Essential Cambodia and Vietnam

📍 Phnom Penh Airport – Phnom Penh (11 km): 30 mins

On arrival in Phnom Penh, be welcomed by an English-speaking guide and then transferred to the hotel for check-in.

After a relaxing break, meet with a knowledgeable guide and start our visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21. Originally built as a school, the compound was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture centre. Take a sobering tour of the site, learning about the prison’s history and hear the stories of the people held within its walls.
Note: All visitors to Toul Sleng Genocide Museum are required to wear modest clothing: no short pants or short skirts (knees must be covered) and no sleeveless shirts (shoulders must be covered). See-through clothing will also not be allowed.

Then travel to Preah Ang Dong Ker, a sacred riverside pagoda. Witness locals as they gather at the shrine to worship, making offerings and saying prayers at the end of the day. Then cross to the Royal Palace, home to Cambodia’s monarchy to see this resplendent building in the late afternoon light. 

Then take a walk along the riverfront area. The atmosphere at this time of day is particularly lively, with city residents gathering along the wide promenade to exercise or enjoy a picnic with friends. The guide will give more insight into what local life is like in Phnom Penh while strolling down this vibrant part of town. 

Continue walking past several French-colonial era buildings on the way to Wat Phnom. Climb to the top of this hilltop temple for fantastic views over the city and the surrounding rivers. Then return to the riverside where a boat is waiting. Climb aboard and cast off onto the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers for a sunset cruise. Admire the views of the city as the last light of day casts brilliant colours across the skyline.
Return to the shore of the river at dusk, and head back to the hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.  
 

Inclusions:

📍 Phnom Penh – Siem Reap: 55 mins by flight Siem Reap Airport – Hotel in Siem Reap (8 km): 15 mins

After breakfast, continue to discover the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a very fun way to explore this lively city. First, head to the Royal Palace. This palace dates back to 1866 and was the last palace built during the French colonial period. The same complex houses the Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. Its original name is Wat Prakeo, meaning Temple of the Emerald Buddha. In this temple view a collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.

Continue to the National Museum, which was built in traditional Khmer style. It houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artistic, archaeological, and religious artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Over 5,000 pieces are on display, constituting the repository of the Kingdom's cultural wealth. In addition, the roof space is home to a large bat colony!

11:00 Return to the hotel & Check-out from the hotel. Then transfer to the airport for the flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. 

Flight: PNH-REP by K6 105 (14:30 - 15:25) – see separate price 

On arrival in Siem Reap, be greeted by the local English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel for check in. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, explore the temples of the Small Circuit by remork (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Start the tour with a visit to Ta Prohm temple. Built between the late-12th to early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. As this temple has become increasingly popular, it’s best to visit at 7:30am, just as it opens, enter from the East, the direction the temple faces and, conveniently, the opposite side from the tour bus parking lot. The visit will also include Banteay Kdei, a Buddhist monastery from the late 12th Century, and Srah Srang, also known as the “pool of ablutions”. 

Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat. 

This afternoon, continue our Remork tour to explore the apotheosis of Khmer temple development: Angkor Wat. Arriving in the late afternoon (around 14:30 - 15:00) so as to avoid the heat of midday also provides a more intimate experience as this time sees fewer visitors. Furthermore, as the only west-facing temple, Angkor Wat is best to visit (and photograph) in the late afternoon, enjoying the uppermost platform, and walking out. 

1700 After a wonderful tour at the temple, you will hop into a relaxing sunset atmosphere with the Angkor Gondola paddle boat at the moat of Angkor Thom compound while watching a spectacular sunset at Prasat Chroung temple. 

Then return to your hotel and free at leisure. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Siem Reap - Siem Reap Airport (8 km): 15 mins Siem Reap - Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (52 km): 1hrs 10 mins (New Airport) Tan Son Nhat International Airport - Central HCMC (8km): 30 mins

After breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport for the departure flight from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). 

Flight: REP-SGN by K6 808 (09:40 - 11:10) – see separate price 

Once known as the ‘Pearl of Indochina’, Saigon boasts an enormous architectural wealth, mirroring its colourful history. From the pagodas, museums and European architecture of the city’s recent past to the growing number of skyscrapers, Saigon is like a trip through time. 

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh CIty and be welcomed by the guide and transferred to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

At 0830, a full day tour to explore and learn the history and culture of Vietnam’s commercial capital starts with a drive to visit the FITO Museum. This fascinating private museum has an impressive collection of items related to the history of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Objects found in traditional pharmacies and valuable books and documents are on display. 
Return to the center of the city, hop out the vehicle and take a walking tour through the historic city center and CBD. See the architecturally splendid City Hall, historic Dong Khoi Street,  the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House before heading to the Central Post Office. From here, you can glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975.   
Following, rest your feet over a well deserved lunch before continuing to perhaps the city’s most famous landmarks - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display’s are fascinating.  
Continue either on foot or by vehicle to one of the city’s museums. Choose the War Remnants Museum, which exhibits artifacts and photographs relating to the country’s wars or The Fine Arts Museum where a symphony of art and charming design can be seen.  
Finish up the day at another historic site,  the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighborhood market, the central location also welcomes travelers with a variety of stalls. 
Having gained greater understanding of Saigon's culture and history, return to the hotel late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 HCMC to Cai Be (110km): 2.5 hrs

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and drive into the Mekong Delta on this Cai Be day tour. 

Upon arrival, board a private boat and start exploring the Delta. Savor the taste of locally grown fresh fruits, relish the refreshing breeze while the boat glides through the river. 

Go ashore and start to cycle, riding through a local village and alongside verdant fruit gardens. En-route, explore the local culture by visiting families who specialize in handicraft products.  

Then, board a sampan through the narrow canals around the island, appreciating the tranquility and lush landscapes of this part of the Delta. Leaving the serene island, the boat takes on a brief journey along a busy area. The river banks bustle with various businesses, while local boats dot the middle of the river, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Arriving at a house, inhabited for more than four generations, offers a great example of traditional ‘Mandarin’ architecture. A traditional home-cooked ‘Mekong’ meal will be served for lunch here. Then, take a walk through the fruit orchard to see the fresh seasonal goodness on the trees. 

As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky it is time to return to Cai Be and onwards to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Danang Airport to Hoi An (30km): 45 mins

After breakfast transfer to Tan Son Nhat domestic airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. 
On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns and UNESCO-heritage listed, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries now draws international visitors to its streets, for both the history and the surrounding scenes.  
In the afternoon, take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market. 
Meet a knowledgeable local guide for this introductory, half day Hoi An city tour, learning all about its illustrious past as a trading port. Take a walk through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood hundreds of years of weather and war. 
Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge*, one of two such bridges in Vietnam. The bridge spans a small waterway and was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Continue to a Chinese communal hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.

Explore smaller laneways and local neighborhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm. After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An,  return to the hotel or your next destination.

*The Japanese Bridge is currently under renovation until Q1 2024 (est) . Visitors are able to walk alongside the bridge (as of June 2023) on a purposely built metal platform however the actual structure is mostly covered in metal sheeting, therefore limiting photo op’s of the town’s most famous monument.

Rest of the day at leisure. 
Overnight in Hoi An
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Hoi An to Hue (120km):3hrs

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Its mesmerizing tombs and mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam reveal fascinating insights into the lives of the imperial families and their subjects. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today.  

Drive through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. 

Kick off the afternoon with a visit to the UNESCO- listed Imperial Citadel. Roam the expansive grounds, admiring buildings that reflect the pomp and ceremony of the once-mighty Nguyen Dynasty. Hear the stories of the majestic buildings and intriguing former emperors. Take a look at areas damaged by conflicts, both ancient and modern, and learn of Hue’s role in Vietnam’s military history. 

After exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument depart for Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River. Constructed in 1601, the 21-meter tower is the centerpiece of the pagoda and represents seven reincarnations of Buddha. On the pagoda grounds is the famous Austin car a resident monk drove to Saigon in 1963 to protest against the southern regime. The photo of his self immortalization is one of the most well known images of the war. 

Overnight in Hue.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Central Hue to Phu Bai Airport (17km): 30mins Noi Bai Airport to central Hanoi (35km): 60 mins

This morning, leave the city behind and travel through Hue’s outskirts to the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang, a Nguyen Dynasty ruler known for his opposition to French occupation and his decadent lifestyle. Explore his remarkable tomb, admiring the imposing architecture and gorgeous forest setting while learning more on this historic figure. Continue to Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb, which is equally impressive, yet a completely different complex. See the blend of traditional Vietnamese design with European influence, making it unique from other royal tombs in Hue. 

From here transfer 30-minutes to Hue Airport for the 1-hour flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport, your private guide and driver will assist on arrival for the transfer to the hotel for check-in. 
Hanoi, a city of contrasts, defies easy categorization. It's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. But one thing is for sure: it's a place that’s captivating, to all the senses. 

Rest of the day at leisure. 

Overnight in Hanoi.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Central Hanoi - Halong (160km): approx.2.5hrs

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage areas of Halong and Lan Ha Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into wonderous shapes covered in lush fauna is truly breathtaking.   

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. 

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations. 

Enjoy sunset on the deck followed by dinner, then retiring for the evening. 

Please note: Subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Overnight on Halong / Lan Ha Bay.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Halong to Hanoi (135km): 3.5hrs

Wake up to the fresh morning amidst the islands of the bay for breakfast (brunch on some boats) while enjoying the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. 

Mid morning, proceed to checkout as the cruise cruises towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. 

In Hanoi, Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed Mondays) is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about the rich cultural diversity of Vietnam. The museum houses a vast collection of interactive exhibits that showcase the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. 

Overnight in Hanoi.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Hanoi to Noi Bai Airport (35km): 60 mins

Today’s tour begins at 08:30/13:30. Set off on a half day guided tour of Hanoi’s highlights. A city of contrasts, defies easy categorization, it's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. 

Dive right in with a visit to the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years.   

Following, chose a museum option (to be discussed on the actual day of the tour):  
Option 1: Vietnam Women’s Museum.  Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society.  

Option 2: Hoa Lo Museum: Step back in time to the days of the Vietnam War at the "Hanoi Hilton." Once home to POWs, the exhibits include photographs, artifacts, and displays. 
Conclude the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. 
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As an alternative option to the museum and Old Quarter, Hanoi’s iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex can be visited. The site is fascinating yet expect queues and long walking distances (Note the Mausoleum is closed Monday and Fridays, each afternoon as well as annually from June 12th to Aug 14th).  
Join the long queues before continuing on foot past the Mausoleum to learn about the life and legacy of the nation’s founder. Continue to the ‘house on stilts’ where ‘Bac Ho’ resided from 1958 to 1969. Stroll around the tranquil grounds before completing the circuit at the One Pillar pagoda; built in 1049, the symbol of Hanoi is a unique representation of the city. 

Spend the rest of the day at leisure until the transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the onward flight.
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast