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Mekong Delta - Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary

A Tale of Two Countries: 18 days

Cambodia and Vietnam Itinerary

Route: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

If you're looking for a genuine Vietnam adventure, yet at the same time would like to see what Cambodia has to offer, you can easily combine the two with this Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary which takes in the highlights of both countries. The Cambodia and Vietnam adventure starts in lively Hanoi, then on to Halong Bay where you'll sail past the infamous dragon rock formations. You will wander through the quaint streets of Hoi An and take part in an insightful exploration of the Cu Chi tunnels near Saigon. A boat will take you through the natural sceneries of the Mekong Delta and over the border to Phnom Penh in Cambodia, where you will learn more about the city's turbulent past. You'll travel by boat across the mighty Tonle Sap Lake to the grand finale of your trip, Siem Reap and the infamous Angkor temples.

Duration:	18 days / 17 nights Offered Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from Hanoi	Accommodation	Small-scale authentic accommodation. Accommodation category 2-3 (see accommodation)
Price:	from $1675 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes:	Accommodation with breakfast Transportation as described Excursions with English-speaking guides Halong Bay and Chi Chi tunnels entrance fees.
Transport:	minivan, train, boat, car	Excludes:	Meals, drinks, tips and other entrance fees Cooking class and My Son day trip (optional extras)

Day-to-day programme for your Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi

Today you'll arrive in Hanoi for the start of your Vietnam and Cambodia holiday and a transfer will be waiting for you at the airport. On the road to your hotel you'll catch a glimpse of Vietnam street life. Small houses, peddlers on the side of the road and an endless number of motor cycles. The hotel you'll be staying at is located centrally in the heart of old Hanoi; the place to be according to many travellers. There is an abundance of food stands and small restaurants here from which to taste the delicious local cuisine. This city once became the centre of all trade in the regiondue to its location on the banks of the river. Small streets run criss-cross through each other and side walks have a wide variety of products for sale displayed on them.

There is also a fascinating market with live chickens, fish and sweet-smelling herbs and spices are sure to make you want to look around. Your hotel is a classic example of Vietnamese small construction. The hotel is only one room wide. Each of the inviting rooms has a bathroom with warm water, air-conditioning, a television and a refrigerator. After freshening up after your flight we recommend a stroll through the small streets or visit the Hoan Kiem Lake for a typical Vietnamese spring roll from one of the street vendors.

Cambodia and Vietnam Trip - Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Day 2: Hanoi - Free day

Day 2 of your Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary is free for you to explore the lively city of Hanoi. Perhaps you would like to visit Hi Chi Minh himself? Similar to Lenin in Moscow, Ho Chi Minh can be viewed by people from the entire world in his glass sarcophagus in the mausoleum built for him after his death. Everyone can come to visit 'uncle Ho', who has a slightly orange hue and is surrounded by guardsmen. His body is bathed in an orange/ red lighting so that regular light will not discolour his preserved body. Being able to visit the embalmed body is a great honour to the Vietnamese.

After a day of shopping and getting a feel for the historic district, we recommend a visit to the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre. The theatre is located on the banks of the Hoan Kiem Lake and is open most evenings. The puppets slide through the water in traditional style, just as the farmers once performed puppet shows in the paddy-fields to avoid boredom in quiet times.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay

You'll be picked up at your hotel in the morning of the third day of your Cambodia and Vietnam trip and taken to the small coastal town of Halong. A Chinese sailing ship (a junk) will be waiting for you on your arrival. On board you'll start out with a lunch fresh from the sea. The scent of the fresh fish dishes being prepared in the kitchen is sure to make your mouth water.

The boat will start off on its wonderful cruise through the area and it will set anchor at Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island and Sail Island. Then you'll go on to visit the Sung Sot cave and you can take a refreshing dive into the waters at the Titov beach. Those who like to fish can try to catch different types of fish from the boat with a rod and some fishing twine. This day will bring with it quite a few new and different experiences and many magical views. During dinner you'll be able to enjoy the view once while you watch the sun set with a glass of Vietnamese wine in hand.

Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary - Halong Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi

The following morning you'll wake up to a delicious breakfast and you'll explore some nearby islands in the bay. Keep your camera on hand; these islands are incredibly photogenic. On the way back to Halong lunch will be prepared and after arrival a transfer will be waiting to take you on to your next destination of your Vietnam and Cambodia trip.

Ha Long literally means 'descending dragons' and, according to legends, that is precisely what happened here. Quite some time ago, when ancestors fought to ward off intruders from the north, the gods sent help. A family of dragons appeared from the heavens to help the people protect their country. The dragons landed in the area now known as Halong Bay and started to spew jewels and jade. Once the gems hit the water they changed into islands and formed a natural barrier against the intruders. The Vietnamese were now able to keep their land and they created the country: Vietnam. The dragons enjoyed their stay on earth so much that they decided to stay. The dragon mother can be found in Halong and her children can be found in Bai Tu Long. The dragon's tails form the Bach Long Vi area.

Day 5: Hanoi - no activities planned

Today marks your last full day in Hanoi before you travel south on your Cambodia and Vietnam trip. If you feel up to it, you may enjoy going for an early morning visit to Hoan Kiem Lake. Shortly after sunrise, the Vietnamese head out to the lake for an energizing early morning work-out. Men and women practice Tai Chi, play games of badminton or groups of women walk around the lake. Along the way they'll do stretches for their arms and legs from time to time. A great way to start the day...

Hanoi has many temples, pagodas and museums. The temple of literature is an oasis of peace and tranquillity amidst a bustling city. Visiting several of these temples by bicycle rickshaw is a fun past-time. It usually doesn't cost more than a few dollars and it's an excellent way to see more of the city and to truly experience it.

Cambodia and Vietnam Trip - Hoan Kiem Lake

Day 6: Hanoi - Hoi An

Next on your Cambodia and Vietnam adventure is a flight from Hanoi to Danang, near Hoi An. You won't have any problems arranging your own transfers to Hanoi airport and from Danang airport to your hotel in Hoi An, there are plenty of local options available. The city of Hoi An is a Vietnamese highlight for many due to its abundance of small restaurants and cafés, affordable tailors and an appealing beach. The intriguing historic Hoi An monuments are less well known. In the historic part of the city you'll be able to by a ticket for about $10 that comes with entrance vouchers for the famous Japanese bridge, the ancient trade houses and a small museum. The charming city centre can easily be explored on foot and seems exactly as it would have been in the 17th and 18th century when it was an important harbour and trade post.

We recommend renting bicycles and biking through the area, visiting the large market, the historic harbour and then biking past the paddy-fields to the beach. The beach is surprisingly quiet during the day. You'll be able to find a deck chair beneath one of the awnings and let yourself be pampered with drinks and snacks by the beach restaurant waitresses. If you stay until sunset, you'll see the beach slowly begin to fill up as the Vietnamese come to the beach to cool off with their families after a long work day.

Day 7: Hoi An - optional visit to My Son or day at leisure

On day 7 of your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary you are free to go as you please or we can offer the option of visiting the historic temple complex of My Son. If you choose this option, you'll be collected this morning by a driver and your English-speaking guide for a riveting visit to My Son. Despite American bombardment, the temple complex at My Son has been well preserved. The area was the most important religious and intellectual centre of the ancient Champa kingdom up until the 13th century. Nowadays, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site lying in a lush emerald valley.

In the afternoon you are free to wander lazily through the tiny streets of Hoi An. This little town is jam-packed with tailors and you can have a good made-to-measure suit made for under $40. The perfect opportunity to update your wardrobe! Although the tailors can put together a suit for you in no time, it's best to plan to have this done a few days before you travel to your next destination. This way any alternations can be made while you're in town.

Vietnam and Cambodia Trip - Cooking Class

Day 8: Hoi An - optional cooking lesson or day at leisure

There are no activities planned for day 8 of your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary; this is a great opportunity to explore the area and to get to know the locals or perhaps you would like to take a genuine Vietnamese cooking lesson. If you choose this option you'll be picked up at your hotel and taken to colourful Hoi An market where ingredients will be purchased for the dishes to be made. Once you've purchased the right ingredients you'll head out towards the cooking school where you'll receive instructions on how to prepare typically Vietnamese meals. You'll be able to prepare your own meals and naturally eat your self-made meal for lunch.

You'll spend three nights in a comfortable, centrally located hotel in the historic part of Hoi An. Since you're in the middle of town, you can practically walk everywhere. For instance, have a stroll through the small, winding streets and visit souvenir shops. The hotel has a swimming pool and breakfast is included during your stay.

Day 9: Hoi An - HCMC

Since you'll be travelling quite some distance on day 9 of you Vietnam and Cambodia adventure, we feel a domestic flight is your best option from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City. We'll arrange your flight tickets and you just need to make your own way to the airport in Danang and to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. After checking into your comfortable hotel you'll have time to explore the city on your own. You'll have your own luxurious air-conditioned room in a hotel chosen for its central location. Tham Street is just around this corner; a lively street with many cafes and restaurants, very popular with travellers.

You could spend the rest of the day people-watching on a lively terrace, strolling through town to get a feel for the surroundings and visiting the city's attractions such as the Reunification Palace or the War Remnants museum.

Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary - Ho Chi Minh City

Cambodia and Vietnam Trip - Cu Chi tunnels

Day 10: Cu Chi tunnels

Today's guided Tour at the Cu Chi tunnels, 30 km northwest of HCMC, is surely to be a great adventure. The Vietcong hid in the tunnels during the Vietnam War; approximately 250 kilometres of small, deep tunnels were used as a hiding place, but also to launch attacks from. The tunnels were home for many families with living areas, kitchens, ammunition stock rooms, weapon factories and command centres. The Vietcong also built many fake entrances and booby traps to mislead the enemy. An addition to the tunnel was made to accommodate the size of 'Westerners'; you can enter the tunnel if you wish. Though slightly larger than the original tunnels, some of us felt these were even too confined. The fearless among us crawled into the original tunnels. It's quite a unique adventure to visit the tunnels and to imagine what life must have been like to actually live in them. An English-speaking guide will tell you about the history and use of the tunnels. Early afternoon you'll be back in HCMC; you can relax for the rest of the day and prepare for the next adventure on your Vietnam and Cambodia trip.

Day 11: Mekong Delta

The next two days of your Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary will be spent in the mighty Mekong Delta. Around 7am in the morning your bus will head towards Cai Be where a boat will be waiting to take you to the floating markets. Peddlers in fully laden boats sell a wide assortment of fresh produce. Many boats are positioned very close together and the peddlers sell and trade produce with everyone.... it's quite a unique sight. The boat will also take you through small canals where local inhabitants of the Mekong Delta live. Enthusiastic children will be waiting to greet you from the banks of the canals and will wave and shout to you. This is sure to give you some impression of the warmth and hospitality that the southerners are known for. The hotel in Can Ttho is located by the river; an excellent place for a drink and friendly conversation in the evening.

Cambodia and Vietnam Itinerary - Mekong Delta

Day 12: Mekong Delta

Early in the morning on day 12 of your Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary you’ll travel by boat in small groups to the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang. Hundreds of boats and vendors gather here to trade all kinds of exotic fruits. To get closer to the action you’ll step into smaller bamboo rowing boats and weave your way through the little market boats and you can test your haggling techniques as you buy some tropical fruit.

Later you’ll travel by coach from Can Tho to the border town of Chau Doc where you’ll arrive late afternoon. You’ll visit the floating riverside village in Chau Doc; many people here make a living from fishery and have a small fish farm under their floating houses. At the Cambodian border you’ll find a Cham village, home to the descendants of the ancient kingdom Champa of central Vietnam. The villagers here are Muslim and the village has a mosque and Arabic school. Buy a last Vietnamese souvenir at one of the weaving shops in the village where they sell beautiful hand-woven shawls and clothes. You’ll be staying the night in a basic but comfortable hotel.

Day 13: Mekong Delta - Phnom Penh

Next on your Cambodia and Vietnam trip is a speedboat trip to Cambodia, stopping off at the border to organise your visa. You’ll arrive in the harbour of Phnom Penh around 1.30pm where you can take a tuk-tuk to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish; your city tour will take place tomorrow.

Phnom Penh is a charming city with many historic colonial buildings. Unlike most Cambodian cities, Phnom Penh is quite modern and has paved roads, modern stores, a beautiful boulevard and many ATM's. During this activity-free day you could visit the National Museum of Cambodia for instance. The museum was built in 1917 and has a large collection of Khmer artefacts. Afterwards you could visit the Silver Pagoda, otherwise known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the royal palace. The Silver Pagoda is famous for its silver floors. In the afternoon, climb the hill on which the Wat Phnom is built.

Torture room in the Tuol Sleng museum

Day 14: Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng museum and Killing Fields excursions

On day 14 of your trip through Cambodia and Vietnam you will be picked up from your hotel around 8:30am to visit some more remote Phnom Penh locations with your guide, such as the Tuol Sleng museum and the Killing Fields. Cambodia has had a turbulent past and this tour visits sites which provide information about some important moments of the country's dark past. Some of the sites can be quite confronting. The Tuol Sleng museum is an impressive museum, capturing moments of the past through photography. You will also see an old elementary school that was used as a torture prison for alleged political enemies during the rule of the Red Khmer. For many this was a last stop before ending up at the mass graves of the Killing Fields. At approximately 3:00pm you will be dropped back off at your hotel.

Day 15: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

On this morning you'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the pier to meet your boat to Siem Reap, the next stop on your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary. You will board your boat and glide over Tonle Sap Lake from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap which will take approximately 5 hours (depending on river levels). This is a unique experience, however please keep in mind that the boats are quite basic, delays are common, and seats cannot be guaranteed inside the boat..... so many people sit on the roof! This is a great opportunity to take photos, but we do recommend you carry plenty of water, something to shelter you from the sun or rain (such as a hat, rain jacket or umbrella) and perhaps something soft to sit on. When you arrive in Siem Reap you will make your own way to your hotel in the city centre; the hotel has air conditioned rooms and friendly staff.

Cambodia and Vietnam Itinerary - Phnom Penh

Cambodia and Vietnam Itinerary - Angkor temple complex

Day 16: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples with guide

You're likely to consider today as one of the highlights of your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary; today you'll visit a part of the Angkor temple complex with your guide. In order to see the entire complex, you would need to spend several days here since the dozens of temples are spread out over an area of about 25 kilometres. Wander endlessly through the statues, temples and historic reliefs. Be sure to stay on the defined and marked paths, there are still mines in some of the unchartered areas. The temples were built in various time periods; each ruler built his own temple. This has caused each temple to have its own character. The most famous temple, Angkor Wat, features Hindu influences. However, the Angkor Thom temple features Buddhist influences. After a day of cultural exploration, you'll spend another night in your hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 17: Angkor - Independent Visit

There are no activities planned on day 17 of your Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary, and many travellers use the extra day to visit Angkor independently.

Angkor is the name of the ancient capital of the Khmer-empire that was established during the 8th century after Christ. The empire was enormous and included territory all the way down to Southern Vietnam and China. Later on the Thai ruled this territory during the Siamese empire and introduced many Buddhist influences. "Siem Reap" literally means "victory by Siam". It was very generous of the Khmer to allow the city to keep its name. For centuries this city was covered by jungle until a French expedition discovered the ruins early in the 1900's. Several of the temples have since been restored. Several others still show how the jungle swallowed the temples from sight. The Ta Prohm temple has not yet been completely restored. It's quite interesting to see how towering trees have taken the temple prisoner. The tops of the trees shoot up into the sky, far beyond the temple roof and the roots of the trees have wrapped themselves around the walls of the temple..... truly an impressive sight. You'll spend another night in Siem Reap.

Cambodia and Vietnam Itinerary - Siem Reap

Day 18: Departure from Siem Reap

This is the last day of your trip through Cambodia and Vietnam. Depending on the time of your flight today you might have the morning free for more explorations before making your own way to Siem Reap Airport to meet your onward flight. The airport is approximately 7 km from the town centre and you can expect to pay around $7 USD.

This tour can also continue on to Thailand or Laos, please ask your travel specialist for further details.

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