The Very Best Of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour
- Culture & Heritage
- Family
Overview
Day 1 â 4: Siem Reap â Phnom Penh
- Arrive in Siem Reap. Explore ancient temples and Tonle Sap Lake. Transfer to Phnom Penh and go sightseeing.
Day 5- 8: Chau Doc â Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City
- Take a speed boat ride to Chau Doc.
- Discover the nature of Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and the lively vibe of Cai Rang Floating Market. Visit the landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Day 9 â 12: Hoi An â Hanoi
- Transfer to Hoi An. Walking tour around the ancient town.
- Head north to Hanoi â the capital. Embark on a city tour and enjoy local dishes.
Day 13 â 18: Sapa â Halong Bay â Hanoi
- Drive to Sapa. Trek to visit the villages of the ethnic groups and Bac Ha Sunday Market in Sapa.
- Embark on a cruise in Halong Bay. Observe the beauty of karst islets and caves.
- Take the departure flight from Hanoi.
Customizable itinerary
These ultimate 18 days for the best Vietnam and Cambodia tour will let you discover the very best of the two countries!
Warm up for the 18-day adventure with a visit to Siem Reapâs great temples and the renowned Tonle Sap Lake. Gain insight into the history of Cambodia as you enter Phnom Penhâs iconic sites before arriving in Chau Doc (Vietnam) on a speed boat. Discover diverse wildlife at the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary and the Cai Rang floating market â the largest floating wholesale market in the Mekong region. Visit Ho Chi Minh Cityâs key highlights, then explore Hoi Anâs lovely streets on a walking and food tour. In Hanoi, learn about Vietnamâs charming capital and taste some of its most delicious dishes. Trek along through the scenic nature of Sapa and get to known the life on the ethnic groups in the region. Catch the remarkable sight of Halong Bay â a destination you canât miss in Vietnam, and enjoy the breathtaking sunset on the bay from the cruise deck.
Susadei! Welcome to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel.
After checking-in, you will have time to relax and adjust to the pace of Siem Reap. If time permits, head out to visit the excellent Angkor National Museum. The visit serves as an excellent primer to the gems of Angkor before visiting the temples. The museum provides a potentially large collection of relics, texts and audiovisual presentations relating to the Angkorian era. With even a basic knowledge of the history and symbolism of the architecture, you will have a much richer and engaging experience visiting the temples.
There will be a short tour briefing this evening with your guide followed by a welcome dinner at Friends Restaurant, Marum. Itâs a social enterprise based restaurant that empowers disadvantaged youth with vocational training amongst other support.
Please note: You must have both a passport and a visa to enter Cambodia. And your passport must also have at least six months’ validity remaining beyond the date that you enter Cambodia. You can get a visa on arrival in Cambodia. Make sure you have two passport-sizes photographs.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: (_/_/D)
Today with the help of your private and driver you will embark on a full dayâs sightseeing around the Angkor Archaeological Park which stretches over some 400 square kilometres, including forested area. The park contains the magnificent remains of several capitals of the great Khmer Empire of the 9th to the 15th centuries.
Morning
Begin your day with an early visit (avoid the crowds) to the 13th-century Ta Prohm, a hauntingly beautiful temple where the roots of giant banyans and strangler figs enfold much of the stonework, creating scenes little changed since the French Adventurer Henri Mouhot re-discovered Angkor in the 1850s.  This temple makes the âTomb Raider Templeâ one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.
Continue your explorations by visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall drawing a perfect square. You will enter the city from the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path, a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.
Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat.
Afternoon
Your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambersâ), a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Sra Srang, also known as the âpool of ablutionsâ. From here, move onto the Bayon Temple in the exact centre of the ancient city. This 12th-century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.
You will also visit the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Stroll through the grounds of the former Royal Palace to discover some small hidden temples that are rarely visited.
Finish your day sightseeing with a leisurely gondola boat ride through the moats of Angkor Thom. In the tranquil solitude, visualize the royal city when it ruled over two million people nearly 800 years ago. As the sun approaches the horizon, make your way to Prasat Chrung, a small temple built in the style of Bayon, and climb an iron staircase to a quiet spot for excellent sunset views over the ruins.
Evening
Your tour guide and driver will transfer you to a local village on the outskirt of Siem Reap where you will enjoy a home-hosted dinner. Experience the simple Khmer village life, relaxing in a swaying hammock, or helping the local family to prepare dinner, picking fresh produce from their organic gardens. In this amiable and informal setting, feel free to ask the village elders about Khmer traditions and daily life in this community.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: (B/_/D)
Today, youâll continue to experience the temple relics but in a way that will really let you feel like youâve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal.
Morning
As first light dawns, you will be at the most important religious monument in the country, admiring the extraordinary Temple of Angkor Wat across a reflecting moat.
When the sun rises behind the triple towers, the crowds will thin out as most people return to bed or a hotel breakfast. We will make use of the cool temperatures and soft morning light to explore Angkor Wat in a more peaceful atmosphere.
After enjoying your takeaway breakfast (prepared by your guide) near the temple, you will start exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the 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 youâll finally get to satiate that curiosity thatâs grown in the last few days.
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 rest of the morning 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 you will never forget.
Leaving Angkor Wat behind you will travel to the countryside to see the âgemâ of the Angkor area, the pretty temple of Banteay Srey. The so-called âCitadel of the Womenâ remains the best-preserved temple in Cambodia. It displays some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art as this small temple is noted for its truly remarkable fine bas-reliefs. Banteay Srey is unique in that it is constructed of pink sandstone, which is seen nowhere else in Angkor.
Continue your day by driving up north to Kbal Spean, one of the earliest Hindu pilgrimage sites in Cambodia. Upon arrival, you will take a short trek up the hill through dense jungle with excellent views over the plains and the Kulen hills. At the top, be surprised about the âRiver of 1000 Lingasâ with some remarkable stone carvings of Hindu gods, animals, and other symbols in the river bed.
Afternoon
After enjoying a picnic lunch you can take a refreshing bath in the nearby waterfall, which is extremely popular with the local families.
On the way back to Siem Reap, make a quick stop at the Land Mine Museum which promotes mine awareness. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner. The museum serves also as a rescue centre for a number of land mine amputee children that Aki Ra has brought off Phnom Penhâs streets or from impoverished rural communities.
Evening
Your guide and driver will take you out to watch Phare – the Cambodian Circus, an amazing blend of traditional and modern theater, music, dance, acrobatic, juggling and contortion beautifully choreographed and performed in a story about Cambodian lives and society.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
After breakfast, you will be picked up by your private guide and driver, and transferred in a Tuk Tuk southeast to one of the largest and least-visited villages on the Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Khleang, about 55km from Siem Reap having a population of about 10,000 people, all of whom make a living from the fishing industry. 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.
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 Siem Reap airport to board a short flight to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Afternoon
Upon arrival, a new private guide and driver will greet you at Phnom Penh airport and take you to your hotel in the city centre.
After checking into your hotel room and having a short rest, head out to visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as Prison S21) and listen to English commentary en route. The prison comprises 4 buildings with exhibitions in several rooms. During your visit, you will barely meet a single person who didnât lose a member of their family during these years, yet they are all willing to talk openly about it with you. They wish you to hear about it and see these places, to ensure that it never happens again.
Following the museum, take a 40-minute drive to the Killing Fields, see a documentary on the Khmer Rouge regime. Under the leadership of Pol Pot, his government caused the deaths of more than two million people. There will be around 1 hour and 15 minutes to explore the site. An audio guide is available in 15 languages along with a map of the fields.
End your day at Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the city, located on a small hilltop that forms the highest elevation of Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Meals: (B/_/_)
Morning
After breakfast, meet your guide again and head out to visit the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi), an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a fun way to explore this lively city.
Begin with a visit to the Royal Palace Compound built-in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, the most conspicuous feature and also one of the most impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), which displays plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold, and silver.
Next, proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from the French colony. Continue to visit the National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 containing more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood, and others. Pass through the River Front Park whose scenery is much worth shooting.
For lunch, you will be treated to a delicious Khmer meal at Le Lotus Blanc, a lovely charity restaurant where former street children are taught the principles of hospitality.
Afternoon
You will be taken to the docks for a 5-hour speed boat ride down the Mekong Delta from the Cambodian border to Chau Doc. After going through customs at Chau Doc, you are picked up by your private guide and driver and then transferred to the Victoria Nui Sam Lodge for check-in. Nestled on the side of the spiritual Sam Mountain, home to dozens of pagodas and temples, the 26 stone bungalow lodge offers a unique experience in a truly magnificent location.
Overnight in Chau Doc
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
After breakfast and check out, you are picked up and transferred to Tra Su Forest & Bird Sanctuary, a surprisingly beautiful and serene spot around 25kms away from Chau Doc. Upon arrival, take a motorboat to venture into the heart of Tra Su Forest. After that, switch to a sampan boat to discover the natural sights for about 15 minutes and then visit the wild bird sanctuary carpeted with green duckweed. Proceed to the observation post where you can take in the magnificent view over the forest and nearby mountains.
Afternoon
After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant near the forest, your private guide and driver will take you on a 3-hour drive to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam famous for floating markets. The humble city of Can Tho rises high over the Mekong Delta, standing as the capital to a region of snaking rivers and luxuriant fruit gardens.
Arrive Can Tho in the late afternoon and check into the beautiful Can Tho Ecolodge, home to 12 thatched cottages spread over 2.7 tropical hectares on the banks of the Ba LĂĄng River.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You are free to explore Can Tho night market and try some local food. The market streets come alive with dozens of bustling food stalls selling grilled meats and tofu on skewers, as well as grilled rice-paper banh trang nuong (âVietnamese pizzaâ)âŠetc.
Overnight in Can Tho
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
Rise early for a boat trip to Cai Rang market, the biggest floating wholesale market of the Mekong region. The market is filled with hundreds of small boats darting through the water as vendors sell their wares. Glide through the matrix of boats to see how the locals trade their fruits and vegetables and learn more about the floating marketing culture and the floating life on the boats. After that, you will be treated with a delicious local breakfast (rice noodle soup) on the boat just like the way the local people do. You will also have a chance to stop at a local boat to enjoy some of the succulent fruit in the season.
Leaving the market, continue your boat ride along narrow canals to visit a traditional homemade rice noodle factory where you can see how the locals make rice noodles, and enjoy the homemade ârice noodle pizzaâ.
Next, transfer to a local farm where youâll spend the rest of the morning interacting with a local family. Take a tour around their property as they describe their daily tasks and responsibilities. Learn about the traditional methods of planting and watering vegetables, local herbs, and flowers. After some lessons you have a go at planting some vegetables and try to cross a challenging monkey bridge.
End your farming and country experience with delicious authentic Vietnamese lunch cooked and served by the family.
Afternoon
After lunch and a short nap, bid a fond farewell to the local family, and take a 4-hour drive to Ho Chi Minh City. En route, pause to visit Chua Vinh Trang, one of the most well-known pagodas in the Delta. Feast your eyes on this exquisite pagoda and the surrounding ornate gardens.
Overnight in HCM City
Meals: (B/_/_)
Morning
After breakfast, you will be met by your private guide and driven 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 during the later years of the Vietnam War.
Upon arrival, you will watch a short introductory video from the period before exploring the tunnels, the most famous battlegrounds in the world. The hidden network of Viet Cong tunnels is believed to stretch to âhundreds of miles,â in total length, housed living quarters, storage rooms, makeshift hospitals, and kitchens…etc. Although originally very narrow, some parts have been widened for the tourists and you have the opportunity to explore parts of the system.
Please note that these tunnels will be hot and can get claustrophobic, so there is an option if youâd like to view from above ground.Â
Try some of the main food of the Viet Cong Soldiers with a cassava tasting served with tangy tea. After experiencing the Cu Chi Tunnels, transfer back to the city with lunch en route at Ben Nay restaurant.
Afternoon
Spend the rest of the day visiting some of Ho Chi Minh Cityâs key highlights. Weâll tailor your tour to suit you, but we particularly recommend visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral, the ornate City Hall (Hotel De Ville), the old Opera House, the historic Rex Hotel, the Central Post Office, renowned for its architecture, and Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.
Later stop at the Reunification Palace and the moving War Remnants Museum to for an insightful, yet sombre, look into Vietnamâs military history and turbulent past.
Proceed to the atmospheric Jade Emperor Pagoda before finishing the day in fine style with a sundowner at the top of the Bitexco Tower, the tallest building in Vietnam.
Overnight in HCM City
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
After breakfast and check out of your hotel, transfer to HCM City Airport to board a short flight to Da Nang in the central of Vietnam.
Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, your private tour guide and driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel near Hoi An Ancient Town for check-in. The former prosperous trading port of Hoi An dating to the 16th-17th century has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is, without doubt, one of Vietnam’s gems. These days it is a delightful small market town, known throughout the region for its boasting well-preserved buildings, pedestrianised streets and world-class cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past.
Afternoon
Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Hoi An is famous for its tailors, where a whole new wardrobe can be made to measure in 24 hours or less, at very reasonable prices. Hoi An has a pick of two beaches just 5kms (3 miles) away with so many beautiful beach resorts so please advise us if you prefer to stay on the beach.
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: (B/_/_)
Morning
The whole morning will be free at your leisure. Enjoy late breakfast and the comforts of your hotel.
Afternoon
Your tour guide will pick you up and take you to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An, where you will embark on a walking tour visiting the major attractions such as Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.
Continue to visit the Precious Heritage Museum, home to the permanent exhibition of RĂ©hahnâs Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting you to the furthest reaches of Vietnam, the collection will unveil the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic tribes
The highlight of the day is the visit to the Reaching Out Tea House, a welcome little oasis of calm in the busy, vibrant Old quarter, owned and operated by the mute and deaf people. Here you will be treated with delicious cakes and incredible tea in the Eastern style.
Move on to the house of a lantern craftsman. There, you can observe the lantern craftsmanâs technique before hands-on work through each stage of lantern-making under the guidance of the enthusiastic craftsmen: from bending it into the frame, cutting cloth, gluing, to completing lanterns. Before this trip concludes, you will have your own lantern created by your own hands.
Now, it’s time for your Hoi An street food discovery tour. With your guide, you will weave in and out the tiny alleyways, get to chow down with the locals at stalls you’d never discover on your own. Every day at 4 pm, Hoi An’s streets filled with a myriad of street food carts, stalls, and vendors. The street food tour is a great introduction for you to enjoy a few of the Hoi An specialties cooked up by the locals, to introduce you to the faces behind the stock pots and to teach you how the Hoi An locals deal with those condiment trays!
Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: (B/_/D)
Morning
After breakfast and hotel late checkout, you are driven back to Da Nang airport for a short flight up north to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam.
Afternoon
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, a new private guide and driver will greet you and take you to your hotel in the Old Quater of Hanoi for check-in. After that, spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
Evening
Start at 6 pm, stroll around the Old Quarter to discover the street food scene in Hanoi where it feels like you are never further than a few metres from a street food stall. Your guide will talk you through the ingredients and the different herbs of each dish, while you are crouching on tiny plastic stools in a back alley. You will taste the first famed Hanoi dish â Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls). Watch the skilled chefs demonstrate how this delicious dish is made before savoring it. Afterward, continue wandering the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter then enjoy Banh My Hanoi (Vietnamese baguette), Banh XĂšo (Vietnamese stuffed pancake), and Nom Du Du (green papaya salad) name to a few.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (B/_/D)
Today with the help of your private guide and driver, you will get to explore the cityâs top attractions, and the secret sites away from the tourist trails.
Morning
Begin with a tour of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country’s ‘Great Father’. Here you’ll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and his House on Stilts to observe how he lived and how his life unfolded to become one of modern historyâs greatest names. Nearside his house is the miniature 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple of historical and cultural significance.
From HCM Complex, you will take a leisurely walk through the small laneways toward Huu Tiep Lake. Explore the grounds of a 400-year-old temple, followed by a stroll through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Ha Noi, a poignant reminder of Vietnamâs recent history.
Take a short drive to the outskirt of Hanoi to visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. Some of them you will meet during your trip to Sapa.
Today you will have Pho for lunch, a Vietnamese Noodle shop. Some of the local people call this world-famous Noodle soup âMac-Noodles” since it is as popular here as MacDonalds is in other parts of the world! At the restaurant, your tour guide will explain the routine during Vietnamese meal times, and also tell you which special ingredients are needed for you.
Afternoon
After lunch, continue to visit the millennia-old Temple of Literature and explore its role in the countryâs past, as both a university and a Confucius temple. Next is Hoa Lo (so-called Hanoi Hilton), a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War.
Embark on a fun cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi) ride through the French colonial architecture of the precinct known as the French Quater, past the French-style villas, the Vietnam History Museum, the heritage Metropole Legend Hotel and the Opera House, name to a few.
Enjoy a cup of unmissable Egg coffee at Pho Co CafĂ© with stunning views of Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the surroundings. Finish your day walking down the cityâs railway tracks and then stop for a home-brewed beer, the renowned Bia Hoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
After breakfast, you will be collected at the hotel and transferred on the road for 5,5 hours to Sapa. Established as a hill station by the French in 1922, Sapa today is a must-visit destination in the Northwest. This is northern Vietnamâs premier trekking base, from where hikers launch themselves into a surrounding countryside of cascading rice terraces and tiny hill-tribe villages that seem a world apart.
Afternoon
After arriving Sapa and checking into your hotel, your private guide and driver will pick you up and take you (40-minute drive) to Tram Ton Pass, a height of 2047 meters above sea level, the highest pass in Vietnam. Enjoy amazing views of the surrounding mountains and lush forests of the Hoang Lien National Park. From there, you will trek 30 minutes through a tropical rain forest enjoying the wonderful flora and fauna. Continue to trek along a stream arriving at the Love Waterfall, a wonderful place to relax in Sapa. Return to Tram Ton Pass and drive back to Sapa where the balance of the day will be free at your leisure.
You can stroll around the town, visit the Old French Church, or climb the Dragonâs Jaw Mountain where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Old town below.
Overnight in Sapa
Meals: (B/_/_)
Morning
After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide again and begin the day with a 3km-trek through the breathtaking landscape to the village of Suoi Ho.
Continue your hike toward the stunning village of Matra. You will pass the impressive ruins of a French Catholic church built in the early twentieth century. Take a few minutes to explore this intriguing sight and take some photos as you wish.
Your hike will grow deeper until your arrival at Ta Phin Village, inhabited by the Red Dzao ethnic minority tribe, with their beautiful traditionally embroidered outfits and practice of shaving their hair and eyebrows as a sign of respect. Ta Phin village is also home to the Black H’mong minority who live their own way with no cultural mixture.
Pause at a Red Dzao family and over a cup of tea, have a chat with them learning about their lifestyle. Enjoy a delicious lunch cooked and served by the family.
Afternoon
After lunch, you have time to stroll around the village, take pictures and do some fun shopping. The Red Dao people are known for their expertise in herbal medicine as well as the usage of plants from the land to treat many illnesses. If youâre a bit sore from the activities of the day, sample a traditional herbal bath made by a local Dzao specialist, famous for its therapeutic qualities.
Leaving Ta Phin you will be picked by your private driver and taken back to Sapa town where the balance of the day will be at your leisure. You may take a stroll around the town, and visit the night market for some delicious local delicacies.
Overnight in Sapa
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
After breakfast and check out of the hotel, you will be picked up and driven for three hours to Bac Ha for the colorful Sunday Market. Nestled deep in the mountains, Bac Ha town is a quiet backwater Monday to Saturday, but by Sunday crowds of locals from thousands of surrounding villages descend on the town for trading at the market.
Upon arrival, you will set out to explore the market with your guide. The market itself is a kaleidoscope of color, noise, and culture, where locals in an array of traditional dress barter for cows and show off delicately embroidered and embellished designs. Wander, camera in hand, and soak in the lively atmosphere while fending off the persistent sellers. The scent of fresh herbs and fragrant, strong tobacco wafts among the tented stalls and the overpowering smell of animals drifts down from the live market above.
Afternoon
After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive downhill to Trung Do Village which is home to the Tay minority. Here you will visit a traditional Tay house then travel by boat through this amazing countryside to Bao Nhai Village. Finish the boat trip you’ll continue onwards to Lao Cai station for your night train journey back to Hanoi. You will have the opportunity to drop your bags at a local restaurant near the station where you can have dinner before boarding the train. Accommodation on the train will be on a shared basis in a four-berth soft sleeper compartment with air-conditioning. The train leaves around 20:00 and arrives in Hanoi at 06:00 the next morning.
Overnight on the air-conditioned train
Meals: (B/L/_)
Morning
Upon arrival at Hanoi Train Station your private guide will pick you up and take you to a nearby hotel where you will have the opportunity to take a shower and have some rest.
After breakfast, your private tour guide will pick you up and take you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to the legendary Halong Bay where you will board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk Boat that is your home for the evening. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters of the bay provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.
Upon arrival youâll be welcomed aboard your Stylish Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bayâs thousands of limestone islets and caves.
Afternoon
After a delicious lunch on board, you will spend time to sunbathe on the sundeck and enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the bay.
Later you will visit Sung Sot Cave “Grotte des Surprises” a hidden gem of mother nature. Float peacefully through magnificent limestone formations containing thousands of stalagmites and stalactites.
Continue to cruise. As you weave your way through the islands, you’ll come across secluded bays, white sandy beaches, and floating villages.
There is plenty of leisure time to enjoy activities both onboard and around the fantastical scenery of the Bay. Pamper yourself at the cruise spa or swim in the emerald waters.
Toward the end of the day, you will sail to the overnight mooring area. During this time – the magical âblue hourâ – Halong Bay reveals its true, magnificent beauty. You have a chance to attend the chefâs cooking demonstration or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before a scrumptious dinner.
The rest of the evening will be at leisure. You can watch a movie or join the crew for squid fishing before retiring to your room for a restful sleep.
Note: If your time permits, we would highly recommend an additional night on board which gives you a lot more time to relax and take in the amazing landscape. You’ll get to cruise deeper into the Bay where itâs more beautiful and less crowded.
Overnight on board in Halong Bay
Meals: (B/L/D)
Morning
The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, hop on a kayak and paddle through the Dark and Bright Caves admiring the glittering stone walls.
Back to the Junk boat. Check out of the cabin and then enjoy a full brunch buffet as you cruise back to port. Disembark around midday for your return drive to Hanoi.
Afternoon
En route, you will stop at Yen Duc, a beautiful and typical village of Northern Vietnam, and watch a 30-minute traditional water puppet show. It’s then followed by a leisurely stroll around the village, meet the locals, and learn about their daily life.
Leaving the village, wind your way back to Hanoi. The rest of the day will be yours to explore at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: (B/L/_)
Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Hanoi International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.
Meals: (B/_/_)
Useful Information
This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services. Please click on REQUEST A FREE QUOTE (above) and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!
Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suit your requirements.
Â
Sightseeing Highlights
- Enjoy two days of fully guided Angkor complex tours in Siem Reap, with in-depth insights into the history of these extraordinary structures and plenty of time to see the spectacular Angkor Wat
- Visit the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake with a guided boat tour through the biodiverse and aquatic heart of Cambodia.
- Delve into the dramatic Khmer legacy in Phnom Penh on a full-day guided tour around the Cambodian capital, passing by the sobering Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
- Discover the famous Cai Rang Floating Market and the Cottage Industries in the Mekong Delta
- Discover the spectacular maze of Cu Chi tunnels below the ground. See the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City
- Take a walking and food tour of Hoi An Ancient town. Try out traditional lantern making
- Discover Hanoiâs best-known landmarks, enjoy authentic local food
- Enjoy colorful Sapa hill tribe markets, local tribal villages and stunning landscape
- Sail the Emerald waters of Halong Bay on an overnight cruise
Dining Experience
- 17Â hotel buffet breakfasts.
- 9 lunches, 3Â dinners and at well-selected restaurants
- 2 street food tours
Travel Highlights
- Your own private guide and driver for in-depth cultural touring based on your interests
- Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our locally born travel specialists
- Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and preferences
- A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, hand-picked hotels and restaurants, private airport transfers, internal transportation, and entry visa assistanceâŠetc
- Around-the-clock support from your travel designer and concierge before, during and after your trip
Whatâs Included?
Private English speaking guide, accommodation, private tours and transfer, domestic flights, A/C vehicles, some main meals, all entrance fees, tax and service charge.
Whatâs Not Included?
Your international flights to Cambodia and from Vietnam, entry visas, personal expense, tips to guide and driver.
Free service. No credit card required
Reviews on Our Service
Family trip to Vietnam
We have just come back from a fabulous 16 day trip to Vietnam organised by Chloe from Asia Pioneer. We travelled from Hanoi, to Sapa had a night in Hanlong Bay then flew to central Vietnam for a few days and then flew down to Ho Chi Min and travelled down to Mekong Delta so we certainly saw a lot of the country. We travelled with our 2 teenage kids and the full itinerary Chloe organised was perfect for us. So many memorable experiences, trekking through the scenic hillside in Sapa, local markets, overnight train to Hanoi, cooking classes, bike ridding through small villages, walking food tour and the tunnels in Ho Chi Min, these were just some of the wonderful things we experienced.
Everything was so well organised, once we arrived we didn’t have to worry about a thing everything ran smoothly. All the guides that we had a long way were fantastic and add to our experience. The hotels exceeded our expectations and I especially loved the cute little bungalows we stayed on on the Mekong River.
I would definitely recommend Vietnam for a family holiday with teenagers. And I would certainly recommend Chloe from Asia Pioneer.
Fantastic Experiance
We went on the “Best of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour” and it was a fantastic trip. Mr. Winston our travel advisor created a trip with the sites and places we wanted to see. Mr. Winston was always available on WhatsApp to inform us of when we would be picked up and by whom.
Every part of the trip went smoothly.
I learned so much about life in Vietnam and ate great food.
I am a vegetarian and it was easy finding vegetarian food and seafood options at the hotel breakfasts and included lunches.
The hotels were boutique hotels in great locations near restaurants and shopping.
We want to specifically thank our guide in Hoi An Mr. Chong. He went above and beyond the expected to show us restaurants, and help us with a magical lantern boat ride and lantern release on the Hoai river.
I am very happy with Asia Pioneer Travel and would definitely recommend them to anyone going to Vietnam and Cambodia.
A great way to see Cambodia – the Asia Pioneer Travel way
The pick up, tour guides, hotels selection were great.
Everything went off as promised.
It was a great experience and we thoroughly relaxed and just enjoyed the Cambodia experience.
Amazing Vietnam! Must visit!
Cherry planned the trip perfectly. We went to HCM, Hanoi and Halong Bay. She was very accommodating with all the changes. Loved every minute of it đ