Best of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour - 15 days

After breakfast, enjoy your tour of Hanoi with morning visit to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex dedicated to the father of modern Vietnam which consists of the Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s house on stilts. Near by is the One Pillar Pagoda – an iconic symbol of the city that dated back from 1049.

Following, visit the ruin of the ancient Imperial Citadel of Thang Long and then the Temple of Literature, the first University of the country that built from 1076, where huge stone steles on turtle backs bear names of the country’s men who received Doctor Laureate through royal examinations.

In the afternoon, spend time to explore one of the city lovely museum and then visit to the Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple where a legendary turtle is reserved.

Later of the day, take a leisurely walking tour for sightseeing of the Hanoi Old Quarter, a maze of streets with thousands of photo opportunities around you. Along the way, you will have chance to sightsee local street life, traditional guilds, food market, shopping areas, food venues, ancient houses and temples.

Enjoy tasting some Hanoi specialties and finish end the day with a cup of Hanoi special egg coffee in a hundred years old family shop.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for your drive to Ninh Binh province, the land that is famous with spectacular karst landscapes and rustic countryside.

Visit to Hoa Lu ancient capital dating back 10th century and surrounded by a nature wall or high limestone mountains, visiting temples dedicated to National heroes and Kings of the Dinh and Early Le Dynasties. From here you will take a bicycle ride along little country path passing fascinating rice paddies and villages for exploring the rural life.

In the afternoon, take little rowing boat for a leisure ride along peaceful stream amongst jutting mountains and undulating water rice paddies, getting through three natural caves of Tam Coc. The scenery along the gentle row is stunning and it is deserved to be the highlight activities of the day.

Later, pay a visit to the Ngu Nhac Mountain with Bich Dong Pagoda that consist of three temples built on cliff and in cave of the mountains. 

Drive back Hanoi and evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel then get picked up for a drive along the fertile land of the Red River Delta to Hon Gai pier where you board the boat for cruise on spectacular Halong Bay & Bai Tu Long Bay. 

Said to be one of the most beautiful nature wonders in the World, Halong Bay consists of thousands of limestone islands soaring up from the emerald water of the bay. The different shape of islands here is the result of the work of wind and water through millions of year. With dotted pristine beaches, floating villages, amazing natural caves and fascinating scenes, Halong and its surroundings is the must-see for travelers to Vietnam.

Check in on board upon arrival at noon time. Have lunch while leisurely cruising to the core of the bay amongst thousands of dramatic lime stone islands.

In the afternoon you will enjoy kayaking through the karsts and breathtaking nature or swimming on one of the beaches

Enjoy sunset partywhile our cruise is sailing to the overnight anchorage.

Dinner and overnight on board amongst islands and under star live sky.

Note: the cruise itinerary can be different depending on tide condition, boat and route assigned.

Summary of inclusions

Wake up early in the morning if you wish to catch the sunrise over the Bay’s spectacular landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

After breakfast, take a rowing boat tour around to visit to explore a natural tunnel and floating village.  Later, you will cruise to visit another part of the Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay.

Lunch is served on your way cruising back to the harbor. Disembark the boat at early noon (11.00 – 11.30 depending on the boat and tide).  Drive back to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Da Nang, gate way to Hoi An.

Pick up from the airport and transfer to hotel for check in. Evening is at your leisure.

Overnight in hotel in Hoi An.

Summary of inclusions

Nested by the bank of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town once was the largest sea port the Centre Vietnam from 15th to 19th century and was the hub for merchant boats from both East and West. The town is characterized by medieval streets with yellow painted ancient houses, communal halls, temples all are designated as part of the World Heritage by UNESCO in 1999. The exceptionally well preserved architecture, traditions and life style along with benficialbe tourist services making Hoi An today one of the top destinations in the World.

Today you have a free day to enjoy your walk around Hoi An and exploring featured sights of the town such as central market, former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese communal hall, Hoi An museum and so on…

As Hoi An is a paradise for shopping lovers, it is the chance for you to indulge yourself with some fantastic shopping of tailor made clothes and souvenirs.

Along the walk you will also have chance try some local specialties such as: Cao lau, Quang noodles, white rose, VAC cake, fried wonton, chicken rice, and so on.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, meet up with the guide and start your exciting tour of Hoi An countryside by bicycle.

Cycle our way through stunning villages and green farm lands, visiting Tra Que herb garden veggie village, meeting local farmers, listening to tour guide explained why it is called “Organic farm” and how it is consumed around Hoi An and local people.

Join with locals on farming activities like: hoeing soil, using seaweed, transplanting and watering vegetable…

Continue our ride passing through undulating rice paddy fields, shrimp farm, duck farms, taking picture of buffaloes, cows, birds, bamboo...

Later, enjoy a round bamboo boat rowing thru the water coconut forest which was the lair of Viet Cong during the war and listen the story about the history of the land.

Back to hotel at noon and remainder of the day is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, take a scenic drive through green lands, pristine beaches, spectacular lagoons and verdant mountains to Hue. Located in Central Vietnam, Hue is the old imperial capital and the treasure of the country’s royal past. The place is known for its both historical values and beautiful natural landscapes.

Your afternoon tour of Hue starts with a visit to Thien Mu, the oldest pagoda in Hue and is iconic symbol of the city. This place is known for the 7-storey Phuoc Duyen tower mirrors on the water of the Perfume River and the huge bronze bell casted in 1710 whose sound can be heard from 10 miles away. Also there you will see an Austin car that belonged to venerable monk Thich Quang Duc who in 1963 drove it to a cross in central Saigon and burn himself to death to protest Buddism discrimination by the Diem's government of South Vietnam. Then, visit one of ancient garden homes originally belonged to a Royal family member where you can learn something about this historical land and its traditions. 

Following, take a walking tour through to The Imperial Citadel & the Forbidden City where Kings of the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.

Later of the day you will enjoy your visit to Dong Ba Market, the central market of the town with plenty of local produces, for sightseeing and perhaps trying some local specialties.

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Get transferred to the airport for a morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Being the largest metropolis in Vietnam, Saigon – Ho Chi Minh City is a very dynamic city that contains a big blend of old and new, East and West. This place is characterized by busy traffic, fast moving daily life, skyscrapers, exciting nightlife and is home of some best street foods. 

This afternoon you will spend our time to explore city’s highlights including War Remnants Museum (or History Museum), Reunification Palace - formerly known as the Independence Palace which was the Presidential Palace of the South Vietnam before North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30 1975, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office and Dong Khoi Street - formerly Rue Catinat – that made famous by Graham Greene in his best-selling book The quiet American. Perhaps take a sit by the veranda of colonial building Continental hotel sipping cafe au late watching the current of people and time pass by. End our day with a visit to the Ben Thanh Market - the central market with plenty of local products.

Evening is free at your own pace. It is good idea to head out to the night market where you have chance to enjoy a wonderful street food crawl. Another option is Pham Ngu Lao street - the tourist hub in Saigon - where you can grasp a cold beer, enjoying the colorful night there or, get up the the top of Lanmark 81 buiding for a cocktail and enjoy fantastic view of Saigon by night.

Summary of inclusions

After breakfast, leave Saigon for a 2 hour drive through scenic country land to the Mekong Delta with stops to visit a Cao Dai temple of Caodaism whose architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail, and the Vinh Trang Pagoda, a special Buddhism architecture in Mekong with more than hundred year history.

In the Mekong, you will take boat cruise on a branch of the Mekong River, exploring lively activities along river such as fishing, water transferring etc, visiting to local cottage industries such as coconut candy processing, sleeping mat weaving, salt making, pottery making and so on.

Also, you will have an exciting ride on motor cart (or bicycle) along shady paths, pass by coconut forest, green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about this fascinating tropical land and take little sampan rowing along meandering canal to explore the local way of life.

Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and evening is free to enjoy the town at your own pace.

Summary of inclusions

Get transfer to the airport for morning flight to Phnom Penh, capital city of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

This afternoon you will take a sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh with first visit to the National Museum that has a great collection of Khmer art, with over 5000 objects are on display.

Following is the Royal Palace that contains the Royal Residence and the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda which is known for its floor paved by silver tiles and functions like a national repository for cultural treasures of which is a 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds.

Also, visit to the Wat Phnom Temple, one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh, built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Penh from whom the city got its name. 

Enjoy the remainder of the day to stroll along the Mekong River bank, watching sunset over the river and exploring nearby market.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at hotel then start the tour with your first visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum also called the S-21 Prison. This prison was converted from a secondary school and used by Khmer Rough during the bloody rule from 1975 to its fall in 1979. There was an estimate of 20,000 people were imprisoned, tortured, coerced to confess what so called “revolutionary reaction crimes” before being taken to be executed at the extermination camp – the “Killing Fields” of Choeung Ek, located 15 km south of Phnom Penh which you will visit after the Toul Sleng. The places of Toul Sleng and Choeng Ek is the reminders of Cambodia's bloody past under Pol Pot rule and may call distressing for someone but it is necessary for you to learn about the never-to-be-forgotten page in the country's history.

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Siam Reap.

Get picked up upon arrival. Check in hotel and remainder of the day is free at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast is at the hotel then enjoy your full day exploring the Angkor with first visit to Angkor Thom - The Great City which was built in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman VII. Step along the causeway that characterized by the two rows of devas and asuras pulling huge naga snakes, referring to the Hinduism myth of Churning of the Sea of Milk, into the impressive South Gate of Angkor Thom. Admire the majestic Bayon Temple that consists of 54 towers featuring multitude of Buddha’s serene and mysterious smiling faces. Wander around and discover the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and more.

In the afternoon, visit to the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm, one of the most famous sights within the Angkor Archeological park, known in the movie ‘Tomb Raider’ by Angelina Jolie. This Bayon style temple was built between late 12th and early 13th centuries during the reign of the King Jayavarman VII and originally called Rajavihara. The temple left relatively untouched since it was discovered and there are enormous fig trees embracing over parts of the temple giving the impression of natural forces claim over man-made works, making it a very photogenic site.

Your last visit today is the Angkor Wat temple, one of the most impressive religiuos monuments in the world, representing the soul of the Great Khmer Empire and its glorious history. This temples complex consists of two plans: the temple-mountain with five prominent towers featuring the 5 holy peaks of the Mount Meru which is home of gods in the Hindu mytholgy and, the galleried temple decorated by extensive bas-relief, depicting episodes from Hindu epics. This temple was built in the 12th and said to have taken more than 30 years of intensive labor. What amazing architecture constructed neary thousand years ago and remains for us to see today. The view of Angkor Wat becomes most impressive during sunset time when it looks like floating on the background of the magical twilight.

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Optional hot balloon ride over the temples of Angkor is available at your disposal.

Breakfast is at the hotel then drive out of the town to visit the Kulen Mountain, the birthplace and capital of the Khmer Empire in the early 9th century. Here you will visit countless ancient temples then take a short trek through the original jungle to explore the Kbal Spean which also known as River of 1000 Lingas, consisting of a series of stone rock relief carvings in sandstone formations of the river bed and banks, depicting Hindu mythological motifs. Perhaps, enjoy our swim under the torrent of cascading waterfall.

One the way back, you will visit the temple of Banteay Srei that is a masterpiece of religious architecture and carving, with no space left undecorated. Also, visit the local village of Preah Dak where you have a chance to learn something about local life and enjoy local interaction and the Banteay Samre temple which is adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishnu and Krishna legends.

Evening is at your leisure.

Summary of inclusions

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy your time for relax after 14-day discovery Vietnam Cambodia. Check out time hotel at 12.00AM.

Get transferred to the airport for your flight home or to onward destination.

Safe travel and see you again!

Summary of inclusions