12-Day Essential Cambodia & Vietnam Tour from Phnom Penh

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

In the afternoon, you will have a quick visit to the Independence Monument and then get directly to the Royal Palace - a typical royal construction in Khmer style and still the home of the royal family. The Silver Pagoda is located in the same area as the Royal Palace which is the most well-known royal temple in Cambodia and is famous for its silver floor and precious ornaments from diamonds, emeralds, and gold. Nearby is the National Museum which exhibits over 5000 objects that can tell you more about Cambodia's history and culture. Finally, you will visit Wat Phnom - a sacred hill in the city where you can hear a story about how Phnom Penh was born.

Begin the scenic drive to Siem Reap by shared limousine bú (approximately 6 hours, including stops). Arrive in the small but expanding town of Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor and the most popular destination for travellers in all of Cambodia, perhaps even in South East Asia. You'll probably notice a change of pace here, so take a walk and enjoy the atmosphere. A visit to the old market is a must, even if you're not looking for souvenirs, wandering through the stalls and surrounding shops the silks, cottons, sarongs, silver and statues are a riot of colour and a feast for the eyes – and there will be one for your stomach too if you try some of the cheap, delicious street food! There's also a long tradition of shadow puppetry in the region, and if you're lucky you might catch a show at one of the local restaurants in the evening, perhaps while you're eating the specialty cuisine of Cambodia – amok, the name given to curry steam-cooked in banana leaves.

Start with Angkor Wat, the world’s largest sacred building and an architectural masterpiece. Built in the 12th century the temple took 30 years to build and represents the Khmer civilisation at its grandest. Continue to visit the southern Gate of Angkor Thom, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side - gods to the left and demons to the right – and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. At ‘The Bayon’ (12th century) we see its beautifully crafted central towers, covered in more than 200 enormous faces, then explore the famous Terrace of the Leper King, and the Terrace of Elephants.

After lunch and a rest break we set out for Preah Khan temple. Known as the ‘Temple of the Sacred Sword’, Preah Kahn was recently restored by the World Monument Fund. At the end of the day we move on to the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm – one of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor. Once home to 2,740 monks, Ta Prohm today looks much as it did in the early 1850s, when French explorer Henri Mouhot ‘rediscovered’ this crumbling site. After exploring the maze-like interior of Ta Prohm, continue to see sunset at Pre Rup temple before return back to your hotel after a long but fulfilling day, which will leave you with a lifetime of memories of one of wonders of the world.

Begin the tour by visiting a local market known as Rulous market to see villagers selling their home-grown vegetables or a local pagoda to learn about religion. Then, take a tour of the astounding floating villages known as stilt-houses, which stand between 8 and 10 meters high, as well as the school, farm, and even the hospital, where people have bravely adapted to some of the most unimaginable conditions, all while smiling. From the comfort of our boat trip, take in the beautiful atmosphere of this one-of-a-kind village. Transfer to the airport for departure flight from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After morning pickup at your Ho Chi Minh City hotel, travel about 20 miles (30 km) to reach Cu Chi, a district of the city most famous for the 75-mile (121-km) network of underground passages built by the Viet Cong army.

After your time in Cu Chi, return to the city for a traditional Vietnamese lunch served at a local restaurant.

Then spend the afternoon visiting Ho Chi Minh City's top sights. Start your city tour at the Reunification Palace, then take a short walk from the palace, your guide shows you fine examples of French Colonial architecture, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Ho Chi Minh City Hall and Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theater, also known as the Saigon Opera House.

Stroll toward the Saigon River along Dong Khoi Street and Nguyen Hue Boulevard to admire historic buildings and the ultra-modern Bitexco Tower, until recently the tallest skyscraper in Vietnam.

Wrap up your afternoon at the Ben Thanh Market — the city’s central market and one of its most colorful areas. Marvel at mounds of goods, and practice your bargaining skills if you wish to purchase any items.

At the end of your tour, your guide returns you to your hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong. We will take the boat ride on the Ba Lai River in Ben Tre. The motherland of coconut to understand how the locals not just only have coconut for juice, but for other manufacturers, including coconut candy and coconut oil. Cruising to discover the local culture of the South and to see how the locals live their life such as lively activities on waterways by cargo boats, fishing boats, kinds of fish traps, and handicraft factories of coconut process. Continue the journey to visit coconut charcoal ovens – make products from coconut shells as active charcoal (a kind of material for battery). Taking the rowing boat which is paddled by the local people on the amazing beautiful coconut canal in Ben Tre. Hop on a tuk-tuk (cycling is optional) through the coconut grove of the village to see how the locals make sleeping mats. We will have a set menu of delicious Southern local lunches in the riverside family restaurant. After lunch, you might Relax and keep going by rowing boat on a shady palm tree canal. Boat will ride back to the boat station and head back to Saigon.

My Son – “the spirit and art valley” is a symbol for a brilliant period of Champa kingdom. Since 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Arrive in My Son Temple, a special electric car will pick you up at the main gate and take you to the place where was chosen to build the temple tower of the Champa Royal for nearly 1000 years with many ancient towers hidden in a discreet valley. The place where the most exquisite focus of ancient Champa culture – is considered to be the Holy Land. There, you will hear the stone bricks tell about the dancing gods, tell about the gods of worship in the Champa culture, and so many secrets that until now still have no explanation and maybe you will be the first decode them. After visiting and listening to the tour guide talk about the mysteries here, you will be back to the main gate of My Son Ruins by special electric car and car will take you back to the hotel

Rest of the afterrnoon at leisure to explore Hoi An

Overnight in Hoi An

Explore the best of Ba Na Hills on a pfull day adventure! Hop on a modern air conditioned vehicle that will accommodate you and your traveling party during this exciting trip. Witness panoramic views of Ba Na as you take one of the longest and highest cable car ride in the world from Hoi An Station to Marseille Station. Walk along the 150m Golden Bridge and see the grandeur of its colossal hands as if offering the bridge up to the skies 1,414m above sea level. Customize your own itinerary and get the option to visit Fantasy Park, Family Entertainment Center (FEC), Linh Ung Pagoda, Linh Phong Tu Tower, Debay Wine Cellar, and more! Explore Ba Na Hills with your knowledgeable and friendly English speaking guide uncovering the stories behind each of the attractions. Enjoy your whole day trip with round trip transfer services to and from your hotel

Transfer 30-minutes to Hue Airport for the 1-hour flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today you have own time to explore Hanoi and discover the food, history, and culture. Overnight in Hanoi

The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days’ tour will visit the highlights. See the grand Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the ‘icon of Hanoi’ – The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake’s Tran Quoc temple as well as the fascinating Ethnology Museum, the bustling Old Quarter, Ngoc Son temple and The Restored Sword Lake. Taking one hour cyclo tour around the Old Quarter to enjoy the beauty of Hanoi Old city. Having lunch at a nice restaurant. Enjoy a water puppet show in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast leave Hanoi for an overnight boat trip on Halong Bay. Journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on bicycles and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive in Halong City late morning and board your traditional wooden junk. All dinner and lunch meals included Overnight on Halong Bay

Wake up and enjoy breakfast while witnessing the silence of beautiful misty bay. You'll be free to relax and enjoy the breathtaking scenery on sundeck, take fantastic photos of the bay. We hop on our tender boat to go visiting a secluded floating village surrounded by the mountains. We spawn our way between numerous floating houses and small rowing boats that serve the everyday life as vehicle, itinerant shops, fishing utility, sometimes overnight shelter. Lunch will be served while cruising back to the harbor. At leisure for shopping until your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight