Vietnam and Cambodia Grand Discovery 22 days

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! You will be greeted by our tour guide and transfer directly to hotel in Hanoi.

Check in time will be available at 2:00pm, and in case that you would like to secure an early-check in, an additional charge will be applied.

Optional: The rest of this day is free at leisure. You might have a sleep to recover, or wander around for some own exploration, or consider taking part in one of our suggested activities below:

• • Water Puppet Show: A traditional Vietnamese water performing art, at which Vietnamese folk tales, history and local lives are introduced via colorful puppets.

• • Vietnamese Cooking Class or Foodie Tours: Food in Vietnam, especially Hanoi, is totally tasty and able to mesmerize any visitor. A short walk around Old Quarter for some of Hanoi’s best food, or participation in a fun Vietnam’s cooking class could be a good start to your journey in this lovely country.

Please contact our travel consultant if you are interested in these services, and we are available 24/7 for assisting you.

Note: Please be advised that both international and domestic might be crowded at sometimes during the day, so in case that you arrive and cannot find our representatives, please be presented at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal Gate) and contact us, so we could easily search for you.

Taking Half day City tour in the afternoon - Routes can change subject to client’s interest.

Begin the first day of the trip with a tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.

Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the Mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Jun - Aug)

Visit the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Tran Quoc Pagoda is regarded as the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi with its history line of more than 1,500 years.

After visiting, you will have a meal at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant. Taking bath at hotel closed to the railway station.

Meet at hotel in Hanoi at around 21:00 hrs and transfer to Hanoi train station. Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in shared sleeping compartments (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 21:35 hrs.

Notes:

- Our tour guide will not accompany during the train trip

- Train schedule is subject to change.

- Private compartments on request at surcharge.

- Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

05:30 ~ 06:00 Arrive at Lao Cai Train Station. Pick up at the train station and transfer to Sapa by a tourist shared bus (1 hour to get to Sapa). Early check in upon arrival is possible upon room occupancy (Surcharge applicable). Relax for awhile to get ready for our full day tour.

Start the trip at around 9:30. Meet up your local guide and start trekking. The first part is on the road but we soon turn to the right and walk on a small path down the valley to Y Linh Ho village settled down by the Muong Hoa River and from here to the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai. Black H’mong is one of the biggest minority groups in the Sapa area. They have their own language and wear traditional indigo blue clothing. The H’mong peoples have just recently changed their living way from sifting style into the sedentary one. So there are still a lot traces of the past time can be seen: rudimentary houses, stone wall around homes… After this you continue to Ta Van village (1.200 m) to visit Zay people. Zay is a fairly small minority group of about 38.000 people who live mainly in the mountains in Northwest Vietnam.

After visiting Ta Van village the car will return you to Sapa. Free at leisure the rest of the day. Overnight at Sapa Hotel.

In the morning, have breakfast at the hotel and then check out. Take a walk down to the South-west of Sapa (around 3 km) to visit Cat Cat Village of the Black H’mong, one of the more well-known ethnic village of Sapa. Relax at the foot of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. Enjoy picnic lunch by the side of the river, and then continue trekking to 3 km to Sin Chai Village, located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain - “the Roof of Indochina”, where you enjoy a stunning landscapes of the mountain. Then come back to the main road to be transferred to Sapa town on a jeep for 3km.

Around 15:00 - 15:30: Transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Arrive in Hanoi in the evening

07:15 - 07:45 Pick up from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter and head to Ninh Binh with comfortable A/C car Have a short break time and relax at a stopping point in Dong Van – Ha Nam province. Enjoy the fresh air at the middle of the giant rice fields.

Arrive in Tam Coc. Start our full day excursion by a small boat rowing by a local for about 2 hours. The reason Tam Coc is called Halong Bay on land is because this area consists of many limestone mountains with many different shape. Cruising through Ngo Dong river, you will have chance to take a lot of beautiful pictures with peaceful scenery of mountains, rice fields and temples all along the way. If you go on harvest season, you will have chance to see the golden rice carpet along the river banks.

After a wonderful adventure, you will head back to the main land to have lunch prepared by Vietnamese professional chef. The delicious cuisines are made from traditional, organic ingredients, obey strictly the Yin Yang balance of Asian culture. After lunch, you will have free time to do some optional activities like fishing, visiting local people, etc. (Depend on the itinerary on that day) Have free time to hop on a bicycle and go around beautiful villages, enjoy fresh air in the rural area and discover huge limestone mountains, etc.

Arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – The ancient capital city of Vietnam one thousands year ago. With the guide’s description, you will understand more about Vietnamese history which is not popular to the world but still very interesting and worth knowing. Leave Ninh Binh and go back to Hanoi. 

• Ninh Binh

After breakfast at hotel, driver picks up and transfer to Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea”.

Upon arrival, the boat crew welcome you and check in then enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. You can also behold thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald water.

Following break, depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you’ll join some activities on boat to discover the beauty of the bay such as visit a cave, doing kayaking or enjoy swimming in the sea before getting back to the junk for relaxing and dinner. Overnight on board.

You might start your 2nd day in Halong with an early tai-chi class, or simply wake up and witness the amazing sunrise on the bay. After breakfast, cruise take you to explore the most stunning caves in Halong.

The early lunch will be served on the way getting back to the main dock for transferring to the airport to catch flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, tour guide picks up and take you to hotel in Hoi an for checking in and relax for the rest of day

Hoi An is an old port town, which was founded with mixture of different cultures from Vietnam to Japan, China and Europe.

Fortunately, most of ancient constructions in this town have been conserved at unspoiled condition (although some of buildings are now using for commercial purposes), so travelers will have a complete understanding of history and diversity in culture of this historic place.

Our half-day excursion is simply walking. We will wander along old streets, cross several old houses; see how daily lives of local people are, and witness how historical elements of the town merging with modernity. We will also visit some of the ancient monuments from other nations, like the Japanese Covered Bridge or Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese. And after some walking, a cold glass of traditional herbal drink from a street-side shop is the best way to refresh, and enjoy the true taste of Hoi An on your tongue.

If we have enough time, we will also pass by a handicraft store, at which you could directly see the creation of most notable souvenirs in town, and take some of them back to your hometown.

Optional: We introduce some ways to explore the beauty of Hoi An, you can choose one of below options:

Option 1: Discover My Son Holly Land Half day: My Son Sanctuary - a collection of Champa ruins nestled amongst the mountains in a geological basin of the Quang Nam province. 

Price from $ US50/ person

Option 2: Life as a Farmer in Cam Thanh village: Join the farmers in preparing and fertilizing the land. Get to know the villagers’ daily working routines, like raking the ground, sowing, watering and picking greens and many more gardening activities. 

Price from $ US70/ person

Option 3: Hoi An Vespa Tour 

Price from $ US85/ persona

Pick up at hotel in Hoi An, then transfer to hotel in Hue via Cloudy Pass. Land transportation by shuttle bus or private car will be used, with stop at some spots on the way for sightseeing and photoshoot (admission fee is not included).

The tranquil Hue City was founded in 17th century as a royal city and a capital (before Hanoi replaced it), and now has become one of top destinations in the middle of Vietnam.

Our itineraries today start with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhism attraction which is located at the bank of the enchanting Perfume River. The pagoda is fascinating because of not only ancient design of the buildings, but also good location at which you could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Perfume River.

Leaving the pagoda, we continue our journey today with a visit to the Imperial Citadel. Being the “house” of Nguyen Royal Family, the last dynasty in Vietnam, the citadel reflects luxurious and prosper lives of the royal family, and allows visitor to explore a part of Vietnam pre-modern history. Even though some buildings were damaged or destructed during some wars, but crucial constructions are still remained and currently being conserved at good condition. We will spend most of the time around the citadel, with visit to front gate, the Flag Tower, The King’s Palace, and the Museums of Royal Antiquities. Time for the buildings is finished, and now is time for interaction with the local people.

Our next and last stop will be Dong Ba Market, the largest traditional trading place in not only Hue City, but also the adjacent provinces. Walking through kiosks, you will have chance to understand daily business of local sellers, their way of doing business, as well as purchase some interesting souvenirs before we drive you back to your hotel.

Transfer to Huei airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, our driver will wait and transfer you to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.

In the afternoon: Enjoy the attraction of Ho Chi Minh City. Sightseeing examples of French colonial architecture and exploring the Vietnam’s turbulent in past at the War Remnants Museum. Our guide will show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Depart from your hotel to the Reunification Palace; this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th 1975 the American War officially came to an end here. Afterward, we visit Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, which was built in 1880, and the Old Post Office, which was built sometime between 1886 and 1891. It is one of the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Our last stop would be at a local Market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs. Discover local life and culture. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city in here. Return your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Free time in the rest of day

Escape the city for a tour of the Mekong Delta, where you'll see what life is like beyond the urban centre of the south. An incredibly fertile region, the Mekong Delta's prime industry is food production, producing approximately half of Vietnam's total agricultural output. Local life for villages in the area revolves around the rivers and canals that make up the delta, so much so that people are more likely to transport by river than road. Enjoy the fresh air and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the countryside, still untouched by tourism. Board on boat and experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways first hand as you explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms. Touring the orchards, paddy fields and swamplands of the Mekong Delta, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into the pages of a geography textbook.

You will be transferred to Can Tho for staying overnight

After Breakfast at hotel, take a motor boat to visit Cai Rang – the most fascinating floating market where we can see all trading activities on Mekong river. Do you mind to taste a bowl of “ hu tieu”- traditional rice noodle of Mekong delta person or try a small piece of durian which is the most addicted fruit to local people? A short stop to visit rice husking mill and walk around the village. See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Disembark at Ninh Kieu and transfer back to HCMC after lunch in Can Tho.

Breakfast at hotel and free for leisure until flight time, driver picks you up then transfer to the airport to catch flight to Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival, be welcoming by tour guide then transferring to hotel in City Centre for checking in. Free for lesure the rest of day.

• Phnom Penh 5

Breakfast at hotel, today start your first stop by visiting the Royal Palace built in 1866 and the Silver Pagoda located within the Royal Palace compound. The Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. Continue to the National Museum, dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period (9th to 15th century), but some date from as early as the 4thcentury. Lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot's security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.  

If time permit, visit the Central Market (Psar Thmei), a large market constructed in 1937 in the shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways with countless stalls of goods. The four wings of this gigantic yellow dome are teeming with stalls that sell goods ranging from gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, books, flowers, food, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood and countless other products.

Last stop for today, visit to Wat Phnom, an ancient pagoda on a hill, which marks the legendary founding place of the city. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast at hotel, our driver take you to bus station and take bus to Battambang 5 hours.

Upon arrival at the bus station in Battambang, would be welcomed by guide and driver take you to hotel for check in.  Meal on your own expenses and overnight in Battambang.

• Battambang

8:00am. Tour local tour guide wait at hotel lobby. You will be taken to join Nary’s Cambodian Food cooking class. Class started from 9h00 to 12h00. The lesson by Mrs. Nary will start with a guided trip to the local market; you will learn 4 courses meal including a dessert. Participants will also receive a recipe leaflet with all the instructions necessary to reproduce their dishes at home. And of course you get to eat what you've cooked for lunch.

Afternoon, try out for a ride on the Bamboo Train, a fun experience and also a great opportunity to see the sunset view at countryside. It’s like a childhood dream come true!
Early dusk, go to Phnom Sampov to see millions of bat flying out of the cave

• Phnom Banan Temple

After breakfast, you visit the archeological provincial museum before departure to visit Ek Phnom temple in the 11st century and the colonial style houses along the Sangke River. On the way back, you can visit the traditional Cambodian houses and the artisan factory of rice flaky cake. Free for lunch.

Following break time, we depart by bus for Siem Reap (3 hours by shuttle bus). 

Upon arrival Siem Reap, our driver (no guide) take you  hotel and check in.

• Wat Tahm Rai Saw

8:30 am. Tour guide wait at hotel lobby, we go out to visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology, visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a spectacular sunset view from Bakheng Hills.

Buffet dinner with Apsara Dance Show at Koulen Restaurant.

After breakfast at hotel, visit Ta Prohm Temple, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. The temple of Ta Prohm was once used as a location in the famous Hollywood film Tomb Raider. Visit this master piece then continue to visit some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Srah Srong and Chau Say Tevado temple. Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon, continue to board on boat to Tonle Sap (BoeungTonle Sap), the Cambodia’s great lake. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, churches and hospitals. If time permitted, on the way back stop and visit at Artisan D’Angkor, an insight to the amazing skilled craftsmanship of Cambodian traditional handicrafts.

You will see the work of the trainees who learn the art of stone carving, wood ornamental sculpture, the making of small furniture, the art of lacquer and polychromic. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

Breakfast at hotel,

Free until time to transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure to next destination.

• Siem Reap City