16 Days Vietnam and Cambodia Heritage Exploration Tour

Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi!

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour, Train to Lao Cai

Meals: B

In the morning, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. With amazing Buddhist symbolism, you can take some time to deeply explore the pagoda.

Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father - President Ho Chi Minh. He lived here on and off from 1958 to 1969.

The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leaving the pagoda, go to the Temple of Literature that is the first college in Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you need to choose one of Hanoi's museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive to admire Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

Then take a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets. The bustling narrow streets are home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore.

In the evening, board the overnight train to Lao Cai to discover the mountain tribes in northern Vietnam.

Overnight on the train.

Day 3 Arrive at Lao Cai, Half Day Trekking Tour in Sapa

Meals: B

Arrive in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning around 6:30 am.

Your guide will pick you up from the train and then escort you to your hotel in the highland town Sapa. You can have a good rest at the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing walking tour through the beautiful rice terrace fields, and visit the Ta Van Village and Red Dao Village to discover the local ethnic tribe Back H'mong and Giang Ta Chai.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4 Bac Ha Market, Train Back to Hanoi

Meals: B

After breakfast, depart for Bac Ha Market where you can wander through. It is considered one of the most colorful ethnic markets in the northwest of Vietnam.

After lunch, drive back to Sapa. On clear days you can see the highest mountain in Vietnam, the Fansipan Mountain. The rest of the day is for leisure on your own.

Finally, head to Lao Cai Railway Station by car. You will then take a night train to Hanoi.

Overnight on the train.

Day 5 Arrive in Hanoi, Full Day Halong Bay Cruise

Meals: B

You will arrive in Hanoi in the early morning. On arrival, meet your guide and transfer to hotel to get some rest.

Then wake up and drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Around noon, your Halong Bay Cruise starts from Tuan Chau Island, the gateway of Halong Bay.

In the afternoon, explore the treasures spread across the Halong Bay, covering some stunning caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water.

While onboard, you can enjoy the services of Spa and Massage. Another highlight of the cruise is the innovative and varied cuisine offered in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages. You can watch the chef's cooking demonstration and try to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Overnight on Halong Bay Cruise.

Day 6 Halong Bay to Hanoi, Flight to Hoi An via Da Nang

Flight: Domestic flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement

Meals: B

Wake up to experience Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and then continue cruising the beautiful Halong Bay. The breakfast buffet will be served in the dining room. After a visit to a limestone grotto, you will then disembark the cruise in Halong City around noon.

Your guide will transfer you to the airport in Hanoi and take the flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, meet the local guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An for check in.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7 My Son Holy Land, Hoi An Ancient Port Town

Meals: B

This morning, you will travel to the 4th century My Son Holy Land that is tucked in the mountains. The winding roads up to the sight has serene views to offer. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden for living or development. So the ruins lie in the beautiful mountains are well-protected. You can enter the temples to hear the histories and stories of this holy site and the Cham people.

In the afternoon, continue your trip to the ancient capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th-century port town in its preserved state. The town is a perfect mixture of ancient architecture, houses, and temples as well as modern western restaurants and cafes. Take your time to visit the Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses.

Later, take a boat trip along the Huai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village and see how local people work on their crafts. In the evening, the town will become quite romantic when the lights come on, and you can see colorful lanterns everywhere, some flower lanterns floating on the river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8 Full Day Hoi An Beach Relax

Meals: B

Hoi An is also famous for its beautiful sandy beaches. Today, you have a full day at leisure to enjoy the beaches of Hoi An, you can relax in the sunshine and sunbathe on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9 Hoi An to Hue, Enjoy Royal Dinner

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time this morning until transfer to Hue in the afternoon. Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, is well known for its historic monuments which have earned it a place in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

In the evening, you can enjoy a royal dinner in a royal residence with a descendant of the imperial family, it is an excellent opportunity for you to experience the imperial life in ancient time.

Overight in Hue.

Day 10 Perfume River, Tu Doc, Hue Imperial City

Meals: B

Today's tour starts with a visit to Perfume River, renowned for its natural scenery and numerous flowers which envelop its shores. Along the river, you can see Vietnamese daily life up close. Take a boat ride to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Move on to visit Tu Doc, a complex with the private royal residence and a tomb that also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Legend has it that his body is buried with vast treasures in an inconspicuous place, which archaeologists have tried but failed to find. Afterward, visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern ornately decorated tomb.

Next, you are able to explore the Imperial City of Hue. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel), Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel), and Khai Dinh Tomb.

After that, visit Tu Duc Tomb and Dong Ba market for shopping.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 11 Hue to Saigon, Saigon Half Day City Tour

Flight: Domestic flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement

Meals: B

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the airport in Hanoi and take the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to hotel to check in.

In the afternoon, you’ll explore some of the most important sights in Ho Chi Minh City. Start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, discover its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia.

Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main attractions in the city. Then visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam’s President during the war.

The final stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12 Saigon Cu Chi Tunnels, Flight to Siem Reap

Flight: Internal flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement

Meals: B

This morning, visit Cu Chi Tunnels that were developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You can see the various weapons used in the war and learn about the innovative ways that the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war.

In the late afternoon, transfer to airport to catch the flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to hotel for check in.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13 Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat

Meals: B

Today, begin your exploration of the remains of Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Angkor served as the seat of the empire.

In the morning, tour the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Huge silk-cotton trees and strangler figs grow over, around, and through the ancient stone blocks. The temple would make you feel as if you are in an adventure movie set.

Then, visit Banteay Kdei, a kind of smaller version of Ta Prohm. Continue to Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, Royal Palace, Baphuon Temple and Bayon Temple. Bayon sets itself apart with its 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed. With winding tunnels, chambers, and climbs, Bayon offers many exciting moments to keep your camera busy.

In the afternoon, head to visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carvings. Spend the afternoon fully exploring the passages, levels, and chambers that once housed many treasures of the flourishing kingdom.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 14 Koh Ker Temples, Prasat Beng Mealea

Meals: B

Today, drive to the northern area of Siem Reap to visit the group of Koh Ker temples. Koh Ker was the capital of the Angkorian Empire from 928 to 944 CE. The main attractions you can expect here include Prasat Thom, a seven-tiered pyramid structure, Prasat Krahom, Prasat Bram, etc.

In the afternoon, visit Prasat Beng Mealea built in the 12th century. Although invaded by jungle, you can see the traces of Khmer Empire.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15 Banteay Srei, Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Phluk

Meals: B

In the morning, head towards the deep jungle to visit Banteay Srei. The temple is carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day.

After lunch, take a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake - Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Then, tour Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 16 Siem Reap Departure

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

End of service.