10 Day Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia holiday

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, the first destination of your Cambodia and Vietnam tour! As the capital for over a thousand years, Hanoi is undeniably a colorful tapestry of culture, history, and gastronomy. 

Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and take a private transfer from Hanoi airport to the city center for hotel check-in. The balance of the day will be free & easy to help get rid of the jet lag.

Spend this day exploring the charming city of Hanoi. Start with Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is impressively located on a peninsula of West Lake. Constructed since the 6th century, Tran Quoc Pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi, the city of the rising dragon. It's a pleasant place to learn about Mahayana Buddhist practices and beliefs in Vietnam, as well as to enjoy the stunning views and peaceful ambiance on West Lake. Next, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a lovely lotus-shaped structure housing the body of Vietnam's greatest president. Walking around, you also spot the Presidential Palace, the unique One-Pillar Pagoda, and the old houses of Ho Chi Minh City.
After lunch with tasty Vietnamese dishes, you will visit the Temple of Literature or the Confucius Temple and the First University in Vietnam. Its construction and solemn atmosphere reveal interesting stories and principles of Vietnamese education in the past. Lastly, you will take a walk from Hoan Kiem Lake toward the Old Quarter of Hanoi, a small corner that is vibrant all day and night. Finish your stroll around Hanoi Old Quarter, return to your hotel, and have free time till rest of the day.

You will leave Hanoi this morning for the overnight cruise over Halong Bay, a UNESCO Heritage Site of Vietnam. Halong Bay is the highlight of this Vietnam-Cambodia 10-day tour itinerary. After a roughly 2.5-hour drive, you shall embark on a lovely oriental style cruise and sail around 13km (8 miles) to the center of Halong Bay to contemplate captivating scenes of thousands of karst mountains on the jade-green waters of the bay. You also join excursions and hike to Halong Bay Dry Cave, and go kayaking on the Bay. Have leisure time on the boat with a sunset tea break, then enjoy a Vietnamese dinner with fresh seafood. Overnight on Halong Bay.

On the second day on Halong Bay, you will hike up to one of its islands for an awe-inspiring panoramic view of Halong Bay, or go swimming. The crew will continue its journey, passing other parts of Halong Bay, and return to the mainland. You shall get off the boat at noon and travel to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam.

Upon your landing, you will see your local tour guide and head to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Have free time on your own till the rest of the day. You might hang out at night, walking the streets of Nguyen Hue and Bui Vien to see local life and try street food, or chill out at a rooftop bar in Saigon and take in the view of this sleepless city of Vietnam.

This morning, you will sightsee the Cu Chi Tunnels, an iconic historical site in Ho Chi Minh City. This underground tunnel system was dug in 1948 during the war against the French; it was later extended during the Vietnam War, reaching up to 200km in length. For further understanding of the history, you can watch the documentary at the Cu Chi Tunnels before coming down to explore the bunkers, booby-trapped pits, and other features, including living rooms, clinics, hidden traps, weapon caches, kitchens, and meeting rooms. After touring around Cu Chi Tunnels, you will head back to the Ho Chi Minh City center.

In the afternoon, explore this tumultuous city, formerly known as Saigon, which features Chinese and colonial cultures and architecture. Pay a visit to the War Remnant Museum, then walk past the Reunification Palace. Next, stop at the Central Post Office and nearby Notre Dame Cathedral. Lastly, stroll around the Dong Khoi walking street to mingle with locals. 

This morning, depart from Ho Chi Minh City and head west to explore Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta region. You will board the boat sailing along a tributary of the Mekong. Make stops to discover several local workshops to gain deeper insight into local specialties, such as coconut candies and a brick factory, and learn about the local way of making handmade bricks. During your adventure in the Mekong Delta, you will ride a local motorized rickshaw called xe loi to wander around the village and catch some fascinating sights of traditional farms, rice fields, and vegetable plants.

At noon, head to a humble local restaurant for a delicious, hearty lunch. In the afternoon, hop on a bicycle to traverse the village roads with lush landscape, visit a local workshop specializing in carpet weaving, enjoy a leisurely sampan ride along the zigzag canals, then travel back to Ho Chi Minh City by car.

. After check-out, your tour guide and driver will greet you in the hotel lobby and take you to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your departure to Siem Reap. 

Upon your arrival, you will be greeted by your local driver and tour guide and travel to the hotel for check-in. Have free time at leisure till the rest of the day.

This morning, you will travel through the lush jungle to enter the Angkor complex, including around 72 main temples and constructions. Let’s begin with Angkor Wat – the biggest temple in the area, built in the 12th century. This is one of the most significant religious temples in Cambodia. Walking along the walls, you will find beautiful carvings and sculptures that depict the country’s history and culture.

This afternoon, you will enter Angkor Thom via the south gate. The first one that comes to mind is the Bayon Temple, with 54 pillars topped by four-faced stone heads. Then Bakheng Temples, Terraces of Elephants, etc. Finish the day at Ta Prohm Temple, called “Tomb Raider Temple,” which is impressively swallowed by the huge trees’ roots.

This morning, you will drive around 40 km (25 miles) to the Tonle Sap Lake to visit the Kompong Phluk floating village of around 3,000 villagers. A boat ride passing schools, pagodas, and houses built on stilts up to 9m (29.5 feet) will reveal more about the lives of the local people. Return to Siem Reap and have free time to explore the town or chill at the hotel.

This evening, transfer to see the show Phare – The Cambodian Circus for around 50 minutes. Young, excellent Cambodian performers showcase a creative blend of theater, music, dance, and circus arts to tell Cambodia's cultural stories. 

At a convenient time, you will meet your tour guide and travel to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to the next destination.