14 Days Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia Tour

Upon arrival at the airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting at the lobby, holding the Vietnam Travelette's signboard with your name on it. Transfer to the hotel for check-in. (Time for check-in: 14.00. Early check-in is NOT included and subject to the hotel’s availability)

Take a deep breath after long journey.

Then, you are free to explore the city's charming Old Quarter:

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake: This beautiful lake is located in the heart of the city and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. You can take a stroll around the lake, visit the Ngoc Son Temple, or simply sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Explore the Old Quarter: The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, filled with shops, cafes, and historical sites. You can explore the area and learn about its history, or simply wander around and discover the many hidden gems.

Try the local street food: Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, and the Old Quarter is the perfect place to try some. From pho (beef or chicken noodle) to banh mi (bread) to Bun Cha (spring rolls)

Try the famous egg coffee: This unique coffee drink is made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and coffee. It's a popular local specialty, and many cafes in the Old Quarter serve it.

Overnight in Hanoi

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

08.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City

Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi, built in the 6th century.

Then, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969.

After that, visit One Pillar Pagoda, where the Goddess of Mercy is worshipped. It is the most unique pagoda in the world

(You should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…)

Next, you will visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11-century

Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with many delicious dishes.

In the afternoon, visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

At the end of the tour, watch a traditional puppet show on water that showcases an ancient art form.

Back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast and check out the hotel. The shuttle bus will pick you up at the lobby of the hotel at 8.00 - 8.20 AM and start the journey east to Ha Long Bay, through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta, where we see everyday Vietnamese village life. On arrival, we board a beautiful traditional junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. 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 an opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Spend the night on the boat.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast, then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Ha Long. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Ha Long pier to get back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at around 15.00 – 15.30.

Then, our car will transfer you to the airport for a flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy your breakfast well.

At 9:30 am, our local guide picks you up at the hotel and transfers you to Cam Thanh village by boat or car on the way, meet local fishermen and experience daily life.

10h00: Take a bamboo basket boat along the Cam Thanh water coconut forest, and have a brief introduction to the history there. Enjoy a hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing done by local fishermen. Learn how to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and join in a basket boat race. Explore the peaceful coconut waterways. Go catch the crabs, drop the net.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will discover the Hoi An Ancient Town, the second UNESCO Site of the day, on a guided walking tour. Soak up the historic atmosphere of the former trading port and visit the vibrant local market, the Ancient House, Fu Jian Assembly Hall, and an 18th-century covered bridge built in Japanese style. Hoi An is also a growing hub of textile manufacture, and you have the option to see where residents tend silkworms and weave fine-quality silk fabric from the cocoons they produce.

You have free time later and return to the hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

8.15: We start the day with a welcome drink at Hai Scout Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town)– our meeting point.

Visit Hoi An’s colourful main market, and experience its amazing sights, sounds, and aromas. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers, to see and taste the wonderful variety of foods on display.

We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.

On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s best-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chefs, before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration).

After the lesson, we sit down and eat exactly what we have cooked.

Recipes (our food contains no MSG):

*Vegetarians (and other dietary requirements) are provided with replacement ingredients.

1. Making fresh Rice paper

2. Fresh Rice Paper Rolls of Shrimp

3. Crispy Hoi An Pancakes with Shrimp, Herbs & a Peanut Sauce

4. Seafood Salad with Tra Que Herbs

5. Mi Quang Chicken Noodles

6. Food Decoration – Tomato Rose & Vietnamese Cucumber Hand Fan

* Lunch includes the above dishes as well as: BBQ Lemongrass Beef (not included in the demonstration). Finish at approximately 12.30 pm – transfer back to central Hoi An arriving approximately 1.00 pm

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Cam Thanh Village for a basket boat ride through the tranquil water coconut forest. Learn about the local fishing culture, try paddling a traditional round basket boat, and enjoy a unique basket boat performance.

After lunch at a local restaurant, explore the UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town on a guided walking tour. Visit the local market, historic ancient houses, the Fujian Assembly Hall, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge while soaking up the charm of this former trading port.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Around 09:00: Our guide will meet you at the hotel’s lobby and start the tour.

We will cycle (transfer by car is available with surcharge) to 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.

We continue to Tra Que vegetable village where we will have a cooking class

At Tra Que, we will have a welcome drink for rest. Then, we 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.

You will relax with foot herbal massage.

After the foot massage, it’s time to cook lunch. We will go to the restaurant & work together with the chef. With the instructions of the chef, we will learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

This day is free for your own plan.

You can visit famous tailor-made shops or nearby beaches as An Bang Beach or Cua Dai Beach by yourself.

Some other suggestions:

- Night Market: Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Hoi An Night Market. Browse through a wide range of stalls selling handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing, and local street food. It's a great place to shop for unique gifts and immerse yourself in the local culture.

- Traditional Cultural Performances (Ky Uc Hoi An): Catch a traditional performance at one of the cultural centers in Hoi An. Experience captivating shows featuring traditional music, dance, and storytelling that showcase the rich heritage of the region.

- Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River: Embark on a relaxing boat ride along the Thu Bon River. Enjoy the peaceful ambiance and admire the illuminated lanterns along the riverbanks. It's a wonderful way to take in the beauty of Hoi An at night.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel to Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass, with a stop to admire the beautiful Lang Co Beach.

Upon arrival, visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most iconic pagoda, before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the Imperial Citadel, the former capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, and continue to Khai Dinh Tomb, renowned for its unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Phu Bai International Airport to take a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, meet our driver holding you name on board at exit lobby and transfer to hotel for check-in (Check in time is 14.00, Early check-in is NOT included and subject to the hotel’s availability).

Spend this day free and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, begin a city tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Independence Palace, followed by the French colonial landmarks of Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Continue to the War Remnants Museum to gain insight into Vietnam’s wartime history.

After lunch at a local restaurant, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Watch a short introductory video before exploring the underground network of tunnels, living quarters, kitchens, storage rooms, field hospitals, and command centers used during the war. You will also have the opportunity to sample cassava and tea, once the staple food of the guerrilla fighters.

Return to your hotel in the evening. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Meet our guide and driver at the hotel lobby. Take a smooth one-and-a-half-hour ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1, which brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong.

On arrival at My Tho, take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.

Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, then visit the coconut candy mill and take an amazing rowing boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.

Return and Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Free until our driver picks you up and transfers you to the airport for your flight back home. Service ends.