VIETNAM & CAMBODIA DISCOVERY - 13 DAYS
Highlights
- See Hanoi Old Quarter on cyclo ride.
- Cruise among the limestone karst islands and islets of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Wander around the Old Town of Hoi An - UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Discover the highlight of Saigon.
- Explore agriculture culture and lush fluvial landscape of Mekong Delta.
- Age range
- < 18 year olds +5 more
- Accommodation
- 3 / 4 / 5
- Transportation
Itinerary
Download PDF Brochure- DAY 1: ARRIVE IN HANOI
Welcome to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your tour guide and driver will meet you in the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel in downtown.
Later, hop on a cyclo, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing, you will have a great chance to have the local closer touch. Disembark at the ancient city gate of O Quan Chuong, then continue walking to Thanh Ha local market and through bustling streets & alleys.
In the evening, savor a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese food at local restaurant.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Meals included: No meals. - DAY 2: HANOI – CITY TOUR & LOCAL FOOD DISCOVERY
Start your morning with a visit to the Ba Dinh Square where stands the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh who led Vietnam to independence from French colonial rule. This site has become an important city landmark and a perfect place to learn more about Vietnam’s rich history. Here, you will take the group photo and hear the stories of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh.
Next stop by visiting Ho Chi Minh Museum where tells the story of the different stages of Ho Chi Minh’s life with artefacts, photos, dioramas, and pop-art style illustrations and painting. Then, visit the iconic One Pillar Pagoda – a unique Vietnamese architecture reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond and hear the legend of its construction.
Afternoon, continue with the Temple of Literature and explore its role in the country’s past, as both a university and a Confucius temple. The next tour not only tells you moving stories about the struggles of political prisoners but also provides immersive experiences, you’ll visit Hoa Lo prison (as known as Hanoi Hilton), where was used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of the Vietnam – American War.
Later, taking a cyclo for an hour, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this leisurely ride, which is perfect chance for photos and slow-moving sightseeing.
Finish the day with a walking tour and tasting Vietnamese authentic local cuisine around the Old Quarter area. You will have a chance to not only sample delicious street foods but also to explore hidden alleyways and bustling markets. Our food tour includes "Bun Cha" - rice noodle with BBQ pork, one of the most favorable dishes for foreigners, then followed by "Banh Cuon" - steamed rice roll, "Banh Mi" - another well-known Vietnamese food that is even added into Oxford English Dictionary.
Now, it is time for cup of Bia Hoi (Vietnamese draft beer) or enjoy a cup of unmissable Egg coffee, while we sit down and mingle with locals. It seems it is one not be missed for foodie in Hanoi.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner with streetfood. - DAY 3: HANOI - HALONG BAY - ON BOARD
After breakfast, check out of hotel, then you will be transferred about 3 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water at the Bay of Tonkins – it is indeed an impressive sight.
Board our cruise and after a delicious seafood lunch was served, we take a short trek to a nearby summit to enjoy the panorama view of the bay. As the day wanes, slip into a swim in the cool water before enjoying a sumptuous dinner under the moonlit sky.
(Note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships)
Overnight on cruise.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. - DAY 4: HALONG BAY - HANOI - FLY TO DANANG - HOIAN
Rising to the sound of the bay, enjoy an elegant breakfast before visiting a beautiful limestone grotto to admire its many unique rock formations. Then you’ll get back to the boat to form your final lasting impression of Halong Bay’s awe-inspiring beauty while cruising back to the dock, at the same time enjoy your lunch/ brunch.
Getting back onshore, you will be transferred directly to the airport which takes about 4 hours, then take a flight to Danang City.
Upon arrival at Danang airport, you are welcomed by the local guide and driver. They will send you to Hoian ancient town. Check in hotel & Free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Meals included: Breakfast. - DAY 5: HOIAN – VISIT LOCAL VILLAGE & ANCIENT TOWN
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to visit a local fishing village by cycling on level ground to the Thu Bon River. For safety purposes, you will be given a short bicycle competency test. For those uncomfortable with riding a bicycle, a private car can be arranged.
Ride along country lanes at a peaceful pace viewing local life and pause to see farmers toiling in their rice fields using centuries of farming practices. Peddle your way through palm forests, across bridges, fields of water buffalo…
Take a short break in a local family at Cam Thanh Village before enjoying a 1.5 hours ride on Traditional Basket Boat (round boat) in the Water Coconut Palm Forest. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time to catch fishes and “purple crabs” in the Canal.
Continue to ride your bike to Tra Que Organic Vegetable Village where a large variety of vegetables is produced for the local community. At the village, you will be shown the environmentally sustainable practices which the local villagers have used for centuries and is still being used extensively today.
After some farming practices, head a local family to enjoy a foot massage and the traditional herbal foot dip. After lunch, you will then ride back to the hotel to rest during the day. Get ready for the afternoon walking tour.
Afternoon, continue your trip to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will embark on a walking tour visiting the major attractions such as Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Continue to visit the Precious Heritage Museum, home to the permanent exhibition of Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting you to the furthest reaches of Vietnam, the collection will unveil the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic tribes
The highlight of the day is the visit to the Reaching Out Tea House, a welcome little oasis of calm in the busy, vibrant Old quarter, owned and operated by the mute and deaf people. Here you will be treated with delicious cakes and incredible tea in the Eastern style.
Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch. - DAY 6: HOIAN – FREE DAY
Today you are free to discover the ancient town or just relax at hotel.
Or you may join the optional tours:
1) Half day tour of cooking class with market tour
2) Full day tour to Ba Na Hills (Visit Golden Bridge)
Overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Meals included: Breakfast. - DAY 7: HOIAN – DANANG – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY & RIVER BUS TOUR
Have a breakfast. Enjoy your leisure time before transfer to Danang airport to catch the short flight to Ho Chi Minh city, still call Saigon by many locals.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed by the local guide and driver. They will send you to downtown Ho Chi Minh city. Check in hotel & Have a rest.
Ho Chi Minh City is surrounded by the poetic Saigon River. Saigon River winds around the city, creating many beautiful peninsulas such as Thu Thiem and Thanh Da. While some places as Bui Vien or Ben Thanh Market are getting more crowded and bored, why don't you try to discover the soul of this land - Saigon River. Maybe you will realize many miracles, a more accurate view of the land once called Paris of Indochina or the Pearl of the Far East.
Later, you will take the waterbus at Bach Dang Wharf -a beautiful park located in the center of Saigon.
You can stop at Thanh Da peninsula, this peninsula is a beautiful place and still quite untouched. In this peninsula, there are many old apartment buildings, this is one of a few places still remain the original Saigon.
Here you can enjoy a glass of "Cafe Sua Da", then return to Ben Bach Dang to get transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals included: Breakfast. - DAY 8: HO CHI MINH – CITY TOUR & CU CHI TUNNEL
Start your day with a transfer to Cu Chi, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and the Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits, all airms for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlas prolonged sieges.
After lunch, enjoy the attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Reunification Palace, a former residence of Indochina Governor General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam. Then, head out to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, where the French colonial presence can be felt. It was constructed between 1863 to 1880 entirely of imported French building material, including bricks from Marseilles and stained-glass windows from Chartres. The French-influenced design of Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral still acts as a stop for people who seek for old beauties and calmness.
Across the street to the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning architectural marvel with rich Gothic, Renaissance and French influences.
The last stop would be at Ben Thanh market where is to stock up on souvenirs, T-shirts, bags, coffee and other local products. Discover local life and culture if shopping is not your mission.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals included: Breakfast. - DAY 9: HO CHI MINH – DAY TRIP TO MEKONG DELTA (BEN TRE)
This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh City for the 2hour drive to the delta town of Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta, famous for its vast rice fields, numerous waterways, and beautiful landscapes. Known as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, this region produces most of Vietnam’s fruit, rice, sugar cane, and coconuts.
After the two-hour drive through the lush farming land, you will arrive in Ben Tre where you will set out on a motorized boat trip on narrow channels winding through the coconut forest. During the boat ride, you will stop at the local cottage industries to see how the local people make bricks and weave sleeping mats by hand. Learn about their craft handed down through generations.
Take a leisure walk along the village lanes, visiting the local homes to try fresh fruits, taste delicious honey tea while enjoying a local Tai Tu music show. Continue to visit another workshop where the local delicacy of coconut candy is produced and a wide range of coconut husk and fiber products are skillfully handcrafted.
Next, take a small sampan through palm-fringed back canals, gliding peacefully along the hidden waterways surrounded by an immense variety of tropical plants. The quiet, rural setting is a welcome and restorative retreat to the frenetic buzz of HCM City which seems far, far away.
Enjoy sitting in the back a Motor Cart (xe lôi) passing local hamlets, rice fields, coconut groves, and lush orchard farms while meeting with local people.
After finishing your sightseeing tour your guide will take you to a riverside restaurant for lunch with local specialties then return to the pier and drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
This evening you will be free to visit the night market to discover the authentic local cuisine.
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch. - DAY 10: HO CHI MINH – FLY TO SIEM REAP
Free day for your own activities, then transfer to airport to take a short flight to Siem Reap.
A warm greeting awaits at Siem Reap International airport – Cambodia, the local guide & driver will meet you in the arrivals lounge and transfer you to your hotel. Check in & free at leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Meals included: Breakfast. - DAY 11: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TOURS
A very early start today for one of the highlights of this tour. You'll travel by TukTuk to experience Sunrise at Angkor Wat Temple, the most wonderful remains of a disappeared civilization which between the 8th and 13th century, built the splendid Temple of Angkor, partially annihilated afterwards by invasion and hidden for centuries by forest. Angkor is the biggest attraction not just for Cambodia but for all over the world. This temple, dedicated to Vishnu, was constructed at the beginning of the twelfth century. It is remarkable for its powerful architecture and for the richness of its sculptures. Dawn is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit the temples, whose ancient sandstone blocks are gilded gold by the early morning rays.
Return to the hotel for breakfast then free at leisure.
We will enjoy a tour in the afternoon to discover more of Angkor Thom (the Great City) including the Southern Gate, Bayon temple, Baphuon temple, Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King & Phimean Akas: “Celestial Palace”, dedicated to Hinduism. Then visit the jungle-entwined temple, Ta Prohm – a hauntingly beautiful temple where the roots of giant banyans and strangler figs enfold much of the stonework, creating scenes little changed since the French Adventurer Henri Mouhot re-discovered Angkor in the 1850s. This temple makes the ‘Tomb Raider Temple’ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
Indulge in a scrumptious Cambodian dinner with the classical Apsara dancers depicting scenes from Khmer mythology at restaurant.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner. - DAY 12: SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private guide and driver, and transferred in a Lavender Jeep southeast to one of the largest and least-visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang, about 55km from Siem Reap. On the way, you will stop for hot sticky rice and then take a detour off the main highway into the countryside. You’ll wind through dirt roads and, in the rainy season, witness families working their rice paddies.
You will then continue to the Floating Village of Kompong Khleang with a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry.
Upon arrival board a motorized boat to visit the Kompong Khleang, the two other floating villages, and the Great lake. Explore the canals (wet season) or streets (dry season) of this incredible town. In the wet season, the houses appear to be floating, as water laps at the verandas, but in the dry season towering stilts are revealed, the houses almost like wooden skyscrapers.
During the boat ride, you will make stops to see where Bridge of Lifeworks, visit a Cambodian pagoda and a stilted home in the village to learn a little more about local life. Cruise into the open water of the lake to see a small floating village and learn some more about this incredible natural flood barrier.
You’ll end your tour with a boat ride back to the habour where your driver is waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Spend your time to relax and chill out at hotel. Later, meet your guide again and head out to enjoy Champagne and canapes on the 20-minute gondola boat ride through the moats of Angkor to Prasat Chrung Temple to watch the amazing sunset. This lesser-known temple is set on top of a hill in the Angkor complex offering excellent views and it is an ideal spot to watch the sun go down.
Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.
Meals included: Breakfast. - DAY 13: SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE
Your guide and driver greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Siem Reap International Aiport, to catch your departure flight home!
Meals included: Breakfast.
Detailed services
Accommodation
Rated Excellent by past passengers
Note:
All the hotels/ cruise are subject to availability and can be changed. In case any of the listed hotels are fully booked, alternatives of equivalence will be taken.Guide
Rated Excellent by past passengersEnglish Speaking Tour Guide (other language on request)
Meals
Rated Excellent by past passengersMeals as mentioned in the itinerary
Transport
Rated Excellent by past passengers
Private Car/Van with Air-Conditioning.
Flights
Note:
Please note that airfares are subject to availability and to change without notice
Price Includes
- All accommodation with daily breakfast
- All private transportation and transfers
- All domestic flights
- All sightseeing tickets/ entrance fees
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Local English speaking guides
- Cruise or boat trip as per program
- Mineral water on coach
Price Excludes
- International flights arrival to and departure
- Early check in or late check out at all hotels
- Personal expenditures such as beverage, laundry services, telephone calls
- Peak season or public holidays surcharge (if any)
- Tipping/ Gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Vietnam & Cambodia visa fee
- Other services not mentioned above