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16 Day itinerary in Vietnam, Asia

Highlight of Vietnam and Cambodia

Enjoy the perfect 16 Day Private Tour combining the must-see attractions of Vietnam and Cambodia with unforgettable, quintessential South East Asian experiences. Experience UNESCO World Heritage Sites, stunning natural beauty, ancient wonders and cultural delights as you are escorted by knowledgeabl... Read More

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LindaJacquelineAlessiaThreelandSophie

By Linda, Jacqueline, Alessia, Threeland and Sophie

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Easy
help_outline

Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Hanoi

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Kayak & Canoe

Indigenous culture

Meet local people

Visit markets

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Start

Night

End

Highlights

1

Mingle yourself in the historical and cultural sites of Hanoi, Hue and Hoian.

2

Explore Halong Bay's unusually picturesque beauty with rocks and islets, beaches and hollow islands.

3

Explore Saigon and Mekong Delta - the paradise of tropical land.

4

Getting lost in the dreamy ruins of renowned Angkor Wat and surrounding temples.

Itinerary

Standard Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place HANOI – ARRIVAL – CITY TOUR (D)

Welcome to Hanoi, the Capital City of Vietnam! Our local guide will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it takes us 35 minutes driving to the center of Hanoi. Check in hotel and have a short time to freshen up. Late afternoon, have an overall view of the capital by a “cyclo” visit, which will go through the fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as ‘The 36 Streets’ – each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts and from medicines to tombstones. Drop by at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake. End of the day, we will enjoy a unique fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam. Welcome dinner will be followed at the fine dining restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. Please note: The normal check in time is 14:00pm.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Viet Hotel Hanoi
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Flower Garden Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Pan Pacific Hanoi
Day 2

place HANOI CITY TOUR (B/L)

Today, In the morning, we will start our city tour from Ba Dinh Square where the most solemn ceremonies of Hanoi take place. We first visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where is the last rest place of Ho Chi Minh President, we then visit One-Pillar pagoda nearby with unique architecture first built on 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong. Continue visiting Ho Chi Minh Resident including his simple house-on-stilts and fish pond. Go on to the Temple of Literature, the very first high school of Vietnam Scholars and a temple dedicated Confucious. Have lunch at KOTO Van Mieu restaurant where provides hospitality and life skills to disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. In the afternoon, we visit History Museum where provides a great overview of the history of Vietnam thanks to chronological sequence. The site has two floors, among which Vietnam’s history is divided into 10 different sections, from the prehistoric era to the day when President Ho Chi Minh read out the Declaration of Independence giving birth to Vietnam. Continue the trip to picturesque West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built from 6th Century. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi. Please note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday, Friday and all the afternoon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Viet Hotel Hanoi
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Flower Garden Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Pan Pacific Hanoi
Day 3

place HANOI – HOA LU – TAM COC – HANOI (B/L)

Have breakfast at hotel. A 90km driving south of Hanoi will lead you to Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon drive back Hanoi, on the way, stop to visit Hoa Lu, the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Late afternoon back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Viet Hotel Hanoi
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Flower Garden Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Pan Pacific Hanoi
Day 4

place HANOI – HALONG BAY/LAN HA BAY – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D)

Breakfast at hotel. At 9am, picked up by shuttle bus and head East for about 3 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating houses and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the cruise, enjoy cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure. Overnight on the cruise. Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

place HALONG BAY/LAN HA BAY – HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B/BRUNCH/D) EVENING FLIGHT

You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier. Disembark from the cruise, transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus, then continue to Noi Bai Airport for boarding the flight to Hue, the Old Captical of Vietnam before Hanoi took its role as the current Capital City of Vietnam. Upon arrival, picked up by the local tour guide, transfer to check in hotel. Have dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Hue.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Moonlight Hotel Hue
  • High-end Accommodation: Indochine Palace
Day 6

place FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING IN HUE (B/L)

Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. We will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum. The Complex of Hue Citadel was Vietnam’s last royal dynasty’s residence for 143 years and held the royal position for 9 Nguyen Dynasties until 1945. It consists of a massive complex featuring hundreds of monuments and ruins from the Vietnam War. Entering Hue Citadel, travelers may visit the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial City, flag tower, pagodas, temples, library, and museum, which offer much interesting information and experience. Go on having a boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda, the iconic of Hue city. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, drive 12 km out of Hue City to visit the Tombs of Emperor Minh Mang located on the west bank of Perfume River. Minh Mang tomb was built from 1840 and completed in 1843 with the effort of ten thousand workers and artisians. The Tomb offers a balance of nature and structures that is unmatched among tombs in Hue. The solemn and quiet architecture set in a poetic landscape demonstrates both the Emperor's strictness and deep beliefs. Continue visiting Emperor Khai Dinh’s Tomb, the last great tomb of the Nguyen dynasty with a mix of Asian and European style in architecture and decoration. The tomb began construction in 1920 and took eleven years to complete, and was still unfinished when the Emperor Khai Dinh passed away. Though in extent, Khai Dinh’ Tomb is small in comparison with the rest of Imperia tombs, its construction, decoration and details are very elaborate. Overnight in Hue.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Rosaleen Boutique Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Moonlight Hotel Hue
  • High-end Accommodation: Indochine Palace
Day 7

place HUE – DANANG – HOIAN ANCIENT TOWN (B/D)

Have breakfast at hotel and check out. Transfer to Hoi An, an architectural combination of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese styles. The trip will take about more than 3-hour driving through Hai Van Pass (the “Ocean Cloudy Mountain Pass”), enjoy viewing the beauty of Lang Co Beach en route. Upon arrival, check in hotel Afternoon, discover Hoian Ancient Town. We take interesting walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, enjoy the attractiveness of ancient houses or listen to folk music of Central Vietnam at old club-houses. Later we can stop at shrines or stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where you may find the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoian a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. Watch the town lighten up with thousands of colorful lanterns. Have dinner at the local restaurant. Overnight in Hoian.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: KIMAN HOTEL - Hoian Hotel Khách sạn tại Hội an
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa
  • High-end Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
Day 8

place HOIAN – DANANG – BA NA HILL – HOIAN (B/L)

Have breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer to Ba Na hills and take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Enjoy games at Fantasy Park – the third biggest indoor games zone in Vietnam with series of interesting games. Buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Go down by cable car and visit the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Golden Bridge, held up by two enormous stone-colored hands. The bridge opened in June 2018, is 150 meters long and 1,400 meters above sea level, with views across the green mountainscape. Continue visit Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden… Go downhill also by cable car then transfer back to Hoian, the rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hoian. Please note: Wax Museum entrance fee, wine tasting cost and coin games at Fantasy Park are not included, joining them will be at your own account.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: KIMAN HOTEL - Hoian Hotel Khách sạn tại Hội an
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa
  • High-end Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
Day 9

place HOIAN – MY SON SANCTURARY TOUR (B/L)

Have breakfast at hotel. We drive to visit My Son Sancutary where you can discover the hidden treasure of the Cham culture that once brightly developed in the area of present Central Vietnam dated from VII century to XIV century. This is a cluster of partially ruin Hindu temples that have been abandoned for a long time located in a lush valey surrounded by the mountains. Thanks to the beauty and secrets of building the Cham Towers hereby, My Son had been also designated by UNESCO as one of the five World Heritages in Vietnam. Transfer back to Hoian Town for lunch, then the afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Hoian.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: KIMAN HOTEL - Hoian Hotel Khách sạn tại Hội an
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa
  • High-end Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
Day 10

place HOIAN – DANANG – SAIGON – CITY TOUR (B/D) MORNING FLIGHT

Breakfast at hotel. Check out and transfer to the airport to board the flight to Saigon. Upon your arrival to Saigon (official name as Ho Chi Minh City nowadays) – the most dynamic and vibrant city of Vietnam, welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check in and relax. Afternoon, begin the tour with a visit to the Reunification Palace, the witness of the fierce Vietnam War ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall of official receptions. Nearby the Palace are the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and colonial-styled Central Post Office, one of the city’s major landmarks. Walking through the main street of Nguyen Hue, passing by Hotel de Ville (City hall or Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Head Office) and Opera House. Then visit Ben Thanh market, one of the iconic architecture of the City. Dinner on the cruise on Saigon River, enjoy traditional folk music on board. Overnight in Saigon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Ambassador Saigon Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Aristo Saigon Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Rex Hotel
Day 11

place SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel. Head to My Tho, the homeland of coconut and family factories with local products like coconut candy, rice paper,… Upon arrival, embark on the boat cruising on the mighty Mekong River viewing the life to the local people live along the banks. We stop to visit an island in the area, enjoy the fresh tropical fruits served in the heart of the lush garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Later, embark on other small boats rowed by the local people thru the small canals shadowed by water coconut trees to visit the local factories. There you will taste the honey tea and see the local people produce the coconut candy milk and of course you also can try it or stroll in the garden where the locals feed honeybee. Lunch is served at local restaurant by the river. In the afternoon, continue to visit Vinh Trang pagoda, a famous pogoda in the area with architecture combination of Chinese, Cambodian, and French cultures. Return to Saigon late afternoon. Overnight in Saigon.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Ambassador Saigon Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Aristo Saigon Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Rex Hotel
Day 12

place SAIGON – CU CHI TUNNELS – SIEM REAP (B/L) EVENING FLIGHT

After breakfast, transfer to visit Cu Chi tunnels – the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. Afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, picked up and transferred to check in your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Kouprey Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Sokha Roth Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa
Day 13

place SIEM REAP FULL DAY ANGKOR TOUR (B/L)

After breakfast, continue visiting the ancient capital of Angkor Thom starting with the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Bayon Temple - unique with its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces, Baphuon temple located in the North of Bayon represented of holy Mount Meru the residence of the gods in Hindu tradition. Finishing the visit at this ancient city by going around The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue visiting the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. This temple is famous by being chosen for major activities of Tomb Raider acted by Celebrity Angelina Jolie. Lunch at local restaurant Afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, highlighted by the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, carved on the walls and tell the stories of Hindu legends. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. Strolling around this massive edifice, seeing many galleries with Colums, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. End of the day, visit Pre Rup Temple where you can calmly relax and enjoy sun set view. Return to Siem Reap downtown. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Kouprey Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Sokha Roth Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa
Day 14

place SIEM REAP FULL DAY ANGKOR TOUR (B/L)

After breakfast, we explore other Angkor temples including Takeo temple, a mountain temple built in pyramid shape to represent Mount Meru, the mountain of centre of the world in Hindu mythology; The Preah Khan, built by King Jayavarman VII to dedicate to his father, was a Buddhist temple at the original time; Neak Pean - This temple is a delicate highlight of Khmer art. Built by Jayavarman VII, this temple is the perfect representation of the heavens on earth; Ta Som was a small classic Bayon style monastic complex consisting of a relatively flat enclosure; The next stop is Banteay Kdei set in a peaceful and quiet place, serving as a Buddhist temple. Its name means Citadel of Chambers. Then continue to Srah Srang – the Royal bathing pool which was once used for ritual washing. Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, visit Banteay Samre which is believed to be built around the same time as Angkor Wat, because the architecture is of the classic art of the same period though not much inscription has been found for this temple. We then drive further to explore the less visited temple at the remote place Banteay Srei or the Citadel of Women, a temple boasts a remarkable preservation of excellent stone carvings in pink color and Late afternoon, return to Siem Reap Town, visit the local market. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Kouprey Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Sokha Roth Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa
Day 15

place SIEM REAP – SIGHTSEEING (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel. This morning, we visit to Floating Village on Tonle Sap Lake, about 10 Km from Siem Reap Town. Arrival at the dock, take a boat trip a long a small stream to the village. During dry season when the lake is low and lack of water those buildings look like the skyscrapers. At this time of the year many of villagers move out onto the lake and build provisional stilted houses. In wet season while the water level rises up again, the dwellers move back to their permanent houses on the flood plain, the stilts now hidden under the water. People made a living by catching fishes produce as well as smelly fish paste, fermented fish, smoked fish, dried fish, dried prawn etc. Afternoon we then visit Pouk, the real and original place of the Artisans d’Angkor silk, where you will see the full process of silk producing, from the silk worms munch on the Mulberry leaves to spin their cocoons which used to make silk warp. You of course will see the weaving work and purchase the high quality silk products as a beautiful Cambodia souvenir. If time permit continue visiting Wat Bo Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Siem Reap contains many Khmer murals and sculptures. This is a quiet pagoda worth a stop if you’re interested in connecting more with Cambodia’s spiritual side. Evening enjoy buffet dinner with Apsara dance show – a taste of classical Khmer culture. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Kouprey Hotel
  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Sokha Roth Hotel
  • High-end Accommodation: Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa
Day 16

place SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE OR EXTENSION TO THE NEXT DESTINATION (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Time at leisure untul check out time and transfer to the airport for the departure flight back to your sweet home or extending some days for beach relax or next destiantions. The standard check out time is 12:00pm.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Viet Hotel Hanoi
  • Rosaleen Boutique Hotel
  • KIMAN HOTEL - Hoian Hotel Khách sạn tại Hội an
  • Ambassador Saigon Hotel
  • Kouprey Hotel
  • Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa
  • Flower Garden Hotel
  • Moonlight Hotel Hue
  • Aristo Saigon Hotel
  • Sokha Roth Hotel
  • Pan Pacific Hanoi
  • Indochine Palace
  • La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa
  • Rex Hotel
  • Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa

Meals expand_less

  • Dinner (6)
  • Breakfast (15)
  • Lunch (10)
  • Snacks (1)

Transport expand_less

  • Airport and tour transfers and touring in AC vehicles
  • Shuttle bus Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi
  • Cable car 2 ways to Ba Na Hills

Activities expand_less

  • Local Day Boat in Hue & Mekong delta & Tonle Sap
  • Entrance fees and Zone fee as per program
  • Meals as mentioned in the program: B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner

Extras expand_less

  • Water during transfers

Not Included expand_less

  • International & Domestic Airfare and airport tax
  • Early check-in, late check-out surcharge
  • Other meals, drinks and personal expenses (phone call, laundry, tipping etc.)
  • Tips for tour guides, drivers: USD 5/guest/day
  • Vietnam Visa

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