A speed boat ride along the Mekong from Vietnam into Cambodia and a Halong Bay cruise are highlights on this in-depth tour exploring the length of Vietnam and the heart of Cambodia.
Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer 19 Days
- Itinerary and Tour Map
Day 1 – Arrive Hanoi
Arrive Hanoi and take a transfer to your hotel.
Stay overnight at the Alisa Hotel & Spa (Deluxe Window room), or similar, in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Day 2 – Hanoi – Halong Bay
In the morning, take the cruise company’s group transfer (a journey of up to 4 hours), without guide, to Halong. On arrival in Halong, board your boat for a cruise among the rocky limestone islands in the emerald waters of Halong Bay.
Stay overnight on the Aclass Legend cruise boat (deluxe en-suite cabin) on the bay. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Halong Bay – Hanoi
Further cruising around Halong Bay this morning. Disembark and return to Hanoi and your hotel by the cruise company’s group transfer, without guide.
Stay two nights at the Alisa Hotel & Spa (Deluxe Window room), or similar. (B,L)
Day 4 – Hanoi
Morning Hanoi sightseeing includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Compound viewed from the outside, the Hanoi Hilton prison and the Temple of Literature. Afternoon at leisure. (B)
Day 5 – Hanoi – Mai Chau
Located in Hoa Binh Province, a scenic four hour drive southwest of Hanoi, Mai Chau offers a splendid vista of mountains and valleys surrounded by lush landscape and stilt houses, inhabited mainly by the White Thai ethnic group. Early afternoon visit Xa Linh village inhabited by the H’mong hill tribe. Enjoy the cool mountain breezes on a two hour trail walk. On school days there’s the option to visit Pa Co primary school, where small gifts are always appreciated.
Stay overnight at Mai Chau Lodge (deluxe mountain view room), or Sol Bungalows (deluxe bungalow) in Mai Chau. (B)
Day 6 – Mai Chau – Hanoi – Danang – Hoi An
In the morning, take a leisurely two hour cycling tour on local bikes through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau. Through your guide, chat with local hill tribe people to learn about their daily lives such as planting rice, herding buffalos and building traditional houses. Return to the hotel to freshen up before a direct guided transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Danang. On arrival take a transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Stay three nights at La Residencia Hotel (junior suite), or Lantana Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa (superior room). (B)
Day 7 – Red Bridge cooking class
Make your own arrangements to arrive by 8.15am at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, downtown Hoi An, Tel 3863210), Red Bridge Cooking School’s meeting point, to join a group cooking class. Enjoy a welcome drink at Hai Café, followed by a visit to Hoi An’s colourful market to experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients that will be used in the cooking lessons. Board the Red Bridge boat for a half hour cruise along the Thu Bon River past local villages to the cooking school. On arrival at the school, explore the herb garden before having your hands-on cooking experience, preparing a feast for your lunch. Return to downtown Hoi An by the school’s minivan and make your own arrangements back to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. (B,L)
Day 8 – Hoi An
A day at leisure. (B)
Day 9 – Hoi An – Hue
Morning guided drive to Hue over the scenic Cloud Pass. Afternoon guided tour of Hue, visiting the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc Emperor and the Royal Citadel with its Forbidden City.
Stay one night at the Romance Hotel (deluxe mountain & stadium view room) in Hue. (B)
Day 10 – Hue – Saigon
Fly south to Saigon. Stay two nights at Alagon City Hotel & Spa (Premium Deluxe room) in Saigon. (B)
Day 11 – Saigon and Cu Chi
A tour of dynamic Saigon takes in historic buildings such as the former Presidential Palace and a visit to Ben Thanh Market. Early in the afternoon, drive to Cu Chi to visit the incredible underground tunnel network. (B)
Day 12 – Saigon – Ben Tre – Can Tho
Tour the watery world of Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta. Visit a factory making handmade bricks then board a private boat to cruise the waterways. Shore excursions include coconut candy, chopstick and mat weaving workshops. A tuk tuk takes you to an orchard to taste tropical fruits, followed by lunch and a sampan ride along the palm fringed waterways. Travel on to Can Tho by road. Stay one night at TTC Hotel Premium Can Tho (deluxe river view room). (B,L)
Day 13 – Can Tho – Chau Doc
An early start for the cruise to the large floating market at Cai Rang. Visit a noodle factory then travel by road to Chau Doc on the Cambodian Border. Stay one night at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (superior room). (B)
Day 14 – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh by speed boat
Another early start for your Hang Chau upriver speedboat journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Stay two nights in Phnom Penh at G Mekong Hotel (Superior room) . (B)
Day 15 – Phnom Penh
Visit the Central Market, Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace, Wat Phnom, Toung Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields. (B)
Day 16 – Phnom Penh – Kampong Thom
Morning drive to Kampong Thom. Visit a local silk farm and Sambour Prei Kuk. Stay one night at Sambor Village Hotel (deluxe room). (B)
Day 17 – Kampong Thom – Siem Reap
Travel on to Siem Reap. Stay two nights at Somadevi Angkor Hotel & Spa (deluxe room). (B)
Day 18 – Siem Reap
Begin your exploration of the amazing Angkor temple complex with visits to South Gate of Angkor Thom and Bayon, Terrace of the Elephant and Leper King. See mystical Ta Prohm, unique for the overgrown roots of giant fig trees. Take a break at your hotel then return to magnificent Angkor Wat and remain at the site to view the sunset. (B)
Day 19 – Depart Siem Reap
Transfer to the airport for your exit flight. (B) - Make a booking
- Group departure dates and prices
- Price Includes:
Photo Gallery
Highlights
- Views from the deck of your Halong Bay cruise boat
- Cycling through the beautiful valley of Mai Chau
- Cooking class and leisure time in Hoi An
- Speed boat ride across the border to Cambodia
