Vietnam Cambodia Tour 11 days: Essential Indochina Exploration

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide and driver. Transferred to hotel for check in and free time on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

(Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability).
 

Today, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh
 
Our first stop is to visit the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh. Located in the center of Ba Dinh Square, this is the most important monument of Vietnam in which Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved. This site only opens on Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 08:00 – 11:00.
 
The next destination is the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. The Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house was completed on May 19th, 1958 as a birthday present for uncle Ho and becomes a symbol of his simple life.
 
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda. The pagoda looks like a lotus blossoming from the square pond. It was constructed in 1049 by King Ly Thai Tong based on his dream of Goddess of Mercy seating on a lotus flower and giving him a boy. In 1954, it was destroyed by the French and then restored in 1955.

We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.

In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closes on every Monday.
 

18.00- 18:30 Pick-up from the hotel and transfer to our meeting point by local transportation.

 You will have an opportunity to enjoy green papaya salad, Bun Cha, Pho (Beef or chicken noodle), Banh Cuon, Banh Mi, Hanoi draught beer.

During the tour, you will not only have an opportunity to enjoy delicious local foods but will also be guided about the ingredients and process of making this local tasty dish, as well as introduced to some destinations of culture, history, and temples such as the local market, Heritage house, and the old city gate of Hanoi Old Quarter.

20:00 Our Barista will introduce the info about the class. Such as history of Vietnamese Coffee, Egg Coffee, Phin Coffee…

Following the process for the famous cup of Egg Coffee

1. Making coffee based by Phin (filter).

We also introduce the history of Phin (Filter).

The Way we brew coffee by Phin.

What kind of coffee would be perfect for Phin?

Brewing ratio…Then We will demonstrate one Phin step by step.

2. Making Egg Cream.

We also introduce history of Egg Coffee Our unique Recipe.

Demonstrate how to make an Egg Cream step by step.

3. Egg Coffee Art Ideas.

After pouring Egg Cream into the cup of Coffee. You will spend some time decorating yourself an amazing cup of egg coffee. Enjoy your coffee at the end!

21:00 Return to the meeting place and say goodbye.

TOUR INCLUDED

• English-speaking guide.
• A bottle of Mineral water.
• The best of Hanoi local food.
• Pick-up in the old quarter (local transportation).
• Coffee, fresh beer.

TOUR EXCLUDED

• Pick up outside of the old quarter.
• Tax (VAT).
• All services and items are not mentioned specifically in the list above.
• Tips.

Morning after breakfast we start a 3-hour drive to Ninh Binh
 
Situated in the south of the Northern Delta region, Ninh Binh is well known as the first imperial capital of Vietnam under Dinh, Le & Ly Dynasties. Come here, you will admire a gorgeous countryside with water buffalos, majestic limestone and grottos.  
 
The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century. The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc.
 
Nestled in a scenic landscape of limestone karsts and paddy fields, Tam Coc is known as “Ha Long Bay on Land”. The whole area is surrounded by limestone grottoes which are believed to be submerged by water some 200 million years ago.
 
Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued in the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temple.
 
The former capital of Vietnam in the 10th century covers an area of 300 ha. Today, the ancient citadel no longer exists, and few vestiges still remain. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang and King Le Dai Hanh.
Overnight in Ninh Binh
 

Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City.
Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner served on board.
Overnight on Ha Long Bay Cruise.

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.
Hue was the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Not only is it famous for the splendid architecture of citadels, palaces, royal tombs and pagodas but the ancient traditions of Hue also create a unique romantic city.
Upon arrival Hue, pick up & transfer to hotel in Hue. Overnight in Hue

Morning after breakfast you will transfer to Hue. Upon arrival get to the boat pier in Perfume River, we then take a boat trip on the picturesque Thien Mu pagoda, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda.
Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers. 
Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc. 
Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.
Finally we continue to visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City
Built in the 19th century by Nguyen dynasty, the Citadel becomes the most important historical and cultural monument in Vietnam. It is a square 2 km wall encompassing 3 walled enclosures: the Citadel, the Yellow Imperial city, and the Forbidden Purple city.

In the late afternoon we transfer to Hoi An for overnight.

The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.

Today we will have our glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places.

We then transfer to the airport for a flight to Da Nang. Overnight in Da Nang.

Free & easy at beach in Da Nang. Please advise if you would like to add some optional tours in Da Nang (Excluded)
 
In the late afternoon we will pick up and transfer you to your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, meet and transfer with guide to hotel for check in (Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability).

Beat the crowd early morning by 7 am; visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins.  The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Lunch is on own account.

Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another one, until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place  area.

Morning transfer out of the Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, you will start to walk through the village houses, witnessing very nice and different activities from the locals for their daily life. Just as some examples: how the locals wash vehicles, selling gasoline in whiskey bottles or the small shops where the locals sell food on the side of small streets.
Enjoy a view of this wonderful area and interact with very kindly people in the village. Leisurely walk through the rice paddies and see how this family doing daily work such as making rice wine, handicraft works meanwhile a member of the family will offer you a fresh coconut and some homemade rice wine to taste.
Hop in your van for driving onward to the next destination, a floating community, arrive at the quay for embarking on a motorized boat to visit floating houses village offering an incredible natural phenomenon of making their lives from the lake in a respectful and meaningful way. This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodia and the world’s most amazing natural wonders. Drive back to Siem Reap. (Note***floating community is recommended from September to February)
At your choice, Kayaking is available on request on Tonle Sap Lake at additional cost.

After breakfast at hotel, meet the driver and transfer to the airport (without guide) for your next destination. End of the great journey of Vietnam Cambodia Tour 11 days!