Vietnam Cambodia Trail

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, a private vehicle and an English-speaking guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Hanoi. The journey from the airport to the city center takes approximately 45 minutes, allowing you to take in the first glimpses of Vietnam’s capital city. Hanoi is a vibrant mix of old and new, where ancient pagodas stand alongside colonial architecture and modern high-rises. For travelers requiring a visa on arrival, it is essential to have the visa approval letter in your carry-on luggage. Proceed directly to the customs desk to present your documents and complete the visa process before collecting your baggage and exiting the airport. After check-in, you can either rest at your hotel or take a short walk around your surroundings to get a feel for the city’s bustling energy. Hanoi is known for its lively streets, delicious street food, and rich cultural history. Meals are not included on this day, allowing you to explore local cuisine at your leisure. You may want to try Hanoi’s signature dish, pho, or explore the Old Quarter’s street food scene. Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Start the day with breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a full-day tour of Hanoi’s cultural and historical landmarks. The tour begins at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, a significant site dedicated to the nation's revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where his embalmed body is preserved, followed by the colonial-style Presidential Palace, which once served as the residence of the French Governor-General of Indochina. Nearby, the One Pillar Pagoda stands as an iconic Buddhist site, designed in the shape of a lotus flower, symbolizing purity. Continue to the Temple of Literature, a well-preserved relic of Vietnam’s educational system, founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong to honor Confucius and Vietnamese scholars. After lunch, visit one of Hanoi’s renowned museums. Choose from the Museum of Fine Arts, showcasing traditional and contemporary art, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, detailing the country’s evolution, or the Museum of Ethnology, which offers an insightful look at Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. The Museum of Revolution and the Museum of Military History provide deeper understanding of Vietnam’s struggles and victories. Later in the afternoon, visit Hoan Kiem Lake, an iconic landmark at the heart of the city. Walk across the red-painted Huc Bridge to Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to General Tran Hung Dao, who defeated Mongol invaders in the 13th century. The lake’s name, “Returned Sword,” originates from a legend about Emperor Le Loi receiving a magical sword from a divine turtle to drive out Chinese forces. The day ends with free time to shop or stroll through the Old Quarter, where narrow streets are named after traditional trades. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

After breakfast, depart at 8:00 AM for Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The three-and-a-half-hour drive passes through rural landscapes, offering glimpses of farmers tending rice paddies. Arrive in Ha Long City by midday and check in for your overnight cruise aboard a traditional junk boat. Enjoy a welcome drink as the boat sets sail, revealing the magnificent limestone karsts scattered across the emerald waters. Lunch is served onboard while cruising past islets and towering rock formations. In the afternoon, climb to a viewpoint for panoramic views or swim at a secluded beach. Visit a floating fishing village, where locals have lived for generations, sustaining themselves through fishing and pearl farming. Depending on the weather, you can opt for a kayaking excursion to explore hidden lagoons. As the sun sets, relax on deck before enjoying a lavish seafood dinner. The evening offers onboard activities like squid fishing or simply unwinding under the star-lit sky. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Halong

Begin the day with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast. The cruise continues through Ha Long Bay’s stunning landscapes, stopping at key attractions such as Sung Sot Cave, known for its impressive stalactites and stalagmites, or Ti Top Island, where you can climb to the summit for breathtaking panoramic views. Enjoy a leisurely brunch as the boat makes its way back to the dock. Upon disembarkation, transfer back to Hanoi for your afternoon flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang, you will be met by your driver and guide for a 40-minute transfer to Hoi An, a beautifully preserved ancient town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check in at your hotel and take the evening to explore Hoi An’s charming lantern-lit streets, riverside cafes, and colorful markets at your own pace. Meal: Breakfast, Lunch or Brunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoian

Depart early for Ba Na Hills, a picturesque mountain retreat originally developed as a French hill station. Drive along the scenic coastline before reaching the cable car station. Take a ride on the world’s longest non-stop cable car, which ascends 1,292 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of lush forests and waterfalls. At the top, visit the famous Golden Bridge, a stunning pedestrian bridge held aloft by two giant stone hands, symbolizing the connection between nature and human ingenuity. Explore Le Jardin, a beautifully landscaped garden with remnants of old French villas, and the Linh Ung Pagoda, home to a 27-meter-high Buddha statue. Continue to the peak of Chua Mountain via a second cable car ride, where attractions include Dreaming Stream, Rainbow Waterfall, and various amusement park activities. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to Hoi An in the late afternoon. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hoian

In the morning, you will meet your private guide at your hotel who will take you to explore the charming town of Hoi An. Once a thriving maritime trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved architecture, traditions, and way of life. The town presents a unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European influences, reflecting its rich history of cultural exchange. Your guided sightseeing tour will include the famous 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, an iconic landmark with a small temple dedicated to the northern god Tran Vo Bac De. The bridge, built by the Japanese community in the 16th century, showcases intricate carvings and is a symbol of Hoi An. Next, you will visit the Museum of Trade Ceramics, housed in an elegant wooden building from 1858, which exhibits an extensive collection of antique ceramic artifacts that highlight the town’s historical trade connections. Continue your journey with a visit to the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, an ancient Chinese merchant residence that has been carefully preserved by generations of the same family. This house features traditional architectural elements, a fusion of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese styles, with beautiful wooden beams and intricate carvings. Another highlight of the tour is the Ong Temple, constructed in 1653 by Chinese settlers in honor of Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general venerated for his virtues of loyalty, bravery, and justice. Conclude your sightseeing at the vibrant local market, where you can immerse yourself in the daily life of the locals and witness the colorful displays of fresh produce, spices, and handicrafts. After exploring Hoi An, you will be transferred to Da Nang International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The flight duration is approximately 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, your private driver and guide will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel. The transfer distance is approximately 30 minutes. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven through the scenic countryside, passing vast rice paddies and fruit orchards as you head towards the Mekong Delta, also known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam. The journey takes you to My Tho, a bustling city situated along the Mekong River. Upon arrival, board a motorboat to navigate through the intricate waterways of the delta. This boat journey offers a close-up view of the daily lives of the locals who depend on the river for their livelihood. Stop at Thoi Son Island, where you can enjoy a traditional music performance by local artists and gain insights into Southern Vietnamese folk culture. Next, hop on a paddle boat to cruise through the narrow canals shaded by lush coconut palms, providing an authentic experience of the region’s tranquil beauty. Visit local households engaged in traditional occupations, including coconut candy-making and rice-wine production, where you can witness the process and sample freshly made products. Continue by motorboat to another island to visit a bee farm, where you will taste fresh honey tea and tropical fruits grown in the fertile delta. On your way back to My Tho, stop by the Vinh Trang Pagoda, an impressive Buddhist temple built in 1850 that showcases a blend of Vietnamese, Roman, Chinese, and Cambodian architectural influences. After a day of exploration, return to Ho Chi Minh City. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Begin your day with a city tour, starting at the War Remnants Museum, which presents a harrowing yet insightful collection of photographs, machinery, and documents from the Vietnam War. Next, visit the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica (currently under renovation until 2023), an iconic red-brick cathedral built by the French in the late 19th century. Nearby, explore the Saigon Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, which remains a stunning example of colonial-era architecture. Continue to Cho Lon, Ho Chi Minh’s Chinatown district, where you will visit the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist temple built in 1909. The temple is adorned with intricate wood carvings and statues representing Taoist deities, creating a mystical ambiance filled with incense and prayers. In the afternoon, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight to Siem Reap. The flight duration is approximately one hour. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, proceed to the customs desk for a visa-on-arrival process and pay the required stamping fees in cash. You will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

Today, explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom, built in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII. Begin at the South Gate, where you will see massive statues depicting the Hindu mythological "Churning of the Ocean of Milk." Proceed to the Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers adorned with over 200 enigmatic smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Continue to the Phimeanakas Temple, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King, all showcasing intricate bas-reliefs and architectural grandeur. After a short rest, visit the world-famous Angkor Wat, the largest and most well-preserved temple complex in Cambodia. This architectural masterpiece, built in the 12th century, features stunning bas-reliefs and elaborate carvings depicting Hindu mythology and Khmer history. After exploring the temple, return to your hotel. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

In the morning, embark on an excursion to Chong Khneas, a floating village located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Board a traditional wooden boat and cruise along the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The lake plays a vital role in the lives of the local communities, whose floating homes, schools, and markets move with the seasonal water levels. Observe daily life in the floating village, where residents adapt to their unique environment. Your boat will briefly reach the edge of the Great Lake before docking at the Tara, the largest boat on Tonle Sap Lake. Here, you will witness the fascinating sight of the floating police station, schools, and markets, offering a glimpse into this extraordinary way of life. After the tour, return to your hotel for some leisure time before your transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Meal: Breakfast