General Information
Duration: 23 Days/22 Nights
Start/ End: Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh
Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Pu Luong – Hue – Danang – Hoian – Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Siemreap – Ho Chi Minh
Tour Categories: Vietnam Cambodia Tours
Tour Type: Nature and Landscape, Explore and Experience
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Tour Highlights
Explore Vietnam’s elegant capital Hanoi by cyclo tour
Take a night aboard on magical Halong Bay
Trek to some ethnic villages through natural featuring a diverse range of cultural relics, green parks in Pu Luong
Visit the fabulous former imperial capital of Hue, the charming old port town of Hoi An
Explore some French colonial structures, pagodas & fascinating bustle market in Ho Chi Minh
Discover the famous underground network of Cu Chi
Experience Mekong river life and countryside views
Traveling to Phnom Penh by speedboat
Admire the historic and spectacular temples in Siem Reap
Discover the civilization of Khmer Rouge through the giant Angkor Complex
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Pho Noodle
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Train Track
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise
Day 4: Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi – Pu Luong
Day 7: Pu Luong
Day 8: Pu Luong – Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi – Fly to Hue
Day 10: Hue – Thuy Bieu Eco Village
Day 11: Hue Boating Trip – Danang by Train – Hoi An
Day 12: Hoi An – Farming & Fishing Tour – Walking City Tour
Day 13: Hoi An – Beach Leisure
Day 14: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel & City Tour
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta
Day 17: Cai Rang Floating Market – Chau Doc – Tra Su Cajuput
Day 18: Chau Doc – Speedboat to Phnom Penh
Day 19: Pnompenh Visit – Fly to Siemreap
Day 20: Siemreap – Beng Mealea – Kulen Mountian
Day 21: Angkor – Explore Angkor Complex by tuk-tuk
Day 22: Angkor – Floating village – Fly Ho Chi Minh
Day 23: Ho Chi Minh – Depart
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival – Pho Noodle (D)
Welcome upon arrival in Hanoi your local tour guide and driver, we then transfer to hotel. On the way, we stop at a local restaurant for Pho (Beef Noodle).
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Train Track (B, L)
After breakfast, we start our journey today by a visit to Ho Chi Minh Complex, marvel at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilt, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. We then head to the Temple of Literature which originally built as a temple to Confucius and was the first university of Vietnam dating back to 1070.
After lunch, we keep on visiting the Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the best in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples. Afterward, we are back to the center city to take one-hour cyclo around the 36 streets of Hanoi Old Quarter. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys houses various colorful businesses and shops. We also move to Long Bien iron bridge and Tran Phu train track. Last but not least, we will end up your tour by enjoying the unique Water Puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)
Pick-up at hotel, we transfer to Halong Bay with a short stop at Hai Duong Province for a break. Arrive at Hon Gai Pier at around noon, we check in the prepared cruise, enjoy welcome drinks and follows by tour guide safety briefing. Lunch will be served with a set menu at the restaurant while cruising through the sightseeing beautiful landscape and limestone mountains in Halong Bay.We then visit and explore the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in Thien Son Canh Cave – one of the biggest grotto in Bai Tu Long Bay. Back to your cruise for a tea break before kayaking around the area or just relaxing on the sundeck.
In the late afternoon, we enjoy cooking class – making spring roll while the boat goes to the Cong Do – point to stay overnight.
Dinner and spend the night on board.
Day 4: Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)
Start our new day with Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Enjoy the sunrise while breakfast is served at the restaurant. The boat is moving outside the bay through the hundreds of amazing rocks and going to Cap La.
Drop anchor at Cap La to discover Cap La Geological Park by kayaking to see the panorama of Bai Tu Long Bay with thousands of islets around. We can stay on the private beach for kayaking.
Then we are back and have lunch on the boat in a romantic area of Bai Tu Long Bay. In the afternoon, we visit Vung Vieng floating village – the biggest one, quiet and peaceful place in Bai Tu Long in a rowing bamboo boat. Enjoy cooking class – making spring roll while the boat goes to the Cong Do area – the second night on the bay.
Overnight on board.
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B, L)
Enjoy the sunrise while breakfast is served at the restaurant. After that, we kayak in Cong Do and Be Ong Dau area or stay on the boat for relaxing, taking photographs… Then the boat gets back to Hon Gai Pier. Farewell to the crew members and get on our car to drive back to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi in the early afternoon. Drop off at the hotel and free to shopping this time.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi – Pu Luong Full-Day Exploration (B, L, D)
After having breakfast, we will be ready for Pu Luong Nature Reserve. It will be perfect for the nature lovers wishing to escape the bustle of city life and see imposing mountain ranges, intact rivers and waterfalls, poetic villages, and immense valleys of beautiful terraced rice fields. Additionally, a tour of a less-visited place like Pu Luong gives you lots of off-the-beaten-path experiences. Below is the highlight destination for today’s adventure:
We start to descend into the beautiful valley facing the Retreat where you walk around tumbling rice terraces. Then we will walk through small paths shrouded in vegetation to slowly reveal a picturesque Uoi Village sitting at the base of a towering mountain. Your camera will not be able to sit still when you see the panorama view of the village from above.
Continue to walk downhill to a local home, where you can take rest then take a cycle to go cycling around Lan Village. If time permits, we will visit a local family where we can learn about their traditional brocade weaving (not guaranteed). Cycling through the rice paddies and another village to explore more the landscape surround. Ride back to the local home, where the car picks- up point. You will be transferred back to Pu Luong Retreat for lunch.
BBQ Dinner will be served at the lodge. Enjoy the cool atmosphere and have a good sleep at the Eco Garden – Mountain Retreat.
Day 7: Explore Kho Muong Village and Doi Cave – Ninh Binh (B, L, D
Have breakfast in the lodge. Enjoying the breathtaking view from the resort.
After that, trek the small roads through the terraced rice fields and cross the stream to visit the remote hidden village of Kho Muong where you can learn about the local people in Pu Luong (6kms). Explore Doi Cave (Bat cave), the largest cave in Pu Luong. (Depending on the weather condition).Back to the resort, check out.
Enjoy lunch and have free time to relax or walk around the village before taking a quite long drive to Ninh Binh at 14:30.
Arrive in Ninh Binh, check-in the retreat and free at your leisure.
Have dinner at the retreat.
Overnight in Ninh Binh retreat.
Day 8: Cycling to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital and Boat Ride in Trang An (B, L)
We have a delicious breakfast at the Retreat. After that, cycle through the limestone karsts to reach 2 temples of the first 2 Emperors in the 10th Century in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital; Hike up the Ma Yen Mountain to admire the King’s tomb, and enjoy the panorama view from the mountain. On the way back, stop in a local family to observe their daily lifestyle, chat and share a tea with them.
Then, we will check out and have lunch
In the afternoon, we experience a boat trip in Trang An to enjoy the beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere.
Then, we return to Hanoi by bus. Drop off your hotel.
We spend good accommodation at your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 9: Hanoi – Fly to Hue – Half – day City Tour (B, L)
Have breakfast at the hotel, then our guide and driver will come & transfer to airport for a morning flight to Hue.
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a local tour guide and driver who then escorts you to the hotel. Later, we start to explore the historic and poetic beauty of the Hue Imperial Citadel. It is considered as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, which was the center of Vietnamese governance and politics during the Nguyen Emperor’s rule. We also visit the Forbidden Purple City as the Hue Imperial Tombs which are scattered along the banks of the Perfume River. End up your city tour by a stroll around the Dong Ba Market, the largest market in Hue. It is one of the few shopping venues in Hue, attracting tourists looking for authentic experiences like witnessing the local lifestyle, shop for souvenirs and sample street food. Back to the hotel in the late afternoon for relaxing.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 10: Hue – Thuy Bieu Eco-Village (B, L)
Pick up at the hotel in Hue, we will take a short drive to Toa Kham wharf for a leisurely cruise along Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the symbol of Hue located by the river. We then stop at Dong Ba market and buy necessary ingredients for the cooking class before continue cruising to Thuy Bieu village – the Garden of Eden in Hue. On arrival, we walk or bike around the village with stops to visit a local garden, an old ancestral temple and communicate with local people. Stop at an incense-making family and the locals working strenuously with joy and enthusiasm.
Continue to a joss-paper making family, chat over a cup of green tea with the family and see they’re talking about the joss paper, other known as ghost money offering to the dead. Lastly, we stop at a paper-painting family to see countryside paintings of young local artists.
Back to Thuy Bieu restaurant for a hands-on cooking class with chief’s instruction, sit down and sample your effort of some traditional Hue dishes. Relax by soaking your foot in medicinal herb water and enjoy an excellent massage by the blind people before our car transfers us back to the hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Consider Option: Cycling to Thanh Toan Village
After breakfast, we get on our bike and ride to the outskirt of Hue towards Thanh Toan Bridge (roofed in Chinese style). Along the way, we pedal through small villages along verdant fields, stops for photo shoots or chat with locals about their daily life. Next, we stop at Thanh Toan Agricultural Museum to understand more about the importance of agriculture in the life of the locals. As we reach the Thanh Toan Bridge, we will listen to the guide explaining its history and significance. Wander around the nearby market, observe the way people live their daily life and see various local products from fresh vegetables, meats, fishes and other poultry. Continue cycling to some traditional handicraft villages of Hue making ‘Conical hat’ (Non la) and some others. Back to the city center in the afternoon, continue pedaling around the city before returning to the hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 11: Hue Boating Trip – Danang by Train – Hoi An (B, L)
Following your breakfast, we take a dragon boat trip along the Perfume River down to Thien Mu Pagoda where we can enjoy the panoramic view of poetic Hue city. From here, head to historic King Khai Dinh’s tomb and Tu Duc’s tomb.
After that, we travel by train to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. En route, we will stop to contemplate the stunning views North, to Lang Co Beach and South to Danang city.
On arrival in Danang train station, we will have a brief visit to Cham Museum – the houses of the most complete collection if Cham Artifacts anywhere in the world; China Beach – named and used by the American as a relaxing place; and the Marble Mountain – considered to the place harmony with the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire and earth). Afterward, we drive to Hoi An in the afternoon and you are free to chill out for the rest of the day.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 12: Hoi An – Farming & Fishing Tour – Walking City Tour (B, L)
Head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour in the early morning. The first stop is Tra Que Village where we will get a closer look into the local farming communities. We will help the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, fertilizing the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. We then begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand. Late morning we will board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat to cruise along the river. It is a great chance for you to meet and observe local fishermen working their craft, before trying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Following this, we transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm-lined waterway. Your lunch will be prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village and served on the boat.
After lunch, we will wander freely around Hoi An town center before heading back to the hotel. In the afternoon, we transfer/ walk down to downtown for our walking tour. Start walking tour around the old town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house, the Pottery Museum, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 13: Hoi An – Beach Leisure (B)
Time will be on your own. You are free to explore every corner of the ancient town!
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 14: Hoi An – Fly to Ho Chi Minh (B)
After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Welcomed upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, then you will be escorted to the hotel. Check in the hotel and take free time afterward.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 15: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel & City Tour (B, L)
Known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest and most bustling city of Vietnam. Our day trip today covers almost highlight tourist attractions. Learn more about the history of the War Remnants Museum and the Reunification Palace, admire the Center Post Office, Opera House and Notre Dame Cathedral by its French-colonial architecture, and experience the longest tunnels made of Vietnamese people during the war….A visit to Cu Chi Tunnels depends on the condition of weather and season.
Morning, we head to the Cu Chi tunnels, known as the “Iron Triangle” or “Iron Land”. We will first see a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. Then you will have an amazing opportunity to discover the maze of tunnels. Or you just opt to admire various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers. After exploring, we are back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.
Your afternoon journey takes you to visit the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace of Vietnam’s president in the south. From here, we continue the way to the War Remnant Museum, where we can learn more about the second Indochina war through countless artifacts, photographs, and pictures. Also, we stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post office to get good shots for our memory of the biggest city of Vietnam.
It’s a big mistake if we leave Ho Chi Minh City without a visit to Ben Thanh market. Fulfill your city tour today at this bustling market before returning to the hotel for overnight.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 16: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (B, L)
Pick up at 8:00 AM, we will be met at the lobby of the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and then transfer to Vinh Long. Start with a journey to Cai Be colorful floating market cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Then, you can opt to stop at local workshops where you can see how people make rice paste, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn. Alternatively, it is so interesting to visit the handicraft village to learn the way locals make some special products: making rice-net for spring rolls, fish sauce & soya sauce, cooking salt, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage proof…
On your rowing taking you deeper into the countryside through smaller canals, enjoy the fresh and peaceful time. Immerse in the tranquil beauty of traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves, observe the local farmers live their daily life, communicate with them and see many fascinating activities along the poetic Mekong Delta…
Have lunch at a local family. After that, we continue to walk around and taste some kinds of fresh fruits while listening to traditional music. This trip would not be completed without an interesting experience of biking! Imagine that you pedal along paths to see the local farms, houses, real life and the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta…The cruise will end at Vinh Long city where we take our own vehicle to Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 17: Cai Rang Floating Market – Chau Doc – Tra Su Cajuput (B, L)
Today, we take a boat trip cruising Cai Rang floating market with the busy sense right at the time. The biggest floating market in Mekong Delta, Cai Rang offers tourists a panoramic view of local daily life on board.
After that, you will be back to the hotel, relax until check out. At noon, we will head to Chau Doc for voting Tra Su Cajuput Forest – beautiful landscapes and serenity of the must-see destination in the Mekong Delta. This time, water covers the entire area of the cajuput forest, facilitating boat rides around there. After that, we move to the hotel in Chau Doc.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day 18: Chau Doc – Speedboat to Pnompenh (B, L)
Early morning today, we will travel to Pnompenh by Speedboat
Welcome to Cambodia!
Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh International airport, welcome by our local guide and driver who will transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, we will have a guided tour of the National Museum, the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda. Soak up some spectacular buildings such as the Throne Hall, the Royal Treasury Hall and the Napoleon II villa in the Royal Palace. Silver Pagoda (Pagoda of Emerald Buddha), steps are crafted from Italian marble, and the regal floor within the throne room consists of more than 500 solid silver blocks. The currently king’s residence is living in a separate hall. In the evening, we will take a Cyclo excursion along the Mekong Riverfront and passing Wat Phnom, one of the significant site of Phnom Penh.
Day 19: Pnompenh Visit – Fly to Siem Reap (B, L)
After breakfast at the hotel, your tour guide and driver drive 15km out of Phnom Penh to see Beoung Cheoung Ek Memorial Museum (Killing Fields), and then back to Phnom Penh to the Tuol Sleng Museum (S21). As you arrive, you will see a documentary film about the Khmer Rouge regime and the genocide of Pol Pot. First, the victims who are detained and tortured at S-21 prison (Tuol Sleng Museum), were transported to the extermination to death. Cambodian Government constructed a massive Stupa (Memorial Monument) to keep some of those skulls, bones, and pieces of clothing for a yearly ceremony to bring peace to the spirits of the deceased.
After the tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight to next destination – Siem Reap. Welcome upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be escorted to the hotel by our guide and driver.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 20: Siem Reap – Beng Mealea – Kulen Mountian (B, L)
Morning, we enjoy a drive through the lovely country to the Kulen Mountain of 70km from the town. Climb the mountain and visit the great waterfall and an ancient stream carved with thousand of lingams, god and deities of Hindu on the edge of the stream of more than a thousand year ago. Next, we visit an old Buda statue, lie reclining, carved on a giant mountain rock, then swim at the waterfall and have a picnic lunch on the river bank. Climb down the mountain back to town.
Afternoon, we continue by the trip to soak up more of the surrounding temples, return in the direction of Siem Reap, stopping to explore another of the lesser visited temples – Beng Mealea. This temple is utterly swallowed by jungle and lack of restoration work. Tourists visiting the site can easily to imagine what it must have been like for early explorers discovering these temples for the first time.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 21: Angkor – Explore Angkor Complex by Tuk-tuk (B, L)
In the morning, we head out to explore the temples by Remork-Motor. The Remork-Motor is popular transportation in Angkor Siem Reap, Cambodia. The rework-motor hitched to a motorcycle and pretty much operates as a low-tech local bus with oh-so-natural air-conditioning. (widely popular with the name of Tuk-Tuk)
Enter this last capital of the Khmer empire through the Southern Gate where giant carvings of gods and demons flank each side of the entrance. Get an insight onto the ruins of Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of Leper King. Feel the serenity exuding from the stone face carvings of the Bayon and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots of the most charming of all, Ta Prohm.
In the afternoon, an exploration of well-known Angkor Wat is waiting for you. Angkor Wat was an architectural and artistic masterpiece of the mighty Khmer Empire. Take your camera out and catch the unmissable sunset with a panorama view from Pre Rup temple.
Day 22: Angkor – Floating Village – Fly Ho Chi Minh (B, L)
This morning, we take a 30-minute journey to visit Banteay Srei, nicknamed the “Citadel of Women” mainly thanks to its pink sandstone façade. The temple is best seen in the morning light but is a true vision at any time of day and contains excellent examples of classical Khmer art. Continue to visit the Angkor National Museum, an institution that offers a glimpse into the rich history of the “Golden Era” of the Khmer Kingdom.
Tour will be finished in later afternoon; we continue our drive to enjoy on a wooden boat ride to the floating village of Kampong Phluck getting the first-hand look at the daily life of local fishermen. Similar to other floating villages in Southeast Asia, Kampong Phluck has floating houses on stilts, surrounded by flooded forests and has some rice paddies scattered here and there. You can visit a local house, learn about their daily like and take advantages to become a fisherman with fish rod and baits if you wish. Drive back to town, we will continue to visit the school of fine art “le Artisans D’angkor”.
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight to Ho Chi Minh.
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh, welcome & transfer to hotel nearby airport for overnight. You have the last explore Sai Gon city this night.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 23: Ho Chi Minh – Depart (B)
Time will be free until our drive transfers you to the airport for the departure flight. Trip ends.
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