Upcoming Vietnam/Angkor Wat trip - let me know what you think!

In July 2011 - planning a trip to Vietnam and Angkor Wat.  Let me know if you have any tips, comments, suggestions...

Day 1:  3 July, Ho Chi Minh arrival

Arrive at Tan San Nhat Airport

Day 2 : 4 July, Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh

• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975
• Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office
• Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit 
• The final stop is Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon

Day 3: 5 July, Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta

Day 4: 6 July, Ho Chi Minh  - Nha Trang

Day 5: 7 July, Nha Trang

Day 6: 8 July, Nha Trang – Danang – Hoi An

• Danang City - short city tour seeing the famous Cham Museum, formerly the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient
• Marble Mountain 
• China Beach
• Arrive in Hoi An

Day 7: 9 July, Hoi An

• Tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colorful market

Day 8: 10 July, Hoi An – Hue - half day city tour

• Hue - Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City 
• Hue Imperial Museum 
• Boat trip on Perfume river with a visit of Thien Mu  Pagoda
• Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang

Day 9: 11 July, Hue – Hanoi – City tour

• Fly to Hanoi -  tour with Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts
• One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the
• Temple of Literature
• Ethnologic Museum

Day 10: 12 July, Hanoi – Halong

• Halong Bay - private cabin.  These rocky islands are littered with tiny beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves.
• Seafood lunch served on boat before anchoring for an interesting visit to Sung Sot Grotto, one of the many hidden sights beneath towering cliffs, and a leisurely swim at Ti Tov or Soi Sim Beaches

Day 11: 13 July, Halong – Hanoi

• Head back to Hannoi - make a stop at Luon Cave to explore a scenic lagoon. This hidden tunnel can be only accessed by a rowing bamboo boat or kayak.

• Water Puppet show

Day 12: 14 July, Hanoi – Siem Reap

• Fly to Siem Reap
• South Gate of Angkor Thom which is  famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King 

Day 13: 15 July, Siem Reap - Angkor Temples

• The  jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm 
• Nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado
• Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup
• Walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments

Day 14: 16 July, Siem Reap - Angkor Temples - Banteay Srei

• Heading out of town we drive beyond the Angkor Complex  through the Preah Dark village to  the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei Temple.  The roads begin to deteriorate but it is still fascinating to drive past the rolling mountain scenery towards Kbal Spean. This interesting site locally named the river of 1000 Lingars, has been largely reclaimed by the jungle; however it involves a walk to catch a view over its riverbed carvings.
• The next stop is  Banteay Samre which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and  Krishna legends. 

Day 15: 17 July, Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh

• Tonle Sap Lake on a boat trip
• Fly to Korea!