Vietnam and Cambodia Culture is a discovery holiday through the traditional culture of Vietnam and Cambodia in 20 days, 19 nights.
Adventure Vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia Overview
The tour involves soft adventure activities such as short trekking, walking, river cruising and luxury junk sea cruising. On the tour, we use car/bus, luxury junk, sampan, soft-sleepers on the local air-conditioned trains, speedboat and airplanes.
On the tour, we will travel to the ancient capital cities of Vietnam in the 10th, 11th and 19th centuries; we explore 4 world heritage sites of Vietnam and Cambodia including Ha Long Bay, Hue Imperial City, Hoi An Ancient Town and the Angkor Temples; we tour the idyllic countryside of northern Vietnam in Ninh Binh, the wild mountains of North West of Vietnam and have an in-depth discovery tour of the exotic life on the Mekong River down the South of Vietnam. It is via the Mekong River where different cultures are connected, we travel our way from Vietnam into the Kingdom of Cambodia...
For accommodation, we have carefully chosen the hotels of boutique luxury standard with convenient location for your touring. Most meals are not included for you the freedom to explore the culinary delights.
“Vietnam and Cambodia Culture is to embark on a journey flowing along with the culture of Vietnam and Cambodia”
Day1 Arrive in Ha Noi
Day2 Ha Noi – Hoa Lu – Thung Nang – Ha Noi (B/L)
Day3 Ha Noi City Tour/ Night train for Lao Cai (B/L)
Day4 Arrive in Lao Cai/Transfer to Sa Pa (B)
Day5 Sa Pa (B)
Day6 Sa Pa - Lao Cai/ Night train for Ha Noi (B)
Day7 Arrive in Ha Noi/Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Day8 Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi – Da Nang – Hoi An (B/L)
Day9 Hoi An Morning Tour/Free Afternoon (B)
Day10 Hoi An Free at leisure/Hoi An – Hue (B)
Day11 Hue Tour (B)
Day12 Hue – Sai Gon/Walking Tour of Sai Gon (B)
Day13 Sai Gon – Cu Chi – Sai Gon/Afternoon free at leisure (B)
Day14 Sai Gon - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B/L)
Day15 Can Tho – Chau Doc (B)
Day16 Chau Doc - Phnom Penh (by speedboat: 0700-1200) (B)
Day17 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (FT 992: 0955-1040) (B)
Day18 Siem Reap (B)
Day19 Siem Reap (B)
Day20 Depart Siem Reap (B)
{Inclusions
English speaking guide as per tour itinerary;
Land transfers as per tour itinerary;
Boat cruises as per itinerary;
Speedboat tickets for Chau Doc – Phnom Penh;
Economy air tickets for Ha Noi – Da Nang/ Hue – Sai Gon/Phnom Penh – Siem Reap with airport departure tax for the flights within and from Vietnam only;
Twin/Double-shared accommodation as per tour itinerary;
Meals as per itinerary: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch and D=Dinner
All admission fees during the guided times as per tour itinerary
}
{Exclusions
Insurance of any types;
All other international air tickets than those mentioned as included;
Visa arrangements;
Drinks and personal expenses;
Others not clearly mentioned as included above
}
Detailed itinerary
Day1 Arrive in Ha Noi (no meal)
Paradissa Travel tour guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
The Turtle Tower on the Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi
Day2 Ha Noi – Hoa Lu – Thung Nang – Ha Noi (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today is for the idyllic countryside of northern Vietnam. We travel through the heart of the Red River Delta to Hoa Lu which was the capital city of Vietnam in the 10th Century. Hoa Lu is a vast area on the Red River bank. The area is just stunning with karst formations sticking out of the green rice paddies. In harvest time (May, June, September, October), the rice turns into golden colors against the backdrop of the green mountains which makes it just breathtaking.
After thousands of years of turbulence, Vietnam was reunified under one royal family, the Dinh Family. King Dinh Bo Linh had been from a poor peasant family in Hoa Lu. He grew up showing his military talents which helped him defeat the other war lords reunifying the kingdom. The King chose Hoa Lu as it was his home village where he got support from the people and because the strategic karst mountain settings. It’s said that Hoa Lu of the time was a prosperous capital city with golden palaces and magnificent citadel. But the whole structures were destroyed by foreign invaders in the 13th century.
Leaving Hoa Lu of the 10th century we travel through the towering limestone mountains and paddy fields to Thung Nang Valley. We board the little sampan oared by local farmers and make our way through the unreal scenery of karst mountains. The cruise is for about 2 hours, then we’ll travel back to Hanoi for the night.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day3 Ha Noi City Tour/ Night train for Lao Cai (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We’ll have full day touring this 1000 year old capital city of Vietnam. The tour includes visits to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One pillar pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature - First national university of Vietnam, the Museum of Ethnology, then have a cyclo trip weaving through the mazes of the Old Quarter, sample the water puppet show of Vietnam. Take the night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on board the train. (Local train, air-con soft sleeper)
Note: Late check-out is included upon request and availability with additional cost.
Day4 Arrive in Lao Cai/Transfer to Sa Pa (B) 
The journey by train stops at Lao Cai train station early in the morning. Lao Cai border town is where you can gaze across the Red River to China which is just on the other side. From Lao Cai the road winds up the terraced hillsides to Sapa, which offers the stunning mountain views of the North West of Vietnam. We arrive in Sapa and enjoy the rest of the morning free at leisure. Alternatively we can have a walking tour of Sapa colorful market.
In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy the walking tour to the breathtaking valley of Sapa to visit Cat Cat village (of the Black H’Mong people) and Cat Cat waterfall. We’ll enjoy a soft adventure tour trekking our way on the terraces in the Muong Hoa Valley.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day5 Sa Pa (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning tour is first by jeep to Lao Chai village (Black H'Mong). From Lao Chai, we have a short trekking trip amid the green or golden terraces to Ta Van village (the Black H'Mong and the Giay people). We rejoin our jeep at Ta Van and travel back to town for a break.
In the afternoon, we continue with our tour to Ta Phin village visiting the Red Zao people. In Ta Phin we’ll enjoy the stunning nature settings and learn how the Zao live their life. After the tour, we’ll travel back to town and you enjoy free time at leisure.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day6 Sa Pa - Lao Cai/ Night train for Ha Noi (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We enjoy our morning tour to the wild orchid of Ham Rong Mountain. The mountain is just close to Sapa Town. Climbing the mountain is not a real adventure, but it requires a bit of effort. Once here we’ll be rewarded with the beautiful orchid flowers, the panoramic view of Sapa surroundings and the traditional ethnic minority music performed by the local boys and girls.
In the afternoon, we check out of the hotel and journey to the Gate Way to Heaven and the Silver Waterfall. On Tram Ton Pass, we’ll feel small by the 360 degrees view of the fresh surrounding nature: the ranges of high mountains above, the green valleys with terraces below, dotted in the nature are hill tribe villages and the hill tribe colorful costumes. On a clear day with the sun shining across, we are quite sure that it’s no different from heaven. We cherish the nature beauty for a moment and tour back to Lao Cai Train Station. From Lao Cai, we’ll board the night train bound for Ha Noi. Overnight on board the train.
(Local train, air-con soft sleeper)
Day7 Arrive in Ha Noi/Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Arriving in Hanoi early in the morning, we’ll take our car and travel to Ha Long Bay. The drive goes through the Red River Delta, so you will have plenty of chances to take photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. At half way, we will have a break and a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes, embroidered paintings, stone statuettes and all kinds of gems mined in Vietnam such as star rubies or sapphires...
Our destination is the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The bay offers some 3000 mountain islands and islets towering in the Gulf of Tonkin in the East Vietnam Sea. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk cruises further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay, you will have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we will stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night.
Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.
Notes: Please know that on this tour, the clients are to have private car or van, but are to share the junk with other tourists and travelers. Private junk may be available upon request with additional cost.
Day8 Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi – Da Nang – Hoi An (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will take a little sampan to explore a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that we cruise further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island... to the studio site where the famous Indochine Film was shot. After the last feast, our junk travels back to the harbor for disembarkation at 12.00 A.M. We travel back to Hanoi Airport and take the afternoon flight to Da Nang.
Arriving at Da Nang Airport, welcomed by our local tour guide and driver and transferred to Hoi An Old Town.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day9 Hoi An Morning Tour/Free Afternoon (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, we’ll have an oriented walking tour of Hoi An ancient town which was busy with trade back a few centuries ago. Walking in the narrow streets flanked by old merchant houses we can recall the hustling and bustling time when the town was filled up with merchants and goods from around the world. We’ll visit some old merchant houses, a Chinese Congregational Hall, Hoi An Museum, and the famous Japanese covered-bridge.
You have the afternoon free at leisure for relaxing on the beach or for checking the fine silk of the region.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day10 Hoi An Free at leisure/Hoi An – Hue (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning is at leisure.
Our journey brings us through the scenic countryside of the Central Region of Vietnam to Hue. We’ll have a stop on the Hai Van Pass which offers 360 degrees of breathtaking mountain and sea view. Descending the mountains, we will make our way to Lang Co Beach with fine white sand against the green mountain backdrop to adore the spectacular scenery. Then we will continue our journey to Hue, the Imperial City, once the capital of Vietnam. Arriving at Hue, we will check into our hotel and enjoy free time for the remainder of the day.
Overnight in Hue.
Hue was the capital city of Vietnam from 1802 - 1945. Hue is a charming imperial city with combination of the new and the old. The city is characterized with the encircling green mountains, the meandering rivers, the architecture nestled in trees….Everything of Hue seems to be just in the right place and in perfect harmony with the others.
The Perfume River bisects the city into the northern and southern parts. To the north is the ancient citadel surrounded by moats which were home to the royal court of Vietnam in the 19th century. Hue Imperial Citadel was also the witness to some turning points and critical moments in the history of Vietnam: Hue Citadel was where the Nguyen Royal Family surrendered to the French Colonialists starting the period that Vietnam was under foreign colonialism; Hue Citadel was where the last king of Vietnam abdicated; Hue Citadel was the site of some most fierce battles during the Tet Offensive which was watched live by the whole World...Visiting the ancient citadel you can visit the Palace where the king lived, the quarter for the royal family and concubines, the royal library….Lots of scars of the recent history of Vietnam are still found vivid here though.
To the south is where hotels and fine dining restaurants are found. This part of the city still preserves some nice colonial atmosphere with crumbled colonial architecture & tree-lined boulevards. Push-richaw men are always busy plying the streets with loads of cargo. School girls in graceful white Ao Dais with beaming smiles are encountered every corner. Here and there, the smell of coffee from some garden cafes permeates the air...
Hidden to the western side of the city, the kings built themselves the permanent resting place. According to Feng Shui, the west is the direction of sunset and of permanent rest. That was why the kings built different royal tombs in the western part of Hue City. The royal tomb sites were carefully researched and chosen, the design of each tomb was meticulously worked to follow the rules of Feng Shui and the decorations were made to every fine detail. The Royal Tombs of Hue are no doubt the fine works of arts and should not be missed when traveling in the city.
Day11 Hue Tour (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we will have full day exploring the Imperial City of Hue. In the morning, we will travel back in time to the citadel which once was home to the Nguyen Royal Family of Vietnam and from which the country was governed by successive kings for over a century. Then we will get back to the hotel for a mid day break.
In the afternoon, we will head out for a cruise on the scenic Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda, then we’ll explore by bus the royal tombs of King Tu Duc, King Khai Dinh and King Minh Mang. We’ll also visit the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda and the Royal Arena.
Overnight in Hue.
Day12 Hue – Sai Gon/Walking Tour of Sai Gon (B) 
Breakfast at the hotel.
You enjoy free time at leisure until we transfer you to Hue Phu Bai Airport for your flight to Sai Gon. Arriving at Saigon Airport, you’ll be picked up and escorted to the city. Before getting to the hotel, we’ll have an oriented walking tour of Sai Gon down town area. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.
Day13 Sai Gon – Cu Chi – Sai Gon/Afternoon free at leisure (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, we drive 70 km to Cu Chi once famous for the legendary tunnel system which at the height stretched over 250 km. In Cu Chi, you will have to check these tunnels of 3 levels yourself by creeping in the narrow tunnels. We’ll be surprised to find out how people made these tunnels and find out how life of the local people was during the Second Indochina War.
Travel back to Sai Gon and enjoy free time for the rest of the day.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day14 Sai Gon - Cai Be - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B/L)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Today we’ll discover the exotic lifestyle of the communities who live on the mighty Mekong River. We travel through the heart of the verdant Mekong Delta to Cai Be for our boat trip to Vinh Long.
In Cai Be we will witness an exotic floating market with boats carrying loads of commodities. We can engage in the bargaining sessions with the local merchants for the fresh fruits of the region. Then we’ll move on to visit exotic occupations still carried out by the locals such as making dried young rice, making rice papers, making coconut candy. After that our tour brings us to an old house with traditional Vietnamese architecture and we’ll learn about agricultural works through the ancient tools used here in the past.
Lunch is served right in a bonsai garden amid trees and tranquility. After lunch, we’ll relax with some walking tours or cycling tours through the village to learn more about the local life. We’ll also sample a bonsai garden and visit a ceramics workshop before rejoining our car to travel further to Can Tho. We check into our hotel and enjoy free time at leisure.
Overnight in Can Tho.
Day15 Can Tho – Chau Doc (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
In early morning, we will take one hour boat trip to the Cai Rang floating market with hustling and bustling activities, on the way back visit a local orchard to taste some seasonal fruits. After the boat trip, we will get back to the hotel and have some time relaxing before checking out. Then we will travel deep in the Mekong Delta towards the Cambodian border. We will visit Long Xuyen crocodile farm, and then continue the journey to Chau Doc.
Arriving at Chau Doc, take a short tour by boat to visit Vinh Te Canal, visit a Cham village and a fish farm. Drive further into the countryside to enjoy a view of sunset over Cambodia and Vietnam from the Sam Mountain.
Overnight in Chau Doc.
Day16 Chau Doc - Phnom Penh (by speedboat: 0700-1200) (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
We the 5-hour trip by speedboat on the Mekong River heading into Cambodia. Arriving at Phnom Penh in early afternoon, we will be welcomed by our Cambodian tour guide and driver and escorted to the city. Enjoy a tour of Phnom Penh taking in the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palce, the National Museum. Before heading to the hotel, we will have a stroll on the breezy riverside.
Free time at leisure.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day17 Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (FT 992: 0955-1040) (B) 
Breakfast at the hotel.
In the morning, we’ll have a transfer to the domestic airport for the flight Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. Arriving at Siem Reap Airport, our tour guide will meet and assist you with the discovery tour of the ancient temples and ruins that are found next to Roluos Town – Preah Ko, Ba Kong and Lo Lei all mark the beginning of Khmer classical arts.
In late afternoon, we’ll travel to Phnom Bakheng to climb to the hilltop temple for the stunning sunset view over Angkor Wat and the countryside.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day18 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our morning tour starts with the exploration of the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Elephants Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Ta Prohm temple.
In the afternoon, we’ll tour the fabled World of Angkor Wat until sunset.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
The Terrace of the Leper King, Angkor Thom, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Day19 Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Our trip today goes through the tranquil countryside of Siem Reap to Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre where we’ll adore the stunning intricate Khmer sculptures. Then we continue our tour with Kravan, Pre Rup, Mebon Oriental, Ta Som, Neak Pean and Preah Khan Temples. We travel back to the hotel and you have free time at leisure.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
The Pre Rup Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Day20 Depart Siem Reap (B)
Breakfast at the hotel.
You have free time at leisure until we transfer you back to Siem Reap Airport for the departure flight. We trust you had a wonderful tour of Vietnam and Cambodia culture.
