Vietnam & Cambodia Holidays (08 nights/ 09 days)

Day 1: Arrive Ha Noi

Welcome to Ha Noi-Vietnam! You will be met and transferred from Noi Bai to your hotel. Later, proceed on a city tour which starts from the Temple of Literature, the 1st university in Vietnam and then continue to Ba Dinh Square – the biggest square in Ha Noi where all biggest cultural, political events of the city take place. Later, get an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Ha Noi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake). Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Ha Noi- Ha Long Bay

Today, depart Ha Noi and head east to Ha Long Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994. Upon arrival in Ha Long Bay, take a big boat to cruise the Bay to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch of fresh seafood on board, visit the Surprising Grotto, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating villages and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Return back to the boat for dinner. In the evening enjoy activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on board.

Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Ho Chi Minh City

Today after breakfast, visit by boat to Luon Cave, a ring-shaped pool inside an island in Ha Long Bay with absolutely tranquil landscape and emerald water. Return back to the Wharf of Ha Long Bay passing by the densest area with many islands that have been named like the Cock-Fighting Rock, Sail Island, Incense burner rock or Sea Dog Rock. Return to Ha Noi, and get transferred to for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City check in to the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City

Today after breakfast at hotel, proceed to My Tho the homeland of coconut and family factories with local products like coconut candy, rice paper etc. Upon arrival, embark on the boat cruising on the mighty Mekong River viewing the life of the local people live along the banks. Stop at one of 4 islands for sightseeing. Enjoy the fresh tropical fruits served in the heart of the garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music at the plantation. After that embark on the small boats rowed by the local people through the small canals to visit the local factories. There you will taste the honey tea and see the local people produce the coconut candy milk or stroll in the garden where the locals feed honeybee. Later, enjoy the horse cart trip through the tranquil road of the village. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant nearby Mekong River. In the afternoon, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City and stop to visit Vinh Trang pagoda, a famous pogoda in the area whose architecture is a mix of Chinese, Cambodian, and French culture. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City

Today morning visit Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the few remaining monuments of the Vietnam War. Beneath the ground lie 200 km of tunnels, dug by hand and inhabited by the forces of the Vietnamese guerillas during the conflict. The tunnel complex was base to almost 10,000 troops. To this day, it remains one of the most impressive examples of how fierce the war used to be. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Tan Son Nhat for a midday flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, in Siem Reap, you will be transferred to hotel. Later, visit the West Baray Big Pond, a “baray” is a water reservoir built by the ancient Khmer people. Also visit the Pre Rup Temple for a romantic sunset view. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. Later explore South Gate of Angkor Thom known as Big Angkor, the last capital of the Angkorian Empire, The famous Bayon Temple was an architectural muddle, in part because it was constructed in a somewhat piecemeal fashion for over a century. Terrace of the Elephants is an impressive, two and a half meter tall, 300 meter long terrace wall adorned with carved elephants and gradual that spans the heart of Angkor Thom in front of Baphuon – huge temple mountain in the heart of Angkor Thom, Royal Palace Area and Phimeanakas – impressive rite and sandstone pyramid. Terrace of the Leper King is at the north end of the Terrace of the Elephants, a double terrace wall with deeply carved nag as, demons and other mythological beings. Visit Ta Prohm Temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty. Giant trees have grown here for centuries. Later in the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat temple, the founder of the temple was Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152 and built the five towers in the 12th century to dedicate to the Hindu God Vishnu. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap

Today after breakfast, visit the Small Circuit including: visit Ta Prohm Temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty! Prasat Kravan was originally constructed by noblemen rather than a king. Banteay Kdei was built in sandstone, which has deteriorated quite badly. However, there remain some very beautiful lintels and pediments. Srah Srang is a royal pool was the King’s bathing pond. Takeo – King Suryavarman I commissioned this temple in the 10th Century, but it was never completed so has no elaborate decoration like its contemporaries. It is a pyramid on 5 levels and is dedicated to Shiva. Thommanon – small attractive temple in very good condition, built at the same time as Angkor Wat. Chau Say Tevoda built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite of Thommanon, was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. Later in the afternoon, take a trip to visit the highlights of the Grand Circuit including: Preah Khan – meaning The Sacred Sword, this temple was also built by Jayawarman VII and is famous for its immensely long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings. Neak Pean – This temple is a delicate highlight of Khmer art. Built by Jayavarman VII, this temple is the perfect representation of the heavens on earth. Ta Som was a small classic Bayon style monastic complex consisting of a relatively flat enclosure. East Mebon was built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman; this temple was situated on a small island in the middle of the Oriental, or Eastern, Baray. Visit Pre Rup, built in the 10th Century by Rajendravarman and view lovely sunset there. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 9: Depart Siem Reap

This morning is free at leisure. Later checkout and proceed to the airport for your flight back home.