Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi | Welcome to Vietnam!

International Flight: On your own arrangement or request a quote from our travel specialist. 

Welcome to Hanoi, the historical capital city of Vietnam! Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport. Next, you will transfer you to the hotel for check-in. You’ll receive a short tour briefing in the lobby to start your Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour and then are at leisure for the evening.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi City

Notes from Luxe Voyage Asia: International flights: when researching your international flights, you mostly get the cheapest flights from your nearest international airport to Hanoi  Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) or HCMC Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Saigon City of Vietnam. Feel free to ask international flight suggestions from our travel specialists when planning your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia.

Day 2: Hanoi | City Highlights of Vietnam’s Capital

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, it is the country’s cultural heart, bearing traces of centuries of changing dynasties.  Visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, a 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. 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.

In the afternoon, visit the One Pillar Pagoda. An emperor built the pagoda during the 9th century. He saw the structure in a dream and regarded this as a divine inspiration to recreate it. Then stop in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to see its unique architecture. Continue to visit the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. The Vietnamese built the university almost a millennium ago. Also, many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history have studied there.

At the end of the day, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese Water Puppetry Show followed by a Vietnamese Welcome Dinner.

We believed that you enjoy the history and culture of Hanoi city as your first-day discovery for Vietnam Cambodia 12 days, it is time to enjoy a restful time in the evening.

Old Chinese Temple near Koan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi City

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay | 2 Day 1 Night Luxury Halong Bay Cruise

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and escorted to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient.

Your heavenly journey across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam’s most fascinating wonder. During the afternoon, discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon with fascinating caves, pristine beaches, islets, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water.

Notes from Luxe Voyage Asia: Halong Bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes to enjoy when you travel to Vietnam Cambodia 12 days. A two-day-one-night cruise along the Halong Bay is the most popular way for most of the travelers. It is a great way to enjoy the stunning scenery and relax in the middle of your trip before flying to next destination. If you are boat people and would like to explore more Halong Bay, a 3-day-2-night cruise with extension to Bai Tu Long Bay will be a good option for you. A full day Halong Bay tour from Hanoi City with 4 hours boat trip to see the best part of the bay is also recommended to travelers who have a tight travel schedule or do not wish to sleep on the boat. Contact our travel specialist for detail and best price for you. 

Limestone hills and natural landscape from Halong Bay Cruise–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Overnight on Halong Bay Cruise

Day 4: Hanoi – Danang | Halong Bay Cruise, Fly to Hoi An

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bay. The crew will serve a breakfast buffet in the restaurant. Then you will visit the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around noon and transfer back to Hanoi with your private vehicle, guide and driver.

During the afternoon, you will transfer by flight to Hoi An. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and then escort you to your hotel in Hoi An. Then the evening is at your leisure.

Note from Luxe Voyage Asia: Central Vietnam has a lot of UNESCO historical sites to discover and very cultural experience to enjoy. If you interested in discovering more historical sites, or not interested in spending beach days in Hoi An, we would like to recommend you to add Hue to your destination list upon this Vietnam and Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour.

Morning Thai Chi Excercise on Halong Bay Crusie–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An

Day 5: Danang | 4th Century Cham Ruins and Hoi An Ancient Town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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

During the afternoon, you’ll continue to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century once a bustling port town in its preserved state. Visit the historical sites in the town, and enjoy a cyclo tour along the roads and lanes in this beautiful town.

Note from Luxe Voyage Asia: Hoi An is also famed for its sandy beach in Vietnam. Choose a resort with direct steps to the beach will be the first choice for travelers who are looking for beach time. If you would like to spend more time for this historical old town, chose a hotel inside the ancient town will allow you to enjoy the atmosphere and cultural activities of this lovely old town. 

Cyclo tour around Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the best things to do in Hoi An–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6: Danang – Saigon | Fly to Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels & Impressions of Saigon City

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy relaxing time at the beach in the morning. Then check out from the hotel and be transferred to Danang airport for flight to Saigon.

When you arrive Saigon, our guide and driver will greet you at the airport. Next, take your adventures underground for a lesson in history you won’t forget with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazingly complex underground systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War.

The rest of the day you’ll enjoy a city discovery in downtown Saigon for its signature sites, such as The Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office, and a walk to Ben Thanh Market to discover local daily life.

In the evening, enjoy dinner on a cruise along the Saigon river, one of the most relaxing ways to take in the Saigon city lights.

Tour guide showing the entrance of Cu Chi Tunnels and the system–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Overnight in Saigon City

Day 7: Saigon | Mekong Delta Discovery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today, you will explore the Mekong Delta around My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the center of the delta and is surrounded by a 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 which provide entry.

Next, you’ll take a boat ride along the Mekong river to view the stilted 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.

A boat trip through the water coconuts in the Mekong Delta–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Overnight in Saigon City

Day 8: Saigon – Siem Reap | Fly to Siem Reap, Traditional Dance of Apsara

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Continue your exploration with our Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour Siem Reap, the town famous for is world wonder heritage Angkor Wat Temples in Cambodia.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap by flight, our tour guide will greet you and escort you to the hotel for check in.

During the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner with fine Cambodian cuisine, and the traditional Apsara Dancing show during dinner.

Accommodation: Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9: Siem Reap | Ancient City of Angkor Thom and Historical Relics

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today begins your exploration to the legendary lost civilization of Angkor, this will be definitely the best highlight of your Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Tours.

You will first visit the Temple of Ta Prohm, the ‘jungle temple’ of ‘Tomb Raider’ fame. Then continue your visit to the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom, a large walled city complex which includes the Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Preah Palilay, Phimeanakas(Royal Palace), Baphuon, and the famous Bayon Temple with its captivating stone faces.

Return to the hotel to rest and escape the heat of the afternoon. Later continue to visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”) followed by sunset drinks on the top of Pre Rup Pyramid.

Note from Luxe Voyage Asia: There are numbers of temples in Siem Reap to discover, you may ask which one should I visit first? Should I visit all the temples? How to avoid the tourist crowds in the temples, etc. Contact our travel specialist and we will assist you for a perfect visit base on your interests of history, physical condition, etc. 

Tap Prohm Temple in Angkor Wat Temple Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Accommodation: Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10: Siem Reap | Untouched Temples of Banteay Srei & Beng Mealea, Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

During the morning visit Banteay Srei Temple, which translates as ‘Citadel of Women’. Be amazed by its beautiful carvings on the pink color stones. Then take a journey of discovery on an ox-cart through the villages and rice fields. Visit a local villager’s house next to where you will discover their daily life and work. You may also visit a local rice noodle workshop to see how the local rice noodles are made.

Have lunch in a dragon fruit farm of Cambodian cuisine. Then continue your exploration to the jungle-clad Beng Mealea Temple. One of the most mysterious temples at Angkor, it used to be utterly consumed by jungle, but nowadays uncovered and opened for visiting. However, it still has kept its jungle appearance as when it was first discovered.

On the way back to Siem Reap, stop to visit Asia’s largest freshwater lake—Tonle Sap Lake. Then visit the floating fishing village and witness the life of locals who live in stilted houses on the water. It is also part of a conservation area for many endangered birds during the winter time.

Beautiful stone carvings in Banteay Srei Temple–Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour.

Accommodation: Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 11: Siem Reap | Crowning Gem of Southeast Asia: Angkor Wat Temple

Meals: Breakfast

Rise up early before the sun rises and enjoy a ride on Tuk Tuk through the jungles to Angkor Wat Temple. Marvel at one of the most magnificent sunrises in the world as the sun illuminates the ancient enormous temple. Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world, over four times the size of the Vatican City in Rome. After sunrise, enjoy a light picnic breakfast in front of the ancient monument. Then continue to explore the vast stone complex with its intricate carvings, hallways, and tiers.

Return to the hotel for leisure time. If you are energetic, continue to explore more temples at the temple complex.

During the evening, enjoy a creative and energetic Cambodian circus show – Phare Circus Show.

Monks walking into the Angkor Wat Temple — Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour

Accommodation: Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 12: Siem Reap | Life of Cambodian & Handicraft Arts, Departure

Meals: Breakfast

Explore the Old Market for souvenirs and local shopping experiences. Then enjoy a visit to Artisans D’angkor workshop to see the traditional Khmer arts of stone-carving, pottery, gold-leaf and much more.

Enjoy some leisure time on the last day of this Vietnam Cambodia 12 Days Highlights Tour. Your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight to next destination, or your international flight to your sweet home.

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