Luxury Vietnam Cambodia Tour

Susadei! Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

After your long journey, a friendly hostess will be waiting for you at the airport with a welcome signboard bearing your name. She will assist you through the fast-track VIP immigration process and help with your visa formalities.

Once you have collected your luggage, your hostess will escort you to your waiting guide and driver, who will transfer you directly to Phum Baitang, a luxurious countryside retreat near Siem Reap and a wonderful base for exploring the Angkor World Heritage Site. Set among eight acres of lush gardens and paddy fields, this elegant hideaway offers spacious villas surrounded by the peaceful landscapes of rural Cambodia.

After checking in, take some time to relax and settle into the pace of Siem Reap. If time permits, visit the Angkor National Museum, an excellent introduction to the history, art and symbolism of the Angkorian era. Exploring its collection of relics and exhibits will give you a deeper appreciation of the magnificent temples you will visit during your stay.

Note: You must have a valid passport and visa to enter Cambodia, with at least six months of validity remaining beyond your date of entry. A visa can be obtained on arrival; please bring two passport-sized photographs.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Today you will have a full day of exploration in Siem Reap. You will experience the temple relics in a way that will really let you feel like you’ve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal.

Morning
After breakfast, you’ll be escorted by a classic 1930s fully restored Citreon. Start your discovery of the temple of the legendary city of Ta Prohm Temple, best known for its gigantic roots of vine that convent down the walls of a thousand years. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under the canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.

Leaving the Ta Prohm, you will be transferred to Angkor Thom via the grand South Gate. Here you’ll explore the last capital of the once great Khmer Empire, with the 216 enigmatic faces of The Bayon at its centre. Still, within the ancient city walls, you’ll marvel at the view from the summit of Baphuon, the enormous temple mountain, affording unspoiled views over the surrounding ruins. You’ll round off the morning poring over the intricate bas-relief of the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King, before having a Royal Khmer lunch at the fine-dining restaurant Le Grand. The fabled Royal Khmer cuisine, handed down over the centuries by the chefs of the Royal Palaces, uses only the finest ingredients carefully blended to create a distinct epicurean experience.

Afternoon
Be prepared to enjoy one of the Wonders of the Ancient World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front of passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days.

With your guide, you’ll enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the afternoon adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed one of many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience that you remember for a very long time.

Finish the tour and transfer back to your luxury resort where the balance of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Today you will explore the unique communities and traditional villages dot the rural countryside near Siem Reap and promise an escape to another world.

Morning
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private guide and driver, and transferred in a Lavender Jeep southeast to one of the largest and least-visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang, about 55km from Siem Reap. On the way, you will stop for hot sticky rice and then take a detour off the main highway into the countryside. You’ll wind through dirt roads and, in the rainy season, witness families working their rice paddies.

You will then continue to the Floating Village of Kompong Khleang with a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry. Upon arrival board a private motorized boat to visit the Kompong Khleang,  the two other floating villages, and the Great lake. Explore the canals (wet season) or streets (dry season) of this incredible town. In the wet season, the houses appear to be floating, as water laps at the verandas, but in the dry season towering stilts are revealed, the houses almost like wooden skyscrapers.

During the boat ride, you will make stops to see where Bridge of Lifeworks, visit a Cambodian pagoda and a stilted home in the village to learn a little more about local life. Cruise into the open water of the lake to see a small floating village and learn some more about this incredible natural flood barrier.

You’ll end your tour with a boat ride back to the harbor where your driver is waiting to take you back to Phum Baitang resort to relax.

Afternoon
Transfer to Siem Reap airport to board a short flight to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam. Upon arrival, a hostess will be waiting for you, holding a welcome signboard with your name on it who will help you through the fast-tracked (VIP) process to get your visa stamped and take you to your waiting guide and driver who will transfer you directly to the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, an award-winning colonial and neo-classical luxury hotel located in the heart of the old city. Here you can savour the French art de vivre blended with elegant Vietnamese touches.

Please note: Your travel documents contain a Visa-on-Arrival letter (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Visa-on-Arrival letter must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.

Overnight in Hanoi

Hanoi is a bustling and fascinating city – a whirlwind of colours, aromas and sounds, offering a wonderful introduction to everyday life in Vietnam.

Morning
After breakfast, your private guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and take you on a half-day tour of Hanoi’s highlights. Visit Ba Dinh Square, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House-on-Stilts and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda.

Continue to the historic Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, built in the 11th century, followed by Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

Enjoy a delicious French fusion lunch at La Badiane, an elegant restaurant housed in a charming French colonial-style villa.

Afternoon
After lunch, return to the hotel for some free time. You may choose to relax and enjoy a treatment at Le Spa du Metropole or join the hotel’s Path of History and Bomb Shelter Tour, led by the hotel historians. Discover the underground shelter that protected hotel guests, including famous visitors such as Joan Baez and Jane Fonda, during the Vietnam War.

In the late afternoon, meet your private guide again for an hour-long cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Weave through the maze of narrow streets and bustling neighbourhoods, gaining a glimpse into everyday life in one of the city’s most atmospheric areas.

Evening
Your guide and driver will meet you again and take you to a local home, where you will be warmly welcomed by a Vietnamese family. Over tea, learn about their traditions and daily life before joining them in the kitchen for a fun cooking demonstration featuring family recipes. Sit down together for a home-hosted dinner, sharing food and conversation before returning to your hotel with a deeper insight into local life.

Overnight in Hanoi

Today, enjoy a memorable 2-day, 1-night luxury cruise through the spectacular landscapes of Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island. With elegant cabins, private butler service, fine dining, and exceptional onboard facilities, the Heritage Cruise offers a truly special experience.

Morning
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and meet your private guide and driver for a scenic three-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Tuan Chau Island. Upon arrival, head to the Heritage Line lounge at Tuan Chau Marina before boarding a speedboat to your luxurious floating home.

Settle into your elegant cabin as the cruise begins its journey through the breathtaking scenery of Lan Ha Bay. Enjoy lunch in the light-filled dining room, with panoramic views of the surrounding limestone islands. Afterwards, relax on the terrace deck or your private balcony as the ship sails deeper into the bay.

Afternoon
Go ashore near Cat Ba Island and travel to Viet Hai Village, a peaceful community nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by jungle-covered mountains. Explore the village by bicycle, discovering the self-sufficient lifestyle of its residents, who grow their own vegetables and fruits and make their living from fishing and farming.

Return to the ship and sail to your overnight anchorage in Lan Ha Bay. Join the ship’s chef for a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class in the dining room, where you will learn about local ingredients and the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes.

Evening
After dinner, unwind at the bar with a digestif or join the crew for some fun squid fishing before retiring to your suite.

Overnight on board the Heritage Cruise

Morning
Wake up early for an optional Tai Chi session on the terrace deck, followed by Vietnamese coffee, tea and light pastries in the dining room. The cruise then sails to Frog Lake, a secluded spot ideal for a morning kayaking adventure. Paddle through a stunning landscape of emerald-green waters, towering limestone cliffs and tree-covered islets, exploring the peaceful waterways at your own pace.

Return to the ship for a hearty breakfast or brunch as you cruise back towards the disembarkation point. Enjoy the final moments on board from the terrace deck before taking a speedboat back to the pier.

Afternoon
Transfer to Hanoi Airport for your short flight to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. On arrival, your private guide and driver will welcome you and transfer you to Azerai La Résidence Hotel & Spa for check-in.

Set on the banks of the Perfume River, this elegant boutique hotel combines a beautifully restored French colonial governor’s mansion with two modern wings inspired by its original architecture. Its distinctive Art Deco and Oriental design, together with its riverside setting, makes it a memorable place to stay, just a short walk from Hue’s city centre.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hue

Today you will explore the royal city of Hue once served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from 1802 to 1945. With splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas, and the remains of the citadel, the city retains its royal charm.

Morning
After breakfast, you are picked up by your private guide and driver and begin your day with a visit to the atmospheric Imperial Citadel, a large complex that contains the remains of the former Imperial Palace and Forbidden Purple City, where the emperors and his family once lived. The two-hour walking tour allows you to see the magnificent architecture and gardens as your guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court.

From the Imperial City, your guide will take you to visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda – Hue’s most famous religious site with its origins dating back to 1601. Here you will explore the pagoda’s landscaped gardens, the seven-tiered octagonal tower, and watch the monks chanting.

Hue is famous for its Royal cuisine. The Nguyen Emperors’ banquets were legendary. Some feats were said to have included 300 rare dishes served in more than a thousand bowls. Today your guide will take you to the fine-dining Ancient Hue restaurant where you will be served a royal lunch. This old fashioned style meal which brings a boutique and unique experience.

Afternoon
After lunch, you will explore the tomb of the longest-reigned Emperor Tu Duc, located in a tranquil setting of gardens and ponds, inspired by the Chinese Confucianism, harmonious design of balance and symmetry for the emperor’s resting place.

Continue to visit the tomb of King Khai Dinh, designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue.

Your day comes to an end at Truc Chi Garden, the crafting bamboo paper art workshop. You will have a chance to meet one of the students there and be treated to hands-on experience to learn how to use the etching technique with bamboo pulp to create artworks.

Overnight in Hue

Morning
After breakfast and check out of your hotel, meet your private guide and driver for a three-hour drive to Hoi An via the stunningly Hai Van Pass. Also known as the “Cloudy Pass,” this winding mountain road overlooks the lush countryside, sandy beaches, the blue waters of the South China Sea and the coastal city of Da Nang.

En route, you will pause in Danang to visit the Marble Mountain with its beautiful caves of worship and the Museum of Cham Sculpture’s collection of artifacts dating back to the seventh century.

Around midday, you will arrive and check in to the Four Season Resort The Nam Hai, one of Vietnam’s Best Resorts where you will enjoy three lovely nights.

Located on a private one-kilometre (half-mile) stretch of Ha My Beach – hailed by Forbes as one of the best beaches in the world, the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai is a harmonious ode to coast, culture, and community in Vietnam’s UNESCO-strewn centre. Once a fishing village – with a historic temple preserved on-site – the Resort presents an authentic connection to the region through inspiring on-site activities, from a cooking academy and earth-attuned spa to exhilarating water sports.

Afternoon
You are free at your leisure. Enjoy the comforts of the resort and its private white sand beach.

Overnight at the Four Season Resort the Nam Hai

Morning
Enjoy the morning at leisure. You may join a yoga class at the resort or indulge in a relaxing treatment at the resort’s luxurious spa, inspired by the teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and focused on mindful wellness and compassion.

Afternoon
Your private guide and driver will pick you up and take you to nearby Hoi An Ancient Town for a walking and food experience. This charming UNESCO World Heritage Site, once a fishing village and an important trading port on the Thu Bon River, reflects centuries of Chinese, Japanese and French influences.

Explore the town on foot, visiting highlights including Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.

Continue to the Precious Heritage Museum, home to Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection, which celebrates the diverse cultures and traditions of Vietnam’s ethnic communities.

Next, enjoy tea and delicious cakes at Reaching Out Tea House, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the Old Quarter, operated by people with hearing and speech disabilities.

Continue to a local lantern workshop, where you will meet a craftsman and learn the traditional techniques of lantern making. With hands-on guidance, create your own lantern, from shaping the frame and attaching the fabric to the final finishing touches – a lovely keepsake to take home.

Evening
Set out with your guide on a Hoi An street food tour, weaving through the town’s small lanes and lively food stalls to sample local specialties. Along the way, meet local vendors, discover the stories behind their dishes and experience the flavours and atmosphere of Hoi An after dark.

Overnight at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the comforts of the resort and its private beach. You might opt to get a tailor-made suit fitted or join a hands-on cooking class.

Overnight at the Four Season Resort the Nam Hai

Morning
After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven to the airport to board a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals.

On arrival at HCM City airport, you will be met by your private guide and driver and transferred to the Park Hyatt Hotel for check-in. This luxurious, colonial-inspired grande dame sits right at the historic heart of Ho Chi Minh City, with contemporary comforts including a world-class spa. The hotel was a base for the US military during the war and DJ Adrian Cronauer made his daily broadcast from it, made famous in the film Good Morning, Vietnam.

Afternoon
After enjoying an authentic Vietnamese lunch at Cuc Gach Quan, a world-classed restaurant, with your guide you will spend the rest of the day visiting some of Ho Chi Minh City’s key highlights. We’ll tailor your tour to suit you, but we particularly recommend visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Rex Hotel, the General Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and Ben Thanh Market.

Later stop at the Reunification Palace and the moving War Remnants Museum to learn more of Vietnam’s turbulent past.

Proceed to the atmospheric Jade Emperor Pagoda before finishing in fine style with a sundowner at the top of the Bitexco Tower, the tallest building in Vietnam.

Overnight in HCM City

Morning
Today you will travel to the Legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, the most famous battlegrounds in the world by the luxury speedboat. Set out early to avoid large crowds, ensuring that your boats arrive before everyone else.

After an early breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to the Saigon pier to embark on a fun and relaxing speedboat ride to Cu Chi, a small community located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, known for its network of deep tunnels that provided shelter and an effective source of infiltration for the Viet Cong (Vietnamese fighters) during the later years of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you will watch a short introductory video from the period, followed by a walk through the reserve. The hidden network of Viet Cong tunnels is believed to stretch to “hundreds of miles,”  in total length, housed living quarters, storage rooms, makeshift hospitals, and kitchens…etc. Although originally very narrow, a section of the tunnels has been widened so you will have the opportunity to explore parts of the system to get a feel for what the underground life must have been like.

Please note that these tunnels will be hot and can get claustrophobic, so there is an option if you’d like to view from above ground. 

After exploring the tunnel return to the speedboat and wind your way back to the city. A traditional Vietnamese lunch of local specialties like lemongrass chicken and caramelized clay pot pork will be served on board.

Afternoon
The rest of the afternoon and evening will be free at your leisure.

For your dining experience, we would highly recommend the top-notch Noir Restaurant where you can embark on a culinary journey like no other: Dining in the Dark. Experience a different world in which you savor exquisite tastes and textures in complete darkness.

Overnight in HCM City

Morning
After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you out of HCM City in a private vehicle and onto some beautiful country roads to Ben Tre Town, the heart of the Mekong Delta, popularly known as the “rice bowl” of Vietnam. This picturesque little town is famous for its vast rice fields, numerous waterways, and beautiful landscapes.

Upon arrival, you will hop on the back of a Xe Loi, part two-benched cart and part motorcycle weaving through rice paddies and coconut forests to the Luxury Mango Cruise, a private sampan awaiting your arrival in a picturesque canal.

Embark the boat and begin to sightsee activities along the riverside such as fishing and water transferring. Pause at a small brick workshop where you will get a chance to observe how bricks are made in a traditional style.

After a short trip across the An Hoa River, begin a four-kilometre leisurely bike ride which takes you to the Phong Nam village to learn about the coconut candy-making process, before continuing on to a rice noodle factory. Then a short walk will take you to Mrs. Huong’s home, where you can taste honey harvested by the residents and the different kinds of tropical fruit, before taking a small sampan to discover a maze of hidden small waterways.

Back on board. Continue to cruise to the Mango Restaurant where you can enjoy a delicious five-course lunch.

Afternoon
After lunch, take a leisurely walk through the gardens to the house of Mr. Sau Tuong, where you can learn how to make rice paper. You will then board the boat to return to Ben Tre City for your transfer to Can Tho, the capital city of the Mekong Delta. Stop en route at Vinh Trang Pagoda features European and Asian design elements and is set within lovely ornamental gardens with bonsai and lotus ponds.

Evening
Arrive in Can Tho and check into the luxury Legacy Mekong. Nestled on an islet embedded in the Hau River, Legacy Mekong offers a tranquil retreat secluded in lush green surrounds. This five-star resorts’ design comes inspired by traditional architecture and local materials infused with contemporary interpretations, while sustainable practices include water conservation, preservation of the eco-system and zero use of plastics

Overnight in Can Tho

Morning
Rise early for a private boat trip to the Cai Rang market, the biggest floating wholesale market of the Mekong region. Here you will have a chance to practice your bartering skills! The market is filled with hundreds of small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares.

Continuing along narrow canals, you will stop at a fruit orchard to taste some of the succulent fruits in the season before making a short walk to Ba Bo Bridge (water level allowing). At the end of the tour, drive back to HCM City.

Afternoon
Return to the City and check into the Park Hyatt Hotel again. Then spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.

For your fine-dining experience, we would highly recommend the world-class La Villa French Restaurant ran by the renowned Chef, Thierry Mounon. Located on a quiet side street off Thao Dien, a short taxi ride from the city center. La Villa French Restaurant features authentic French cuisine with the true love of top products.

Overnight in HCM City

Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Ho Chi Minh International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.