Indochina Explorer - Vietnam and Cambodia

Itinerary:

Day 1. Hanoi - arrival
Upon arrival at Noi Bai international airport in Ha Noi, welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city to check-in. Relax after a long journey. -/-/-
*Official check-in time: 14:00. No early check-in is guarantee.

Day 2. Discover the sights of Hanoi 
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, 08:30 AM, we start the visits of Hanoi. The first stop of the day will be Lake Huu Tiep and Lake B-52, one of the historical vestiges in Hanoi and the local market in the village. Afterwards, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside visit), Ho Chi Minh House on stilts, the Governor's Palace (exterior visit), the One Pillar Pagoda, and Tran Quoc Pagoda. We move to the Temple of Literature, the first university in the country founded in 1070. We take a walking tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi also known as the neighborhood of the 36 streets that in its time each was known for artisans and workshops of a particular profession. Visit a local market. We sat down at a local coffee shop for a refreshing cup of coffee or green tea. Return to the hotel and overnight in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. B/-/-

Day 3. Hanoi - free day
Breakfast at the hotel (buffet/ a-la-carte). You will have a free day to explore the city yourself or join our optional excursion. Overnight in Hanoi. B/-/-
* OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO NINH BINH WITH LUNCH (full day)

Day 4. Hanoi - Ha Long / Lan Ha Bay
Breakfast at the hotel (buffet/ a-la-carte). After breakfast, meet the driver in the hotel lobby.Departure by shuttle bus (without guide) by road to Halong Bay (or Lan Ha Bay, a part of Halong), one of UNESCO World Natural Heritage – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rising from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, welcome drink on board prior to your check-in. Lunch will be served while boat is cruising through many stone islets, floating villages, small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village and relax on the sundeck. Dinner would be ready at the time the boat anchors off at a quiet designated overnight area. Overnight on board. B/L/D
*Each cruise has different itineraries to Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay
*Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administration regulations.

Day 5. Ha Long Bay / Lah na Bay - Hanoi 
Early risers will be able to participate in the Taichi demonstration on the upper bridge. Afterwards a light breakfast will be served and later, a splendid brunch and all this continuing with the navigation through the myriad of islands and islets and visiting the most important ones. Around 10h30-11h00, we will disembark and start the way back (without guide) to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Overnight in Hanoi. B/Brunch/-

Day 6. Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh 
Breakfast at the hotel. Our full day tour soaks up the rich tapestry of history and culture of Ho Chi Minh City. Immerse yourself in Saigon's unique pulse with a personalized walk through one of its most bustling wet markets. As you stroll past stalls selling tropical vegetables, aromatic herbs, and freshly caught seafood, you will learn about the art of daily life through seamless exchanges between locals. It's time to savor handpicked Saigonese delicacies—pillowy sponge cakes and chilled sweet soups that are enhanced by the beauty of tradition. This fascinating interaction offers a unique look into the heart of Vietnamese culinary tradition. Visit the War Remnants Museum which presents a partial yet vivid view of the American War through the Vietnamese’s eyes as it contains fascinating remnants and photographs of the past including US armored vehicles, artillery pieces, bombs, and infantry weapons. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic and sensitive). Visits Dong Khoi Street, home to many of the city's most important sites from the French colonial period, when the city became known as the Paris of the Orient and this street was known as Rue Catinat. Appreciate the splendidly restored Opera House, the ornate facade of which is based on the Petit Palace in Paris and grand Hotel de Ville, now formally re-branded as the People's Committee Hall; see Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires based on the original in Paris; and across the square the impressive Central Post Office, designed by the architect Gustav Eiffel, who is most famous for the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Continue to district 5, visit the China town, Thien Hau Temple built by the Cantonese congregation in the early 19th century. It is to honor the goddess of the sea and antiques shrouded in incense-smoke. It is always bustling here with worshippers from the local Chinese community. We conclude our day at the bustling Ben Thanh market, considered the symbol of the city and the ideal place for shopping. Return to the hotel. The rest of the day is your leisure time. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. B/-/-

Day 7.Ho Chi Minh City 

Breakfast at the hotel. A free day to explore Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's bustling commercial capital. Alternatively take the optional Vietnam War Tunnels excursion – Cu Chi tunnels, and explore the immense hidden tunnel network the Viet Cong used during the Vietnam War. Return to your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City B/-/-

*OPTIONAL EXCURSION: BENEATH THE SURFACE, CU CHI TUNNELS &

Day 8. Ho Chi Minh City - free day
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day on your own to enjoy our air of Ho Chi Minh City atmosphere. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.  B/-/-
*OPTIONAL EXCURSION TO MEKONG DELTA (Full day with lunch)

Day 9.  Ho Chi Minh - Phnom Penh border crossing
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh by a morning join-in Mekong Express/Giant Ibis bus (280km ~ 7.5hrs). On arrival in Phnom Penh, transfer to your hotel for checking-in. Rest & relax. Stay overnight in Phnom Penh. B/-/-

Day 10. Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a poignant excursion to The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, for a moving insight into the bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. Realize the horror and tragedy of this period in Cambodian history at the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and visit the notorious Killing Fields. The rest of the day is at your leisure or take optional excursion tour. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.  B/-/-
*OPTIONAL EXCURSION EXPLORE ROYAL PALACE & BOAT TRIP ON MEKONG RIVER (no meal)

Day 11. Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, you will get a joined Giant Ibis/Mekong Express bus journey from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (320km ~ 6hr). On arrival, you will meet our driver and transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap. Rest of day is your free time at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap. B/-/-
Recommendation: You can explore the night market and Pub Street on your own.

Day 12. Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat
Breakfast at the hotel. 08:30-09:00 AM, we start with the visit of Angkor Thom. The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (XII century), the Bayon temple is unique for its 54 towers decorated with 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Baphuon temple was built under the mandate of Jayavarman I, the Phimeanakas and the terraces of the leper king and the elephants, as well as the royal chambers. We will continue with the Ta Prohm one of the most spectacular temples in the area, which has remained relatively the same as when it was discovered and still retains much of its mystery. In the afternoon, visit the most famous of all the temples, Angkor Wat – established as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The temple complex covers 81 hectares, comparable in size to the Imperial Palace of Peking. The well-known five towers are part of the Cambodian flag. They represent the 5 peaks of Meru, the walls surrounding them are the mountains and the valley surrounding them is the ocean. This twelfth-century work of art is considered among art historians as the first example of classical Khmer architecture and art. At the end, we contemplate the sunset over Angkor Wat. Return to the hotel and overnight in Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap. B/-/-

 Day 13. Siem Reap
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day on your own to enjoy the atmosphere of Siem Reap at our leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap. B/-/-
*OPTIONAL EXCURSION DISCOVER STREET FOOD BY TUK TUK (NIGHT TOUR WITH FOOD AND DRINKS)

*OPTIONAL: A TASTE OF RURAL LIFE AROUND SIEM REAP (WITH HOME HOSTED LUNCH)

Day 14. Siem Reap 

Breakfast at the hotel. Another free day in Siem Reap for relaxing, shopping. Overnight in Siem Reap. B/-/-

*OPTIONAL EXCURSION: MONK BLESSING CEREMONY – VISIT TONLE SAP LAKE ON APRICOT ANGKOR BOAT – LOCAL HOME VISIT

Day 15. Siem Reap departure
Breakfast at the hotel. At proper time, transfer (without guide) to the airport for departure flight out of Siem Reap back home or to next destination.

Notes: The Vietnamese celebrate New Year (TET) in the period  31.01 - 13.02 2025. TET is a national holiday and one of the year's biggest events. We do not organise the tour during this time.