Vietnam & Cambodia Angkor Extension – 15 Days
Itinerary Details:
Day 1: Arrival – Ho Chi Minh City
Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), you will be welcome by experienced staff from our Vietnam travel partners and transferred to your hotel in the center of the city. After check-in you will have leisure time for the rest of the day to relax.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels
In the morning, we drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, and on our way there, we drive through the rural countryside with rubber plantations and rice paddies. Before exploration this maze of tunnels, we view a short video showing how they were constructed. Then its back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. After lunch it is time to explore the city and see the sights. Places of interest include the Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post Office, the Presidential Palace, and the Museum of War Remnants.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta
Leaving busy Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning, we drive to Cai Be, and take a boat through the busy floating market for seeing how people of the lower Mekong Delta do business on the water. We then cruise through the lush green vegetation along the canals to an orchard, where we are treated to a delicious lunch complete with tropical fruit. After lunch, we continue cruising along river to see peaceful and tranquil life of the villagers, and marvel at the natural beauty of Mekong Delta. In the afternoon
the boat arrives at the Vinh Long Market, and we take a walk around to explore the market. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City we stop at the Bonsai Garden.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang (Domestic Flight) – Hoi An
In the morning we fly to Danang, and there we visit the Cham Museum, which houses a collection of artifacts from the Champa civilization. Most of the artifacts are fine masterpieces of Champa art. We then drive
to Hoi An, stopping at China beach and a marble crafting village along the way. We arrive in the picturesque riverside town of Hoi An, and check in to the hotel. Then we will have time to explore this fascinating town with its narrow winding streets, and myriad of old houses and shops and temples.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 5: Hoi An – My Son
After breakfast in the hotel, we drive to see My Son, the site of the ancient Champa Kingdom
which flourished between the 2nd and 15th centuries. It was the religious (Hindu) and state capital where the Champa kings reigned. In 1999 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site, and has been compared to other great archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. When we return to Hoi An at the end of the day you will have leisure time to do some shopping and do a little exploring of Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 6: Hoi An
In the morning, we take a walking tour through the narrow streets of the old town, and visit the Fu Kien Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky house, the Japanese cover bridge, and the Hoi An Museum. There are also many handcraft workshops and souvenir shops to browse.
Overnight in Hoi An hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 7: Hoi An – Hue
Today we start north bound for the city of Hue, the former ancient imperial capital of Vietnam. The trip takes about 5 hours, and on the way, we go over the
Hai Van Pass with spectacular views. We arrive in Hue in the afternoon, and check into out hotel. After getting settled, we visit the Forbidden Purple City and the Dong Ba Market. In the evening we enjoy a traditional music show on a boat on the Perfume River.
Overnight in Hue hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 8: Hue – Hanoi (Domestic Flight)
After breakfast in the morning, we are off on a boat cruise on the Perfume River to visit the Thien
Mu Pagoda (Heavenly Lady Pagoda) which is one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam. It dates back to 1601, and is still an active Buddhist temple. It is the unofficial symbol of Hue. We also visit the tomb of the Emperor Minh Mang. After lunch we head to the airport to take a domestic flight to Hanoi. We arrive in Hanoi in the late afternoon or evening and check in to our luxury hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 9: Hanoi – Halong Bay (Overnight Cruise)
In the morning after breakfast we depart Hanoi for Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site of approx. 1,600 islands in a spectacular seascape of emerald-green water. We board our luxury cruise vessel and check in to our deluxe cabins. We enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board while cruising on this amazing natural wonder. If the weather permits, we will have the chance to go for a swim in the calm emerald waters. Dinner will be served in the ship's restaurant, and you will spend a relaxing overnight on board.
Overnight on board in deluxe cabin. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 10: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Early in the morning you wake to the sound of the ocean announcing the start of another fantastic day. We are served a delicious breakfast as we are underway for more exploration of this captivating bay. We go by sampan to lagoons, and we visit Luon Cave, and floating villages. Then a gourmet lunch is served on board before we disembark, and return to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 11: Hanoi City Tour
Today we get an early start for our city tour. The first place we visit is the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hours visiting Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh museum, and the one pillar pagoda. Next we see the Temple of Literature. Lunch will be the famous “Cha Ca” Hanoi cuisine, and after lunch we visit a most interesting museum; the Museum of Ethnology. Then we take a driving tour to see different parts of the city, and the “real” life of Hanoi. And if that wasn’t enough, we also
take a one-hour cyclo around the Old Quarter, and then take in the unique Water Puppet show with traditional instruments and singing. The show enacts historical events, and scenes from rural Vietnamese life.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Note: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is open from Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends from 8am to 11pm. It is closed on Monday and Friday. The mausoleum is also closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, for maintenance.
Day 12: Hanoi – Duong Lam
In the morning we travel to the west of Hanoi to visit Duong Lam Village, an ancient village about 1,200 years old, with many houses dating back up to 400 years. It is of cultural and historical importance, and it is truly a unique experience to walk along the ancient streets.
Then we visit Mong Phu Temple in Mong Phu Hamlet, the only hamlet where the original village entrance gate remains intact. Mong Phu Temple dates from 1638, and in the village we can see the ancient
houses, and explore the small lanes and see the everyday life of residents.
The next place we visit is the famous Sung Nghiem Tu, or Mia Pagoda. It is on a small hill in Dong Sang Hamlet, and was built during the Tran Dynasty (1225-1406) and still preserves many ancient artifacts. Among these are 287 statues of various sizes, including a statue of Buddha in the Himalayas, statues of the Eight Vajra Deities, and a sculpture of Bat Bo Kim Cang . Finally that afternoon we visit the Ngo Quyen Temple and the Phung Hung Temple which are dedicated to two national heroes.
Overnight in Hanoi hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 13: Hanoi – Siem Reap (International Flight)
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap. When we arrive, we transfer to our luxury hotel. After getting settled in to out hotel, we drive to the Roluos Group of temples in the afternoon. The Roluos Group consists of three temples: Preah Ko, Lolei, and Bakong. In the evening we will have a welcome dinner at first-class restaurant in town. After dinner we can take a walk to see the town at night.
Overnight in Siem Reap hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 14: Siem Reap
Today, after breakfast at the hotel, we start off on our visit to the amazing temple complex of Angkor. We begin our exploration of the complex with the ancient capital of Angkor Thom. The most significant monuments at Angkor Thom: Bayon, Baphoun and the Terrace of Elephants, are located in the centre of the ancient city. Other structures in this fortified city are the Terrace of the Leper King, the Phimeanakas, Preah Palilay, Tep Pranam, Preah Pithu, the north & south Kleangs, and the
Prasat Suor Prat. After we finish our exploration of Angkor Thom, we visit Ta Prohm Temple which has been left much as it was when it was found. Unlike the rest of the Angkor Temple Complex, it has not been cleared from the jungle, and is overgrown with the roots of large trees . After lunch in the afternoon we visit the world famous Angkor Wat located just south of Angkor Thom. It is the largest single monument of the Angkor Group, and this architectural masterpiece is well preserved. Its perfection in design, balance, proportion, and the outstanding sculptures, and bas relief’s make it one of the finest ancient structures in the world. Then in the late afternoon, we
climb the ruins of the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng to see a magnificent sunset.
Overnight in Siem Reap hotel. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included.
Day 15: Siem Reap Departure
Today is the last day of our adventure, and after breakfast you will have time to prepare for your departure transfer.
Breakfast included.
End of Trip. This is a suggested premium itinerary. At Travel Loops we specialize in custom tours designed to fit your needs and requirements. Please let us know the type of individual, customized tour you would like, and we can arrange it for you.
Cambodia
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Summary
From Hanoi we drive to Halong Bay for a spectacular overnight cruise on this seascape of emerald-green water, and we enjoy delicious gourmet meals while on board. 
