Get overwhelmed by the amazing beauties of Vietnam and Cambodia brought by this 26-day Indochina tour. Unlock the mysteries of Vietnam through a journey from North to South with pristine nature and interesting activities attached to long-established cultures of the S-shaped country. Spend some days among the Vietnam journey exploring the Angkor Kingdom at two most attractive destinations - Siem Reap and Phnom Penh which owns a ton of spectacular views along with unforgettable discoveries.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Duration: 26 Days/ 25 Nights
Start/ End: Hanoi/ Hanoi
Tour Route: Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Phu Quoc Island
Tour Categories: Vietnam Cambodia Tours
Tour Type: Nature and Landscape, Explore and Experience
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Overnight Train to Sapa, Lao Cai
Day 3: Sapa Journey
Day 4: Sapa – Lao Cai – Overnight Train to Hanoi
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi – Fly to Danang & Transfer to Hue
Day 8: Hue City Tour
Day 9: Hue – Hoi An Ancient Town
Day 10: Hoi An - My Son Holy Land
Day 11: Hoi An – Free Day
Day 12: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 13: Saigon – Mekong Delta
Day 14: Mekong Delta – Chau Doc - Tra Su Cajuput Forest
Day 15: Chau Doc - Speedboat to Phnom Penh
Day 16: Phnom Penh - Killing Field (If Interested)
Day 17: Phnom Penh - Fly to Siem Reap
Day 18: Siem Reap - Beng Mealea & Bantay Srei
Day 19: Siem Reap - Angkor Complex
Day 20: Siem Reap - Floating Village & Phare Circus
Day 21: Siem Reap - Fly to Phu Quoc Island
Day 22: Phu Quoc Island Leisure
Day 23: Phu Quoc Island Leisure
Day 24: Phu Quoc Island Leisure
Day 25: Phu Quoc - Fly to Hanoi
Day 26: Hanoi Departure
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Welcome to Hanoi, you will meet your local guide and driver, then transfer to the hotel. Relax in the rest of the day and enjoy welcome dinner at Era Restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour - Overnight Train to Sapa, Lao Cai (B, L, D)
Today we will venture out to explore Hanoi. Your driver will take you to the Ho Chi Minh complex where we will spend time at Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. Followings we visit the Temple of Literature, a famous historical and cultural relic.
After lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, which is the central place display and store precious culture of Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority. Next, continue to Hoa Lo Prison, known as the ‘’Hanoi Hilton’’, was used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and during the Vietnam War.
Later this afternoon, we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired "Old quarter”. Take time to wander around, taste street foods or buy pretty souvenirs for your beloveds. Then, we will enjoy a Water Puppets show before transferring to the train station for the night journey to Sapa on sharing cabin of 04 soft berths.
Overnight on train.
Day 3: Sapa – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai Homestay (B, L, D)
Arrive in Lao Cai Station in the early morning, you will meet your local guide and drive to Sapa. After breakfast, we will trek to Cat Cat Village then to Y Linh Ho village of the Hmong people. Following lunch, we head to the Muong Hoa Valley, on the way passing through the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van where you will have a chance to communicate with local people.
We spend an overnight at a homestay at one of the hill tribe villages. Homestays are a great way to get a closer look at the culture and really understand more about the daily lives of the locals. 'You will arrive as a guest but leave as a friend' is a common saying you will hear and feel after the experience to live in Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa – Lao Cai – Limousine Back to Hanoi
After breakfast with our hosts. Your journey today includes a visit to the Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Dao minority people, trek through a bamboo forest and pass by a majestic waterfall; taking time to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
Arriving in Sapa town, the rest of the day will be free to visit Sapa town market. In the midafternoon, we will transfer back to Hanoi by Limousine van (sharing van for only 08 people). Drop off at the hotel around 9 pm. Check in hotel and overnight in Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)
Morning
09.10: You will take the new highway to Got Ferry Terminal – Cat Hai Town, Haiphong City. Along the way, the passengers have a chance to experience on the longest and newest bridge in South East Asia and enjoy a special tea At Azalea Cruise’s lounge.
Afternoon
12.15: Transfer by tender to the AZALEA CRUISE.
12.30: Upon arrival, check in, enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise briefing, safety instructions on cruise. Start cruising and explore one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature – Halong Bay.
13.00: The cruise proceeds to Da Chong islet, where you can see a lighthouse built by the French over 100 years ago. While passing via the islets of Con Vit area, you will be served a buffet lunch. This area is untouched and wild, as not many ships cruises to this area.
15.00: We continue to Trung Trang Cave by bus on Cat Ba Island. Trung Trang Valley is the largest valley on Cat Ba Island, carved by nature for more than 2000 years. Visitors can soak up many stalactites that take on various shapes.
17.00: Azalea Cruise next head to Tra Bau where is located in Lan Ha Bay. Swimming is an ideal activity to feel green emerald and cool water.
17.45: Enjoy the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin on board and join a traditional cooking class. You will be instructed to cook some Vietnam dishes. In the early morning, the boat has its Happy Hour deal.
Evening
19.30: A Deluxe Dinner is served in the sumptuous candlelight setting. Enjoy delicious local food and relaxing atmosphere on board.
21.30: Enjoy the wonderful night view of the landscape of the bay on the top deck. Enjoy some drinks from the bar or try your hand at night squid fishing.
23.00: End of the day tour
Overnight on board.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)
Morning
06.15: Wake up early to witness the bay at its very best whilst and enjoy an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck before having breakfast. Start heading out to explore the bay in the area where Ao Ech is located.
7.45: Experience your own kayaking at Ao Ech area to discover the hidden charm of Lan Ha Bay with its quieter
9.30: Check out at Azalea Cruise
10.00: Enjoy a delightful brunch on your cruising back
10.30: Tea Ceremony is served at the restaurant. Learn the way to enjoy Vietnamese tea at this ceremony.
11.35: Return to the quayside in the south of the bay, bid farewell at GOT ferry, and end your tour at 14h00. Then, back to your drop-off point in Hanoi around 16h00. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B)
After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight to Hue. Welcome upon arrival by local tour guide and driver and they will escort you to the hotel. Relax in the rest of the day.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue City (B, L)
Pick up at hotel at 8:30 AM, we will board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the countryside. A visit to the most beautiful tombs in the ancient capital Hue will be included in today’s itinerary. First, stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures of worshiping in Vietnam, we will observe the unique architecture and enjoy a great view of the Perfume River. Afterward, soak up the nearby King Khai Dinh's Tomb and King Tu Duc's Tomb.
In the afternoon, we will explore the wonderful monuments in the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Then, depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum, housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. Last but not least, wander Dong Ba Market to observe the local lifestyles.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 9: Hue – Hoi An Ancient Town (B)
After breakfast, we travel by vehicle to Hue train station. Then catch a train to Hoi An. The train will meander on Hai Van Pass and you have a chance to immerse the giant view from here. You can have a chance to interact with the local people on train.
The train drops you off at Danang train station. Drive to Hoi An by private vehicle in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 10: Hoi An - My Son Holy Land (B, L)
After breakfast, depart for the ancient Cham ruins of My Son which is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Soak up Tra Kieu capital which was the former administrative center of Champa Kingdom. Explore the majestic ancient ruins at My Son including ancient towers which were built from the fourth century.
Day 11: Hoi An – Free Day (B)
Met up by a local tour guide in the morning, then we walk down to Hoi An Ancient Town for a day walking tour. Hoi An Ancient town has been recognized as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since 1999. It is nowadays is one of the most attractive places in Vietnam. We will start our walking tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house, the Pottery Museum, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, and nearby ancient temples and pagodas.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)
After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to the airport for your departure flight to Ho Chi Minh. Arrive in Tan Son Nhat airport, picked up by our local guide and driver.
Then we transfer to Cu Chi tunnel, located 60km to the Northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. Cu Chi tunnels network is an extensive labyrinth of underground tunnels stretching all the way to the Cambodian border. We will watch a short introduction video showing the foundation, activities… of Cu Chi tunnels and local people in the past. Afterward, we will crawl all the safe parts of the tunnel system; enjoy some special cassava and tea that served free in the tour. Later, we can go to the shooting range where we can try to fire real bullets: (costs US$3/bullet) or free for shopping at the souvenir shops. Back to Ho Chi Minh City at noontime and trip end at the hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (B, L, D)
This morning, we transfer to Cai Be where we will enjoy our boat trip around Cai Be colorful floating market with various local barges full of fruits and vegetables. We stop at local workshops to visit rice paste, coconut candy, pop-rice, pop-corn production or we visit the handicraft village and observe the way locals make special products of rice-net for spring rolls, sauce, cooking salt,…
In the afternoon, we will get a closer look into the countryside by boating along the canals. Relax and feel the peaceful atmosphere while passing traditional houses which made of wood, palm tree leaves; you will also witness farmers catching fishes or picking up fruits by the ancestral way in Mekong Delta.
After that, stop at a village, we will bike on village paths to see local farms, houses, real life the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta... In the rest of the day, we learn cooking some dishes with the owners, then enjoy dinner and have a cup of tea or rice wine when talking together.
Overnight in a local house.
Day 14: Mekong Delta – Chau Doc - Tra Su Cajuput Forest (B, L)
Have breakfast and walk along the village to enjoy the fresh air in the morning; after that, we take a boat trip to visit the brick kilns to observe local people creating beautiful potteries from clay.
Our boat will go along the floating village where we will see how the people farm catfish on Mekong River. Stop boat trip, we can visit Vinh Long market in the town. Save the colorful scenery by taking photos of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetable.
We then drive to Chau Doc – a small town near the border with Cambodia. On arrival in Chau Doc, we will take another 35km to drive to visit Tra Su Cajuput Forest which is renowned for not only its almost-untouched natural beauty but also its sanctuary of flora and fauna. Taking a boat trip into the forest and harmonizing yourself with nature. The impressive pictures of cajuput, the fragrance of flowers and the music-like noise of birds, insects, and animals will certainly make tourists do not want to leave.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 15: Chau Doc - Speedboat to Phnom Penh (B)
Early morning today, check out room & move to the pier for 5-hour speedboat to Phnom Penh. Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh’s pier, welcome by our local guide and driver who will transfer you to hotel for check in and relax. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 16: Phnom Penh - Killing field if Interested (B)
Following your breakfast, you will head out of Phnom Penh 15 kilometers to see Beoung Cheoung Ek Memorial Museum (Killing Fields), the national site for the Cambodian Genocide. Next, the trip leads you to Tuol Sleng Museum which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. As you arrive, you will grasp a chance to see a documentary film about the Khmer Rouge regime and the genocide of Pol Pot, in which the victims are detained and tortured at the prison, were transported to the extermination to death.
After lunch, continue your journey with a guided tour of the National Museum, the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda. Marvel at some of the world’s most spectacular buildings, including the Throne Hall, the Royal Treasury Hall and the Napoleon II villa in the Royal Palace; whereas, immerse yourself in unique architecture of Silver Pagoda in which its steps are crafted from Italian marble. Color your trip by experiencing a Cyclo excursion along the Mekong Riverfront, passing Wat Phnom to have your sense thrilled by all the sights, sounds and tastes of Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 17: Phnom Penh - Fly to Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at hotel, today your next destination will be Phnom Penh by domestic flight. Upon your arrival at Siem Reap International airport, you will be welcomed by local guide then transfer to hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 18: Siem Reap - Beng Mealea & Bantay Srei (B)
This morning, wake up early to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Then transfer back to the hotel for breakfast before. We will have a journey to the northeast of Siem Reap through the beautiful village to visit the pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, founded in 967. Banteay Srei Temple, considered as the jewel of the Classical Khmer Arts. Invade by trees, Banteay Srei - which means “the Citadel of Women” - is indeed of absolute and rare beauty and fineness. Every single detail of this sculpted pink sandstone temple is an enchantment to the human eyes!
This afternoon, having seen more of the surrounding temples, return in the direction of Siem Reap, stopping to explore another of the lesser visited temples - Beng Mealea, similar in size to the famous Angkor Wat (both were built by Suryavarman II). Utterly swallowed by the jungle, and with minimal restoration work, first-timers can imagine what it must have been like in the past. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 19: Siem Reap - Angkor Complex (B)
On the second day, we will start your Cambodia tour by visiting Angkor Thom including Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
In the afternoon, we continue visiting the most famous temple in the world - Angkor Wat - an architectural masterpiece built in the 12th century. Stretching approximately 210 hectares, Angkor Wat has been considered as one of 100 worthwhile destinations in the world. End the day with the climb to the summit of Bakheng Mountain Temple to view a spectacular sunset.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 20: Siem Reap - Floating Village & Phare Circus (B)
Breakfast at hotel, today our exploration is not temple. We visit the great annual flood of Tonle Sap Lake, we take a boat ride to the village of Kompong Phhluk on stilts. Take a canoe to explore this great ecosystem and hear the calls of the macaque monkeys while observing the forest beneath the lake’s surface. Get a glimpse of Buddhist temple standing on the island with some beautiful Buddhist life painting on the ceiling.
Spend your evening to watch a group of young Cambodian offer spectacular performances demonstrating Cambodian life and culture. Have prepared dinner and move back to Phare Cambodia Circus.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 21: Siem Reap - Fly to Phu Quoc Island (B)
Breakfast at hotel, today is free at leisure until time for transfer to airport for your departure flight to Phu Quoc. Arrive in Phu Quoc. We are picked up & transferred to hotel in Phu Quoc. Relax in the rest of the day.
Overnight in Phu Quoc Island.
Day 22: Phu Quoc Island Leisure (B)
Time will be on your own!
Day 23: Phu Quoc Island Leisure (B)
Time will be on your own!
Day 24: Phu Quoc Island Leisure (B)
Time will be on your own!
Day 25: Phu Quoc Island - Fly to Hanoi (B)
Time will be on your own!
Day 26: Hanoi Departure (B)
After breakfast, free to explore until you will be transferred to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.
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