16 Days Essence of Indochina: Vietnam & Cambodia Trip

Welcome to your holiday with Vietnam Travelette!

Upon arrival at the airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to 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 hotel for check in. (Time for check in: 14.00. Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability)

Take a deep break after long journey.

Then, you are free exploring 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 there are many cafes in the Old Quarter that 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 Ho Chi Minh complex (Ba Dinh Square), 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 worships the Goddess of Mercy – 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 11th century

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

In the afternoon, visit Ngoc Son Temple, a prominent temple sitting on a small island. The sacred temple, along with other architectures, creates a historical complex that has been the pride of Hanoians for hundreds of years.

At the end of the tour, you will have a chance to watch a traditional puppet show on water, a traditional art form with the distinctive cultural identity of Vietnam. It reappears in the daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fish…), communal entertainment (swimming contests, dragon dancing…), or historical legends.

Then, you will be escorted to the restaurant for dinner.

After that, return to the hotel at around 8:30 pm

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

8.00: Our guide will meet you at your hotel and start a 110km modern bus journey through the verdant landscape of country side. Short brake en route.

10.45: Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple, dating back to the 17th Century.

12.00: Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisine.

13.30: Leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an outstanding natural beauty of majestic limestone massif at 20 square kilometer rise dramatically out from rice paddy fields. Deep into the linked chains of towering mountains are pristine places of mystical valleys, numerous fresh water ponds, and jungle.

Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river through numerous caves: Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave,... and Cao Sơn Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, Vu Lam Temple…

15.30: Arrive Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain to watch the spectacular rice valley with specious view of nature.

Transfer to your hotel in Hanoi. You drop off in Hanoi at around 7:30 pm

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

08:15 – 08:45: Hotel or private address pick up with our shuttle bus. Short break halfway.

11:45 – 12:00: Arriving at Tuan Chau marina, transferred by tender of La Pandora cruises.

12:45 – 13:00: Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain and crew in the cruise briefing and safety instruction.

13:00 – 13:15: A special lunch in Vietnamese cuisine of fresh seafood and an assortment of appetizing favorites is served while sailing through the Islets of Con Vit.

16:00: The Cruise sails through Lan Ha Bay. The area is surrounding of extraordinary limestone karst landscapes. We progress to Ong Cam Area of Lan Ha Bay- a separate part of Ha Long Bay. This is a quiet tourist paradise in Vietnam, enjoy kayaking and/or enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Bay.

17:30: Back to La Pandora Cruise, drop anchor for staying overnight. Enjoy a cooking demonstration (teaching you how to make our speciality, Spring rolls) and the complimentary Sunset Party on the sundeck with local wine and fresh fruit.

19:00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. After dinner, retire to your cabin or join the fishing excursion, watch a movie, have a drink at the bar, access the wifi, or play exciting games.

Overnight on board.

06:00: Enjoy sunrise and admire the never-ending miraculous scenery of the Bay.

06:30: Light breakfast, coffee, and tea served.

07:15: Visit Dark & Bright Cave and islets by local rowing boats which is a wild and mysterious beauty in the middle of the World Heritage.

09:15: Back to our La Pandora Cruise, relax before checking out.

10:00: Lunch is served on board.

12:00: Disembark at the Tuan Chau marina by tender. Take our shuttle bus to return to Hanoi

15:00 – 15:30: Arrival back at your hotel or home.

Then transfer to the airport for a flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, meet our driver holding your name on board at the exit lobby and transfer to the hotel in Da Nang.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Have breakfast and check-out hotel.

The guide and car will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Ba Na Hills. You will visit the Golden Bridge that has recently gone viral, a French wine cellar, Le Jardin D’amour (which consists of 9 gardens), and Linh Ung pagoda.

Then visit the French Village Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Linh Phong Monastery, Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple & Tru Vu Tea Shop. Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome ...Challenge the most popular adventure ride - Alpine Coaster (free ride).

Lunch at the buffet restaurant.

You can join in the game at Fantasy Park before taking the Cable Car to leave Ba Na Hills at 15.30.

Meet our guide at the meeting point, and get on a car transfer back to Da Nang to visit the local Han Market and browse the stalls of this sprawling compound, seeing fresh produce and dried goods unique to the area. This is also a great place to get a glimpse of local life, watching the shoppers and vendors as they negotiate deals.

16:30-17:00 Then transfer to Hoi An and check-in hotel.

Have dinner by yourself and stay overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

9.30 Pick up at the hotel and cycling (other transfer will be provided if you can not ride a bicycle) to experience the Basket boat tour at Cam Thanh Village, where you can learn something about the local fishing industry and its local cultural life. You cannot miss visiting the seven-hectare water coconut woods with the unique ecosystem of water coconut trees. This place is a relic of the film revolutionary base during the war between US army and Hoi An people. You will be told about the safety instruction how to get balanced on the round basket boat, and how to paddle in it a proper way. Of course, a life jacket will be provided to you, and our local people will help you how to navigate it. We will help you be confident until you can row it by yourself. Your tour ended after a light meal at a local family while enjoying a great round basket performance on the river, which is awesome that you can see only one time in your lifetime.

After lunch, 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.

Enjoy dinner in the restaurant.

Transfer back to hotel and you are free to explore the city.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Having breakfast at the hotel

Then transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, transfer to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in is NOT included and subject to the hotel’s availability).

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

08.30, our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel.

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the site of the former Norodom Palace. The Independence Palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours by bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time.

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which include the specially constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers, helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun (optional)

Return to Ho Chi Minh City at around 17.30 – 18.00.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Pick you up at hotel at 8.30

A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong. On arrival at My Tho, take a motor boat to enter My Tho city through Bao Dinh natural canal. Take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands. Explore the fish farming village along Tan Long islet.

Then, Transfer to Ben Tre by boat and embark on a traditional sampan to explore Rach Vam Xep, a pristine and less-touristy natural canal with coconut trees.

Visit local homes, eco-tourism sites, beekeeping areas, and savor honey tea and seasonal fruits.

Take a leisurely stroll through the village, or hop on a horse-drawn carriage to explore the local way of life.

Next, visit a coconut candy workshop, where the famous specialty of Ben Tre is produced.

After that, enjoy a delicious lunch at Song Nuoc Mien Tay Restaurant or Diem Phuong Eco Restaurant.

Return to the pier by boat and meet at the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memories. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at around 16.00 – 16.30.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to Phu Quoc International Airport to take domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh. Then connect the international flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival, you will pick up by our guide and driver transfer to hotel for check in. Then you will driver about 30mins to visit Tonle Sap Lake call Chong Kneas. Arrive at the quay and board a local boat for a 2-hour ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Find out how communities live and work on the lake; see the floating schools, markets, and police stations, among others; observe their daily lives.

In the evening, at 18:30 you will transfer to enjoy Buffet Dinner with Apsara Dance.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Depart for Banteay Srei temple this morning. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva. Continue on a pleasant drive through the countryside to Beng Mealea, a sprawling jungle temple constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Suyavarman II in the early 12th century. It preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways.

Transferring back to Siem Reap

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Wake before sunrise this morning and make the 15-minute journey with your guide to Angkor Temple Complex.

Your guide will take you to a serene viewpoint where you can experience the dramatic sunrise as the first rays of the day kiss the magnificent temple’s good morning. It is certainly one of the most unique places in the world for sunrise but be forewarned, you won’t be alone! Then we continue to visit Angkor Wat Temple, a legendary UNESCO World Heritage Site. Said by some to symbolize the soul of the Khmer people, the magnificent temple was built during the reign of King Suryavaman II in the early 12th century. Historians believe that many of the fascinating bas-reliefs and stone carvings immortalize many of the mighty king’s wars. Images of Apsara dancers decorate the five famous towers which replicate the universe according to Hindu mythology. Return to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, continue 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.

After lunch on your account, explore the mysterious Royal city of Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-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, silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit the surroundings of the complex including the Baphoun, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace, and Royal Place area.

After breakfast, you will transfer to Phnom Penh by private bus with guide. You will stop to visit Ancient Bridge in Kampong Kdei and Spider Market in Skun.

Continue driving to Phnom Penh.

Check in hotel and relaxing.

Our guide and driver pick you up from the hotel to take a full day to see the must-visiting places. Start with Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and continue to visit Killing Field. The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

Afternoon, we visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the finest examples of Khmer architecture in the capital. The Royal Palace was built in 1866 by the French for King Norodom. The grounds of the palace are also home to the Silver Pagoda, which received its name because its floor is made up of 5,329 silver tiles. The palace has been inhabited by kings at all times with the exception of the period when the radical Khmer Rouge party took control in 1975.

Next, visit the National Museum houses Khmer art and sculptures from different periods of Cambodian history. End of your day, you will visit Independence Monument before drive you back to the hotel for relaxation.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Depending on your flight time, our car driver will escort you to the airport to fly back your homeland.

We hope you have taken back many beautiful memories in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Tour ends!