In Depth Tour Of Vietnam & Cambodia

Arrive Hanoi and check-in at the hotel. Vietnam’s bustling capital is architecturally styled like a French provincial town, with tree-lined boulevards and low-rise buildings. Hanoi is a wonderfully nostalgic city to explore and this afternoon we have some free time to explore. You may choose to take a walk around the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we make a tour of the main sights of Hanoi. Architecturally styled like a French provincial town with tree-lined boulevards and substantial low-built houses, the city is wonderfully nostalgic. Among the interesting sights are the charming One-Pillar Pagoda and the Presidential Palace, a very fine example of French colonial architecture. Ho Chi Minh himself, a spartan-living and scholarly man, chose not to live in the Presidential Palace; he preferred instead a simple teak 2-storied stilt-house specially built for him in the grounds. In the afternoon we visit the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The streets are named after various crafts or specialities: Paper Street, Silk street, Basket Street etc. The shops themselves have very narrow frontages but are actually quite deep; they are known locally as ‘tube’ houses.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive out towards the magnificent Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thousands of jagged limestone islands rise out of the jade green waters like the hairy scales of a submerged dragon. In fact Halong means ‘where the dragon descends to the sea’as legend tells that the rugged seascape was created by the pounding tail of a dragon as he ran from the mountains into the sea, carving islands in his wake. We get to enjoy the romantic scenery while cruising amongst the islands. We’ll have the chance to stop at a grotto beneath towering cliffs and perhaps pull into a beach where you will have time to swim, relax or kayak (optional). It is also interesting to see the curious assortment of boats, junks and wooden sampans, their sails hoisted, gliding through Halong Bay. We enjoy an included seafood lunch on board the boat. In the evening we’ll transfer to our overnight boat. Accommodation will be in twin cabins, bedding and mattresses provided.

Overnight Standard Junk Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Thousands of jagged limestone islands rise out of the jade green waters of Halong Bay. You will have the opportunity to sea kayak through stunning limestone scenery – we carry our own kayaks and lifejackets and instruction is provided (this activity is optional, but at no extra expense). Late in the afternoon we visit Cua Van floating fishing village to experience some local life of people in this part of the bay. Again in the evening we’ll transfer to our overnight boat.

Overnight Standard Junk Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today morning we get on local rowing boats cruising through Bai Tu Long Bay. Enjoying our brunch while on the boat we get to see Bai Tho mountains and Ha Long market. During our cruise we sail to the unspoilt caves of Hang Luon. We then return to Hanoi where we have day rooms before boarding the overnight sleeper train for the journey to Hué - bedding provided.

Overnight Basic Train Included meals: Breakfast

We arrive in Hué, one of the great cultural and religious centres of Vietnam, a quietly impressive place and a major highlight of our trip. The Perfume River divides the city in two and it has been the inspiration for poets and painters for many centuries. In the afternoon we take a trip by boat on the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda. This lovely monastery is the oldest in Hué.

Overnight Standard Hotel

To appreciate the fascinating history we’ll tour the Old Citadel in the morning. The citadel/palace built by the Nguyen dynasty (early 1800’s to 1945) has formal moats and impressive ramparts and was an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Although most of the Inner City was destroyed during the Tet Offensive (1968), the vast outer walls and the West Wing remain and are an eloquent reminder of the palace’s former glory. The afternoon is free to wander at your own pace. You may choose to hire a bike or wonder the back streets and lively markets (optional).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive across the spectacular Col des Nuages (the pass of Ocean Clouds) to Danang, once the centre of the important Kingdom of Champa (2nd century AD – 1720). We visit the Cham Museum to see the extraordinary Cham sculptures. Not far from Hoi An are the magnificent Marble Mountains which are dotted with Buddhist Pagodas and shrines, and were a haven for the Vietcong troops and the scene of many battles. We will also stop at ‘China’ Beach. Later we drive on to the historic merchant town of Hoi An.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century and by the 18th century it had become one of the busiest international trading ports of South-East Asia. Hoi An still retains its medieval charm with old buildings and colourful markets. During our stay here we include an excursion to My Son. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, My Son is a striking complex of tower temples located in a secluded valley. The rest of our time is left free for personal exploration. Bicycles here are inexpensive and a great way to get out into the surrounding countryside or perhaps take a trip to the nearby beaches. The town is also renowned for its many craft and tailors’ shops. You may also wish to take an optional excursion to Quang Ngai, the site of the My Lai Massacre Memorial. The massacre was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War and the horrific story is told through a photo presentation – an emotional experience.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Our journey takes us inland through the mountains of the Central Highlands to the market town of Kon Tum. It is a long day of travel but the stunning scenery and opportunity to see this rural area more than make up for it.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

On our second day here we walk out to Kon Ko Tu, one of the many Bahnar tribal villages in the surrounding area (approx 5 hours walking, graded easy to moderate). We walk through cassava and sugar plantations and pass several stilted villages en route. After lunch there is an opportunity to float back to the village on local dugout canoes and in the evening we may be able to dine in the Village Rong or communal house. This is the most important building in the village – not only is it used for festivals and village meetings, but it acts as the court where people are tried for tribal offences.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We drive south today through the Central Highlands, to Buon Me Thuot, Dak Lak Province’s administrative centre and the Western Highlands’ unofficial capital. Although a non-descript town, there are many minority Ede villages in this region, and we head south to Lak Lake to spend 1 night in a bungalow near the shores of the lake. During our time here we will take an elephant ride to a nearby village and a relaxed boat (pirogue) excursion on Lake Lak. There is also time for some personal exploration of the area.

Overnight Standard Bungalow / Chalet Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Our drive today sees us descending quickly to the coastal plains as we make our way to the fishing town and beach resort of Nha Trang. Some of the most impressive Cham towers can be seen on the outskirts of the town on the way in.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we enjoy this seaside town, famed for its clear warm water, delicious seafood and 4- mile-long stretch of white sand beach. We plan a boat trip to some of the outlying islands to swim and relax (dependent on local weather conditions).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we fly to Ho Chi Minh City where we have a walking tour of the City’s central sights to include the National Assembly, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Independence Palace and the War Crimes Museum. The afternoon is free for you to walk around this charming city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Can Duoc, where we board our specially chartered river boat. Travelling along the backwaters by boat is by far the best way to see the delta, passing villages of stilted houses, abundant rice fields and a variety of cottage industries as we go. We travel down the Mekong River to Cho Gao, where we disembark for a walk around the local market. We then continue to Thoi Son Island where we’ll meet the friendly locals and take a sampan ride through palm- shaded creeks. Back on our boat, we’ll cruise to Cai Be, where we moor up for the night. Our accommodation is simple dormitory style bunks on board the boat.

Overnight Basic Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

It is worth rising early to see the superb floating market at Cai Be. As it links the various towns and provinces, Cai Be is a very social and colourful place with the vendors advertising their wares on long poles! We spend some time paddling through the market and enjoying the friendliness of the locals before continuing on our boat journey. We stop off several times today to visit rural islands and some of the many family businesses along the canals. We then continue down the river to Long Xuyen Sadec, where we visit the Quach Temple and the colourful local market. We then continue through the Lap Vo Canal to Long Xuyen.

Overnight Basic Cabin Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we bid farewell to our boat crew and rejoin our vehicle. It is a 6 hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After visiting the Cu Chi tunnels, we continue on to our destination of Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Phnom Penh is a pleasant and surprisingly quiet city with many French colonial buildings and plenty to see. Our city tour includes the National Museum of Arts, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum , and the ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek. You should be aware that many people do find Tuol Sleng and the ‘Killing Fields’ quite distressing. This afternoon we make our way to the Royal Palace where we visit the Silver Pagoda. We will also see Wat Phnom before having some free time in the city.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

You are free to spend the day at leisure in thriving Phnom Penh. Optional excursions close to the city include a trip to Silk Island, Chiso Mountain or the abandoned Royal City of Oudong.

Each of these excursions are half a day in duration and may be combined, your tour leader will discuss in more detail.

Silk Island or Koh Dach is reached by a short boat journey along the Mekong and the majority of villagers on the island earn a living through producing handicrafts. It is a great opportunity to learn more about traditional ways of life and interact with locals as you learn about silk-weaving, wood-carving, pottery, painting, and jewellery making. Chiso Mountain (380m),located in Sia village about 62 kilometers south of Phnom Penh , is topped by the ruins of an 11th century Khmer Brahmanic Temple with fine views of the surrounding paddy fields. Oudong is about 1hour north of the capital and offers the opportunity to explore attractive historic temples and stupas.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Siem Reap. On arrival we journey to the nearby Tonle Sap Lake where we board our chartered boat for a cruise through the fascinating floating village of Chong Kneas.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We spend a full day in exploration of these stunning temples. We’ll visit the impressive Rolous group which include: Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei Temples. In the afternoon we’ll visit Banteay Srei and Ta Phrom, lying half consumed by the jungle. Note that our exact sightseeing programme may change at the tour leader’s discretion to avoid crowds, coincide with sunsets etc.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We continue our exploration today with a visit to Angkor Thom. We’ll spend our last 2 days exploring the fortified city including visits to The Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King, the Baphuon and Phimeanakas, and some of the surrounding temples such as Preah Khan. We’ll also visit the 2nd Angkor capital which includes the temples of Kravan, East Mebon, Sta Stang, Ta Keo and Pre Rup. and we’ll leave the best known and most breathtaking of all the sights, Angkor Wat, to the end.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Tour ends after breakfast. If you have time you may choose to browse the Old Market for some last minute bargains.

Included meals: Breakfast