Classical Vietnam & Cambodia-12 Days

This classic Indochine itinerary combines the must-see highlights of Vietnam from the cutural capital Hanoi, the impressive sights of Halong Bay, the ancient capital Hue, charming Hoi An, vibrant Ho Chi Minh City and the mighty Mekong Delta, with the iconic temples of Angkor in Cambodia.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Spend a day venturing through the city, taking in museums, markets and other colorful sights in Hanoi.
• A luxury cruise in Ha Long Bay
• A romantic escape in quaint Hoi An Town
• Private boat trip on Mekong River to explore the surrounding floating markets and islands
• The fantastic temple complexes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Angkor Wat

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi
Day 2: Full Day Hanoi City Tour
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi/Fly to Hue
Day 5: Hue City Tour
Day 6: Hue – Hoi An City Tour
Day 7: Hoi An – Danang/Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
Day 9: Fly to Siem Reap
Day 10: Angkor Wat tour
Day 11: Angkor Wat tour
Day 12: Siem Reap Departure

DAY 1:             ARRIVAL HANOI (D)

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to a hotel for relaxing and welcome dinner.
 
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2:             FULL DAY HANOI CITY TOUR (B, L)

Depart your hotel to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh Museum and One pillar pagoda) and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. Continue to the Temple of Literature, the first University in Vietnam dating back to the 16th century. 
 
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour through the Old Quarter will provide another fascinating insight into the character and history of the city, before moving on to Dong Xuan Market with its bustling stalls and brisk trading of day-to-day local goods. Finish the day with a traditional water puppet show
 
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3:             HANOI – HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

After breakfast, ransferred to Halong Bay. Arrive at Halong City at noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. A truly memorable experience awaits you as you cruise the delightful Bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities depending on each boat’s itinerary or just spend some time relaxing on board. 

Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. 

Overnight onboard Halong Bay.

DAY 4:             HALONG – HANOI/FLY TO HUE (BRUNCH)

Start your day with calming Tai Chi, enjoy the sunrise over the Bay and continue cruising. Enjoy the brunch on the way back to port, transfer to Hanoi. En route visit Thanh Chuong Palace, the home and studio of Thanh Chuong, of the most celebrated painters in Vietnam. More a living space than a museum, the Palace is an architectural gem showcasing Vietnamese traditional cultural objects, exquisite antiques and remarkable structures.

Continue driving to Hanoi Airport, then take a short flight to Hue. Arrival Hue, check in Hotel.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 5:             HUE FULL DAY CITY TOUR (B, L)

After breakfast, we visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. From here take a cyclo through Dai Noi ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. Continue to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River.

In the afternoon see the tomb of the former emperor Minh Mang which is located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds. Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb which is traditional Vietnamese in design with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Before heading back to your hotel take time to stroll around Dong Ba Market, a great place to catch a glimpse of everyday life.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 6:             HUE – HOI AN (B, L)

Transfer to Hue via the Hai Van Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Drive through Danang and visit the Cham museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Arrive Hoi An, check in hotel.
 
In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour around Hoi An ancient town and explore its treasures: the Japanese Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda, Phung Hung Old Merchant House, and Quang Dong Assembly Hall.
 
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 7:             HOI AN – DANANG – HO CHI MINH CITY (B, D)

Free morning at leisure.
 
In the late afternoon, drive to Danang to take the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel, check in. Dinner at the local restaurant.
 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 8:             HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE – HO CHI MINH CITY (B, L)

This morning, leave bustling Ho Chi Minh City for the 2 hour drive to the delta town of Ben Tre. Board your local boat through small canals with beautiful tropical scenery. En-route visit the brick making factory, where the locals still use centuries-old traditional methods to make the bricks by hand then visit a small factory producing handicrafts made of coconut. Afterwards, take a ride on a horse driven cart along country roads, through the fruit plantation before enjoying lunch at riverside restaurant.

In the afternoon, enjoy a ride in a rowing boat along the palm creek before heading back Ho Chi Minh City. Free evening at leisure.
 
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 9:             HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR/FLY TO SIEM REAP (B, D)

After breakfast, we visit the Former Presidential Palace, the town’s center with the Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Hall, the Municipal Theater, Quan Am Pagoda, Cho Lon and China town. 
 
You have free afternoon until transferring to airport for flight to Cambodia. Upon arrival Siem Reap, transfer to hotel for check in. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
 
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 10:           ANGKOR WAT TOUR (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, we spend a full day discovering the famous Angkor Complex. We enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple and marvel at the wonders of the eerie Bayon, the terrace of Elephants and the terrace of the Leper King.
Afterwards, we continue and visit Ta Prohm temple, shrouded in the jungle and left untouched since it was found by French explorers in the 1850s.
 
In the afternoon we visit the Angkor Wat Temple. This architectural master piece was built in the 12th century, took 30 years to complete and represents the Khmer civilization at its grandest. Covering 81 hectares, it is one of the largest religious monuments ever built.
 
Late afternoon, we enjoy the superb sunset view from Phnom Bakheng Hill.
 
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 11:           ANGKOR WAT TOUR (B, L)

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Banteay Srey, one of the most unusual temples of Angkor. It lies 20 km north of the main group and is mostly made up red sandstone covered with elaborate decorations.

We also visit Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern most of which is remarkably well preserved. 
 
This afternoon, we set out on a cruise on beautiful Tonle Sap Lake, passing a floating village and getting a glimpse into the daily life on the lake.
 
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 12:           SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (B)

Enjoy your final day in Cambodia at leisure. Continue exploring Siem Reap on your own, go on a bargain hunt for silk scarves or shadow puppets at Psar Chas, the Old Market, or relax into a wicker chair in a sidewalk café.

We will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

SERVICE INCLUDED

• Shared accommodation in twin/double room with daily breakfast
• Tours as per itinerar with local speaking guide (NO guide on board Halong Bay)
• All transfers and transportation with air-con vehicles
• All entrance fees as program
• Meals (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner) as indicated in the program
• A bottle of mineral water per day tour

SERVICE EXCLUDED 

• Drinks
• Mineral water beyond that supplied
• Tips
• Personal expenses and tips
• Visa to Vietnam, Cambodia
• Airfares (international and domestic)
• Meals (other than mentioned in the program)
• Airport taxes  
• Early check in or late check out
• Insurances
• Optional excursions and activities
• Additional transfer required due to any emergency situation
• Items of a personal nature (Phone calls, laundry, beverages…)
• Peak season surcharges if any
• All not mentioned above