Vietnam and Cambodia Impressions in 16 Days

You will be picked up from the airport in Ho Chi Minh City by our representative and taken to your hotel to relax and enjoy a welcome dinner.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Saigon River

After breakfast at the hotel our guide will take you on a city tour to visit the former Presidential Palace, the War Remnants Museum, and fine examples of French colonial architecture such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, and the Municipal Theater, as well as Xa Loi Pagoda, Ben Thanh market and Cholon (China town).

After lunch, continue on a trip to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Enjoy a free evening to have dinner and explore the city further before returning to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Saigon – Notre Dame Cathedral

8:00 Pick up at your hotel and drive to My Tho to board a motorized boat through the Bao Dinh canal, visiting stilt houses and a fruit plantation along the way. See the exotic My Tho wholesale fruit market then travel to Tortoise Island where an al fresco lunch will be served in the heart of an orchard.

Enjoy the pleasant boat ride along Tan Trach canal in Ben Tre, cruising under the shadows of water coconut trees. Visit a family business and learn about the agricultural lifestyle, then trek through a fruit plantation on Thoi Son island and take a rowboat ride on the intricate network of small creeks before returning to My Tho. Drive to Can Tho and check in to your hotel. Free evening.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Floating Market – Mekong River

After breakfast at the hotel, take a morning boat trip at 8.00 to visit Phong Dien floating market and cruise through the small canals, stopping at a village that makes rice noodles.

Experience the delicate “monkey bridges” and visit a second floating market in Cai Rang, then have lunch before driving to Chau Doc to check in to your hotel. Enjoy a free evening to have dinner and relax.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Floating Market – Mekong River

Have an early breakfast then check out of the hotel to catch the 7.00 speed boat to Phnom Penh, a five hour trip, arriving around noon.

Our representative will meet you in Phnom Penh and help you check in to your hotel where you will be served lunch. Have the rest of the day free to walk around the city and dine at one of the many diverse restaurants.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh

In the morning after breakfast, visit the stunning 19th century Royal Palace, one of the most beautiful examples of royal Khmer architecture, and see the precious Throne Hall, Prasat Khemarin (king’s residence), Prasat Samrn Phirum, Hor Preah Khan, Chan Chhaya (the Moonlight Pavillion), and the Silver Pagoda. Continue to the nearby National Museum of Khmer Art, with its warm red terracotta and gracefully curved roof topped by dozens of guardian nagas.

Have lunch then spend the afternoon visiting the unforgettable Toul Sleng Prison Museum, the largest detention center and torture chamber of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, and the infamous Cheung Ek Killing Fields. (Please note: both sites contain graphic descriptions and items associated with particular historical atrocities that may be distressful for some visitors). Free evening for dinner and relaxation.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Royal Palace – Phnom Penh

Check out of the hotel after breakfast and transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check in at your hotel and have the rest of the day to relax, explore the town, and have lunch and dinner at one of the many unique restaurants.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Bayon Temple Angkor Thom – Siem Reap

In the early morning, you will enjoy the sunrise at the world famous Angkor Wat, then enter the Angkor Thom temple complex through the South Gate to visit Angkor Thom temple, built by Angkor’s greatest king, Jayavarman VII. The main attraction of Angkor Thom is the famous Bayon with its many huge Buddha faces; its exact function and symbolism is still unknown to this day.

Next you will go to Baphoun, one of the most spectacular temples of Angkor in its heyday; see the mysterious Terrace of the Leper King; and stop at the spectacular Elephant Terrace that once served as the king’s grandstand for public ceremonies. Visit the grand Angkor Wat, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and perhaps the most important archaeological site in Southeast Asia. Relax and take in the view from Phnom Bakheng Hill in the evening before returning to your hotel for free time and dinner.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat – Siem Reap

Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap, in the morning after breakfast then return to the hotel for lunch and enjoy a free afternoon until you transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be met at the airport and driven to the city to check in at your hotel.

Hoan Kiem Lake, a Symbol of Hanoi

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your city tour at the Ho Chi Minh Complex in famous Ba Dinh Square and visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One pillar pagoda, then over towards West Lake to see the iconic Tran Quoc Pagoda.

Continue the tour at the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first Confucian university built in 1076 and now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, before eating lunch in one of Hanoi’s famous restaurants.

After lunch, go to the History Museum then take a traditional cyclo ride around the historic Old Quarter and visit Dong Xuan market. Enjoy the fascinating, unique artistry of a water puppet show then have the evening free to have dinner and perhaps stroll around romantic Hoan Kiem Lake with the locals.

Overnight in Hanoi.

One Pillar Pagoada – Hanoi

Pick up at your address in Hanoi after breakfast and drive to Halong, arriving around noon to check into your cabin on the boat and have a seafood lunch.

Enjoy a 3.5 hour cruise around Halong Bay to see the amazing limestone karts formations such as Mat Qui (the Monster’s face), But Moct and Cap De islets, as well as Trong (Drum) and Trinh Nu caves, and visit a floating fishing village to observe this unique way of life.

Explore Luon cave from 16:40 to 17:30 where you will have plenty of time for swimming and sun bathing. Return to the boat for a great sunset dinner and relax before retiring to the comfort of your cabin. Overnight on the boat moored in the Bay.

Halong Bay

Early risers can take in the serenity of the Bay with a cup of tea or coffee and fresh fruit. From the upper deck you will experience the breathtaking beauty of the rocky Islands rising from the crystal-clear waters while listening to birds singing and cicadas chirping ashore as the water laps gently against the sides of the boat; a perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breezes.

Visit Sung Sot (Amazing) cave from 8.00 to 9:00 and swim and relax at Titop beach before brunch on the boat as it heads back to Halong, arriving around noon. Drive back to Hanoi airport for flight to Hue, where you will be picked up by our representative and taken to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

Halong Bay

After breakfast at the hotel, visit the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Royal Citadel, the Imperial Museum and the tomb of Khai Dinh, Vietnam’s last emperor of the Nguyen dynasty, then return to the city for lunch.

Take a relaxing boat trip along Perfume River in the afternoon to visit historic Thien Mu pagoda, the exquisite European inspired landscapes at Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, and Hue’s famous Dong Ba market. Enjoy a free evening in Hue to have dinner and explore the city further.

Overnight in Hue.

Citadel Hue – Imperial City

Drive to Hoi An after breakfast at the hotel. Travel over the Hai Van Pass, passing by beautiful Lang Co Beach on the way to Danang to visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain. Check in to your hotel in Hoi An and have lunch, then take a walking tour of charming Hoi An town, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries with architecture and a relaxed lifestyle that has changed little over the years.

Explore the historic town center and visit centuries old merchants ‘homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the lively, colorful market. Have the evening free to dine at one of the town’s many restaurants featuring local specialities and wander along the streets soaking up the atmosphere. Overnight in Hoi An.

Hoian Ancient Town

Spend the morning exploring the intriguing temples and ruins at UNESCO World Heritage site, the My Son Sanctuary of the ancient kingdom of Champa, then return to your hotel to freshen up and have lunch.

There are international flight from Da Nang, travelers can finish the tour here or we can arrange flight to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi for your home flight.

Transfer to Da Nang airport to catch flight to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi where you will be met at the airport and taken to your hotel to enjoy a relaxing evening in the city and have dinner at one of its many fine restaurants. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

My Son Sanctuary – Hoian

After breakfast at the hotel you will have free time to spend at your leisure for shopping and sightseeing before you check out and transfer to the airport for your flight home.