Flavor of Vietnam and Cambodia 10 days

Day 01: Hanoi - Arrival

On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), you will be met by our French‑speaking guide and private driver, who will transfer you by car to the centre of Hanoi. Your first glimpses of Vietnam’s chaotic traffic will unfold before your eyes.

Depending on your flight arrival time, you can either rest at your hotel if the room is available, or set out on an orientation tour of the city.

Horizon Vietnam Travel welcome: Upon arriving at our office, you will be greeted by the beguiling melodies of traditional musical instruments. These soft notes will transport you into the enchanting world of traditional culture, filling your heart with emotion.

You will then take part in our tea ceremony. This goes far beyond the simple tasting of tea: it is an act of sharing and an expression of cultural refinement, where every gesture and choice - from selecting the tea to the way it is served - carries deep meaning. It is a space to celebrate friendship, social harmony and a close connection to the cycles of nature, resonating with Buddhist and Confucian traditions that value balance and serenity.

Afterwards, you will have the chance to join a meditation session with singing bowls. Immerse yourself in your breath and mind, letting go of all worries and tensions. In the silence, the sound and vibration of the singing bowl resonate like a gentle melody, awakening a deep sense of relaxation.

You will also enjoy an exceptional massage session, either for the body or the feet. Gentle, professional movements will stimulate blood circulation, dispelling accumulated fatigue and aches. You will feel perfectly relaxed after your long flight.

Welcome lunch at a typical Vietnamese restaurant.

Later you’ll get your first feel for Hanoi on a walking tour through the old quarters. Wander the former colonial district with its beautiful architecture and the bustling Old Quarter of 36 guilds - a jumble of vehicles, tiny shops, practices and habits quite unlike those in your own country.

Dinner on your own and overnight at a hotel in the heart of the capital.

Please note that your hotel room is officially available from 2 p.m.

Day 02: Ha Noi - Discovery (B)

Today, we start our exploration of Ha Noi, seeing the most notable landmark of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov). This imposing marble and granite monument was built towards Ba Dinh Square. We follow the footpath to the One Pillar Pagoda rising from the center of a square lotus pond, ascending on a single pillar and resembling a blossoming lotus flower.

The next place will be the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly acclaimed Hoa Lo Prison which was once known as “Ha Noi Hilton”.

We continue the trip to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university, constructed in the 11th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past.

After that, visit Ha Noi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.

The final touch of the day is a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 03: Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay - Cruise (B, L, D)

After breakfast, take a 3.5 hour drive to Ha Long Bay, one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy a welcome drink before check-in your cabin. While the boat is passing many rocky islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, a tasty lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck.

Later on, the boat moves to a quiet area to dock for overnight stay. Dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board. Overnight stay on board.

Note: The itinerary of boat in Ha Long may change without prior notice depending on situation.

Day 04: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi ✈ Ho Chi Minh City (Br)

The boat cruises around Ha Long Bay, passes by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Breakfast or brunch is served while the boat then continues cruising towards the wharf.

After disembarkation, travel back to Ha Noi city then go straight to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you are welcomed and driven to the hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 05: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnel - City discovery by cyclo (B)

After breakfast, we depart to Cu Chi Tunnel and discover a vast network of underground passageways built and used by the Viet Cong to evade detection as they moved troops and supplies throughout Ho Chi Minh City’s northern districts. You will have chance to get a feel of the underground life and learn a little more about the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.

Return to hotel in the early afternoon and have a short break.

We then enjoy the cyclo tour visiting the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later, of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Ho Chi Minh city on Apr 30, 1975. Walk down to see Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office which are beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 06: Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City (B, L) 

After breakfast, drive south of the city to the Mekong Delta, a remarkable agricultural area referred to as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’.

On arrival in Ben Tre province, we board a private boat to explore the Mekong Delta. Cruise among the river islands which have whimsical names such as Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. We make some stops at local houses to taste seasonal fruits, listen to traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea. The interlaced canals are truly a lifeblood of the Mekong Delta; however, many channels can be accessed only by small boats.

We enjoy a short sampan trip rowing under the palm grove to venture into this maze of canals before we continue our motorboat to the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre. We will either take a horse cart or motorbike pulling cart to discover the traditional lifestyles, culture, and history of local people and visit some industry cottages. They may be brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and coconut handicrafts, etc.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy your free time. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 07: Ho Chi Minh ✈ Phnom Penh - City discovery (B)

The next destination of our trip today will be Phnom penh via a short flight from Ho Chi Minh city.

Upon arrival at the airport, meet our guide who is waiting for us right outside of the arrival terminal. Transferring to our hotel and checking into hotel’s room.

(the check in time at hotel: 14.00pm)

From the hotel, we depart on a city tour in a typical cyclo. First, visit Wat Phnom, which dates back to 1372 and contains some excellent examples of Khmer architecture and statues.

Next pay a visit to the Khmer-style National Museum, which houses the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer archaeological, religious, and artistic  artifacts from the 4th to the 13th centuries. 

Continue on foot to the Royal Palace, originally built in 1866s by the grandfather of the current Cambodian King. It includes the official residence of the royal family with parts of the massive palace compound, partially opened to the public. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 08: Phnom Penh - City discovery ✈ Siem Reap (B)

Start your day with the visit to the killing fields of Choeung Ek Genocide Center – 9 miles away south of Phnom Penh. The painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the memorial stupa. 

Return to Phnom Penh to visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), a former high school turned into a centre for interrogation, torture, and death by the Khmer Rouge.

We round off our day with a walk in the Central Market, a showcase of the local product richness. This flagship trade center of Phnom Penh was built in shape of a dome with four arms branching out into vast hallways crammed with  countless stalls of goods

Then board on afternoon flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, you are met and driven to hotel. Free time to explore the town after checking in.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Optional tour: Khmer Street Food Discovery

This evening, enjoy a leisure walk around the town at night and discover many vendors offering a large variety of Khmer foods, snacks, and fruits as well. The tour takes you to the busy night market for a unique glimpse into the nightly life of this busy city and discovers unforgettable street dishes. You can choose to taste what might seem scary and not so appetizing to many such as grasshoppers, spiders, cockroaches, or crickets. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells while your guide explains the various ingredients and cooking methods used in Khmer cuisine. Continue to a well-known local restaurant to taste the local dishes. Allow your guide to recommend some of the restaurant’s specialties and help with the ordering.

Overnight in Phnom penh.

Day 09: Siem Reap - Full day Angkor temples (B)

We start this day tour with Angkor Thom, an epic collection of striking structures encompassed in quadrangle area. The walkway leads us to  the Royal Enclosure where remains some  mysterious ruins, including the Royal Palace, Phimeanakas Temple, and  Royal Terraces. These structures built from perishable materials have long vanished. The memorable climax of our visit is Bayon Temple  built in the centre of Angkor Thom. This enigmatic complex contains  54 towers, each topped off with the four faces of  Compassion Buddha. 

Upon leaving Angkor Thom Area , we take a short drive to  the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat - one of the modern wonders of the world. Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th Century, around the time when the temple was built.

We round out day tour with a walk up the Pre Rup Temple to enjoy the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 10: Siem Reap - Full day Angkor temples (B)

Today, drive out to visit the Banteay Srei that translates to “the Citadel of the Women”. Originally constructed in the 10th Century and dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this red sand-stone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been remarkably well preserved. 

Continue on your exploration of the famous jungle temple of Ta Prohm where several shots of the adventure movie “The Tomb Raider” were filmed. This beautiful Buddhist temple was not restored and looks just as it did when French explorers stumbled it in the 1860s. The magnificent tree roots have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling. 

Visit the Angkor Silk Farm 15 km west of Siem Reap, where you can witness the entire process of silk creation from the breeding process and life cycle of the silkworm to the spinning of the silk, the dying process and the creation of beautiful silk weavings on wooden hand looms. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap lake - Departure (B)

Today, drive around 1 hour toward the west of Siem Reap to visit the off the beaten track floating village of Me Chrey on the great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. This is one of Siem Reap’s little known floating villages where life is simple and slow with people living on the water, close to nature. 

Board a local boat for a relaxing cruise to discover the daily life of the Khmer community that largely depends on fishing for survival all year round. This fishing community also boats small shops, a school and a medical centre on the water. It is possible to make a stop along the waterway to have a chat with the local villagers to learn more about how this floating community lives, works, and trades. One thing to be sure, life on land is very different from life on the water!

However, the activities of the boat trip will depend on your scheduled flight. Trip ends after being transferred to airport for your next destination.

1. Climate in Vietnam 

The climate of Vietnam is very different and characteristic from one end of the country to the other because of its latitude differences. The geographical peculiarities of the country make it possible to have a nice trip to Vietnam every season. Indeed, when a region is humid or suffocating, another one presents a sunny and very temperate climate.

+ December to February:

The north and central regions of the country are in the winter. The average temperature varies between 15°C and 23°C. It is quite cool and humid with irregular rainfall, especially in the mountains where the temperature often drops below 10°C. This period is characterized by a frequent drizzle that the Vietnamese call "rain dust". There is very little sunshine.

The south of the country is considered an ideal period because it is the dry season with 1 to 2 days of rain in a month. It is also the time when the temperature is pleasant, varying between 22°C and 33°C. The vegetation is very green offering you great opportunities to take beautiful pictures.

+ March to May:

This period is known as the most beautiful season of the year for an ideal stay in Vietnam. During this period, the climate is very pleasant. It is the dry season in all the 3 regions of the country but also the period where vegetation is lush, green rice fields offering you great opportunities to take beautiful pictures.

The North is in the spring when the weather is mild. This region benefits from the cool wind with an average temperature of 15°C to 25°C. During this period, this region has a lot of sunshine but rarely rains.

It is also the best time in the center for visits. The climate is rather favorable and tropical. The weather becomes sunnier with a nice rise in temperature between 25°C and 32°C.

The South is considered a good period. The climate is dry and very sunny. However, the heat can be unpleasant, as the average temperature is between 28°C and 34°C and can rise to 41°C. However, frequent short rains bring some coolness.

+ From June to September:

This is the 3rd season of tourism in the country. On the whole, the climate is pleasant from the North to the South to travel in Vietnam.

The north of the country is in summer. The climate carries a hot characteristic with an average temperature of 25°C to 33°C. The rains in this season have a strong characteristic (earlier showers) but are short in the duration of about 30 minutes to 1 hour. For the mountainous region, it is also hot, the rains are frequent but also strong and fast. The sky is blue and sunny and the weather is the clearest of the year while the rice terraces are green. It is ideal for short hikes to ethnic villages.

The center is in a good period to visit this region which is not affected by the summer monsoon. The weather is good with often a heat haze, the temperature can climb to 40°C. The frequency of rains in this region is however less important than in the north. However, if you are located in the seaside resorts of the center, the beach will be your greatest ally to refresh you.

The south has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 25°C to 33°C. It is the rainy season, but the rains are often in the form of heavy showers very fast (about 15 to 30 minutes), after the rain, there is immediately a generous sun under clear weather, and the vegetation is also very green.

+ October to November:

Overall, the month of October to November is considered a very nice season to travel in Vietnam.

The North is in autumn with a very pleasant climate, it is cool and dry with an average temperature of 15°C to 23°C.

The center has a pleasant temperature between 20°C and 28°C. This is the period that also corresponds to the stormy season with heavy rainfall that would lead to flooding more or less important on the coastal strip. This region also knows the heavy rains, despite being present, do not last long.

The south has a tropical climate, with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 32°C. The sun and heat are always present. During this period, heavy rains (in the form of short but almost daily torrential downpours) come to refresh the atmosphere. Be aware, however, that the heavy rains usually come at the end of the day and should leave you free to explore the area.

Our last advice on the weather 

• Vietnam is located in the path of typhoons and tropical storms and is particularly affected between mid-July and mid-November. With the modernization of infrastructure and weather warnings, there is no major danger.
• The rainy season is not synonymous with all-day rainfall, hence the monsoon season seems to be a more appropriate term, and contrary to popular belief, these rains are nourishing and synonymous with life in Vietnam, a land of water!

2. Accommodation  

The hotels proposed by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 comfortable stars with all the required services.   It is according to your budget and your wishes that we will submit you concrete proposals. It should be noted that a 5-star hotel can cost ten times more than a 2-star hotel. Furthermore, two hotels of the same category may not have the same price, because the quality varies.

The hotels proposed in our offers have been checked by ourselves. Cleanliness, quality of welcome, location, charm and tranquility are our selection criteria. When we have the choice, we prefer hotels of human size and work less with international chains.

Apart from hotels, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping in the homes of local people, and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Good to know: Please note that during the high season (October to April), hotels can quickly become full. Do not hesitate to book well in advance to avoid any worries about availability.

3. Visa

To travel to Vietnam you must have a valid passport that remains valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

The Government of Vietnam has issued a resolution granting visa exemption for entry into Vietnam to citizens of five European countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This exemption is applied for stays of up to 45 days, regardless of passport category or purpose of entry, and has been in effect since 15 August 2023.

The visa exemption also applies to multiple entries as long as each stay is under 45 days.

For any stay longer than 45 days, a visa is required.

4. Vaccine

First of all, according to the General Administration of Tourism of Vietnam, vaccination is not mandatory for a trip to Vietnam. We confirm that our country has a tropical climate and therefore there are mosquitoes. However, the case malaria exists only in remote and isolated areas in high mountains. According to our experience, the vaccine will be necessary for trekking trips in isolated areas of high mountains, in forests, lasting from 1 to 3 weeks. While this type of cultural tour will take you through areas where conditions are safe enough.

Usually, our travelers only use anti-mosquito products which are very effective and practical. So it is enough and there is no need to worry about it. However, we will advise you to buy some from home because, in Vietnam, it is difficult to find good quality products. Apart from these anti-mosquito products, it is better to prepare a long jean that can cover your legs completely while walking through rice fields.

Nowadays, all hotels apply very effective treatments against mosquitoes while mosquito nets are well prepared when staying at a local's house.

Note: If you are fragile and sensitive in contagious diseases, we strongly advise you to consult your doctor.

5. International flight

Our offer does not include international flights between your country and Vietnam for two reasons:

International flights from your country are more expensive if purchased in Vietnam. It is, therefore, more advantageous for you to buy them from a ticketing agency in your country.

The payment and booking conditions of international flights are strict while it is difficult for us, a local agency to apply the same conditions (full payment before the trip). Since international financial transactions involve significant bank charges, you will be required to pay unnecessary surcharges.

• Airlines that our travelers recommend :

Direct non-stop flights:

- Vietnam Airlines: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/en/Home

- Air France: https://www.airfrance.fr/

Flights with stopovers :

Qatar Airways: https://www.qatarairways.com/fr-dz/homepage.html

Air Asia: https://www.airasia.com/en/gb

Cathay Pacific: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/fr_FR/travel-information/oneworld.html

Malaysia Airlines: https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/uk/en.html

Singapore Airlines: https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/vn/home#/book/bookflight

Thai Airways: https://www.thaiairways.com/

Turkish Airlines: https://www.turkishairlines.com/

Lufthansa: https://www.lufthansa.com/vn/fr/homepage

Please note that our tour offers are always adaptable according to your arrival and return dates. So buy the tickets on the dates that suit you, and we will adapt the programming of your tour.

On our part, we are always at your disposal to do free research from a date or an airport if you wish. If you are interested in this proposal, we invite you to go directly to the airline's website to book the ticket, which will allow you to take advantage of the best flight rates.

List of our hotels:

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 stars at the international standard, and comfortable with all the required services.

+ Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are correct, clean, and equipped with a bathroom, satellite television, and air conditioning.

+ Superior category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious, and the services and facilities are more numerous.

+ First class category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious and have a wide choice of quality services.

+ Deluxe Category: 4-5 stars. Hotels are of excellent comfort and have a wide range of excellent services. (swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi…).

+ On the other hand, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with the locals and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Our services include:

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in the planned hotels or similar in the program with daily breakfast as mentioned 
• Meals are provided in local restaurants of typical Vietnamese cuisine (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner included)
• The English-speaking guide for each city.
• All entry fees to tourist sites
• All the permission to enter the tourist areas
• Boat tours as described in the program
• 02 bottles of mineral water of 0,5 (l)/person/day
• Other services as mentioned in the program (bicycle, boat trip, etc...)
• All fees for all other services as clearly described in the program above.

Our services exclude:

• Airfare on all domestic and international flights (quote separately)
• Drinks and surcharge for special requests on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time & other personal expenses
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Surcharge for other language-speaking tour guides (upon request)
• Travel insurance 
• Vietnam visa stamping fees 
• All other services are not stated in the program.

More information:

Horizon Vietnam Travel gives you an estimated price per person on our website for the group of six people in low season with standard 2 and 3-star hotels.

The price of this trip varies according to the services chosen (category of accommodation, activities during the trip,...), the tourist seasonality of the year (Christmas and end of year holiday, Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam), the booking delays and especially the number of participants of your group you wish to travel with.

Please note that Horizon Vietnam Travel only organizes private "tailor-made" trips for groups from 2 persons. We generally propose an offer including all the services on the spot from your arrival until your departure.

Depending on your wishes and your budget, this tour can be adapted and modified in terms of duration, content and departure date.

HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL calculates its prices as closely as possible in order to guarantee you the best price/quality ratio.

Our advice: the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting good rates, especially for air services, think about it!

Note: The price of international flights is not included in this estimate.

Please note that this tour is only a first draft and you can also customize it according to your wishes. We remain at your disposal to build your trip perfectly to your expectations and your budget

To obtain a detailed and personalized estimate, please contact us to request an estimate.