Sensational Vietnam & Cambodia 13 Days

Ha Noi is filled with modern energetic neighborhoods while also maintaining a connection to its traditions. Its streets surge with scooters vying for right of way amid the din of constantly blaring horns, and all around layers of history reveal periods of French and Chinese occupation – offering a glimpse into the resilience of ambitious, proud Ha Noians.

Dine on the wild and wonderful at every corner, sample market wares, uncover an evolving arts scene, then sleep soundly in luxury for very little cost. Meet the people, delve into the past and witness the awakening of a Ha Noi on the move.

Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide who will escort you to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to downtown with a brief introduction en route. Your guide will be holding a welcome signboard with the ASIA TOUR ADVISOR LOGO & your name. Settle down at the hotel and relax.

The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days' tour will visit the highlights.

See the grand and solemn mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the 'icon of Ha Noi' - The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake's Tran Quoc temple and Quan Thanh pagoda as well as the bustling Old Quarter and at the end of the day - a water puppet performance. Evening free at leisure.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is scattered with more than 2000 floating islands of karstic rock. Legend has it that these floating islands were created by a family of dragons who were invoked by the Emperor to protect Vietnam against Chinese invaders.

The dragons flew across the bay, spitting out jewels and jade, which magically turned into scattered islands. Together, these islands linked to create a protective barrier, which can still be admired to this day.

We'll pick you up at your hotel around 9:00 am and drive through the verdant Red River Delta to make our way to the famous UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay. You'll board a luxury junk ship for an overnight cruise-- while you relax on-board you can marvel at the incredible limestone karsts that jut out of the sea and the thousands of jungle-covered islands that seem to float on the waves. The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Tonkin swirl around hidden grottoes and ancient caves to create an enchanting, timeless world.

We'll serve you a fresh seafood lunch while you sit back and relax as you enjoy the incredible view with a drink in your hand. We'll take you to a traditional fishing village where the locals have created an entire town on the decks of their boats, then you can explore Tien Ong Cave before returning to the cruise for cocktails, canapés, and a spectacular sunset. End your day with a romantic, candlelit dinner.

The morning stretches over the bay and makes the karsts glint in the light. In the early daylight hours, you can enjoy the view of the bay from the ship’s deck while partaking in a Tai Chi demonstration. Each movement is slow and controlled to help soothe the body and the mind.

Then the cruise will tour around the bay until you disembark at the end of the morning. Your driver will meet you when you disembark and transfer you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Da Nang. When you arrive at the airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An downtown.

The ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Da Nang, lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. The face of the Old Town has preserved its incredible legacy of tottering Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and ancient tea warehouses – though, of course, residents and rice fields have been gradually replaced by tourist businesses. Lounge bars, boutique hotels, travel agents and a glut of tailor shops are very much part of the scene here.

Please choose among the following itinerary to make your own way of exploring Hoi An:

Option 1: Cooking Class
Your cooking class today will begin with a visit to a colorful local markets, buying all the necessary ingredients and head back to prepare. Your cheft will demonstrate how to cook some typical Vietnam cruisine, you will then start cooking yourself and enjoy what you have cooked.

In the afternoon, exploring the enchanting time-capsule town of Old Hoi An on a walking tour with your guide. Hoi An was a major sea port in Asia and it resulted in a fusion of style and culture that has been perfectly preserved. Wander traditional Chinese shops, luxurious French homes, and an ancient Japanese bridge. The town is home to silk markets, Vietnamese food stalls, and talented street performers-- all of which are sure to charm you.

Option 2: Tra Que Village Discovery
Breakfast at your hotel and then it’s time for a little bit of exercise and a bike ride to Tra Que Vilage and a visit to a local farm. This is a very special involvement in true Vietnamese rural life. You will learn about the history of the village and then be shown the daily practices of growing vegetables. You will learn how the vegetables are used in traditional Vietnamese medicine.

You will join in the activities of the farmers – collecting seaweed fertilizer, sowing, raking, watering and picking. Your cultural immersion continues as you join the family to prepare and eat the lunch you have helped grow. You will also taste other local specialties such a Tam huu (spring roll) and Bahn xeo (pancake). Of course you must also join in the after lunch nap before returning to the field to learn how to harvest and wrap the produce. Mid-afternoon we wave goodbye to your new friends and go back to Hoi An for visiting Hoi An Old Quarter. Return to your hotel for relaxing

Option 3: Bike Or Motor Bike To The Countryside
Our guide will pick you up at the hotel by motobike, riding to Tra Que village and then ride back to the river for aboard a local ferry to Kim Bong Village. This village is not only famous for wood carving but weaving sleeping mat as well, so we will stop at a family to see how they weave the mat for every day use in the old time before having today popular mattresses. Visit a local family making the famous local noodle - Mi Quang is the other chance to learn the local life.

You also have a chance to make make and eat the perfect banh dap (rice cracker). Riding into a small village , gearing up for an adrenalin pumping 300 metre bamboo bridge river crossing to the opposing landscape of the sea-board side of the island making our way to Duy Hai market and harbour. Here, the local ferry crossing takes guests to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh village. Have lunch at Cam Thanh homestay. Back your hotel by motobike. (If you prefer biking than scooter tour, we can be flexible to modify the route, matching with your ability)

Welcome to the once southern capital of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, where the streets are lively and the scents are enticing, from chili to garlic, ginger to coriander. You arrive at the airport and are met by your private transfer who will soon have you relaxing in the comforts of your hotel centrally located within the city.

Vietnam’s center of commerce, the modern metropolis, wraps around the Saigon River bringing a vibrant skyline to the soothing waterway. Through a blend of tradition, modernity, colonial history, and reunification, the wonder of Vietnam has begun.

You'll have the morning for a leisurely breakfast before we come to collect you and take you to catch a flight to Saigon/ Ho Chi Minh city. When you arrive at the airport, you will be met and heading to downtown for sightseeing. Depending on your interest, we suggest Cu Chi Tunnels, a major part of the Vietnam-American War and a fascinating day trip-- explore the mysterious tunnels, find hidden doors and once-deadly traps.

OR alternatively, visiting the War Remnants Museum or the Presidential Palace, whichever you prefer. Then stroll around the city's colonial streets in the evening to the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall.

Leave Saigon this morning, drive to visit Mekong delta. On arrival in Hàm Luông pier. Cruise on Bến Tre river exploring the lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring, brick making in handy traditional style by printing and baking. Visit one of plenty of coconut processing workshops located along canal. Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village.

Take a walk to family workshop making sleep mats and enjoying some fruits and tea. Riding a motor cart (xe lôi) or bike on shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on the local life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at Hai Hồ house. Afternoon - riding a sampan along canal, before boat back to Ham Luông pier. End you touring, going back to your hotel & relax.

Early wake up to enjoy the peaceful countryside in the morning, and then have breakfast. Then take the boat on along the River – one of tributaries of Mekong River, Sight-seeing lively activities along river as fishing, water transferring …..Stop at brickwork – coconutcharcoal making and coconut husking. Then visit one of the plenty of coconut processing workshops where coconut candies are made and have a chance to learn the coconut candies making process located along canal ( MsLan coconut candy workshop).

Turn on natural scissors creeks where they look smaller and smaller to go to village. Take a walk to family making sleep mats. Afterward, being on a cart powered by a motorbike or biking and traveling through some tranquil villages where vegetables gardens to be able to touch on real life and find out about tropical culture from Peasants. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, take biking around the village, rowing-boat along water palm creek and boat to Hung Vuong Pier. Then transfer by car back to Saigon.

Siem Reap has been always destined for great things. You come here to see the temples, of course, but there is plenty to do in and around the city when you're templed out. Siem Reap has reinvented itself as the epicenter of chic Cambodia, with everything from party pads, world-class wining and dining across a range of cuisines, sumptuous spas, great shopping, local tours to suit both foodies and adventurers, and a creative cultural scene that includes Cambodia's leading contemporary circus

You'll have the morning for a leisurely breakfast before we come to collect you and take you to the airport to catch a flight to Siem Reap/ Cambodia. When you arrive at the airport, you will be met and transferred directly to your hotel. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

The temples of Angkor are a source of inspiration and national pride to all Khmers as they struggle to rebuild their lives after the years of terror and trauma. Today, the temples are a point of pilgrimage for all Cambodians, and no traveller to the region will want to miss their extravagant beauty.

Angkor is one of the world’s foremost ancient sites, with the epic proportions of the Great Wall of China, the detail and intricacy of the Taj Mahal, and the symbolism and symmetry of the pyramids, all rolled into one.

Breakfast at your hotel, you will then be picked up by your guide to visit the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group (Lo Lei, Preah Koh, and Bakhong Temples). Lunch with the local family and then we will continue to drive to the rural outskirt 35km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva.

The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes.Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back to Siem Reap we will visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends.

Have an early breakfast at hotel. At 07h30, departing the hotel for visit to the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.

And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

And continue exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lipper King Terrace and Royal Palace . Enclosure area and visit one more ruin in Angkor Area of Preah Khan temple, built in 12th century by King Jayavarman VII and it is the same style to Ta Prom Temple.

Breakfast at hotel. Siem Reap Orientation visiting to local main shrine Preah Ang Chek/Cham to pray for good luck. Walking along a bungalow where is special for local people. They mostly come here for taking pictures with their family or beloved one and some come here for taking exercise in the evening. Bungalow is also home to hundreds of fruit-bats, where they can be found on the top of those big trees.

Visit to nearby Angkor National Museum which opened its door in November 2007, offering a comprehensive collection of Cambodian artifacts showcasing the origins of Khmer art, culture, and architecture. With eight galleries in total, it covers in depth the history of Cambodia and the Khmer Empire as well as a fascinating collection of Buddhist artifacts. Apart from the antiques and historical relics, they have successfully integrated state-of-the-art multimedia technology to help bring the exhibitions to life. Explore the popular handicraft in Siem Reap, the Artisans D’ Angkor, where it focuses on training unschooled rural youth. Here you will have a chance to observe the artisans at work and see how the handicraft is being made. Ancient techniques are still practiced here such as wood and stone carving, lacquering, gilding and silk painting
Return to hotel for relaxing until early evening, explore Siem Reap night by tuk tuk to experience Cambodia's nightlife in full, from the local people's customs to the activities geared to tourists. Walking through the food market of Road 60m and if you are brave enough we will invite you to taste some fried bugs on the first part of the road. There is a play station for kids. Next, we will enjoy dinner with a local beer/soft drink in local beer garden. Then visit night market and or, you may want to try foot massage by fish (own account). Note* If you are not familiar with local beer garden, dinner there will be replaced by set menu dinner (meal only without drink) at Crystal restaurant with Apsara performance. At the end of the trip, take the short tuk tuk ride back to your hotel.

Your time will be your own until your private car and driver arrives to take you to the airport for your flight to next destination.

Finish unforgettable Vietnam Tour with AsiaTouradvisor.com. Good bye & see you in the next time! AsiaTouradvisor.com can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.