18-Day Vietnam and Cambodia

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – City Tour & Water Puppet Show 

Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam! On arrival, pick up by our guide and driver from the airport and transfer to check in the hotel.

At 03:00pm, late afternoon, we visit the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and take a leisure walk around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, a fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as ‘The 36 Streets’ – each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics, medicines to crafts. Later, enjoy a fascinating show of water puppetry, a traditional stage art of northern Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (Hoa Lu & Tam Coc)

At 08:00am start the tour. A 90km drive south of Hanoi will lead us to Ninh Binh – the perfect place to relax and unwind while soaking up the landscape of Vietnam. On arrival, we start the 2hour-boat trip to visit Tam Coc. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Tam Coc are three limestone caves stretching along Ngo Dong river. The boat trip is a nice journey along the river with peaceful scenery of Limestone Mountains, rice paddy and the site of some temples along the way from Hang Ca (first cave) to Hang Hai (second cave) and Hang Ba (third cave). This afternoon, we will drive from Tam Coc to Hoa Lu thru tranquil villages to enjoy the daily life of people in Ninh Binh. Hoa Lu was the capital of Vietnam for 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In Hoa Lu now, 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, and the other is to King Le Dai Hanh.

The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history. We then discover Mua Cave, which was constructed following the model of “miniature Great Wall” in China with nearly 500 steps up to mountains to conquer. It takes us around 30 minutes to trek to the top point of Ngoa Long mountain, but worth our efforts for an impressive panoramic view over the mountain, water and paddy field. Late afternoon, we return to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Shuttle Lismousine to Sapa – Cat Cat Village Visit

Breakfast at hotel and check out.

Pick up by private bus with driver only at 8am and transfer to Sapa.

Arrive in Sapa at 13h00, drop off at your hotel to check in. After a good rest, we go downhill to Cat Cat village with beautiful landscape along the way. Cat Cat village locates near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak, is home of Black H’mong ethnic people. Our guide will tell us about the locals’ culture and daily life while we trek down to the valley to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station.

Walk uphill to the main road where our bus picks us up and transfer back to Sapa. This late afternoon, take a leisue walk to visit the church and Sapa market, where we meet the montagnards and admire their handicrafts made of wood, silver, or dyed and embroidered fabrics and clothes. Rest time of the day is at leisure to enjoy time shopping at the town market. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Sapa – Full Day Trekking Lao Chai 

Breakfast at hotel and prepare light pack for trekking.

At 08:00am, you can start trekking from Lao Chai village (means “old village” in the local dialect). It is time to visit the local families, listen to our guide’s explanation about the local culture: how they live, way of building the traditional house, techniques of making clothes… Stop for lunch (on your own account or you can book in advance). The lunch is served in one of the local refreshment restaurants on the side of the river. In the afternoon, we leave Lao Chai to continue to Ta Van village, the Giay people’s residence.

Our guide will bring us to visit some family: listen about their life, enjoy some green tea, learn about the differences of their culture from the other hill tribes even they leave close to each other. Quitting Ta Van, we head up to the main road where the car will pick up us to tranfer back to Sapa. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5: Sapa – Fansipan Peak By Cable Car – 

Breakfast at hotel and check out hotel.

Morning, we walk to Sun Plaza Sapa Station, at the heart of the town, to take the Sapa Mountain Train. The views from the train are astounding, making the transport an attraction in its own right. For most of the journey, the Muong Hoa Valley rolls out below, with all of the forested mountains, tiered rice paddies and blue sky buffered by thick white cloud that Sapa is known for. The train even stops for a minute at its most scenic point, giving tourists a chance to get pictures before moving on through tunnels and viaducts on its way to the cable car station. From here, we take a cable car up to Fansipan Mountain. This is the world’s longest and highest cable car, running up from Sapa to the Peak of Fansipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop.

The lush green and subtropical vegetation makes this mountain really beautiful. Visit the spiritual cultural complex on the peak, with its many Buddha statues, and take pictures of the surroundings from the top of the mountain. Transfer downhill also by cable car then take the train back to the town centre. Afternoon, we take the bus with driver only at 2pm and transfer back to Hanoi (the drive will take around 5.5 – 6 hours), drop off at your hotel. Check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi City Tour

Breakfast at hotel. At 08:00 am, morning, we visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, inclusive of Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, as well as his private residence from 1954 until 1969. The wooden ethnic minority style house, which was built on stilts, is surrounded by lovely peaceful gardens. In the same complex you will see the One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. This structure has become an important symbol for the people of Hanoi. Continue visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, locates on a small peninsula on the East side of the dazzling West Lake, this is the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years.

We then visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We then visit Train Street – a tiny narrow street hidden in one of the back streets of Hanoi and surrounded by high narrow houses packed closely together. Have a drink at your own cost here. These families’ backyards are the railways where the train passes a few times per day. End our tour today by enjoying a cup of Egg Coffee at the original café where it began – Café Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong – Overnight on Board 

After breakfast and check out hotel, pick up and transfer on HIGHWAY to Halong (2,5 – 3 hour driving).

Breakfast at hotel then check out. At 08:30am, head East for 3 hours driving to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddyfields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes.

After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating houses and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the cruise, enjoy cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise.

Day 8: Halong – Hanoi 

You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the “East Sea” by a point-oriented name “Eastern Sea”, so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier. Disembark from the cruise. Head to the airport for flight to Hue. On arrival, picked up by our tour guide and driver and transfer to check in hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 9: Hue City Tour 

Breakfast at hotel. At 08:00 am, start the tour. Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle.

This morning, we will discover the charm of the city from the Citadel Complex of Hue, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945, is now one amongst the relics of the Hue ancient Capital – the World Cultural Heritage. This is a huge complex covering an area of 520ha and comprising three circles of ramparts, Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).

Also visit the Dong Ba bustling market. This afternoon, take a boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, the iconic seven-story pagoda is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city. We then visit the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang located on the west bank of Perfume River. Minh Mang tomb was built from 1840 and completed in 1843 with the effort of ten thousand workers and artisans. The Tomb offers a balance of nature and structures that is unmatched among tombs in Hue. The solemn and quiet architecture set in a poetic landscape demonstrates both the Emperor’s strictness and deep beliefs.

Continue visiting Emperor Khai Dinh’s Tomb, the last great tomb of the Nguyen dynasty with a mix of Asian and European style in architecture and decoration. The tomb began construction in 1920 and took eleven years to complete, and was still unfinished when the Emperor Khai Dinh passed away. Though in extent, Khai Dinh’ Tomb is small in comparison with the rest of Imperial tombs, its construction, decoration and details are very elaborate. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10: Hue – Drive to Danang – City Tour 

Breakfast at hotel and check out. At 08:00 am, we depart from Hue, passing Lang Co Beach and enjoy the landscape of Hai Van (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”) before arriving in Danang (2,5 hour driving). We visit Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain) for panoramic ocean views and visit the Giant Lady Buddha Statue, the tallest statue in Vietnam. We then visit Marble Mountain. Climb Thuy Son (Water Mountain) by the stone stairs and enjoy the panoramic view of the nearby countryside, and visit Huyen Khong cave before entering Tam Thai and Linh Ung pagodas where you will be rewarded by great city views and amazed by the main cave which houses a beautiful Cham Buddha sitting under a natural shaft of light.

We also visit Am Phu Cave with impressive rock formations featuring the Buddhist perception of hell or purgatory. Spend time if you wish to admire the masterpieces of exquisite stone sculptures created by the skillful hands of artisans in Non Nuoc village at the foot of the mountain. After the visit, transfer to check in our hotel by standard time 14h00/15h00. This afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the beach. Overnight in Danang.

Day 11: Danang – Cam Thanh Coconut Village – Ancient Town

Breakfast at hotel.

At 08:00am, we transfer to visit Cam Thanh water coconut village. We will receive a briefing about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community before we board on boat and enjoy cruising on the Cua Dai River. We then join the local fisherman on the river as we try your hand at casting a net, learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat and explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanking the waterways. We also learn about the extreme conditions endured by soldiers of both sides in this area during the Vietnam War. Spend some time to relax and enjoy the surroundings before heading to visit Hoian ancient town.

We take an interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly halls and enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses or listen to folk music of Central Vietnam at old club-houses. Later we can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where you may find the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoian a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. Return to our hotel. Overnight in Danang.

Day 12: Danang – Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge – Flight to Siem Reap 

Breakfast at hotel and check out.

At 08:00am, we transfer to Ba Na hills and take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Enjoy games at Fantasy Park – the third biggest indoor games zone in Vietnam with series of interesting games. Go down by cable car and visit the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Golden Bridge, held up by two enormous stone-colored hands. The bridge opened in June 2018, is 150 meters long and 1,400 meters above sea level, with views across the green mountainscape. Continue visit Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden…

Please note: mountain climbing train, Wax Museum entrance fee, wine tasting cost, cotton animal game and carnival skill at Fantasy Park are not included in the entrance ticket, joining them will be at your own account. Go downhill also by cable car. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, welcomed by the local tour guide and transfer to the down town. Check in your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Siem Reap – Sunrise Watching – Angkor Temples 

We start early at around 04:30am for sunset watching at Angkor Wat on a balloon.

We visit Angkor Wat temple, the Cambodia’s ancient temple is one of the wonders of the oriental world. Masterpieces of decorative details as well as of architectural style, its awe-inspiring ruins survive as testament to the spectacular achievements of Southeast Asia’s greatest civilization. It is a replica of the universe according to the Hindu mythology. It is composed by the Mount Meru, surrounded by the continents and the oceans. Its extraordinary bas-reliefs, describe some Khmer epics and myths. Angkor Wat’s five famous towers rise into the sky, a geometrical arrangement of numerous galleries, adorned with beliefs and the stone images of celestial Apsara dancers, as well as portals, chambers and courtyards.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and rest for the rest of the morning. This afternoon, we explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, 3km2 walled and moated royal city and was the last capital of the Angkorian Empire, The famous Bayon Temple was an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and gradual that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon – huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas – impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nag as, demons and other mythological beings. Overnight in Seam Reap.

Day 14: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei & Banteay Samre – Floating Village 

After breakfast, at 08:00am, we visit Banteay Srei temple – the Citadel of women. This Hindu temple, dating back to the 10th century, has three central towers each decorated with superbly intricate reliefs of male and female divinities, carved from pink sandstone contrasting with the main walls made of laterite. While many of Angkor temples are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands out by the quality of craftsmanship. Along the way, we visit Banteay Samre temple, adorned with impressive relief’s depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. Fulfill the remaining time to visit Preah Dak village to see the simple natural way of local people producing palm sugar from palm juice (Toek Tnot in Khmer).

This afternoon we visit Chong Kneas Floating Villages, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a ride in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia and the largest in Asia. Here we will see plenty of examples of the Khmer way of life on the Tonle Sap. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chars, also called the “Old Market”, where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Siem Reap – Morning Flight to Saigon – City Tour 

Breakfast at hotel and check out. At 07:00am,pick up by our guide and driver and transfer to the airport for our flight to Saigon (air tickets quoted separately). On arrival, pick up by our guide and driver from the airport and transfer to check in the hotel. This afternoon, we visit to Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles, and Saigon Central Post Office, which was designed and constructed in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House (both may only be viewed from the outside), and take photo of Reunification Palace from outside.

We then visit the harrowing War Remnants Museum, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions. End our tour at the central Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 16: Saigon – My Tho – Mekong Delta – Saigon 

Breakfast at hotel. At 08:00am, we head to My Tho, the homeland of coconut and local products like coconut candy, rice paper,… Upon arrival, embark on the boat cruising on the mighty Mekong River viewing the life to the local people live along the banks. We stop at one of 4 islands in the area for sightseeing. Enjoy the fresh tropical fruits served in the heart of the garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music at the plantation. Embark on the small boats rowed the local people thru the small cannels with water coconut tree to visit the local factories.

There you will taste the honey tea and see the local people produce the coconut candy milk and of course you also can try it or stroll in the garden where the locals feed honeybee. This afternoon, we take the boat back to the mainland then drive back to Saigon. Stop on the way to visit Vinh Trang pagoda, one of the biggest pagoda in the region. The beautiful structure features a mixture of Chinese, Vietnamese and Angkor (Cambodian) architectural styles. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 17: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Saigon 

After breakfast and check out hotel, At 08:00am, we visit to Cu Chi tunnels – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, we’re invited to enter a section of the tunnels to witness the secrets of the tunnels firsthand.

Our guide will also show us various mantraps employed from this period, the remains of an American tank and numerous B52 bomb craters. There is also the opportunity to fire an M60, M16 or AK47 rifle at the range next to the tunnel complex (bullets to be purchased on spot). Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 18: Saigon – Departure

After breakfast, at leisure until check out hotel and transfer with our guide and driver to the airport for our departure flight. If we have late flight, more sightseeing or shopping transfers can be arranged with extra charge. Standard check-out time is 11h00/12h00. Late check-out upon availability.