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Overview
This "Vietnam Cambodia Tour 11 days: Passion to explore" allows you to access all the can-not-miss places of these two Indochinese countries. The unique cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes and a smiling population welcome you for an unforgettable trip.
From northern Vietnam, you will first join the three main destinations of Tonkin. First, visit Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam for a tour of the city and its typical neighborhoods, its national monuments representing the country's ancient and contemporary history. Further north, the mountains, near the Chinese border known as the Annamite Cordillera, welcome you to enjoy Sapa's climatic health resort reachable by train from Hanoi. The coolness of the heights and the smiling welcome of the minority ethnic population bring together the best conditions for strolling in the mountains and admiring the magnificent landscapes of Mount Ham Rong, Lao Chai and Ta Van. You will end your journey north by taking a cruise on Halong Bay, one of the 7 new wonders of nature.
The following days continue with the visit of the Angkor Relic to Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the beautiful and quiet capital of Cambodia with the Royal Palace, the National Archeology Museum and sites related to the dark period of the regime.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Take a beautiful picture of Hanoi city– the Paris of the Orient after taking one full day trip
- Enjoy a quiet night with pure, fresh atmosphere on board in Halong Bay
- Experience night train for round trip between Hanoi and Lao Cai
- Sneak into Cao Son Ethnic market on Wednesday. The market deeply shows the typical cultural features of the minorities in remote mountainous areas.
- Short trekking to visit Lao Chai and Ta van the village of the Hmong and Zay people. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of rice field terrace
- Explore vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, the dynamic heart of Vietnam and experience yourself on the back of your rider. We will ride through the beautiful lit boulevards, the back alleys, and the busy streets where you can enjoy Saigon street foods
- Explore the mighty ancient temple complex of Angkor Wat
- Join the trip to Banteay Srei temple (10th c), the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art.
- Visit the floating village of Chong Khneas. And take an excursion in a traditional wooden boat on the Tonle Sap Lake, the "Great Lake" of Cambodia.
Itinerary


Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.
We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday.
You have free time until we transfer to the rail way station to board a soft sleep & AC train to Lao Cai/Sapa (21:00).

Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages are the places where ethnic black H’mong and Dzay people are living. Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terraced fields and stream and visit some of Black H’mong families to learn more about their culture and customs.
Along the road, you have a chance to contemplate the beauty in peace of the Muong Hoa Valley, magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields. Particularly, you can meet many ethnic minority groups (H’mong, Zay, and Red Dao) whose stalls are along the way to sell fruits or sweets. From the main road, we get off the car and trek along a local path until we reach the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai and experience the daily life of the villagers. Continue walking from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Zay hill tribes live. Here you take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by your local guide in a local house. After lunch, relax and continue trekking to the meeting point on the main road for transferring back to Sapa town. The rest of this day is at leisure. Discover the fanciful Sapa town on your own, its bustling market with colorful handmade brocatelle stuffs of the ethnic people, tea and coffee shops as well as the local culture in this mountainous town.

Cao Son is the most stunning part of Lao Cai province. The wonder of Cao Son is ever inspirational with mild weather, authentic culture of local hill tribes, spectacular views toward lush valleys and mighty Chay River
On this trip you will visit one of the smallest local markets in the area, which locates in a beautiful landscape. The market still keeps its original aspect as it is. Here you will meet Flower Hmong, Black Dao, Tay, Nung minorities.
Itinerary:
You will enjoy beautiful scenery along the ride until you arrive in Muong Khuong. From there, you turn in a dirt road, which goes up in mountains. Pine trees forests and villages surround the tinny market. Flower H’mong, Black Dao, Tay, Nung ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric. People coming to the market not only for selling or buying something but also importantly to meet friends, relative and to sip some cups of wine until the dawn comes. Nowhere else but here, Flower H’mong people greet you with a temptation of corn wine and endless hospitality. After exploring the market, you will be able to visit a village of Flower H’mong or a village of Tay people. You will then head back to Muong Khuong and have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, you get on the car for journey drive to Lao Cai then board the overnight train to Hanoi (19.00)
Approx: 6 hours driving/ 1-hour walking/ 1-hour lunch

Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. Dinner served on board. Overnight on Ha Long Bay Cruise

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor where our private vehicle waiting for you for a 4 hour journey to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival pick up and transfer to the hotel for your overnight.

Morning after having breakfast, depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war.
Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. Next, it is on to the Old Saigon Post Office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offer guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here. Overnight at the hotel in HCM city.

After breakfast, free time on your own then we transfer you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide outside the terminal and transferred to the hotel for check-in.
Take a Siem Reap Orientation Tour, starting with Preah Ang Check Preah Ang Chom which is the biggest local shrine in the city center. Locals throng here to pray for luck, especially newlyweds, and it is an atmospheric place to visit in the late morning or late afternoon, as the incense smoke swirls around. Then we continue to walk along the Siem Reap riverside to visit the Wat Preah Prom Rath, it is a functioning Buddhist monastery featuring a typical Khmer-style pagoda, a courtyard with statues depicting different Buddhist beliefs, and a hall surrounded by hand-painted picture walls containing a giant statue of seated Buddha and a reclining Buddha. Return to hotel for refreshment
Late afternoon, our guide and driver will meet you again to take you on to walk through the street foot hall where all the locals come for a picnic and drinks after work. You are invited to taste some snacks, drinks, and fruits as much as you can before we go to one of the local restaurants for dinner along with the Khmer Classic Live Band (black forest).
Take a Siem Reap Orientation Tour, starting with Preah Ang Check Preah Ang Chom which is the biggest local shrine in the city center. Locals throng here to pray for luck, especially newlyweds, and it is an atmospheric place to visit in the late morning or late afternoon, as the incense smoke swirls around. Then we continue to walk along the Siem Reap riverside to visit the Wat Preah Prom Rath, it is a functioning Buddhist monastery featuring a typical Khmer-style pagoda, a courtyard with statues depicting different Buddhist beliefs, and a hall surrounded by hand-painted picture walls containing a giant statue of seated Buddha and a reclining Buddha. Return to hotel for refreshment
Late afternoon, our guide and driver will meet you again to take you on to walk through the street foot hall where all the locals come for a picnic and drinks after work. You are invited to taste some snacks, drinks, and fruits as much as you can before we go to one of the local restaurants for dinner along with the Khmer Classic Live Band (black forest).

Beat the crowd early morning by 7am, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. Lunch is own account.
Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area.

Breakfast at the hotel.
Early morning, we drive to Kbal Spean (60 minutes), which translates to “Bridge Head”. From the entrance, it is an easy 3km hike up to the hill passing through a nice forest offering beautiful views over the surrounding plains. On top, you will find a river with many rocks under the surface holding inscriptions and Hindu statues referred to as the Lingas which date back to the 11th century. There is also a waterfall on top that drops significant amounts of water during the wet season but dries up entirely during the height of the dry season (March/April). In the rainy season the route may be slippery and good footwear is advised.
Hike down the hill back to the car and drive to have lunch at the local restaurant, after lunch, we will visit Banteay Srei Temple. This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva. Drive back to your hotel in Siem Reap to relax. Dinner is on your own

Drive about 45 minutes to the countryside, stopping en route to visit a local village. Arrive at the quay and board a local boat for a 1.5-hour ride on the Tonle Sap Lake (Chong Kneas Floating Village), also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Find out how communities live and work on the lake; see the floating schools, markets, and police stations, among others; observe their daily lives.
Drive back to Siem Reap for check-out and lunch at the local restaurant, if time permits, visit the old market and artisans in Dángkor before transferring to the airport for departure. Thank you for choosing out Vietnam Cambodia Tour 11 days!
Trip notes
Tour includes:
- Private English speaking guide
- Accommodation based on twin sharing with daily breakfast
- Transfers & transport by private vehicle
- All entrance fees as mentioned
- Boat trip as stated in above sights
- Oxcart ride through the village
- Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
- Water & cool towels
- Government taxes & service charge
Tour excludes:
- Approval letter and Visa stamping fee on arrival
- International Airfares
- Internal flight (quoted separately)
- Early check in/ late check out
- Meals not indicated
- Drinks & beverage…
- Surcharge for public holiday/weekend
- Personal travel insurance (Compulsory).
- Personal expenses
- Tips and gratuities
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