Vietnam and Cambodia Explorer – 18 days

HIGHLIGHTS

 

• Immerse yourself in history and charm as you stroll through the picturesque Old Quarter in Hanoi.
• Spend a magical night in Halong Bay, surrounded by serene waters and stunning landscapes.
• Explore the unique hill tribe villages in Sapa and gain a deeper understanding of their fascinating culture.
• Uncover the grandeur of Vietnam’s imperial past with a visit to the stunning Hue.
• Admire the timeless elegance of Hoi An, a town that has retained its old-world charm.
• Brave the adventurous descent into the Cu Chi Tunnels, a fascinating part of Vietnam’s history.
• Enjoy a homestay in the Mekong delta, where you will be warmly welcomed by local families and immerse yourself in their daily life.
• Pay your respects to Cambodia’s troubled past as you reflect in Phnom Penh.
• Be awed by the magnificent temples of Angkor, a testament to Cambodia’s rich history and culture.

 

 

BRIEF ITINERARY:

 

Day 1: Arrival to Ha Noi

Day 2: Ha Noi – Lao Cai

Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van

Day 4: Sapa – Cat Cat village – Ta Phin – Ha Noi

Day 5: Ha Noi – Ha Long bay

Day 6: Ha Long – Ha Noi – Hue

Day 7: Hue

Day 8: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An

Day 10: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh city – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh City

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho

Day 13: Can Tho – Long Xuyen – Chau Doc

Day 14: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh

Day 15: Phnom Penh – Flight to Siem Reap

Day 16: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat

Day 17: Angkor Wat – Bayon

Day 18: Siem Reap – departure

 

 

DETAILED ITINERARY

 

 

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our knowledgeable local tour guide and driver. Enjoy a smooth transfer to your hotel in the city center where you will stay overnight.

 

 

Day 2: Hanoi Tour (B,L)

 

Start your day with a delicious breakfast before embarking on a tour of Hanoi. Visit the iconic Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Temple of Literature, and the Museum of Ethnology. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy a scenic hour-long ride in a traditional cyclo around the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. Dinner is at your own expense. Afterwards, catch an overnight train to Lao Cai, sleeping in a comfortable air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.

 

 

Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa Trek (B,L)

 

Arrive in Lao Cai at around 6am and transfer to Sapa. After breakfast, embark on a trek to the stunning Muong Hoa Valley, passing through beautiful rice paddies, hamlets, and hill tribes’ villages. Chat with local people, enjoy a picnic lunch, and take in the breathtaking scenery of the Sapa Valley. Return to Sapa in the afternoon and stay overnight at your hotel of choice.

 

 

Day 4: Sapa – Cat Cat Village – Ta Phin (B,L)

 

Explore the traditional Black H’Mong village of Cat Cat, passing by a gorgeous waterfall along the way. Return to Sapa for lunch and then continue on to the Ta Phin village to learn about the Red Dao people and their weaving techniques. Transfer to Lao Cai for an overnight train back to Hanoi.

 

 

Day 5: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B,L,D)

 

Enjoy a delicious breakfast before being picked up at the railway station and transferring to Ha Long Bay. Board a magnificent junk boat and cruise through Ha Long Bay’s magnificent limestone wonders such as Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, Tuan Chau Island, and Ti Top Beach. Savor a scrumptious dinner on the boat and enjoy the sunset over the bay. Stay overnight on the junk.

 

 

Day 6: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Hue (B,L)

 

Take a breathtaking morning cruise to visit Man’s Head Island, Tortoise Island, and Bai Tho Mountain. Return for lunch on the junk and then back to Hanoi for a flight to Hue. Dinner is at your own expense and you will stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hue.

 

 

Day 7: Hue Tour (B,L)

 

After breakfast, enjoy a scenic cruise on the Perfume River to visit Emperor Tu Duc’s royal tomb, Thien Mu Pagoda, and Emperor Minh Mang’s mausoleum. In the afternoon, explore the Imperial Citadel, Dong Ba market, and the ruins of the Purple Forbidden City. Finish the day with a night boat trip on the Perfume River, complete with entertainment by local folk singers and musicians. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hue.

 

 

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (B,L)

 

Depart for Hoi An after breakfast, with stops along the way at Hai Van Pass, Lang Co Beach, and Marble Mountain. After lunch, take a leisurely walk around the town and visit popular attractions such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Pottery Museum, Tan Ky Old House, the silk street of Hoi An, and Chinese-style temples and pagodas. Dinner is at your own expense and you will stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Hoi An.

 

 

Day 9: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (B)

 

Visit the Cham Holy Land (World Heritage listed) in My Son, after breakfast at your hotel. Return to Hoi An, where you can spend the afternoon bargain-hunting in the ancient streets. Dinner at your leisure. Stay overnight at your hotel in Hoi An.

 

 

Day 10: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B)

 

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Danang airport to board your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Central Post Office, Cho Lon town, Thien Hau and Quan Am pagodas, the Emperor Jade Pagoda, and the War Remnants Museum. Conclude with a visit to Ben Thanh market. Dinner at your expense. Stay overnight at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

 

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh city – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

 

Visit the headquarters of Caodaism in Tay Ninh province and witness an extraordinary mid-day temple service, after breakfast at your hotel. After lunch, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network of tunnels used by the Vietcong during the American war. Organize your own dinner. Stay overnight at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

 

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B,L,D)

 

Enjoy a relaxed boat ride through a natural canal in Bao Dinh, visit My Tho wholesale fruit market, Tortoise island, Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, and a family business typifying the idyllic rural lifestyle. Take a relaxing walk through a fruit plantation on Thoi Son island, then take a rowing boat ride along the waterways before returning to My Tho by motor boat. Transfer to Can Tho city and check into your riverside bungalow. Explore the rural lifestyle of the Mekong Delta people by cycling or trekking around the village, then join a family for a traditional dinner and an evening of traditional folk music. Stay overnight at your hotel in Can Tho city.

 

 

Day 13: Can Tho – Long Xuyen – Chau Doc (B,L)

 

Take a boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit the Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets, the best in the Mekong Delta. Stop at Long Xuyen to visit the Thot Not Bird Sanctuary. Arrive in Chau Doc and visit Sam Mountain and the carved pagoda. Dinner at your expense. Stay overnight at your hotel in Chau Doc.

 

 

Day 14: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B)

 

Take a boat trip through a floating village and visit a fish farm to see how the Mekong Delta people raise fish in their floating houses. Visit the Cham minority people and their traditional weaving village. Transfer to a speed boat for the final part of the journey to Phnom Penh, where you will be welcomed by your local guide and driver. Take a tour of the city to visit the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum of Khmer Arts. Enjoy a welcome dinner. Stay overnight at your hotel in Phnom Penh.

 

 

Day 15: Phnom Penh – Flight to Siem Reap (B)

 

Visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes. Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

 

 

Day 16: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat (B,L,D)

 

 

Breakfast at your hotel. Today is dedicated to exploring the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. First, visit the Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, and admire the stunning architecture and intricate carvings. Next, visit the Angkor Thom complex, including the Bayon Temple, with its giant stone faces, and the Terrace of the Elephants, used for royal processions. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, a temple surrounded by jungle, where giant roots have grown over the ruins. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Apsara dance performance over dinner. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Siem Reap.

 

 

Day 17: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Tonle Sap Lake (B,L)

 

 

After breakfast, travel to the beautiful Banteay Srei temple, known for its intricate and well-preserved carvings. En route, visit local villages and markets to experience the daily life of the Khmer people. Return to Siem Reap for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the floating village of Kompong Phluk, located on Tonle Sap Lake, and take a boat ride through the stilted houses and flooded forests. Return to Siem Reap for dinner at your expense. Stay overnight at your hotel of choice in Siem Reap.

 

 

Day 18: Departure from Siem Reap (B)

 

 

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out. You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Safe travels!

 

 

 

 

PRICE DETAILS:

 

Grade tour	Price per person in USD				Solo travelers with the private rooms
	2 pax	3 – 4 pax	5 – 7 pax	8 – 10 pax
Standard Class	$2.399	$2.165	$1.999	$1.880	$370 extra
First Class	$2.500	$2.288	$2.088	$1.955	$466 extra
Superior	$2.960	$2.755	$2.550	$2.400	$845 extra
Deluxe	$3.455	$3.244	$3.055	$2.930	$1.300 extra

(Seasonal prices apply and will be confirmed when booking)