GLANCE OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA FAMILY VACATION – 10 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival

Day 2: Hanoi – City tour

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (overnight on junk cruise)

Day 4: Halong Bay- Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi- Can Tho

Day 6: Floating market, Can Tho- Saigon

Day 7: Morning Saigon sightseeing, afternoon Cu Chi Tunnel visit.

Day 8: Saigon – Siem Reap, Sunset tour over Angkor Thom

Day 9: Morning Angkor Wat visit, afternoon Siem Reap vicinity.

Day 10: Siem Reap- Departure.

DAY 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI (-/-/)

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of unified Vietnam. Being founded in 1010 on the right bank of the Red River, the city was then known as ‘Thang Long’, roughly translated as “Soaring Dragon.” Hanoi comes out in mind as one of the most charming cities in South East Asia with its authentic street scenes, large shady avenues, numerous lakes, manicured gardens and well-preserved architecture.

On arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your desired hotel for check- in and tour briefing. Time permitting, take an orientation walking tour around and a chance to acclimatize ourselves. Free evening.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/)

Today you’ll be on a full day tour to discover the most outstanding attractions of Hanoi. First, pay a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho Chi Minh to know his amazing life. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain understanding of the two driving forces in Vietnam culture. Afternoon visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection of artifacts about the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country.

Next, enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter, a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at an old house on Ma May Street, an example of dwellings in the 19 century. Later, walk through the busy traffic to the water puppet theatre and enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3:  HANOI – HALONG BAY, OVERNIGHT ON THE CRUISE. (B/L/D)

We leave Hanoi for Halong Bay where we arrive around noon. We’ll 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 opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Kayaks are also available if specified at time of booking. Spend the night on the comfortable and charming junk.

DAY 4: Vietnam Cambodia Family Vacation to Hanoi, Halong, Mekong Delta, Siemreap: HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/-/)

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy aquamarine water of the Bay at its best. After breakfast and perhaps early swim, the junk continue to cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy more isolated and spectacular islands of the Bay. After lunch on board we disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 5:  HANOI – CAN THO BY FLIGHT (B/-/)

After having breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your free time until transfer to the airport for the domestic flight to the Mekong Center, a world that lives and works on the waters. On arrival in Can Tho, the Capital of the West, located at the edge of Hau Giang, arm the southern Mekong, we’ll take the highlights of the City before check in the hotel. It’s advisable to stroll on the docks Ninh Kieu, bordering the river.

Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 6: CAI RANG FLOATING MARKET, CAN THO – SAIGON ON ROAD (B/-/)

Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motor boat. Continue the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the country side, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people.

Return to Can Tho for lunch then drive to Ho Chi Minh City which is formerly named as Saigon and nowadays becomes the Vietnam’s financial hub. The city is not only known as the most important economic center in Vietnam, but also has some very imposing colonial architecture which belies in fascinating past. We’ll arrive in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 7:  CITY SIGHTSEEING TOUR – CU CHI TUNNEL VISIT (B/-/)

Begin your exploration of this frenetic city with a visit to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until April 30, 1975, the former US Embassy where the last rescuing helicopter left. The site photo shows the fall of Saigon. We then make a quick stop at the nearby Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, inspired by its counterpart in Paris to admire the imposing colonial architecture. Later, stroll through the Ben Thanh Market, the City symbol before stopping at the downtown for your lunch (your own account).

In the afternoon, transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels, 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, created since 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals and command centers. During the Vietnam War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been opened for visitors. Go back to HCM City later this afternoon and spend the rest of day on your own.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 8:  SAIGON- SIEM REAP, SUNSET TOUR (B/-/)

Breakfast at hotel followed by the transfer to the Saigon airport to catch up the international flight to Siem Reap, the provincial capital and gateway to the ancient Angkor Temples. Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Angkor Archaeological Park encompasses dozens of temple ruins including Bayon, Ta Prohm and the legendary Angkor Wat. On arrival, our guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check–in and short break.

In the afternoon, transfer through the West Gate of Angkor Thom to visit the monumental temple of Bayon which is the heart of Angkor Thom. Later, visit the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo “Jewel of Crystal”, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century. Once you reach the South Gate of Angkor Thom- the beautiful and old Gate with its majestic doors and artifacts, Embark on an Angkor gondola, a replica of a traditional Khmer boat also known as a kongkear, which is propelled with a wooden paddle by an experienced oarsman.

Glide gently along the Southern Angkor Thom’s moat while admiring the sunset over Angkor Archaeological Park. Reaching the southwest corner of the Ancient City, disembark near one of the four temples called Prasat Chrung and hike with your guide to the ruined building, constructed in the late 12th century. Walk under the shade of trees on a 2-mile (3-km) walkway to the top of the gate, where a sunset viewpoint awaits.

During your visit, learn about the four small sandstone temples, which were dedicated to a bodhisattva and designed in the style of Prasat Bayon, the magnificent temple at the center of Angkor Thom. Stay late and then transfer back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 9:  SIEM REAP TEMPLES VISIT AND ITS VICINITY (B/-/)

After breakfast, transfer to Ta Prohm Temple, which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries. The temple was where the movie Tomb Raider was filmed.

Continue to Angkor Wat, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century and dedicated them to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction.

The unique Angkor Temples are truly impressive. However, Cambodia has more to offer. It is worth taking a closer look at the city of Siem Reap, its surrounding area and its people.

Following your lunch, drive straight to Pour Krom. Walk through this lovely village to see rural Khmer life. Experience an ox cart ride before a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see floating villages and get a taste of life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture. One of the most productive bodies of fresh water in the world, Tonle Sap was classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997. Later this afternoon, transfer to Siem Reap and enjoy the rest of time at your leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 10: SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (B/-/)

After having breakfast at hotel, enjoy your free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.