Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia 17 days

DAY 1: VISIT HANOI THE WHOLE DAY (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

After breakfast at the hotel, around 9am (to avoid the rush hour) our guide will greet us at the hotel and go with us via car to the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the 1st president of independent Vietnam in 1945. The Mausoleum is a complex of the tomb in which Ho Chi Minh is resting, the house on stilts, where he used to spend his 11 last years, and his fish pond within a poetic large garden. Adjacent to the complex is an ancient Buddhist pagoda, built 1st time since 1049 AD, reflecting the shape of a lotus flower. Leaving the Mausoleum, we will head to Van Mieu, or Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius scholars under feudal dynasties, and also a study place of high-ranking families’ children. We will have lunch at Koto, a restaurant near Van Mieu.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. There, we can learn about the different cultures in Vietnam and see fascinating artifacts. After that, we’ll visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, a peaceful temple by West Lake. It’s a great place to find calm and discover more about Vietnam’s spiritual and religious life. After the trip, we will walk around Truc Bach Lake to take photos and enjoy Tay Ho ice cream. Then, we’ll head back to the hotel. Dinner at your arrangement. Overnight in Hanoi.

Noted: The Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh will close on Monday and Friday so we’ll visit the Hilton Hanoi Museum on those days instead.

DAY 2: HANOI – HALONG BOAT TRIP – HANOI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

After breakfast at the hotel, the cruise’s vehicle and guide will pick us up at Halong Bay, a great UNESCO World Heritage site. The road takes about 2h30’.  

Welcome onboard and have a nice trip of 5hrs on the Bay with a nice Cruise, with nice and exciting activities [swimsuits recommended]. Being a small bay with nearly 2,000 islands and islets, some with craters, Halong has been recognized twice by UNESCO as a World Heritage to emphasize its value and the need to be protected. We will have a great day here on a medium-sized cruise. Lunch onboard at noon. At about 5.30 pm, the cruise will take us back to the pier. Our vehicle will greet us again and come back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – NINH BINH – BAI DINH – TAM COC – HANOI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

After breakfast at the hotel, our vehicle and guide will meet us to head South to Ninh Binh. Being an ancient capital city a millennium ago, Ninh Binh is now known for its poetic landscape and ancient relics. Visit Bai Dinh Buddhist Pagoda, a massive temple with dedicated carves and sculptures, a pride of modern Vietnamese architecture, before taking a leisure boat trip to Tam Coc. Lunch in Ninh Binh with goat meat and other famous local specialties.

Afternoon we will visit a craft village making embroidery before our vehicle takes us back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. 

DAY 4: HANOI – SAPA – CAT CAT – SAPA (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Have breakfast at the hotel before our vehicle and guide pick us up to Sapa by highway Hanoi – Lao Cai. The road takes about 5hrs thru magnificent mountains and hills with long and winding roads. 

Sapa mountains are very popular for the ethnic culture of Vietnam and the incredible mountain landscape. Arriving in Sapa, we will have lunch at a local restaurant before checking in at the hotel. After a short rest, we will visit Cat Cat village, located about 4km from Sapa town, to explore the life of the Hmong ethnic people, visit traditional craft villages, or go shopping for brocade souvenirs like towels, shirts, skirts, bags made by the Hmong batik. 

Later, we can walk around to Sapa Church and the night market in our leisure time to spend a great time by ourselves in the evening. Overnight at a hotel in Sapa.

DAY 5: SAPA – FANSIPAN (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Our guide picked us up this morning to head to the Sapa Legend Tourist Area, where we get in cable cars to conquer the top of Fansipan – The Roof of Indochina at an altitude of 3,143m above sea level.  

The cable cars have many records: the longest 3-wire cable car in the world is 6292.5m long, the cable car with the largest difference between arrival and departure station at 1,410m high, and the safest rope in the world. We can take the cables up to an altitude of about 2,900m, then walk to Thanh Van Dac Lo and Bich Van Thien Tu to perform an incense offering ceremony at an altitude of 3,037m. 

Let’s continue the journey to conquer the roof of Indochina! When standing on the top of Fansipan, we’ll have the opportunity to see Sapa town in the clouds and the majestic northwestern mountains of Vietnam. Have lunch at a restaurant in the Fansipan Tourist Area.

After we take the cable cars down the mountain, our Vehicle will pick us back to the hotel to relax. In your leisure time in the evening, you can hang around and taste delicious mountain street foods like baked corn, cassava, or eggs. Overnight at a hotel in Sapa.

DAY 6: SAPA – HAM RONG MOUNTAIN – HANOI (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today, we will discover Ham Rong Mountain with magnificent scenery.

We will visit the Indochina orchid garden with all kinds of colorful orchids, including the glorious Thach Lam Dragon head. Passing the Heaven Gate, we will reach the highest point of Ham Rong, which is San May, and enjoy the panoramic view of Sapa from above. After the visit, we head back to Sa Pa town and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. 

Our vehicle and guide will take us back to Hanoi in the afternoon. Arrive in Ha Noi, dinner at your arrangement. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 7: HANOI – HUE  IMPERIAL CITY (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Have breakfast at the hotel before our vehicle and guide take us to the airport to depart for Hue city.

Have lunch at a restaurant. Then check in at the hotel to rest.

Afternoon our vehicles will take us to visit Hue Citadel (the Royal Palace of the 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam), with Ngo Mon, Thai Hoa Palace, Forbidden City, The Mieu, Hien Lam Cac, Cuu Dinh places.

Later, we will visit the Tomb of Khai Dinh King, one of the massive mausoleums built over 11 years with unique architecture and structure, with local and foreign materials.

Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Hue.

DAY 8: HUE – BA NA HILLS – HOI AN (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Have breakfast and check out the hotel; our vehicle and guide will take us to Ba Na Hills.

Sun World Ba Na Hills is Vietnam’s most significant resort and recreational complex. At the height of 1,487 meters from sea level, we will find ourselves relaxing in the typical rotation of four seasons in a single day and numerous festivities, recreations, and diverse cuisine. We will visit the Golden Bridge, a prominent golden silk stripe that shines among the majestic mountains, along with a pair of giant stone hands that seemingly hold the Bridge – a true impressive masterpiece for all visitors.

Have a buffet lunch at Ba Na Hills.

Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at Ba Na Hills before getting off the cable car and moving to Hoi An. The vehicle takes us to the hotel and takes a rest. Dinner at your arrangement. Overnight at a hotel in Hoi An. 

DAY 9: HOI AN – VEGETABLE VILLAGE TRA QUE – HOI AN (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel; then our guide will pick us up at the hotel and depart for Tra Que Vegetable Village – Hoi An.

Tra Que is located in Cam Ha commune, Hoi An town (Quang Nam), where the vegetables have been famous for a long time for being seeded on fertile soil, and fertilized with the seaweed taken from Co Co river, so it has its flavor.

Tra Que is not only a famous brand for making high-quality clean vegetables but also an attractive destination for visitors. In spring, we can go to Tra Que to enjoy the fragrant aftertaste of vegetables and watch the villagers in their daily activities. Have lunch at a restaurant with Tra Que products. After lunch, we will return to Hoi An and walk around to visit the ancient streets. Being an old port in Vietnam until the 17th century, Hoian has a unique architecture mixed up between China, Vietnam and Japanese styles. Here we can walk into Chua Cau bridge, Hoian market, or hang around ancient streets along the Hoai River to enjoy the city’s tranquility.  

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 10: HOI AN – DA NANG – HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON) (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

After having breakfast at the hotel, our vehicle and guide will take us back to Da Nang airport to depart for Ho Chi Minh City.   

We were welcomed by our Guide in Saigon. Being less than 400 years old, Saigon is dynamic yet peaceful, a warm city with lower humidity and no cold season like Hanoi or towns up north. We will have a nice trip visiting cultural aspects of Saigon, from Tan Dinh Church to Cho Lon’s exciting market, and tasting local foods for lunch today. 

Dinner on your arrangement. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 11: SAI GON  – CU CHI TUNNEL – SAIGON (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

In the morning, after breakfast, Our driver and guide will meet you at your hotel in HCM city center and start the morning trip to visit Independence Palace (also called the Reunification palace). Discover its iconic architecture and explore its historical significance with insightful commentary from your guide. After the Independence Palace, our car will take you to visit the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office.

A huge underground system not far from Saigon, Cu Chi is the evidence of a very fierce war that the Vietnamese called “the War against the Americans” and the whole world calls it “The Vietnam War”. For many years before 1975, Cu Chi covered troops of Vietnamese guerillas not only from attacks but protected their daily lives; it became a strong base for the Vietnamese forces during the conflicts and is now a weird war remnant that can make anyone of us feel a stronger love to peace and everyday life upon each time visiting this place. 

Back to Saigon for Overnight. 

DAY 12: SAIGON VESPA TOUR (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

After breakfast at the hotel, our guide will meet you on a Vespa tour. Let’s visit Saigon the Vietnamese way.

Starting from a Cafe in central Saigon, we ride the busy city streets, first, stopping at the unique Bird Club in the park before visiting the famous and thought-invoking Burning Monk Memorial Statue. Our adventurous mix of historic landmarks and hidden treasures continues as we soak up the local culture at a fresh flower market and a bright and vibrant fabric market. We zoom through Saigon traffic on the back of our comfortable Vespas to the captivating District 5, visiting a traditional medicine shop, and an ancient Buddhist temple. Our final ride will take us into the heart of Saigon to see some classic city landmarks – the French architectural influences of Saigon Post Office and beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral or Tan Dinh Church (outside), before we end with a short history lesson outside the striking Independence Palace. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Temple of God Thien Hau in District 5, a beautiful temple that appears in many fine pictures of Vietnam, and Binh Tay Market (or the Big Market). The culture of Saigon is influenced by many strong characteristics of the Chinese community: concentration, resourcefulness, and District 5 depict them well. Dinner at your arrangement and overnight in Saigon. 

DAY 13: SAIGON – SIEM REAP (CAMBODIA) (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Breakfast in your leisure time until our guide and vehicle pick us up at the airport and depart for Siem Reap. Lunch will be arranged according to your flight schedule.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, we will be welcomed by our vehicle and the friendly tour guide. We will go directly to the hotel for check-in.  

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the “Great City” of Angkor Thom, including the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at a local Khmer restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Wat temple. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century. It covered an area of 210 hectares, with many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about the Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor’s construction. Angkor Wat is perhaps the only construction that appears on a national flag as a symbol of the Khmer people. 

In the evening, enjoy the nightlife in Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 14: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TOUR – SIEM REAP (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Breakfast at hotel. 

 After having breakfast, we journeyed out of the hotel at 8.00 am to the South Gate of Angkor Thom a top 4 giant faces that religiously represent compassion, sympathy, equanimity, and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and the terrace of leper king and terrace elephant. Resume the journey to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft’s Tomb Raider was filmed. 

Lunch in local restaurant.

Afternoon, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in the 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered one of Asia’s top destinations and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces, and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire, which dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia.

Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Siem Reap. 

DAY 15: SIEM REAP – SHIVA VALLEY – BANTEAY SREY TEMPLES (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast.We set off at 8.30 am within Angkor jungle to Grand Circuit where we’re going to explore some main Angkorian temples starting with Srah Srang (The Royal’s Basin), Banteay Kdei, Ta Keo, Preah Khan (Royal Sword), Neak Pean (Coiled Serpents), Ta Som & East Mebon. Your tour is very flexible and you may want to skip a few of these temples if you think that is too much.

Lunch in local restaurant.

Afternoon, continue to reveal the intricately carved, beautiful red-pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei which means “citadel of the women” – it was built in the 10th century and is considered to be a Jewel of Khmer art which features unique decorations and its finest details. We return for a short visit to the palm sugar village, and other palm handicrafts and discover the serenity of the Banteay Samre temple. 

Dinner at your own arrangement. Overnight in Siem Reap. 

DAY 16: SIEM REAP – BENG MEALEA – KOH KER TEMPLES – SIEM REAP (BREAKFAST, LUNCH)

Breakfast at hotel.

This morning, we will drive out from Siem Reap city toward Beng Mealea temple which was built in 12th century during Angkor Wat time, locates about 65km. The journey provides nice views of rice paddies, countryside dotting with palms tree, heading to have the guided walking orientation within the wilderness to unlock the hidden jungle temple whose the ruined rocks spread around, enhanced by the vegetation and the tranquility. Walk, crawl, climb and squeeze into/over galleries to see its amazing setting, reveal the history, take picturesque photos and feel the natural surroundings.

Lunch in local restaurant.

Afternoon, continue to an archaeological site of Pre-Angkorian temple – the very less touristy temple that Koh Ker has attracted more and more tourists to discover its ruins among the wilderness. Koh Ker temple was probably served as state temple of Khmer.

King Jayavarman IV, vertically arises in Pyramid shape with 7 tiers enhanced by impressive shrines. Learn from your tour guide about the significant city of Khmer Empire and take some picturesque photos. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner not included and night at hotel.

DAY 17: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (BREAKFAST) 

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, freely visit Siem Reap.

Lunch not included.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight home.

NOTE FOR DAY 4

• Option1: Cat Cat Village is quite crowded so we can choose Option 2. 
• Option 2: Go hiking at LAO CHAI – TA VAN, about 10km [First, we will walk 6km down southeast of Sapa along Muong Hoa valley, past Y Linh Ho village, then go another 2km to Lao Chai village, through the terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay ethnic people]