“The Best of Vietnam and Cambodia” will share with you, the highlights of these two emerging Southeast Asia countries. Vietnam and Cambodia are similar in many ways - they share many aspects of the same religions, some ethnic minorities live in both countries, yet they are very different and fiercely independent of each other. On this tour you will see a wealth of fascinating sights from the beauty and serenity of Ha Long Bay to the almost overwhelming grandeur of the temples at Angkor Wat. They share a love of the arts and crafts, from beautiful embroidery to dance, from puppetry to ceramics, and are persisting in teaching young artisans these ancient skills. Both share remnants of French culture and both have experienced decades of severe hardship as a consequence of war and foreign occupation. However, both countries share a diversity that you will come to enjoy and appreciate on this tour.
Your "Best of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour" begins as you are met at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Remainder of day is at your leisure. (D)
Your city tour starts at the Ho Chi Minh Complex on Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh declared independence in 1945 (this famous site contains his mausoleum) then visit the Presidential Palace, an Italianate Renaissance chateau that “Uncle Ho” declined to live in and the house on stilts he chose instead. Next visit the beautiful Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), founded in 1070 as w
hat was in effect a Confucian University. This spectacular site houses temples, courtyards, pavilions, and dormitories. Next onto the impressive Ethnologic Museum where you can learn of the many ethnic minorities and their way of life, including some reconstructed minority homes. This evening you will be entertained by a performance of the thousand-year-old Vietnamese art Water Puppet Show. (B/L/D)
This morning venture out of the city into Ha Yay Province to visit the Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong) a complex of temples, halls and grottoes set in a craggy (limestone) Karst landscape. The Perfume Pagoda is one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Vietnam. After lunch, time permitting, visit a handicraft village which specializes in to’ he toys, figures fashioned from rice dough. (B/L/D)
Pack your overnight bag you are on your way to a marvelous overnight adventure on board a deluxe Junk. Ha Long Bay is a seascape of craggy karst towers that rise hundreds of feet above the unique jade-green waters of the bay made famous in the film Indochine. Sit back and enjoy this beautiful spectacle of nature. Visit a fishing village and have time for a swim or a walk on one of the many islands. Dinner is served on board, and you spend the evening gazing at the stars. Overnight in guestrooms on board. (B/L/D)
Awaken to the beauty of the bay. Visit Hang Sung Sot (grotto of surprises) regarded as one of the two most beautiful caves in the bay. Enjoy a buffet Brunch while cruising back through the bay. Returning to Hanoi stop at Hong Ngoc village established for handicapped persons who make wonderful art and handicraft items for sale. (B/L/D)
Today you will fly to Hue, the old imperial capital. After lunch you will enjoy a motorized rickshaw tour of the many villages and garden homes. (B/L/D)
This morning you board a boat for a cruise on the Perfume River to give you a taste of the scenic countryside as well as an enjoyable visit to the beautiful Pagoda of Thien Mu with its impressive “Heavenly Lady” 7-story tower. You then continue on to visit the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. After lunch you visit the elaborate Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and the famous Tu Hieu Pagoda. Upon returning to the city, you take a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market passing many fantastic eating spots where visitors may sample some of the local delicacies. (B/L)
An early morning check out and a drive to Hoi An via the Hai Van (Ocean Clouds Pass). You stop on the way to visit China Beach, and a 500 year old Stone Carving Village which sits at the base of one of the Marble Mountains and which continues its stone carving today. You continue on to Hoi An, nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Before the river filled with silt, Hoi An was one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia for centuries, and a center for East-West exchange and trade. Enjoy lunch and then check into your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to soak up the ambience of this special place and leisurely stroll among some of the sights in Hoi An. (B/L/D)
Hoi An was originally a charming seaport but has been influenced through centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures (Persia, Arabia, Japan, China, Portugal, France, to name a few), and its ancient architecture is a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese. In recognition of its uniqueness and historical importance UNESCO has placed Hoi An on its World Heritage List. During today’s city tour stroll across the Japanese Bridge, visit the old Merchant House, and the Phuc Kien Pagoda. Hoi An is also a wonderful town in which to shop for silk. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax, visit the beach, explore more of Hoi An or do some shopping. (B/L)
Today you fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, called "The Pearl of the Sea" by locals, still has its French charms, even as it embraces twenty first century commercialism. This frenetic metropolis is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, with bustling shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. If time permits, you may stroll around downtown to explore the varied local ways of life. (B/L/D)
Drive this morning to Tay Ninh and visit the headquarters of one of Vietnam’s most interesting indigenous religions the Cao Dai sect, founded in 1923. Attend the fantastic mid-day service in the Cao Dai Cathedral where followers of this sect fill the hall wearing colorful robes, a symbol of the unusual combination of Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, native Vietnamese spiritualism, Christianity, and Islam. On the return to Ho Chi Minh City, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network of tunnels and chambers constructed over several decades by Vietnamese fighters in the period to 1975. (B/L/D)
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor the magnificent ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. (B/L/D)
This morning start your exploration of this vast archaeological treasure and wonder, the temple complex of Angkor. The South Gate of the royal city of Angkor Thom is your first stop. The Bayon is a pyramid type temple with huge carved faces throughout. Also visit the Royal Palace area, the Grand Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, Baphuon Temple, Phimeanakas, known as the flying palace. You then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon visit the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat Temple, the largest religious monument ever built which is spectacular. Its five towers are recognized around the world. Enjoy a wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Ba Kheng Hills. You will be wonderfully entertained with dinner and a Khmer Traditional Dance Show this evening. (B/L)
This morning visit the local pagoda and the interesting Khmer Villages around Siem Reap town, followed by a visit to Les Chantiers Ecole, a handcraft center where you will often see young artists learning wood carving and other handicraft skills. This program represents a part of a concerted plan by the Cambodian government to preserve these skills which were almost lost with the killing of so many of the nation’s artisans by the Pol Pot regime in the mid to late 1970s. In the afternoon you will visit Banteay Kdei, called "the citadel of cells" and is believed to be a Buddhist temple. Nearby is Srah Srang, a lake, also called "the royal bath" as it was used for ritual bathing. Next visit the temple complexes of Neak Pean and Preah Khan. This evening, as you wish, visit the night markets to explore or shop. (B/L/D)
Banteay Srei temple is regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. On your return to Siem Reap, you will walk along Khmer Villages in Phum Pradak, seeing people going about their daily chores. This afternoon drive to Tonle Sap Lake for an excursion to the fascinating floating villages, where you will see family life on the water, fishermen cleaning their nets, children at play, and even a floating church and school. (B/L)
This morning enjoy some free time to explore more of Siem Reap or do a little shopping. After lunch visit the Cambodian Cultural Villages. Later you will be transferred to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. (B/L/D)
Phnom Penh, is the site of the Royal Palace where the king of Cambodia and his family live. Its glittering spires, the silver pagoda, and its colonial French buildings on the bank of the Tonle Sap River are quietly beautiful. The sad history of torture by the Khmer Rouge is tragically brought home today when you visit Tuol Sleng Museum. You later visit the Russian Market where you will be challenged in fun to bargain for what appeals to you. After lunch you visit the Art Deco styled Central Market, one of the city's most interesting buildings, where all kinds of goods are on sale. Later you will enjoy a lovely sunset cruise. (B/L)
You transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
| Daily Departure | **** | |
| Twin Share | Single Room Supplement | |
| Jan-April 11 | $4035 | $1785 |
| May-Sep 11 | $3875 | $1632 |
| Oct-Dec 11 | $4105 | $1855 |
The prices of above tour are land only and based on a minimum of 2 persons travelling together.
For more details on what is included in this tour please click here