Trip to Vietnam and Cambodia

Arrival at Hanoi airport. Meeting with your guide from Asiatica. Transfer to the city center and accommodation at your hotel. Free time to rest or explore the city on your own, without a guide or driver. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, we will discover Hanoi and the entire city on a Hop-On-Hop-Off tour. Stops include Hanoi's most iconic landmarks, such as the Temple of Literature, the Vietnam Women's Museum, Hoa Lo Prison, and more. Then, we will begin exploring the Old Quarter on a 1.5-hour walking tour for a deeper insight into local daily life. Next, we head to Ngoc Son Temple, located on a small island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. A brief break includes tasting Vietnamese "egg coffee."  

In the afternoon, delve deeper into the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 to honor Confucius, which served as Vietnam's first Royal National University. Afterward, visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, with the History Museum as an alternative), showcasing informative and well-documented displays of the country's 54 ethnic groups. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, depart for Ninh Binh, one of Vietnam's most renowned sites for its historical relics and stunning limestone peaks. Visit Tam Coc (three caves), a serene valley surrounded by karst limestone hills. Following the boat trip to Tam Coc, visit Bich Dong Pagoda. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Mua Caves, where you'll hear intriguing stories from our guide. From the top of the cave, you can enjoy majestic views of Tam Coc. Climbing 500 stone steps brings you to the mountain's summit, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the countryside and the beautiful Ngo Dong River. Transfer back to Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, departure to Halong Bay (Vinh Ha Long) by shuttle bus without a guide. During the trip, you'll have the opportunity to admire the splendid panorama of the surrounding scenery. Arrival in Vinh Ha Long late in the morning to board the boat for a cruise on the bay. While sailing, admire the beauty of the islands and savor the mystery of many local legends. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch. In the afternoon, transfer to a smaller boat to visit a famous cave or a fishing village. Dinner onboard. Overnight aboard the boat in a private, comfortable cabin.  

In the morning, after breakfast, leave the boat and take traditional sampans (typical boats) to visit famous caves or enjoy some swimming on small, beautiful deserted beaches. Brunch onboard.  

Late morning return to Hanoi airport. Arrival at the Hanoi hotel by shuttle bus. Then, private car transfer to Hanoi airport for the flight to Hue. Meet your guide and transfer to the city center for overnight at the hotel.  

(The itinerary may be reversed depending on the boat used and timing.)

Begin with an authentic market visit alongside the chef to purchase ingredients for cooking. Then, take a boat to the 17th-century Thien Mu Pagoda.  

Continue to Thuy Bieu Village, where you will learn, practice, and cook some traditional Vietnamese dishes. Afterward, enjoy the lunch you prepared yourself. After lunch, take a brief bicycle ride through the town, visit local homes, and observe daily life. Relax with a foot massage and an herbal soak. Next, visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful examples of royal architecture from the Nguyen Dynasty, located in a pine forest 8 km from Hue. Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

In the morning, visit the famous Imperial Citadel, also known as the Forbidden City, where the last Nguyen imperial dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site. Transfer along the scenic coastal road to Hoi An, about 130 km south of Hue. Along the way, stop first at Hai Van Pass before arriving in Da Nang to admire the magnificent landscapes. Stop in Da Nang to visit Marble Mountains, a complex of five rock formations by the sea that have held spiritual and religious significance for centuries. Opportunity to climb "Water Mountain" and visit its caves and pagodas. Proceed to Hoi An, and upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

After breakfast, start exploring Hoi An city. This beautiful town was once a prosperous port and a meeting point between East and West during the Nguyen Lords era. Key visits in the old town, where cars and motorbikes are not allowed, include the Phuoc Kien Pagoda, built by Chinese sailors in the 17th century, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House (Phung Hung), and the city's History Museum "Sa Huynh." Experience a unique tea-tasting session at a traditional Vietnamese teahouse with local sweets. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the beach, stroll through the colorful market, or shop. Overnight accommodation.

Morning transfer to Da Nang airport (without a guide) for a flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan San Nhat airport, meet your Asiatica guide. In the afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace. The tour continues with a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral, a Catholic church built between 1877-1880 during the French colonial era. Next to Notre Dame Cathedral are the post office buildings designed by Gustave Eiffel. Also, visit the Jade Emperor Pagoda, also called Chua Ngoc Hoang, dedicated to the King of All Heavens, built in 1909. Return to Ben Thanh Market, where you can find a variety of goods at very affordable prices, from food (fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, etc.) to clothing (ready-to-wear, fabrics, souvenir shirts, imitation branded clothing and accessories, etc.). Back to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Transfer from your hotel to visit Ben Tre. Upon arrival at Ham Luong Wharf, take a boat trip on the Ben Tre River – one of the Mekong River's tributaries – passing through mangroves along the waterway.  

Stop at a traditional brick-making factory to observe how bricks are handcrafted. Continue along the Cai Son canal to visit a coconut processing workshop and witness the steps in coconut production. Stop at a coconut candy workshop to see candies being handmade, sample some candies, enjoy fruits, and listen to local music. Take a short walk to a farmer's house producing mats.  

Ride a tuk-tuk through the coconut grove. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Relax before taking a rowing boat trip along a shaded canal lined with palm trees. Disembark at the local market or An Thanh Wharf. Then, drive to Can Tho. Overnight stay in Can Tho. 

Early in the morning, visit Cai Rang floating market by boat on the river. The scenery that unfolds before your eyes is authentic and exciting, with hundreds of sampans loaded with rice, fruits, handmade products coming together to exchange or sell their goods. The local people's knowledge will lead you to discover their lives and give you a close-up look at the lively traditional activities. Depart from Can Tho to Chau Doc. Hotel accommodation. Then, take a sampan trip to visit the Tra Su melaleuca forest. Overnight at the hotel.

The speedboat departs Chau Doc at 7:30 AM, and after an hour and a half, it reaches the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. There, disembark and process the Cambodia visa. Return to the boat and, after about 3.5 hours, arrive in Phnom Penh along the banks of the Tonlé Sap River, in the heart of the city. Upon disembarking, the Cambodian guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The first visit in the afternoon includes the National Museum and the Royal Palace, composed of a set of Khmer-style pavilions and palaces surrounded by beautiful gardens. Inside the complex is the Silver Pagoda, named for its floor consisting of 5,000 pieces of the precious metal. Most of the floor is covered to protect the deteriorated silver, which can only be seen in a small corner. A short distance away, visit Wat Phnom Temple, built atop a hill 27 meters high—the city's highest point—which requires a few steps to reach the summit. Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

After breakfast, transfer to visit the Choeung Ek Memorial (Killing Field) and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former high school converted into a large prison under the Khmer Rouge regime, known as "S21," where thousands of prisoners were detained, tortured, and killed. Walk through Tuol Tumpoung Market (also called Russian Market), an ideal place to buy antiques and fabrics.  

Next, visit the Central Market. Take a cruise on the Chaktomuk River to admire the sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning departure to Siem Reap without a guide in a private car. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, visit Kompong Phluk, about 16 km from Siem Reap. This village is built in the floodplain of Tonle Sap Lake. During the rainy season, you can see the 10-meter poles on which houses are constructed. In this season, people can only leave their homes by boat or swimming. Return to Siem Reap.

Start the journey with a visit to Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women), dedicated to Shiva, whose pink-grained architecture and sculptures represent a masterpiece of Khmer art. Continue with a visit to Banteay Samre Temple, a Hindu temple in the architectural style of Angkor Wat.  

In the afternoon, visit Pre Rup Temple, the most beautiful in the Grand Circuit group. It is a temple built with bricks in the year 960, during the reign of Rajendravarman II.  

In the evening, enjoy a romantic dinner with traditional APSARA music and dance. Overnight at the hotel.

Visit Angkor Thom, including the South Gate, the spectacular Bayon Temple with over two hundred enigmatic faces, the temple from the legend of the king and the snake, Phimeanakas, the area where the Royal Palace was located, the splendid Terraces of Elephants and the King of Lepers.  

Continue on a tuk-tuk to visit a better-preserved temple in the Small Circuit group: Ta Prohm Temple.  

In the afternoon, visit the city of Angkor Wat, the most famous and largest monument in the complex. Afterward, take a boat for a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to visit fishing villages. Explore Angkor crafts. Shop at the local Phsar Chas market. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport without a guide. Board the flight home.