Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer

Day 01: Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is left at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: No meals)

Day 02: Hanoi

After breakfast we go on a full day tour of Hanoi starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, and the mausoleum Ho Chi Minh, founder of Vietnam, the Presidential Palace and we also visit Ho Chi Minh’s house. We continue our tour to visit the One Pillar Pagoda, dating back to the foundation of Hanoi a thousand years ago. Our journey takes us to the beautiful Temple of Literature, also known as Vietnam’s first university. After lunch, we visit the extraordinary Ethnology Museum dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups and we then continue our tour the tranquil and peaceful surroundings of lake Hoan Kiem with its famous Water Puppet Theatre, where we’ll enjoy an amazing performance. Overnight in Hanoi (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 03: Hanoi – Halong

After an early breakfast we set off to Halong Bay to embark on our junk and cruise around Ha Long Bay, setting for James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies. After lunch we get to explore the picturesque scenery and some 3,000 limestone islands emerging out of the emerald water. The extraordinary limestone formations hide secluded beaches, beautiful grottoes and mysterious caves, some of which we will visit. Overnight onboard in Halong Bay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 04: Halong Bay

We spend the day exploring Halong Bay and the surrounding area. Overnight onboard in Halong Bay. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 05: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Our tour continues this morning cruising to Man’s Head, Tortoise islands and then Luon Cave (in small bamboo boat). We disembark after brunch and meet our transfer back to Hanoi for our flight to Hue. On arrival in Hue we transfer to our hotel. Overnight in Hue Meals: Breakfast & Brunch)

Day 06: Hue

Today we spend a full day exploring Hue starting with a dragon boat cruise upstream on the Perfume River. We get a glance of the scenic countryside and we also visit the beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. The next stop is a visit to the intricate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the famous Tu Hieu pagoda. The afternoon is spent touring the city its huge citadel to include the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This Royal Residence was destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive and it is fascinating to walk among the ruins, testaments of the Vietnam’s history. Overnight in Hue (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 07: Hue – Hoian

We leave Hue and drive south to Hoian, a recognized World Heritage Site where indigenous and foreign influences have contributed to its unique cultural richness. We can catch some panoramic views of Lang co Beach as we cross over the winding Hai Van pass. Overnight in Hoian (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 08: Hoian

There’s plenty to discover today in this delightful town as we stroll past many low tiled houses scattered along the winding streets to visit the vibrant market, the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, Pottery Museum, 200 years old Tan Ky House and Chua Ong Pagoda. Overnight in Hoian (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 09: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh

We have an early morning transfer to Danang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Exploring Ho Chi Mihn city, we start with the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Southern Vietnam President until 1975. Close by are some outstanding French colonial buildings such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office and we also visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best examples of Taoist temples in Vietnam, and the War Remnant Museum. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 10: Ho Chi Mihn – Cuchi Tunnel – Tay Ninh

It’s an early breakfast today to avoid the city heat and we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an astonishing underground network built by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained accommodation, hospitals as well as schools, and they were used as a military base for the Viet Cong during the American war. We continue to the headquarters of Cao Dai religious sect in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. It’s an unusual religion with an eclectic mix of different saints from different religions, and claims Victor Hugo and Charlie Chaplin as patron saints. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 11: Ho Chi Mihn – Mekong Detla

After breakfast we set off for the Mekong Delta via My Tho, where we board a boat and sail around the small canals in the Mekong Delta to get a close-up glimpse of the local lifestyles. We will enjoy a feast of a lunch from local produce before we make our way back to Ho Chi Minh. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (Meals: Breakfast & Lunch)

Day 12: Ho Chi Mihn – Siem Reap – Angkor

This morning is left free before we head to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap. The rest of the day is at leisure and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 13: Siem Reap – Angkor

This morning we are off to Angkor to visit Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. In the afternoon we visit Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup Temples before we walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacle of the sun setting against Angkor. This evening we will also enjoy dinner complete with an Apsara Dance show at a local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 14: Siem Reap – Angkor

Today we continue exploring these ancient temples starting with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King. Our tour then takes us to Siem Reap to visit the marvelous Ta Prohm temple, set among huge fig trees and gigantic climbing vegetation, embracing the temples right down to the stone foundations of the structure. Next on the list is Angkor Wat, the largest complex of sand stone art, the temple was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. Wondering around this massive structure we discover the beauties of its column-lined galleries, libraries and pavilions, courtyards and lakes where the water reflects the many façades of this remarkable complex. Overnight in Siem Reap (Meals: Breakfast)

Day 15: Tonle Sap Lake – Departure

After breakfast we visit the Khmer Village before we board our boat in Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia and one of the largest in Asia. Here, we enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals before we transfer to airport for departure. (Meals: Breakfast)