18 Days Vietnam and Cambodia World Heritage Sites and Culinary

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi | Welcome to Vietnam!

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 may then pass the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 2: Hanoi | Home Hosted Cooking Class | Highlights of the Millennium Old Capital

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Northern Vietnamese Cooking Class

You will begin the day by having your guide meet you at the hotel lobby, and escort you to Van Giang village. There, you’ll learn the nuances of Northern Vietnamese dishes from the rural residents of the Red River Delta. A scenic hour-long drive will then bring you to the charming village of Van Giang. Afterward, you may enjoy a cup of green tea and get acquainted with your host, while listening to the village’s history. You may then spend the rest of your morning learning how to cook a few traditional Vietnamese dishes, before sitting down to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared with your new family. You’ll then return back to Hanoi.

Vietnamese Spring Rolls

Hanoi Impression

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a ninth-century emperor who saw it in a dream. He regarded this dream as divine inspiration, so he set on to recreate the structure he envisioned. Afterward, you’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, before visiting the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. This 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, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius’s teachings. Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water.

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 the late afternoon, you will transfer to Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is set on West Lake. 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 Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat.

You’ll then return to your hotel, where you can pass the evening at your leisure.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 3: Hanoi | Wonders of Mai Chau

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, you’ll leave Hanoi in order to visit Duong Lam village, a purely agricultural village of the Northern Red River Delta of Vietnam. Explore the village where still preserves many hundred-year-old houses. A unique experience while walking along the tiny ancient alleys; visit Mong Phu temple in Mong Phu hamlet (the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, the gate was dedicated to national heroes). Chat with the locals in their ancient houses through the guide or try some Vietnamese phrases. Drive back Ha Noi at noon. The afternoon is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel

Day 4: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay | Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

You will be picked up in the morning from your hotel for transfer to Haiphong. You may then admire the local scenery on the way. Roughly around noon, you will arrive at the port and board on the ship. Then, the sailing will begin, and you’ll pass through a magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. After lunch, you’ll take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay dotted with golden sails. You’ll then 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 available, weather permitting. Back on board, you’ll enjoy a lavish dinner. You will spend the night aboard.

Accommodation: Orchid Cruise

Day 5: Hanoi – Hue | Lan Ha Bay Sunrise | Flight to Hue

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

You’ll wake up in the morning for Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck, and continue cruising the bays. A breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, after which you’ll visit the limestone grotto. You’ll disembark in Halong City at noontime, and transfer back to Hanoi.
Transfer to the airport for flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Day 6: Hue | Hue Imperial Highlights

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Iconic Landmark of Hue Imperial Citadel

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 7: Hue – Hoi An | Hue Royal Culinary Class | Mountain Coastal Road Trip to Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast

You’ll transfer to Ancient Hue – Royal Gallery Cuisine in the morning for a culinary experience. Hue was once the capital of Vietnam during the rule of the last Emperors. Because of the royalty and wealth once present in Hue, world-class culinary techniques were developed there. Most noteworthy are the vegetable carvings where meticulous effort and artistic expression were focused to create culinary art from simple vegetables. Enjoy learning these distinguished techniques and then enjoying your guided culinary creations. Note: Special dietary requirements can be catered to.

In the afternoon, check out and take a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam through one of the most beautiful passes in the country. 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 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 8: Hoi An | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast

Today, you’ll be able to relax on the beautiful beaches of Hoi An. Across the sea, you’ll see the Cham islands. Feel free to join or start up a game of volleyball, or just soak up the sun on the sandy beaches.

Accommodation: Hoian Central Boutique Hotel

Day 9: Hoi An | Relax on the Beach

Meals: Breakfast

Today, like yesterday, you’ll again be able to relax on the beautiful beaches of Hoi An.

Accommodation: Hoian Central Boutique Hotel

Day 10: Hoi An | Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk

Meals: Breakfast

The morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon, your tour guide will escort you from your hotel to 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 1500s to the 1700s.

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 old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you’ve finished the tour, your guide and driver will return you to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hoian Central Boutique Hotel

Day 11: Danang – Dalat | Flight to Dalat | Dalat Mountain Town Highlights

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

You’ll head for your flight to Dalat in the early morning. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport.

You’ll then take a roller coaster ride through the jungle. After a few minutes of beautiful views, you’ll arrive at the bottom where you can visit Datanla Falls. Then continue to a lookout of Tuyen Lam Lake where you’ll take a cable car for nice views of the lake. After the ride, you’ll visit the pagodas and temples nearby the lake. Stop for lunch on your own arrangement. In the afternoon, continue to visit several famous gardens in Vietnam where many Vietnamese couples go for photos.

Then go to Lam Dong Museum where you’ll get a brief overview of the nearly 4,000 years of history surrounding Dalat and Lam Dong province. Next, you’ll visit a mansion designed by its owner, Hang Nga, with a very unique architecture, which is now referred to as the “Crazy House.” Continue to the “Valley of Love“, a beautiful park and gardens nearby Tuyen Lam Lake. You will then transfer to the hotel for the evening.

Accommodation:  Terracotta Hotel & Resort Dalat

Day 12: Dalat – Saigon | Flight to Saigon

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

Today, in the morning, you’ll transfer to the airport for a flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Edenstar Saigon Hotel

Day 13: Saigon | Mekong Delta Discovery: Vinh Long

Meals: Breakfast

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 Saigon Hotel

Day 14: Saigon | Culinary Experience at Cu Chi Province

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Cooking Class Place. HCM Cooking Class is a unique & healthy cooking class in the world to teach you how to cook combining food and medicine as well as discover Vietnamese food culture – one of the healthiest cuisines worldwide. Coming to our class, you will visit the most beautiful Vietnamese medicine garden with plenty of kinds of herbs, spices, and vegetables. Moreover, you will find out how to grow many kinds of mushrooms in the mushroom house and understand Vietnamese herbs and spices’ influence on medicine and cooking after listening to our pharmacist and chef’s explanation.

In particular, you’ll be taking on great challenges, by taking on the role of a Vietnamese farmer. You’ll wear the Vietnamese traditional hat, and you’ll try to remember, identify, and select the exact kinds of vegetables in the Vietnamese medicine garden for a cooking class & cooking show. With the freshly-picked vegetables, our friendly chefs will instruct you on how to use these ingredients to cook Vietnamese traditional dishes.

Afterward, you’ll visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex network of underground tunnels built during the Vietnam War. Then, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh.

Accommodation: Edenstar Saigon Hotel

Day 15: Saigon – Siem Reap | Saigon Impressions | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included
Meals: Breakfast

Notre Dame Cathedral

Today, you’ll see the highlights of Saigon and learn of the history of these iconic landmarks. After you’ve finished your breakfast, at the hotel, your private guide and car will greet you to see some of the most important places in Ho Chi Minh. You’ll 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.

Your next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market. 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.

Check out from the hotel and fly to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 16: Siem Reap | Ancient Civilization of Angkor | Traditional Khmer Cooking Class

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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.
Continue to 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. This will finish around noon.

Smiling Faces of Bayon Temple

Traditional Khmer Cooking Class

During the afternoon, you’ll begin a half-day cooking class. Each class commences with a visit to a local family. Along the way, you will learn about the herbs and vegetables grown at most Khmer households and used in daily cooking. The visit to a family’s home is an opportunity to learn about food preparation in a Khmer home. Who does the shopping and cooking! Your guide will also let you know about food customs, superstitions, and beliefs. A gift of rice is provided to the family as thanks for their participation.

Following this visit, you return to the pavilion to commence cooking. Together with your chef and guide, you will create several dishes that you can then reproduce at home. Learn about the typical ingredients in Cambodian cooking and have the opportunity to see Cambodian cooking first hand.

Classes are completely hands-on. Each participant has their own cooking station and equipment. Classes include a number of Cambodian dishes and a recipe card will be provided.

What to Wear:

• We recommend a hat for the short walk in the village
• Comfortable footwear is recommended.

Other Information

Please do not provide handouts or gifts when in the village; this can contribute to the begging cycle, which can keep children out of school. Should you wish to help, please discuss this matter with the guide.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 17: Siem Reap | Angkor Wat Temple | Tonle Sap Lake Floating Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 treasure of the ancient world. It will be an experience you won’t forget.

Tonle Sap Lake: The Floating Village

In the afternoon, continue the trip to the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phlukk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to its history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby. After the tour, you’ll return to your hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Saem SiemReap Hotel

Day 18: Siem Reap | Farewell!

Meals: Breakfast

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

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