Essential Vietnam and Cambodia 17 days

Morning

Arriving at Hanoi Airport, you are picked up at the meeting point by our tour guide and listen to a short briefing. Then being transferred to your hotel in Hanoi to check in your room

You are free to relax during the day. Moreover, if you are interested in some extra activities to explore the charm of Hanoi Old Quarter, join us on these optional tours below:

Please get in touch with our travel consultant if you are interested in these services, and we are available 24/7 to assist you.

NOTE:

• Please be advised that both international and domestic terminals might be crowded sometimes during the day, so in case you arrive and cannot find our representatives, please be present at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal Gate) and contact us, so we could easily search for you.
• Hotel check-in is due at 2 pm, but you can check in earlier by paying a surcharge if you want to.

Morning

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will begin the second day by visiting the most attractive landmarks in Hanoi .

• Start going to the Temple of Literature, which is Vietnam’s first university, to witness its ancient design during the Ly dynasty period
• Pay a visit to One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples famous for its typical architecture like a lotus blossom growing from the water
• Pass by the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Jun - Aug). 
• Walk around West Lake to enjoy the tranquil vibe of the lake and visit the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda, which is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi

Lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant.

 Afternoon

Walk back to the hotel, which should be near the train station for the night train to Lao Cai. You have free time to explore Hanoi at the last minute and pack your luggage for the train trip.

Evening

Pick up at the hotel by our tour guide at around 21:00, then transfer to the train station for the night train to Lao Cai train station.

The train departs at approximately 21:35 hours. Also, the compartment is designed for shared sleeping, which is shared with other passengers in 2 lower and 2 upper berths.

NOTE:

• Our tour guide will not accompany you during the train trip. The train schedule is subject to change.
• Private compartments on request at a surcharge. Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless a private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Morning

You will arrive at Lao Cai train station at around 05:30 - 06:00. Then be picked up by our driver from the train station for the transfer to Sapa on the tourist shared bus. 

Relax and have breakfast at the hotel until the tour guide comes to pick you up for the tour today. You will meet the local tour guide at around 09:30 and start trekking:

• Trek to Y Linh Ho Village, located alongside the Muong Hoa River, where you can see Black H’Mong people’s lifestyle and breathtaking beauty of endless terraced rice fields.
• Trek to Ta Van Village (1.200 m) to visit the Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam.

Return to Sapa by car. You are free at leisure for the rest of the day and stay overnight at the hotel in Sapa.

NOTE: You are able to check in early upon room occupancy in Sapa with an additional charge.

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel, then check out. You will be picked up by our tour guide for the tour at around 09:00. 

Take a walk down to the South-west of Sapa to visit Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong, one of the most beautiful and well-known ethnic villages of Sapa. 

Enjoy the stunning waterfall, the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial period in Vietnam.

Have a picnic lunch by the side of the river.

Afternoon

Continue to trek 3 km to Sin Chai Village, which is located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain - “the Roof of Indochina”, where you enjoy the stunning landscapes of the mountain.

Come back to the main road to get the transfer back to Sapa town on a jeep for 3km. Then you will be transferred to Hanoi by sharing a limousine.

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi. Around 08:00 - 08:30, you are picked up by our driver and transferred to Halong Bay for 2.5 hours

At noon, you will reach the cruise port. After some check-in procedures, you are warmly greeted by the hospitable staff when embarking on the cruise

Listen to the safety instruction, then enjoy delicious local seafood lunch served on board.

Afternoon

You are able to join some activities on the boat to discover the beauty of the bay, such as visiting a cave, kayaking, or swimming in the sea (depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day)

Get back to the junk, relax and have dinner. Stay overnight on board and enjoy the nightlife on board with various activities including squid fishing, card games, etc.

Morning

Wake up early to join a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. If you cannot get up early, just watch the beautiful sunrise over the bay on your cabin’s balcony

Have breakfast on the cruise, then begin new exploration with a trip to a cave in Halong Bay, or a local fishing village, …

Return to the cruise after the tour to prepare your belongings and check out. Have a delectable brunch while on the way to get back to the main dock. 

At noon, you will reach the harbor, then be transferred to the airport by our driver for the flight to Danang. 

Evening

Pick up to the hotel in Hoi An for checking in. Relax for the rest of the day.

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel. At 08:00, you will explore Hoi An on a half-day walking tour:

• Wander along old streets, cross several old houses, see how the daily lives of local people are, and witness how historical elements of the town merge with modernity.
• Visit some of the ancient monuments of the ancient town, including the Japanese Covered Bridge or Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese. 
• Stop at a street-side shop for a cold drink and enjoy the true taste of Hoi An on your tongue.

If time allows, you can visit some handicraft stores, buy some notable souvenirs in town, and take them back to your hometown as gifts for your friends

Afternoon

Spend leisure time exploring Hoi An for the rest of the day.

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel, then be picked up by our driver for the transfer to Hue via Cloudy Pass. Upon arrival in Hue, you will finish your check-in procedures at the hotel and relax for the rest of the day

NOTE: The transfer can be a shuttle bus or a private car and it will stop at some place on the way for sightseeing and taking photos (admission fee is not included).

Morning /Afternoon

You will have breakfast at the hotel before joining a half-day city tour in Hue:

• 08:00: Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhism attraction which is located at the bank of the enchanting Perfume River. 
• Continue to visit the Imperial Citadel to explore its well-preserved complex of temples and palaces located on the banks of the Perfume River. Spend time visiting the front gate, the Flag Tower, and The King’s Palace. 
• Stop at Dong Ba Market, the largest traditional trading place in Hue City. Shopping at Dong Ba market, you will have the chance to understand the daily business of local sellers, their way of doing business and purchase some interesting souvenirs. 

At the end of the tour, you will be back at the hotel and spend time at leisure.

Morning

You will have breakfast at the hotel before the transfer to Hue airport by our driver to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Afternoon

Reach Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City after a 1.5 hours flight. Our driver is waiting at the airport to bring you to hotels in the city center.

Check-in hotel. Free to explore the city on your own (or simply take a nap).

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel before getting in the car at around 08:00 to travel 70 km out of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels

Crawl along some of the tunnels for exploration more about the Vietnam War, and touch a real gun with the firing-gun services here (with an additional charge). Try some tea and boiled cassava - the food in Cu Chi during wartime

Have a light lunch at a local restaurant on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City

Afternoon

You will join a tour to visit Ho Chi Minh and the surrounding area:

• Visit the War Remnants Museum, where you can see exhibits on war crimes and listen to the story of the brutal American War in horrific detail
• Pass by the Reunification Palace to learn more about Vietnam's history and witness its architectural grandeur, which used to be the office of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu
• Explore the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (currently under renovation) and the Old Post Office, symbols of French architecture in Sai Gon with a luxurious amalgam of Gothic, Renaissance and French colonial design

Stop at a local market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs as well as discover local life and culture.

After returning to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, you will have free time for the rest of the day.

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel then check out and bring all your belongings with you. Around 08:00, you will begin your journey to explore the peaceful aura of the Mekong Delta:

• Discover the local life for villages in the area that revolve around the rivers and canals that make up the delta
• Experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways while getting in the boat
• Explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms, visit the orchards, paddy fields, and swamplands of the Mekong Delta on a sampan rowed by locals

Afternoon

You are transferred to Can Tho for staying overnight. After checking in, you are free to relax for the rest of the day

Morning

Have an early breakfast at the hotel. Then begin jour new expedition by visiting the Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho:

• Travel along the Mekong and the natural network of canals by motorboat and sampan under the shadows of water coconut trees. 
• Have the opportunity to taste seasonal fruits right from the orchard, meet friendly locals, and visit the region’s lively floating markets.

Afternoon

Around 13:30, you will get a road transfer to Chau Doc. Spend a night in this sleepy little town.

Morning /Afternoon

Have breakfast at the hotel. Around 08:00: you will head to the boat station where you can take the speed boat to Phnom Penh

Our tour guide will pick you up, then transfer you to the hotel when arrive in Phnom Penh. Check-in at your hotel in Phnom Penh, the rest of the day is free at leisure

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel. At 08:00, you will meet our tour guide at the hotel for the city tour in Phnom Penh.

• Visit most of the famous tourist attractions in Phnom Penh, including the Independence Monument, Royal Palace Compound, and Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple) to explore the iconic architectural achievements of Khmer people
• Go to National Museum, which is the largest museum of cultural history in Cambodia that is suitable for culture seekers to discover the ancient Khmer culture
• Visit Wat Phnom, known as the only hill in town with sacred sites. You can climb the stairs to the top of the hill for fabulous views of the city below.

Afternoon

Around 13:30: Be picked up by our driver for the transfer to Mekong Bus station for departure to Siem Reap. The bus will stop at a restaurant for the restroom and where you can find your own meals or snacks. 

Meet your guide at Borei Seang Nam station when reaching Siem Reap, and transfer to your hotel for checking in. 

You have free time in Siem Reap. You can explore the night markets, enjoy Khmer massage and spa treatments, drink and eat at a variety of great cafes and restaurants, etc.

Relax and prepare for your exploration of Angkor tomorrow.

NOTE: The road transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is around 6 hours, and your guide will not be with you on the bus, but he /she will meet you in Siem Reap.

Morning

Have breakfast at the hotel before the full-day tour to visit the Angkor complex, which begins from around 08:00:

• Visit Ta Prohm Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII that is embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers.
• Stop by the antique capital of Angkor Thom, starting from the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Afternoon

13:30: Spend time exploring Angkor Wat, which is the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. After the tour, you can enjoy the wonderful view of the sunset from Angkor Wat or somewhere possible.

Enjoy a buffet dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at a Cambodian restaurant.

Morning

You have free time to explore Siem Reap until the driver picks you up for the transfer to the airport. Hope your journeys be filled with wonderful memories, exhilarating adventures, and memorable experiences.