VIETNAM & CAMBODIA 17 DAYS

Day 1 – Arrival – Hanoi – Overnight in Ha Noi 

Our driver will meet you in Hanoi and transfer you to your hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi. After check in you will have free time to take a rest or start exploring the area around the hotel and take a walk around the famous HoanKiemLake.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 – Hanoi City Tour – Overnight in Ha Noi  (B/L)

0800h – Guide will meet you at your hotel & you will depart to visit

Ho Chi Minh Complex: Completed in 1975 the complex contains Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt house residence, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh museum.

Next stop is a visit to the Temple of Literature

1200h – A delicious set menu lunch will be provided for you in a local restaurant.

1300h – Your tour recommences with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology which is widely acknowledged as the best in Vietnam and has an extensive display dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 Ethnic minority peoples.

Then it is on to the NgocSonTemple and HoanKiemLake: The Ngoc Son temple is set on a tiny island on the HoanKiemLake and was erected in 18th century.

The Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, is a bustling area of narrow streets home to literally thousands of small businesses and street vendors, selling a wide variety of goods. Originally each of the 36 streets names’ were related to the products being sold there. Hence you can walk from Fish Street to Tin Street to Bamboo Street and you will enjoy exploring the area while riding in a traditional cyclo

1700h – Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3 – Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Overnight on Cruise (B/L/D)

0800 to 0830h – You will be picked from your hotel and start your scenic 3.5 hr drive through the Red River Delta and passing by many small villages on the way to Ha Long Bay.

You will stop for a short comfort break at the Humanity center situated approximately half way on to the bay. There you can purchase souvenirs from a vast selection items, enjoy a drink or simply stretch your legs

1230h – On arrival to Ha Long, your guide will complete all the required paperwork for you and show you to the shuttle boat for your short trip to the cruise boat.

1300h – After checking in and short cruise briefing, you will be served a delicious lunch in the dining room while you enjoy the passing scenery of the bay.

1530h – You will have the opportunity to Kayak around the Bo Nau Cave area which has a 5 – 7m wide arch shaped entry. The cave covers an area of approximately 200 sq metres and standing at the entry gives visitors a unique view of the bay as if from the mouth of a monstrous beast.

1630h – Time to return to your cruise boat and take a short trip to SoiSimIsland where you can go swimming in the calm waters, lay on the beach or climb to the top of the hills on the island to enjoy a panoramic view of Ha Long Bay.

1730h – Return to the main boat where you can refresh or watch the sunset before dinner.

1900h – A delicious dinner will be served in the dining room and after you have finished your meal, you can relaxing and share stories with other guests while you enjoy a drink from the bar. For the adventurous, you can try your hand at squid fishing from the rear of the boat.

Overnight on cruise boat.

Day 4 – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue – Overnight in Hue   (B/L)

0630h – If you put your name down the night before, you can join the early morning Tai Chi class on the sun deck or simply take advantage of the amazing photo opportunities presented by watching the sun rise.

0730h – Enjoy a nice breakfast in the dining room while you watch the scenery of the bay slide past the windows as you cruise toward towards Bo Hon Island

0830h – You will visit the truly amazing SungSotCave which is also known as SurpriseCave. The cave is reached by climbing approximately 100 stone steps and the journey up allows some excellent views of the bay below.

0930h – Return to your cruise boat and time to freshen up before checking out of your cabin.

While slowly cruising back toward the port, you will pass by Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet and many more of the wonderful formations found only on Ha Long Bay. You will also be given a short Vietnamese cooking demonstration before being served lunch on board.

1200h – 1230h – Arrive to the harbor and begin your journey back to Hanoi.

1700h – Arrive to Hanoi and transfer to Hanoi airport to board flight to Hue.

Arrive to Hue where our driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Hue

Day 5 – Hue City Tour – Overnight in Hue (B/L)

0800h – Your day of discovering the wonders of Hue will begin when your English speaking meets you at the Hotel.

As part of your Hue city tour you will visit the impressive complex of the Imperial Citadel. Built in the 19th Century and surrounded by high stone walls and moat, the Citadel was once the exclusive home of the Nguyen Imperial Family. It is similar to the famous Forbidden City in Beijing and is not to be missed.

1200h – A delicious set menu lunch will be served at a local restaurant and after lunch you will take a cruise on the famous PerfumeRiver and visit Tu Duc and Bao Dai tombs.

Tu Duc Tomb is one of the most beautifully designed tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. Embedded in a lush pine forest, the tomb is the final resting place of Emperor Tu Duc (1848-83) who had the longest reign of all emperors of the Nguyen dynasty.

Bao-Dai, the last Vietnamese Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, was born at Hue in 1913. The Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled the Vietnamese people during the 19th and first half of the 20th century (1802-1945). On August 25 1945, Bao-Dai abdicated when the communist Viet-Minh seized power. He then lived in exile in Hong Kong until he returned as Chief of State, with the support of the French in 1949.

1500h – Return to your hotel

Overnight in Hue

Day 6 – Hue – Hai Van Pass – Da Nang – Marble Mountains – Hoi An – Overnight in Hoi An (B/L)

0830h – Your guide will meet you at the hotel and travel with you in an air conditioned private vehicle from Hue to Hoi An driving over Hai Van pass. The scenery from the top of Hai Van pass is spectacular and offers some great photo opportunities.

The pass, which once formed the boundary between the kingdoms of Dai Viet and Champa, also forms a boundary between the climates of northern and southern Vietnam, sheltering the city of Da Nang from the winds that blow in from the northwest

You will arrive in Da Nang at approximately 1130h and after having lunch at a local restaurant you will visit the ChamSculptureMuseum. Next stop will be at the MarbleMountains and Non Nuoc village where you will ride the new twin glass elevators to the main area for a visit before continuing onto Hoi An.

1430h – After checking into your hotel and having a short rest, your guide will meet you and take you on a short introduction tour of some tailor and shoe shops in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 7 – Walking Hoi An Ancient Town – Overnight in Hoi An (B)

0900h – Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a two hour walking tour of Hoi An Old Town. Famous for it’s quant mixture of Chinese, Japanese and European architecture, the old town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. You will visit, the Japanese bridge built in the 16th century and famous for being the only covered bridge known to incorporate a Buddhist pagoda, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, museum of trade ceramics and several other historical sites.

You will then have free time to continue exploring the old town or continue shopping for those special items.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8 – Hoi An – Countryside – Bicycle River Cruise – Overnight  in Hoi An (B/L)

0830h – We will meet you at your hotel and depart on a Hoi An Backstreets & Village tour. The tour takes you by air conditioned vehicle down the quiet backstreets and through small villages where the locals live so you can see Vietnamese life up close.

Along the way we will take a break at a village café for a coffee, soft drink or a beer before getting on board a private boat at the nearby ferry terminal for a slow and enjoyable cruise on the ThuBonRiver. At the end of the cruise you will arrive at a local restaurant on the banks of the river for a delicious set menu seafood lunch.

1400h – Arrive back to your hotel and enjoy free time for walking in town or shopping.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 9 – Hoi An – Da Nang – Flight to Ho Chi Minh – Overnight in Hoi An (B)

After you have checked out of your hotel we will transport you to the airport flight to Ho Chi Minh.

Arrive to HCMC where you will be met and taken to your hotel in the exciting district one area of the city.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Day 10 – Cu Chi Tunnels – HCM City Tour  – Overnight  in Ho Chi Minh (B/L)

0800h – You will be picked from your hotel and travel out of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the famous Vietcong tunnels at Cu Chi. The incredible system of tunnels, covering nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the American war. You will gain an insight into the tenacity of the soldiers and have the opportunity to go inside the tunnels.

Lunch will be in HCMC and after you have enjoyed your meal you begin your guided HCMCity tour

You will visit many interesting and famous places including, Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883, and the stones used to create it were exported in its entirety from France. The Central Post Office, finished in 1891 is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam’s largest post office.

1630h – Return to your hotel and overnight at the Hotel.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11 – HCMC – Mekong – Vinh Long – Can Tho – Overnight in Ho Chi Minh (B/L)

0800h – After breakfast you will meet transport at your hotel and transfer to Cai Be by road. Upon arrival in Cai Be, you will board the boat and journey along the river through the town’s floating market. You will experience how daily life on the river goes on and observe trading between merchant ships and local farmers.

Then it is on to cruise through secluded canals and over the Mighty Mekong to a small island where there is a short stop to enjoy seasonal fruits before your boat takes you to Vinh Long.

At Vinh Long, you board the bus and transfer to a hotel in Can Tho.

Overnight in Can Tho

Day 12 – Can Tho – Travel to Chau Doc – Overnight in Chau Doc (B/L)

0600h – You will make an early start and enjoy a morning boat trip to Cai Rang floating markets which is one of the most lively and colorful markets in Southeast Asia. After experiencing the wonderful sight and sounds of the market, you will cruise back to town and enjoy breakfast in the hotel before leaving to visit the central market in Can Tho.

Then take a ride around town in a form of transport unique to the local area called a Xe Loi (Semi Loy) which is colonial-era cab pulled by motorbike.

Lunch is provided in a clean local restaurant before you depart on your trip to Chau Doc.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 13 – Chau Doc – Speed Boat to Phnom Penh (B/L)

0800h – After enjoying breakfast in the hotel, it will be time to board a speed boat for your journey to Phnom Penh. On reaching the Vinh Xuong border gate, passengers will be required to complete entry procedures before Continuing onto Cambodia. After cruising on Tone Le Sap River, the boat will arrive in Phnom PenhInternationalPort (Sisowath Street) at approximately 1230h.

The rest of the day is free time to enjoy exploring your new surroundings.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 14 – Killing Fields – Tuol Sleng Museum – Russian Markets – Overnight in Phom Penh(B/L)

0800h – Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will drive approx 15 km south to the killing fields of Chuong Ek. In the short period between 1975 & 1978 approximately 17.000 men, women and children were detained and tortured at the notorious S-21 prison and transported to the extermination camp of Chuong Ek. Prisoners were often bludgeoned to death to avoid the cost of bullets and fragments of human bone are scattered around the area. Over 8000 skulls arranged by sex and age, are visible behind the clear glass panels of the Memorial which was built in 1988.

After lunch in a local restaurant, you will return to Phnom Penh and visit the NotoriousTuolSlengMuseum. In 1975, TuolSvayPreyHigh School was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the infamous S-21 prison. S-21 became the largest detention centre and torture facility in the country where more than 17.000 people were held prior to being executed. Some detainees who died during torture were buried in mass graves in the prison grounds. Covering the walls of the museum from floor to ceiling are photographs of men, women and children and unfortunately, virtually all the people pictured were killed by the security forces.

Next is a vist to the Russian Market which is one of the premier shopping destinations in the Cambodian capital. Known as Psar Tuol Tom Pong, it earned its nickname in the 1980s, when Russians were the only tourists in Cambodia. You will find a wide range of goods on sale and is a great place to shop for your souvenirs

1700h – Return to your hotel.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 15 – Phnom Penh – Fly to Siem Reap – Overnight Siem Reap (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board your flight to Siem Reap.

On arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel for check in.

After check in you can relax or take a Tuk Tuk ride into the famous “Pub Street” and night markets.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 16 – Siem Reap & Angkor Wat – Overnight in Siem Reap (B/L)

0800h – Depart your hotel for a visit the monuments of Roluos, which are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmer. Preah Ko, erected by Indavaraman 1st in the late 9th century and dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakhong the largest and the most interesting of the Roluos group of Temples. Lolei, the four brick towers are replicas of the ones at Preah Kho, built on an islet in the center of large reservoir by Yasovarman 1st, the founder of the first city of Angkor.

Lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch, you will visit Angkor Thom, Bayon, Phimeanakas temples and the Terraces of the Elephants and Leper King.

In the early evening enjoy a walk to the top of Phnom Bakheng to view the sunset over Angkor Wat.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 17 – Siem Reap – Departure (B)

Enjoy some relaxing time before you transfer to the airport to board your flight.

Tour ends in Siem Reap

Thank you for choosing Laughing Roo Travel

 

Additional Information:

• All prices are per person in US $ based on double occupancy.
• Surcharges and / or compulsory gala dinners are applicable between December 23rd and January 2nd and also during the Lunar New Year period.
• Prices subject to change without notice.

Meals:

• Should you have any special dietary requirements (vegetarian vegan or food allergy) please advise us in advance.
• Meals provided are included in the itinerary.
• Breakfast will be served in your hotel and will include Vietnamese and Western dishes.
• Lunches are arranged at Vietnamese restaurants in scenic areas. Your tour guides are happy to assist with your selection.

Tour price includes:

• All private transfer and transportation
• Accommodation in twin share basis with daily breakfast Domestic flight
• French or English Speaking Guide
• All In-tour flights
• Boat trip in Halong Bay
• Meals as stated in the itinerary
• Sightseeing tickets
• Vietnam visa on arrival approved letter (complimentary)
• Services charges and government taxes

Tour price excludes:

• International flights
• Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Meals and beverage
• Visa stamp fee