Highlight of Vietnam and Cambodia

Around 8:00 am, our local tour guide will meet you at the hotel to start full-day exploration of Angkor Complex. After short transfer, we will reach Angkor Wat – the world’s largest religious monument with 402 acres (163 ha) of ancient Hindu-Buddhist architecture.

From Angkor Wat, continue the trip to Angkor Thom where stone figures greet you at the ancient city’s monumental southern gates. Inside Angkor Thom, stroll towards Bayon—identified by a series of smiling faces etched into its upper terrace and central peak. Before concluding your visit to Angkor Thom, explore the famous Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants.

Next, enjoy lunch at your own expense before visiting Ta Prohm—a mystifying temple that is being overtaken by Cambodia’s lush jungle landscape. Finally, revel in sunset at lovely Pre Rup—a temple built in dedication to the Hindu god Shiva in Phnom Bakkeng Hill—before returning to your hotel for the evening.

Firstly, you’ll visit the highly-intricate pink coloured Banteay Srei Temple – which translates beautifully to “The Citadel of Women”.

And then, we visit the floating village of Kompong Pluk where you will take the wood boat to explore the Cambodian houses on stilt and the flooded forest before reaching to Tonle Sap lake to take a glimpse of fishermen and other activities. We spend the rest of day visiting the “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.

Free at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet our guide/driver and transfer to the hotel.

Suggested activities in Siem Reap: Old Market, National Museum, Angkor Cultural Village…

Today features the most highlights of Hanoi, including Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, His House-on-Stilts, One Pillar pagoda…

After that we will visit the Temple of Literature – a temple to Confucius, this is also known as Vietnam’s first University dating back to 1070.

Lunch today features The best known authentic Hanoi cuisines prepared by the awarded Hanoi cooking artist at a home restaurant.

After having lunch, enjoy a walking tour through the old quarter to explore the old town on foot with numerous shops and photo opportunities. Also visit Ngoc Son Temple, Hoan Kiem Lake.

Enjoy an hour Cyclo Tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, heading to Ho Chi Minh complex, the old quarter is also known as the 36 streets and guilds, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the street’s names was related to the products being sold there.

After breakfast, we will depart for Halong Bay through the scenic countryside.The world heritage site Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a cruise for an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay. Sea food lunch will be served while cruising through the bay.

The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches. You then explore the Surprising Sung Sot cave which still reserves much of the amazing original stalactites and stalagmites.

Wake up in the morning to the calming sound of the waves crashing on the nearby islands. You enjoy a morning coffee and watch the world going by in the bay. Sitting on the upper deck and enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. The quiet is almost eerie; we can hear birds singing, cicadas chirping ashore and the gentle lapping of the waves against our boat, the perfect soundtrack to accompany the fresh air and gentle breeze. Our junk starts cruising back while the brunch buffet will be served.

Check out and arrive at harbor by 12:00 noon, we will drive back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi around 16:30, check in the hotel and relax.

Free time until transfer to the airport for a flight to Hue at noon time. Hue is an ancient romantic city, famous for its magnificent architecture including the Citadel, palaces, pagodas and royal tombs built under the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty against a poetic background of greenery on the banks of the Perfume River. Hue was recognized as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1993. Hue has represented the cultural and spiritual centre of Vietnam since ancient times. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to hotel in Hue. The rest of day is free time at leisure.

After breakfast, our tour guide will meet you at the hotel and start Hue discovery trip.

Firstly, we visit Hue Imperial Citadel, also called Forbidden Purple City, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 – 1945. And then, we visit Dong Ba market to know local normal life and shopping. Lunch today will be served at local restaurant with local special food.

Afternoon is for cruise trip along Perfume River (Huong River) – one of the most peaceful and beautiful river in Vietnam. First stop is Thien Mu pagoda – one of the best-loved pagodas in Vietnam and is considered by many to be the unofficial symbol of Hue. It is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601.

We continue to hop on the boat and cruise to Tu Duc Mausoleum. Tour end by walking around 15 minutes to Vong Canh Hill for sunset view and photograph time. Finally, transfer back to the hotel.

This morning we drive over the mighty Hai Van Pass and take in the spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean and famous Long Co fishing village. On the way we visit the Cham Museum where the remaining evidence of the fascinating Champa civilization can be viewed. We then visit the Marble Mountain, which is a maze of caves and temples, hidden with five sacred marble rocks.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in the hotel and free at leisure.

Begin your tour of Hoi An, a former trading port that welcomed Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants between the 16th to 18th centuries. Today Hoi An is famous for its restored architecture, homemade silk, expert tailors and delicious noodles and seafood. Its relaxed vibe and pedestrian streets make this town a pleasure to walk around and discover new things.

Morning is for Tra Que village as farming tour. Travel from Hoi An into the rural outskirts where you’ll pedal past rice paddies and vegetable fields. You’ll learn about local agricultural practices from area farmers and experience the scenic beauty that lies just beyond Vietnam’s biggest cities. Experience the daily life of local farmers as you work alongside them in the garden. Then cook signature dishes such as spring rolls (tam huu) and pancakes (banh xeo) for lunch, prepared with Tra Que vegetables for which the village is famous.

Afternoon is for Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshipped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice. Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tan Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An. End your afternoon with a boat trip along Thu Bon river.

Morning you are free at leisure. Afternoon being transferred to the airport for boarding your flight to Saigon. On arrival met Vietnam Great Tours’ driver and guide to be transferred to the downtown hotel for check in. The rest of the day you are free at leisure.

Pick-up at hotel and transfer to Tan Cang pier. We depart to Cu Chi tunnel by speedboat. When on board, enjoy a light breakfast of The Pat’a Chou cake with Lavie water & local fruit, enjoy the fresh air and understand the daily life of local citizens living
along the river banks.

Arrive in Cu Chi, located about 70 km from Saigon, where you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the former stronghold of the Viet Cong with a network of tunnels three levels deep stretching over 200 km.

After exploration of Cu Chi tunnel, get on board and cruise back to Saigon center.

Afternoon is Saigon for half day city tour includes the Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, and the Museum of History to see some interesting displays and photographs following the path of the revolution. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a glimpse into the lifestyle of the democratic regime of former South Vietnam.

Today, Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour brings you to Mekong Delta – the must see area in the south. Your private guide and driver will take you out of Ho Chi Minh City in a private vehicle and onto some beautiful country roads to Ben Tre Town, the heart of the Mekong Delta, popularly known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam, and is famous for its vast rice fields, numerous waterways and beautiful landscapes.

Arriving at Ben Tre town you will embark on a motorized boat trip around the scenic Bến Tre River, viewing various local industries along the way. During the boat ride you will stop to visit the local workshops to see how bricks & sleeping mats are made. You also take a motor cart (xe lôi) passing rice and vegetable fields.

Return to Ben Tre town for lunch, after which you will be driven two hours back to your hotel.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport for departure flight.