Vietnam – Cambodia 15 days

The overwhelming image retained by visitors to Vietnam is that of a country blessed with an extraordinary beauty. It’s a mosaic of mist-shrouded mountains, vibrant green forests, a patch-work of rice paddies and pristine white beaches, whilst its villages and cities are custodians of the culture and monuments of a unique 2,000 year old civilisation. But Vietnam is more than just history and scenery. It also boasts a world-class gastronomic heritage: a delicious fusion of Malay, Chinese and Thai cuisines. With plenty of French-run restaurants thrown in for good measure, all at excellent prices, you really are in for a treat! The Vietnamese themselves are a wonderfully friendly people, always smiling, courteous and proud to show off their beautiful country to all. Our tour in Cambodia includes a stay in the capital, Phnom Penh. Beautifully located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh, with its vibrant riverside ambience, is one of the ‘hidden gems’ of Asian cities. After being virtually completely depopulated during Pol Pot’s regime, the city is now full of life and thriving once more. A short flight away is the town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the incredible complex of temples within the ancient city of Angkor. At its height in the thirteenth century, Angkor had a staggering one million inhabitants, larger in area than Manhattan. It was the capital of the fabulously wealthy Khmer Empire that stretched from Thailand, through Laos and Cambodia to southern Vietnam. The incredible state of preservation, the beauty of its design and artistry of its sculptures have, for many, made Angkor one of the great wonders of the world.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

In the morning, you’ll receive cordial welcome upon arrival at Noi Bai airport at and transfer to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. In the afternoon, we take a half day tour visiting the mystical Lake of Restored Sword and the Old Quarter of 36 guild streets from a rickshaw ride. The Old Quarter is a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at Ma May Old House, an example of dwellings in the 19^th century. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi city tour (B)

After breakfast at hotel, we will pay a visit to the memorial complex to Ho Chi Minh to know his amazing life. Continue to the Single Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain understanding of the two driving forces in Vietnam culture. Afternoon we visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection of artifacts about the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country. Later we enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region – the Water Puppet Show. In the evening, you’ll catch a night train to Sapa.
Day 3: Lao Cai – Sapa (B/L)

Arrive in Lao Cai railway station at about 6.00 AM. Transfer to Sapa by private vehicle (1hr drive) to hotel for breakfast. Late morning, we travel by car to Lao Chai ethnic minority village of Black Hmong, visit the village and discover the local life. From Lao Chai, take a trekking tour towards Ta Van, the ethnic village of Day people. Return to Sapa and explore the town including its market, Ham Rong Mount and the stone church. Overnight in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa – Silver Waterfall – Fansipan (B)

In the morning, you’ll be taken to Thac Bac on a 30 minutes’ drive. This is a chance to not only enjoy the pure natural beauty but also seeing the lives of the mixed groups of ethnicity. Thac Bac waterfall is a breathtaking scenery with white water cascading down from the top. The surrounding is filled with beautiful nature. This is also a very busy fair place on highlands, which sells souvenirs of ethnic minorities such as rings, hats, purses, embroidered towels, wine, precious medicinal plants derived from the Hoang Lien mountain, herbal tea ... diversity in the brocade products, dramatic color. In addition, visitors can taste the different flavor of food in this place. From Sapa town, about 18km to the North, the road to reach Heaven Gate is meandering around the mountains with vegetation growing on rocky soil. This road is called Tram Ton. When reaching the end of this road, you will be at the top of Hoang Lien Mountain, or the Heaven Gate. Standing at Heaven Gate, you can have a panoramic view of the vast valley below with lusciously green paddy fields, Phong Tho road, even the view of Silver Fall a far. The Silver Fall, standing at around 200m tall, is one of top 10 most beautiful water fall in Lao Cai. Afternoon, Visit Fansipan Mountain by the cable car. As you know the cable car in Sapa is the world’s longest and highest cable car, running up from sleepy Sapa Town in Lao Cai Province to the peak of 3,143-meter Fansipan Mountain, known as Indochina’s rooftop. Enjoy the view from the highest point of this incredible mountain. The lush green and subtropical vegetation makes this mountain really very beautiful. Take some pictures for unforgettable experience from the top. After taking scenery then get cable car back to Sapa. In the evening, you’ll driver back to Lao Cai for a night train to Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi – Ninh Binh (B/L)

Early morning arrives at Hanoi station, we’ll meet up with tour guide and transfer to your hotel for breakfast, afterthat, we’ll join the tour to visit Tam Coc (Three Caves) which is widely known as "Ha Long Bay on Land" boasting breathtaking scenery. You will ride in a flat-bottomed boat for an unforgettable walk on the winding course of the river lined with rice fields, limestone crags, and caves. The site of Tam Coc is a landscape of dreams, to the lines and contrasting colors, in the silence of nature, barely disturbed by the sound of the oars and the cries of birds. Continue visiting Bich Dong Grotto (emerald-like grotto), around 2km from Tam Coc by car, climb a little bit till you get to the top of the Upper pagoda and your eyes catch the overall panorama of the paddy fields between Truong Yen Mountain. A king conferred on Bich Dong the title “The Second Most Beautiful Grotto in Vietnam”. We also pay a visit to several famous temples of Kings in Dinh, Le Dynasty. Overnight at Ninh Binh.
Day 6: Ninh Binh – Halong (B/L/D)

After breakfast we check out and journey to Vietnam's greatest natural wonder, Ha Long Bay. Arriving in Halong by 12:30, we’ll board a beautiful traditional wooden junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay's 3000 magnificent limestone islets. We also visit a floating village and a huge cave filled with eye-catching rock formations. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is opportunity for fishing from the side of the boat. Overnight on board.
Day 7: Halong – Hanoi – Hue (B/L)

Wake up to fresh coffee and take a small boat to a nearby sandy beach for relaxing & swimming & sightseeing. For a great photo opportunity, it is well worth walking up to the hill top pagoda which overlooks the entire bay. Afterwards we return for a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to the shore. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to mystical dragons! Disembark at 11:00 AM and transfer back to Hanoi for a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed and transferred to hotel for checking-in.
Day 8: Hue (B/D)

After buffet breakfast at hotel, in the morning you cruise along the serene Perfume River to Thien Mu, the best-known pagoda in Middle Vietnam. Next, you’ll tour the ruins of the former royal residence, the Forbidden City, which is now a World Heritage. You also pay a visit to a beautiful garden house once belonging to the royalty and enjoy the feeling of being lifted up by fresh air and flower odors. In the afternoon you visit the impressive tomb of former Emperor Tu Duc, two villages crafting conical hats and incense, and Dong Ba Market. For a joyful day to be complete, a sample of Royal Dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 9: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B/L)

This morning you depart Hue and travel southwards to Hoian. En route, rewinding at the scenic Lang Co Beach and Ocean Clouds Pass, and visiting the fascinating Cham Museum. After lunch in Danang you proceed to Hoian to explore this charming and wonderfully preserved merchant port town. Hoian still retains Chinese, Japanese, and European influences from its flourishing old days. You have a chance to walk narrow colorful lanes, admire historic architectures, and hunt for the unexpectedly good bargains of silk wares. On foot we explore Hoian town, visiting the Japanese covered Bridge, a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, Chinese Assembly Halls, and Hoian museum. We also enjoy a leisurely walk along the bank of the lively Thu Bon River, once a prosperous a prosperous and famous trading port. Dinner in a local restaurant in Hoian. Overnight a hotel.
Day 10: Hoi An – Da Nang – Saigon (B)

We transfer to Da Nang airport for a morning flight to Saigon. Greeted by local guide at Saigon airport, we drive to the city center and take a Saigon will includes the Unification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the City Hall, the Opera House, and Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy coffee and watch the city in rush hour.
Day 11: Saigon – Mekong Delta – My Tho – Saigon (B/L)

Travel into the Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on the waters. En route, a visit to Vinh Trang, an ornate Buddhist sanctuary. Upon arrival My Tho, a typical Mekong Delta town, we enjoy activities, local sampan along a side arm of the river and experience river life. Leave My Tho, we transfer back to Saigon.
Day 12: Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Phnom Penh (B)

Journey west to Cu Chi to visit the vast underground network of tunnels built as a defense in wartime. We back to Saigon airport for afternoon flight bound to Phnom Penh. Met up local guide at Phnom Penh airport and transferred to the hotel in city center for the night.
Day 13: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (B)

This morning we pay a visit to the opulent Royal Palace with the dazzling Silver Pagoda, the flowery National Museum, the hilltop temple of Wat Phnom, and the central Independence Monument. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the airport for a short flight to Siem Reap. Greeted at Siem Reap airport by local guide and transferred to our hotel in city center for the night. This evening we’ll enjoy dinner with entertainment from Apsara dancers.
Day 14: Siem Reap (B/L)

We start exploring the wonders left by a highly complex civilization. First, visit Angkor Thom – the last capital of the great Khmer Empire, taking in the sprawling Terraces of Elephant, the Leper King, the enchanting Bayon and the fascinating temple of Ta Prohm. Dedicate the rest of the day to the magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest and best-preserved of the Angkor temples. Watch magnificent sunset into the land of temples from Bakheng Hill or Pre Rup Temple.
Day 15: Siem Reap – Departure (B)

If time permit, we’ll travel south towards the great lake of Tonle. Get on a boat and ride down the Kompong Phluk River and into the main village on the waters. Free at our own leisure till the time to transfer to the airport for our homebound flight.