Best of Vietnam and Cambodia 18 Days

DAY 01: HANOI ARRIVAL - FREE EXPLORATION (B/-/-)

DAY 02: HANOI CITY TOUR – LAO CAI (B/-/-) – by overnight train

DAY 03: LAO CAI - SAPA – Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI – TA VAN (B/-/-)

DAY 04: SAPA - MA TRA – TA PHIN – SAPA – HANOI (B/-/-) – by luxury car

DAY 05: HANOI – HOA LU ANCIENT CAPITAL – TAM COC (B/-/-)

DAY 06: NINH BINH – HALONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON JUNK (B/L/D).

DAY 07: SURPRISING CAVE – HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN (B/L/-) – by flight

DAY 08: HOI AN WALKING TOUR (B/-/-)

DAY 09: HOI AN – DANANG – OCEAN CLOUD PASS – HUE (B/-/-)

DAY 10: HUE IMPERIAL CITY TOUR – SAIGON (B/-/-) - by flight

DAY 11: SAIGON – CITY TOUR – SIEM REAP (B/-/-) – by flight

DAY 12: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR THOM – TA PROHM - ANGKOR WAT (B/-/-)

DAY 13 : SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE – SAIGON (B/-/-) – by flight

DAY 14: SAIGON – VINH TRANG TEMPLE - MY THO – CAN THO (B/-/-)

DAY 15: CAN THO – CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET – PHU QUOC (B/-/-) – by hydrofoil

DAY 16 - 17: PHU QUOC – FREE LESISURE AND WATER SPORT (B/-/-)

DAY 18: PHU QUOC – SAIGON – DEPATURE (B/-/-) – by flight

DAY 01: HANOI ARRIVAL - FREE EXPLORATION (B/-/-)

Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport, be warmly welcomed and picked up by our guide and then transferred to hotel in the centre for check-in. Take your first-hand exploration of city.

Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

DAY 02: HANOI CITY TOUR – LAO CAI (B/-/-) – by overnight train

Pick up at your hotel for full day tour of Hanoi, a blend of the modern with the mystery and charm of past centuries, Hanoi offers an air of elegance and harmony with nature. Today’s sightseeing begins with a visit Ba Dinh Square to see Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum - the museum to his life and the simple cottage where he lived and worked. Then visit Presidential Palace, house on stilts and One Pillar pagoda (locally known as Chua Mot Cot) originally built in 1040 A.D. on a pillar constructed of a single large tree trunk.

Then, have a stroll along the West Lake to visit Quan Thanh and Tran Quoc temples. The former is a Taoist temple in Hanoi, Vietnam. Dated to the 11th century, the temple was dedicated to Xuan Wu, or Trấn Vũ in Vietnamese, one of the principal deities in Taoism. The latter is the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Lý Nam Đế (from 544 until 548), thus giving it an age of more than 1,450 years.

Next, also visit Van Mieu or Temple of Literature, which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius. Later, visit Hanoi Opera House which was modeled on the Palais Garnier, the older of Paris two opera houses, and is considered to be one of the architectural landmarks of Hanoi and then take a cyclo ride through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. Transfer to Hanoi railway for overnight train to Lao Cai on an A/C soft cabin.

DAY 03: LAO CAI - SAPA – Y LINH HO – LAO CHAI – TA VAN (B/-/-)

Upon arrival at Lao Cai railway station, be picked up by our guide and then walk to the hotel in front of the railway for your relaxing, shower and breakfast before traveling to Sapa around 08am. Beginning of the Sapa trip is the moment for admire the panorama view of the town and then the valley from the main road. After 4km on the main road, we start going down to the valley by the small trails through the terrace rice fields to get to Y Linh Ho hamlet, a small village of the Black Hmong people.

From Y Linh Ho village, we go along the river to go to Lao Chai village (means "old village" in the local dialect). It is time for you to visit the local families, listen to your guide's explanation about the local culture: how they live, way of building the traditional house, and techniques of making clothes... or listen about the way of treatment for a sick person. Stop for lunch. The lunch is served in one of the local refreshment restaurants on the side of the river.

In the afternoon, we leave Lao Chai to continue to Ta Van village, the Giay people's residence. The guide to bring you into some family: listen about their life, enjoy some green tea, and learn about the differences of their culture from the other hill tribes even they leave close to each other. Finally, check in hotel and overnight in Sapa.

DAY 04: SAPA - MA TRA – TA PHIN – SAPA – HANOI (B/-/-) – by luxury car

Enjoy breakfast before the tour. Stroll around the village and visit hospitable Red Zao families to learn about their culture. You will go off the main road, onto hilly mountainous trails. Your surrounding is filled with lush vegetation, pine forest and fresh air. You will experience the untouched beauty of the area.

Ma Tra is about 3 km walking from Ta Phin which is the newly added location in a series of villages in Sapa that visitors can go to. The village is about 5km from the town of Sapa. This has around 50 households, resided by only H’Mong people. Ma Tra village has restored the traditional flax weaving loom, forging tools and carved silver production as part of tourism.

Experience tribal life on mountain, see how the locals make clothes and handicrafts, and enjoy amazing scenery that you can never forget. Later, transfer back to Sapa for luxury car to Hanoi. Upon arrival (about 09pm), check-in hotel and overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 05: HANOI – HOA LU ANCIENT CAPITAL – TAM COC (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will be picked up by guide around 8 am to head out to Ninh Binh. Upon arrival, visit Hoa Lu which was once depicted the ancient capital of Viet Nam, settling up in the 10th century. Also, visit temples of two dynasties of Dinh and Le with a very unique architecture in the old time. Learn about ancient culture through an excavation of vestiges of Royal Palaces ground dated 10th century.

After that, transfer to Tam Coc upon arrival boarding the sampan to travel along river among the villages, mountains and rice fields. Pass through 3 caves "Hang Ca - First cave, Hang Hai - Second cave, Hang Ba - Third cave" to get a wonderful feeling.

Boat returns to the dock, take a transfer to Bich Dong (Jade Cave) by bicycle to visit three ancient pagodas built on mountain cliff (the Lower, Middle and Upper pagoda). Later transfer to hotel in the center for check in and overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.

DAY 06: NINH BINH – HALONG BAY – OVERNIGHT ON JUNK (B/L/D)

Around 8am, you will be picked and transferred by car to Halong Bay. 12.00: Arrive at Tuan Chau Island

12.30: Welcome Drink – cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins. Cruise and program commence

13.00 – 14.30: Serve Special Lunch on board while cruising and exploring Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island.

14.45 – 15.45: Exploring Cua Van Floating Village by rowing bamboo boat with local people or kayaking by yourself.

15.45 – 17.00: The Vessels will continuous cruising in Halong bay passing by Tien Ong Cave, Trong Cave, Ho dong Tien, Luon cave, Ti Top Island and Coconut Three Island for overnight stay. Enjoy spa at your leisure on-board.

17.00 – 19.00: Enjoying “Happy Hour” Buy one take one on selected beverages, while the vessels is anchoring at Coconut Three Island for overnight stay.

18.00 – 19.00: Enjoy cooking demonstration with Chef to discover the Vietnamese cuisine. Learn how to toast Vietnamese way through the evening’s toast of the local rice wine and follow the Pre – dinner cocktail on the sundeck serving assorted canapé and nuts.

19.30 – 22.00: Serve elegant dinner.

21.00 – 23.00: Evening Activities – relax at leisure; enjoy Movie Night and squid Fishing or Beauty Spa services.

DAY 07: SURPRISING CAVE – HANOI – DANANG – HOI AN (B/L/-) – by flight

6.30: Tai Chi session on Sundeck.

7.00 – 7.30: Coffee & tea with assorted homemade pastries.

7.30 – 8.30: Relax or Visit Sung Sot Cave – Hiking up and down 600 steps to the magnificent limestone formations of the most beautiful and biggest cave in Halong bay.

8.30: Serve Breakfast Menu.

9.30: Check-out cabins and settle bills.

10.30: Arrive at Tuan Chau Island.

10.30 – 12.00: Set lunch served on the cruise

12.15 – 12.30: Shuttle bus picks up guests to Hanoi.

16.30 – 17.00: Arrive at hotel in Hanoi, then our car will take you to the airport for flight to Danang. Upon arrival, be picked up by our guide and driver then depart to Hoi An which was recognized by UNESCO as being World Cultural Heritage in 1999. Hoi An used to serve as an active port of trade with the Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Chinese people during the 17th and 18th centuries. Check in hotel and overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 08: HOI AN WALKING TOUR (B/-/-)

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel and then start your tour at this beautiful town by visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese temple and the Tan Ky ancient house. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat ride on the beautiful Thu Bon river to visit the Thanh Ha ceramic village to admire its intricate pottery, and stop off at the Kim Bong furniture village to check out the hand-crafted tables and chairs. Also, explore the life of the local people.

Take free walk in the small street of Hoi An which is famous for its numerous tailor-made clothing shops. You may also enjoy relaxing under the sun on the beach of Cua Dai. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

DAY 09: HOI AN – DANANG – OCEAN CLOUD PASS – HUE (B/-/-)

Enjoy your free time in Hoi An before travelling to Hue ancient capital through small villages and emerald green rivers in the blue water of My Khe beach (East Sea). Visit the Marble mountain which is a cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble, Marble Mountains are a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels and temples all just waiting to be discovered. Named after the elements metal, wood, water, fire and earth, Marble Mountains exist in a coastal area.

Then, visit Cham museum in Danang which is dedicated to this period and the Champa existence which began predominantly in the coastal areas of Vietnam. Housing the largest exhibition of Cham sculpture in the world, the museum displays almost 300 terracotta and stone works of art ranging from the 7th to the 15th centuries.

Later, we will conquer the 10-km long, 500 meters high Hai Van Pass (pass of the Clouds). At the summit, explore French and American forts, while enjoying panoramic views of the coast and Lang Co beach. Arrive in Hue, check in hotel and overnight in Hue.

DAY 10: HUE IMPERIAL CITY TOUR – SAIGON (B/-/-) - by flight

In the morning, start Hue city tour today by exploring the Imperial Citadel of Hue (the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 – 1945). Have boat ride along the Perfume River and the countryside through rarely visited villages to Thien Mu Pagoda (one of the most atmospheric and picturesque places in the former imperial capital, listen legend story about Thien Mu pagoda).

Next, visit the tombs of Minh Mang (is impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. Learn more about the Royal’s life, and Vietnam’s conception of death) and Khai Dinh (a blend of Western and Eastern architecture). Later, transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, be picked up by our guide and driver and then transfer to hotel for check-in. Have your first-hand exploration of the most bustling and hustling city of Vietnam. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 11: SAIGON – CITY TOUR – SIEM REAP (B/-/-) – by flight

Enjoy your breakfast at hotel, then depart to airport for flight to Saigon, Vietnam. Upon arrival, be picked up by our guide and then transfer to center for city tour. Begin your tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling along Dong Khoi St, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon.

Pass by classic European-style landmarks such the old Opera House (may only be viewed from the outside), visit to the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.

Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the Reunification Palace. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue the trip to War Remnants Museum which preserves the items and documents in the Vietnam – American War.

Finally, transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, be picked up by our guide and driver, and depart to the hotel in center for check-in. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 12: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR THOM – TA PROHM - ANGKOR WAT (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel. then you will visit the "Great City" of Angkor Thom, visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Ta Prohm with a part of Jungle.

Afternoon dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Vat temple. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor's construction. At the end of afternoon, we will do the sunset over Pre Rup temple. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

DAY 13 (26.1): SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE – SAIGON (B/-/-) – by flight

Breakfast at hotel, then we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" move from place to place following water levels and current. On the way back, we will take sometimes to visit the famous Handicraft school of Artisan d’Angkor and the local Market of Phsar Chas.

Afternoon, we will discover the Silk Farm in Puok, established by a French NGO to revive Cambodia's beautiful silk production. We can see every step of silk production.

Transfer to Siem Reap Airport 2h before your international departure flight to Saigon - Vietnam. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat, you will be welcomed and picked up by our guide and driver, and then transfer from airport to hotel. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 14: SAIGON – VINH TRANG TEMPLE - MY THO – CAN THO (B/-/-)

8:00 am you will be picked up at your hotel in the central city by our guide and then depart for My Tho Town in Tien Giang Province; dip into the beauty of rice fields along the way. Visit Vinh Trang pagoda which is the “must visit” site in Tien Giang. The pagoda is an ancient Southern gem with the combination of Asian and European architecture including Renaissance period and Romanesque style. Next, arrive in My Tho, take a boat trip on Mekong River to visit farmer’s house and garden. View the fishing port, the traditional stilt houses and boat building workshops, and three islands including Dragon, Phoenix, Unicorn and Tortoise. Also ride horse and carriage around villages to see the local life and taste tropical fruits and honey tea at bee-keeping farm; listen to traditional music and visit coconut candy manufacturer. After that, roam around villages to get deeper understanding of local life.

Later depart to Can Tho. Upon arrival, visit visit Ong Pagoda which is one of the most important religious sites of Chinese community in Can Tho. It is built in the late 19th century to worship Kuang Kung, a deity symbolizing loyalty, justice, reason, intelligence, honor and courage among other merits.

Then, visit Binh Thuy ancient house. Binh Thuy was built in 1870 with French style in architecture but still remained traditional features of Southern style. This is the private property of Duong’s family, it however has been acknowledged as a valuable construction of the city and nation for its architectural and historical values. Have your own dinner and stay overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 15: CAN THO – CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET – PHU QUOC (B/-/-) – by hydrofoil

You are going to visit Cai Rang floating market in the morning. The landscape is very beautiful: hundred sampans with full of rice, fruits and handicraft products…they are here to exchange their products. We will then visit the central market and explore the local activities. After leaving the market, we are going to visit a luxuriant orchard of Ba Cong Farm and enjoy fruits and get deeper understanding of local life.

Later transfer to Rach Gia for the hydrofoil to Phu Quoc island with long white sandy beach and primeval jungle which is known as one of the most beautiful island in the world. Upon arrival, be picked up by our driver and then transfer to hotel/resort for check-in. Enjoy your time in Phu Quoc.

DAY 16 - 17: PHU QUOC – FREE LESISURE AND WATER SPORT (B/-/-)

Phu Quoc travel activities are abundant ranging from land, ocean and aerial tours to hiking, scuba diving, fishing, bird watching, trekking and snorkeling. On Phu Quoc Island you will find a large amusement park, safari zoo, and world class golf courses.

Shopping is plentiful and there are limitless options to enjoy the finest cuisines from around Vietnam and the world. Visit Vietnam’s most beautiful beach, tour historic prisons, discover sacred temples, trek through a National Park, or simply enjoy the ocean sunset. With its beauty and tranquility, Phu Quoc is undeniably one of the most attractive destinations in Vietnam if not the world.

DAY 18: PHU QUOC – SAIGON – DEPATURE (B/-/-) – by flight

Enjoy your time in Phu Quoc before transferring to the airport in Phu Quoc for flight back to Saigon for transiting before taking a flight to next destinations.