Culture & Nature in Cambodia and Vietnam - 13 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Welcome to Siem Reap—located in the northwest of the country, in the province with the same name. Siem Reap is the gateway to the largest and oldest religious monument in the world, and the 8th wonder—the Angkor Wat. Ideal for exploration of Cambodia, the city will allow you to explore Tonlé Sap and enjoy the genuine countryside or discover more remote temples of Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen, and Kbal Spean.

Day 2: Siem Reap - Angkor Wat

Today starts with traveling along the riverside, passing through a village and a forested area. You will continue to the Angkor Thom South Gate—one of the five gateways into the ancient Khmer city of Angkor. Here, you will head up the wall for one of the most incredible rides within the Angkor complex.

Day 3: Siem Reap - Preak Toal Floating House

This morning, you will have leisure time to self-explore the town before a 2-day journey to the authentic floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. Being Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, it is a vital commercial resource, providing more than half of the consumed fish in Cambodia.

Day 4: Preak Toal - Siem Reap - Hanoi, Vietnam

Jump-start your day with an early morning boat ride through the waterways of the bird sanctuary Preak Toal. Binoculars in hand, your morning will be dedicated to peaceful bird watching along the flooded forest and from the top of the watchtowers where the rangers guard the colonies. During the boat journey, your guide will tell you about the unique ecosystem and habitats of the local flora and fauna.

Among the symphony of bird activity, take this unique opportunity to enjoy the tranquility of your surroundings. Head back to the floating house for a well-deserved local breakfast, and enjoy your last activity of the day—a water hyacinth weaving workshop. A local will teach you the traditional way of turning the water hyacinth plant into a colorful household item. Enjoy the local exchange while you weave away.

After the workshop, you will wave goodbye to this unique, floating world and head back to the mainland, Chong Kneas, before returning to Siem Reap. In the late afternoon, you will take a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon arrival at the Noi Bai Airport, you will be greeted by a local guide then driven to your hotel.

Day 5: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Day 6: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

This morning, you will travel to Ha Long Bay and arrive around noon. Here, you will board a cruise in the must-see Halong Bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its giant rock islets covered in luxuriant vegetation overlooking the waters. Ha Long Bay includes approximately 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, most of them uninhabited and never visited by travelers.

The scene creates a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will enjoy a lunch and dinner aboard with excellent and freshly caught seafood from the bay. Ending the day, you will have the chance to enjoy a night fishing session aboard the boat, and then spend the night on the water.

Day 7: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Hue

Early in the morning, you will wake up to a beautiful sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the Ha Long Bay. Your cruise will take you around the bay, and at the end of the morning, you will head to the Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival at the Phu Bai International Airport, your local guide will meet up with you and transfer you to your hotel. 

Hue —home to the Old Kings of Vietnam, lies in central Vietnam, standing on a plain, right at the foothills of Annamese Cordillera (Chaîne Annamitique), traversed by the Huong River (also called Perfume River).  Here, impressive history, temples, nature, and friendly people will welcome you into this former Vietnamese capital.

Day 8: Hue - Imperial City & Tomb of Tu Duc

An exciting day awaits, and this morning, you will pay a visit to the Imperial Citadel, before continuing on a bicycle ride on a winding path along the Perfume River. You will make a stop at a garden house, typical to the Hue city before reaching the Thien Mu Pagoda—an iconic seven-story pagoda. 

Day 9: Hue – Hoi An

This morning, you will depart from Hue to the Danang city via the spectacular "Hai Van Pass" route. This road, which overlooks the bay, has an incomparable panorama, and you will make several stops along the way, including the paradise beach of Lang Co. You will arrive in Hoi An in the late morning, and in the afternoon, you will discover the old town of the city—a World UNESCO Heritage Site.

The originality of the place is a mixture of Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and French architectural elements. Along the small streets, you will see Chinese houses dated more than two centuries old and the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, which is over 400 years old.

You will experience a Chinese temple and the Old House of Tan Ky, which belonged to a wealthy Vietnamese merchant 200 years ago and has stood unchanged ever since. At the end of the afternoon, relax during a boat trip on the Thu Bon River and enjoy the sunset.

Day 10: Hoi An Free Exploration Day - Crafting, Kayaking, & Sunset Dinner

Today is your free day to self-explore Hoi An town. There are a couple of ways to experience the city at its best, no matter if you are traveling with family, enjoy being highly active, or enjoy cultural sightings. Jump on a Vespa and explore Hoi An's surroundings in the morning, while riding to Cam Kim Island along the riverside. Arrive in the countryside and make your first stop in an ancestral house at a traditional boat builder's yard.

Continue to explore the rural splendor, crossing paddies, and endless farmlands, before making a stop to meet a local family practicing traditional mat weaving. Learn how to make the Banh Dap— a type of rice cracker. Afterward, stop at a local café for a drink, see how the locals roast coffee and cross the Thu Bon River on a newly-built bridge. Finally, relax and enjoy lunch in a restaurant overlooking a stunning, picturesque vista. You will then head back to Hoi An.

Day 11: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Today, after breakfast, you will travel to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon)—the largest city in Vietnam. Upon arrival, your driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel. Once you have settled in, you will spend the afternoon enjoying historical sights in the city. You will visit the Saigon Central Post Office, built during the French Indochina era, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Dong Khoi Street—a broad avenue lined with luxurious shops and hotels.

After that, you will travel back to your hotel. In the evening, you can enjoy a nightlife and food tasting tour on a scooter, taking a ride through the hectic, yet beautiful, metropolis. See how the city nightlife unfolds, and experience everything from hidden places to famous tourist stops and the trendiest hangout places to Saigonese locals. You will travel through four districts, starting your ride through tiny and typical alleys.

You will then make a stop at a streetside local seafood restaurant to taste popular Vietnamese dishes, such as fried pine nuts and steam clams with lemongrass. You will continue to Banh Xeo, a place often visited by locals, and try traditional pancakes, before heading to a local coffee shop with live music. The night will and with a delicious tasting of local smoothies or craft beer.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels Tour

Early in the morning, you will head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located one hour from Ho Chi Minh City. Initially dug by hand by the Viet Minh (the Resistance force) during the French Indochina War, this network of underground tunnels is 75 miles (121 km) long and was once very well equipped with meeting rooms and medical and sanitary posts. Today it is one of the most significant historical sites of the Vietnam War.

Your visit will begin by watching a documentary on the tunnels and the war in the 60s-70s. You will then pass through various narrow underground ducts and discover the different rooms, such as offices, weapons stores, and even hospitals. Ending the tour, you will have the chance to taste the specialty of Cu Chi, the khoai my luoc (boiled cassava)—a Vietnamese dish that was eaten daily during the war. You will then return to the city, free to spend it however you like.

Day 13: Ho Chi Minh City & Departure

It is your last day in Ho Chi Minh City, and then it is time for departure. After checkout, your driver will transfer you to the airport, but before that, you have the morning to enjoy some sightseeing. Alternatively, you can spend the afternoon in the city as well, and catch a flight in the evening.

Here are some activities to enjoy before your flight: