ID15: Vietnam & Cambodia experience 14 days

Itinerary in Brief:

Day 1: Saigon arrival
Day 2: Saigon – Cuchi tunnel (B, L)
Day 3: Saigon – Mekong delta Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 4: Mekong delta – Saigon (B)
Day 5: Saigon – Siem reap (B, D)
Day 6: Siem reap (B, L)
Day 7: Siem reap – Danang – Hoian (B,)
Day 8: Hoian (B)
Day 9: Hoian – Danang – Hue (B, L)
Day 10: Hue – Hanoi (B, L )
Day 11: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
Day 12: Hanoi – Halong bay on board (B, L, D)
Day 13: Halong – Hanoi (B)
Day 14: Hanoi departure (B)

Itinerary in Details:

Day 1: Saigon arrival
Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, welcome and transfer to hotel by Asia View Travel guides with signboard, check in, relax.. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.

Day 2: Saigon – Cuchi tunnel (B, L)
Morning we continue to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. Afternoon we spend a half day seeing some major sights of the city. 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 and War Remnant Museum. Overnight at hotel in Ho chi minh.

Day 3: Saigon – Mekong Delta Cruise (B, L, D)
Transfer to Mekong Delta. Board LE COCHINCHINE boat. Enjoy welcome drink. Explore the lively Cai Be floating market. Cruising amongst the mazes of waterway to visit the handicraft villages and meet with local people. Sightseeing the old house and sample various tropical fruits. Arrive in Vinh Long island we  then embark on  a walk or bike for sightseeing tour of the Culao BINH HOA PHUOC Le Cochinchine sets sail to Cantho via Cho LACH and TRAON. Disembark Cho LACH village. Embark on a pleasant walking or biking on the footpaths of the countryside to discover tropical fruit orchards and the local people's activities. En route to visit a cottage industry, a local farm and sample seasonal fruits. Cruise to continue to Mang Thit. Enjoy the magnificent sunset on the river. Leisurely cruise up the Mekong River while enyoying the beautiful scenery and the aperitifs, sunset cruise. A wonderful day with picturesque ferry crossings over Mekong River branches. Dinner and nite on Le Cochinchine boat in TRAON.

 Day 4: Mekong Delta Cruise – Saigon (B)
Rising up to the sound of River and Mekong Delta coming to life for another lovely day we enjoy the sunset. After breakfast, we cruise along the cannels and visit a village on the  bank of Co Chien or, an opportunity to appreciate the way of life of the local inhabitants, and their hospitality. Leisurely cruise up the Bassac river while enjoying the beautiful scenery. Arriving Can tho, we explore the Cai Rang market, one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong Delta with hundreds of small boats ladden fruits barging and jostling for space as owners attempt to sell their goods. Boat through the palm-shaded creek to see local houses and green orchards, ship building yards, local markets in full swing. Check out and disembark the boat. Return to Saigon. Overnight at the hotel.
 
Day 5: Saigon - Angkor Wat (B, D)
Breakfast at hotel, free until transfer to the airport for flight to Siem reap. Arrive in Siem reap, pick up, transfer to hotel in city center, check in, relax.
In the afternoon,  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. Dinner at local restaurant and enjoy Apsara Dance Show.

Day 6: Siem reap - Angkor Wat (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 7: Siem reap Danang - Hoian (B )
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 10 kilometers south of Siem Reap. Visit the village and take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia, one of the largest in Asia. Afternoon flight to Danang by silk air. The guide in Danang will pick you up, transfer to hotel in Hoian, check in, relax.
 
Day 8: Hoian Ancient Town (B)
The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. The town is also famous for it's shops in particular it's large number of tailors.
Afternoon, free and easy to discover Hoian by yourself.  If you wanted, you could  have a whole new wardrobe made for you here! Perhaps you would like to hire a bicycle and head off on a scenic ride to Cua Dai beach, about 4km 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!
 
Day 9: Hoian – Danang -  Hue (B, L)
We embark on northern bound journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Da Nang as we are climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the picturesque fishing villages of Lang Co. Afternoon we visit the Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple city, the Emperor's private residence. Both were almost totally destroyed during the Tet offensive of 1968. We visit vibrant Dong Ba riverside market. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
 
Day 10: Hue – Hanoi (B, L,)
Breakfast at hotel. We embark on a boat for cruise upstream on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to The beautiful pagoda of Thien Mu. 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, Emperor Khai Dinh. Lunch at local restaurant. Transfer to Phu Bai airport for flight to Pick up at Noi Bai airport to hotel, transfer to city center, check in, relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
 
Day 11: Hanoi city tour (B, L)
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 & November), 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 Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, Quan Thanh Temple, West lake, the Restored Sword Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake) and Ngoc Son Temple. Take a cyclo tour  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. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 12: Ha Noi - Ha Long Junk Cruise  ( B, L,D )
Breakfast at hotel, 8:30 AM start a 3. 5hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Overnight on Junk.

Day 13: Halong  – Hanoi ( Brunch )
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 3-hour journey  back Hanoi. We arrive in Hanoi around  4:00 PM,  check in , relax. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 14: Hanoi departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel, free time until  transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Say goodbye Vietnam.
 
Thank you for traveling with Asia View Travel.