Vietnam & Cambodia Grand Tour – 27 Days

General Information

Duration: 26 Days/ 25 Nights
Start/End: Ho Chi Minh City/ Hanoi
Tour Category: Indochina tours, Vietnam Cambodia Tours
Tour Route: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Sa Dec – Tan Chau – Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham – Siem Reap – Danang – Hoi An – Hue – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Sapa – Hanoi
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)
Guides: Local Guide (English Speaking Guide, Other Languages upon Request)
Transportation: Private first-class air-conditioned vehicles
Accommodation: Listed below or equivalent. Rooms with private bath or shower, hotel taxes, porterage, tips, and service charges

Tour Highlights:

Soak up the bustle and hustle of Saigon with a guided sightseeing tour to highlights of the city
Marvel at picturesque Mekong Delta on a boat trip through small canals, floating villages, orchid gardens
Enter Phnom Penh by speedboat and visit some historical sites dating back to Khmer Rouge regime
Feel like lost in the past with full day temple tours to Angkor Wat Complex
Experience like a local in the peaceful countryside of Hoi An: growing vegetables, net fishing, biking
Admire the ancient Hue Imperial Citadel, the resting place of Kings under Nguyen’s dynasty
Take a cyclo tour around Hanoi Old Quarter to observe the daily life of Hanoians
Cruise Halong Bay to see why it is considered one of the world’s seven natural wonders
Learn the lifestyle ethnic group in the misty town Sapa

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh Leisure Time
Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Cai Be
Day 6: Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau
Day 7: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh
Day 8: Phnom Penh
Day 9: Phnom Penh – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Chhnang
Day 10: Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Cham
Day 11: Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham
Day 12: Kampong Cham – Seam Reap
Day 13: Siem Reap – Full Day Temple Tours
Day 14: Siem Reap – Da Nang – Hoi An
Day 15: Hoian Eco Tour – Walking City Tour
Day 16: Hoian Leisure Time
Day 17: Hoi An – Hue/ City Tour in Hue
Day 18: DMZ Area Tour
Day 19: Hue – Hanoi, Hanoi City Tour
Day 20: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 21: Halong Bay
Day 22: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Lao Cai
Day 23: Lao Cai, Coc Ly Ethnic Market – Sapa Town
Day 24: Sapa – Lao Chai – Tavan – Sapa
Day 25: Sapa Leisure Time – Hanoi
Day 26: Hanoi – Leisure time
Day 27: Ha Noi Departure

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

Meet your driver at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Chill out for the rest of the time. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B, L)

This morning, enjoy the city’s main highlights on an included guided sightseeing tour through the Reunification Palace, a palace of old President in South of Vietnam during the American war; Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office.

In the afternoon, continue to explore Cho Lon (China Town), visit Fito Medical museum as well as Thien Hau Pagoda and Binh Tay market. Then, join a short visit to the most ancient and the finest pagoda in Vietnam – Giac Lam Pagoda. Afterward, the drive heads back to the center to go shopping at Ben Thanh Market, the most popular and famous market for tourists.
Later, enjoy the Water puppet show at the Golden Theater before dinner. End the day with some interesting evening activities consisting of leisure walking at the night market in Ben Thanh area, admiring the highest building in the city.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)

After breakfast, sightseeing with a local guide includes a drive to Cu Chi Tunnels to admire an astonishing system of underground tunnels that Vietnamese people used during the war against American force as well as enjoy some special cassava and tea during the tour. Then, stroll around the shooting range or souvenir shops before going back to the hotel at noontime.
The afternoon is free for you to relax.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. 

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh Leisure Time (B)

You are free to explore every corner of the city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Cai Be (B, L, D)

Following your breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and journey south into My Tho by way of the boat. Enjoy a pleasant drink and lunch when the boat gently running along the Mekong River as well as bathing in the scene of sunset on the balcony and a short introduction of the trip going next before a welcome dinner.
Overnight in Cai Be.

 

Day 6: Cai Be – Sa Dec – Tan Chau (B, L, D)

Every day, the excursion includes Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck in the early morning before breakfast begins. This morning, see picturesque Cai Be’s floating market with a traditional wooden boat called sampan. Explore the amazing views along the river and get a look at the local life through observations of the way people making rice wine, coconut candies, rice pop or rice cookies.

An afternoon’s included sightseeing of a village in Binh Thanh Island on the way to Sa Dec shows you many sceneries of making rattan mat process along with a chance to communicate with villagers. Afterward, we cruise to Sa Dec. Later, board for a peaceful evening to Tan Chau.
Overnight in Tan Chau.

Day 7: Tan Chau – Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

Arrive in Tan Chau, where the included orientation starts with a local vehicle ride to discover Tan Chau, a peaceful town near the border of Cambodia. Then, join a trip on a boat to explore the floating villages as well as admire the local fish farms here before returning to the ship for lunch.
In the afternoon, on the way to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, time at leisure to relax on the boat, join the traditional cooking class or discover the ship with cruise manager until stepping into the land of a new country, Cambodia.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 8: Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

After breakfast, take discovery of the city center, Phnom Penh –  the Paris of the East. In the morning, sightseeing the Killing Field in town, one of the most painful place reminding the periods under Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime.

Later, head to the Genocide Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda to admire the brilliant light of gold and silver, and admire the extraordinary art of Khmer craft at the National Museum before returning to the ship by cyclo. Afterward, relax and be prepared for a fascinating lecture about the modern history of Cambodia in the evening. Then, enjoy BBQ dinner as well as the Apsara dance performance in the captivating sounds of traditional music.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 9: Phnom Penh – Kampong Tralach – Kampong Chhnang (B, L, D)

Today, arrive the land of Kampong Tralach and the Tonle River. In the early morning, you can be amazed by the scene of cacophonous children waving enthusiastically while bathing their livestock in the Tonle River. Head for the Heritage Line – Lindblad Exhibitions – National Geographic this morning by the ox cart.
Then, have lunch on the ship while cruising on the Tonle River. After that, approach Kampong Chhnang and have a visit to Aundaung Russey village to see the pottery products in Khmer’s style. Later, get an amazing excursion to the wetlands and floating houses as well as fish farms along the river bank.
Return the ship for an overnight sailing towards Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 10: Kampong Chhnang – Kampong Cham (B, L, D)

Following your breakfast, you depart from Phnom Penh and stop to visit Silk Weaving Village. Then, continue the trip through peaceful villages along the Mekong River, admire the river life of local people and have lunch.
The afternoon begins with a visit to Angkor Ban village to travel back to the past and delight in the place of authentic beauty and the enthusiasm of villagers. Later, return to the ship to board towards Kampong Cham.
Overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 11: Wat Hanchey – Kampong Cham (B, L, D)

Today, an included excursion takes you to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey which was constructed in the 8th century. You’ll feel like breathless by the charming overviews in Cambodia and discover the ancient architecture of the Chenla Empire in this old temple as well as interact with some monks in this area. Back to the ship to enjoy a blessing ceremony of local monks and have lunch.
Next, sail towards Kampong Cham to get a look at Wat Nokor built on a land of an ancient temple. Then, explore the OBT project of Heritage Line and visit the organization for Basic Training.
Overnight in Kampong Cham.

Day 12: Kampong Cham – Seam Reap (B, L)

In the morning, disembark the cruise and leave Kampong Cham after breakfast and head through a coach to Siem Reap in the early afternoon. The friendly local guide and driver welcome and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Siem Reap – Full Day Temple Tours (B, D)

After breakfast, sightseeing with a local guide includes a drive around Siem Reap to visit the south gate of Angkor Thom and to admire the mysterious and amazing architecture containing Bayon Temple, The Royal Enclosure Phimeanakas, Bapoun Temple, The Elephant Terrace, and The Terrace Of The Leper King. Later, head to Small Circuit including Thomann, Chaosay Tevoda, Ta Keo and the astonishing Ta Prohm. Lunch at a local restaurant.

This afternoon, you’ll feel like being lost in the past as you join a visit through one world’s seven wonders – Angkor Wat, and view the sunset on the top of Bakheng Hill. Afterward, enjoy a buffet dinner of Khmer with the traditional show.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Siem Reap – Danang – Hoi An

Leave Siem Reap this morning and head towards Danang via evening flight. As you arrive Da Nang, the local guide and driver will warmly greet and transfer you to the overnight hotel in Hoi An.

Day 15: Hoi An Eco Tour – Walking City Tour (B, L)

Today, join a Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Start the journey at Tra Que Village and involve in the local farming activities such as sowing, fertilizing, and watering using large tin cans. Next, take a leisurely cycling tour through the countryside to enjoy the atmosphere of Vietnamese local life. Then, join a river cruise and participate in the real-life of fishermen via experiencing net fishing. Afterward, relax by taking part in a race of bamboo boat before having lunch.

The rest of the day is for a walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town with a visit to Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance. Then, return to the hotel for overnight.
Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 16: Hoi An Leisure Time (B)

Free time to discover Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 17: Hoi An – Hue/ City Tour in Hue (B, L)

Morning, you will take a pleasant ride from Hoi An through Danang to Hue. In Danang, stop to visit Cham Museum, the amazing collection of Cham culture, China Beach, and the Marble Mountain the name of five elements in the universe including water, wood, air, fire, and earth.

This afternoon, arrive Hue and enjoy the city tour to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, relax on a dragon boat on Perfume River, and admire the fascinating ancient Imperial Citadel of the country, the resting place of Kings under Nguyen’s dynasty from 1802 to 1945. Then, continue to discover the Hue Royal Fine Art Museum situated in the area of old Dien Long A Royal Palace.
Overnight in Hue

Day 18: DMZ Area Tour (B, L)

An early start today, you will enjoy the demilitarized zone tour including sightseeing to the Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri, Hien Luong Bridge, the Seventeenth Parallel – the separation point between the North and the South of Vietnam during the war as well as Vinh Moc Tunnel.
In the afternoon, continue your unforgettable journey to Khe Sanh and Suspension Bridge of Dakrong. Later, head back to Hue and spend an overnight here.

Day 19: Hue – Hanoi, Hanoi City Tour (B, L)

Leave Hue, a peaceful city this morning. Travel to the airport for a flight to reach to Hanoi where the local tour guide and driver will pick up and transfer you to the hotel and prepare for a city tour.

This morning, enjoy the city’s main highlights on an included guided sightseeing tour with a visit to Ho Chi Minh complex, exploring Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar Pagoda. Then, discover the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam.
Later, take a 1-hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter and spend time shopping in markets as well as in the stores and art galleries. Afterward, enjoy the most famous show in Hanoi, Water Puppet Show. And, return to the hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 20: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D)

Today, the journey to Halong Bay, one of the world’s seven natural wonders to admire one of the most beautiful and fascinating bays in the world. Join V’ Spirit Classic Cruise tour as arriving Halong and have lunch while the ship sailing around the islands.

In the afternoon, kayak around one of the most beautiful caves to explore the charms of Halong Bay, Luon Cave, then go back to continue the tour to Soi Sim Island where you can swim on the beach or climb up to the top of the hill to get a panoramic view of Halong Bay Later in the evening, return to the ship, relax and enjoy dinner. Afterward, participate in optional activities on the shop such as squid fishing or just take a rest.
Overnight on board.

Day 21: Halong Bay (B, L, D)

The optional morning exercising with Tai Chi exercises or sightseeing before breakfast. Then, transfer to a day boat to explore Lan Ha Bay which has 139 fascinating and charming beaches. Later, enjoy the peaceful and keep a memorable moment in this amazing bay by relaxing or kayaking around. In Lan Ha Bay, we will kayak to discover Light and Dark Cave, as well as bathe at the beaches. Later, head back to the boat and enjoy lunchtime.

In the afternoon, kayak to gain a deep sight into Lan Ha Bay or just take a rest at the beaches. Next, continue the trip to a floating Pearl Farm and communicate with the locals and learn the way they make pearls. Afterward, we can swim at Three Peach Beach if the weather is good. Following this, we return to the main boat, enjoy dinner, and take part in night activities if you want.
Overnight on board.

 

Day 22: Halong – Hanoi –Lao Cai (B, L)

Exercise Tai Chi exercises in the early morning or just enjoy the view of the bay before breakfast. Then, the trips begin with an exploration of Sung Sot Cave, the most incredible cave in Halong Bay. Next, go back to the boat and freshen. Afterward, get a look at Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and others while returning to the port. Admire the cooking performance before having a traditional Vietnamese lunch. Disembark the cruise and transfer back to the hotel in Hanoi by car. Take a rest for a short time and transfer to the station to Lao Cai.
Overnight in Lao Cai.

Day 23: Lao Cai – Coc Ly Ethnic Market – Sapa Town (B, L)

On Lao Cai arrival, meet the local guide and driver, then enjoy breakfast at a nearby restaurant. Afterward, travel to Coc Ly market along the Chay River, where a large number of ethnic groups such as Hmong, Black Zao, and Tay gather to trade every Tuesday. After that, enjoy a boat trip along the river to discover the amazing caves before having lunch.
In the afternoon, continue the trip to Trung Do village of Tay ethnic group as well as Bao Nhai Bridge where you can get a car to arrive Sapa. As you arrive in Sapa, check in the hotel and relax.
Overnight in Sapa.

Day 24: Sapa – Lao Chai – Ta Van – Sapa (B, L)

In the morning, meet your local guide and driver and south towards Muong Hoa valley, the largest rice terraced field in the area of Sapa. Between May and October, you can have a chance to admire the amazing huge rice field. The walk around Muong Hoa Valley takes you from Lao Chai Village to Ta Van Village where you can visit the Catholic Church of locals. Then, return to Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.

 

Day 25: Sapa Leisure Time – Hanoi (B)

You are free to relax and explore Sapa by yourself in the morning. Then, in the afternoon transfer to the bus station to board to Hanoi for the whole night.

Day 26: Hanoi Arrival – Leisure Time (B)

At Hanoi arrival train station, the local guide will pick up and transfer to your hotel for relaxing and breakfast. The rest of the day is free to explore the city center. One of the recommended things to do is enjoy sidewalk ice tea culture in this charming capital.
Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 27: Ha Noi Departure (B)

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning and the driver will pick up and transfer you to Noi Bai airport to take your flight.