Authentic Adventures in Vietnam & Cambodia - 14 Days

Highlights

• Zip along Hanoi's historic neighborhoods on a Vespa
• Cycle between rural villages and waterways in Mai Chau and Ninh Binh
• Cruise the jade waters of Ha Long Bay and kayak to sea caves
• See Ho Chi Minh City's highlights and tour the Mekong Delta
• Visit floating villages in Cambodia and the Khmer temples of Angkor

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Street Food Tour

Welcome to Vietnam! This increasingly popular tourism destination has many faces. Its almost mystical countryside is famous for its vast rice paddies and soaring karst mountains, while its cities are both modern metropolises and open-air museums. Travel around the largest metropolises, and you'll see remnants of feudal dynasties, French colonial landmarks, and prominent sites from the Vietnam War (known locally as the American War). Your journey begins in Hanoi, the best place to experience Vietnam's many dimensions.

Upon arrival at the airport, a driver will transfer you to your hotel in or around Hanoi's Old Quarter (historic center). Spend the rest of the afternoon settling in and resting up because your day is just getting started. Around 6 pm, you'll meet a local guide for an adventure to discover Vietnam's rich culture through its food.

Over the course of three hours, you'll stop at street food vendors and family-run restaurants to sample no fewer than 10 traditional dishes. These might include bun cha (grilled pork with rice noodles), banh cuon (rice pancakes), nom bo kho (papaya salad with dried beef), banh ran ngot (sweet rice doughnuts), and the famous banh mi sandwich. You might also try a Hanoian egg coffee, a famous drink created when egg yolks were used as a substitute during shortages of fresh milk. Afterward, with a full stomach, you'll return to your hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi Vespa Tour

Leave in the morning to explore Hanoi in style on a vintage Vespa scooter. During this half-day excursion, your guide will take you for a ride through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter to admire its famous landmarks. These include the colonial-era Opera House and Hanoi Train Street, a line of train tracks running through a residential neighborhood so narrow it's almost impossible to believe. You'll also visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, and other government buildings as your guide reveals the history of Hanoi.

Continue to Huu Hiep Lake and the crash site of a US plane shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Hanoi—a poignant reminder of recent history. Then drive along West Lake and see the monument to the late US Senator John McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the American War. Then head just outside of Hanoi to a village on an island in the Red River, where you'll meet a resident family and learn more about rural life.

Afterward, you'll visit a nearby kumquat farm, where peach blossoms are grown for use during Tet (Lunar New Year), as they symbolize luck, health, wealth, fertility, and peace. Stop for a break to enjoy Hanoi's signature egg coffee, then drive back to the Old Quarter via the Long Bien Bridge. This magnificent structure was built over a hundred years ago to connect the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts. The tour finishes with lunch at a local restaurant before transferring back to your hotel.

Day 3: Transfer to Mai Chau, Rural Cycling Tour

After an early breakfast, meet your driver and leave Hanoi on a four-hour drive southwest to Mai Chau. This rural region is renowned for its splendid mountain vistas overlooking green valleys dotted with rice paddies. Also, here are traditional stilt-house villages inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group. However, other tribes also call this valley paradise home, including the Dzao and Muong.

Upon arrival, you'll check into your rural accommodation. Then, hop on a bicycle and head out for a two or three-hour ride (about 9 mi/ 15 km) through the beautiful countryside, stopping at ethnic villages as you go. At each one, friendly local villagers and farmers will welcome you with a chat and cultural exchange. It's an authentic glimpse into the daily life of locals who have been cultivating these lands and raising livestock the same way for centuries. Afterward, you'll sit down for a home-cooked local lunch and will have the rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Day 4: Village Tour & Bamboo Rafting, Transfer to Ninh Binh

Breakfast this morning will be at the home of a local family. After eating, meet your driver for the transfer, which is about 15 minutes to Mai Hich, home to Thai minorities. Like in Mai Chau, you'll amble around the village, stopping to chat with locals with the help of your guide. A little while later, hop on a traditional bamboo raft for a peaceful ride upstream to secluded spots in the Vietnamese countryside. As with breakfast, lunch will be served in a local home. 

A short while later, you'll transfer by vehicle three hours south to Ninh Binh. Located in the Red River Delta, this rural area is one of the most scenic regions in the country, known for tranquil rivers snaking through vast green rice fields dotted with towering karst mountains. Upon arrival, you'll check into your accommodation and have the rest of the day free.

Day 5: Boat & Cycling Tour of Ninh Binh

This morning, embark on a full-day tour to immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Ninh Binh. It starts with a visit to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009 CE, just after the country gained independence from China. Though the old citadel is mostly in ruins, the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties remain and are surrounded by verdant rice paddies.

After breaking for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant (try the goat meat and fried rice), you'll board a sampan (flat-bottomed boat) for a 1.5-hour ride on the river to the village of Tam Coc. This serene boat trip will leave you spellbound by the beauty of the surrounding paddy fields and karst rock formations. On the way, you'll stop at Thai Vi, a 13th-century temple dedicated to Tran Thai Tong (the first emperor of the Tran Dynasty). On returning to Tam Coc, you'll tour another temple and enjoy a 45-minute bike ride between local villages.

Day 6: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Cruise to Lan Ha Bay

Wake up early for the 3.5-hour ride north up the coast to the legendary Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a natural wonder of the world. In this sweet spot on the Gulf of Tonkin, over 1,000 karst islets rise above emerald waters, resembling the spine of a giant reptile—hence the name Ha Long (Descending Dragon). Here, you'll board a luxury ship operated by Doris Cruise for an overnight ride across the bay.

After settling into your cabin, head up to the deck, where a delicious seafood/vegetarian lunch awaits. Then, you can spend hours relaxing on the sundeck as the ship sails across glassy emerald waters to Ha Long's more serene neighbor, Lan Ha Bay. On the way, the ship will make a stop at Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach Beach), a stunning islet with sandy beaches and sea caves. Explore them by kayak or just enjoy a swim.

After your aquatic activities, return to the boat and enjoy the luxury onboard facilities. Join a cooking class or wine-tasting experience, or relax in your suite and watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin with a cocktail in hand. You'll have dinner on board, then climb to the bar on the top deck for a peaceful nightcap.

Day 7: Visit Dark & Light Cave, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

If you have the energy, wake at dawn and head to the sundeck for an early morning tai chi session. It's a perfect excuse to watch the sunrise over the karts towers of the bay. Later, as you enjoy a light breakfast and coffee, the ship will begin making its way back to the port in Ha Long.

On the way back, there's a stop near Dark and Light Cave. There, you'll board a traditional bamboo boat and enter this system of two sea caverns. The "dark" cave stretches over 328 feet (100 m), and you'll explore the interior with a flashlight. The "light" cave is shorter and is filled with natural light, illuminating the white limestone karst walls and emerald waters of the grotto. Its cathedral-like interior is a great place to snap photos.

Afterward, you'll return to the ship and cruise to the pier in Ha Long Bay. From there, you'll hop in a vehicle for the three-hour ride back to Hanoi and the airport, where you'll catch a two-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The former Saigon is a fascinating city in that it has managed to preserve its cultural roots and traditions in the face of a communist revolution, a devastating war, and ever-encroaching modernity. Upon arrival, a driver will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 8: Day Trip to the Mekong Delta

This morning, you'll transfer south to the lush Mekong Delta. Known as Vietnam's rice bowl, this region is full of mangroves, sugar cane plantations, and flourishing rice paddies. Board a boat for a ride down the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the mighty Mekong. Along the way, you'll stop and visit local businesses like a brick workshop. The region is also famous for its coconut candies, and you'll visit a factory to see how these tasty confections are made. 

Next, you'll stop at a small riverside village for tea with a family that makes hand-woven rush mats. Then, explore the town by bike or xe loi (motor cart) and witness scenes of peaceful riverine life. You'll pass verdant rice fields, coconut groves, vegetable farms, and exotic fruit orchards. Have lunch at a restaurant on the banks of the river, then hop on a traditional raft and paddle down a creek. Afterward, you'll transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City and will have the evening free.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City Highlights Tour

In the morning, meet a local guide and set off on a half-day adventure to explore Ho Chi Minh City. You'll discover a city filled with winding alleyways, sprawling markets, and soaring skyscrapers set among decorative temples and French colonial landmarks. Travel to architectural highlights, such as the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. You'll then visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a symbol of the end of the Vietnam War.

The tour ends with a tour of the War Remnants Museum, which offers a vivid look at the legacy of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel and will have the rest of the day to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City on your own.

Day 10: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Artisan D'Angkor & Killing Fields Pagoda

Your driver will pick you up early for the transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a one-hour flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Cambodia! This resort town in the country's northwest sits on the shores of Tonlé Sap and is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. These ruins were once the capital city of the Khmer Kingdom from the ninth to the 15th centuries.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you'll transfer to your hotel for check-in. Afterward, head out on a half-day tour to visit some fascinating locales. First up is Artisans D'Angkor, a community workshop where rural Cambodians train in the art of traditional Khmer craftsmanship.

Later, on a more somber note, you'll visit Wat Thmei (New Wat). Also known as the Killing Fields Pagoda, this Buddhist temple was built in 1966 and is famed for its elegant stupa, which houses the remains of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Though only in power for four years, this murderous dictatorship claimed the lives of over two million Cambodians or about 25% of the country. In addition to its spiritual role, Wat Thmei functions as an educational center, raising awareness about the history of the Khmer Rouge and the importance of preserving the memory of the victims.

Day 11: Day Trip to Angkor Temples

Today, you'll visit Angkor Thom (literally "Great City"), once the most impressive royal city of Cambodia's Angkor period. During its heyday in the 12th and 13th centuries, it was a formidable defensive area, protected by 26-foot (8 m) walls and a wide moat. Looming over it are the 54 towers of Bayon Temple. King Jayavarman VII commissioned it in the 12th century, and his smiling face is represented in its 216 stone sculptures. Other highlights include the Terrace of the Elephants (featuring sculptures of elephants), Phimeanakas (a three-tiered pyramid), and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Next, it's on to Preah Khan, a temple complex built by King Jayavarman VII and dedicated to his father in 1191. Adorning its stone walls are impressive sculptures of garudas—mythological, eagle-like beings. Next, head to nearby Ta Prohm, a 12th-century Buddhist temple whose crumbling towers have been all but absorbed by the surrounding jungle.

Last but certainly not least is the star of the show: Angkor Wat. This 12th-century complex covers a whopping 200 acres (81 ha), and its five towers are so iconic they're emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. On a tour here, you'll immerse yourself in the ruins as you stroll through its galleries, libraries, pavilions, and courtyards. Afterward, you'll transfer back to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Visit Floating Villages, Fly to Phnom Penh

This morning, you'll transfer 11 miles (18 km) south to Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Here, you'll board a boat and travel to the famous floating villages—communities comprised of wooden stilt houses over the water. There are also markets, restaurants, and even schools. During a three-hour tour, you'll learn how these communities sustain themselves and take a boat ride through mangrove forests.

Afterward, you'll transfer back to Siem Reap and the airport, where you'll catch a quick 50-minute flight to Phnom Penh. Cambodia's dazzling capital sits on the mighty Mekong River and is lined with elegant French colonial buildings. All around, you'll find cafés, bars, street-food vendors, and night markets abuzz with activity. Upon arrival, you'll transfer to your hotel in the city.

Day 13: Phnom Penh Highlights Tour

Wake up early for a guided tour of Phnom Penh. Your first stop is in the city center at the Independence Monument, built in 1958 to memorialize Cambodia's independence from France. Then stop at the Royal Palace, which was commissioned by King Norodom in 1866. Explore the grounds and its Silver Pagoda, so-named because of its floor, which is adorned with 5,000 silver tiles. Inside are Buddha statues encrusted with gold and emeralds.

After lunch, you'll stop in at Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 Prison), which chronicles the Cambodian genocide. This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot's security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. From there, continue on to Psar Toul Tom Pong, known as the Russian Market. This large municipal market is a great place to hunt for souvenirs, pottery, curios, silks, and more. At the end of the day, you'll return to your hotel. 

Day 14: Depart Phnom Penh

Your immersive journey through Southeast Asia comes to a close today. In the morning, meet your driver for the ride to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!

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