin, to Ho Chi Minh city.
11	Ho Chi Minh city - Cu Chi tunnels - Tay Ninh Pick up from the station and transfer for breakfast at local restaurant. Then drive to the extraordinary Cu Chi tunnels, just outside Ho Chi Minh City. During the Vietnamese War of Independence, "Viet Cong" guerillas built the labyrinth of narrow tunnels virtually underneath U.S. Military bases, using them to hide during bombings and to stage surprise attacks. En route to Cu Chi, seasonally we can see how rural people live and work: such as cashew nut farming, rice farming and production of rice paper, a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Proceed to the Holy See Temple at Tay Ninh to see an extraordinary ceremony practised by the Cao Dai religious sect. Return to Ho Chi Minh City and the ambient Continental Hotel where scenes for the Quiet American were filmed.
12	Ho Chi Minh city - sightseeing Take a full day to explore the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the former Presidential Palace, History Museum, Fine Art Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and Emperor of Jade Pagoda. In the afternoon, visit the War Remnants Museum, China town, Binh Tay Market and Thien Hau Pagoda. Visit a lacquerware factory before returning to the Continental.
13	Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh/VN817 @ 1155-1245 Barbara leaves 1030h arrives Bangkok 1230h Morning is free until transfer to airport for the flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival in Phnom Penh, transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Khmer Rouge Killing Fields. The exhibits at these sites are graphic, and may cause distress among some visitors.
14	Phom Penh - Siem Reap Morning take a boat trip to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, transfer to the Steung Siem Reap hotel. In the afternoon, explore Khmer temples from the early Angkor period. Visit the Roluos group of temples dating from the 9th and 10 century, including Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei temples. Return to hotel in early evening.
15	Siem Reap - Angkor Complex Begin exploration of the ancient city of Angkor by entering Angkor Thom via the South Gate. Continue the journey viewing the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terraces, the Leper King Terrace. In the afternoon, visit the epic Angkor Wat, viewing its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. End the day with a spectacular sunset viewed from the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng.
16	Siem Reap - Angkor Complex After breakfast, proceed to the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva - Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre temple. On the way back, stop at the three-tiered temple-hill of Pre Rup. There, view the Bantey Kdei with its rarely seen sculpted female deities, the Lake of Srah Srang, and the impressive Ta Prohm Temple, which is dramatically enveloped by jungle. Visit the Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevada, and Thommanon temples before returning to hotel.
17	The morning is free for shopping or leisure. Transfer to airport for flight at 1930h. Arrive in Bangkok 2020h until depart at 2100h arriving Abu Dhabi at 0015h, 5th August, depart 0210h arrive Manchester 0655h.

COSTS £1925 includes: flights, transport, transfers, English-speaking guide and B&B hotels. Single supplement £200. The air holiday and flight is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6151.

Excludes: Visa on arrival charges for Vietnam and Cambodia $25 each, insurance (available through LIVE Travel for £37), meals not mentioned, tips, drinks, laundry and other personal items.

NB: this trip occurs at the start of the rainy season, showers usually fall for half an hour, please come prepared.

+44 (0) 20 8894 6104 phil.haines@live-travel.com

LIVE Travel in Vietnam and Cambodia

Depart Manchester by Etihad 0940h, arrive Abu Dhabi 2000h, transfer to 2155h flight, arrive Bangkok 0720h.

COSTS £1925 includes: flights, transport, transfers, English-speaking guide and B&B hotels. Single supplement £200. The air holiday and flight is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6151.