Essential Vietnam And Cambodia , 15 days

On arrival at Hanoi Airport, you are greeted  by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You will have some time free to relax or explore at your own leisure. The capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi is a fascinating blend of East and West, combining traditional Sino-Vietnamese motifs with French flair. The building boom has made Hanoi a rapidly developing city in Southeast Asia. However, it still retains an old charm brought from a thousand year of history, with many interesting cultural and historic monuments, beautiful lakes, shady parks, bustling street markets, funny shops and open air eating spots jostled in ancient houses, and historic temples adjoining colonial style structures. They offer both local and foreigner visitors an endless exploration. You might like to  stroll through the fascinating old quarter containing many vibrant streets which are named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. The lively atmosphere in Hanoi old quarter runs from the early hours until late at night  with many street vendors calling, horns honking, and chaotic traffic with waves of motorbikes you’ve never experienced.

Today, we start our exploration of Hanoi with a drive through diverse streets encompassing a millennium of the city culture and evolution to the Ba Dinh Square. This park setting contains the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov) and the Ho Chi Minh Residence. We queue up for a walk past silent sentries, paying a homage to Ho Chi Minh and  continue  to his residence, a simple stilt house set in a well-tended garden. He has lived and worked in this place until his final days. Nearby this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, of which the origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi City. We follow it with the Temple of Literature, which is now dedicated to the scholars of Confucius but was once the first university of Vietnam. The successful candidate records are still found in various stone steles set over giant stone turtles in the temple ground. We head towards the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (close on Mon.), where display in both outdoor and indoor sections, various documents, images and objects focusing on 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Upon leaving this sight, we drive past various attractions, including Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, West Lake, Long Bien Bridge, and Opera House. There are no stops planned as it is simply a glimpse of the cityscape. We finish a round of city tour  with a fantastic water puppet show and  a pleasant walk from  Hoan Kiem Lake into the bustling old quarter streets.

The incredible limestone outcroppings form a spectacular seascape of Halong Bay, making it an incomparable natural wonder in Vietnam. Today, we set off on a drive to Bai Chay, a base for our exploration of Halong Bay. This journey takes anything between three and four hours, passing through the beautiful countryside  to the stone formations of Halong Bay. We are  welcomed on board  with refreshing drinks and get some information about the watercraft and the activity program. The exciting excursion begins as our boat zigzags itself in Halong Bay. Along the way, we feast on a huge lunch (veg. meals also available on request), catching some beautiful views of the bay with a blend of the sky and limestone islets jutting out from the clear and emerald water. These rocky islands are usually named by their distinctive shapes and littered with tiny beaches and beautiful caves. You spend this afternoon to simply admire the splendid scenery unfolding beyond your eyes or go for some activities; rowing boat excursion, swimming and kayaking (optional). We can improve our culinary skill while participating in a cooking class in the flavor of the sea. The master chef will show the guests how to make some traditional Vietnamese delicacies. We follow it  with a sumptuous dinner and enjoy some evening entertainment at the dining room. There are also possibilities to try your hand at squid fishing from our boat.

The early light begins washing the night away, unveiling the marvelous beauty of Halong Bay. You can participate in a Taichi exercise on the sundeck and may get a chance to catch some wonderful photos of the sunrise over Halong Bay. The boat trip continues past many imposing  islands, giving us a new exploration of this beautiful bay.  We can spend our time at leisure or step onto a tender to visit Sung Sot, one of the many beautiful caves hidden beneath towering cliffs. The uphill walkway with nearly 100 steps is somewhat arduous; however, the panoramic view from nearby boat pier to rocky islands in the far distance, makes the hardship all worthwhile. We enjoy this splendid landscape before we start the exploration of Sung Sot Cave. This remarkable cave is naturally adorned with countless stalactite and stalagmite formations. They stretch amazingly from floor to ceiling, forming various pillars to support the cave dome. The illuminating spotlights of various colors within the stone formations add more enchantment to this beautiful cave. We come back to our cruise and weave our way through a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars towards Tuan Chau Marina. The wonderful time in Halong Bay is followed by a drive back to Hanoi. Along the way, we make stop at our pleasure, to stretch our legs and see many local villagers making excellent craft objects in traditional ways. 

Today, we have a free time to explore Hanoi at your leisure before  you take the night train to Hue in central Vietnam.  The hotel room is not  available this afternoon. Therefore, you need to check  out  and leave your luggage at hotel consierge if you are planning to  go out on any day trip. The vibrant old quarter in Hanoi downtown seems to be a shopping paradise, where the Silk Street and Silver Street still retain their particular trades after hundreds of years. Whether you are looking for gimmicky souvenirs; conic hats or  hand-made silk, you can find plenty at Dong Xuan Market. This biggest marketplace built in the French period is a cavernous building that sells anything from household items to  food , clothes and shoes.  You can also join one of our optional activities, some ofwhich are street foot, cooking class, scooter trip or countrisde bike ride. The street light is turned on, making a sign to leave Hanoi. We meet together in early evening and pack our luggage for a short drive to the train station. We will travel on overnight train to Hue in central  Vietnam. The train conditions are basic; we travel in soft sleeper class which is compartment for up to four people, a communal environment. This train journey is in keeping with the adventure nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the ‘ real Vietnam’. 

The train pulls into Hue Station, giving us a  different type of discovery. You are greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. The riverside town of Hue was flourished from 1802 to 1945 when it was the national capital under the Nguyen Dynasty. This ancient capital represents the outstanding demonstration of the vanished Vietnamese feudal empire, including royal citadel, monuments, pagodas, and mausoleums littered in surrounding hills. We start our tour of Hue with  the massive Hue Citadel, which contains the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but partly destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive; however, it is still fascinating to walk around and see many pavilions, bridges, libraries, and great halls. They have been restored to explain the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, who have built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years. Today we embark on a traditional boat for a relaxed trip on the Perfume River, seeing the Thien Mu Pagoda. This iconic religious structure has a nice legend and a prominent architecture stretching from the river banks in seven successive tiers to monastic buildings and octagonal tower, regarded as a symbol of Hue. Upon leaving this site  we take a short drive to the vibrant Dong Ba Market and enjoy a walk around this flagship shopping destination in Hue. There are a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts, and also many fantastic eating spots, making an ideal place for visitors to try their  hand at bargaining and sample some local delicacies rarely found in different locations of Vietnam.

Today, we continue our exploration of Hue with  the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. This majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions, and temples, was built in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. The river scenery will be left behind as we travel by road through  rolling hills to the Khai Dinh Mausoleum, a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. We walk across the mandarin courtyard where are standing various statues of mandarins, horses, and soldiers. They make for a real scene of the ancient royal court. The most notable place is Thien Dinh Palace housing the bronze statues and the King steles. We leave Hue for Hoi An this afternoon and drive past  Lang Co beach resort before climbing up the challenging Hai Van Pass. This  obvious boundary between northern  and southern Vietnam grants a  panoramic view north to Hue and south to Da Nang. We start our tour of Da Nang with the famous Cham Museum, formerly the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient. This beautiful mansion contains many exquisite limestone carvings from the vanquished Kingdom of Champa that has been in central coastal littoral prior to the march of the Vietnamese nation south. The scenic drive passes through various gorgeous beaches to  the sensational Marble Mountain topped with five rocky outcrops. They are said to represent the five natural elements of the universe; fire, water, earth, wood and metal. This mountain has a rich history as it was used by the Cham ethnic minorities for their religious purposes but lately became a heaven for the Vietnamese fighters. We follow the coastline to Hoi An, a charismatic town outside of Da Nang.

The indigenous and foreign cultures including Chinese, Japanese and European influences have been combined to make for the ancient architecture in Hoi An Town. There are plenty to see in this delightfull town from the river front to old quarter streets. We spend this morning to explore Hoi An on a walking tour, passing by many ornate Vietnamese tube houses, Chinese temples, and Japanese shop houses. They reflect the multi-cultural past of this ancient town. Along the way we visit the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, which was first constructed in 1590s by the Japanese traders to link them with the Chinese quarters. The ornamentation has remained relatively faithful to the original Japanese design over centuries. We continue onto the Museum of Trade Ceramics, a beautifully restored timber house where displays many relics of the bygone civilization and the origins of this port town. Upon leaving this site, we come to the typical Phung Hung House, a gem with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements. This ancient house was built by a Vietnamese family two centuries ago and has been lovingly preserved through seven generations. We follow it with the Chua Ong Pagoda and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This imposing and colorful structure is one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An. You have free time to explore at your leisure, relax on Cua Dai Beach, stroll around the vibrant waterfront, make some fine garments at famous tailor shops or go on one of many optional trips.

The ancient houses and shopping scene will be left behind as we take a short drive to Da Nang and board our flight to  Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you are met  by our guide and driven to  your hotel. The bustling  Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, but it has developed into Saigon under the French domination. The effervescent development has bought Ho Chi Minh some cosmic changes from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. However, the architecture, local culture and  lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh  are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences. The major attractions of Ho Chi Minh are set around the town center. We spend this morning seeing some of them as we stroll along the vibrant street of Nguyen Hue. This is always a live attraction, giving an interesting view of many eating spots and shop houses. We have a quick look at the ornate City Hall at Nguyen Hue Boulevard before we stroll around the striking European style­ landmarks of Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Sai Gon Post Office. The sightseeing tour continues with a drive past the Reunification Palace on our way to the War Remnant Exhibit. This house contains a wealth of images and real objects reflecting the notorious Vietnam- American War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists. They make your visit like taking a step back into the war time.  We follow this sight with the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts appealing to every taste!.

Heading out of the town, we travel by road to My Tho, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. This incredibly fertile plain region was formed by the mighty Mekong River, which winds its way from Tibet - China through  Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and finally into Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho, we board a private boat for a cruise along the Mekong River. The river trip will give  some fantastic views from nearby floating fish farms to many lush islands. Along the way we anchor at the Unicorn Island, one of the four famous islands in place. The village lanes are fringed with local houses, luxuriant fruit gardens, and unfolding rice fields, creating a key feature of the countryside sketch. We follow our guide to experience the traditional lifestyles, culture, and customs of the people who call the Delta their home. There are some enjoyable stops to taste many seasonal fruits, enjoy traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea at a nearby bee farm. The intricately narrow canals are also a highlight of our excursion. We take a rowing sampan to explore this mazing lifeblood  of the Mekong Delta before we get back to our motor boat and  race across the water to Ben Tre, locally called “coconut kingdom”.  We embark on a walk to explore the rhythms of daily life and meet workers doing their traditional jobs at some industry cottages. The villagers are making brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and local handicrafts. We apprehend the more relaxed pace of the Delta, in stark contrast to the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City. Upon disembarking, we make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, with a stopover at the vibrant  China Town. This famous trade hub is crammed with  sacred temples and mysterious narrow lanes.

The following destination is Phnom Penh City in Cambodia via a bus journey. This trans-country  drive  takes anything between 5 and  6 hours depending on the road and traffic conditions, but it is still a good way  to see the  scenery  and  the local way of life changing from  Vietnam to Cambodia .  You complete the  journey once arriving at Phnom Penh Terminal and meet our guide for  transfer to your hotel. The bustling  city  of Phnom Penh has long remained little more than a large village. However, it became the permanent capital of Cambodia since 1866 and had developed into a sizeable, largely French designed city. The crossroads of cultures, peoples and worlds have made Phnom Penh on the edge of everything. We can find the Cambodian elements together with the Chinese and French influences in the gleaming temples, sidewalk coffee, vibrant markets, and colonial structures and tree lined boulevards amidst the monumental Angkorian architecture. We start our tour of Phnom Penh with the stunning Royal Palace, which is now home to the royal family, therefore  it is very close to the public. We walk across the beautiful royal gardens to see the Throne Hall where the king coronation  and the royal receptions are often  held.  The magnificent Silver Pagoda set at the northern palace ground would not to be missed. This country most sacred pagoda  is named  after some 5000 silver tiles covering the floor,  each weighing 1kg. We round off our day with a walk along the Tonle River. The riverfront seems the best place crammed with bars and nightlife venues.

The contemporary and ancient history makes for a highlight of Phnom Penh. We find it while seeing the Cambodia National Museum, a graceful terracotta structure inspired by temple architecture. This exquisite masterpiece with an inviting courtyard garden concentrates various incredible sandstone sculptures and intricate bronze objects from the pre-Angkor, Angkor and post-Angkor periods. The following stop is  Wat Phnom which dominates the skyline of Phnom Penh and  has an interesting legend about this city name. We come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge as we visit the Tuol Sleng Museum, a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death by the Khmer Rouge. Upon leaving this site, we drive back to the town center  and  visit Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed with countless stalls of goods. We leave Phnom Penh this afternoon and travel by bus  to Siem Reap, a gateway to the ruins of Angkor Temple Complex. On arrival at Siem Reap Terminal, you are met by our guide and driven to your hotel. You have free time to explore Siem Reap Town at your leisure. The vibrant downtown is tightly packed with small eating spots, shop houses, luminous bars, and bustling old market, offering an interesting exploration.

The majestic monuments draw a line for our exploration of Angkor Complex.  We start this day tour with Angkor Thom, an epic collection of striking structures encompassed in quadrangle area. The best preserved South Gate comes into view with a causeway fringed with 54 demons and 54 gods pulling a giant snake. This scene is focusing on a famous Hindu story in bygone time. We walk through two ranges of status on a cosmic scale to the gate tower with colossal human faces carved in stone. The walkway leads us to  the Royal Enclosure where remains some  mysterious ruins, including the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas Temple, and  Royal Terraces. These structures built from perishable materials have long vanished. The memorable climax of our visit is Bayon Temple  built in the centre of Angkor Thom. This enigmatic complex contains  54 towers, each topped off with the four faces of  Compassion Buddha. Upon leaving Angkor Thom Area , we take a short drive to  the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. The iconic monument  of the entire complex was built in the 12th century and reflects a perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry, bringing the pride and strength to all Khmers. The distinctive five towers of this temple are now emblazoned on the Cambodian flag. We stroll around this massive monument, unraveling the mysteries of the bas-reliefs from Hindu mythology to the glories of the Khmer empire. The footsteps lead through the upper levels of the inner sanctuary to the sacred heart of Angkor Wat, a blend of spirituality and symmetry. We round out day tour with a walk up the Pre Rup Temple to enjoy the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments.

Heading out of the town, we drive beyond the towering Angkor Complex  to Banteay Srey Temple. This intricately carved temple despite the lack in size is still a jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The architecture style features a mixture of the archaic concept and the innovative materials since Banteay Srey Temple  was largely built from sandstone in pinkish hue, with brick and laterite used for the enclosure walls and some structural elements. We stroll around this beautiful landmark and admire the marvelous sculpture at every step. Upon leaving Banteay Srey , we keep driving to see Banteay Samre, which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and  Krishna. Today we also have time to visit Prasat Kravan with a line of five brick towers, and Srah Srang which was once used for the royal baths and the ritual bathing. The following stop is Banteay Kdei Temple, a monastic complex of  enclosure walls, concentric galleries and towers. We venture into the jungle where Ta Prohm Temple is standing.  This famous structure is relatively untouched for centuries by its secluded location. There are enormous fig trees and creepers which embrace themselves in temple stone foundation, giving it a distinctive feature. The sightseeing also includes Neak Pean, which is originally designed for the medical purposes with four connected pools representing water, earth, fire and  wind. We continue onto  Preah Khan , a good counterpoint to Ta Prohm Temple.  The large ruin of Preah Khan was all but partly destroyed by the climate impact. However, it is till interesting to walk around, exploring the legends, towered enclosures and  shoulder hugging corridors.

There are no activities planned on this final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Siem Reap Town, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Siem Reap Airport for  your departure.