Upon arrival to Hanoi, meet up with the Tour guide and beginning our Southeast Asia tour.  We will begin to visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, an important place of pilgrimage. A traffic-free area of botanical gardens, monuments, memorials and pagodas, it’s usually crowded with groups of all ages, from all over the nation, who has come to pay their respects. Within the complex you can visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (Outside visiting as it’s closed for annual maintenance), Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, Ho Chi Minh Museum. The nearby famous One Pillar Pagoda which is built of wood on a single stone pillar 1.25 m in diameter. It is designed to resemble a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity, since a lotus blossoms in a muddy pond. Take a cyclo in Hanoi Old Quarter – 36 streets and guilds to discover the ancient feature of Hanoi and daily life

Ba Dinh Square: The Square is located in the center of Ba Dinh District  in Hanoi where president Ho Chi Minh read the Proclamation of Independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on September 2, 1945.[1] It is named after the Ba Đình Uprising, an anti-French rebellion that occurred in Vietnam in 1886–1887 as part of the movement. When Ho Chi Minh died, the granite Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum was built here to display his embalmed body. It remains a major site of tourism and pilgrimage. There are several important buildings located around the square including the President's Palace, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the National Assembly Building.

Uncle Ho’s Stilt House: Located in the heart of Hanoi, is as modest and simple as the president himself. It preserves a lot of memories from the time he lived and worked here, especially in his last 10 years. When the peace of Northern Vietnam was restored in October 1954, President Ho Chi Minh returned to Hanoi from Viet Bac War Zone. He relocated to the Presidential Palace at the end of December of the same year. The Presidential Palace is a special national relic complex, having 16 large and small buildings. Among them, Uncle Ho's Stilt House is an outstanding work. During a visit to Dai Tu District in Thai Nguyen Province, Ho Chi Minh expressed his desire to stay in a stilt house that resembled the traditional house of the Tay - Thai ethnic group in Viet Bac. He also wanted the house to be built next to the fish pond in the Presidential Palace. Uncle Ho then met an architect named Nguyen Van Ninh. Together, they constructed a modest two-story wooden house on stilts. The house was finished on May 17, 1958, just in time for Ho Chi Minh's birthday anniversary. It stands behind the main building of the Presidential Palace. All of this has created a tranquil and fresh atmosphere for the stilt house. The house is 10.5 meters in length and 6.3 meters in height. It has two floors with a wooden tilted roof. The first floor only consists of stairs and columns and has no walls or rooms. Going up the stairs, you will see a living room where Uncle Ho and key government officials used to have meetings. This was also his personal office during summers.

Ho Chi Minh Museum-The huge concrete Soviet-style Museum is a triumphalist monument dedicated to the life and legacy of President Ho Chi Minh.  Its offers a comprehensive insight into his revolutionary journey and leadership.  You can explore exhibitions showcasing his personal artifacts, fascinating photographs, and dusty official documents relating to the overthrow of the French and the onward march of revolutionary socialism, providing a deeper understanding of his influential role in Vietnam’s history.

36 Old Street: 36 street Hanoi, located in Hanoi Old Quarter, is a culturally significant destination in the center of Vietnam's capital city. The phrase “Hanoi 36 pho phuong” is engraved in the hearts and minds of most Vietnamese people and many tourists worldwide for its traditional architecture and diverse cultural experience. People call the "36 Streets" because every street in this town is named after the kind of goods traded by merchants.  They built their houses and sold one kind of goods together because they came from the same place.

Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests. Junk boat tours and sea kayak expeditions take visitors past islands named for their shapes, including Stone Dog and Teapot islets. The region is popular for scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking, particularly in mountainous Cát Bà National Park

(The itinerary is subjected to change by the Athena Cruise without prior notice)

After disembark from the pier, we begin to drive to the filming location of the famous James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. Along the way, you can enjoy the endless farmland scenery and beautiful mountain scenery (3.5 hours drive).Then transfer to Hanoi airport and fly to Da Nang. Upon arrive, the tourguide will greet us at the airport and transfer to the hotel to rest.

Da Nang is a coastal city in central Vietnam known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port. It's a popular base for visiting the inland Bà Nà hills to the west of the city. Here the hillside Hải Vân Pass has views of Da Nang Bay and the Marble Mountains. These 5 limestone outcrops are topped with pagodas and hide caves containing Buddhist shrines

Ba Na Hill: Theme parks may not be to every traveller’s taste. But Sun World Ba Na Hills; the European-themed recreational complex in the TruongSon Mountains, about 30km from Danang certainly draws the crowds. That’s because it offers every visitor, of all ages , an entertaining way in cool climes. Ba Na Hills was formerly a popular vacation spot of the French, complete with villas and a resort. It fell into disrepair until it was developed into the popular theme park it is today. The only way up to Ba Na Hills is via the cable-cars. CNN ranked this infrastructure among the 10 most impressive cable-car systems in the world, and it’s won more than one Guinness World Record besides. At the top, wander the French Village for photo a plenty. It has everything you’d expect from a medieval village such as a town square, a huge garden, Buddist statue, cute cafes, a cathedral and fountains etc. It looks realistic, so as you walk the cobbled streets and hear the French music playing, you’ll feel transported to Europe of yesteryear.

Son Tra Peninsula - is 10km from the center of Da Nang City to the North-east and is 693m high above sea level and can be seen from every place in the city. Son Tra looks like a mushroom of which cap is Son Tra Mountain and stalk is a beautiful sandy beach that affords an ideal area for bathing, playing sports, fishing and swimming.With its sea-oriented appearance, Son Tra acts as a giant screen protecting Da Nang from storms and cyclones coming from the sea. Son Tra is put under the national protected forest regulation since it is a natural preservation area. The Peninsula is famous for its plentiful plants and fauna as well as the attractive scenery. If you are a person of religion, or simply someone who’s looking for a quiet and tranquil place, then Linh Ung Pagoda (Bai But) might be the perfect place waiting for you. The most important and visible highlight of the Linh Ung pagoda is the Lady Buddha statue-the tallest one in Vietnam (67m high). It is also placed on a 35m-high lotus diameter, making the total height over 100 meters, equivalent to a 30-floor building. As time goes by, Linh Ung pagoda has become a famous place of worship, a place for the monks and nuns living and studying, as well as an interesting and peaceful sightseeing place for visitors.

Hoi An:  is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved UNESCO Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

Huế is a city in central Vietnam that was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. As the former Vietnam capital, boasts a long-lasting treasure trove of world-renowned ancient wonders, distinctive cultural traits, and delightful traditional cuisine A major attraction is its vast, 19th-century Đại Nội Citadel, surrounded by a moat and thick stone walls. It encompasses the Imperial City, with palaces and shrines; the Forbidden Purple City (Tử cấm thành), once the emperor’s home; and a replica of the Royal Theater.

My Son Sanctuary - This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes over 70 structures and extensive buried archaeology. The temples differ in structural style, reflecting the various eras of the Cham Kingdom over a period of 10 centuries. These abandoned and partly ruined structures are a popular tourist attraction for photographers, and people interested in ancient civilizations and their spiritual architecture.  The sanctuary is also considered significantly unique and rare among Cham towers’ architectural forms. Visitors will be amazed by the towers at My Son. There are walls, yards and roads linking the towers together in groups with the main temple in the centre.

The Citadel: With a day in Hue, you can explore the relics of the rule that is established by Nguyen Long took control of Vietnam, starting with the Citadel's.The Citadel’s thick walls protect the Imperial City, a feng shui designed complex of administrative buildings, dynastic temples, parks and the Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Purple City), reserved for the emperor and his family. Much of the citadel was destroyed during the Vietnam War, but it’s slowly being restored. Today, you can walk through the Ngo Mon (southwest gate) topped with the Five Phoenix Watchtower, its tiered yellow-and-green glazed-tile roofs designed to look like five birds in flight. The main palace within, Thai Hoa has been repaired back to its former red-and-gold lacquered glory. The original floor tiles and mirror remain, albeit riddled with bullet holes.

From the citadel, you can journey along the Perfume River to visit the final resting places of the Nguyen emperors. Seven mausoleums are scattered along the riverside, as well as the seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda, a focal point for anti-government protests in the 1960s. and the mausoleum of Tu Duc. The mausoleum of Tu Duc is located in Huế, Vietnam. It is built for the Nguyễn Emperor Tự Đức and took three years to build, from 1864 to 1867. This tomb is the most popular, imposing and impressive of the royal mausoleums' The complex is expansive, with grand pavilions, stunning courtyards, and a tranquil lake.

Ho Chi Minh City, commonly referred to by its former name Saigon, is the most populous city in Vietnam, with a population of around 10 million in 2023. The city's geography is defined by rivers and canals, of which the eponymously-named Saigon River is the largest. Ho Chi Minh is most notably known for its importance during the Vietnam war. However, there is so much more to this city than old war museums and vietcong tunnels. Ho Chi Minh has something for everyone ranging from the intense night life on walking street, to incredible local food found all over the city.

Notre-Dame Cathedral: is located in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City. It was constructed between 1863 and 1880 by the French, and reaches a height of up to 60 meters. The Cathedral is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Saigon, and is where the chair of the Archbishop of Saigon, who has a strong influence on the religious life of Catholic adherents in the south of Vietnam, is located. Since it is located right next to the Saigon Central Post Office, it is recommended that you visit these two attractions and the nearby Independence Palace at the same time.

This church was crowned the Basilica title in 1962 and is one of the only four Basilicas in Vietnam for its important role in the Vietnamese Catholic community. The construction work of this Basilica began in 1877 and lasted for three years under the supervision of J. Bourad, who was the designer of this building. The inauguration mass of the cathedral took place on April 11, 1880. The most special thing about this church is that it has a diverse system of stained-glass windows depicting Saints and stories in the Bible. In addition, it is one of the few churches in Vietnam that has a real pipe organ, which is deemed the king of instruments. However, it has been severely damaged and can no longer be used and has been replaced by an electronic pipe organ produced by Rodgers.

Outside the main building lies a small garden that has the statue of Mary - Queen of Peace. This statue, which is made from marble, was completed by the Italian Sculptor G. Ciocchetti in 1959. Please note that the church is undergoing a major restoration and entries outside of mass times are not allowed.

Central Post Office: is notable for its perfect combination of neo-classical European architecture and Asian decorations. This magnificent post office attracts a large number of domestic and foreign visitors, making it a must-see when you are in Ho Chi Minh City.

The history of Saigon Central Post Office dates back to the late nineteenth century, when Vietnam was part of French Indochina. After successfully invading Saigon in 1863, the French started establishing a communication system by constructing Saigon Telegraph-wire Department, which was the precursor of Saigon Central Post Office. The designer of this building was Gustave Eiffel, who was the architect of some iconic constructions including the Eiffel Tower (Paris), Statue of Liberty (New York) and Long Bien Bridge (Hanoi). The magnificent Saigon Central Post Office, Vietnam's largest post office and oldest colonial structure, is a vital part of Ho Chi Minh City's colonial legacy, which attracts visitors with its aesthetic and historical values. Despite having been in operation for more than 100 years, Saigon Central Post Office's enduring beauty has not faded over time. It features a distinctive mix of elegant French architecture and artistic Asian elements.

Independence Palace:symbolizes Vietnam's victory, peace, and territorial integrity. This place has a glamorous design, hundreds of rooms equipped with luxurious furnishings and decorations, and an enormous and gorgeous exterior space. It is the perfect place for visitors to get away from the heat in Southern Vietnam, enjoy the fresh cool air, and explore one of the most remarkable structures in City. The Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, was built on the site of the former Norodom Palace. It represents the traditional philosophy, the oriental rituals, and the characteristics of the Vietnamese people in a harmonious combination with modern structures.

BếnThành Market (Vietnamese: Chợ Bến Thành) is located in the center of HồChí Minh City, Vietnam in District 1. The market is one of the earliest surviving structures in Ho Chi Minh City and an important symbol of the city. Ben Thanh Market is a famous destination for many local and foreign tourists from all around the world. The market was originally structured to be near the Saigon River. As a former floating market, the surrounding canals offered the convenience for boats to pick up and drop off items for trade. After being relocated in 1912 near the My Tho railway station (currently the Saigon bus station), the market possesses one of the most optimal locations in District 1. Ben Thanh market has a total area of 13,056 m².[2] The 100-year-old building has a unique French Indochinese design that stands out among the modern and contemporary buildings around Saigon center. Throughout the years, the market underwent major renovations to both the exterior and interior, but the overall architecture remained with its iconic bell tower in the foreground. Since the building was constructed by SociétéImmobilière HUI BON HOA around the time of the French Colonial Era, the building holds strong French influence. Khuong Van Muoi, President of the city Architects’ Association, said the build adopted some of its unique features from French architects. He mentions the orientation of the building and banners along the roof that extends over the market to provide shade. These designs were integrated specifically for natural air-conditioning.

Cambodia, often known as the 'Kingdom of Wonder,' is a country that teems with natural beauty and historical sites. From iconic temple complexes to laid-back beaches and bustling riverside towns, the country offers a wide variety of experiences that leave travellers inspired

Cambodia's flag is the only one in the world with a building on it. While Cambodia's flag boasts popular colours of red, white and blue, it's the only flag in the world to have a building on it – an outline of the illustrious Angkor Wat.

Siem Reap, a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, is the gateway to the ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. Angkor’s vast complex of intricate stone buildings includes preserved Angkor Wat, the main temple, which is pictured on Cambodia’s flag. Giant, mysterious faces are carved into the Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom.

Psah Chas, also commonly romanized as Phsar Cha is a market in Siem Reap in northern Cambodia. Not to be confused with the similarly named Psah Chas in Phnom Penh that is geared toward locals, this market in the south of the city caters to locals and tourists alikes,

Angkor Institute of Arts and Culture was jointly established by the French cultural and educational organization and the Cambodian government with the purpose of training Cambodian youth and deaf-mute youth in skills. The workshop has wood carving, stone carving, painting, silk dyeing and other studios. There are also cafes and shops inside, where you can enjoy some ice cream to cool off. In addition, the variety of silk products produced by this workshop is the best in Siem Reap and is exported to Japan, Hong Kong, France and other regions for reference.

Royal Gardens Siem Reap Located near the famous Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, which first opened its doors in 1932 and reopened post-Covid in June 2022, the Royal Gardens are also home to a colony of fruit bats that circle the area en masse during dusk. So long as you have no fear of bats, then this is one of those free experiences that can make for a pleasant end to a long day. Alternatively, you will often find special events held here, especially Apsara dancing displays, or sometimes even art installations. It is a very pleasant place to linger especially when the sun is beginning to set and the heat of the afternoon has started to dissipate.

Angkor Thom - It was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII.  It covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. At the center of the city is Jayavarman's state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north. The site is one of the major tourist attractions of Southeast Asia.Angkor Thom seems not to be the first Khmer capital on the site, however. Yasodharapura, dating from three centuries earlier, was centred slightly further northwest, and Angkor Thom overlapped parts of it. The most notable earlier temples within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas, which was incorporated into the Royal Palace. The Khmers did not draw any clear distinctions between Angkor Thom and Yashodharapura; even in the 14th century, an inscription used the earlier name.[4]: 138  The name of Angkor Thom—great city—was in use from the 16th century.

Angkor Wat - Angkor Wat is a Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Located on a site measuring 162.6 hectares within the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor, it is considered as the largest religious structure in the world by Guinness World Records.The architecture and layout of the successive capitals bear witness to a high level of social order and ranking within the Khmer Empire. Angkor is therefore a major site exemplifying cultural, religious and symbolic values, as well as containing high architectural, archaeological and artistic significance.Angkor Wat is believed to have been built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god, Vishnu. It was thought to represent Mount Meru, the Himalayan home of the gods in Hindu mythology. Over time, the religious beliefs of the local people, the Khmer, shifted and the temple was converted to a Buddhist temple.

Bayon Temple - The Bayon is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces of The Buddha - probably modeled on the face of King Jayavarman VII - on every side the many towers that jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak. The carved faces gracing the main towers and gates are hotly debated by scholars. Some identify them as the many faces of the Hindu god Shiva. Others believe they represent King Jayavarman VII, who began building the complex. The most popular theory is also the most reasonable: the Bayon are the faces of Bodhisattvas.

Phnom Bakheng (Khmer:ភ្នំបាខែង [pʰnom baːkʰaeŋ]) is a Hindu temple in the form of a temple mountain in Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.[2] Dedicated to Shiva, it was built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of King Yasovarman (889–910). Located atop a hill, it is nowadays a popular tourist spot for stunning sunset views of the much bigger temple Angkor Wat, which lies amid the jungle about 1.5 km to the southeast.

Ta Prohm is the modern name of a temple near the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia, approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray. It was built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th century and early 13th century and was originally called Rajavihara. Ta Prohm is especially serene and beautiful in the early morning. It was built about mid-12th century to early 13th century (1186) by the King Jayavarman VII, dedicated to the mother of the king (Buddhist) replica to Bayon style of art.Ta Prohm is cloaked in dappled shadow, its crumbling towers and walls locked in the slow muscular embrace of vast root systems. Undoubtedly the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor, Ta Prohm should be high on the hit list of every visitor. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been swallowed by the jungle, and looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.

After breakfast, we will drive to Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital mixed with cultureal, commercial and political elements, Its' sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap rivers. It was a hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On its walkable riverfront, lined with parks, restaurants and bars, the ornate Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and the National Museum, displaying artifacts from around the country.

Central Market: The Central Market (Khmer: ផ្សារធំថ្មី, Phsar Thum Thmei; meaning "New Grand Market") is a market and an art deco landmark in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The bright yellow building completed in 1937 has a 26-metre high central dome, with four tall arch-roofed arms branching out diagonally across the block, creating vast hallways housing countless stalls and a variety of goods. Initially designed by city architect Jean Desbois, construction works were supervised by French architect Louis Chauchon. When it first opened in 1937, it was said to be the biggest market in Asia; today it still operates as a market.

The Royal Palace was first constructed in 1866 by King Norodom I, who wanted to create a grand residence for himself and his family. The palace was designed in a traditional Khmer architectural style, with many ornate features such as intricate carvings and sculptures. The complex also included several pavilions, gardens, pools, and courtyards. In 1887, King Norodom I passed away and his son Prince Sisowath took over as ruler. He made significant changes to the palace, adding new buildings such as the Throne Hall and Silver Pagoda. He also added several new gardens to the complex. In 1904, King Sisowath passed away and his son Prince Monivong became king. During his reign, he made further improvements to the palace complex including a new library and museum. He also built a large wall around the palace to protect it from intruders.

The Royal Palace continued to be used by successive kings until 1975 when it was taken over by the Khmer Rouge regime during their reign of terror in Cambodia. During this period, much of the palace was destroyed or looted by members of the regime. After Cambodia gained independence from Vietnam in 1979, King Norodom Sihanouk returned to take up residence at the Royal Palace once again. He made numerous repairs and renovations to restore its former glory before he passed away in 2004. Today, visitors can explore many parts of the Royal Palace complex including several pavilions that house various artifacts related to Cambodian history such as artworks, weapons, jewelry, coins, musical instruments, and more. There are also several gardens within the complex which have been beautifully landscaped with trees and flowers providing visitors with an oasis of tranquility amidst all of Phnom Penh’s hustle and bustle. .**

After breakfast, transfer to the airport at the designated time, ending the pleasant journey.