Highlights of Vietnam - Cambodia

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Depart from UK.

Day 2: Arrive In Hanoi (D)

Arrive in Hanoi, transfer to the hotel. Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some of Asia's most striking colonial architecture, many peaceful lakes, parks and oriental temples making for a relaxing atmosphere.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi (B,D)

Explore this one thousand year old capital city with the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (close on Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of the Ethnology, the West Lake, Tran Vu Pagoda, the Lake of the Restored Sword and Ngoc Son Temple. Take a short sightseeing tour by cyclo through the bustling old quarter streets. Then enjoy an evening traditional water puppet show. Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong (B, L, D)

Overland to Ha Long Bay, the most wonderful scenic sight of Vietnam, the World Natural Heritage Site with over 3000 limestone islands and islets rising fantastically from the clear and emerald water. Board a traditional-style wooden junk to travel around this magnificent landscape visiting its amazing grottoes and caves. Opportunity to dive off the boat and have a pleasant swimming in the deep blue water of East Sea.
Overnight on board.

Day 5: Ha Long – Hanoi – Hue (BRUNCH, D)

Morning continue our cruise exploring the natural beauty of the World Heritage. Afternoon return to Hanoi, enjoy dinner at a nice local restaurant then transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue (B, D)

Enjoy a morning cruise on the romantic Perfume River to visit Hue’s oldest and most revered site Thien Mu Pagoda, then the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, the Purple Forbidden City, the Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the bustling Dong Ba market. Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B, D)

Drive south to Hoi An, a recognized World Heritage Site, which famous by its ancient architecture of mixed Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese style from the 16th century. Stop at Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. In the evening, free at leisure for exploring this lovely town. Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An (B, D)

Walk around this ancient town of 600-year old visiting the 200 year-old Tan Ky house, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the Assembly Hall, the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful riverside market. Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9 : Hoi An – Danang – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, D)

Early morning transfer to Danang for flight to Ho chi Minh City. Excursion to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels (60 km), visit the incredible underground tunnel network of over 200 kilometers hand-constructed by Vietnam Communist guerrillas, virtually underneath the U.S. bases, to stage surprise attacks. Afternoon back to Ho Chi Minh city. Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 10 : Ho Chi Minh – Ben Tre (Mekong Delta) (B, L, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to the Mekong Delta. Arrival in the city of My Tho, embark on a local boat to head towards Ben Tre, through the beautiful islands of the Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix in the Tien river. The visit of the area includes: visit factories of local sweets, ride Xe Ngua (local transport) through the gardens of coconut and villages on the island, stop to try local fruits, boat ride to discover the narrow covered channels palms. Return to My Tho with stop to see aquaculture farms. Lunch at a local restaurant and return to Ho Chi Minh City. Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Phnom Penh (B, D)

Moring visit the Reunification Palace, War Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight to Phnom Penh. Upopn arrival, visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver, continuing visit to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was build since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony. We will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture centre.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 12: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B, D)

After breakfast, we will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture centre. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15km from Phnom Penh to visit the 'Killing Fields'. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.
Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, we are met our guide and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Ta Prohm & Banteay Srei (B, D)

We begin early to beat the crowds at the photogenic of Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy.

We head further out through rural countryside to the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srey. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone, a harder rock that can be more elaborately carved and better survives the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some good photographs of the clear and detailed carvings. Not to be missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

For the later afternoon we head back into main Angkor Park and journey to Tasom. Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway. We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.

Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant.

For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat (B, D)

After breakfast, we continue to

• The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)
• See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
• Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru
• We step to see our old palace as Phimeankas temple in huge complex that was used for our king in the past time.
• Then Elephant terrace is platform for king and officer viewed show and people meeting.
• Preah Palilay was is older than Angkor Thom was nearby, deeply in forest and on path back You see monk sprinkle water to people.

We continue to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Siem Reap Departure (B)

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again.

Selection of Hotels

• Hanoi – Golden Silk or similar – Luxury Room
• Ha Long – Calypso Crusier – Deluxe cabin
• Hue – Park View - Standard
• Hoi An – River Beach Resort – Deluxe room
• Ho Chi Minh – MuongThanh Sai Gon – Superior
• Phnom Penh - River Home - Deluxe
• Siem Reap - Somadevi Angkor - Deluxe

Price Include

• International flight with Vietnam Airlines
• Domestic Flights
  Hanoi – Hue
  Danang – Ho Chi Minh
  Ho Chi Minh – Phnom Penh
  Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
• All transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• 12 nights hotel base on twin sharing room
• 1 night on board the junk in Ha Long
• Meals as mention in program ( B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D = Dinner)
• English speaking tour guide
• Entrance fees
• Boat trips in Ha Long, Hue, Ben Tre
• Traditional music show & Fruit in Mekong Delta.
• Cyclo ride
• Water puppet show

Price Exclude

• Visa to Vietnam
• Meals not specified
• Drinks & other meals
• Tip & Personal expenses