FROM VIETNAM TO CAMBODIA BY LAND

Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi, welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city center to check in. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, the day starts with visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh – the nation’s founder, containing Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (viewed from outside on Mondays, Fridays and afternoons due to closure), and the house on stilts, One Pillar Pagoda. Next up visit Tran QuocPagoda – Hanoi’s oldest pagoda on the bank of West Lake.

In the afternoon, visit Temple of Literature, the Vietnam’s first university which was constructed in 11th century. Later on, take a cyclo ride around the Old Quarter streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake to learn about legend of the lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, followed by the Water Puppet show – a uniquely Northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.

In the morning, take 4 hour drive to Ha Long Bay (167km), a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Boarding time is around 12:00-12:30. Enjoy welcome drink before check in your room. The cruise start right afterward with a delicious lunch served on board. The cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. Again your dinner served on board. In the evening, enjoy night fishing, watching Indochina film or massage, spa etc

In the morning, Tai Chi class available for “early birds”, then enjoy tea/coffee before visiting Cave. Buffet breakfast/brunch will be served from 9 to 10am while the cruise returning back to the pier. Disembark and our guide picks you up toward Hanoi and straight to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you’re greeted by our guide and drive to downtown. Check in your hotel and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting, view of the American War, as it is known in Vietnam. Continue to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. Continue with the Notre Dame Cathedral and the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Lunch will be at your own expense.

In the afternoon, proceed to bustling China Town, visit Binh Tay market and Thien Hau Cantonesetemple. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, depart from your hotel at 08:00, it takes only 2 hours pleasant drive to Ben Treprovince. On arrival in Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on Ben Tre River – one oftributaries of Mekong river while sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring. Our first stop is at brick kiln to see how to make bricks traditionally by printing and baking. Continue to visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Return to the boat and go through natural scissors creeks to a village and see some local houses making sleeping mats and enjoying some fruits.

Take a motorized cart (tuk tuk) or bicycle on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from peasants. Have lunch at local a riverside restaurant.

After lunch, we take a rowing-boat along beautiful water palm creek before meeting up the motorized boat and transfer you back to the pier. Return to hotel after a memorable day merging in Mekong Delta local living. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the morning, we drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, created since 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This is an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals and command centers. During the Vietnam War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been opened for visitors.

Next, you will visit the ornate holy Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh Province before drive further to Moc Bai border gate. Process with the Cambodian visa and meet our local guide in Cambodia side. Travel by land for 167KM (3-4hrs) to Phnom Penh. Check in your hotel and overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, you will visit Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Preahkeo Morokot, National Museum and Wat Phnom. Lunch will be at your own expense.

In the afternoon, you will visit Toul Sleng, also called Prison S21 and Killing Field, 17 kilometer south of Phnom Penh. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Today you travel by road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On route you will witness the everyday lives of the Cambodians as you pass through interesting towns, bucolic villages, and delightful scenery. This is no ‘freeway dash’ as you will often slow down to let cows and water buffalos wander across the road, pass horse-pulled carriages, and school kids walking and biking to/from schools. You will stop at Skoun, also known as ‘Spider Ville’ due to the deep fried tarantula that is the local delicacy. Are you adventurous enough to try one? Later you will visit Ku ha Nor KorTemple, Cambodia’s oldest temple built in the 6th century. Closer to Siem Reap, you may wish tostop at Kompong Kdei to witness Spean Pratos – an ancient Angkorian bridge built in the 12th century. Visit the Artisan D’Angkor before arriving in Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, you will start to explore Angkor complex with:

Banteay Srei: nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation and the excellence of its decorative carving

Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.

We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Ta Prohm was built in the 12th century. It’s a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of King Jayavarman VII.

Pre Rup temple was built in the 10th century during the reign of King Rajendravarman II. Overnight in Siem Reap.

We start a very special and busy day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit from the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.

The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), see the South Gate, Bayon Temple- unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphuon Temple: lying just to the north of Bayon, a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

In the afternoon, you will visit the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Evening is your free time for walking at busy pub street. Pop up at a bar for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

You will be free today in Siem Reap until being transferred to the airport for your departure flight.