ID16: Vietnam & Cambodia explorer 20 days

Itinerary in Details:

Day 1: Hanoi arrival
Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are warmly welcomed  and transferred  to hotel by private Asia View Travel’s guide with signboard, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour - night train to Sapa ( B, L)
Breakfast at hotel, This morning we start city tour  with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & October for annual maintenance ), the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups.  Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam, Vietnam’s first university.  Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. We continue to visit the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple,  do a cyclo tour around   around the 36 streets of the Hanoi old quarter to learn more about simple life of Hanoian. Enjoy water puppet show- a remarkable Vietnamese art form that combines traditional music, fireworks, underwater puppeteers, and elaborate puppets floating gracefully over water. Transfer to the train station for night train to Sapa. The train leaves Hanoi at around 9:00 PM. Overnight on train.

Day 3: Sapa – Cat cat tribe’s village (B, L)
The train arrives at the Lao Cai train station at approximately 06:00. There will be a vehicle and tour guide waiting to transfer us to Sapa. The drive to Sapa is only 33 km but it takes around 1.5 hours to make our way up the mountains. Arrive Sapa and  enjoy  breakfast at the hotel ( There will be surcharge if require early check in ). We then do a tour to the hill tribe villages of Cat Cat, and Sansaho village home to the H'mong  hill tribes minority peoples. As we walk to the villages nestled in the valley below Sapa, we will meet some of the local minority people on their way to and from Sapa. Here we have the opportunity to share cultural experiences with the families that live in the area. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 4: Lao chai – Tavan village – night train back Hanoi (B, L)
Buffet breakfast at the hotel Embark on a lovely  walk  that will take us along small paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a absolutely spectacular walk through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people you can meet. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way at a family in Ta Van village. Opportunity to meet with local people and study the art of making batik and local weaving villages - study textile tradition of craft women o Black H'mong and Red Dzao. Transfer back to Lao cai for night train back Hanoi. Overnight on train.
 
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay on board (B, L, D)
Arrival in Hanoi in the early morning at round 5:00 am. Please find your way by foot back to a mini hotel near the Tran Quy Cap station gate to have shower and basic set menu breakfast.
Then 8:30 AM  start a 3. 5 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee ( by your own ) before arriving to Ha Long City.
11.30 – 12.15   Welcome you at Hòn Gai Tourist International Port
12.30   Check in Overnight Cruise, welcome drink and programme introduction
13.00 – 14.30   The cruise start the journey
Lunch served with local cuisines menu and passing the paramount view at Ha Long
such as Kicking Dog Island , Fighting Chicken Islet, Huong Peak, Thien Cung Cave,Dau Go Island…
15.00 – 16.00   Explore Surprise Cave – one of the most famous caves on the Ha Long bay.
16.30 – 17.30   Small boat take you to Titop seaside: visiting islands, climb to Titop Mountain 200m in height to see the whole bay and swimming at Titop Seaside.
18.00   Return to your cruise or relaxation or enjoy sunset on the bay
19.30 – 21.00   Dinner at the restaurant with organised menu
21.00   Free at your leisure like lying on deck or going to catch squid…
Overnight on junk.

Day 6: Halong bay - Ninh Binh ( Brunch, D )
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a trip to Ninh Binh. Arrive in Ninh binh, check in, relax at hotel.
 
Day 7: Tam Coc - Bich dong - Hoa lu - Hanoi ( B, L )
visit  Hoa lu, the ancient citadel of Vietnam in 10th century, to visit temples of two Kings: Dinh and Le, walking up and down in the beautiful Truong Yen Valley to enjoy the marvelous scenery. Ttake aboard sampans at Tam Coc to ferry down the Boi river, spend some time relaxing on a 2 hour boat trip. The boat goes through 3 cavernous limestone tunnels, offering a cool break from the sunshine and astounding views of the cave structures. After boat tour in Tam Coc, you have the chance to visit the 15th century Bich Dong Pagoda complex. On a limestone mountain three pagodas were built, the Lower, the Middle and the Upper pagoda. Transfer back Hanoi for overnight at hotel.

 Day 8: Hanoi - Danang - Hoian ( B, L )
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for the flight to Danang. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to Hoian. Along the way we will visit the excellent Cham Museum which has much relevance to your later visit of the Cham ruin of My Son., Marble Mountain with a Buddhist cave and a wonderful view of the surrounding, Danang Beach. Arrive in Hoi An, check in, relax.
We spend this afternoon to explore Hoian ancient town, once a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Hoi An’s architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a leisurely walking tour of the ancient town center and visit the sites of former merchants’ homes, a 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and a Chinese Communal Hall. Believed to have been settled no less than 2,200 years ago, Hoi An was known as Faifo to early Western traders.  Hoi An was one of the major ports of Southeast Asia from the 17th to 19th centuries. Chinese, Japanese, French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and other traders had small communities here, and the old wooden houses, bridges and temples that remain are reminiscent of a Vietnam of centuries past. This unique old trading town slowly became isolated due to its river silting up and by destroyed rail lines, leaving it untouched by war and frozen in time. Nowadays, this absolutely charming and relaxed town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors. If you wanted, you could  have a whole new wardrobe made for you here.

Day 9; Hoian - My Son sanctuary ( B )
Breakfast in the hotel. This morning we drive to visit holly land My Son. This is a former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam between the second and thirteenth centuries. Hinduism from India heavily influenced their religion. Located 60 km. from Danang, My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. The complex is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a must-see for those who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations. It is one of four World Heritage listed sites in Vietnam.

Day 10: Hoian - Hue ( B )
This morning there is plenty of time to discover Hoi An  by yourself. You can spend your time  walking around exploring the many Chinese  assembly halls and  fascinating ancestral  homes, some of which have been occupied  by the same family for fifteen genera ions. You might like to take a boat ride with one of the local women across the Thu Bon River. Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4 km away. There's even the chance to improve your culinary skills with a Vietnamese cooking lesson! One thing is for sure - there is no shortage of things to do in this town.
Afternoon, say good bye Hoian and embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The guide and driver will take you over the beautiful Hai Van Pass - Vietnam's geographical and psychological boundary between north and south. The peak of the pass lies perpetually shrouded in clouds. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

Day 11: Hue city tour ( B, L )
Breakfast at hotel, we then set out for the exploration of Hue's famous highlights, including the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Built in the 19th century by the Nguyen dynasty, the City was home to the former Emperors of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River, viewing the city and the tranquil villages on the riverbank. We will walk up to visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a nicely located pagoda, overlooks the Perfume River and the beautiful scenery beyond, where you get to learn more about the Buddhism in Vietnam.  One of the most poignant displays here is a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Saigon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its treatment of Buddhists. Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, built decades before its occupant's death the tomb was used as a palace retreat before the emperors final resting place. On return to the city, we then take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market and pass many fantastic eating spots where visitors have a chance to sample some local delicacies.

Day 12: Hue - Saigon ( B, L )
Morning after breakfast transfer to airport for the flight to Saigon. Pick up at Tan Son Nhat airport, transfer to city center. We then take city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. We visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, and some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, before we shall see the exhibition on Vietnam War to the famous War Museum, then pass a place with its famous lacquers and the tour ends at the city's finest shopping street, Dong Khoi Street and the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh

Day 13: Saigon - Cu chi tunnel ( B )
After breakfast, we drive to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. At the height of the Vietnam war, the tunnel system stretched from the outskirts of Saigon  all the way to the Cambodian border of over 250 kilometers of tunnels. The tunnel system, built over 25 years starting in the 1940s, let the Viet Minh and, later, the Viet Cong, control a huge rural area.  It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers.  In places, it was several  stories deep and housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.... getting married, giving birth, going to school. The ground here is hard clay, which made this whole thing possible. But even so, the planning and construction was incredible. People dug all this with hand tools, filling reed baskets and dumping the dirt into bomb craters. They installed large vents so they could hear approaching helicopters, smaller vents for air and baffled vents to dissipate cooking smoke. There were also hidden  trap doors and gruesomely effective bamboo-stake booby traps. Today, the trees and bushes have grown back. And since 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. Drive back to Saigon, free for shopping.

Day 14: Saigon - Mekong delta Cruise ( B,L,D )
8:00 Am pick up at your hotel in Saigon, transfer to Caibe
12 00 AM, Boarding and check-in with welcome drink, then continue to Can Tho via Cho Lach and Tra On. Lunch on board.
Disembark for a walk or bike ride on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and local people's activities. Mekong Delta’s countryside is a network of small tracks linking small villages and remote farms and houses together, which go through lush vegetation and cross small bridges. Nearly everywhere is an opportunity to stop for an enthusiastic welcome by local people and kids, a picture of the nature at its wildest or a delightful tasting of fruits or local products.
Cruise further to Tra On. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, picturesque boats ballet and ferry crossings over Mekong River branches, wild life on the banks, and the magnificent sunset on the river.
Dinner and overnight on board
 
Day 15: Mekong delta cruise - Saigon ( B )
Early wake up to enjoy sunrise on the river while being waked up by the noise of a local floating market. Mekong Delta’s floating markets are a feast for colors, smells and tastes, and they gather together countryside people for sharing goods and news from families living often in remote places: an authentic Vietnamese culture experience. After breakfast, the Cruise continues to Can Tho up the Bassac River and allows enjoying more beautiful scenery.
Arrived in Can Tho, a small boat will take you to explore Cai Rang market, one of the most bustling floating markets in the Mekong Delta with hundreds of small boats barging and jostling for space as owners sell their goods.
Pick up, transfer to hotel in Saigon, check in, relax.

Day 16: Saigon - Phnompenh ( B, L )
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport for the flight to Phnompenh. Arrival transfer our hotel in Phnompenh, the capital of Kingdom of Cambodia. Transfer from Phnom Penh International Airport to the hotel.
Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, do Phnom Penh city tour: Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. End your afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset.

Day 17: Phnompenh - Siemreap ( B, D )
Breakfast at the hotel. Then take a half-day city tour at the Killing Field and Toul Sleng Museum of the genocide Tuol Sleng Museum (Museum of Genocide): former Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975 it became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation center. It was known as Security Prison 21 - or just S-21.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Siemreap. Dinner at local restaurant and enjoy Apsara Dance show.
 
Day 18: Siemreap ( B, L)
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.
Lunch at restaurant.   
Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara).

Day 19: Siemreap ( B)
In the morning, visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm.  One of the area's most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. Visit as well Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda and Thommanon.
Afternoon, visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia.

Day 20: Siemreap departure ( B )
Breakfast at hotel, free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight. End of tour.