16 DAYS DISCOVERING VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA 

HANOI - NINHBINH - HALONGBAY - HOIAN - SAIGON - SIEMREAP

OUTLINE ITINERARY:

Day 1  Hanoi Arrival [No Guide]

Day 2  Hanoi Ninh Binh [B/L] Group Tour 

Day 3  Hanoi - Ha Long Bay [B/L/D] Shuttle Bus

Day 4  Ha Long Bay - Hanoi [B/Br] Shuttle Bus 

Day 5  Hanoi - Flight To Da Nang/ Hoi An [No Guide/B]

Day 6 Hoi An - Hue - Hoi An [B/L] Group Tour

Day 7  Hoi An Ancient Tour - Biking And Cooking Tour [Guide/B/L]

Day 8  Hoi An - Coconut Jungle - My Son Sanctuary [B/L] Group Tour

Day 9  Hoi An - Free And Easy [B]

Day 10  Hoi An/ Danang - Flight To Saigon [No Guide/B]

Day 11  Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnel - Saigon City Tour [B/L] Group Tour 

Day 12  Saigon - Mekong Delta [B/L] Group Tour 

Day 13  Saigon - Flight To Siem Reap [No Guide/B]

Day 14 Siem Reap - Angkor Wat [Guide/B]

Day 15  Siem Reap - Kulen Mountain [Guide/B]

Day 16  Siem Reap - Departure [Guide/B]

DETAILS ITINERARY:

DAY 1 HANOI ARRIVAL [NO GUIDE]

Arrival in Hanoi, our driver will pick you up to hotel for check in and take a rest.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

DAY 2 HANOI NINH BINH [B/L] GROUP TOUR 

07h30 – 8h00: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter for the limousine transfer to Ninh Binh. 

09h15: The limousine stops on the way for a 15 – 20 minutes short break for you to stretch your legs, use the facilities, or have a quick snack. 

10h30: The limousine arrives in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam from years 968 to 1010. Then you will visit the Temple of King Dinh and King Le and learn more about Vietnamese history under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasties.

11h45: It is time for a buffet lunch to enjoy local specialties in the private area of our Ninh Binh Heritage restaurant. The vegetarian option is also available.

13h00: Continue your trip to Trang An, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 2014. While you’re there you can spend 2 hours on the boat ride to enjoy the beauty of this place, which owns a wonderful tunnel cave system.

15h00: It’s time you get on the bicycle to ride around the local village and discover how amazing life of the local people here.

15h45: Your next destination is Mua Cave, also known as the “Great Wall of China” in Vietnam. From the foot of the mountain, you can climb 500 steps to reach the mountain's peak from where you can enjoy the fantastic view of the city and Tam Coc below.

17h00: The limousine takes you back to Hanoi. 

19h00 – 19h30: Limousine drops you off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter

DAY 3 HANOI - HA LONG BAY [B/L/D] SHUTTLE BUS

In the morning you will depart to Ha Long Bay City. On the way, you will stop for refreshments, and upon arriving in Halong City, you will take a tender transfer to your junk and set sail through the bay while lunch is served. As you cruise the magical bay, you will notice thousands of sculpted limestone islands rising from the waves like dragons' teeth. Later in the afternoon, you'll visit a fishing village with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Back on board, you'll enjoy cocktails or a cooking class while watching the sunset, and later you can unwind at a restaurant with a lavish dinner. To end the day, you can enjoy some evening activities such as movie night, board games, or a beauty treatment, before an overnight stay on the junk.

***Special Note: Cruise Itineraries may be subject to change due to weather condition without prior notice.

DAY 4 HA LONG BAY - HANOI [B/BR] SHUTTLE BUS

Wake up on the bay to the sounds of waves and bird welcoming the new day. You will have an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit a beautiful limestone grotto then walk back to the boat for a final glimpse of Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock.

Disembark on cruise, then back to Hanoi. 

Check in at hotel and overnight in Hanoi.  

DAY 5 HANOI - FLIGHT TO DA NANG/ HOI AN [NO GUIDE/B]

Free and easy until our driver pick you up to airport for flight to Da Nang. 

Arrival in Da Nang, transfer to Hoi An, check in at hotel and take a rest.

Overnight in Hoi An. 

DAY 6 HOI AN - HUE - HOI AN [B/L] GROUP TOUR

07:00 – 07:30  The Van and tour guide will  pick you up at your hotel in Hoi An

08.00 – 08.30 Picking up at Da Nang city and leaving for Hue city 

On the way, we will stop to visit some beautiful attraction such as: Hai Van pass – is an approximately 21 km long mountain pass on National Route 1A in Vietnam. It is the natural border of Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang City, one of the most scenic hillside roads in Vietnam. 

And sightseeing Lap An Lagoon - Lang Co beach – With more than 10 km long white sand beach and blue sea water, Lang Co beach is an ideal place for relaxing, swimming and taking photos. 

10:45  You will visit the Khai Dinh tomb, the tomb had elements of Eastern art mixed with Western designs.

12:00  Having nice lunch with Hue cuisine and rest at beautiful restaurant

13:00  You will continue visiting Hue imperial city – the palace of 13 Nguyen Kings with Ngo Mon Gate, Library, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns …

15: 00 Visiting Thien Mu pagoda associated with culture and history of Hue.

15:45: Return to Da Nang / Hoi An

18:00 We will drop you off in Da Nang 

19:00 We will drop you off in Hoi An

DAY 7 HOI AN ANCIENT TOUR - BIKING AND COOKING TOUR [GUIDE/B/L]

Around 8:30AM, you will discover Hoi AN Ancient town. , Take a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house and Hoi An Museum. 

Then back to hotel and start your cycling tour to Hoi An country side. 

Continue cycling for an hour through rice fields and peaceful villages that display the areca gardens. After this, you arrive in Tra Que vegetable village where you will take a pleasant walk through the garden and learn the different types of culinary herbs and vegetables which will be used in the cooking class. 

Meet your chef at the restaurant and learn the recipes; how to prepare and cook Banh Xeo – a Vietnamese pancake, famous Vietnamese spring rolls, and Tam Huu salad. You will be able to enjoy your lunch with the food you make and have time to relax before beginning your cycle back to the hotel, where the tour ends..

DAY 8 HOI AN - COCONUT JUNGLE - MY SON SANCTUARY [B/L] GROUP TOUR

09:00- The local guide picks you up at your hotel lobby and transfers you to Cam Thanh fishing village.

09:30- Transfer to Cam Thanh village by car or boat on the way, meet local fishermen and experience the daily life

10:00 - Take a bamboo basket boat on the Cam Thanh water coconut forest and have a brief introduction to the history there.

11:00 - Join local fishermen on the river and enjoy the hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing.

+ Learn to paddle the unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and join in a basket boat race.

+ Explore the now peaceful coconut waterways of a past war.

+ Go catch the crabs 

+ Return fisherman's house for a welcome drink.

+ Enjoy Lunch 

13:00- Keep your moving to Hoi An city and depart to My Son Sanctuary  - The World Cultural Heritage. 

14:30- Arrive at My Son Sanctuaryand we'll have 2 hours to discover the site by walking throughout the landscape, learning histories with our local English-speaking guide, and enjoying the Champa's traditional performances.

16:30- Get back to minivan then transfer to the wharf for taking a boat trip to Hoi An with a nice and cool breeze on boarding, beautiful sunset river scenery on the biggest river in Vietnam Central named Thu Bon River. Get your camera ready for the amazing moment of local people's activities along the river 

18:00- Arrive at Hoi An, we will drop you at your hotel. Tour ends!

DAY 9 HOI AN - FREE AND EASY [B]

Free and easy in Hoi An 

DAY 10 HOI AN/ DANANG - FLIGHT TO SAIGON [NO GUIDE/B]

Free and easy until our driver pick you up to airport for flight to Saigon. 

Arrival in Saigon, check in at hotel and take a rest.

Overnight in Saigon. 

DAY 11 SAIGON - CU CHI TUNNEL - SAIGON CITY TOUR [B/L] GROUP TOUR 

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of the both the Indochina wars. 

Have lunch at local restaurant.

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have some short introduction followed by introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of the war time. Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purpose during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food during the war) will be served. 

Break time for relax or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun. 

Return to Saigon. End trip.

DAY 12 SAIGON - MEKONG DELTA [B/L] GROUP TOUR

A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong.

On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. Boats pass by the fish rafts along the Tien River, overlooking the Rach Mieu Bridge. Stroll along the village road, visit the orchard and enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music" performed by locals.

Riding a hand-rowed sampan through the Tan Thach canal. Then visit the coconut candy mill and take an amazing rowing boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals.

Enjoy lunch at the local restaurant; Then the motorboat will take you back to the cruise. Meet on the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta, and you are guaranteed to take home your private collection of beautiful memories.

DAY 13 SAIGON - FLIGHT TO SIEM REAP [NO GUIDE/B]

Breakfast at hotel, free and easy, then you will take a flight to Siem Reap. 

Arrival in Siem Reap, our guide will pick you up to hotel for check in and take a rest.

Overnight in Siem Reap. 

DAY 14 SIEM REAP - ANGKOR WAT [GUIDE/B]

After breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to discover Angkor Thom and Temples. Firstly, you will visit the wonderful Angkor Thom (the Great City) including the Southern Gate, famous Bayon temple (12th century in the centre of city remains one the most enigmatic temples of the Angkor group composed of 54 gothic towers decorated with 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Baphuon temple is lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru. Terrace of Elephants used   as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king’s grand audience hall ; Terrace of the Leper King  a platform 7m high, with statue and temple walls covered in emerald-green moss intertwined with roots which many deem the most charming of all, Ta Prohm. 

Lunch on your own 

Afternoon, it is time to visit the wonderful Angkor Wat Temples – one of the seven greatest architectural wonders of the world, as a temple and mausoleum forKing Suryavarman II at the peak of the Khmer empire in the first half of 12th. Angkor Wat is probably the best-preserved of the Angkorean temples, with a central tower surrounded by four smaller towers. The central monument represents the mythical Mount Meru, the holy mountain at the centre of the universe, which was home to the Hindu God Vishnu. The whole complex covers 81 hectares, a rectangular wall measuring 1025 meters by 800 meters borders the inner edge of the moat, and temple's greatest sculptural treasure is its 2 km-long bas-reliefs around the walls. In the late afternoon, visit to the Phnom Bakheng temple, is the first temple in Angkor region build by the Yacovarman I King in the first of 9th century, located on a slope gently hill where thousands tourist are grouping on the hilltop to catch a memorable time of life when viewing the marvellous sunset, the distant Angkor Wat in the jungle. 

Back to hotel and take a rest

Overnight in Siem Reap 

DAY 15 SIEM REAP - KULEN MOUNTAIN [GUIDE/B]

Breakfast in the hotel. Excursion to Mount Phnom Kulen.

• We will see the river “thousands of lingams” - the bottom of which is decorated with stone carvings from the image of deities for hundreds of meters. Climbing the holy mountain Phnom Kulen and visiting the 16th-century temple with a carved 8-meter silhouette of the “recumbent” Buddha. A visit to the waterfall (optional, you can swim - we recommend taking towels and bathing accessories). Then will continue to visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum getting to know about the recent civil war in Cambodia was ended 1998 . On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life.

DAY 16 SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE [GUIDE/B]

The rest of day is on your own leisure until transfer to the airport for your flight to the next destination. 

End of trips! 

We look forward to seeing you again on your next adventure with Vinasoul Travel!

SERVICE INCLUDES

+ Private door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services; 

+ All private transfer and transportation

+ Domestic flight from Ho Chi Minh – Da Lat, Da Lat to Hanoi, Hanoi – Da Nang, Da Nang – Phu Quoc, Phu Quoc – Ho Chi Minh, Economy class

+ Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast 

+ Tissues and water on coach; Services charges and government tax; Exclusive and personalized single agent/single customer service; No extra charge after services confirmation; 24/7 hotline support guaranteed;

+ All Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner)

+ Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers

+ Private boat trip for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary

SERVICES EXCLUDES

+ International flight tickets

+ Meals, if not specified in the itinerary

+ Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc. Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve

+ Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).

Suggestions for tipping and gratuities: 

+ Group under 6 pax: 20 USD per Group per day.

+ Group from 6 pax up: 3 - 5 USD per pax per day 

+ Group under 6 pax: 10 USD per Group per day. 

+ Group from 6 pax up: 2 USD per pax per day