Vietnam Cambodia Tour – 23 Days

The Vietnam Cambodia Tour is the combination of the most essential of the two nations. Vietnam has been considered as a paradise for tourists over the world, especially for western tourists. Cambodia is not an exception when Siem Reap annually attracts a huge number of tourists coming here. There stand so many great things to discover within the tour itinerary to Vietnam & Cambodia: mesmerizing landscape, mystic historical sites, stunning architectures, very rich culture, and various cuisine, etc. Embark on this tour right now to get the unforgettable experiences.

General Information

Duration: 23 Days
Departure Date: Any time you wish
Starts/ Ends: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City
Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Perfume Pagoda – Ninh Binh – Pu Luong – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Siem Reap - Beng Mealea – Kulen Mountain – Angkor Complex - Phnom Penh – Chau Doc – Can Tho – Mekong Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel – Ho Chi Minh City

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Experience Train Track (B, D)
Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay & overnight on deluxe cruise (B, L, D)
Day 4: Discover Halong Bay on Cruise (B, L, D)
Day 5: Halong Bay – back to Hanoi (B, L, D)
Day 6: Hanoi – Perfume Pagoda – Ninh Binh Province (B, L, D)
Day 7: Ninh Binh Discovery Tour (B, L, D)
Day 8: Ninh Binh – Drive to Pu Luong (B, L, D)
Day 9: Pu Luong – Hanoi (B, L, D)
Day 10: Hanoi – Fly to Hue city (B, L, D)
Day 11: Hue – Thuy Bieu Eco-Village (B, L, D)
Day 12: Hue Boating Trip – Danang – Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L, D)
Day 13: Hoi An Ancient Town – Farming & Fishing – Walking Tour (B, L, D)
Day 14: Hoi An – My Son Holyland – Fly to Siemreap (D)
Day 15: Siemreap – Beng Mealea – Kulen Mountain (B, L, D)
Day 16: Angkor Complex (B, L, D)
Day 17: Angkor – Floating Village – Fly to Phnom Penh (B, L, D)
Day 18: Phnom Penh Discovery (B, L, D)
Day 19: Phnom Penh – Speedboat to Chau Doc (B, L, D)
Day 20: Sam Mountain – Lady Chua Su Temple – Tra Su forest – Can Tho (B, L, D)
Day 21: Can Tho – Cai Rang & Cai Be Town – Vinh Long – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)
Day 22: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel Experience (B, L, D)
Day 23: Free Ho Chi Minh Discovery – Departure Flight (B)

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will meet your local guide & driver who transfer you to the hotel. On the way, we stop at a local restaurant for PHO (Beef Noodle).

Note: it might arrange 02 airport pick up time.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour - Experience Train Track (B, D)

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit Ho Chi Minh Complex to see Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilt, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Next, take a visit to Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, originally built as a temple to Confucius. The site is now a destination of Vietnamese students for the educational luck praise.

After lunch, keep on visiting the Museum of Ethnology, widely known as the best display which dedicates to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority. After that, we have one-hour cyclo tour around Hanoi Old Quarter, an old French architecture. The quarter is renown with its super narrow streets, which is home to many small businesses and shopkeepers.

We also move to Long Bien iron bridge and Tran Phu train track. After all, spend about 1.5 hours at the end of the day to watch the traditional Water Puppet Show.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay & Overnight on Deluxe Cruise (B, L, D)

Pick-up at the hotel by private van, we transfer to Halong Bay with a short stop at Hai Duong Province for a break. Arrive at Hon Gai Pier at around noon, we check in Amira Cruise, enjoy welcome drinks and follows by tour guide safety briefing. Lunch will be served with a set menu at the restaurant while cruising through the sightseeing beautiful landscape and limestone mountains in Halong Bay.

We then visit and explore the formation of stalactites and stalagmites in Thien Son Canh Cave – one of the biggest grotto in Bai Tu Long Bay. Back to Amira cruise for a tea break before kayaking around the area or just relaxing on the sundeck.
In the late afternoon, we enjoy cooking class – making spring roll while the boat goes to the Cong Do – point to stay overnight. Dinner and spend the night on board.

Day 4: Discover Halong Bay on Cruise (B, L, D)

Start our new day with Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Enjoy the sunrise while breakfast is served at the restaurant. The boat is moving outside the bay through the hundreds of amazing rocks and going to Cap La.
Drop anchor at Cap La to discover Cap La Geological Park through kayak to see the panorama of Bai Tu Long Bay with thousands of islets around. We can stay on the private beach for kayaking. Come back and savor lunch on boat while cruising in a romantic area of Bai Tu Long Bay.

In the afternoon, we visit Vung Vieng floating village – the biggest one, quiet and peaceful place in Bai Tu Long in a rowing bamboo boat. Enjoy cooking class – making sweet soup or floating sticky cake while the boat to go to the Cong Do area – the second night on the bay.

Day 5: Halong Bay - Back to Hanoi (B, L, D)

Enjoy the sunrise while breakfast is served at the restaurant. After that, we kayak in Cong Do and Be Ong Dau area or stay on the boat for relaxing, taking photographs… The boat gets back to Hon Gai Pier. Farewell to the crew members and get on our car to drive back to Hanoi.
Get back to the port where our vehicle waiting to transfer back to Hanoi. Drop off at the hotel and free to shopping this time.
Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi - Perfume Pagoda - Ninh Binh Province (B, L, D)

Pick up at the hotel at 8 AM, we then drive to Huong Pagoda in Ha Tay Province, now is the new urban area of Hanoi. Huong Pagoda (Perfume Pagoda) is a vast complex of Buddhist temples and shrines built into the limestone Huong Tich Mountain. The festival starts from the first month of the Lunar calendar and lasts for around 3 months with a large number of pilgrims from all over Vietnam.

On arrival, we will take a sampan boat along the Yen River to Thien Tru pagoda then walk up to the mountain. Perfume pagoda spreads out among the limestone hills and tropical forests in the Huong Mountain area. In the center of Chua Huong Complex, Huong Tich Cave is home to Chua Trong (Inner Temple). The mouth of the cave looks like an opening dragon’s mouth with Chinese characters carved on the wall. In addition, there is a large number of statues of Lord Buddha as well as one of Quan Am, both made of the green stone inside the cave. Among these natural features of the cave, we find the myriad of stalactites and stalagmites, some of them are worn smooth from years of rubbing by visitors annually coming here.

After visit Huong Tich cave, we hike down for lunch, or if it’s your wish, we can try the cable car & enjoy the scenery of Huong Pagoda and its stunning surrounding from the height. After lunch in the local restaurant in the foot of the mountain, we will get in our car and drive to Ninh Binh. Check in hotel for overnight.

Day 7: Ninh Binh Discovery Tour (B, L, D)

Remark: we have private city tour for Ninh Binh and Pu Luong tour since there is no group tour starting from Ninh Binh
At 8.30 AM, after having breakfast, we move to Trang An for boating boat trip discovering, which have forested limestone mounts contrasting in emerald water, caves, lowland, and rivers. We will visit 7-caves-network with beautiful stalactites of all shapes and colors.
After that, you have lunch at a local restaurant and take a rest before visiting Hoa Lu Temple.

In the afternoon, we will visit Mua Cave and learn about its interesting stories told by our guide. From the peak of the cave, you can get the panoramic view of Tam Coc. Then continue to climb 500 stone steps, you reach the top of the mountain and witness the stunning view of the countryside and the wonderful Ngo Dong river. Stay overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 8: Ninh Binh - Drive to Pu Luong (B, L, D)

After having breakfast, we will be ready for Pu Luong nature reserve. It will be perfect for the nature lovers wishing to escape the bustle of city life and see imposing mountain ranges, intact rivers and waterfalls, poetic villages, and immense valleys of beautiful terraced rice fields. Moreover, a tour to the non-touristy destination like Pu Luong makes it easy to get off-the-beaten-path, also undergo the remote life and taste the local cuisine.
11:00 We stop at the local market of Muong Ethnic Minority, relish in the scenic view of Thung Khe Pass, which is one of the 10 most stunning passes in Vietnam.
12:00: Arrival in Mai Chau and transfer to a van to go to Pu Luong Reserve nature
13:00 Check-in and have lunch at Pu Luong Eco Garden – the Mountain retreat
14:30 -17:30 Hop on the van and following the small road through the terraced rice and sugar cane fields, cross the Hanging Bridges to visit other remote rural villages of Thai Ethnic. Stop at the giant waterwheels, ducks farm to learn about the agriculture,
17:30 Go to Eco Garden – Mountain Retreat. Relax.
19:30 Savor BBQ dinner at the lodge, try some local rice wine.
Enjoy the quiet night in the middle of Pu Luong Reserve.

Day 9: Pu Luong - Hanoi (B, L, D)

07:00 – 08:00: Have breakfast in the lodge. Indulge in the majestic scenery from Pu Luong Eco Garden.
8:30 -12:30 Embark the trek along the small roads through the rice terrace fields and cross the stream to get the hidden village of Kho Muong to experience the life of people in Pu Luong. (6kms) Explore Doi Cave (Bat cave), this is the largest cave in Pu Luong. (Depending on the weather condition)
12: 00 Get back & Check-out the retreat.
13:00: Have lunch and have free time to relax in the Infinity pool or walking around the village before boarding the car to back Hanoi.
17:30: Arrive in Hanoi
Check in hotel for overnight.

Day 10: Hanoi - Fly to Hue City (B, L, D)

Have breakfast at the hotel, then our guide and driver will come & transfer to airport for a morning flight to Hue. Estimated flight: VN1543 08:40 09:50
Upon arrival, meet our guide in Hue and then transfer to the hotel. Later on, visit some attractions in Hue such as Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden City, and Dong Ba market.

Stay in Hue for overnight accommodation.

Day 11: Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco - Village (B, L, D)

Pick up at hotel in Hue, we will take a short drive to Toa Kham wharf for a leisurely cruise along Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda – the symbol of Hue located by the river. We then stop at Dong Ba market and buy necessary ingredients for the cooking class before continue cruising to Thuy Bieu village – the Garden of Eden in Hue. On arrival, we walk or bike around the village with stops to visit a local garden, an old ancestral temple and communicate with local people. Stop at an incense-making family and the locals working strenuously with joy and enthusiasm.

Continue to a joss-paper making family, chat over a cup of green tea with the family and see they’re talking about the joss paper, other known as ghost money offering to the dead. Lastly, we stop at a paper-painting family to see countryside painting of young local artists.
Back to Thuy Bieu restaurant for a hands-on cooking class with chief’s instruction, sit down and sample your effort of some traditional Hue dishes. Relax by soaking your foot in medicinal herb water and enjoy an excellent massage by the blind people before our car transfers us back to the hotel.

Day 12: Hue Boating Trip - Danang - Hoi An Ancient Town (B, L, D)

Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast, then take a dragon boat trip along the Perfume River down to Thien Mu Pagoda where we can witness the panorama of charming Hue city. Next, travel to King Khai Dinh’s Tomb and King Tu Duc’s tomb.

After we travel by van to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. We will stop en-route to contemplate the stunning views of Lang Co Beach
On arrival, we will have a brief visit at Cham Museum – the houses of the most complete collection if Cham Artifacts anywhere in the world; China Beach – where was named & used by the American, move to Marble Mountain – the exceptional beauty of nature. We will then arrive in Hoi An town in the afternoon. The rest of the day will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy.

We’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

Day 13: Hoi An Ancient Town - Farming & Fishing - Walking Tour (B, L, D)

Today will start early by the scenic drive to Tra Que Village, and join in Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. We set about joining the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs.

Following this, we will begin our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand. Late in the morning, board our Hoi An Eco Tour boat for a river cruise. In this eco-tour, we will meet and see how the local fishermen work on their craft. Then we enjoy a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. Next, our driver will transfer you to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race & ride down a coconut palm-lined waterway.

Enjoy lunch on the boat. Then, have some free time to wander around Hoi An town center before heading back to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we transfer/ walk down to downtown for our walking tour.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 14: Hoi An - My Son Holyland - Fly to Siem Reap (D)

We are picked up at the hotel at 8 AM by local tour guide and driver then depart for the ancient Cham ruins of My Son. Transfer to Tra Kieu capital, the former administration center of Champa Kingdom. Delve into the splendid ancient ruins at My Son consisting of antique towers which were built from the fourth century.

At noon, we return Hoi An ancient town for lunch and be free until transfer to airport for flight to Siemreap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap International Airport, picked up by our local guide & driver who take you to the hotel for check-in and stay overnight.

Day 15: Siem Reap - Beng Mealea - Kulen Mountain (B, L, D)

We enjoy a drive through the lovely country to the Kulen Mountain of 70km from the town. Visit the majestic waterfall and the antique stream carved with thousands of lingams, god, and deities of Hindu on the bed of the thousand-year stream. Then visit an old Buda statue carved, lie reclining, on a giant mountain rock then enjoy to swim at the waterfall follow by picnic lunch on the river bank. Climb down the mountain back to town.

Afternoon we continue by the trip to have seen more of the surrounding temples, return in the direction of Siem Reap, stopping to explore another of the lesser visited Beng Mealea temple, which is similar in size to the better known Angkor Wat (both built by Jayavarman VII).

Day 16: Angkor Complex (B, L, D)

In the morning after having breakfast then we will exploration of the temples by Remork-Motor. The Remork-Motor is a popular transportation in Angkor Siem Reap, Cambodia. The rework-motor hitched to a motorcycle and pretty much operates as a low-tech local bus with oh-so-natural air-conditioning (Also called Tuk-tuk).

Enter this last capital of the Khmer empire through the Southern Gate where giant carvings of gods and demons flank each side of the entrance. Delve into this city, explore the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace & Terrace of Leper King. Feel the serenity exuding from the stone face carvings of Bayon the temple which was covered in emerald moss intertwined with roots. They deem the most charming of all, Ta Prohm and Angkor Thom.

In the afternoon, explore the Angkor Wat, an architectural and artistic masterpiece of the mighty Khmer Empire. If you have a passion for taking photos, it’s the right time to capture the most beautiful scenes here. Take your camera out and catch the splendid sunset with a panoramic view from Pre Rup temple.
Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 17: Angkor - Floating Village - Fly to Phnom Penh (B, L, D)

This morning, travel the 30-minute journey to visit Banteay Srei, nicknamed the “Citadel of Women” mainly thanks to its pink sandstone façade. The temple is best seen in the morning light but is a true vision at any time of day and contains excellent examples of classical Khmer art. Constructed using pink sandstone instead of the typical grey, the exquisitely preserved temple was built by Yajnavaraha, a Brahmin priest and key figure of the royal court in the 10th century. Continue to visit the Angkor National Museum, an institution that offers a glimpse into the rich history of the “Golden Era” of the Khmer Kingdom. The museum utilizes technology and multimedia to enhance the experience as they tell the tale of Cambodia and the Khmer people.

Tour will be finished in the later afternoon; we continue our drive to enjoy on a wooden boat ride to the floating village of Kampong Phluck getting the first-hand look at the daily life of local fishermen. Similar to other floating villages in Southeast Asia, Kampong Phluck has floating houses on stilts, surrounded by flooded forests and has some rice paddies scattered here and there. Spend time to visit a local house and witness how their daily life going, and try to become a fisherman with fish rod and baits (optional). Drive back to town, we will then continue to visit the school of fine art “le Artisans D’angkor”.
You will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight to Pnompenh.
Arrive in Pnompenh, welcome & transfer to hotel nearby airport for overnight.

Day 18: Phnom Penh Discovery (B, L, D)

This morning the guide and driver will be ready & waiting for you in the hotel lobby to visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S21). If you are here on time will also see a documentary film about the Khmer Rouge regime and the genocide of Pol Pot. First, the victims are detained and tortured at S-21 prison (Tuol Sleng Museum), were transported to the extermination to death. Cambodia Government built this massive Stupa (Memorial Monument) to keep some of skulls, bones, which is about 6 tons in weight.

The King is living in a separate hall. In and pieces of clothing for the yearly ceremony to bring peace to the spirits of the deceased.
Same afternoon you will have a guided tour of the National Museum, the Royal Palace with the Silver Pagoda. The Royal Palace contains some spectacular buildings such as the Throne Hall, the Royal Treasury Hall, and the villa of Napoleon II. The pagoda of Emerald Buddha or Silver pagoda. In the evening, we will experience the Cyclo excursion along the Mekong Riverfront and passing Wat Phnom, which is so exciting.

Day 19: Phnom Penh - Speedboat to Chau Doc (B, L, D)

After having your first breakfast in Cambodia at your hotel, your tour guide will be ready for you in the hotel lobby to visit Choeung Ek, about 17 km south of the city, is the site of a former orchard. Also, it is a mass of grave of Khmer Rouge victims, killed between 1975 and 1979. It is renowned as the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge regime executed over one million people. Choeung Ek is now a memorial, marked by Buddhist stupa. The stupa has acrylic glass sides and it’s filled with more than 5,000 human skulls. The Cambodian government has many policies to encourage tourists to visit Choeung Ek. Apart from the stupa, there stand pits from which the bodies exhumed. Human bones still litter the site.

After lunch, we will take early lunch and then take the hydrofoil to Chau Doc – Vietnam. On arrival, we will be greeted and transferred to the hotel where we spend the night.

Day 20: Sam Mountain - Lady Chu Su Temple - Tra Su Forest - Can Tho (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we will visit Thoai Ngoc Hau Confession and continue to Nui Sam Mountain. At the foot of the mountain is the Temple of Lady Chua Su, a popular religious center. It’s an easy climb to the summit of Sam Mountain, and worth the effort because the views of the pancake-flat Mekong and the plain across the Cambodian border are striking.

Then we have a boating trip through the Tra Su forest.
After that, we will drive to Can Tho. Arrive in the hotel in the late afternoon, we will have dinner and overnight in Can Tho.

Day 21: Can Tho - Cai Rang & Cai Be Town - Vinh Long - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)

Today begins earlier by the boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market with the rush pace of life right at the time. Cai Rang Floating Market is the biggest floating market in Mekong Delta, where you can witness the daily life of locals one their boats.
Get back hotel & have breakfast, check out and move to Vinh Long.

Board the rowing boat to get deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and enjoy the peaceful time. It’s quite interesting to witness the traditional houses made of wood & palm tree leaves. We will have a chance to meet and see how the local catch fish and pick up fruits by ancestral ways in the Mekong Delta area.
Take a visit to the handicraft village where you can see how the locals make the stable products: rice-net for spring rolls, fish & soya sauce, cooking salt, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage proof...

Then, we take the rowing boat entering deeper into the countryside on the smaller canals where we can see the traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves, the local daily life. An optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can witness how rice paste, coconut candy, and pop-rice, pop-corn are made.
Lunch can be served at Ut Trinh home.
In the afternoon, stroll around and enjoy some kinds of fruits when listening to traditional music. Moreover, it’s so amazing to bike on village paths to witness the local farms, houses, the authentic daily life in the area of Mekong Delta. The cruise will end at Cai Be where we take our own vehicle back to Ho Chi Minh city.
We check in the hotel for a short relax and then go for dinner at Ngon Villa restaurant.

Day 22: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience (B, L, D)

Depend on the weather, we can visit Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning or afternoon. (Flexible)
In the morning, head to Cu Chi Tunnels, also known as the Iron Triangle or Iron land. Before entering, will see an introductory video displaying how the tunnels were constructed, various mantraps, allowed tourists to access. Then, explore Cu Chi tunnels before savoring lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of South Vietnam. We will then visit the War Remnant Museum, where has a collection of artifacts, photographs, and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war. Next, stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Old Post Office to get the good shots for this modern city in Vietnam.
In the last destination of today is Ben Thanh Market, then will be back to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 23: Free Ho Chi Minh Discovery - Departure Flight (B)

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your departure flight. Tour ends.