Summer Escape to Vietnam and Cambodia in 19 Days

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam!

Cyclo in Hanoi Old Quarter

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will meet a local tour guide and driver at the airport, then transfer to a hotel in the city center for check-in procedures.

Check into the hotel and relax after a long flight.

In the evening, enjoy our welcome dinner at a fine dining restaurant in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Included: Airport pick-up, Accommodation, Meals: dinner.

Have breakfast at your hotel.

Then, meet your tour guide, and you will visit some of the most popular destinations in the city. To start, drive to Ho Chi Minh Complex, where we will spend a couple of hours to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the last resting place of Uncle Ho, his former stilt house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Keep going to see the Temple of Literature—the first university of Vietnam dating back to 1070. The temple highlights the importance of education in Vietnam.

Hoan Kiem Lake – Temple of Literature – Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will visit one of the most interesting museums in Vietnam, the Museum of Ethnology, which is widely acknowledged as the nest in the country and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minorities.

After that, get back to the city center, where we take a one-hour cyclo around the Hanoi Old Quarter, known as the 36 streets. This bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. You will enjoy the unique Water Puppet Show to learn Vietnamese traditional instruments and singing from the live musicians who play throughout the show.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel before transferring to Ha Long Bay. At around 11:30, arrive at Tuan Chau Jetty and take a boat to Ha Long Bay.

Boarding and check-in with a welcome drink, then the cruise starts through Cho Da, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, and Hoa Cuong limestone islets while lunch is served on board. Then visit Sung Sot Cave, the “Cave of Surprises”, before taking a swim in Titov Beach or Soi Sim Beach. The vessel then cruises further to reach its overnight anchorage location near Ho Dong Tien or Luon Cave.

Halong Bay Cruise

Enjoy the sunset from the sundeck or while swimming. Dinner will be served on board. The evening is devoted to relaxing in that peaceful piece of setting, or you can experience nightfishing from the boat’s deck.

Overnight on board.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Wake up early in the morning to participate in a Tai Chi session on the sun deck at dawn while the natural wonders around you are slowly waking up! Then have breakfast at the cruise’s restaurant at around 7:30.

Tai Chi Session in Ha Long Bay

Take a small boat to Luon Cave, another amazing cave in Ha Long Bay. Lunch is served on board, and the cruise returns to Ha Long City at noon for disembarking.

Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, Ha Long Bay Cruise, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

After breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, we transfer to the airport at 9 am for a short domestic flight to Da Nang. A local tour guide will welcome you and your driver, then transfer to Hoi An, the ancient town of Vietnam, along with the romantic beauty of colorful streets, for check-in and relaxation.

Hoi An by night

In the afternoon, we enjoy a walking tour to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky’s old house, the silk street of Hoi An, and the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

Today, you will take part in a cooking class tour at the Red Bridge cooking school in Hoi An. Visit Hoi An market to interact with the local sellers and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Then take a boat along the Hoi An River to Red Bridge Cooking School.

Cooking class in Hoi An

Explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnamese famous dishes, such as spring rolls. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours; each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge Chef’s before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat the dishes we have cooked.

The remaining time is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast, you will meet your tour guide and then cycle to a local along the picturesque countryside roads to a local farming village.

You will participate in the daily works of local farmers, such as watering vegetables at an organic herb garden, riding water buffalo in the field, and enjoying the fresher air of the countryside. Learn and try your hand at local traditional fishing techniques using round and cast nets.

Tra Que Village

Board the Hoi An Eco Boat Tour and cruise to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cua Dai Sea. You will also explore the tranquil coconut-palm-flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers on both sides. Visit a local water coconut palm village, walk around the village, and have some tea and snacks with local talks.

Then, back on board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat and enjoy lunch.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

After breakfast at the hotel in Hoi An, transfer back to Da Nang for a short flight to Nha Trang.

Mun Island, Nha Trang

Upon arrival in Nha Trang, you will meet another tour guide and driver and then be escorted to the hotel in the city. Check into the hotel and relax.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, Da Nang – Nha Trang flight ticket, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

Today, spend time exploring Nha Trang, which is famous for its pristine beaches and historical sites: Po Nagar Cham Tower, showcasing the architecture of the ancient Cham civilization; Long Son Pagoda, renowned for its huge Buddha statues; and Nha Trang Cathedral, an outstanding example of French Gothic architecture.

Po Nagar Cham Towers

Later, you will explore the vibrant Dam Market, which is the city’s shopping center offering a range of local products and crafts. This day will end with a relaxing walk along the beach.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Today, you will embark on a fascinating island adventure around the Nha Trang Islands. Your first stop is Hon Mieu Island, where you can discover marine life at Tri Nguyen Aquarium.

Snorkeling in Mun Island, Nha Trang

Then head to Mun Island, a paradise for snorkelers with vibrant coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity. You will enjoy swimming and water sports on Mot Island, and then visit a traditional fishing village to learn about local life.

Fresh seafood lunch will be served on the peaceful Tam Island. Finally, you can relax and explore the natural beauty of the island.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest and most bustling city in southern Vietnam. Upon arrival, a local tour guide and driver will welcome you. Then, transfer to a hotel in the center of the city.

Ben Thanh Market at night

You can relax at the hotel or visit the Ben Thanh Market, one of Vietnam’s biggest and busiest markets, to explore local cuisine.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you will visit Cu Chi Tunnels, a witness of the Vietnam War. On the way, we will pass through the pleasant countryside, rubber plantations, and rice paddies. Before entering the tunnels, we will see a short introduction video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of the tunnels. You can see the place of various mantraps and the remains of an American tank, as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs, dropped by B52 bombers.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

In the afternoon, return to the city for the Ho Chi Minh City Tour. You will visit the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace. After that, we will visit the War Remnant Museum, where we can see countless artifacts, photographs, and pictures documenting the Second Indochina War.

We also stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Old Post Office to get good shots for your memorable trip.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and head to Vinh Long.

Start biking to visit Phuoc Hau Village, which is famous for vegetable plantations. You can see the process of planting, watering, harvesting… Then, continue to have the wonderful boat trip to Can Tho. First stop at Cau Doi (double bridge)—Long Ho to visit a busy boatyard where locals build boats and sampans.

Can Tho City Nightlife

Have a short break in Ba Lang at a local house, and walk to the rice field with an opportunity to see how locals have a rice harvest and how they wave strong paper or bamboo to produce handicraft fruit plates. Keep on going to Ba Cang. Have a special lunch on the boat.

In the afternoon, we have one hour of biking and visiting My Hoa Village, where people are making many products from soya beans and tofu. Have some snacks and drinks when crossing the Lower River to come to Ninh Kieu Quay of Can Tho. Check into a hotel and relax in Can Tho.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Wake up early in the morning and take a boat trip to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market with the busy trading sense.

Afterward, you’ll transfer by car north up the delta to Chau Doc, at the border with Cambodia. This culturally diverse river city is home to Cham, Chinese, and Khmer ethnic groups and is a popular destination for its nearby pilgrimage sites.

Cai Rang Floating Market

Your last stop of the day is at Tra Su Sanctuary. This nearly 2,000,000-acre (800,000 ha) wetland forest is a protected area for wading birds like storks, herons, and egrets. Most of the park is closed, but you’ll enjoy a 20-minute boat tour along the canals through sunken forests to admire the exotic birdlife. Afterward, you’ll return to your hotel in Chau Doc.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

Have breakfast at the hotel and then check out. It’s time to say goodbye to Vietnam and continue your journey to Cambodia.

You will take a speedboat to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, within 5 hours.

Welcome to Phnom Penh!

Phnom Penh

Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and driver and then transfer to the hotel.

Check in and unwind.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, dinner.

Today, you will explore some popular destinations in Phnom Penh.

Visit the Khmer National Art Museum. To the north of the palace is a magnificent and elegant red building designed by George Grolier and the Cambodian Art Institute. This monument was built in 1917 and adopted the traditions of archaeology, art, religion, and Khmer cultural relics from the 4th to the 13th centuries. Its collection includes more than 5,000 items representing the cultural wealth of the kingdom. Its roof has the largest bat colony among man-made structures.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

After that, visit the Royal Palace, which is one of the most beautiful Khmer palaces. You can visit the valuable Throne Hall, Prasat Khe Marin, Parsat Phirum, Hor Preah Khan, Chan Chhaya, and the Silver Tower.

Then continue to the only hill in town, where you will visit Phnom Wat. Then visit the Mekong River and enjoy the beautiful city of Phnom Penh at night. You will enjoy the magnificent scenery of the river.

Spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a flight to Siem Reap, the ancient capital of Cambodia under the Angkor dynasty. When you arrive in Siem Reap, meet your tour guide and driver, then transfer to the hotel and relax.

The spectacular scenery from the view of Bakheng Mountain

In the afternoon, visit West Barray (the man-made lake built in the 11th century) and the silk farm. Then we climb to the summit of Bakheng Mountain or Pre Rup Temple to view a spectacular sunset.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, Phnom Penh – Siem Reap flight ticket, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast.

Have breakfast at the hotel and start your sightseeing tour of the Angkor Complex.

Start your exploration with the wondrous ancient ruins of the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Continue your sightseeing to the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest and most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares.

Angkor Wat

We will stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Then visit the famous jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. Here, the enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure, creating an impression of nature’s powerful forces reclaiming man’s creation.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, dinner.

Enjoy your leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to the airport for the departure flight.

End of 19 days in Vietnam and Cambodia, full of beautiful memories and unforgettable experiences.

Included: Airport drop-off and breakfast at the hotel.