Cambodia Vietnam Classic Tour 11 Nights / 12 Days
This classic tour is fully covered the special major cities of both Cambodia and Vietnam. The trip begins in Siem Reap where we witness the marvelous Angkor Wat along with incredible complex, have fun on ox cart ride and the impressive Tonle Sap’s mangroves admired by tall stilt houses. Continue to Phnom Penh Capital to see the vibe of Phnom Penh’s city and historical sites, Royal Palace and on board for beautiful sunset cruise. Fly out to Saigon City, visit French colonial buildings, city attractions, the thrilling historical site of Cu Chi Tunnels and the must-see Mekong Delta then enjoy guided city tour in Hanoi Capital that included major attractions, Old Quarter etc and pleasantly stay in Halong Cruise to indulgently emerge in the beautiful Halong Bay and the fascinating surrounding.
Destinations
Siem Reap → Phnom Penh → Saigon → Mekong Delta → Hanoi → Halong Bay
Or Vice Versa
Program Detail
Day 1: Siem Reap – Arrival
International flight is NOT included in the tour price.
Our friendly team (guide and driver) will welcome you at the arrival gate upon your arrival at Siem Reap International Airport then transfers to a reserved hotel for check in and simply enjoy yourselves free time at hotel or explore central city by your own.
Overnight in Siem Reap
*Meal Plan: None
You may opt to visit Siem Reap’s most unique, authentic, top-rated entertainment! – Phare Cambodian Circus that won the Guinness World Record and it is the only unique Phare Circus performance (no animals) which is unlike any other circus in the world: theater, story, dance, high-energy music and circus arts, and impressively inspires Cambodia culture and arts etc.
Day 2: Full Day Guided Angkor Discovery
Breakfast is served at hotel. We’re journeying out of hotel at 8.00am the South Gate of Angkor Thom atop 4 giant faces that religiously represents compassion, sympathy, equanimity and charity. Stroll around Bayon temple consisting of more than 200 smiling faces in stone, admired by interesting temples including Baphuon, Phimeanakas, terrace of leper king and terrace of elephant. Resume the journey to visit Ta Prohm temple adorned with the stunning, amazing tree roots where Lara Croft Tomb Raider was filmed.
Enjoy Khmer set lunch followed by a soft drink or fresh coconut juice at a selected local restaurant.
Afternoon, continue to witness the marvelous Angkor Wat – the world’s heritage listed by UNESCO in 1992 and the largest unrivaled monument in the world. Built by Suryavarman II in 12th Century, Angkor Wat is considered as one of the top destinations in Asia and is a must-see in your lifetime. Learning from your tour guide the amazing history, its ancestral incredible, architectural masterpieces and the finest carvings dates back to the Khmer Empire when it dominated the largest parts of Southeast Asia.
Note: Visiting beautiful sunset is available at Phnom Bakheng, please speak to our tour guide to manage this for you. This is a hiking up (Approx. 30 minutes/way) to the hill and it’s always touristy or skip it if you feel tired.
Overnight in Siem Reap
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3: Oxcart Ride, Kampong Phluk Village & Apsara Performance
Breakfast is served at hotel. We head out of hotel at 8.00am for countryside sightseeing along with a visit at local market to see interesting trades. Next, we grab the opportunity by taking ox cart ride (short ride only) venturing through home gardens overlooking rice fields, interact the local people and come across animals, and stilt houses. Continue heading to Kampong Phluk village of Tonle Sap Lake. We process to take a boat trip along canal toward the centre of Kampong Phluk then the boat slows down to let you enjoy the surrounding admired by amazing houses atop high poles, come across the highlight of fishing activities as well as see people selling fruits/vegetable/meats on their boats, you sometimes see kids in student uniforms coming back from their classes. Witness how life works on the water and how people make the lake as home then we resume take canoe to explore the pleasant mangroves, enjoy the serenity while taking picturesque photos and you may see a few waterbirds. Continue by our main boat to see the great lake of Tonle Sap, learn from your tour guide about ecosystem and its rich biosphere reserve. Return hotel for break and refreshment.
Evening, transfer to have Khmer set dinner followed by traditional Apsara dance performance at a selected local restaurant.
Overnight in Siem Reap
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner Show
You can extend a few days if you really love to explore more in Siem Reap, there are a lot of things to do and see included Kulen elephant forest, Phnom Kulen waterfalls and other ancient temples with the intricately carved Banteay Srei or even unique Phare Cambodian Circus that won The Guinness World Record.
Day 4: Siem Reap to Phnom Penh by Private Car/Minivan
Breakfast is served at hotel. Check out and we leave hotel at 8.30am and drive with 6 hours toward Phnom Penh Capital. On the way, we stop to sample a few bites of Bamboo sticky rice with learning how it is made, have a short visit at the 12th century ancient bridge at Kampong Kdei – the bridge was built in 12th century during Angkor time, and a chance to dare tasting the deep fried insects at Skun village before we’re reaching a booked hotel in Phnom Penh in the evening.
Note: Domestic flight is available upon request.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
*Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 5: Phnom Penh – Tuol Sleng, Killing Field, National Museum & Sunset Cruise
Breakfast is served at hotel. Today our guide and driver meet you at hotel’s lobby at 8.00am then drive to witness the tragic site of Cheug Ek – the killing field that proceeded more than 20 thousands of civilians and the site is connecting with Tuol Sleng Museum – was the former school that was transformed to Tortured Prison S21. Stroll around Russian market for shopping.
Afternoon, we go for a guided tour at the National Museum, the world’s most important collection of Cambodian antique sculptures and carvings. Next, continue to visit Wat Phnom with interesting legendary of founding place of Phnom Penh Capital. Return hotel refreshment and short break.
Evening, we head to Phnom Penh’s Riverside then get on board with a welcome cocktail while the boat is slowly cruising along Mekong & Tonle Bassac, watch the nice sunset fading at horizon before Western set dinner (or buffet) is started to serve, unwind yourself with colorful Phnom Penh nightlights. Disembark and return hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Dinner Cruise
Day 6: Royal Palace, Market Tour By Cyclo & Flight to Saigon, Vietnam
Breakfast is served at hotel. We leave hotel at 8.00am to take a challenge of cyclo ride (rickshaw) along riverfront for fantastic morning highlight of Phnom Penh Capital toward Independent Monument where we stop to capture some beautiful photos before resuming the ride to stroll around central market to see bustling local trades. Finished the cyclo ride at Royal Palace, we walk to visit The Royal Palace – a complex of buildings which are served as the royal residence for the King of Cambodia, admired by impressive Silver Pagoda with over 5000 solid silver tiles and other Royal Stupas, shrines, monuments etc.
Enjoy Khmer family set lunch at Bopha Titanic restaurant by Phnom Penh Riverside.
Enjoy the rest of free time in Phnom Penh before transferring to airport for flight to Saigon, Vietnam.
Upon arrival, you will be friendly greeted by our escort guide and driver then transfer to a booked hotel in Saigon and simply have free time after check in.
Overnight in Saigon
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: My Tho – Mekong Delta Tour
Breakfast is served at hotel. We set off 8.00am out of the bustling Saigon straight to My Tho boat pier where we process to embark a local motorboat which slides on Mekong Delta overlooking islets, fish farms and floating houses admired by fishing and trading activities on boats. In Unicorn Island, we will be pampered by Vietnamese traditional music depicting a folk art rooted from South Vietnam and get refreshed by tropical fruit tasting. Continue by canoe, we explore the natural beauty of Mekong canals with lush beautiful coconut trees stretching at both sides until we enjoy the walking tour to observe bee keeping farm and sample honey tea before having lunch. After lunch break, we catch our regular boat to coconut candy workshop to learn the processing of how coconut candies are made, along with a chance to taste and chew sweet candies or purchase a few packs before we get in our awaiting car/minivan and drive back to Saigon City in the evening.
Overnight in Saigon
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Cu Chi Tunnels, Saigon City Tour & Flight to Hanoi Capital
Today we begin our adventure trip at 7.30am out of bustling Saigon City, pass countryside to explore the famous attraction of Cu Chi tunnels which are known as the deadly dangerous trap tunnel networks and was used by Viet Cong army as the facility base to supply food, accommodation, storage, escape rooms as well as strong holes to fight against their enemies during French and American war from 1948 until 1975. Learn from your tour guide about this interesting and sad history of Vietnam, and personally experience the real feeling when crawl into the tunnels to reveal some remnants left after the war ended.
Enjoy Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon, we return for guided Saigon City along with War Remnants Museum that you can witness Indochina war history while browsing various items relating Vietnam War, visit the fascinating architecture of Reunification Palace which was the former workplace and residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam, admired by French colonial buildings of Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office, we then stroll at Jade Emperor Pagoda before go shopping at the famous Ben Thanh market where you observe trading exchanges and you can’t absolutely ignore to purchase some souvenirs.
Our team transfers you to airport for flight to Hanoi Capital. Upon arrival, you will be friendly greeted by our escort guide and driver then transfer to a booked hotel in Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 9: Fully Guided Hanoi City Tour
Breakfast is served at hotel. We set off at 8.00am for a fully guided tour within Ba Dinh Square, visit the main attractions included the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda with most interesting architecture and 10th century Temple of Literature – the first national university of Vietnam along with rich history. Enjoy delicious lunch at Hoang Cuisine restaurant (or similar).
Afternoon, we observe Hoa Lo Prison which tells you an interesting war from French colonial time to Vietnam and American War. Continue to visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology – the significant place to witness the best collection, documentation, exhibition and preserving the cultural and historic patrimony of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Next, we take rickshaw (cyclo) explore the popular Old Quarter admired by attractive daily life and bustling local activities. Ending the cyclo ride at Thang Long Opera Theatre, we then enjoy a traditional, unique water puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise
Breakfast is served at hotel. Prepare yourselves with light packing ready to be picked up by shuttle bus between 8.00-8.30am at your hotel and start your trip to explore the most amazing Halong Bay in the North of Vietnam.
Note: Private car/minivan round trip transfers Halong Bay is available upon request.
On the way, we will have a quick stop in the middle of the way to rest. We will reach Halong cruise port around 12.30pm then process the registration and get transferred by tender to Swan Cruise. After safety brief, a welcome drink and checking in, delicious Vietnamese set menu will be served while leisurely cruising further into Bai Tu Long Bay, enjoy kayaking through the karst and breathtaking nature, swimming and relaxing before getting back to the cruise for sunset party.
Evening, have sumptuous set dinner on board and it’s your free time to challenge yourself in Vietnamese puzzle games, or gathers your group/family for a board game; try your luck with squid fishing or simply have a cocktail and enjoy the quiet night on the bay.
Overnight in Cruise Halong Bay
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Note:
There are many cruise companies operate from standard to luxury cruises to Halong Bay and every cruise companies have their similar cruise itineraries. The above cruise itinerary is detailed according to Swan Cruise’s standard itinerary. If you chose to stay at another cruise, cruise itinerary will then be provided at the time you confirmed. If you really love Halong Bay and want to stay a night longer, 2nights/3days cruise is available, so feel free to speak about this with our sale team.
Day 11: Halong Bay Cruise, Back to Hanoi
Rise a bit early in the morning for Sunrise Tai-chi section on sundeck or catch a morning view of the stunning bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.
Breakfast will be served in Western style, familiar to you to fulfill your strength and ready for another exploring day to the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave for an hour then return to the boat you will have about 30 minutes to freshen up and finish packing.
Around 10.00, attend a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. You can quickly learn a simple but delicious Vietnamese dish or challenge yourself in fruit and vegetable carving. Next, we enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch on the boat while the cruise is heading back to the harbor and disembark at Halong cruise port. At 12.30pm: our shuttle bus will take you back to Hanoi and arrive in the evening around 16.00-17.00pm.
Overnight in Hanoi
*Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Hanoi - Departure
International flight is NOT included in the tour price.
Breakfast is served at hotel. Enjoy the rest of free time in Vietnam then our team will pick you up from hotel’s lobby and transfers to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to the next destination.
*Meal Plan: Breakfast
Thank You
Goodbye Beautiful Southeast Asia
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