Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia 12 Days

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Hanoi. After check-in and some rest, enjoy an orientation drive through the city’s French colonial district and Old Quarter, where bustling streets mix with history and tradition. The rest of the evening is yours to explore at leisure—perhaps sample Vietnamese street food or take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake. Overnight in Hanoi.

Today you’ll explore the cultural and historical highlights of Hanoi, starting with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, including the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the peaceful grounds of the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to understand the country’s diverse ethnic groups. Later, enjoy a traditional cyclo ride through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter and wrap up the day with a captivating water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, depart for the scenic drive to Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its emerald waters and limestone karsts rising from the sea. Upon arrival, board your traditional cruise boat for an unforgettable overnight journey. Enjoy a welcome drink as the boat sets sail through the breathtaking bay. Spend the day relaxing on deck, kayaking, swimming, or joining an optional cooking demonstration. Freshly prepared seafood meals are served on board. In the evening, enjoy the tranquility of the bay under the stars. Overnight on the cruise.

Wake up to the peaceful scenery and enjoy a light breakfast as the cruise continues through the bay. Mid-morning, return to the pier and transfer back to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you and transfer you to Hoi An, a beautifully preserved town that once flourished as a trading port. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in this lantern-lit town. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, enjoy a hands-on local experience with a half-day eco-tour. Ride a bicycle or take a short transfer to a nearby village where you’ll join farmers in traditional rice cultivation or enjoy a peaceful basket boat ride through the water coconut palm forest. After lunch, return to town for a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, visiting highlights such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and Chinese Assembly Halls. The evening is free for you to explore at your own pace or shop for tailor-made clothing. Overnight in Hoi An.

Today is yours to relax and enjoy Hoi An as you please. You may choose to take a cooking class, explore the countryside on a bicycle, visit An Bang Beach, or simply enjoy coffee along the river. This is a great day to slow down and soak in the charm of central Vietnam. Overnight in Hoi An.

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s bustling southern metropolis. Upon arrival, begin your half-day tour with visits to Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for insight into Vietnam’s modern history, and end the day at the vibrant Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, leave the city for a day trip to the tranquil countryside of the Mekong Delta. Travel to Ben Tre, known for its coconut plantations and rural charm. Board a boat to cruise through small canals shaded by coconut palms. Visit a local brick workshop, coconut processing site, and enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through village paths. Have lunch at a riverside restaurant with Mekong specialties, then return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the morning, head northwest to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense underground network used during the Vietnam War. Crawl through a section of the tunnels to better understand the resilience of the Vietnamese people. Return to the city for lunch, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Begin your exploration of the legendary Angkor Archaeological Park. Start with Angkor Wat, one of the largest and most breathtaking religious monuments in the world. Afterward, explore the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom, including Bayon Temple, famous for its serene stone faces, the Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, where giant trees and roots entwine with temple ruins in a scene made famous by Tomb Raider. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, journey to the intricately carved pink sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, often regarded as the finest example of classical Khmer art. Return to town for lunch, then head to Tonlé Sap Lake for a boat tour of a floating village, where you'll see stilt houses, floating schools, and the daily life of local fishing communities. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner accompanied by an Apsara dance performance, a traditional Khmer art form. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and some free time for shopping or relaxation until your transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight. End of tour.