Vietnam & Cambodia: A 14-Day Expedition of Culture, Scenery & Heritage

Arrive in Ha Noi, airport pick up by private car.

8:00 – 8:30: Our Tour guide and our Bus pick up at your hotel and start to discover Hanoi City

08:45: Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho. You have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. 

Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where worships the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.

Note: 

– Should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, temples, pagodas, etc.

– Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. But still can take picture of the Mausoleum and visit around that area.

– Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed at least 2 months (15th June -15th August) for the annual maintaining.

10:15: Visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

Special Note: We will visit Vietnamese Women’s Museum instead of Vietnam Ethnology Museum closed on Mondays.

12:30-12:45: Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Vegeterian foods are available.

13:30: Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century.

14:30: Continue to visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam) is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Northern Vietnam. The Temple of Literature was founded in 1070.

15:30: Keep going to visit Hoa Lo Prison, the prison was built by the French, from 1886 to 1901, when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. The French called the prison Maison Centrale. The prison was called “A Hell on Earth” and now the prison is like a war museum for those who want to understand more about the war against France of Vietnamese people.

16:30: Our Bus take you back to the Hotel. We finish the trip!

Have overnight train to Sapa at 10pm

You will arrive at Lao Cai station at 5 am, then board a bus/private car to Sapa town. It takes about 1 hour to drive so you will arrive in Sapa town around 6 am.

8:00 – 08:30: Our guide pick you up to visit Lao Chai-Ta Van village.

You will have the chance to see rice terraces and walk along Muong Hoa Stream to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai to see the spectacular landscape of Hoang Lien Son Mountain. After that, you will head to Ta Van village, home of the Day ethnic people.

Here you can also watch the local villagers working on the paddy rice fields and the kids playing. Enjoy the opportunity to take close-up pictures of water buffaloes, pot-bellied pigs, and chickens.

12:00: You will have lunch in a local restaurant before continuing to visit the next village.

This day is less challenging and you have a chance to walk on a small trail on the steep mountainside.

Get back to Sapa town.

06:00 – 06:30: Our driver and guide will pick you up from your hotel or a designated meeting point in Sapa town and transfer you to Cát Cát village.

07:00: Arrival at Cát Cát village, where your exploration begins.

Cat Cat village is home to the H’Mong ethnic group, surrounded by scenic terraced rice fields and traditional houses.

Visit Tien Sa Waterfall – the most beautiful waterfall in the area.

Enjoy a traditional cultural performance by the H’Mong people in the village center.

09:30: Depart from Cát Cát and take a hike to Sín Chải village, a peaceful and rustic destination.

Discover the daily life of the locals in Sín Chải. This less-visited village offers an authentic insight into the simple life and unique cultural practices of the local community.

11:30: Return to Sapa and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

13:00: Depart from Sapa and head back to Hanoi.

19:00: Arrival in Hanoi, marking the end of the tour. We hope to see you again on future journeys.

8:30 – 8:45: Pick up at your hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter. Then transfer to Tuan Chau wharf on the new highway 

10:30 – 11:00: Stopover for refreshment at Pearl store, pearl breeding place about 20 minutes. 

11:30 – 12:00: Arrive at Tuan Chau harbour. 

12:30 – 13:00: Transfer to Cruises. Check in your cabin. 

13:30: Enjoy a nice buffet lunch at our restaurant while the cruise goes ahead to Halong Bay. 

15:00 – 16:45: Continue to explore Halong by visiting Pearl Farm village. Here, you can witness the process of making pearl, buy products from pure pearl, participate in kayaking, a must-try sport activity in Halong. After that, visit Titov Island. Here, you will have time to climb up to the peak of Titov Island, admire the beautiful panorama view of Halong Bay or swim, take pictures, play on the sea. 

18:00: Enjoy Sun Set party with fruits and snacks on Sky Bar. Option: Happy Hour (Buy 2 get 1 free). Massage service is available. 

18:30: Join cooking demonstration: How to make Vietnamese spring rolls – traditional Vietnamese food. 

19:30: Enjoy European set-menu dinner on the restaurant on-board. 

21:00: Join the Squid Fishing activity. Free time on the boat.

6:30: Practice Tai Chi class. Tea and coffee are served. 

6:45 – 7:30: Light breakfast is served. 

7:30: Visit Sung Sot cave. 

09:30: Check – out time on the board. 

09:45 – 10:30: Enjoy buffet brunch while the cruise transfer to the Tuan Chau Wharf. 

10:45 – 11:00: Disembark to Tuan Chau Wharf.

12:00 – 15:00: Return to Ha Noi, fly to Da Nang

About 14:30: – Our guide will meet you at our hotel in Hoi An City Center and start the Hoi An City Tour.
-Firstly, you’ll visit Hoi An Market which is always bustling. It offers an unmissable shopping experience. This market is full of sights, colors, sounds and smells. Next to Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings. You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses: Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House – That have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world. After that, going to Museum of Folk Culture in Hoi An – A display of artifacts depicts ancient local daily life in a 150-year-old Chinese merchant house. Especially, you will enjoy art shows at Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House. 

– Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.
– Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.
– Enjoy your time with the boat ride and release the flower lantern to pray for the lucks to you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street.
18:30: Finish Hoi An city tour  

Hoi An – Hue Road Transfer

“Ancient Memories – Culinary Quintessence”

Located in the center of Vietnam, Hue was the capital city of Vietnam for approximately 150 years during feudal time (1802–1945), and the royal lifestyle and customs have had a significant impact on the characteristics of the people of Hue, even long afterwards.  You will rediscover the ancient world of the 13 emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, from Gia Long to Bao Dai. Is the first UNESCO world heritage site in Explorer, the village where women make traditional hats and learn from our expert guides about the lives of these people.

07:30: Pick up guests at hotels and depart for Hue city.  World Cultural Heritage, Go through Hai Van Tunnel

10h30: Arrive in Hue City. Visit the Tomb of Minh Mang King or Khai Dinh king – Romance and lyricism reflect the life of the king of talent, but the situation in the country is intricate.

11:40: Have lunch at a restaurant with local foods.

12:30: Visit the Imperial Citadel (the Palace of 13 Nguyen’s Kings, the last feudal dynasty of Viet Nam: Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, The Temple, Hien Lam Pavilion, Nine Urns), having experiences with the virtual 3D scanning concept “Finding the Lost Palace.”

15:00: Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which was built in the early XVII century. Shopping at Dong Ba Market (optional)

Back to Da Nang city at 5pm and get drop off at your hotel in the city

Take Flight To Ho Chi Minh

Afternoon: 13:30 to 16:30

Start the trip visiting Reunification palace which was the residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of the war in April 1975. Continue visit Old Central Post Office….. We then visit the War Remnants Museum.

Morning Savor your breakfast and start your trip to enjoy:

– 07:30: Tour guide pikup your Hotel. Enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields. 

– 09:00: Visit Mekongrestop, free time or drinking coffee – Excluded

– 10:00: am Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda.

– 11:00: arrive in My Tho. Board a wooden motor boat (20 minutes) . On this boat along the river’s bank, you’ll be passing through natural creeks, see Rach Mieu Bridge and Unicorn, Dragon, Turtle, Phoenix island.

– Arrive Unicorn Island, from there, we’ll take you to a bee farm where you have a chance to taste a tasteful cup of authentic honey tea. After that we walk around quiet villages and watch the life of rural people in Mekong Delta.

– One of  stops during this trip is at a seasonable orchard that has many different types of tasty tropical fruits for your enjoyments. You can enjoy the fruits for free while checking out the folk music that is typical to only the people in Southern Vietnam

– Continue, We are divided into many groups and get on small row boats. During this 15 minutes trip, you’ll witness all kind of interesting transportation modes that local people use to move around, while enjoying the fresh air along the canal and beautiful water coconut tree scenery. Away from the city, that is it all about!

– When you feel it’s enough for the serenity, let’s get back to the large motor boat for something different. You’ll cruise a canal whose 2 long sides are orchards (seasonable orchards). After that, we cruise to a village where the sweat smell coconut candies are in the air. To satisfy your curiosity, we’ll get to a village that has many small shops that make coconut candy and handcrafted items from coconut trees of Mekong Delta. You might learn that those people can amazingly make dozens of useful products out of coconut trees. It is indeed inseparable from the villagers’ life.

– Then get on boats go to restaurant. Now let’s have a lunch the restaurant. After relax or free…

– 15:00: Leave Ben Tre, get on motorized boat. You will return to My Tho, meet the bus and return to HCM City. On the way stop at bamboo shop for shopping and relax…

– 17:30: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City, stop at Ben Thanh market. Tour ends.

Arrival flight: please advise – Own arrangement

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Int’s Airport, process immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtain in advance via www.evisa.gov.kh), then get your luggage and walk straight to the Exit Gate, where a representative is waiting. After self-introduced, you’ll transfer directly to check-in hotel. 

(Standard of check-in time is at 1400hrs)

Overnight in Siem Reap 

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January, February and March.

We start very early in the morning so we can capture the iconic picture of the pre-dawn facing Angkor Wat temple. Sunrise at Angkor Wat can be a busy venue especially during the months of December, January, February and March.

After sunrise, we will explore the vast and rich of Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles, playing with light and shadows and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.

Next destination will be the Ta Prohm Temple, famous for its giant trees where the most impressive scenes of the Tomb Raider movie were filmed. We will continue on by veering you away from the crowd to a remote temple in the jungle. We will also visit places out of the beaten path where you will capture unique pictures. We will get lost in the magnificent Preah Khan temple, one of the best temples to learn photography.

Next, at the Golden Hour, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over the moat.

After sunrise, we will explore the vast and rich of Angkor Wat temple, taking pictures at different angles, playing with light and shadows and capturing the most beautiful devatas carved in sandstone.

Next destination will be the Ta Prohm Temple, famous for its giant trees where the most impressive scenes of the Tomb Raider movie were filmed. We will continue on by veering you away from the crowd to a remote temple in the jungle. We will also visit places out of the beaten path where you will capture unique pictures. We will get lost in the magnificent Preah Khan temple, one of the best temples to learn photography.

Next, at the Golden Hour, will be the impressive Bayon temple with its 54 towers and 216 faces overlooking the defunct city of Angkor Thom. The final stop will be at one of gate of Angkor Thom to capture sunset over the moat.

Airport transfer to fly back