18 Days Vietnam and Cambodia Tour with Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

ITINERARY

Day 1: Saigon | Welcome to Indochina! | Arrive in Saigon

International Flight: Excluded

Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in. You’ll receive a short tour briefing in the lobby and then have some leisure time. Feel free to let our guides know of any questions you may have if you need assistance exchanging currency, or if you need help finding something. 

Accommodation: Edenstar Hotel

Day 2: Saigon | Mekong Delta Discovery: My Tho Island

Meals: Breakfast

Mekong Delta River – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life.

You’ll transfer to the remote My Tho.

This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the “rice basket of Vietnam”. First you’ll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens packed with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs and ornate gates that provide entry.

Next, you’ll take a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations, and fishing villages.

After lunch, you’ll visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island.

Then enjoy seasonal fruit, honey tea, and delicious coconut candies all to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by locals. After the tour is finished, you’ll return to Saigon. The evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Edenstar Hotel

Day 3: Saigon – Hue | Saigon Highlights | Fly to Hue

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, you’ll learn of its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building which is considered as one of the main tourist attractions in the city. To finish the tour you’ll visit the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise Pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Saigon’s finest. Once the tour is completed, you’ll be escorted to your hotel.

In the afternoon, you’ll board a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in. The evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Day 4: Hue | Hue Imperial Citadel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hue Imperial Citadel – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

In the morning, you’ll start with a visit to the Perfume River, a river famed for its natural scenery and numerous flowers that cover its shores. Along the river, you’ll see Vietnamese daily life up close. Your boat will take you to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Then, you’ll visit Tu Doc, a compound with the private royal residence and a tomb that also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Archaeologists have attempted to find his body and the vast treasures, legends have held, that are contained with it. However, these attempts have failed as the body was buried in an inconspicuous place in the large compound unknown to this day. You’ll then continue on to see the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern tomb with ornate decorations inside.

Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant.

Hue Royal Citadel

In the afternoon, you’ll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You’ll be able to view it’s vast gardens and structure relics. Then you’ll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you’ll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you’ll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off-limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in the Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you’ll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale.

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Day 5: Hue – Hoi An | Mountain Coastal Road Trip to Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast

Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel and then you’ll be escorted by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you’ll find numerous breath-taking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you’ll continue to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as “Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean”. After you cross the summit, you’ll approach a steep and narrow descent where you’ll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.

As you reach the base, you’ll travel alongside the beaches of Danang where you’ll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon.

Then, you’ll approach Hoi An with beautiful countryside, hills, river views, and seaside coasts. Your tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Hoian Central Boutique Hotel

Day 6: Hoi An | 4th Century Cham Ruin and Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hoi An Ancient Town – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

In the morning, you’ll transfer to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lay the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You’ll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site.

In the afternoon, you’ll continue to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th-century Hoi An port town in it’s preserved state. You’ll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s.

Then, you’ll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China’s influence in the region. You’ll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors, and more. You’ll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it’s imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You’ll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.

At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town. After you’ve finished the tour, you will return back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hoian Central Boutique Hotel

Day 7: Hoi An – Siem Reap | Relax on the Beach | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

The morning is at your leisure, to enjoy the beaches. (The Little Hoi An Resort provides a free shuttle service to their private beaches.) In the afternoon, you’ll take a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The evening is at your leisure, to take a stroll along the Siem Reap River, or visit the nearby night markets.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 8: Siem Reap | Civilization from a Bygone Age – Angkor Thom

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Ta Prohm Jungle Temple – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat, as you pass by, which will leave you with a tingling feeling on the back of your neck as you take your first glance of the enormity and wonder of the largest religious complex to ever exist.

However, we’ll be saving the best for last as you go on today to see some other equally impressive structures of Ta Prohm Temple, Bayon Temple, Banteay Kdei, Baphoun, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace, and the Royal Palace. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under the canopy will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.

After you’ve had lunch, your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, Baphuon, and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 9: Siem Reap | Excursion on the Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, you’ll take a boat trip on the water of the Tonle Sap Lake to a floating village called Kampong Phluk. Kampong Phluk means, Harbor of the Tusks, due to its past trade in elephant ivory many years ago. Having 3,000 inhabitants residing in stilted houses, the most common profession is fishing.

In the afternoon, transfer to a professional Spa: Bodia for your choice of couple treatments – 90-minutes aromatherapy massage, 90-traditional Burmese massage or 60-minutes body scrub, (massage package is included complimentary if the tour is reserved before May 31, 2017). Afterward, return to the hotel for leisure time.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 10: Siem Reap – Hanoi | Wonder of Asia: Angkor Wat Temple | Fly to Hanoi

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

For your last day in Siem Reap, you’ll experience the temple relics in a way that will really let you feel like you’ve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal.

After breakfast, you’ll go for a gondola ride through the moats of Angkor Thom to see the vast ruins of the Khmer Empire at its peak. Close your eyes and smell the sweet perfume of the Romdoul flowers growing wild on the shore mixed with the scent of lotus flowers bobbing in the water.

Finally, be prepared today to enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front of passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days.

Enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed one many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience you won’t forget.

In the evening, take a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet and meet you at the airport and drive to your hotel for check-in.

Angkor Wat Temple – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 11: Hanoi | Old Capital Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast

See the highlights of Hanoi during your full-day city tour, enjoy the visit to cultural, historical and iconic landmarks.

In the morning, you’ll be escorted to see some of the most significant places in Hanoi.

You’ll begin by seeing the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original bodhi tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a large memorial where the charismatic Vietnamese leader read the Declaration of Independence in 1945. Not far from here is the One Pillar Pagoda. This millennia-old structure was built on a large stone column in the middle of a pond to resemble a temple seen in the Emperor’s dream.

Then, you’ll learn about the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. The ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, courtyards, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.

Hanoi Old Quarter

In the afternoon, you’ll go on to see the museum of Ethnology to learn about the different ethnicities in Vietnam. Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. You’ll also be able to visit the Ngoc Son Temple, which rests on the lake with a narrow bridge for access.

Then, you’ll enjoy a half-hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. In Hanoi Old Quarter, you’ll enjoy streets full of life with genuine shops and cafes frequented by locals.

The tour finishes with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world-renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You’ll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam, while live ethnic music sets the mood.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 12: Hanoi – Sapa | Mountain Road Trip to Sapa

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, our guide and driver will pick up you for a transfer to Sapa (4.5hours) and check-in your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore the city on your own.

Sapa Hill Tribes – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

Accommodation: Eden Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 13: Sapa | Remote Hill Tribe Villages

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You’ll then leave your hotel to visit Lao Chai village while following the road down the mountain. Views of the Muong Hoa valley and magnificent surroundings of mountains and rice terrace fields can be seen from this road. Along the road, you may have a chance to see ethnic groups of H’mong, Giay, Red Dao, and stalls serving tea, fruits, and sweets. Arrive at the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, where you will experience the daily life of the villagers. After that, take a walk from Lao Chai to Ta Van village, where the Giay hill tribes live. Here you’ll take a rest and enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the local guide in a local house.

After lunch, you’ll trek through the winding hills and venture through a bamboo forest to find a hidden waterfall. Here, you’ll stop to relax. Continue on foot to explore the Red Dao village of Giang Ta Chai where you will also have the chance to see their daily activities. In the afternoon, you’ll return back to Sapa.

Accommodation: Eden Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 14: Sapa | Ethnic Local Market

Meals: Breakfast

Colorful Bac Ha market – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

Enjoy breakfast with a peaceful atmosphere and the fresh air in the morning, then we’ll start a full-day excursion to discover the authentic markets with local ethnic minorities.

Drive from Lao Cai (2hrs) to Coc Ly market situated between stunning mountains and Chay River. Every Tuesday morning, people from the surrounding ethnic villages such as Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gather to sell and buy their produce. Then take a boat trip to the Flower H’mong village of Na Nen. After, you’ll trek to Trung Do village of the Tay minority tribe. Then, you’ll continue by boat down the river and experience the magnificent sights of the beautiful river banks.

Accommodation: Eden Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 15: Sapa – Hanoi | Return to Hanoi | At Leisure

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, you’ll transfer back to Hanoi with your guide and driver.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 16: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay | Voyage to Lan Ha Bay with Orchid Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Halong Bay – 18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Tour Sapa Terraced Rice Fields

You will be picked up in the morning from your hotel for your private transfer to Halong City. You may stop en route to admire the local scenery. Roughly around noon, you will arrive at the port and board on the ship. Begin sailing and pass through a magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. After lunch, take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails, go swimming on a quiet beach, or sunbathe on the sundeck. Later in the afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with an opportunity to interact with locals who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. An optional kayaking trip is the weather permitting. Back onboard enjoy a lavish dinner. Overnight on board.

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 17: Hanoi | Voyage to Lan Ha Bay | Return to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Wake up in the morning for Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. The breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, then you will visit the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City at noontime and transfer back to Hanoi with your private vehicle, guide and driver.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 18: Hanoi | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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