Vietnam & Cambodia Grand Luxury Tour – 21 Days

Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day.

This morning, you will be free.

Around 5 pm, we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “Old Quarter”. We will be free to shop in  the old Quarter ranges from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art  galleries. We will then sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets. Then, we  transfer back to hotel and start a walking tour around the old quarter of Hanoi along different streets, try  to taste many kinds of local food such as beef/chicken noodle soup, oil-fried pastry, tofu, rice pancake,  pillow cake, sweet soup, stuff pancake with pork, draught beer… and one of our best surprised is a stop at  Dong Xuan whole sales market where we know many kinds of ingredients being sold.

Last but not least is our happy ending at a hidden coffee in the Old Quarters enjoy its famous ‘egg coffee’ in  a pleasant surrounding overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Fortunately, as it’s Friday so there’s night market and  walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake. It would be a great chance to immerse in the local life of the local at  weekend here. After the tour, we return back to hotel in old quarter Hanoi.

This morning, we meet tour guide and driver at the lobby of the hotel and transfer 60 Km to the west of  Hanoi to visit Duong Lam Ancient village. This is the first ancient village recognised as a national relic by  the Ministry of Culture and Information in Vietnam. It has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses  dating back up to 400 years. One special thing about the village is that most of the buildings here are made  of laterite and mud, two materials that are abundant in the area. Laterite is used on house walls, gates, wells,  temple walls, and so forth. The mud is taken from ponds. Apart from its historical and tourism values,  Duong Lam ancient village is an important place for scientists to study resident communities in ancient  agriculture. The village gate, banyan, well, communal house are important factors in classifying Duong Lam ancient village.

On arrival, we will walk along the tine ancient alleys, meet and talk over a cup of green tea with the local in  the ancient house. We will then visit Mong Phu Temple, the only hamlet whose original village entrance  gate remains intact. After lunch in a local house with traditional Vietnamese food, we will cycle to Mia Pagoda which was built  in 15th Century containing 287 statues of different sizes; Ngo Quyen & Phung Hung Temples the two  National Heroes of Vietnam. In the late afternoon, we transfer back to Hanoi and join the Jeep Tour.

Time Departures: 

Morning: 08:00 – 12:00
Afternoon: 12:30 – 16:30
Evening: 17:00 – 21:30

Before the tour, our tour guide will meet you at the meeting location (or your hotel) and give you a brief  introduction. The guide will tell you all you need to know to have a completely enjoyable tour, and then we  will embark on our journey.

First, we go to Backstreet Ride. We will drive through a maze of alleyways known only by locals, make  friends with people and get to know the behind-the-scenes stories. The next stop is the French & Old  Quarter with majestic French-style houses. Our jeep will take you through the green boulevards of  Indochina’s capital, where you can see the influence of French architecture. The embassy area, Hanoi  Opera House, Long Bien Bridge, and other Hanoi landmarks will be passed through.

The Great Westlake is the third place to know about the new parts of Hanoi Westlake, Hanoi’s largest lake,  which is known as the city’s “air conditioner.” Due to the lake’s unique “Feng shui” location, dozens of  spiritual sites have been created all around it. Our knowledgeable tour guide will explain everything and  take you around the city. Then we zip around the West Lake, and pass through the city’s most peaceful areas,  with ancient villages nestled around the West Lake, Truc Bach Lake – A frantic Hanoi with thousands of  skyscrapers in the city’s new areas. We not only take you on an exciting journey through Hanoi traffic, but we also introduce you to traditional  Hanoian cuisine (vegan and vegetarian options are available)

Around 10:00 am, we will take a 15-Km drive to the outskirt of Hanoi in the East to visit Bat Trang Ceramic  Village, which is located on the left bank of Hong River. This ceramic village was dated back from 15th  century and soon became one of the most famous ceramic and pottery villages in the North of Vietnam. On  arrival at the village, we will visit Bat Trang Communal House, which was built under Le Du Tong King’s  period, from 1719 to 1720. We then visit the ancient house and ceramic workshops of artist Tran Van Do,  To Thanh Son and Vu Duc Thang. If you wish, you can try your hands in making your own ceramic products,  something for the beginners such as cup, bowl or flower vases. We finish our trip with a visit to the French  ancient building since 1920s.

After the tour, we will enjoy the traditional oldstyle feast in Bat Trang which is used to serve in Lunar New  Year in Vietnam. Finishing the lunch, we return back to Hanoi and enjoy the time in Phung Hung Street. This  street is famous with train go through while you’re enjoy a cup of coffee here. After spending around 1 hour  here, we continue to visit the Temple of Literature, which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. Later this afternoon, we enjoy 1-hour cyclo tour of the French-inspired “old quarter”. We will be free for  shopping in the old quarter ranging from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing  contemporary art galleries. Then, we sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets and return back to the hotel in Hanoi.

Funfact: Bat Trang is also a cradle of traditional Vietnamese cuisine with many dishes and original flavors  passed down through generations. Visiting Bat Trang, we shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try out the  village’s iconic “old-time feast”. In the North, festive-offering trays often had six bowls and eight plates of  different traditional delicacies for the feast. At lunch time, we can visit a local culinary artisan’s home, sit  down and have a cup of tea with them then enjoy the feast for lunch which was prepared by the artisan  themselves or their children/students. Feast comes in a FIXED serving size for groups of 4 to 6 and requires  reservation at least 3 days in advance.

Today, at 8:30 am, our guide pick you up at the hotel in Hanoi where we will venture out to explore Hanoi  the first stop will be a coffee shop on Phung Hung Street. The train will run through this area while we  enjoy our coffee here. After spending around 1 hour here, we continue to visit the Temple of Literature,  which was originally built as a temple to Confucius. Let’s continue the tour by visiting Quan Thanh Temple represents the Taoist religion dating from Ly Dynasty and Tran Quoc pagoda dedicated to Buddha (the  oldest pagoda in Hanoi, especially locates on West Lake where you can capture nice sightseeing). Lunch is  inclusive and served after the Tran Quoc pagoda visit.

Then, we go to the Ho Chi Minh Complex as the first attraction. With a fixed route, you will see Ho Chi  Minh Mausoleum (visit outside) which houses his corpse everlasting so that Vietnamese people and friend  countries can come to pay expectation to him as the greatest president ever in Vietnam; his stilt-house described as Ho Chi Minh’s final resting accommodation since his death in 1969, and One Pillar pagoda with a long history back to 1049 during Ly dynasty in Vietnam- the period that Buddhist was most  magnifically prosperous. The architecture followed special meanings as well. You absolutely find out how  special this city means to Vietnamese people.

After the tour here, we will spend time in the infamous Hoa Lo Prison Museum. Hoa Lo is also known as  the ‘’Hanoi Hilton’’ and was where former US presidential candidate John McCain was incarcerated for over  5 years. After the tour, we transfer to Hanoi Station for the night train to Lao Cai, Sapa. The train will depart at 10  pm

Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the  different and colorful ethnic minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the  family. They are Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be  met in any other areas. The highlights of this trip is to live yourself in Bac Ha colorful market that happens only  on Sunday and also to take a wonderful boat trip upstream Chay River, to have some pleasant walks through  Tay village.

You will be met by local guide and driver upon your arrival at Lao Cai station then transferred to a local  restaurant for breakfast. Then start our drive to Bac Ha town. The road is relatively flat from Lao Cai to Bao  Nhai bridge. After crossing the bridge, we begin our journey up to Bac Ha. Bac Ha market, located in the heart of Bac ha small town is the largest one in the area. Every Sunday, the different and colorful ethnic  minority come all here to sell their homemade products or buy something for the family. They are  Hmong, Phu La, Back Dzao, Tay or Nung minorities. Some of these ethnic minorities can’t be met in any  other areas. Your lunch will be provided in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we drive downhill towards Lao Cai for about half an hour. We stop on the way (before  reaching Lao Cai) to take a short walk to Trung Do village inhabited by Tay people. Tay villages are always  set up at the foot of a mountain or along a stream and are named after a mountain, a field, or a river. Each  village contains about 15-20 households. A large village is divided into many small hamlets. The houses are  built on stilts or level with the ground. Stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea before taking a boat  cruise upstream the Chay River. The scenery is very beautiful on both sides of the river. The boat trip will  end at Bao Nhai bridge where your vehicle will be waiting for you for the journey back to Sapa.

Met up at your hotel in Sapa by local guide and driver for a short road transfer heading to Cat Cat village.  After a couple of minutes, you will follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall  and a hydroelectric station for a while before you trek on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraces. You will  also enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. You eventually arrive in Y Linh Ho  village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest while you are served lunch nearby the river.

After lunch, you head Muong Hoa valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. You will spend the  night in local house of Giay minority. You will be able to take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim  in the river nearby.

Once you get energy for your last day trek by having a delicious breakfast, you leave for Giang Ta Chai  village of Red Dao minority. You will trek through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National  Park. On the way you will pass by a waterfall where you will have time to take a rest and enjoy the  surroundings. You will find a nice place to enjoy lunch. After lunch, you continue toward Su Pan, a small village located by the road. Here you start your journey  back to Lao Cai Station for the night train back to Hanoi.

This morning, the train will arrive at 5:30 am and our guide will pick you up at Hanoi Station and we all will  transfer to eat Phở Chấm as a breakfast. After breakfast, we will take a cup of coffee at the Cà Bóp Cofee  Shop while waiting the shuttle bus pick you up to start our journey.

When we arrive at Tuan Chau Marina, you will get checked in at Paradise Suites Hotel and transferred to  the Paradise Cruise via Electric Cart. Once arrived, you will be given a short briefing about your cruise  itinerary and safety regulations while you enjoy some complimentary welcoming drinks. Shortly after,  enjoy your lunch at the Restaurant while viewing the beautiful islets of Ha Long Bay.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Tung Sau Pearl farm where you will have the chance to learn about the  process of pearl cultivation or you go kayaking instead. Afterward, your next stop will be at Titop Island,  an island named after the Russian Cosmonaut “Gherman Stepanovich Titov”. You can choose to either hike  the island’s mountain to get a majestic view of Ha Long Bay or swim at the beach. After that, we return to the cruise and enjoy the Bay sunset while enjoying the “Happy Hour” special. You  may also join our chef in the kitchen to learn how to make a Vietnamese Dish. After a Western Set Dinner,  enjoy some night activities on the boat like: squid fishing, drinks, or movies. The rest of night will be relaxing  on the cruise.

Start your day with a Tai Chi Session at the Sundeck. Then, we enjoy a light meal with some fresh pastries,  coffee, and tea at the restaurant. Next destination will be the Sung Sot Cave, the largest and most  magnificent cave in the bay where ySE22:15 – ou can see the stalactites in different forms. Afterward come  to enjoy breakfast while the cruise passes by Thien Cung, Dau Go Cave, and the Fighting Cock Islet. After  breakfast, you will check out and are free to enjoy the rest of your trip at the Lounge or on the sundeck  looking at the astonishing view of Halong Bay. At 10:15 AM, Paradise Cruise returns to Tuan Chau Marina.  Finally, we disembark and farewell the crew then get back to Hanoi by our shuttle bus/D-car in 2.5 to 3  hours driving. When you return back to Hanoi, our car will wait for you at the hotel’s lobby before we transfer to the  airport. On your arrival, our car will pick you up at the ariport and transfer to hotel in Hue for accommodation.

Pick up at hotel at 8:30 AM, we will board the Dragon Boat on the romantic Perfume River heading out  for the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with ancient tombs of emperors past, and  a visit to the most beautiful tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien  Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. We will enjoy a great view on the Perfume River and  surrounding area. Thien Mu Pagoda is considered the symbol of Hue, and of Buddhism in Vietnam. From  here, we rejoin our van and go visit King Khai Dinh’s Tomb or King Tu Duc’s Tomb.

In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945,  after exploring the ruins of this wonderful monument. We will then depart to the Hue Royal Fine Art  Museum, which is housed within the former Dien Long An Royal Palace. We will finish our day with  the local Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people. Overnight in Hue

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hoi An along scenic highway 1A. Along the way, we will  stop to contemplate the stunning views North of Lang Co Beach, and South of Danang city. On arrival in Danang, we will have a brief visit to Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe  (water, wood, air, fire, and earth). We will arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon. Then, we will start our walking  tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky’s old  house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An, the temples, and pagodas of Chinese  appearance. Then we are back to our hotel for relaxing.

The day will be free for shopping, strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy.  We’ll spend the night in Hoi An.

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Danang International Airport for the  flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcome upon arrival by a local tour guide and driver  then we transfer to the hotel for check-in. After check-in, we will be free to wander around the hustle and  bustle city on your own.

This unique itinerary is designed for tourists who want discover a different Ho Chi Minh City by night. The  traffic is still utter nightmare but the Vespa drivers are so good that we still feel relax and comfortable. You  will travel around all the highlight places in Ho Chi Minh City and see how they are in the nighttime, colorful  and brightening. You also try many kinds of local food such as Seafood, “Banh xeo – Southern pancake”, “Cha  gio – Southern Sprillroll”, “Bo xien nuong – roasted beef” and local beers…. We are picked up by Vespa driver at 6 PM and drive to meeting happy point at Cafes Zoom where we enjoy  welcome drink and snack. Here, we are also be top models when the Vespa Adventure staff takes us many  nice photos and send to us after the tour.

We start our tour once the sun disappears in the west; the drivers drive us around the big streets to small  streets and we can see all the daily nightlife of local people. Then we stop at a seafood workshop for our  first tasting meal. With all picked up dishes, we enjoy with local beer, fruit juice or cold water while streets  outside are still busy. After that, Vespa drivers take us back to center district, passing many highlight places  in the city and we finally meet tour guide who take his private Vespa at the Banh Xeo workshop. This is a  special street restaurant where we will have chance to see the local women cooking Banh Xeo what we later  try with cold drink. When we think we can’t eat anymore, it’s time the Vespa drivers take us to a hidden  Vietnamese-style coffee shop to have a taste of Vietnamese live music as local. There is no micro, no power  light, it’s only live songs and candle and people whisper to pick up drink. We can stay here long as we can  or we will move to the last destination to change the music taste if we are fan of Rock & beer (Optional for family is Ice-cream workshop). We are back to hotels, say goodbye with Vespa drivers, tour guide, and enjoy  a peaceful night.

At 7.30 am, we will pick you up at the hotel in HCMC. The first place of the morning trip is Independence  Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace.  The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect  Ngo Viet Thu. We continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre  Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War  Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Lunch will be served in the  local restaurant

Depart for Cu Chi tunnel, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours of bus driving. Upon  arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video  about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime.  Then, you can spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the  specially constructed living areas with kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like  storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels  meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the  maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla’s food  during the war) will be served. We have a break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try a real shooting gun. At 7 pm, we  return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Notes: 

*The Notre Dame Cathedral has been restored, so the guests just visit outside.
*Drop-off time is subject to traffic, weather…so the finished time could be later than expected.

The day will be free for strolling in the city, shopping or whatever takes your fancy. We’ll spend the night in  Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, we take a flight to Siem Reap from Tan Son Nhat Airport. On your arrival, we will transfer to the hotel in Siem Reap. Then, we will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake at KAMPONG PHLUK VILLAGE. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and  flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen’s “floating village” with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the  “village” move from place to place following water levels and current.

This morning, we will visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge  statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated  with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants  Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Visit to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since  it was discovered and retains much of its mystery, and the most famous of all the temples on the plain of  Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial  Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century  masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.  Enjoy wonderful sunset from the top of Phnom Ba Kheng Temple. 

This morning, we will transfer 40 minutes to visit Banteay Srey, known as Citadel of Women or a Pink  Temple, and Banteay Samre Temples. After the tour, we transfer back to Siem Reap Airport and have a short flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, meets and transfers to hotel for check in

In the morning, we visit the National Museum. Housed in a beautiful traditional building, it contains many  outstanding examples of Khmer craftsmanship. Learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history with a  visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.

In the afternoon, confront Cambodia’s tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a  former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It’s estimated that more than 20,000 people  were held and tortured here. Explore Wat Phnom, a peaceful temple situated on a hill for which the city is  named. According to legend, a 14th-century woman named Penh found sacred Buddhist objects in the  nearby river and placed them here on the small hill.

After breakfast, we will be free until your driver arrives to take you to Phnom Penh Airport for your departure flight. Tour ends! See you again on the next trips with Vietnam local tour operator!