Highlights in Vietnam and Cambodia – 17Days

We will spend the entire day exploring the key attractions of Hanoi on a city tour. Visit Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Lake of the Restored Sword, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple. We'll also stop at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace (open only in the morning), along with the One Pillar Pagoda. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant.

In the afternoon, we'll continue our sightseeing with a visit to the Ethnology Museum, which showcases the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Afterward, take a rickshaw ride through the bustling Old Quarter, followed by a Water Puppet show. End the day with dinner at one of the city's excellent local restaurants.

The Halong Junk, inspired by Chinese design, offers a delightful night on the bay with luxurious and antique-style accommodations, complemented by impeccable service from the friendly crew. As you spend time aboard, you’ll not only immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this natural wonder but also partake in various engaging activities, such as night fishing on the bay, kayaking, Vietnamese cooking lessons, and sunbathing.

At 08:30 AM, we’ll pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi for a scenic three-hour drive through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City, taking in the picturesque countryside along the way.

12:30 PM: Upon arrival in Ha Long City, board a luxurious refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. After check-in, you’ll have the chance to marvel at the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site.

1:00 PM: Enjoy a sumptuous seafood lunch with welcome wine as the junk begins to explore the bay.

2:00 PM: Take in the breathtaking views of Ha Long Bay from the sundeck, where you can sunbathe or simply relax and soak in the scenery of this World Heritage Site.

3:00 PM: The cruise continues through the striking limestone formations, passing by Thien Cung Cave, Dau Go Cave, and Tuan Chau Island. We’ll disembark to visit Sung Sot Cave for an hour.

4:00 PM: As the sun sets around 6:30 PM, we’ll drop anchor for the night near a secluded island in the center of the bay. Optional activities include swimming at beautiful beaches, enjoying afternoon tea with pastries on the sundeck or in the restaurant, and having a drink before dinner. Return to the pier and disembark the boat.

Overnight in a luxury cabin on the elegant wooden junk.

The Luxury Junk is designed with the charm of an old yacht and functions as a floating hotel with international-standard amenities. It features 4 to 10 rooms with sea views, a dining room, kitchen, sun deck, and walking area. This unique vessel is perfect for visitors seeking a home-like experience on the water while enjoying the spectacular limestone formations, splendid caves, and secluded beaches of Halong Bay.

6:30 AM: Watch the sunrise over Ha Long Bay or enjoy a swim on the beach.

7:00 AM: Continue your cruise while having breakfast with pastries and coffee.

8:00 – 9:00 AM: Explore Titop Island or Soi Sim Island. You can swim or hike up to the mountain for panoramic views.

9:30 AM: Check-out time.

10:00 AM: Relish a brunch as you head back to the port.

11:00 AM: Arrive at the port where our car will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue, the former royal capital of Vietnam’s last ruling dynasty. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to the city center. Explore the Imperial Citadel, Tu Duc Mausoleum, and Tu Dam Pagoda. Enjoy a cruise along the Perfume River in royal style, complete with traditional attire, a royal meal, and a royal music performance.

Travel from Hue to Danang, crossing the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds), and passing through charming red-tiled villages with fruit orchards while taking in stunning views of the sky and sea. Visit Marble Mountain before arriving in Hoi An. As the smallest town in Vietnam, Hoi An is best explored on foot to fully experience its ancient charm. You will then be transferred by car from the ancient town of Hoi An to Cua Dai.

All day free for beach leisure

Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap on the same morning. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you'll be transferred to your hotel for check-in and some relaxation.

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, embark on a boat trip aboard a traditional wooden vessel on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia's "Great Lake," the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, which connects with the Mekong River in Laos.

Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Morning: Explore the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), beginning at the South Gate, which features colossal statues representing the churning of the ocean of milk. Visit Bayon Temple, renowned for its 54 towers adorned with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Continue to Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Afternoon: Discover the renowned Angkor Wat temple, the largest of all the Angkor temples. Covering 81 hectares, it is as vast as the Imperial Palace in Beijing. The temple’s five distinctive towers are featured on the Cambodian flag, and it is considered a prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Enjoy a buffet dinner and a traditional Khmer dance performance at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for the night.

Morning: Explore Ta Prohm, renowned for its captivating beauty and relatively untouched state since its discovery, preserving much of its original mystique. Visit Neak Pean, a fountain situated in a pool symbolizing the mythical Himalayan mountain-lake. Continue to Ta Som, a small but classic temple built in the late 12th century, located on the grand circuit. Discover Preah Khan, constructed by King Jayavarman VII, which, like Ta Prohm, features towered enclosures and corridor-like passages. Unlike Ta Prohm, Preah Khan is better preserved and undergoing restoration efforts.

Afternoon: Visit Prasat Kravan, known for its unique brick sculptures, Srah Srang, the former site of ritual bathing known as "The Royal Baths," Banteay Kdei, encircled by four concentric walls, and Ta Keo, built in the late 10th to early 11th century and notable for being the first temple entirely constructed of sandstone.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for your flight back to Ho Chi Minh City (VN-812: 18:20-19:20). Upon arrival, check in at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mekong Delta: Picture a landscape of vibrant green rice fields, colorful incense sticks drying along roadsides, and schoolchildren in white-and-blue uniforms navigating traffic jams on bicycles. The Mekong Delta pulses with a steady, slow-paced energy that offers a window into Vietnam's agricultural life.

This morning, we drive through the Mekong Delta to Cai Be, renowned for its floating market. Here, we’ll board a private boat for a cruise to the Cai Be Market, also known as the River Market. This bustling market features large boats operated by wholesalers, each specializing in different fruits or vegetables. As we navigate the market in a smaller boat, you'll easily spot the various goods displayed on tall wooden poles from the larger boats. An unusual and captivating sight is the imposing Catholic cathedral on the riverbank, providing a striking backdrop for photos.

Next, we’ll head to Binh Hoa Phuoc and An Binh Island, where the landscape is predominantly water with houses often built on stilts. Be sure to bring plenty of memory cards or flash drives, as there will be countless photo opportunities throughout the day. 

With the fresh morning air and the sounds of the Delta awakening for a new day, we’ll have breakfast and set off on a boat cruise along the expansive Mekong River. Our destination is the Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets, the largest in the Mekong Delta. A bridge in the area offers an excellent vantage point for photography, where you'll witness hundreds of boats brimming with fruits, vegetables, and fish engaged in lively trade. Afterward, we’ll drive to Chau Doc, making a stop en route at Stork Garden to observe the thousands of storks that call this place home.

Phu Quoc Island: Travel to Rach Gia and then take a speedboat to Phu Quoc Island, also known as "Pearl Island." This destination offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of crowded cities, showcasing some of the world's most stunning natural attractions. Picture sun-kissed beaches, emerald waters, a lush national park, and historic sites all in one place. Visitors can spend their days lounging on pristine white sand, swimming in turquoise waters, exploring secluded islets, engaging in water sports, or trekking through verdant forests. There are also excellent dining options serving both Vietnamese and Western cuisine.

After breakfast today, we will take a gentle walk to Sam Mountain. Climbing to the summit is the highlight of the visit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including Cambodia. Following this, we’ll transfer back to Rach Gia and board an express boat to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, you'll be picked up and transferred to your beach resort.

Two days free for beach leisure

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel.

We’ll start our exploration of Saigon with a guided walk through the city's historic streets, where we'll pass some of its most notable landmarks. Stroll along Saigon’s grand boulevards, visiting iconic sites such as Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the City Hall, the former Presidential Palace, and the bustling Chinatown district of Cholon. In the afternoon, a pedicab tour will offer a glimpse into the daily life of Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer to the Ho Chi Minh airport.