9-Day Journey: Experience Vietnam and Cambodia

Today you will have a full-day exploration of a unique Asian city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes, and oriental pagodas and temples dating back thousand years ago. 08:00 - 08:30: The guide will pick you up at your hotel Start your exploration by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, including Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father and President Ho Chi Minh's stilt house, where he lived and worked from 1958 to 1969. Then visit Ho Chi Minh Museum where you will learn about his devotion to Vietnam. Then continue to Tran Quoc pagoda, a Buddhist temple, and national heritage, lying on one side of West Lake. Then proceed to the Ethnology Museum (apply on Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat). Here you will find the diversity of the culture of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. 12:00: Have lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, drive to the Temple of Literature, which is the first university in Vietnam. It is an ancient architecture, constructed in 1073 to worship Confucius and the Chu Van An - headmaster of the Imperial College - representing the high moral philosophy and ethics of Vietnamese education. After an amazing time in the Temple of Literature drive back to Hoan Kiem Lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple and see the Vietnamese and French architecture around the lake. Overnight at hotel from 3 stars in Hanoi 

In the morning, after breakfast, check out the hotel, the Cruise team will pick you up. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival to Halong, you will enjoy a cruise on the Bay and explore the limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. After you are done with your exploration of the bay, it is time to enjoy an utterly delicious seafood lunch, after which there will be a trip to the famous limestone cave in Ha Long Bay, you’ll get to spend some time here, kayaking or swimming so that you can get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax. Overnight on cruise from 4 stars

Rise early today to view the dawn at the Wonder of the Nature World with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles. Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. Then return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Relish the remaining moment in Hanoi before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Ho Chi Minh. When you arrive at Ho Chi Minh airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. 13:00: Take the afternoon trip: visit Cho Lon (Big Market) and Thien Hau Pagoda which is located in Chinatown. Continue to Bach Dang harbor. After checking in the waterbus tickets, and stabilizing your seat, the boat will start to depart. During the trip, you will have a unique view of the most typical commercial buildings of the city including the Vin Homes Central Park urban area, the magnificent Landmark 81 tower, the Bitexco Financial Tower, the green peaceful District 2. A lot of stunning moments are waiting for you. Try to discover the soul of this land - Saigon River by water bus, maybe you will realize many miracles, a more accurate view of the land once called Paris of Indochina or the Pearl of the Far East. 18:00: Transfer back your hotel or meeting point. Finish the trip. Overnight at hotel from 3 stars in Ho Chi Minh.

Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15-7:30 am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people. Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies. Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. Afterward, you will get back to your accommodation. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh City before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, your private driver will meet you and escort you to the hotel. Rest if the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Have breakfast at the hotel and start your sightseeing tour of the Angkor complex. Start your exploration with the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Continue your sightseeing to the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We will stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Then visit the famous jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. Here the enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home. Trip Ends.