Myanmar to Vietnam Heritage Journey: 11 Days

Welcome to Myanmar, a country celebrated for its golden pagodas, Buddhist traditions and diverse cultural heritage.

Upon arrival at Yangon International Airport, you will meet our local tour guide and transfer by private vehicle to your hotel. After checking-in, you will enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a gentle walk through the surrounding neighbourhood or simply relax after your flight.

Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Yangon

After enjoying breakfast, you will begin your exploration of Yangon with a walk through its historic downtown district. Here, you can see some landmarks such as City Hall, the former High Court, Pansodan Street and the colonial-era buildings near Strand Road. The architecture provides a fascinating introduction to the city’s commercial and political past.

Next, you continue to visit Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to an impressive reclining Buddha image. You may also visit Bogyoke Aung San Market when it is open, with time to browse traditional handicrafts, textiles, jewellery and local products.

In the late afternoon, you will visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most revered Buddhist monument. From here, you can watch as the golden stupa changes colour in the fading sunlight and observe local devotees lighting candles and making offerings.

Then, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Mandalay. Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and take you to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Mandalay

After having breakfast, you will drive to Amarapura, a former royal capital situated outside Mandalay. Visiting Mahagandayon Monastery to learn about Buddhist monastic life. The visit will be conducted respectfully and may be adjusted according to the monastery’s daily activities.

Afterward, you will continue to visit U Bein Bridge, an iconic teakwood footbridge extending across Taungthaman Lake. Here, you will take a leisurely walk and observe fishermen, local commuters and communities living beside the water.

Next, you will return to Mandalay and visit Mahamuni Pagoda, one of Myanmar’s most important pilgrimage sites. You continue traveling to Shwenandaw Monastery, admired for its detailed teak carvings. Before exploring Kuthodaw Pagoda and its 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist scriptures.

If time permits, you can stop at a traditional workshop to observe craftspeople producing gold leaf, woodcarvings. Or tapestries using techniques passed down through generations.

Later, you will travel to Bagan by the most appropriate available service, such as a domestic flight or private overland transfer. Check in upon arrival.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

Today is dedicated to the magnificent Bagan Archaeological Zone, where thousands of religious monuments rise above the central Myanmar plains.

Firstly, you will begin visiting at Nyaung U Market, where residents shop for fresh produce, spices, textiles and household products. Then, you continue to visit Shwezigon Pagoda, an important religious monument that influenced the design of later Burmese stupas.

Afterward, you will explore Ananda Temple, one of Bagan’s finest surviving examples of temple architecture. Before visiting selected monuments such as Htilominlo Temple, Gubyaukgyi Temple, Manuha Temple or Dhammayangyi Temple. The exact selection may vary according to restoration work and site access.

In the afternoon, you will visit a traditional lacquerware workshop and learn how bamboo objects are coated, polished. As well as engraved and decorated through a time-consuming artisanal process.

End the day at an authorised viewpoint to admire the warm evening light spreading across Bagan’s temple-filled landscape.

An optional hot-air balloon flight may be available during the operating season, subject to weather, local conditions and advance reservation.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
 Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

After having breakfast, journey beyond Bagan’s best-known monuments to discover the rhythms of rural life. You will visit a local village where residents may produce palm products, noodles, bamboo goods, traditional snacks or other handmade items.

Besides, you can walk along quiet paths between family homes and farming areas. While our guide explains local customs, agriculture and community traditions. The experience provides a more personal perspective on the region beyond its famous archaeological sites.

Later, you will return to the heritage zone to visit several lesser-known temples and peaceful religious monuments. In the late afternoon, you’ll board a local boat for a relaxing cruise along the Ayeyarwady River. Or admiring riverside settlements and the silhouettes of distant pagodas as the sun descends.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Bagan

In the morning, you will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Yangon. Connecting with your onward international journey to Hanoi, which may operate through a regional transit hub depending on the available flight schedule.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will complete immigration formalities and meet your Vietnamese guide. Transferring to your centrally located hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free for relaxation or an independent walk around Hoan Kiem Lake.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

After having breakfast, you will begin a full-day discovery of Vietnam’s capital. Visiting the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where you can see Ba Dinh Square, the exterior of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the traditional stilt house. Then, you continue to visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, one of Hanoi’s most recognisable religious landmarks.

Next, you will proceed to the Temple of Literature, founded in the 11th century and closely associated with Vietnam’s first national university. Its courtyards, gateways and stone stelae reflect the country’s long respect for education and scholarship.

After enjoying lunch, you will explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a lively maze of streets once organised according to specialised craft guilds. Here, you can pass traditional houses, local markets, temples and small family-run businesses before walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and visiting Ngoc Son Temple.

Besides, the sightseeing programme will include a traditional water puppet performance accompanied by Vietnamese folk instruments.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

After having breakfast, you will leave central Hanoi for a cultural excursion into the surrounding countryside. Depending on the final programme and local opening arrangements, visit an ancient village, traditional craft community or historic pagoda.

In addition, you can walk through peaceful lanes and learn about the architecture of northern Vietnamese communal houses, ancestral worship and village traditions. Or you can meet local craftspeople and observe how skills such as pottery, lacquerwork, woodcarving or silk production are preserved.

After enjoying lunch, you will return to Hanoi. The rest of the afternoon is free for shopping, café visits or independent exploration of the Old Quarter.

Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

In the morning, you will have breakfast at hotel, then depart Hanoi for Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most celebrated natural attractions. On arrival at the cruise terminal, you will complete boarding procedures and receive a welcome drink and safety briefing.

Next, you will enjoy lunch as the vessel sails into a remarkable landscape of limestone towers, forested islands and peaceful coves. Depending on the cruise route and weather conditions, the afternoon programme may include a cave visit, kayaking, swimming or a bamboo-boat excursion.

Then, you will return to the vessel and relax on the sundeck while cruising through the bay. You may join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration before enjoying dinner on board.

In addition, you can spend the evening admiring the tranquil scenery or participating in optional cruise activities.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Ha Long Bay cruise

You will start the morning with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck as daylight appears over the limestone islands. A light breakfast is served while the cruise continues through the bay.

Besides, you will join the scheduled morning excursion, which may include a grotto, island viewpoint or local rowing-boat experience. Returning to the vessel, checking out of your cabin and enjoying brunch or an early lunch while cruising back to the harbour.

Finish the day, you will disembark and transfer to Hanoi. After checking into your hotel, you will enjoy some free time before gathering for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

In the morning, you will enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel. The remaining time is free for relaxation or last-minute shopping, depending on your flight schedule.

At the appointed time, you will meet our driver and transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight. Finally, your Myanmar to Vietnam Heritage Journey: 11 Days will end with memorable experiences of ancient temples, vibrant cities, traditional communities and spectacular landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None