Vietnam and Cambodia 15 days.
Price per person from: $ 2 450 :-
Combine two exciting countries in South East Asia! This tour starts in Vietnam where we visit the countrys thriving capital and the beautiful Halong Bay with its limestone rocks. We then move to the middle of the country to explore the craftsman’s city of Hoi An, enjoy the view from Marble mountains and take a walk in beautiful Hue. We move further south to South Vietnams former capital Saigon now called Ho Chi Minh City. Here we see the opera house, the old presidential palace and Hotel de Ville. We also visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels and the coconut factories along Chet Say river.
After the visit here it is time to move to Cambodia to visit Phnom Penh and the famous silver pagoda. We visit the temple of Siem Reap before we end the tour with a visit to the most famous sight of all – Angkor Wat!
This is included:
Local flight from Ho Chi Minh – Phnom Penh.
Domestic flight Hanoi – DaNang/Hue – Ho Chi Minh/Phnom Penh – Siem Reap in economy class.
Private transfer in vehicles with AC.
Private boat at Perfume river and the Mekong river.
13 nights at standard class hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Its possible to buy an upgrade to comfort class.
1 night on a boat in Halong Bay in deluxe room.
Excursions according to program. Entrance fees included. Engelsktalande guider.
Meals according to program.
2 bottles of mineral water per person per day.
Travel guarantee via Swedish Kammarkollegiet.
Day to day presentation:
(B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Day 1: Arrival Hanoi.
Upon your arrival at Noi Bai international airport, you are warmly welcome by our local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. You are free at your leisure for relaxing after the long time flight. You will have welcome dinner at local restaurant. Then enjoying the special Vietnam traditional Water Puppet show. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Distance: Noi Bai airport -> Hanoi center is 30km and take 45 minutes driving. (D)
Day 2: Hanoi.
After breakfast at hotel, get on bus and drive to the historic complex of Ba Dinh. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where The Late President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnams Independence on 02nd September 1945, then continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, the must-see monument in Hanoi – It is an ancient Buddhist pagoda, built in the early 11th century in the reign of King Ly Thai Tong, all construction supported by only one pillar, resembling a Buddhist lotus. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple. Visit Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature – The first Imperal school in Vietnam) built in 1070 during the dynasty of King Ly. Have lunch at local restaurant. This afternoon we visit a complex of the Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple (Jade mountain Temple), But Tower (Pen – shaped tower), Dai Nghien (Ink Stand), the Red – painted wooden The Huc bridge. Have a cyclo (pedicab) trip around with 36 streets of Hanoi old quarter. Overnight at hotel. (B,L)
Tip! For those who wish you can take an evening tour of 2-3 hours to the old quarters of Hanoi and eat like the locals do! We get a demonstation of how you prepare famous dishes and get to try Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine and Egg Coffee. The tour cost 18 dollars per person and you have to be at least 2 people to book the tour. Contact us for more information.
Day 3: Hanoi – An Vi -Hanoi.
07h45: Our local guide will pick you up at hotel in Hanoi center. Get on car and receive welcome kit including all items you will need for today trip. Start your journey to the South of Hanoi, you will reach An Vĩ – Hung Yen in about 1 hour.
09h15: Arrive An Vi village gate, Mr. Van – your local host will give you a warm welcome with traditional conical hats as gifts. He will tell you the meaning of village gate and then take short walk to his house. You’re invited to enjoy welcome drink with local snacks. Here you will get the chance to learn about the extended family structure, ancestor worship of Vietnam…
09h35: Gear up for a cycling loop through beautiful landscape of countryside. You will find out daily life of local people and interact with them. Stop and visit banana, pomelo, longan orchards and the owner may offer you their fruits. Continue cycling through the field of herbs, you will pass by local Catholic church, Gia Le Pagoda, take a visit to local primary school and “Đình Trung” – a featured meeting place of people in the community as well as place of worship, tomb of feudalism officer. Then you will ride through a local market where people sell fruits, veggies, livestock, clothes, etc. Back to Mr. Van house and refresh with cold drink and tower.
11h35: Roll up your sleeve and help the local family with lunch by preparing the ingredients taken from the garden. Additionally, try to make local specility – “bánh răng bừa” which is named after harrow teeth (Vietnamese agricultural tool) because of its shape.
12h30: Set up the table and enjoy hearty lunch with local family. Now is your chance to have intimate talks and know more about family members. After that, take a rest with local tea and discover lovely orchid garden of Mr. Van.
14h00: Fully energized, Mr. Van and tour guide will take you to visit his neighbors. Take a stroll around the village and visit tofu-making household. You will watch owner doing the whole process of making tofu with the most traditional technique. Take chance to try soy milk and final product – tofu. Say goodbye to the lady and then continue walking through small alleys. Stop by a local old house of seniors in the village that still remain ancient architecture and be their guests. The owner will tell you the meaning of all traditional features and share with you their memorable stories.
15h00: Back to Mr. Van’s house. Today trip is moving its end. Receive farewell gifts from host family. It’s time to say goodbye and don’t forget to give the family a warm hug. Heading back to Hanoi center and tour ends at your hotel at around 16h30. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Distance: Hanoi center -> An Vy village is 35km and take 01 hour + 10 minutes driving. (B,L)
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay.
After breakfast, depart for Halong bay. We go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Halong bay is truly one of Vietnam’s most impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we embark on a boat for an exploration of the legendary Halong bay. This exciting five hour cruise will provide us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The limestone karsts formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. Stay overnight on the cruise.
Distance: Hanoi center -> Halong bay is 180km and take 02 hours + 45 minutes driving. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Halong bay – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An.
Waking up and having breakfast served onboard. Continue cruising around the bay. Take sampan to visit Luon Cave and come back to the boat. Having brunch before disembarking and van will pick you up at the pier. Then transfer back to Hanoi and drive straight to the airport to take onwards flight to Da Nang. You are picked up on arrival and transfer to Hoi An for check-in hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Distance: Da Nang airport -> Hoi An is 30km and take 50 minutes driving. (B,L)
Day 6: Hoi An.
This morning you will take Hoi An sightseeing of Japanese covered bridge, Handicraft workshops, Tan Ky old house, Fujian assembly hall and the 15th century Chuc Thanh Pagoda. After lunch at local restaurant, you are free to explore the town or relax at the beach of Hoi An. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An. (B,L)
Tip! You can book the following optional tour and take city tour in afternoon:
Hoi An Countryside With “Xe Ôm” – Tour run daily 07h30 – 11h30
Explore the roads less travelled with our enthusiastic “xe ôm” drivers.
This trip will give you an insight of the people in a less touristy area surrounding Hoi An. Setting off from your hotel; after crossing over the bridge to Cam Kim Island we ride along the riverbank into a beautiful rural countryside. Our first stop is to visit a hundred years old Ancestral House of Mr. Huynh Ri and a traditional boat builders yard. After meeting some local families we will have a chance to learn the art of mat weaving, farming, making the perfect “Bánh Đập” and coffee roasting. Make sure you sit tight on the bike when crossing the 300 meters long bamboo bridge to Binh Duong Hamlet to reach the Thu Bon river mouth. The following stop is to explore Noi Rang market & Duy Hai fish market. Before getting back to your hotel around 11h30 am we will cross the Cua Dai Bridge where you can have a spectacular panoramic views of Hoi An and also the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh. Tour end at your hotel.
The tour cost 68 dollar per person and you have to be at least 2 persons to book it. If you are three or more people you can get a discount. Please contact us for more information.
Included in this optional tour: Motorbike with Experienced Drivers, drinks (water, cafe, soft drinks each guest 1 unit), enjoy perfect Banh Dap rice crackers, fees for visit ancient house, crossing Bamboo bridge… English speaking guide, helmets, raincoat, cool mineral water.
Day 7: Hoi An – DaNang – Hue.
After breakfast at hotel, check out and transfer to Hue. On the way you will visit the fascinating Cham Museum and the Marble Mountains. We will cross Hai Van Pass where you will have magnificent view of the East sea. Check-in hotel on arrival in Hue. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Distance: Hoi An -> Hue center is 123km and take 02 hours + 40 minutes driving. (B,L)
Day 8: Hue.
After breakfast at hotel, you will take a morning boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and driving to visit Ming Mang Emperor’s mausoleum. Have lunch at local restaurant then you will visit the Imperial Citadel, Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynasty Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace. Free shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight at hotel in Hue. (B,L)
Day 9: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City.
Early check out hotel and transfer to Phu Bai airport to take onwards flight to Ho Chi Minh city. You are picked up and then have lunch at local restaurant. Check-in your hotel and this afternoon, you will take Saigon city tour with: Opera House, a three-story classical theatre built to entertain the French colonists (outdoor visit); the former Hotel de Ville constructed for the French bureaucrats of Indochina in 1901, now The People’s Committee building with no public access; the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunningly massive red-brick edifice with twin spires, a clear reminder that French once ruled this city (open only 3-4pm every day, otherwise just an outdoor visit); the Central Post Office influenced by Renaissance architecture; and the former Presidential Palace, headquarters of the Saigon Government during the war. Then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Distance: Hue center -> Phu Bai airport is 15km and take 30 minutes driving.(B,L)
Day 10: Saigon – Ben tre – Phong nam – Saigon.
Today at 08h00 your tour guide will pick you at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city center and drive to Ben Tre. You will be welcomed at the foot of Phong Nẫm Bridge, then take you along the Chẹt Sậy river to enjoy the sight of moving cargo boat, traditional coconut processing facilities on the river bank… It will take you to visit brickyard where you can experience the traditional way local people make brick, and see how coconut shells are used in the coal-fired oven to make activated carbon, explore how people process coconut such as: coconut peeling, coconut crushing, coconut cutting, coconut shaving… Enjoy fresh coconut water while the boat takes you to Cái Sơn canal where you will see local people fishing along the river. Visit the coconut candy oven – enjoy hot coconut candy at the oven, use seasonal fruits with honey tea. Visit mat weaving village in Nhon Thanh, bus or bike will take the group along the village to the restaurant for lunch. Paddle boat in coconut water canal, motor boat takes you to Hung Vuong wharf. You will go back to Ho Chi Minh city center for overnight.
Distance: Ho Chi Minh city center -> Ben Tre is 87km and take 01 hours + 40 minutes driving. (B,L)
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi – Ho Chi Minh.
After breakfast, enjoy a 2-hour drive northwest of Saigon to the Cu Chi tunnels, through urbanized areas and a lush southern Vietnamese countryside. This tunnel complex was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from French air and ground sweeps. The tunnels also served as communication routes, food and weapon caches, and as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the Vietnam war here called the American war. Visit the underground villages to better understand the tunnels’ history, life in the tunnels and the Vietnamese people’s resilience during combat. Have lunch at local restaurant. We then continue to the airport to fly to Camobia. You are picked up on arrival and transfer to check-in hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Distance: Ho Chi Minh city center -> Cu Chi tunnels is 70km and take 02 hours driving. (B,L)
Day 12: Phnom Penh.
This morning we visit the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. We continue to the Royal Palace. The Palace was opened in 1870 under King Norodom, and now contains the Royal Residence, the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda, and other buildings. The Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morokat) is one of the city’s most visited sites and offers a display of priceless Buddhist and historical objects. The Pagoda draws its name with more than 5,000 silver tiles, which cover a floor in the temple. The building serves less as a functioning shrine, no monks currently reside here, than a repository of cultural treasures such as the famous Emerald Buddha and many other valuable statues. After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit the Toul Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek-both grim reminders of Cambodia’s bloody past under Pol Pot. It is almost inconceivable to confront the nature of true evil here in this gentle land, but the Buddhist memorial at Choeung Ek, commemorates the 1.7 million victims of the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime. This excursion may prove distressing for some. It is, however, an important piece of this country’s historical and cultural puzzle. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B,L)
Day 13: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap.
In the morning check out from hotel and transfer to airport to fly to Siem Reap. At arrival meet with local personal and transfer to the hotel. Please note rooms may not be ready for check in until afternoon and while wait we visit the Prasat Kravan and Ta Prohm temple. During the day we also visit Takeo, Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon, Preah Khan temple, the fountain Neak Pean and the royal baths at Srah Srang. In the evening we have dinner in local restaurant and enjoy a traditional Apsara dance show. (B,L,D)
Day 14: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat.
Today, we start with the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is one of the world’s most stunning buildings. Angkor was the capital of Khmer that existed from 802 to 1431. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. After lunch, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). We also spend time exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. In the evening, we enjoy the beautiful sunset at Phnom Bakeng hill top. Overnight in Siem Reap. Distance: Siem Reap city center -> Angkor Wat complex is 08km and take 20 minutes driving. (B,L)
Please note that following rules apply when visiting Angkor Wat:
* Visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees (no short, miniskirt or short trousers).
* Visitors have to be in the queue and waiting to climb up the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to climb this tower.
* It will be closed on the Buddhist Sabath Days, the Buddhist religious days (four days a month).
Day 15: Departure.
Breakfast at the hotel, you are free at your leisure for shopping until check out and transfer to the airport to take your departure flight back to your home. End of services.
Distance: Siem Reap city center -> Siem Reap airport is 09km and take 22 minutes driving. (B)
This is not included:
International flight (Can be bought on your own or via us)
Visa to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Meals not mentioned in the program.
Drinks.
Optional tours in Hanoi and Hoi An.
Tips.
Travel insurance.
The prices are based upon the lowest booking class and season. Prices are calculated per person in shared double room.
We reserve ourselves against changes in currencies and increased flight taxes.
