Cambodia & Vietnam

Day 01

Hanoi arrival 

Arrive and transfer to hotel in Hanoi. Travel by cyclo around the Old Quarter in about one hour; this is a unique traditional mean of transport that you might hardly find outside Vietnam, take your time to get to know the city and stop sometimes for photo shooting or shopping. After that, proceed to Water Puppet Theatre for puppet show. This art show is a tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century when it originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam.  When the rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play. The puppets are made out of wood and then lacquered. The shows are performed in a waist-deep pool. Overnight stay at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 02

Hanoi city tour – Halong

After breakfast start for half day city tour. First, head to the West Lake to visit Tran Quoc pagoda, the Oldest one in Hanoi located in a semi island on the lake, enjoy tranquil atmosphere. Then, visit Ho Chi Minh mausoleum and his stilt house to learn about his life attached with the two Vietnamese Wars. Visit the One Pillar Pagoda nearby which was built in early 11th century under the Ly dynasty and is regarded as one of the most iconic temples in Vietnam. Continue to visit Literature Temple, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 at the time of King Ly Thanh Tong (Ly dynasty). This ancient site offers a lake of literature, the Well of Heavenly Clarity, turtle steles, pavilions, courtyards and passageways that were once used by royalty. Visiting the Temple of Literature discover historic buildings from the Ly and Tran dynasties in a revered place that has seen thousands of doctors’ graduate in what has now become a memorial to education and literature.After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Halong Bay. Arrive, Halong city in late afternoon, some free time to hang around the city.

Overnight stay at hotel in Halong city.

Day 03

Halong Bay boat cruise – HCMC

After breakfast, transfer to the dock to embark a boat tour and start your cruise to discover this famous World Nature Heritage Site. Within 5 hours, cruise through the tranquil emerald water, passing thousands of wonderful limestone islands and outcrops in different shapes and sizes emerging unevenly out of the water. Visit Heaven Palace – Driftwood cave, explore one of the most famous grottos of Halong Bay. Lunch with seafood will be served on board while the cruise gliding slowly on the Bay.

Back to the dock and transfer to Hanoi. After dinner, transfer to airport for flight to HCMC. Stay overnight at hotel in HCMC. Dinner on our own

Day 04

HCM city tour, Cu Chi Tunnels tour

After breakfast, take a short city tour to the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. Visit many beautiful French colonial buildings such as the main post office and the former Hotel de Ville (city hall). If time permits, visit the bustling Cho Lon Market (Chinatown). View the city from another perspective and see the abundance of fresh local produce that is such an important feature of Vietnamese cuisine. After lunch, proceed to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is actually the name of the district which covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometers) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like (please note that this will be hot and sweaty and also a bit claustrophobic!).

Overnight stay at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 05

HCMC – Mekong Delta

After breakfast, transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be. Upon arrival, Cai Be harbor, get on board and cruise along the river to reach our lodge and check in to bungalow. After lunch in restaurant, start walking tour to discover the nearby villages around the lodge. We will visit family workshops making coconut candy and brick to see the traditional production of goods in Mekong Delta; meet and talk with local people and enjoy their friendliness and warm hospitality.

In the afternoon drive back HCMC.

Overnight stay at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 06

HCMC – Siem Reap

After breakfast check out and transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap, transfer to hotel and check in and proceed to visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. Visit one of the great wonders of the world, symbol of the heart and soul of the Cambodia, Angkor Wat. Tonight you will enjoy dinner with Khmer Apsara Dance Show. Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 07

Siem Reap

Today drive to visit Kbal Spean, 50km northeast of Siem Reap and 18km from Banteay Srei. The original “River of Thousand Lingams”, Kbal Spean is an intricately carved riverbed deep in the foothills of the Cambodian jungle. Visit to Banteay Srei temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Then continue your visit to Banteay Samre, build in the third quarter of the 12th century. it consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompany by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved.

Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 08

Siem Reap

After breakfast, visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, Pre Rup, East Mebon, Neak Poan.  In afternoon, visit Krovan, Royal Bath of Srah Srang and Banteay Kdei temples.

Overnight stay at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 09

Departure

After breakfast, visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap.  Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia, and Les Artisan D’ Angkor. Some free time for rolling at local markets or shopping until transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure.