Travel Vietnam Cambodia 17 days

Day 01: Phnom Penh - Arrival

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel.

Phnom Penh, the vibrant capital of Cambodia is situated at the confluence of three rivers, the mighty Mekong, the Bassac and the great Tonle Sap. Phnom Penh still maintains considerable charm and tranquility with French colonial mansions and tree-lined boulevards amidst monumental Angkorian architecture.

Free time for your first glimpse of the town on your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 02: Phnom Penh - City discovery (B)

Start your day with the visit to the Royal Palace that includes the official residence of the royal family with parts of the massive palace compound, partially opened to the public. Wind your way to the nearby Silver Pagoda that boats many national treasures including many golden and jeweled Buddha statues. Its original name is Wat Prakeo means Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

In the afternoon, explore two of Phnom Penh’s most famous temples: Wat Ounalom Temple and Wat Phnom Temple. Founded in 1443s and inclusive of 44 structures, Wat Ounalom Temple is locally known as the headquarters of Cambodian Buddhism. The temple suffered serious damage during the Pol Pot era, but today it has come back to life. 

Continue to the hillside temple of Wat Phnom that lent the Cambodian capital its name. The temple was originally built to preserve four statues of the Buddha that had been discovered in the heart of the Mekong River 

If time permitted, 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. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 03: Phnom Penh - Kampong Kleang floating village – Siem Reap (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and drive toward Siem Reap. The journey will take around 5-6 hours with several stops on the way to strengthen your leg or pay some visit along the way.

En-route, we will stop to visit the  the way, we will visit Kampong Kleang floating village - one of the largest floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake.

It is home to over 20,000 people, many of whom have been living here for generations. You will get to know how the floating villagers earn their living by fishing the Tonle Sap. You will have chance to chat with the local villagers to learn more about how this floating community lives, works, and trades. 

Arrive at a hotel in Siem Reap in the afternoon and enjoy your free time after check into your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Optional tour : Khmer Food tasting by tuk tuk

This evening, be picked up at the hotel at 18:00 for a Cambodian Street Food Discovery. Transfer by local tuk-tuk to the local night market to enjoy the tantalizing sights smells and flavors of local specialties. Stroll through the alleys and side streets around Psar Chas area (Old Market) area to savor real Cambodian snacks, carefully selected for cleanliness and standards as the local people do, including pancakes, fruit shakes grasshoppers, spiders, cockroaches, or crickets. Followed by a local beer if you so wish to wash all the tasty morsels down. Then, head to a local restaurant to sample some traditional Cambodia dishes that are created based on your allergy restriction. This stop will mark the end of the tour. Be driven safely back to the hotel.

Day 04: Siem Reap – Full day Angkor Temple (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.

Day 05: Siem Reap – Full day Angkor Temple  (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 stumble 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.

Day 06: Siem Reap – Fly to Ho Chi Minh city - City discovery (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the last moment in Siem Reap. Then return to the hotel to check out and transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh city. On arrival, you are welcome and transferred to hotel. 

The afternoon city tour will acquaint us with 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 Sai Gon 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.

Finish of the day will be a visit to the retail Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 07: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta (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 08: Ho Chi Minh City – Fly to Danang - Hoi An (B)

The next destination of our trip today is Hue via a short flight from Ho Chi Minh city.  On arrival, our guide and driver will take you to the hotel. Free time as your own exploration of town.

We then enjoy the afternoon walking tour to explore the tiny town of Hoi An with stops at a 400 year – old Japanese Bridge. This structure was first constructed in 1590s by the Japanese traders to link them with the Chinese quarters. We head towards the typical Phung Hung House, a gem with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements.

And continue visiting the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This colorful building is one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An and dedicated to Thien Hau, the goddess of sea who protects sailors from danger. Overnight in Hoi An

Day 09: Hoi An free time (B)

After breakfast, you will be free to explore the town on your own.

Optional tour: Hoi An cooking class

Today, you will have interesting hands-on cooking experience combined with a boat ride on Thu Bon River. Be Vietnamese for half a day by going to the market, wandering through the fresh food section, purchasing the meal’s ingredients, tasting some samples of street foods and tropical fruits, and preparing some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s best-known dishes. Meals are served with all the dishes prepared during the class. Share fun moments together.

Day 10: Hoi An – Hue - City discovery (B)

Today, we set off on our drive along one of Vietnam's most scenic highways and yet with several stops en-route such as Hai Van Pass, gives you a great view towards Lang Co Beach; one of the most beautiful peninsulas in Vietnam.

The day tour today will bring you to the massive Hue Citadel where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, and the Forbidden Purple City.

Continue driving to the tomb of Tu Duc, the ‘poet Emperor’, set in an elegant garden with a magnificent lake and pavilion complex.

Afterward, we will pay a visit to the Dong Ba Market, which sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. We pass by many fantastic eating spots, all of which are ideal places for visitors to sample some local delicacies.

Return to the hotel for a rest and overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco Village – Boat trip on Huong river (B)

Located near the center of Hue imperial city, Thuy Bieu Village is known for its serenity, immense grapefruit orchards and centuries-old houses. Cycle around the peaceful village amidst fresh air and beautiful tree-lined, shaded village lanes, and see ancient Hue garden houses, a special feature of Hue, with traditional red roofs set in natural gardens. 

Stop at some traditional handicraft producers to learn about silk painting, incense stick or sesame candy making. Chat with friendly locals and capture nice photos. Visit a local family, learn more about their culture, customs and daily life, as well as join your host in cooking Hue dishes. Enjoy a local home meal.

Return to town and enjoy a boat excursion on the Perfume River. Along the way, we visit the riverside Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most famous landmarks of Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Day 12: Hue – Fly to Hanoi (B)

Morning free till being transferred to the airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you are welcomed by our local tour guide and driven to the hotel.  Free time for your first glimpse of the town. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13: Hanoi - City discovery (B)

Today, we start our exploration of Hanoi, 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 “Hanoi 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.

Then, sip a cup of coffee at the trendy railway coffee, where you has an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a massive train passing through tiny residences of local people.

Passing by Hanoi's Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’ before enjoying the 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 14: Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc – Ninh Binh (B/ L)

 Leaving Hanoi behind, we head out for 2.5-hours drive through rural northern Vietnam to Ninh Binh Province, famous for amazing karst mountains, misty caves and historical relics. The beautiful rice fields and the area have earned the nickname of ‘Ha Long Bay on land’.

Upon arrival, visit Hoa Lu ancient capital, the heart of the first three centralized feudal states of Vietnam: the Dinh, Le, and Ly dynasties.

Then boarding the sampan for a 1.5-hour boat trip cruising over a small canal among the paddy fields for 1km, visiting Tam Coc - meaning three caves, was created by the river of Ngo Dong flowing through a mountain. A boat will take through these caves amid towering mountain views, via beautiful waterways lined with rice paddies.

After the boat landed, drive to the hotel for checking in. Free time on your own exploration of the town. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Day 15: Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay – Cruise (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart 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 an overnight stay.

Lunch and dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board. Overnight stay on board.

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

Day 16: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (Brunch) 

The boat cruises around Ha Long Bay, passing 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 Hanoi city. 

Day 17: Hanoi  -  Departure (B)

After breakfast, you are free for your own exploration of town. Trip ends after being transferred to airport for departure flight

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.