IMPOSING HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOUR – 14 DAYS

* BRIEF ITINERARY: 

Day 1: ARRIVAL – HANOI  SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 2: HANOI   FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOURS – WATER PUPPET SHOW

Day 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE TOURS – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

Day 4: HA LONG CRUISE TOURS – FLIGHT TO HUE – HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 5: HUE CITY TOURS OF IMPERIAL CITADEL AND BOAT TRIP ON PERFUME RIVER – OVERLAND TOURS TO DANANG – HOIAN SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 6: HOI AN FULL-DAY OF SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 7: HOI AN OVERLAND TOURS TO DA NANG – FLIGHT TO SAI GON – SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 8: SAI GON SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CU CHI TUNNELS AND TAY NINH

Day 9: SAI GON SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO MEKONG DELTA – SAI GON

Day 10: SAI GON – FLIGHT TO PHNOM PENH – PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 11: PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT NATIONAL MUSEUM + KILLING FIELDS – FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP

Day 12: ANGKOR WATT SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT SOUTH GATE OF ANGKOR THOM AND BAYON TEMPLES – DINNER WITH KHMER DANCE

Day 13: ANGKOR WATT SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT TAPROHM AND BANTEAY KDEI TEMPLES

Day 14: SIEM REAP TOURS TO TONLE SAP LAKE – DEPARTURE

DAY 1: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: ARRIVAL – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS (-/-/-)

Upon arrival in Noi Bai Airport, you’ll receive cordial welcome and comfortable transfer to hotel. If time permits, enjoy a cyclo ride around the old quarter streets, an interesting introduction of the city. Like other big cities, Hanoi is hustling and bustling, with millions of people riding motorbikes, the most convenient means of transportation in the city.

O/N in Hanoi. 

DAY 2: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: HANOI   FULL-DAY SIGHTSEEING TOURS – WATER PUPPET SHOW (B/-/-)

Today we commence our sightseeing of Hanoi with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi.Later on, we follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam.

The afternoon tour continues with the History Museum, an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history. Alternatively, you can visit the Ethnology museum instead if you wish to learn about 54 ethics in Vietnam. Later, you’ll also walk in the old quarters and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem where its sacred temple is located. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre – the traditional unique Vietnamese art where we will see a fantastic performance.

O/N in Hanoi. 

DAY 3: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE TOURS (B/L/D 

After having breakfast at hotel, we journey east to Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay. 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 our elegant boat.

DAY 4: HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOURS: HA LONG CRUISE TOURS – FLIGHT TO HUE – HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/L/-) 

Wake up to fresh coffee before cruising back to the shore. En route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further! After lunch we disembark and return to Hanoi for a flight to Hue.  Once arrival at Hue airport, you will be met and transferred by our guide to hotel.

O/N in Hue 

DAY 5: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: HUE CITY TOURS OF IMPERIAL CITADEL AND BOAT TRIP ON PERFUME RIVER – OVERLAND TOURS TO DANANG – HOIAN SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

After breakfast at hotel, we enjoy a boat trip on the Perfumes River to visit the beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda – one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue. Then we continue to discover Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945 including Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and Forbidden Purple City. The city tour in Hue includes with a chance to see a Royal musical performance of Hue (which is listed also as one of cultural UNESCO World Heritages).

In the afternoon, we will depart to Danang. The scenic 4-hour drive via Hai Van Pass offers spectacular views of mountains, the sea, idyllic beaches and villages (we can choose the shorter way by driving through the tunnel). We will arrive to Hoi An, which was which was originally one of major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century.  Hoian town is now not only an UNESCO World Heritage, but a real live museum.

O/N in Hoian. 

DAY 6: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: HOI AN FULL-DAY OF SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Hoi An, which was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. There are plenty to see in this tranquil and delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda and the vibrant market. We include these sites in an enchanting walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town’s multi-cultural past.
The rest of time, you will be free on your own

O/N in Hoian.

DAY 7: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: HOI AN OVERLAND TOURS TO DA NANG – FLIGHT TO SAI GON – SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport for a short morning flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. This metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes.

An afternoon will acquaints us with some major sights of Ho Chi Minh. We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 8: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: SAI GON SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CU CHI TUNNELS AND TAY NINH (B/-/-)

This morning we head out for Tay Ninh to witness the noon services of adherents to Caodai Sect in a beautiful edifice called Holy Temple. Next, we pay a visit to Cu Chi, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. Known as the “Iron Triangle” during the war of the 60’s, the story of Cu Chi is one of struggle, determination against all odds, and eventual victory.

Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam’s military history. It is advisable to wear clothes which you won’t mind getting dirty if you intend to be adventurous and go underground yourself! At the end of the day we return to Saigon for resting.

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 9: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: SAI GON SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO MEKONG DELTA – SAI GON (B/L/-)

Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work.

We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. 

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 10: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: SAI GON – FLIGHT TO PHNOM PENH – PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

After morning breakfast, we take you to the airport for flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival at Po Chen Tong Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Time at leisure then.The afternoon is spent discovering some major sights in the Khmer Capital of Phnom Penh which was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm.

Our exploration starts with a visit to the Royal Palace, a home to the royal family but open to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the National Museum which is the great introduction of the Khmer Arts 

O/N in Phnom Penh.  

DAY 11: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT NATIONAL MUSEUM + KILLING FIELDS – FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP (B/-/D)

Phnom Penh is famous for history which begins with Lady Penh who discovered five Buddha images concealed on a tree and had a pagoda named Wat Phnom Don Penh built on that spot. The city that took its name from the pagoda was founded nearly a century later, becoming the capital in 1866.

This morning, visit the Royal University of Fine Arts, where the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. A view of numerous children practicing the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances is impressive. Then, heading out of town toward the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, which will give us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. We have time for an exploration of Psar Toul Tom Pong, also called the “Russian Market”, where anything and everything is for sales. 

In the afternoon, you have lunch (your own account) before we transfer to Phnom Penh Airport for short flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to hotel for check in. Dinner at local restaurant with Khmer dance.

O/N at Siem Reap.

DAY 12: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: ANGKOR WATT EARLY MORNING VISIT, SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT SOUTH GATE OF ANGKOR THOM AND BAYON TEMPLES. (B/-/-) 

Rise up early for the trip to the magnificent Angkor Wat. Dawn is the haunting, cooler and less crowded moment to see “the spiritual temple reflex on the water”. As the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat where the Hindu God Vishnu is dedicated was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Then, transfer back to your hotel for breakfast and relax. 

In the afternoon, transfer to explore the famous Angkor Thom, first with its South Gate which is best known with its majestic doors and artifacts. Then, you will visit the monumental temple of Bayon, the heart of Angkor Thom. The huge enigmatic stone faces of Bayon have become some of the most iconic and recognizable features associated with the ancient Khmer Kingdom and its architecture. Next, move to 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.

O/N in Siem Reap.

DAY 13: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT TAPROHM AND BANTEAY KDEI TEMPLES. A CHOICE BETWEEN A TRIP TO THE KHMER MUSEUM OR SILK VILLAGE (B/L/-)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries. Then, further exploration of the Banteay Kdei temple, the unique Buddhist Temple in Angkor and also known as “Citadel of Monks’ cells”.

This afternoon, perhaps you may take part in a trip to Silk Farm village, which offers you a huge chance to learn how the amazing silk products are made. Or, alternatively you can pay a visit at Angkor National Museum. It does an excellent job of presentation the mixture of written materials describing the exhibits, the rental audio, and the short films interspersed throughout the galleries… By visiting this museum, you will review all what I have seen so far.

O/N at Siem Reap. 

DAY 14: Highlights of Vietnam Cambodia Tour from Hanoi, Halong to Siemreap: SIEM REAP TOURS TO TONLE SAP LAKE – DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South Asia and flows into Tonle River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. Once reaching the lake, board a traditional wooden boat cruising to a “floating village” – boats have been converted to look like houses and the “village” moves from place to place following water levels.

Back to Siem Reap, you’ll have your free time for rolling at local market for shopping until transfer to Siem Reap International airport departure flight

                                                           End of Service

INCLUDING:

•  Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver 
•  Domestic Air-tickets: Hanoi – Hue, Da Nang – Saigon
•  Accommodation in hotels (Twin / Double shared room)
• Meals as indicated: B = breakfast, L = lunch & D = Dinner
•  Regional English or French speaking guide 
•  Entrance fee to indicated sights 
•  Water puppet show
•  Cyclo trip in the Old Quarters in Hanoi
•  Boat trip in Mekong Delta.
•  Cruising trip in Halong Bay
•  Pure bottled water & wipes
•  Visa Approval Letter to Vietnam

EXCLUDING: 

• International flights (Saigon – Phnom Penh), other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room, personal expenses, insurance…

Please take a note that we are now in a process of updating the cost for this tour & this work will be completed soon after a time. If you need further details on our updated quotes, kindly email us at sales@dnqtravel.com or directly