Best of Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta & Siem Reap - 6 Days

Highlights

• Experience the museums, temples, and architecture of Ho Chi Minh City
• Board an overnight cruise on the Mekong Delta to see how locals live
• Wander around hundreds of temples at the Angkor Archaeological Park
• Sample food vendors and nightlife on the famous Pub Street in Siem Reap

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Explore the City

Xin chào! Welcome to Vietnam! You've landed in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Ho Chi Minh City might not be the capital, but it is the most populated city in Vietnam, with around 10 million people calling it home. On arrival at the airport, a private driver will be waiting to transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. Check in and drop your bags, then use the rest of the day to relax and explore at your own pace.

A good place to start is by delving into the city's past at the War Remnants Museum, where poignant exhibits offer a glimpse into Vietnam's wartime history. Then head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street around sunset. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is lined with cafes, bars, and shops, and it's where locals gather to relax and people watch.

Day 2: Full-Day Ho Chi Minh City Sightseeing Tour

Ho Chi Minh City is a place of contrasts, where street vendors can be found alongside glitzy modern bars. Today, you'll explore the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Vietnam's largest city with a local guide. You'll see all the major attractions, starting at the Reunification Palace, where the "American War" officially ended as a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through the gates of the former residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. After, pass by the Notre Dame Cathedral, then enter the General Post Office, which offers a fine example of French colonial architecture.  

Stop for lunch at a local restaurant, then enter the bustling Ben Thanh Market, where you can barter for everything from fabric to fans. Spend the afternoon at the 18th-century Giac Lam Pagoda, Saigon's oldest pagoda temple, where you can admire the myriad mini-Buddhas and amazing Tree of Wandering Souls. Finish your tour at the Thien Hau Pagoda and the Cholon district, home to the city's 400,000 Chinese residents. Here, you'll find many beautiful temples, pagodas, and the immense Binh Tay Market. 

Day 3: Transfer to Can Tho, Overnight Mekong Delta Cruise to Cai Be

Early this morning, a private transfer will take you 3.5 hours from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho, a city on the bank of the Hau River, situated on Vietnam's Mekong Delta. Known for its floating markets and canals, you'll board a boat for an overnight cruise. Set off and settle in, then enjoy lunch on board as you watch the landscape pass by.

Day 4: Disembark Cruise, Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City, Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Wake up on the Mekong Delta and breathe in the tranquil peace of being on the water. You'll cruise along the river while breakfast is served before checking out of your cabin and switching into a traditional rowing sampan to access smaller canals. You'll visit the Tan Phong islet to meet local artisans and hear folk music. Then, jump on bicycles and cruise along the back roads of the canals. Finally, around 11 am, it will be time to transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, stopping for lunch en route.

Once back in the big smoke, you'll head straight for the airport. A private driver will transfer you there in time for your one-hour flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia's capital and gateway to the ruins of Angkor Wat. Once you land in Cambodia, another driver will transfer you to the city, which should take about an hour. Check into your hotel and rest up, as tomorrow, you have a big day exploring the ancient temple complex that draws tourists to this destination.

Day 5: Full-Day Angkor Archaeological Park Tour, Explore the Night Market

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you'll explore the 12th-century capital of Angkor Thom. A local guide will show you the South Gate, with its huge statues, and the Bayon Temple, known for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. This is where you'll see the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephant's Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. You'll continue to Ta Prohm, a place abandoned to the elements that remind us that while empires rise and fall, nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history.

Finally, visit the most famous of all the temples—Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and art historians consider the 12th-century masterpiece the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Late in the day, return to Siem Reap, where you could explore the famous Night Market, home to the lively Pub Street. You'll find restaurants, bars, massage spots, and nightclubs here.

Day 6: Depart Siem Reap

It's the final morning of this short but sweet vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia. If you have time before your flight, walk around the city and shop for souvenirs. When the time is right, a private driver will transfer you back to the airport for your departing flight onward or home. Safe travels!

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