Highlights Of Vietnam and Cambodia

Highlights Of Vietnam and Cambodia

Tracing through prominent landmarks of Cambodia and Vietnam, touching the historical and cultural lines of the two Indochina countries.
- Discover the absolutely tranquil landscape of Halong Bay.
- Be fascinated with the vibrant cities such as Hanoi, Saigon and Siem Reap.
- Learnt more about Vietnamese War by visiting a historic monument of Cu Chi Tunnels.
- The pristine beauty and majesty of Angkor -one of the most outstanding archaeological sites in South-East Asia.

Itinerary

Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL – HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Stop At: Temple of Literature & National University, Quoc Tu Giam Street Dong Da District, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Welcome to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam!

The tour guide & driver will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the centre of Hanoi then check-in at hotel and relax.

Afternoon let’s start our city tour from Temple of Literature, the 1st university in Vietnam then continue to Ba Dinh Square - the biggest square in Hanoi where all biggest cultural, political events of the cities for taking photos of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside). Later have an overall view of the capital by a walking visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake).

Please note: Standard check in time is 14:00. Early check in is subject to availability of the hotel.

Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI - HALONG - OVERNIGHT ON BOARD (Shuttle bus Hanoi - Halong)

Stop At: Halong Bay Vietnam
From Hanoi, at 8AM, head East for more than 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. 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, we’ll take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, we can visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the boat for dinner late afternoon. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach.

Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose. Only Vietnamese & International, vegetarian food available on the boat.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight on the boat near Titov Beach.

Day 3: HALONG – HANOI – FLY TO SAIGON Shuttle bus Halong – Hanoi @FLIGHT AFTER 18H00

Stop At: Halong Bay Vietnam
After breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Halong with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Back to the Wharf of Halong passing the most densely area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Arrive at Halong Wharf around 11.00. Return to Hanoi around 4PM and transfer to airport for take flight to Saigon (only driver, no tour guide escorts). Welcome to Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) – the most hectic and business city of Vietnam. Upon arrival at the airport, welcomed by the local driver (no tour guide escorts) and transfer to the city center to check in hotel & relax.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Saigon.

Day 4: SAIGON CITY TOUR – CU CHI TUNNELS – SAI GON (SIC TOUR)

Stop At: Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam
Have breakfast at hotel. Morning we start the city tour at the Reunification Palace, the witness of the fierce Vietnam War ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall of official receptions. Nearby the Palace are the colonial-styled Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside), built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. From here visit War Museum.

Afternoon, we visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments to the Vietnam War. Beneath the ground lie 200 km of tunnels, dug by hand and inhabited by the forces of the Vietnamese guerillas during the conflict. At its peak, prior to the Tet Offensive in 1968, the tunnel complex was base to almost 10,000 troops. To this day, it remains one of the most impressive examples of how fierce the war used to be. You even can try to crawl some dozens of meters on the tunnel underground to have the real experience. Return to Saigon.

Itinerary may be changed without prior notice

Duration: 8 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Saigon.

Day 5: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON (SIC TOUR)

Stop At: Vinh Trang Temple, Nguyen Trung Truc, My Tho Vietnam
After breakfast at hotel. Picked up at your hotel to transfer to My Tho. Enjoy the scenic journey along the way bordered by green rice fields. On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, a famous pogoda in the area that its architecture is a mix of Chinese, Cambodian, and French culture. We then take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.

Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Meet the bus and return to Saigon. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memories.

A normal lunch with local food will be served.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Day 6: SAIGON – FLY TO SIEM REAP – FREE FOR SHOPPING @FLIGHT AFTER 12H

Stop At: Siem Reap International Airport, NR6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast at the hotel. If your flight is in the afternoon, you will have a half day more for the sightseeing and shopping before the departure till check out time and transfer to the airport for the departure flight to Siem Reap (private vehicle, no tour guide escort).

Upon arrival, welcome by driver in Siem Reap (private vehicle, no tour guide escort), transfer to check in hotel, free leisure on own arrangement.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR FULL DAY (SIC)

Stop At: Angkor Thom South Gate, Siem Reap Cambodia
Breakfast at hotel, 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. Last you will visit Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty! Giant trees have grown here for centuries.

Afternoon visit Angkor Wat temple, the founder of the temple was Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century to dedicate to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. It is time to visit Pre Rup temple for a romantic sunset view.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: SIEM REAP DEPARTURE

Stop At: Siem Reap International Airport, NR6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast at hotel, free leisure on own arrangement until time transfer to airport for flight onwards!

Please note: Standard check out time is 12:00.

Only driver, no English speaking guide escort

Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.