Welcome to Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh - Travel to Phnom Penh, CAMBODIA

Greetings from Cambodia! Upon your arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, secure your Cambodia visa, and proceed through Immigration and Customs. After retrieving your luggage, exit the airport to meet your local guide, who will be holding a sign with your name.

Meet your English-speaking guide for a private airport transfer. Once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient, Phnom Penh still retains its colonial charm despite its recent history.

Relax and enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.

Explore Phnom Penh & Fly to Siem Reap

Royal Palace - Today, meet your personal guide and driver to visit the Royal Palace, constructed in 1866 by King Norodom. Explore the various structures of this pagoda-style compound and its beautiful gardens. Visit the Silver Pagoda, named for its floor made of 5,000 silver tiles. Here, you’ll find a gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th-century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.

National Museum - Next, visit the National Museum, built in 1917. It is a prime example of traditional architecture, dedicated to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures, including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces.

Wat Phnom - Continue to Wat Phnom, the city’s namesake. Founded in 1373, this pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river.

Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - Enjoy a Khmer lunch at a typical restaurant, included in the tour price.

After lunch, visit the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum. In 1975, Tuol Svay Prey High School was converted into a prison known as Security Prison 21 (S-21) by Pol Pot’s forces. It became the largest detention and torture center in the country. Over 17,000 people held at S-21 were executed at Choeung Ek; those who died during torture were buried in mass graves on the prison grounds. The museum displays photographs of men, women, and children, most of whom were later killed.

Choeung Ek Genocidal Center - Drive to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, 16 km south of Phnom Penh. Between 1975 and 1978, about 17,000 people detained at S-21 were transported here for execution. They were often bludgeoned to death to save bullets. Fragments of human bone and cloth are scattered around the pits. Over 8,000 skulls are visible behind the glass panels of the Memorial Stupa, erected in 1988.

Later, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap - Fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. The flight takes approximately 50 minutes.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, collect your baggage and meet your local guide outside, holding a sign with your name.

From the airport, you’ll be privately transferred to an archaeological park. Siem Reap is the gateway to exploring the legendary temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire.

Relax and enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.

Discover the Wonders of Angkor

Angkor Thom South Gate - Spend the morning visiting Angkor Thom, the ancient capital from the 12th century. This vast walled complex was the center of the world’s largest city in 1200. After the Chams occupied Angkor from 1177 to 1181, King Jayavarman VII built an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. The scale is staggering, and visitors are immediately impressed by Jayavarman’s audacity upon arrival at the city’s gates. The causeway is lined with an intricate bridge depicting the Churning of the Ocean of Milk from Hindu mythology, where gods and devils play tug of war with a naga to obtain the elixir of immortality. Its vast walls, 6m wide, 8m high, and 13km long, contain many monuments.

Bayon Temple - Next, visit Bayon Temple, surrounded by faces on all sides. Visitors never forget the enigmatic and enchanting Bayon. At the center of Angkor Thom, it is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Its 54 towers are topped with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara, resembling the king himself. These colossal heads exude power and control with a hint of compassion, a mix required to maintain such a vast empire.

Unlike his predecessors who worshipped Hindu deities, Jayavarman VII adopted Mahayana Buddhism as the source of royal divinity, setting the Bayon apart from other Angkorian monuments. The bas-reliefs depict intricate scenes of ancient battles against the Chams and offer a snapshot of daily life during the Angkor period.

Baphuon Temple - Continue to Baphuon, located in Angkor Thom, northwest of the Bayon. Built in the mid-11th century, it is a three-tiered temple mountain dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva.

Terrace of the Elephants - Stroll to the Terrace of the Elephants, part of Angkor Thom’s walled city. The terrace was used by King Jayavarman VII as a platform to view his victorious returning army. It was attached to the palace of Phimeanakas, of which only a few ruins remain.

Terrace of the Leper King - Visit the Terrace of the Leper King, located in the northwest corner of Angkor Thom’s Royal Square. Built in the Bayon style under Jayavarman VII, its modern name derives from a 15th-century sculpture found at the site, depicting the Hindu god Yama, the god of death.

Phimeanakas - Next, visit Phimeanakas, a Hindu temple in the Khleang style, built at the end of the 10th century during Rajendravarman’s reign and completed by Suryavarman I as a three-tier pyramid.

Ta Prohm - Continue to Ta Prohm, perhaps the most atmospheric of Angkor’s treasures. Built by Jayavarman VII as a monastery for his mother, Ta Prohm has been left to nature’s power by archaeologists to demonstrate its awesome force.

The temple is largely consumed by the jungle, with giant trees growing out of the top. Visitors often expect to see Indiana Jones or Lara Croft emerge from behind a fallen pillar. It is one of the most visited temples, with visitors arriving during the day to enjoy the protective forest canopy. Ta Prohm resembles how many monuments appeared when European explorers first saw them. It was a setting for Lara Croft’s adventures in “Tomb Raider.”

Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Angkor Wat - After lunch, be amazed by the vast, 12th-century Angkor Wat temple. The bas-reliefs and devatas covering its walls inspire awe. This example of classical Khmer architecture has been a significant religious center for Hindus and Buddhists through the ages.

Khmer Temples & Tonle Sap Lake Cruise, Welcome to Hanoi, VIETNAM

Banteay Srei - This morning, travel north to visit Banteay Srei. Built by a Brahman in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva, this jewel of Angkor features exquisite sculptures, lintels, and friezes. The detail is said to be too fine for a man’s hands, giving rise to the Khmer name, Fortress of the Women. Though small, Banteay Srei’s beauty lies in its detail. Many believe its intricate carvings are the best example of Khmer classical art. Stop at a local village to visit families producing palm sugar.

Preah Khan - Continue to Preah Khan, built in the same style as Ta Prohm but in better condition. Meaning “The Sacred Sword,” this temple was also built by Jayavarman VII and is famous for its long cruciform corridors and delicate carvings, including the hall of dancers. Look for the curious two-story structure with Grecian inspiration. It is one of the few temples dedicated to both Buddhism and Hinduism. The original eastern entrance was for Mahayana Buddhists, while the other points represented the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu, and Brahma. After visiting the temples, receive a monk’s blessing for good luck and health.

Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Kampong Phluk Floating Village - After lunch, tour the countryside and take an ox-cart ride through villages and rice fields. Enjoy a fresh coconut drink with a local family and learn about their lives. Later, drive to the fishing village of Kompong Pluk near Siem Reap and board a private boat. Visit Kompong Pluk village with its stilt houses and board a pirogue to explore the seasonally flooded forest. Discover the floating village and the centuries-old lifestyle of the lake’s inhabitants.

After a leisurely afternoon, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Hanoi - Fly from Siem Reap to Hanoi. The flight takes approximately one hour and 50 minutes.

Welcome to VIETNAM! Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, secure your Vietnam visa, and proceed through Immigration and Customs. After retrieving your luggage, meet your local guide outside, holding a sign with your name.

Meet your English-speaking guide for a private airport transfer. Hanoi, originally named Thang Long or “City of the Ascending Dragon,” was Vietnam’s first capital in A.D. 1010. Located in northern Vietnam, the city is known as one of the most attractive and interesting places for visitors.

Relax and enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.

A Palace, a Prison, Pagodas & More in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum - This morning, head out with your guide to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, a pilgrimage site for many Vietnamese. The area is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials, and pagodas, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Travel back in time to the simple cottage on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his early revolutionary days. Walk to the nearby 11th-century Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda, an elegant structure rising from a lotus pond on a solitary pillar.

Temple of Literature & National University - Next, visit the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius in Hanoi. The temple also hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university. Built in 1070 during Emperor Ly Thanh Tong’s reign, it is one of several temples in Vietnam dedicated to Confucius, sages, and scholars.

Vietnam Museum of Ethnology - Continue to the Museum of Ethnology, offering an insightful glimpse into the country’s history. With over 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts, it depicts the lives, activities, customs, and habits of Vietnam’s 54 recognized ethnic groups.

Hanoi Opera House - After lunch at a local restaurant, drive through Colonial Hanoi to see the Hanoi Opera House, erected by the French colonial administration between 1901 and 1911.

Hoa Lo Prison - Next, visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned.

Chua Tran Quoc - Continue to West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, located beside the dazzling West Lake on Thanh Nien Road, Hanoi. It is seated on an island linked by a bridge to the causeway between West Lake and Truc Bach Lake.

Hanoi Old Quarter Culture Exchange Center - Take a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses known as “The 36 Streets.” It’s a wonderful place to observe local life and explore items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. Enjoy the charming colonial architecture at a leisurely pace and stop for Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from street vendors.

Thang Long Water Puppet - Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance, a unique North Vietnamese art form celebrating rural life and folklore for over 1,000 years, this evening.

Cruising on Bai Tu Long Bay and Thien Canh Son Cave

Halong Bay - After breakfast, journey northeast of Hanoi to the magnificent Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Begin a one-night cruise on Ha Long Bay aboard the Dragon Legend Cruise. (A junk is an ancient-style sailboat still in use today).
11:20 - 11:50: Arrival and check-in at the Waiting Lounge in Indochina Junk Ha Long.

12:00 - 12:15: Transfer to the port by electric car.

12:30 - 13:15: Cruise begins with a welcome drink and safety briefing.

13:30 - 15:00: Enjoy lunch while cruising to Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring the fascinating formations.

15:15 - 15:40: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

15:45 - 18:00: Relax on a white sandy beach at Hon Co Island and kayak.

18:00 - 19:00: Return to the junk for refreshing before dinner on board.

20:00 - 21:00: Relax, enjoy fresh air, and overnight on board.

From the Bay to Hoi An via Da Nang

Halong Bay - 07:30 - 08:00: Morning view of the Bay’s landscape with tea or coffee. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

08:30 - 09:30: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village by a rustic rowboat, meet locals, and pass through the floating school and fish farms.

10:00: Check out of the cabin. Start cruising towards the harbor.

10:30: Enjoy a buffet while cruising towards the harbor.

11:30 - 12:00: Disembark. The crew will bid you farewell.

Meet your guide as you disembark and transfer back to Hanoi to catch your flight to Da Nang on the South China Sea.

Later, board a flight from Hanoi to Da Nang. The flight takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Hoi An Ancient Town - Fly from Hanoi to Da Nang, departing 17:35, arriving 18:50.

Welcome to Da Nang & Hoi An. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, collect your baggage and meet your local guide outside, holding a sign with your name.

Meet your English-speaking guide for a private airport transfer. Travel a short distance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Hoi An, known to early Western merchants, was a major trading center in Southeast Asia in the 16th century. It has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; some streets’ original structures remain intact. Many houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs.

Relax and enjoy your evening at leisure.

The Past Preserved in Centuries-Old Hoi An

Japanese Covered Bridge - Discover how the past is treasured in Hoi An on the Thu Bon River, a key international trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour Hoi An’s historic highlights via cyclo with your guide. Highlights include the 17th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed between 1593 and 1595, with Monkey and Dog sculptures at either end.

The Old House of Phun Hung - Next, ride to Phung Hung old house, built over 100 years ago during Hoi An’s development. The owner named it Phung Hung, meaning prosperity.

Fukian Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien) - Continue to the Fukien Assembly Hall (Phuc Kien), established in 1697. It is a great example of Chinese architecture, built by Chinese merchants from Fukien Province. Some changes have been made over time.

Old House of Tan Ky - Visit the Tan Ky House, a small unrestored five-generation family home in the old quarters. Built in the late 1890s, it shows what living was like.

Hoi An Riverside - Board a riverboat along the Thu Bon River to see the city from a different perspective and visit a quaint boat-building village.

After lunch, enjoy free time to explore Hoi An on your own. The cobblestone streets in the Old French Quarter are delightful to roam, with many cafés, art galleries, and handicraft shops.

Hoi An Memories Land - This evening, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. The Hoi An Memories Show conveys authentic cultural and historical values, deeply impressing every visitor with its scale and quality. The show features 5 impressive performances and a picture of a girl wearing Ao Dai, weaving throughout the show.

World Heritage Site of Hué

Tomb of Tu Duc - No Vietnam travel experience is complete without visiting Hué, Vietnam’s most beautiful city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive along the Vietnamese coast and Hai Van Mountain to Hue via Da Nang and the 18-mile-long “China Beach,” made famous by the 1980s TV show. Upon arrival, visit the tomb of 19th-century emperor Tu Duc, surrounded by vast botanical gardens and open-air pavilions. Some emperors were so concerned about their graves being violated that, upon completion of the tomb, all workers were put to death to keep the location secret.

Tomb of Khai Dinh - Continue to the Tomb of Khai Dinh, hidden in Chau Chu Mountain. Built for the Nguyen emperor Khai Dinh between 1920 and 31, it combines Western and Eastern architecture, guarded by statues of soldiers and animals.

Hue Imperial City (The Citadel) - After lunch, ride a private cyclo to explore Hué’s Citadel, which housed the Imperial City for official functions and the Forbidden Purple City for personal time. Settle into your beautiful accommodations.

Hue to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Thien Mu Pagoda - This morning, explore Hué’s tranquil setting and admire Thien Mu Pagoda, a seven-story octagonal tower built in 1844. Cruise along the Perfume River and view boats that serve as family homes for many residents.

Tomb of Minh Mang - Visit Minh Mang Royal’s tomb, set amidst a lush pine hill by the river, considered one of the most beautiful mausoleums. Each ruler built his own tomb during his reign.

Later, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City. The flight takes approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

Ho Chi Minh City - Fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, departing 13:45, arriving 15:15.

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Upon arrival at the airport, collect your baggage and meet your local guide outside, holding a sign with your name.

Meet your English-speaking guide for a private airport transfer. Formerly known as Saigon, today’s Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling economic center of the South. Over the centuries, Saigon was called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was a major trading center for Chinese, Japanese, and Western merchants along the Saigon River.

Relax and enjoy your afternoon and evening at leisure.

Discover Ho Chi Minh City & the Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels - Today, visit the battlefield memorial site of Ben Duoc, northwest of the city, to explore the underground world of tunnels and chambers at Cu Chi Tunnels with your local guides. The tunnels confounded French and American troops during the Vietnam War. Visitors can climb in and experience the conditions faced by the Vietnamese who lived and fought in these tunnels. This excursion provides insight into how the Vietnamese won the “American War.” Many traps and weapons were made of bamboo and netting, yet American forces, equipped with modern supplies, were no match for these primitive armaments.

Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral - After lunch at a local restaurant, discover Saigon’s historic landmarks, including the Notre Dame Cathedral, where French colonial presence is felt. The Neo-Romanesque Catholic Basilica was constructed from 1877 to 1883 with imported French materials.

Central Post Office - Head across the street to the Saigon Central Post Office, a stunning architectural marvel with Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences.

The Independence Palace - Visit the Reunification Palace, also known as the Independence Palace, the former residence of the South Vietnam President until April 1975. The Vietnam War ended here when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates, leading to reunification.

War Remnants Museum - Continue to the War Remnants Museum, a call for peace with hopes that the horrors of war will never be repeated. The museum features a collection of machinery, weapons, and photos of the Vietnamese side of the war, including a tribute to journalists, civilians, and soldiers lost.

Ben Thanh Market - Stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market, a great place for souvenirs and bustling activity.

Ho Chi Minh Squares - Stroll through Ho Chi Minh Squares, bordered by City Hall, the Rex Hotel, and numerous French and Vietnamese restaurants.

Riverside Life in the Mekong Delta

My Tho - The mighty Mekong River is the lifeblood of Vietnam and its neighbors. Originating in the Tibetan plateau in China, it winds across Southeast Asia for over 2700 miles, reaching its Delta near Ho Chi Minh City. The Mekong Delta is a biological treasure trove of unique species and integral to agricultural production in southern Vietnam.

Cai Be - Meet your guide and transfer to the Cai Be jetty. Your crew welcomes you with cold towels and a refreshing drink as your Cai Be Princess Sampan sets off on the busy waterways. Observe life on the riverbanks, the people, and the landscapes while your crew serves tea and seasonal fruit. Stops along the way provide glimpses of local micro-industries: coconut candy and puffed rice, products that sustain the river people.

Journey Home

Ho Chi Minh City - Tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). A transfer from Mai House Saigon Hotel to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport is included. Allow 3 hours for airport check-in formalities. Wishing you a safe and pleasant journey home.

Fly home or begin a customized private extension.

• Private transportation by modern air-conditioned vehicle with experienced safe driver
• Domestic flight tickets: Hanoi to Danang, Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh to Siem Reap on Economy Class
• International flight tickets: Siem Reap to Hanoi on Economy Class
• Stay 1 night onboard the Dragon Legend Cruise - Deluxe Cabin (or similar)
• Stay 1 night at the iRoHa Garden Hotel (Deluxe Balcony Room) or similar
• Stay 2 nights at the La Siesta Hotel - Deluxe Room (or similar)
• Stay 1 night at the Azerai La Residence Hue - Superior River View (or similar)
• Stay 2 nights at the La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa - Deluxe Balcony (or similar)
• Stay 3 nights at the Mai House Saigon Hotel - Deluxe Room (or similar)
• Stay 2 nights at the Golden Temple Hotel (Deluxe room) or similar
• Professional Licensed English-Speaking guide
• 03 bottles of mineral water per person per day
• Boat cruise as specified above
• All entrance fees at places listed above
• VAT and all taxes and service charge
• Daily breakfast included
• Lunch and Dinner

• Meals other than specified as included
• Drinks other personal expenses or travel and health insurance
• Tips or gratuities to guide, driver and others are not included in price

13-Day Cambodia and Vietnam travel adventure encompasses the best of Southeast Asia as you explore the legendary cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap (Angkor), Hanoi, Halong Bay, Danang, Hoi A, Hué, Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta.

Guided visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Angkor, Hué and Hoi An

See Phnom Penh’s Silver Pagoda, Hué’s Imperial Citadel on the Perfume River, and the Cu Chi Tunnels of Vietnam

Discover Southeast Asian life on the water on a cruise along the Perfume River in Hué, through the Halong Bay, and on Siem Reap’s Tonle Sap Lake.

Visit Cambodia’s the famous Angkor Wat temple.

The National Museum to view the Khmer art and sculptures.

Bayon Temple, surrounded by faces on all sides.

Banteay Srei, the famous pink sandstone jewels of Angkor.

Reunification Palace, the site of the end of the Vietnam War.

Embark on an overnight Halong Bay cruise on a traditional ship.

Cai Be Princess Mekong Delta cruise

All domestic flights

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.