The highlight of Vietnam & Cambodia Tour – 18 days

The highlight of Vietnam & Cambodia Tour – 18 days
Activity Level:  Classic & Moderate
Group size:  Private &Group Tour
Tour date: Daily

Brief Description:
This combination trip provides you the best part of Vietnam and Cambodia, from the spectacular Ha Long bay to the majestic temple of Angkor. From the historical and charming center parts of Vietnam to the exciting Mekong delta. This is a memorable journey.

Detailed itinerary:

Day 1 :  Arrival in Hanoi

Upon on your arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are welcomed by our driver then we have a short transfer to our hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi

Day 2 : Full Day Hanoi City Tour  (B,L)

You have breakfast at your hotel then we get on the car  to have a short transfer to center of Old Quater where you will walk to visit Communal houses, Tubular Houses , French buildings. The following, you are transferred to Literature Temple ,originally built as a temple to Confucius, this is the site of Vietnam”s first university dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance that Vietnamese society placed then and now on education. Ho Chi Minh Mausoluem
Lunch will be at a fine local restaurant in Hanoi. Following by that we will wander around the city by car to see the real life of Hanoian as well as the difference parts the city. After that we will take one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Stopping at Water Pupet Theathe for a show watching then we will be back to the hotel around 05:00 P.M.

Day 3: Hanoi   – Ha Long Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay (B,L,D)

Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi at 07:45 A.M by our guide then we drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta. Stopover at Hai Duong province for refreshment about 20 – 30 minutes. Arrive in Tuan Chau Wharf – Breaking and taking photo at Glory Legend Private Lounge around 12:00 P.M  you will be transferred by tender to the boat to check in and enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and Cruise Manager. Start cruising. Enjoy set menu lunch while cruising to magnificent Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way. You will have opportunity to see the famous such as: Perfume Rock, Fighting Cock, Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock…. before arrives to “Vung Viêng” village where we will visit “Vung Viêng” village by a rustic – row boat, meet the local people who will help you row the boat for sightseeing. Enjoy quiet space and fresh air, you will feel truly relaxing. Free optional swimming and kayaking around many small and big islands at emerald Bai Tu Long water. In the after afteroon, we can join to free cooking class on cruise. Having dinner and stay overnight on cruise. In the evening, you can try your luck  with squid fishing  on the boat

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Night Train to Lao cai(B,L)

You should  get up early to enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes). And then you are transferred by tender to the Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down about 100 steps and return to the boat. (Proper shoes are highly recommended). Back to the cruise by tender, then check-out and enjoy a fantastic cuise on the bay. You will have buffet brunch (breakfast/lunch) while cruising back through Halong Bay to the pier. We will settle bills after breakfast. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as we approach the pier. At 11:30 we will be transferred by tender to the pier. Time to say goodbye  to the crew to have a 4 hour driving backto Hanoi. Arriving in Hanoi at 04:30 P.M then you are free at your leisure until  09:00 P.M. Overnight on the train

Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa – Love Waterfall – Golden Stream – Tram Ton Pass – Sin Chai Village (12km trekking, 4 hour trekking). B,L,D

Arrive in Lao Cai around 06:30 a.m. We will take 1 hour van ride uphill to the beautiful town of Sapa. You have breakfast at the hotel before having a 30 minute drive takes you to Tram Ton Pass at the height of 2,100 meters above sea level where great views are offered of the surrounding mountain and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there you will trek an hour through forest, along Golden Stream to the Love Waterfall. It is the best place for relax in Sapa. Then return Tram Ton for a short drive to  O Quy Ho where you start to trek about 9km along the mountain trails to visit Sin Chai village, home to Black Hmong, pinic lunch will be served along the way. Being transferred back to Sapa in the late afternoon.

Day 6 :Sapa – Suoi Ho – Ma Tra – Ta Phin  – Day Bus to Hanoi (10 trekking, 3-3,5 hour trekking) B,L

Having breakfast at the hotel  before walking about 10km along the mountain trails or main road to visit Suoi Ho, Matra and Taphin villages which are inhabited by Black Hmong and Red Dzao tribes. Along the way we can come in some schools as well as tribal houses to have experience of local Sapa life. Moreover, the landscape, culture, custom and tradition of Black Hmong tribe of Suoi Ho and Matra villages are preserved from tourists so you can study the raw things here. Picnic lunch will be served on the way. Arriving at Ta phin village of Red Dzao people in the afternoon, you are transferred back to Sapa for your shower. At 04:00 P.M, we will catch our bus to Hanoi. Arriving in Hanoi at 09:00 P.M, you are transferred to the hotel.

Day 7: Hanoi  – Fly to Hue (B)

Having early breakfast then we will leave hotel at 07:00 A.M for an hour transfer to Noi Bai Airport for our flight to Hue at 09:00 A.M. Arriving at Hue Airport at 10:15 A.M, you are welcomed by our driver then we have a short transfer to the hotel, check in then you are free at your leisure to relax.

Day 8: Full Day Hue City Tour (B,L)

At 8:30 a.m., you will be greeted at the hotel by a driver and guide. You will board the Dragon Boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River heading out for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to the most beautiful tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. You will enjoy a great view on the Perfume River and surrounding area. Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. From here you rejoin your car and go visit King Minh Mang’s Tomb and King Tu Duc’s Tomb. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to visit Hue Citadel and Dong Ba Market. Our tour ends at the hotel around 03:00 P.M

Day 9: Hue –  My Son – Hoi An (B,L)

After our breakfast we head south through coastal rice paddies and traverse the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. En route we stop at My Son Temple, the very former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second century and thirteenth century. We arrive in Hoi an around 3 pm, check in the hotel and relaxing.

Day 10: Full Day Cooking at Tra Que Village (B,L)

8:00 local guide pick up you at the hotel’s lobby. Take a bike to the downtown, stop by Hoi An’s colorful central market. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. So make sure your camera is handy. 10:00 bike to Tra Que vegetable village. Welcome drink for rest and walk through the vegetable gardens where local farmers work on their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago, no electrical machinery here. 11:00 Work together with the chef. Learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

Day 11: Hoi An Free Day (B)

Today, you are free at your leisure to relax or walk around the town.

Day 12: Hoi An –  Fly to Sai Gon (B,L)

After having breakfast, you are transferred to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Sai Gon. Upon on your arrival, you are welcomed by our local guide and driver then we head to Cuchi, famous by a system of tunnels deeply underground, with 3floors, a labyrinth of intricate ways, and winding over 200 km long. (~60 km, 1hour). Upon arrival, we will watch  a presentation video before getting to see the tunnels and discover how these tunnels were constructed and how its habitants combat two forces: the invading troops and the tunnels itself. Continuingly we visit Hoang Cam’s smoke-less store, secret hide-outs, fighting bunkers, and many dangerous booby traps especially you will have chance to try gun shooting with real bullets (fees not included), Tasting boiled tapioca, drinking hot tea.Visiting a small rice paper factory where you can try to make it by yourself.
Drop off at your hotel. Tour ends about 05:00 P.M

Day 13: HCM – Cai Be – Vinh Long  (B,L)

After having breakfast we will leave Sai Gon for Mekong Delta for Vinh Long. Upon Arrival we will take a walk to see Vinh Long market. Then we boat to visit Tien Chau pagoda and local brick & pottery workshops. Passing a fish-raft village. On the way to homestay, visit the bigest nursery garden in An Binh Island. Lunch in garden restaurant. Homestay arrival. Short cycling or walking to discover daily life.
Free for personal discovery and join the family in preparing dinner. Dinner and overnight in their house.
Accommodation: Home stay

Day 14:  Cai Be  floating market– HCM (B,L)

Pick up at your hotel after breakfast then we take a rowing-sampan through An Binh island to Mr. Cai Cuong’s former landlord house. Taste the fresh fruits of the Delta. Visting local pop rice, rice paper workshops. Continue boating to Cai Be floating market, a very colourful picture of hundreds boats exchanging local products. After that you are transferred back to Saigon.

Day 15:  HCM – Fly to Siem Reap (B)

Pick up at your hotel at 09:00 A.M after breakfast then we have an hour transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap at 12:00 P.M. Arriving at Siem Reap Airport at 13:00 P.M, you are welcomed by our driver then we have a short transfer to the hotel for checking in. The rest of day, you are free at your leisure.

Day 16: Siem Reap – Outlying Temples & local lives (B,L)

This morning you will visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of  Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group (Lo Lei, Preah Koh, and Bakhong Temples).Lunch with the local family and then we will continue to drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent,Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back to Siem Reap we will visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends.

Day 17: Siem Reap – Angkor Tours (B)

Early morning, you will have Tuk Tuk tour to visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat – one of the world’s most impressive ruins.  The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. At 09am come back to hotel for breakfast and rest in the noon to avoid of the heats of the day until 15:00 continue by car to exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. Its 50-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area and visit one more ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and it is the same style to Ta Prom Temple.Our tour ends at your hotel.

Day 18: Siem Reap – Artisan – Old Market – Tonle Sap Lake – Departure  (B)

After breakfast, you will visit Artisan’s D’Angkor focuses on training unschooled rural youth in traditional handicraft skills. Here you can discover traditional Cambodian handicraft skills and observe the artisans at work. Ancient techniques are still practiced here such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding and silk painting. A guided tour will provide you with more insight into this organization and you may direct any questions to one of the artisans through your guide. Meet one of the directors from Artisans d’Angkor who will explain about the overall operations and their goals for the future. You will also learn more about the artisans’ backgrounds and how this training has helped them to get a head start in life and visit to Old Market then check out hotel for transfer to visit Tonle Sap Lake that you will enjoy the view and scenery of remote villages of Cambodia by  driving through stunning countryside to the little community of Mea Chrey, a seasonal home on the water for many of the lake residents. We take a local boat and venture out to explore the culture of this watery livelihood, visiting a local farm and rice field en route and stopping to converse with the monks and children at the village Pagoda. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport to catch our flight back home.