Highlights of Vietnam with Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – 13Days

This private full-day tour of Hanoi covers all the major attractions, beginning with a morning visit to the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This site includes Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Next, you'll explore the Temple of Literature, originally dedicated to Confucius and home to Vietnam’s first university, established in 1070. Within the temple, you'll find stone steles mounted on turtle backs, inscribed with the names of the university’s graduates. The complex is arranged in five courtyards, each with distinct pathways once reserved for the Emperor and his officials. One courtyard features a statue of Confucius flanked by two elegant bronze storks standing on turtles.

• Please note that the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. On these days, visitors will instead tour the Hoa Lo Prison.

After a delicious Vietnamese lunch, visit the Museum of Ethnology, considered one of the best in Vietnam, showcasing exhibits on the country’s 54 ethnic minority groups. Following this, head to Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Dating back to the 13th century, this temple and the scenic lake are popular spots for both tourists and locals.

Conclude the day with a one-hour cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets. This vibrant area, filled with narrow streets and countless small businesses, offers numerous photo opportunities and a chance to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.

Following an early morning pickup from your hotel, you'll embark on a scenic drive of approximately four hours in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle to Halong Bay. Upon reaching Halong Bay around noon, a tour representative will greet you and transfer you to a traditional junk boat.

As you board and settle in with a complimentary welcome drink, your cruise around the stunning Halong Bay begins. Meet the experienced crew and your fellow travelers while enjoying a delicious seafood lunch, accompanied by tea and coffee. After lunch, relax on the top deck, which offers excellent opportunities for photographing the bay’s natural beauty, as your captain navigates to a secluded spot ideal for swimming in the clear waters.

You’ll also have the opportunity to kayak and explore some of the ancient limestone caves scattered throughout the bay. As you paddle through secluded lagoons, take in the breathtaking limestone karsts and unique scenery only accessible by kayak. The modern, lightweight kayaks are easy to handle, and all participants will be provided with buoyancy vests. The junk boat will remain close by, serving as a backup for those who may need it.

After your exploration, return to the boat for more relaxation on the deck and enjoy a refreshing drink from the bar if you wish. In the evening, the chef will prepare a wonderful meal featuring fresh seafood and traditional Vietnamese dishes as the boat anchors in the heart of the bay. You’ll also have the chance to try night fishing from the boat if you’d like.

Start your morning with a relaxing tai chi session on the sundeck, following the graceful movements of your instructor as you engage in this ancient martial art.

Afterward, continue to enjoy the sun on the top deck, which offers fantastic photo opportunities of the bay's natural beauty while you have a light breakfast of pastries, coffee, and fruit served on the boat. Next, visit the Cave of Surprises (Sung Sot Cave) on Bo Hon Island, a collection of connected limestone islets. Upon arrival, ascend the hundred stone steps to the cave entrance and explore its illuminated paths on a guided tour. This is the largest grotto in Halong Bay, renowned for its impressive stalactites hanging from the cavern’s high ceiling.

On your way back to the Halong wharf, savor a buffet brunch on the junk while taking in more stunning views. Upon returning to Tuan Chau Marina, a vehicle will be ready to transport you on the four-hour drive back to Hanoi Airport.

Arrive in time for your flight south to Hue, a renowned coastal city famous for China Beach, known as a GI R&R spot during the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, a coach will be waiting to transfer you to the city.

After a morning tour of the expansive Citadel, once the seat of the Nguyen Emperors, and a cyclo ride through the Old Town, we’ll embark on a scenic boat trip along the Perfume River. This river, named for the scent of tropical flowers flowing from the orchards upstream, will take us to the Thien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore further. The countryside around the city is dotted with the tombs of past emperors, and you might want to include one or more of these in your itinerary. Among the most notable are the grand Mausoleum of Tu Duc and the European-influenced Tomb of Khai Dinh, the final resting place of the last Nguyen Emperor.

After a relaxed start to the day, we proceed to one of Vietnam's most enchanting destinations: the historic trading port of Hoi An. Along the way, we’ll make a stop at the impressive Cham Museum in Danang. The drive from Danang is renowned for its stunning scenery, as it traverses the Ocean Clouds Pass after passing the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. Upon arriving and checking into our hotel with views of the Thu Bon River, you'll have the rest of the day free to explore. Our hotel is conveniently located on the edge of the pedestrian-friendly Old Town, providing an excellent base for your personal adventures.

Immerse yourself in the history and cuisine of Vietnam with this walking and cooking tour in Hoi An. Renowned for its charm and relatively untouched by the ravages of war, Hoi An offers a delightful exploration of its streets and architecture. Meet your guide and venture into the Ancient Town, ready to explore its enchanting alleys.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ancient Town is filled with historically and culturally significant buildings, many of which are located on car-free streets. Wander past numerous Chinese assembly halls, including the Cantonese Chinese Congregation with its grand altar, and the Hainan Chinese Congregation, a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistakenly killed as pirates during Emperor Tu Duc's reign. Don’t miss the Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 1590s by the local Japanese community to connect with the Chinese quarter across the river.

After the walking tour, head to a family-owned restaurant for a Vietnamese cooking class. The chef will introduce you to a variety of delectable dishes you'll be preparing, and then you’ll visit a local market to gather fresh ingredients. Learn how to select the best produce and discover some unique ingredients before returning to the restaurant to start cooking.

Under the guidance of your chef, prepare popular dishes like spring rolls and grilled tuna (sample menu provided below), and take home some recipes to impress your friends and family. The experience concludes with a meal of the delicious dishes you've made.

This morning, we bid farewell to Vietnam and catch a short flight across the border to Siem Reap, Cambodia. After clearing customs and immigration, we’ll meet our local guide and take a brief drive to the town. Once we check into our hotel and freshen up, we'll be ready for an afternoon of exploration.

Board a private remork (tuk-tuk) for a 15-minute journey to the South Gate, where you'll stroll along the ancient city wall with your guide, capturing photos of the impressive demon sculptures that line the causeway. Spend about an hour discovering the enigmatic Prasat Chrung temple before heading to the 12th-century Bayon Temple, renowned for its 51 stone towers each adorned with four tranquil faces of a smiling bodhisattva.

Your expert guide will then take you to the Terrace of the Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King, where you’ll have up to two hours to explore and learn intriguing tales about the Khmer kings who once governed the ancient city.

After the private tour, the evening is yours to enjoy at your leisure. You can relax by taking a swim in the outdoor pool during happy hour or retreat to your air-conditioned room for dinner and drinks from the room service menu.

Begin your day with an early departure from your hotel, leaving about 30 minutes before sunrise. Travel by remork to the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm temple. This UNESCO World Heritage site is renowned for its state of preservation, remaining much as it was when first discovered in the 19th century.

After returning to your hotel for breakfast, proceed to the iconic Angkor Wat, another UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved temple within the Angkor Archaeological Park. Spend a few hours on a private tour of this impressive 12th-century structure. Explore the surviving stone temples, which were once surrounded by wooden palaces, public buildings, and residences that have since vanished.

In the afternoon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before traveling to the 10th-century temple of Banteay Srei, located 19 miles (32 km) from Siem Reap. This small, UNESCO-listed temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and is known as the ‘Citadel of Women’ due to its exquisite sandstone carvings, a highlight of Angkorian art.

Following a 1.5-hour private tour, you’ll have some free time to explore on your own and enjoy a provided lunch. As you return to Siem Reap, you might have the chance to witness the sunset behind the spires of Pre Rup.

After breakfast, embark on a 30-minute morning drive by remork to the outskirts of Siem Reap, where you’ll enjoy a 15-minute ox-cart ride through the scenic countryside. Next, continue by air-conditioned vehicle to Tonle Sap, Cambodia's largest freshwater lake. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this lake replenishes the Mekong River during the dry season and expands significantly during the monsoon.

From the riverbank, board a local boat for a roughly 30-minute journey to Kompong Phluk, the lake’s largest floating village. Spend the rest of the morning here, observing the unique daily routines of the villagers who live along the water, and gain insight into how their lives revolve around the lake's cycles.

After a lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll have the remainder of the day free to explore at your leisure.

After breakfast, embark on a 30-minute morning drive by remork to the outskirts of Siem Reap, where you’ll enjoy a 15-minute ox-cart ride through the scenic countryside. Next, continue by air-conditioned vehicle to Tonle Sap, Cambodia's largest freshwater lake. Recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this lake replenishes the Mekong River during the dry season and expands significantly during the monsoon.

From the riverbank, board a local boat for a roughly 30-minute journey to Kompong Phluk, the lake’s largest floating village. Spend the rest of the morning here, observing the unique daily routines of the villagers who live along the water, and gain insight into how their lives revolve around the lake's cycles.

After a lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll have the remainder of the day free to explore at your leisure.

Discover the Mekong River, known as Vietnam's rice bowl, on this full-day boat tour from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta. Experience a scenic boat ride along the canals and explore vibrant floating markets for a truly unforgettable journey. Glide through the verdant greenery of the Mekong waterways to reach a local orchard, where you'll enjoy a delightful lunch featuring tropical fruits. Continue to Vinh Long, where you'll be met for the return transfer to Ho Chi Minh City.

Unfortunately, your journey concludes today. Your guide will meet you at the scheduled time for a brief transfer back to the International Airport for your departing flight.