Southern Vietnam and Cambodia tour 9 days

Destination: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival (D, G pick up)

Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be driven to your hotel. Rest of the day, you’ll be free to stroll around the city until our guide and drive pick you up for a “Welcome Dinner” at one of a good restaurant. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City tour (B, L, G)

A full day tour of the city begins with a visit to the History Museum, which has an excellent collection on the evolution and development of Vietnam?s history and culture, from the Bronze Age Dong Son civilization (13th century BC) till the last feudal dynasty ending in the mid-20th century. The following visit to the Museum of War Remnants will provide you a very partial, but riveting, perspective of the American War.

After lunch, you’ll visit the splendid old colonial buildings such as Centre Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Furthermore, the next visit to Jade Emperor Pagoda, one of the best Taoist temples in Vietnam, will surely captivate you with its oriental architecture and artistic values. Tour ends after 2-hour shopping at the lively Ben Thanh market, which is so closely tied to the city’s life that the clock tower at its main gate has long been considered a symbol of the city. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City/Tay Ninh/Cu Chi (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will be picked up to Tay Ninh to visit Cao Dai Holy See, the fulcrum of Cao Daism religion, which took root in southern Việt Nam during the 1920s. You are also welcome to attend the midday ceremony here.

Lunch at a good local restaurant. You will then be driven to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible cobweb-like tunnel complex with underground dug-outs of over 200-kilometer length, which was  a shelter for the Viet Cong guerillas and their sympathizers during the American war. From this underground village, the revolutionary forces staged the 1968 general offensive and the Ho Chi Minh campaign in April 1975 to liberate South Vietnam. You’ll then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for overnight stay.

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City/Vinh Long/Can Tho (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you will be transfered to Vinh Long, a peaceful province on Co Chien river, which branches out from the Mekong. Upon arrival, you’ll take a boat trip to enjoy “a beautiful river painting” of Cai Be floating market which was formed in the Nguyen Dynasty in the 19th century and bearing all the characteristics of the locals’ life in the western region. Proceed to visit some fruit orchards and local cottage industries. Lunch will await you at a local house. You will also have a chance to listen to the traditional folk music “Don Ca Tai Tu” which is is operated by the local people. You’ll then stroll on the village paths to visit the local markets and enjoy some kind of famous tropical fruit such as banana, pomelo, dragon fruit and so on. Return to Vinh Long by boat and then continue driving to Can Tho. Overnight stay in Can Tho.

Day 5: Can Tho/Chau Doc (B, L, G)

You’ll have breakfast at your hotel and then be picked up to Ninh Kieu Harbour. You’ll then take about two hour boat trip to cruise along the Mekong River to Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets. You can enjoy the Mekong rural lifestyle.

After that, you’ll leave for Chau Doc by high-speed boat. On arrival, you’ll do the check-in at your hotel. In the evening, you’ll have free time to explore the town on the border between Vietnam and Cambodia.

You’ll spend the night in Chau Doc.

Day 6: Chau Doc/Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be transferred to take a high-speed boat again to Phnom Penh.On arrival in Phnom Penh, you’ll be picked up to visit some of the most beautiful and famous sightseeing including Silver Pagoda, National Museum, Royal Palace and Ounalom Monastry and join sunset cruise on Mekong Rivers. You’ll spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Day 7: Siem Reap (B, L, D, G)

In the morning, you’ll be driven to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival at Siem Reap airport, you’ll be picked up by our driver to your hotel. You’ll then start your tour by visiting the Temple complex, of which Ankor Wat is a key element. Firstly, you’ll have a visit to Ankor Thom, starting with the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure). Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper King Terraces followed by the Baphoun Temple, which is now nearing the end of an eight-year multi-million dollar restoration programme. Afternoon visits to some of the outer sites including Takeo, a five-tiered pyramid, Sras Srang Lake and landing terrace and Prasat Kravan (also known as the Cardomom Sanctuary). Overnight in Siem Riep.

Day 8: Siem Reap (B, L, D, G)

After breakfast, you’ll have a full day to explore the grand circuit with visits to Pre Rup and East Mebon,  both built in the tenth century, Ta Som, an un-restored temple, and Neak Pean, a Himalayan-style lake and sanctuary. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Angkor Wat itself which is the most famous and largest temple ground in the entire Angkor plain,  and for most people, the most impressive temple in the complex after which you can watch the sunset from the top of Phnom Bakheng Hill. You’ll spend the night in Siem Riep.

Day 9: Siem Reap departure (B, G)

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Siem Reap River and Wat Athovea where you’ll embark for a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. The amazing lake and river system of the Tonle Sap is quite unique. This vast lake is regarded as the largest lakes in Southeast Asia, fills with the waters of the Mekong each year, bringing vast numbers of fish and irrigation during the dry season. You’ll then on the way to visit a floating fishing village. You’ll return to your hotel for checkout and lunch, and have free time in the afternoon until your car returns to pick you up for your departure flight.