Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
On arrival at Hanoi International Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver and guide, and transferred to your hotel. You will have some time free to rest and relax after your flight.
Overnight in Hanoi
Start/Finish
Hanoi / Siem Reap
Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Private
Customized Tour
This tour is perfect for travelers to Vietnam and Cambodia, taking you to see the top destinations of both countries! Spend the day walking around the Old Quarter of Hanoi and exploring the historic buildings. Enjoy delicious fresh seafood when cruising in Halong Bay, between its limestone islands and islets. Join a range of different activities in Hoi An, from cooking class, walking tour to traditional music shows. Explore the enchanting sights in Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi tunnels. Find your way through the canals and hidden waterways to watch life in the local villages in the Mekong Delta region. Drive on an express bus to Phnom Penh and see its important sights, which tell many stories about the country’s history. Go back to the past in Siem Reap, between the ancient setting of the Angkor temples, followed by a scenic trip to the enormous lake Tonle Sap, where life takes on a different form with colourful boats, stilt houses and floating markets.
Full Itinerary
- This itinerary is designed for your kind reference, and it can totally be personalized to match your time, budget and interests. Feel free to let us know your expectations for the trip and we take care of them for you.
- Trips are personally tailor-made, with basic standards of daily JOIN-GROUP TOURS where-ever possible, while accommodations and your time of leisure are at your own choice. If your budget allows, we recommend you upgrade to PRIVATE TOURS, when you are personally taken care of and be able to enjoy more private time on your own. Certainly, your trip can be a good mix of PRIVATE DAY TOURS and JOIN-GROUP DAY TOURS as you wish, just simply let us know!
Day 2: Hanoi – Fullday City Tour
After breakfast, dive into the sights, sounds, and aromas of Hanoi. Start with Ho Chi Minh Complex including his Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all afternoon, every Monday & Friday, and from late September until December), the Presidential Palace, the historic Stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda.
Continuing on your journey through Hanoi, you head to Tran Quoc Pagoda (which means “Stabilizing the Nation”), the oldest pagoda constructed in the sixth century in the Westlake and also a famous attraction for pilgrims.
From there, you will proceed to the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or “mandarins”.
Around 12.30: you will have lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch is aa short drive to the Museum of Ethnology, a museum of the 54 officially recognized Ethnic Groups in Vietnam (Ethnology Museum is closed every Monday).
Return to the City center to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart and soul of Hanoi.
End up your day with a fun cyclo/ rickshaw ride through the French Quarter and then enjoy a Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.
Around 18.00 – 18.30, return to your hotel where the rest of the day will be free at your leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hanoi
| Optional Experience: Hanoi Street food tour Start your walking tour of Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Along the perimeter of the market, dozens of street hawkers sell a staggering variety of produce from live seafood to exotic fruits and spices. Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we’ll tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, you will wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago. Your next stop will be a food stall for you to try our Bread, a little food stall with a few typical tiny Vietnamese chairs on the sidewalk where we enjoy the delicious and fresh baguettes while observing the neighborhood. The next one will be another famous dish – Bun Cha. Bun Cha consisting of vermicelli, herbs and grilled pork. At this Hanoi’s best-kept secrets, a hidden café we will watch the demonstration and then try some egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy. Continue to other food stalls near Hoan Kiem lake where we try some dishes such as Che “Vietnamese style pudding” and Nom “papaya salad with beef”. It’s then time for dessert as you will venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced – this specialty is one not to be missed! Price: Upon request |
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay
After breakfast you will leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where you will discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.
Once there, you’ll be welcomed aboard your traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bay’s rocky islands and hidden caves.
After lunch on board, you will take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses.
Return to your Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before enjoying a scrumptious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.
Note: If your time permits, we would highly recommend an additional night on board which gives you a lot more time to relax and take in the amazing landscape. You’ll get to cruise deeper into the Bay where it’s more beautiful and less crowded.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board in Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Danang/ Hoi An
The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, a brisk walk to catch one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport for a short flight to Danang.
Upon arrival at Danang airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An – Walking tour of the Ancient Town
After breakfast, you will embark on a guided tour to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An visiting the major top attractions including Chua Ong Pagoda, the Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky house and the Japanese Covered Bridge. There will be a chance to explore the Lantern making factories, a traditional hand-made product of Hoi An. Interact with the local people and try your hand at making a lantern to bring home.
End up your morning by attending the traditional music show at Hoi An Culture Theatre. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An – Danang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
The whole morning will be yours at leisure. Check out of the hotel room at midday.
In the afternoon your driver will collect you from your hotel and transfer you to the Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon).
You’ll meet your guide on arrival and drive straight to your hotel for check-in.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in HCM City
Day 7: HCM City – The Legendary Cu Chi Tunnels
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart the city and drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, about 80km away. The tunnel system was built by the Viet Cong in the war battles in the South of Vietnam. The tunnels are a sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who lived almost entirely underground in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels, for up to 10 years!
Upon arrival, you will have a chance to watch a brief video that will introduce you to the Cu Chi tunnels, followed by a walk through the reserve. In this walk, you can see the Secret Entrance to the tunnels, workshops for the handmade weapons, the clinic bunker, the commander bunker, the meeting bunker and the kitchen bunkers, which are all open and above ground. Nearby is a chilling exhibition of the traps and weapons used during the war. You can also experience the Cu Chi tunnels by crawling inside to see how difficult life must have been, and discover the 3 levels underground. Additionally, the small replica displayed outside will give you a perfect example of what the interior looked like.
Return HCM City around noon for lunch at a local restaurant. After that, you will be free for the rest of the day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in HCM City
| Optional Experience: Explore “HCMC after Dark” on Vespa scooters Time: 06.30pm – 10.30pm A foodie night out on the town. This HCMC night tour is part night excursion, part street food adventure. Experience HCMC nightlife the way locals do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. To start off this HCMC night tour, enjoy drinks at our Vespa-themed café, Café Zoom, to watch “as the world goes by” (as said in the Lonely Planet guidebook). Throughout the night, try a variety of food and drinks at 2 local restaurants and samplings of HCMC’s best authentic local food. Zoom past the famous must-see sights of Ho Chi Minh City while in the bustling traffic. We’ll also go to a Vietnamese-style coffee shop with special live music, and then wrap up the evening at an exciting music bar where the new generation of Vietnamese unwind and flaunt their unique styles. Guests ride pillion behind our drivers to enjoy and experience the Vietnamese nightlife with friends. This tour includes free-flowing drinks and all you can eat, so come with an appetite! Price: Upon Request |
Day 8: HCM City – Mekong Delta (Cai Be Floating Market)
After breakfast together with your guide and driver, you will depart Ho Chi Minh City for a two-hour drive to Cai Be town passing through the picturesque rice fields and lush orchard farms.
Cai Be offers many exciting attractions, activities, and excursions. Nature lovers will enjoy the lush natural landscape and those interested in local culture will love meeting the very hospitable local people and discovering the way of life in this region.
Upon arrival in Cai Be, you will embark on a boat trip to cruise along the mighty Mekong River, reaching Cai Be Floating Market, where the vendors and purchasers floating in their small boats selling and buying their agricultural products. Disembark to visit the craft village where you can witness how the local products are made.
Continue to your boat rides through small canals, enjoying the peaceful time. Stop at a local orchard garden where you will sample the exotic tropical fruits and attend a live local music performance.
Head to a local restaurant and attend a hands-on cooking class with the local chef. Then you will enjoy your Lunch.
After lunch, you will spend your leisure time to relax or embark on a bicycle ride, pedal on village paths to see the local farms, houses, traditionally daily life and the usual ways to pick up fruits in the Mekong Delta
Get on the boat again and cruise back to Cai Be town where your driver will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in HCM City
Day 9: HCM City – Transfer to Phnom Penh
After breakfast and check out you will be transferred to the bus station to take Mekong Express Limousine Bus (roughly 6 hours) to Phnom Penh. This VIP bus has 3 rows with only 28 seats in total to create a more spacious traveling experience. Every seat is equipped with lap seat belts for your safety, leg rest to support your leg and soft sleeping bed to provide a good sleep. Wifi is provided free on the bus. Water and napkin are available and free. There are breaks on the way for you to stretch your legs or have some snacks. A stop will be made at Vietnam & Cambodia border for visa processing and then continue to Phnom Penh.
Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be picked up by your driver at the bus station and transferred to the hotel for check-in.
This afternoon you will embark on a guided tour visiting Phnom Penh’s top attractions. First, you will head to the Royal Palace which dates back to 1866 and houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5,000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple, you can see a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.
Continue on to the ìnamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, one of the hundreds of detention and interrogation centers created all over Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge who gave the former high school the sinisterly innocuous name S-21 where countless thousands of Cambodians were ruthlessly processed until they were dead.
Finish your day with a short visit to Wat Phnom Temple, the founding place of the city situated on a small hilltop. Here you will enjoy a sunset watch before getting back to your hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Day 10: Phnom Penh – Siemreap
Depart Phnom Penh you will take a six-hour bus ride to Siemreap. You will pass through numerous provincial towns, villages and roadside hamlets giving you some insights into life in the Cambodian countryside. There will be some stops en route for photo opportunities and stretching your legs.
Arrive in Siemreap in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel near the old town. The remainder of the day will be free at your leisure.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Siemreap
| Optional Experience: Dinner with Apsara dancing show at Angkor Village Theatre Angkor Village Theatre belongs to the Angkor Village Hotel, which is the second oldest hotel in Siemreap. There are many local restaurants in Siemreap that offer Apsara dancing shows along with Dinner but with a lot of tourists which makes it very touristy. This Angkor Village Theatre is made of wood, giving it a cozy feeling, and with a limited number of tourists. After enjoying the very best Cambodian cuisine, sit back and relax as you enjoy a show that will take you back in time. Local dancers and singers giving their all to portray a very meaningful performance that shows Ancient Khmer culture and the classic Khmer entertainment. Price: Upon request |
Day 11: Siemreap – Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom & Ta Promh Temple
Start your day by a guided tour to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path – a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.
Continue on to the incredible Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit the legendary Angkor Wat. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple.
End the day with a beautiful sunset view from the top of Phnom Bakheng hill. Once the sun has set, you will head back to town.
Time is on your own in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Siemreap
Day 12: Siemreap – Tonle Sap Lake – Local Village Walk & Talk
After breakfast, you will embark on an interesting boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake (Kampong Phluk area), where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Tonle Sap is South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake with its size varying greatly depending on the season, as it swells to about four times its size during the wet season. Continue your boat trip to visit Kampong Phluck, a village where you will see houses on stilts that are submerged when Tonlé Sap Lake swells. On the way, you will pass floating houses and impressive flooded forests, portraying life on the water.
Return to Siem Reap town for lunch and to rest for a while.
In the afternoon, you will be taken on a drive through the countryside to a local village, a beautiful small farming village where life revolves around the seasons and family, located approximately 15 minutes outside of Siem Reap. Here you will be taken on an incredible walking tour through the village and the local community, learning about their simple way of life, meet local people and you will probably want to chat with them or help them with gardening works or help grow vegetables in the gardens. The village tour guide will explain to you about Cambodian daily lifestyle, customers, cultures, and superstitions. You will also stop at a local pagoda for an intimate monk blessing (water blessing), wishing you good health and a safe journey – a very special experience!
This is a wonderful village tour that provides a lot of photo opportunities and local experiences. End of the trip, you will enjoy seasonal fruits & fresh coconut juice at a host family’s house before transferring back to the hotel. The rest of the day will be on your own.
*** Note: Today we recommend you to have proper clothes if you want to join the monk blessing at the local temple.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Siemreap
| Optional Experience: Phare Circus show https://pharecircus.org/ Set up by refugees of the Khmer Rouge era, Phare promotes performing arts as a way to cope with trauma. Over the years they have not only helped hundreds of Cambodians but also helped to promote traditional Khmer culture. Price: Upon Request |
| Optional Experience: Balloon Ride over Siemreap Standard Balloon for Sunset (10 mins, up then down only), Premier Balloon (30-45 mins) Price: Upon Request. |
Day 13: Siemreap – Departure
Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Siem Reap International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing
The price of this trip varies according to selected airlines, the number of people in your party, dates of departure, hotel standard, and availability of ground services. If you wish to travel with your family, friends or on your own we would be more than happy to assist you with your arrangements.
Contact us for the best ratesUseful Information
For more information about tour types and accommodations, please click here
What’s Included?
Sightseeing Highlights
- City tour of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City & Phnom Penh with highlights
- Halong Bay Cruise 2 days/1 night
- Leisure time in Hoi An
- Spectacular maze of Cu Chi tunnels
- Mekong Delta discovery
- An overland drive from Saigon to Phnom Penh
- An overland drive from Phnom Penh to Siemreap
- Angkor Temple Complex discovery
- Boat trip on Great Tonle Sap Lake
- Walk & Talk in the local village, interact with local people
Travel Services
- Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
- All Excursions
- Transportation in AC vehicles
- English speaking guide(s)
- Domestic flights
- Local boats
- Local train ride
- Comfortable tourist express buses
- Admission fee
- Meals as stated in the program
Travel Highlights
- Complimentary Vietnam Visa Approval Letter
- An open choice for join-group tour or private tour with maximum flexibility
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras.
- Transfer in good and high qualified transportation vehicles
- Hand-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Accompanied by Experienced and friendly local guides
- Optional Experiences and free time
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
