Starting
off in Vietnam, cruise through dramatic karst scenery on a boat tour of Halong
Bay, step back into the world of the country's last emperors in Hue, soak up the
old-world charm of Hoi An and be awed by the endless energy of Ho Chi Minh
City. In Cambodia, discover the country's fascinating history and culture in
Phnom Penh's heaving streets and in the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor.
Combining highlights of countries, the Best of Vietnam and Cambodia tour will
open your eyes to the delights of Indochina and leave you awe-struck by these
magical locations.
Duration: 9 days
Start/Finish City: Ho Chi Minh City to
Siem Reap
Service Level: Premium
Physical Grading: 2
Travel Style: comfort
Trip Type: Small Group
Itinerary
On arrival, transfer to the hotel.
Check in. Afternoon visit to Senteurs d’Angkor Workshop & Garden –
discover locally crafted souvenirs, observe the preparation of Cambodian spices
such as Kampot pepper, lemongrass, and chili, and learn about their role in
traditional Khmer cuisine. Continue to Wat Bo Pagoda, the oldest in Siem Reap,
home to rare Khmer murals and spiritual sculptures. This quiet sanctuary offers
a glimpse into Cambodia’s spiritual life.
Overnight at a hotel in Siem Reap
(D)Breakfast at hotel. Visit the
ancient capital of Angkor Thom: South Gate with its colossal carved faces.
Bayon Temple, distinguished by its 54 towers with 200+ smiling faces. Baphuon
Temple, symbolizing Mount Meru in Hindu mythology. Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas,
Elephant Terrace & Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Ta Prohm Temple,
famously overgrown with giant fig trees and featured in the film Tomb Raider.
Afternoon tour of Angkor Wat, a 12th-century masterpiece covering 210 hectares
with galleries, courtyards, and the world’s longest bas-relief narrating Hindu
epics. End the day at Phnom Bakheng Hill to enjoy a tranquil sunset over the
Angkor complex. Return to Siem Reap town.
Overnight at a hotel in Siem Reap
(B, D)Breakfast at hotel. Morning
excursion to Banteay Srei Temple, also known as the “Citadel of Women,”
celebrated for its intricate pink sandstone carvings and refined Khmer art.
Return to Siem Reap and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (on your own). Afternoon
visit to Tonlé Sap Lake & Kompong Phluk Floating Village – take a boat ride
through stilted houses, see the mangrove forests, and experience the lifestyle
of lake communities. Evening stop at Old Market & Pub Street for shopping
and local exploration.
Overnight at a hotel in Siem Reap
(B, D)Breakfast at the hotel, then check out and transfer to the airport
for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and
relax. In the afternoon, start the city tour at the Reunification Palace, a
significant historical site marking the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. Today,
the grand building serves as a museum and a venue for official receptions.
Nearby is the colonial-styled Central Post Office, one of the city's major
landmarks. Enjoy a walking tour on Nguyen Hue Street, where you can take photos
of the Opera House (exterior) and the Ho Chi Minh Committee (exterior).
Continue walking to Ben Thanh Market, one of Saigon's iconic symbols, to
experience the daily life of the locals and shop for handmade goods.
Overnight at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh
(B, D)
After breakfast at the hotel, head to My Tho, known for its
coconut groves and family-run factories producing local products like coconut
candy and rice paper. Upon arrival, embark on a boat cruise on the mighty
Mekong River, observing the daily life of locals along the banks. Stop at one
of the four islands in the area for sightseeing and enjoy fresh tropical fruits
served in a garden, accompanied by traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music. Later,
transfer to smaller boats rowed by locals through narrow canals lined with
water coconut trees to visit local factories. Here, taste honey tea, see how
locals produce coconut candy and milk, and try some yourself. You can also
stroll through a garden where locals keep honeybees. Continue your journey on a
larger boat to explore the vast area. In the afternoon, visit Vinh Trang
Pagoda, a famous pagoda whose architecture blends Chinese, Cambodian, and
French cultures. Return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh
(B, D)
After
breakfast at the hotel, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. This extensive network of
over 200 km of tunnels became legendary for their crucial role in the war. In
their prime, the tunnels functioned as underground cities, complete with trap
doors, living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals,
command centers, and kitchens. After a brief introductory video explaining how
the tunnels were constructed, you'll have the opportunity to crawl through a
short section of the tunnels to experience their oppressive narrowness and
heat.
In
the afternoon, your guide and driver will take you to two shopping destinations
(a local market and a shopping mall) for you to explore at your own pace. If
time permits, you can visit both places.
Overnight at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh
(B, D)
After
breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon
arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. In the
afternoon, take an interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit
the serene Chinese Assembly Halls, admire the charm of ancient houses, or enjoy
Central Vietnamese folk music at old clubhouses. Later, you can stop at shrines
or stroll through the market by the Thu Bon River, where you may experience the
same inspiration as artists who view the rooftops of Hoi An as a magical old
world with an Oriental feel.
Overnight at a hotel in Hoian
(B, D)
After
breakfast at the hotel, depart in the morning for My Son Sanctuary, once an
imperial city during the Champa Dynasty between the 4th and 8th centuries.
Visit the Cham people's ruined towers and learn about the architecture of the
Cham civilization. Spend about 1.5 hours exploring the large complex of
religious relics, which comprises more than 65 architectural works. In 1999,
UNESCO designated the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage
Site. You will also have the chance to enjoy the traditional Apsara dance
performed by Cham girls. In the afternoon, transfer to Cam Thanh Coconut
Village. Here, you will experience a basket boat ride through the coconut
forest and learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families,
and their community. Experience the thrill of floating on the water waves and
join in a fun basket boat race with lively drum music. Aboard a boat and cruise
on the Cua Dai River, passing through a unique eco-region with a beautiful
mangrove forest, home to many animals such as crabs, shrimp, fish, and
soft-bodied creatures. Local people will teach you how to paddle the Vietnamese
bamboo basket boat and share stories of past wars and the harsh conditions
soldiers had to endure.
Overnight at a hotel in Hoian
(B, D)
Breakfast at the hotel. Check-in at your hotel. At 10 am, transfer
to Danang. In the afternoon, embark on a city tour starting with the Marble
Mountains, a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. Explore natural caves,
visit a Buddhist pagoda, and enjoy sweeping views from the summits. Then, visit
the Son Tra Peninsula, where you can admire panoramic ocean views and the Giant
Lady Buddha Statue, the tallest statue in Vietnam. Return to the city center to
visit the Dragon Bridge, featuring a 666-meter steel dragon, and Han Market, a
two-story market dating back to the 1940s. Here, you can find local produce,
handicrafts, clothing, accessories, and souvenirs.
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
(B, D)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Ba Na Hills to
explore this beautiful attraction in Da Nang City. You'll take a cable car to
the mountain summit at 1,487 meters above sea level. Start your visit at Ba Na
Hill, where you can enjoy various attractions such as the funicular, Debay
Ancient Wine Cellar & Le Jardin D’Amour, Linh Ung Pagoda, and Thich Ca
Buddhist Statue. In the afternoon, participate in activities and games at
Fantasy Park. Later, walk to the mountain summit, the highest point of Ba Na
Mountain at 1,487 meters, to visit the Bell Tower, Nghinh Phong Tower, and
Golden Bridge, capturing stunning photos of the mountain and Da Nang City.
Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Overnight at a hotel in Danang
(B, D)
Enjoy
breakfast at the hotel, then check out. In the morning, transfer to the airport
for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred
to your hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, the first high
school for Vietnamese scholars and a temple dedicated to Confucius. Continue to
the picturesque West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in
Hanoi, built in the 6th century. Next, take a short walking tour through the
fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses known as 'The 36 Streets,'
where each street is named after the merchandise traditionally sold there,
ranging from fabrics to crafts and from medicines to tombstones. Conclude your
day with a visit to Ngoc Son Temple located on Hoan Kiem Lake.
Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi
(B, D)Enjoy
breakfast at the hotel, then check out. In the morning, take a private transfer
via the old road (3.5 to 4 hours) to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site
designated in 1994 and 2006, and the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival
in Halong, check in to your overnight cruise to explore the magnificent beauty
of this "Descending-Dragon" Bay, characterized by thousands of
uniquely shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch featuring
local cuisine on board, visit the grottoes, stop for swimming or kayaking, pass
by floating houses, and get a close-up view of the stunning islets. Back on the
cruise, enjoy a cooking demonstration before having dinner (local food). In the
evening, participate in activities on the boat or relax at your leisure.
Overnight at a Halong Bay Cruise
(B, D)
After breakfast at the hotel,
continue your boat cruise through the marvelous areas of Halong Bay, where each
islet is named after its shape or resemblance, such as Sail Island, Fisherman’s
Head Rock, Butterfly Rock, and Turtle Islet. Check out of your room and enjoy
brunch on board featuring local cuisine while the cruise returns to the pier.
Disembark from the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi via the expressway (a 2.5
to 3-hour drive) to hotel, Relax.
Overnight at a hotel in Hanoi
(B, D)After breakfast, check out of the
hotel and proceed to Hanoi Airport for your flight to home.
(B)•
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
•
Accommodation on twin/double sharing basis
•
Two bottled water bottles per guest per day
•
English-speaking tour guide
•
Private air-conditioned vehicle (car/mini van/bus) with driver for all
transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
•
Airport/hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Entry tickets to all included attractions•
All domestic and international airfare
·
Remark: Above rate not applied for Lunar
New Year Festival in Viet Nam from 15-22Feb 25, surcharge for this period will
be 25-35%, to be advised case by case
•
Mandatory gratuities for driver, tour manager, and guide (per person, per day)
•
Tips to restaurant waitstaff
•
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
•
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
•
Self-drive rental vehicles
•
Optional tours and activities not specified in the itinerary