GLIMPSE OF VIETNAM CAMBODIA OVERLAND FAMILY TOUR

* BRIEF ITINERARY: 

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh city arrival

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City-Tay Ninh-Cu Chi 

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City- Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho

Day 5: Can Tho- Chau Doc

Day 6: Chau Doc departure to Phnom Penh

Day 7: Phnom Penh-Siem Riep

Day 8: Siem Riep

Day 9: Siem Riep Departure 

DAY 1: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: ARRIVAL – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-) 

Welcome to HCM 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. On arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the hotel for check- in and tour briefing. If time permits, take an orientation walking tour around and a chance to acclimatize ourselves. Free evening.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 2: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (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

Continue to 891 Tran Hung Dao Street, District 5 to join the noon ceremony at the spectacular Cao Dai temple, the Cathedral of the religion of the same name. This sect, originating in Vietnam, draws freely from other philosophies of Christianity and Confucianism. The architecture of the cathedral is stunning, neither Eastern nor Western.

After having lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll be driven to a place where the famous Buddhist Thich Quang Duc self- immolated in June11, 1963.  After his funeral, where his remains were finally reduced to ashes, Quang Duc’s heart, which had not burned, was retrieved, enshrined, and treated as a sacred relic. His self- immolation begins people’s up-rising movement largely, which lead to the fall of President Diem regime.

Next, we will visit the War Remnants Museum before strolling through the bustling Ben Thanh Market, a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: HO CHI MINH CITY TOURS TO CU CHI UNDERGROUND TUNNELS (B/-/-)

This morning, 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. Lunch is served at the local restaurant that is the best available before going back to HCM City and spend the rest of day on your own.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 4: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: HO CHI MINH CITY SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CAI BE – VINH LONG – CAN THO (B/-/-)

Rise up early today and after having breakfast, travel 105 km south to Cai Be, the gateway to Mekong delta. On arrival, embark on a boat to cruise along the Mekong River visiting the floating markets, where you can admire displays of fruits and vegetables. Explore islands, stopping at the family factories where you can see how the delicious coconut candies, popcorns, poprice and so on are prepared. Enjoy your lunch with the special local fish “elephant ear” in a bonsai garden or in an old house.

After lunch, continue your trip by a small sampan ride through the shady canals to Vinh Long. You will cross over the parkway many small boats carrying fruits, vegetables, fish. Parkway in orchards, tasting tropical fruits. In the late afternoon, transfer by road to Can Tho, the center of the Mekong Delta. Can Tho is also named as the Capital of the West, located at the edge of Hau Giang, arm the southern Mekong. Dinner.

In the evening, after dinner it’s advisable to stroll on the Ninh Kieu docks, bordering the river. Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 5: VIETNAM OVERLAND FAMILY TOUR TO CAMBODIA: CAN THO SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CHAU DOC (B/-/-)

Morning boat trip to the floating markets of Cai Rang, then continuation to the discovery of small channels through the islands covered with lush flora. Cycle the parkways and paths through orchards (optional), tasting tropical fruits. Lunch. Landing.

Leave Can Tho for Chau Doc via Thot Not, 45km to the north of Can Tho. Watch from a viewing tower above the tree tops as thousands of egrets, herons and cormorants arrive to roost in the branches. Visit the bamboo basket-making hamlet of Long Thanh before continuing to Chau Doc.  Overnight in Chau Doc

DAY 6: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: CHAU DOC – HIGH SPEED BOAT TO PHNOM PENH – SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN PHNOM PENH (B/-/-)

After breakfast take a boat to visit the unique farms where fish are bred in wooden cages suspended under floating houses on the river. Continue by boat to visit a village of stilt houses belonging to the Cham minority, where colorful traditional textiles are woven on old wooden looms. Take a boat to the Cambodian border and after formalities with the border authorities, cruise along the Mekong River to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant and bustling capital city. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm

Upon your arrival in Phnom Penh dock, meet with your tour guide and driver to transfer to hotel for check in. Lunch not included

After having a short break, pay a visit to the Royal Palace which was built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. Then continue your visit at the National Museum, an excellent introduction into ancient Khmer art and civilization.

Dinner not included;  Overnight at hotel in Phom Penh.

DAY 7: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: PHNOM PENH – FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WATT SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/D)

After breakfast at the hotel, free until the transfer to Phnom Penh airport to catch the domestic flight to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap airport at noon, meet with your tour guide and driver for the transfer to hotel for check in. Lunch not included

After your rest, visit to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

Buffet Dinner and enjoy Khmer Traditional Dance Show at local restaurant and accommodation at hotel

DAY 8: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WATT TOURS (B/-/-)

Morning: Rise up early for a transfer by tuk tuk to the magnificent Angkor Wat. The trip is designed for you to see “the spiritual Temple reflex on the water” at dawn- the haunting, cooler and less crowded moment. 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. Back to the hotel for breakfast and enjoy the rest of this morning at leisure. Lunch is on your own.

In the afternoon, travel to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its majestic doors and artifacts. Next, visit the monumental temple of Bayon, the heart of Angkor Thom and known for the hundreds of smiling faces that grace its towers. Move to the Terrace of the Elephants, a platform where King Jayavarman once surveyed his army. Close by is the Terrace of Leper Kings, which includes a statue depicting Yana, the Hindu god of death.

Continue to view a wonderful sunset from the Top of Phnom Bakhen Hill. Dinner is not included.

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

DAY 09: Family Tour from Saigon to Mekong Delta, Chau Doc, Phnom Penh, Siemreap: SIEM REAP TOURS – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel

In the morning, visit to the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the “Great Lake” of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Lunch not included. Transfer to Siem Reap international airport for your departure flight to the next destination.