Vietnam and Cambodia Thorough In 10 Days

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.

Overnight in Hanoi

The first destination to visit is Hoa Lu ancient capital. Here you will explore the outstanding architecture of King Dinh and King Le temples, the first emperors of ancient Vietnam. 

Then move to Tam Coc wharf, where you will have lunch with Vietnamese food. And then board the rowing boat and cruise along the river through the limestone caves. After the boat trip, you will take a cycling trip around the idyllic village through the rice fields to explore the surrounding sceneries. 

Then come back to the shuttle bus to return to your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. 

On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. 

The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.

Overnight on cruise

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles.

Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to the airport to take your flight to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15-7:30 am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River. 

Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people. 

Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies.

Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. Afterwards, you will get back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed, and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. 

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which included the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. All this was to help people living inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterwards, special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) will be served.

Then you will return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed, and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime. 

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which included the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. All this was to help people living inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterwards, special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) will be served.

Then you will return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. When you arrive at Siem Reap International  Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. The rest of the time is free for leisure. 

Overnight in Siem Reap

Have breakfast at the hotel and start your sightseeing tour of the Angkor complex. Start your exploration with the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Continue your sightseeing to the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat.

This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We will stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Then visit the famous jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. Here the enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Have breakfast at the hotel and meet your guide. Today you will visit the floating villages of Tonle Sap lake. Take a scenic drive to Siem Reap countryside and hop on the traditional wooden boat to cruise down the Tonle Sap Lake and experience the human occupations at the edges of the lake with floating villages, towering stilted houses, and huge fish traps. Discover how the economy and local way of living are deeply intertwined with the lake, the fish, the wildlife, and the cycles of rising and falling waters. 

In the afternoon, we will drive about 15 Km to the West of Siem Reap to visit the silk farm in the Pouk district. Visit a fascinating workshop where you can see the entire process of silk creation, including growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction, and refinement, traditional kit dying pattern creation, and looming. Then visit the souvenir shop where you can buy beautiful silk products if you like. On the way back, we will stop at the Western Baray (Baray Occidental), which is measured 8 km by 2.3 km and provides water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor. 

Overnight in Siem Reap

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. 

Trip Ends