Cambodia & Vietnam are the kind of places you have to tear yourself away from. If your time is short, concentrate on some main complexes, Angkor Wat, Angkor in Riep Riep & Halong Bay, Hue Imperial capital, Hoi An ancient town in Vietnam. Options vary on the rest, everybody seems to have a personal favorite.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive Phnom Penh (by air)
Upon arrive at Phnom Penh International airport, meet and transfer to downtown for hotel check-in. This afternoon, visit Royal Palace and National Museum. Dinner at the Chau Praya restaurant and overnight in Phnom Penh (-/-/D).
Day 02: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (by air & road)
Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Siem Reap. Pick-up and tour starts with a visit to the Rolous Group including Preah Ko Bakong, Lo Lei and Angkor Wat. The day concludes with a climb to the mountain temple of Phnom Bakheng for a view of the spectacular panoramic sunset over Angkor Thom. Overnight in Siem Reap (B/-/D).
Day 03: Siem Reap – Hanoi (road & by air)
After breakfast, transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport, meet and transfer to downtown for hotel check-in. After refreshment, take a charming cyclo ride to visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter (for an hour) where people make and sell their crafts in every street. Hanoi capital, located at the confluence of the Red and Duong Rivers, has come a long way from the stilt houses of the stone and bronze age dwellers of four and five thousand years ago. Between Chinese power struggles, peasant rebellions, invasions from the Mongols, the French occupation, and American bombing attacks, the city has undergone and continues to undergo tremendous growth and change. Today’s Hanoi, “the city inside a bend of the Red River,” is a blend of thousand-year-old temples, tube houses, neo-Parisian buildings, modern hotels and office buildings. After ride, welcome dinner at the local restaurant with a traditional music show. After dinner enjoy water puppet show (B/-/D).
Day 04: Hanoi – Halong Bay (road & boat)
After breakfast at hotel, pick-up and transfer directly to Halong Bay, the World’s Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO in 1994 (~ 180 km/ 3 ½ hour driver), enjoy the rural scenery along the road. On arrival at Halong city, embark the private junk for 4hrs cruise on Halong Bay through spectacular scenery at this World Natural Heritage site where dreamlike islands rise from the tranquil sea. The name, ‘Ha Long,’ or ‘Descending Dragon’ evokes memories of the many dragon legends that are part of Vietnam’s history. Lunch provided on cruise. After the visit, transfer back to Hanoi. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi (B/L/D).
Day 05: Hanoi – Hue (road & by air)
Half day city tour in Hanoi including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the House on Stilt, the Temple of Literature. After lunch, transfer to Noi Bai airport for short flight to Hue, the Royal city of Vietnam’s last ruling dynasty. Meet and transfer to hotel for check in. Dinner at local restaurant accompanied by Royal music and traditional Hue folksongs (B/L/D).
Day 06: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (road)
Half day city tour including Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Thien Mu pagoda, Hue’s most reserved religious monument standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower. After lunch, transfer directly to Hoi An with stop over to visit Cham Museum, Five Marble mountains, Non Nuoc beach then proceed to Hoi An for hotel check-in. Dinner and overnight in Hoi An (B/L/D).
Day 07: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh city (road & by air)
You will spend your morning for visiting the town of Hoi An-walking over the Japanese Bridge, visits the different Chinese Assembly Halls and pagodas and touring the market. Hoi An is also a wonderful town to shop for silk, which can be made into shirts very quickly by local tailors. In the afternoon, transfer to Da Nang airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh city – formerly known as Sai Gon. Upon arrival, short visit to the restored city theatre and a stroll down Dong Khoi St, the fashionable Rue Catnap of old Saigon. Dinner and overnight in Saigon (B/L/D).
Day 08: Saigon – Departure (by air)
After breakfast, take a half day city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City. The tour starts with a visit to the Former Presidential Palace, History Museum, Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Last minute shopping at “Phuong Nam” Lacquer Work Shop before transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure (B/L/-)
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