Ancient Angkor Wat & Beyond 11 Days
11 Days : Hanoi – Ha Long – Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Tour overview:
Revel in Vietnam’s energetic capital Hanoi, cruise an azure ocean pierced by surreal looking limestone islands in Ha Long Bay and enjoy the watery landscape of green fields and sleepy villages along the Mekong Delta. While in Cambodia you’ll meander through fascinating Angkor Wat and interact with street vendors while you purchase fresh ingredients for your Khmer cooking class.
Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. You are welcomed at the airport and escorted to your hotel.
Day 2 - Hanoi Sightseeing
Start your day off by exploring Hanoi’s illustrious history. In the morning, visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays) before moving onto his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. You will then explore the first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter allows you to catch a glimpse of ancient Hanoi, learn about traditional Vietnamese architecture and take a stop at an ancient Vietnamese “long house” In the evening, take delight in watching a traditional water puppet performance. Transfer to a local Vietnamese family’s home to enjoy a traditional home-cooked dinner prepared by your hosts.(B/D)
Please note:
- Ho Chi Minh mausoleum is closed on Monday, Friday every week and from late Sep to early Nov for annual maintenance, during which time it can only be viewed from outside
Day 3 - Hanoi – Ha Long Bay
Head to Ha Long Bay. You will board a junk for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay. Enjoy a seafood lunch and a swim (if weather permits) before visiting a grotto of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea. (B/L/D)
Day 4 - Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Ho Chi Minh
Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before returning to the wharf. You will be returned to Hanoi and transferred to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.(B/Br)
Day 5 - Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning you will visit the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels where Vietnamese guerrillas built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels as hideouts during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon for a half-day city tour. Highlights include the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside), the Central Post Office, Chinatown, the Binh Tay Market and either the Thien Hau Temple or the Quan Am Pagoda.
Visitors are welcome to visit the BOARC Gallery and witness the masterpieces made by thousands of bamboo sticks. Such icons as Vietnam Heritages (Hanoi's One-Pillar Pagoda, Ngo Mon gate, Temple of Literature) as well as global landmarks like the Tajmahal, Notre Dame De Paris, Mandala Universal BigBen...
Created by the artist Hoang Tuan Long, a new art genre by combining the precision laser cutting technique with the Vietnamese traditional bamboo arts and shifted his full-time attention to bamboo craft artworks. Some of the products, community artworks, have been proposing for auction to get funds for supporting disadvantaged and needy children.
After learning the procedure and technique, you can experience it by yourself. First involve to the meaningful community artworks and then for a souvenir product individually created for you. It takes around 45 minutes to complete the tour.(B)
Please note:
- Notre Dame Cathedral Saigon is under construction for renovating this iconic historical site of Ho Chi Minh City. The Cathedral is announced to be finished in 2027.
Day 6 - Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (Ben Tre) – Ho Chi Minh
In the morning, we depart for Ben Tre, about 2 hours driving from Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, embark on the boat for the first glance of life on Ben Tre’s maze of waterways. Stop at traditional brick kiln to see how the local people produce bricks in the traditional way. Weave through the spectacular water coconut small canals to immerse yourself in a magic view of water coconut trees. Visit coconut workshop, where the locals process coconut into many different forms and coconut candy workshop to have a look at how the local make candy by hand, try some sweets, enjoy some fruits and listen to traditional folk music as well. Go on by boat and step ashore and take a short walk to a quiet village and learn how to make a traditional sleeping mat with a local family business.(B/L)
Relax and keep going by rowing boat on a shady palm tree canal. Stop at An Thanh pier and the car will transfer us back to Ho Chi Minh.
Day 8 - Siem Reap
After breakfast, visit the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei – and the Banteay Samre Temple. On the way back, swing by the Ta Prohm Temple which is mystically enveloped in the jungle. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Angkor Wat. Explore its extraordinary architecture for an opportunity to experience a spectacular sunset over the monuments.(B)
Day 9 - Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit some of the capital’s most impressive sites.
We explore the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, the official residence of the King of Cambodia. Gleaming in gold, the Royal Palace is one of Phnom Penh’s most splendid architectural achievements. We pass through the river-front park where 4 rivers met at a junction include mystical Mekong. Walk up to sacred hill Phnom Daun Penh – also the name of a pagoda and name of the capital nowadays.
End the tour with a rejuvenating traditional Khmer massage at La Rose Spa and indulge yourself with a Khmer welcome dinner.(B/D)
Magnificent Sunrise Over Angkor Wat
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of Angkor Wat at sunrise. Watch as the first light of day casts a golden glow over this ancient temple complex, creating a breathtaking scene perfect for photography. A truly magical moment to start your day in Cambodia.
Services included: AC transfer, English Speaking guide.
Services excluded: Tips for local staff, Other services not mentioned above, Personal expenses.
Day 10 - Phnom Penh
Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the infamous Khmer Rouge Killing Fields. On the way back, stop to visit PSE (Pour Un Sourire d’Enfant), an organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children. In the afternoon, take part in a half-day Khmer cuisine cooking class in a traditional Khmer setting and enjoy a dinner featuring the dishes you've prepared.(B/D)
Day 11 - Depart Phnom Penh
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight home.(B)