The Best of Cambodia & Vietnam 14 days

06:00am, we’ll journey outside the city of Siem Reap to the popular local holiday spot of Phnom Kulen.  This impressive sandstone plateau rises up from the flat countryside that surrounds it. The air up here is much cooler than the lowlands, and as such it has become a great place for the local people to beat the heat. But far from just a vacation spot, the mountain is considered the birthplace of the Khmer empire and a sacred mountain in Cambodia. It was here that Jayavarman II declared himself a ‘god-king’ and gave birth to the Khmer Empire in AD 802.

Upon arriving at the foot of the mountain, we’ll begin our trek up a series of stairs that lead to the top. After about two hours of walking we’ll come to the top, where the famous River of 1,000 Lingas runs its gentle course before plunging over a high falls. Relax near the ruins of a collapsed temple and enjoy a well-earned rest. If the water is not flowing too quickly, feel free to take a dip in the pools and cool off.

Visit Cambodia’s largest reclining Buddha and the surrounding religious sites where the ancient is still strongly connected with the present.

Lunch will be served at the local restaurant.

Then we drive to Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. Khmers say the temple must have been carved by women for the details are too fine for the hands of a man. On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at hotel. We depart from hotel for a cycling tour to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. Photo stop at Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, datirom the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11^th century.

You will transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to Danang. On arrival welcome and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

In the afternoon, riding a bicycle to a local farm in Tra Que village. You will take a trip around the vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Continue doing some next steps such as: raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, picking greens and many more gardening activities. At the end of the tour.  Bid farewell to your host family before riding back to Hoi An.

Then, we continue take a walking tour of the old town Hoi An. Visit the Japanese covered bridge, Phuc Kien assemble hall, Phung Hung old house, Hoi An museum, and Hoi An market, and a family making lantern.

The rest of the time is free to walk in the old town, feel the atmosphere of its original culture, enjoy shopping for tailored clothing, lanterns, shoes, and food, or simply relax on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An

In the morning, take a train from Danang to Hue (7:50am train). On arrival, visit the Hue Royal Complex, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal dynasty of Vietnamese history, from 1802 to 1945. This site was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam in 1993. You will explore the ancient and atmospheric walled Citadel which contains the former Imperial Palace and the Forbidden Purple City.

Then cruise on the Perfume River to see the Old Thien Mu Pagoda. On the way back to town you will visit a local workshop where you can see how incense sticks and traditional conical hats are made. If time permit, we will explore Dong Ba market runs along the north bank of Huong (Perfume) River.

Overnight in Hue

Your day starts with a short visit to Thanh Toan Village where we can see the lively morning market. This is where the locals come to buy their daily food. Nearby is the 300-year-old Thanh Toan bridge and a Cultural Museum where you can visit and talk to the locals.

Then, you will visit the final resting place:  socalled the King tomb of Tu Duc and then transfer to the airport to take flight to Hanoi.

On arrival, check in and leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

We begin a full-day city tour by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, including the One Pillar Pagoda, the former leader’s house on stilts and his Mausoleum. Continue, transfer to West Lake to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda as known the oldest pagoda in the city, originally constructed in the sixth century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De, and then keep walking to Quan Thanh Temple, as one of the Four Sacred Temples of the capital.

Keep forward to the peaceful Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam.

Back to the city central, visit Ngoc Son temple, Train Street, then attend the performance of the unique water puppetry before finishing the day-off.

20:30: transfer to the train station to take the train to Sapa.

Overnight on the train.

On arrival to Sapa train station, welcome by our guide and enjoy breakfast at the local restaurant. Then transferred 18 km to Ban Lech village of the Red Zao. We will trek along a narrow valley downhill for 2 hour to the Ngoi Bo River, then uphill for 1 hour to Muong Bo Village at the center of Thanh Phu Commune where your lunch will be provided in a local house.

After lunchtime, you will trek gradually uphill to Nam Cum Village and then head to Sin Chai B village of Red Dao where the night will be spent in a local house in the village

Approx: 1-hour driving/ 6 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.

Today’s trek takes you through terraced rice paddies, bamboo forest and villages of the Red Zao and Tay such as Sin Chai A, Nam Than Nam Nhiu with many stops for visiting local homes, schoools as well as for taking photos. Your lunch will be prepared and served in a local house.

In the afternoon, you head to Ban Sai village of Tay minority, near the center of Nam Sai Commune. Here you will walk around to explore this village and home stay overnight here in a house on stilts. Dinner will be served with Vietnamese dishes.

Approx: 5 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch

On the last day of the trek, you will cross several suspension bridges and trek through lush rice paddy fields and stunning scenery. Once leaving Ban Sai, you will cross the river after paying visit to My Son – a village of the Xa Pho group and then follow a narrow trail uphill to Nam Keng and continue to Nam Toong, where you have lunch in a local school.

In the afternoon, your trek will be firstly downhill to Ban Ho village where you will have time for a swim in the river. The car will meet you there and return you to Sapa.

Overnight in Sapa.

Approx: 1-hour driving/ 5 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch

We check out the hotel then take a Limousine bus to Hanoi (5 hours driving).

On arrival to Hanoi, check in at the hotel and after some refreshemtns, start our street food tour in Ta Hien – Luong Ngoc Quyen – Hang Giay – Dao Duy Tu streets, where shows many kinds of local and traditional dishes. Here, you will have a chance to try Bun Cha (a type of noodle soup with pork BBQ).  All the preparation and content are explained by the guide. The guide also tells the daily life of the common Vietnamese, experiencing something that the Vietnamese used a lot in cooking, dried foods, spices, and fresh herbs. You also have a chance to taste Hanoi’s specialties Banh Cuon – the dish that is made from a thin, wide sheet of steamed rice. This is one of the most famous dishes in Ha Noi and has been along with Hanoian for years. The tour ends with a cup of Egg Coffee at Nguyen Huu Huan Street.

Overnight in Hanoi.

09:00: We transfer to Van Long where you will meet a typical 3-generation rural family. Be welcomed to their home with a cup of tea and learn about their idyllic local lifestyles through intimate conversation.

Take a 15km bike ride (optional) pr walk through the village. A journey along the dike will offer you gorgeous landscapes of rice fields, a river and limestone mountains. There are a several stops for you to take beautiful photos or encounter the locals then walk to discover Thung La Temple, dating back to the 11th century. Meet Mr. Tuong the temple guardian and enjoy an authentic conversation as well as a 20-minute drum show.

Later, take a sampan boat trip along the stream and among the limestone mountains to discover the beauty of Van Long Nature Reserve. If lucky, you might get to see white monkeys and egrets on the cliffs. After the boat trip, visit an embroidery village and take a apart in an embroidery course under the instruction of local craftswoman, Mrs Lam. She will proudly explain the technique of her traditional craft. This will be a good opportunity for you to practice on fabric like a real craftsman.

Additionally, one thing that makes this tour the most exciting is the boat trip through winding stream to visit Trang An. Forested limestone mounts contrasting in emerald water, caves, lowland and rivers create a mysterious fairytale-like scene. We then visit a network of 11 caves with beautiful stalactites of all shapes and colors. Trang An was recognized by UNESCO as The world Heritage Site in 2014. Trang An has a wonderful tunnel cave system so Kong’s Movie Group chose this place for New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island “.  Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Take a shuttle bus to Halong Bay (3,5 hours driving), listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea,” as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long Bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes.

Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay we embark on a boat cruise to discover this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.

The boat cruise will also include the experience of an overnight stay and fresh seafood meals.

Visit one of the most stunning caves at Ha Long Bay and stop at a beautiful beach to take a refreshing swim or sunbathe on the sundeck; take a short trek to the nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay.

Back onboard the junk, you will watch the sunset and be served a sumptuous dinner, with cocktails available for purchase from the bar. You will spend the night onboard the junk, in a cabin with an ensuite bathroom.

This is a truly memorable experience!  Without a doubt, Ha Long Bay is a destination in Vietnam which should not be missed.

Notes: The program may differ slightly based on the junk cruise’s itinerary

Early morning coffee and tea will be served on the sundeck followed by a Tai Chi class. After breakfast we take a Sampan boat or kayak to explore Luon Cave. We may have a chance to see the wild monkeys that gather around waiting for food from the tourists. After that we continue to cruise around the bay. Lunch is served on the boat on our way back to the docks then we transfer to Noi Bai airport for your departure flight.