14 Days Discover Angkor & Vietnam

Day 1Arrival Siem Reap

Meals: No meal
Overnight: In Siem Reap
 

Upon arriving in Siem Reap, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to the hotel for check-in. After successfully checking into the hotel, we take a short walk along the road in front of the King’s Residence to see the Main Shrine, where the local people usually worship, with its statue of Yeay Teap, Preah Ang Chek, and Preah Ang Chorm. Buying jasmine and lotus flowers to worship is very important for Cambodians.

Then continue to Wat Bo, a large, highly respected pagoda, founded in the 18th Century. Like the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh, the vihear of Wat Bo contains unique wall paintings of the Reamker that are said to be late 19th Century. Look for the daily-life market scenes such as an opium-smoking Chinese merchant, the colonial-era French officer at the market, and the French soldiers attending a traditional dance performance. Also, of interest is the large collection of Buddha statues located behind the main Buddha. We will continue to "Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor" which provides training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting.
 

Sunset of Angkor Wat
 

Day 2Siem Reap: Angkor

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: In Siem Reap
 

After breakfast, visit The South Gate of Angkor Thom: Bayob Temple, The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanaka, Elephant and Leper King Terrace. Continue visit to Ta Promh (the jungle temple).
 

After lunch, visit Thommanan, Chaosay Tevoda, Ta Keo: small, attractive temple in very good condition, built all the same time as Angkor Wat. Continue to Angkor Wat: The “7th Wonders of the World”. 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. Continue visit to Bakheng Hill: Sunset viewing on the top of the hill. Bakheng is the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor area; this temple mountain offers extraordinary views of the Tonle Sap and Angkor Wat. 
 

Angkor Wat
 

Day 3Siem Reap  Phnom Penh

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: In Phnom Penh
 

Breakfast at the hotel – Transfer overland to Phnom Penh. En route, we will stop for a quick visit to the spider market. Then continue to Phnom Penh. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Phnom Penh. Afternoon, Visit Royal Palace is a royal residence now where His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal families live. it is like a small town of royal dynasties.
 

Continue to Silver Pagoda, which serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Finally visit Wat Phnom Temple is one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. It was built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh.
 

Royal Palace in Phnom Penh
 

Day 4Phnom Penh Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: In Ho Chi Minh
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison), this former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the

extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market), this Market has gained a reputation for cheap clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic musical instrument. Then you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh.
 

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, our driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
 

Choeung Ek Killing Fields
 

Day 5Cu Chi Tunnels 

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: In Ho Chi Minh
 

Today you will be picked up by an experienced English-speaking guide to Cu Chi Tunnels, located in the countryside near Ho Chi Minh City. The approximate travel time is one hour and 30 minutes. The residents of Cu Chi took the war underground into a highly developed network of tunnels that at its height stretched as far as Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens, and triage areas. Imperceptible from the ground, opposing armies could roll their tanks over the bunkers without causing damage to the tunnels below. Living conditions were harsh – in addition to fighting the war, resident’s battled food and oxygen scarcity, venomous insects, and cramped living quarters. Gain important insight into the prolonged struggle against invading armies, and appreciation for the resilience and spirit of the Vietnamese people. After that, travelers can try the delicious manioc which was the main food for guerilla warriors in Cu Chi during the war.
 

Visitors can try to fire off an AK47 or MK16 or machine guns at the nearby shooting range.
 

Then enjoy a transfer back to your accommodation.
 

Cu Chi Tunnels
 

Day 6 Mekong Delta Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh
 

8.00 am, pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, depart for Mekong Delta tour southward Vietnam. On arrival in Cai Be, set off for the Cai Be floating market by motorboats and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on their vessels. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Then wander in small villages, and visit fruit plantations, accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Afterward, paddling through a series of small canals to experience the charm of the Upper Mekong Delta, arrive at Tan Phong Island, the green pearl where you can enjoy yourself with nature. Lunchtime is a good chance to get closer to the locals and you will learn how to prepare special Vietnamese dishes. Food is cooked by you, and fresh river food is served in the heart of the garden. Cycling on the village path through orchards, meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong Delta.
 

Take a boat ride back to Cai Be and meet your bus for the trip back to Ho Chi Minh City.
 

Mekong Delta Tour
 

Day 7Ho Chi Minh  Hue

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hue
 

Have breakfast at the hotel, have some free leisure time until there will be a private cab to transfer you to the airport, and be ready for the next flight to Hue. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel in Hue. After the hotel check-in, you will have some leisure time in Hue.
 

Thien Mu Pagoda
 

Day 8Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Hue
 

Have breakfast at the hotel. The guide will pick you up around 8:00-8:30 am, and you will head to the boat station, from where you will take a boat trip. The dragon boat will cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, which is considered to be the most beautiful pagoda in Vietnam. Then you will head to the Imperial Citadel, the residence of the Nguyen Dynasty, which was Vietnam’s last royal dynasty. Then you will visit the Royal Antiques Museum, one of the first museums in Vietnam. Many collections of ancient Hue and Royal antiques are displayed here: bronze wares, china, music instruments, royal attires and personal belongings of the Emperor family of Nguyen Dynasty. Then continue to Dong Ba market – the best place for cultural gifts and souvenirs.

Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit the Emperors Tombs such as

Emperor Khai Dinh (1885-1925) Tomb, is famous for its beauty and unique architectural style, and Emperor Minh Mang (1791-1841) Tomb. On the way back to Hue you will have a stopover at the Conical Hat village to see how famous Vietnamese traditional hats Non-La are produced, and the Incense stick making village to observe how locals make sandalwood and cinnamon incenses. Arrive back at your hotel around 4:00-4:30 pm.
 

Hue the Imperial Citadel
 

Day 9Hue  Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hoi An
 

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the 3 hours trip from Hue to Hoi An by private vehicle.
 

Upon arrival, you will have free time. You could spend time at the beach or explore this romantic and charming town. We recommend you to have a walk around the Hoi An by yourself in the evening when the Old Town in Hoi An transforms into a mystical row of lights and lanterns.

 

Day 10Hoi An  Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: In Hanoi
 

Would you like to go fishing with the local fisherman? Why don't you have a fun experience with the funny basket boat? You shouldn't have any hesitance because the day will put a broad smile on your face. It is very interesting to fish here on the river with the local fisherman as you catch your fish and we cook for you. 
 

On the Fishermen & the Waterways of a Past War Tour, you will enjoy a wide range of experiences - from learning traditional fishing techniques to paddling the strange and unique 
Vietnamese bamboo basket boats while exploring the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war. On this tour, we provide an authentic social and cultural insight into the local Vietnamese way of life. As well you will take part in some hands-on activities that are fun, safe, and interesting to people all of the ages.
 

Start of the tour time 08:00, pick up at your hotel lobby. After the tour, you will have free time till our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our driver will pick up you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hanoi.
 

Basket Boat Trip in Hoi An
 

Day 11Hanoi  Ha Long Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: On the cruise of Ha Long Bay
 

Breakfast at the hotel. Get pick-up by the Cruise at 7:30. Take the most scenic route to reach Ha Long Bay, which takes you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at Halong, you get to enjoy a cruise on the Bay to better explore the limestone rocks and the karst grottoes.
 

After you are done with your exploration of the bay, it is time to enjoy an utterly delicious seafood lunch, after which a trip to the famous limestone cave in Ha Long Bay, you’ll get to spend some time here, kayaking (on the Cruise arrangement) or swimming, so that you can get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can opt to attend the activities taking part in the boat or relax for the day.
 

Ha Long Bay
 

Day 12Ha Long Bay   Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: In Hanoi
 

Rise early for a Tai Chi lesson or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The boat will make its way back to the port stopping at the Limestone Cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. From here, it’s clear sailing back to the main harbor and the return to Hanoi around 17:00. Free in your leisure time.
 

Ha Long Bay Trip
 

Day 13Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: In Hanoi
 

Have breakfast at the hotel then you will be escorted by an experienced English-speaking guide, to the countryside located on the outskirt of Hanoi. The approximate travel time is one hour and 30 minutes.
 

Then arriving at Mr. Duoc’s house, you will be welcomed with fresh honey tea and green lentils or lotus seeds made by his family. Imagine a Vietnam in the old time of war through the stories of Mr. Duoc, who is not only a veteran who lives during those hard times but also a green tea expert. 
 

You will visit his tea plantation which is one of the largest in Ri village and join with locals in green tea processing. Afterward, have a Vietnamese cooking demonstration with another localhost and then enjoy a home-cooked lunch in a lovely garden. After that, you will wander around the village and mingle with local people. You will visit the local craftsman who has been skilled at making conical hats from a very young age and other workshops in the village to see how people there make tofu or shell the rice. As you meander through the countryside you will experience the friendliness of the local people greeting you along the way. Then join your guides for a leisurely cycling trip along the country roads. Observe traditional Vietnamese rural life as the local people work in the paddy fields. Along the way, watch out for a water buffalo plowing a paddy field while ducks swim across the top. Stop at another host family for foot bathing following the recipes of the Muong ethnic group and relaxing time before embarking on your private boat for a trip along the Da river.
 

 Later, enjoy a transfer from Ba Vi to your accommodations in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
 

Hanoi Eco Tour
 

Day 14Departure Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast
 

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. 
 

Service ends