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Start: Around Hanoi | Finish: Phnom Penh
Nothing is quite as rewarding as visiting the Vietnamese and Cambodian countryside, where manual labor has not yet been replaced by industrialization, and where customs and traditions are the same as they have been for thousands of years. This tour is ideal for tourists who are looking to go back to the roots on their travels in Indochina. The journey introduces you to two wonderful aspects of Cambodia and Vietnam: simple lifestyles and fabulous landscapes of prime beauty. Emerald Halong Bay, entrhalling Tam Coc, picturesque Mai Chau valley, the immense Mekong Delta and the impressive Angkor temple complex all make up the array of wonders you will visit. Staying clear of major tourist hubs, you will walk or cycle to rural villages to meet hill tribe people in their colorful costumes living their traditional lifestyle. By spending a night at a homestay and participating in daily activities, you will truly connect with the core of local culture. This trip meets international standards of comfort and relaxation. Of course, for the homestay accommodation, you will need to adapt to the very basic living conditions of local people. Rewards are big, however, and you will find the journey to be a life enriching experience, not just a brief stay of leisure.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel. Hanoi is one of Asia's most charming cities, with its romantic tree-lined boulevards and colonial houses. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.
A full day spent touring Hanoi – the political, economic and cultural capital of Vietnam. Starting with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which offers informative and well-documented information on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes. The display continues in the outside garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses from the Kinh’s to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We will then visit the Temple of Literature - a temple built in honor of Confucius in 1070, and served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam founded in 1076. This temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about the Mandarin education that has shaped Vietnam for 1000 years and to relax in this tranquil setting. The afternoon is spent exploring the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple or the Jade Mountain Temple situated in the heart of Hanoi. A delightful water puppet show will perfectly wrap up our day. Overnight at hotel.
Depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau, a picturesque valley, home to many hill tribes including the Dzao, Muong and Thai. We will arrive in Mai Chau around noon and check into the Thai ethnic homestay in Van village. A village of the ‘White Thai’, who predominantly inhabit this area. A typical Thai meal will be served for lunch at the homestay. In the afternoon, you can take a short walk around the village where you will encounter friendly local people, and get the chance to communicate with them and get to know their traditional lifestyle. Enjoy a traditional dance show at night while tasting Ruou Can, the local rice wine. Overnight at homestay
After brekafast, drive to Ninh Binh via Nho Quan with its peaceful countryside settings. After lunch, taking buffalow cart or cycling through the village, stop to take some shots. Board a small rowing boat to explore the Van Long Nature Reserve which covers some 3,000 hectares of picturesque water landscape. You will enjoy two hours rowing through spectacular scenery made up of limestone mountains reflected in emerald water and lush rice fields. The forest is home to Delacour Langur - an endangered spiece with only 200 individuals remaining globally. Disembark and walk to visit two temples dedicated to King Dinh and Le in Hoa Lu- the ancient capital of Vietnam in 10th century. Overnight at the hotel in Hoa Lu.
After breakfast depart to Halong Bay via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding river. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk. Lunch will be served while the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald water. It is also an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul. A fresh seafood dinner will be prepared by an experienced chef and served on deck. A peaceful night on board in your private cabin.
Enjoy breakfast and savor the incredible sunrise from the sundeck while the boat sails to Luon Cave and one of Halong’s floating villages then back to the harbor. On the way back to Hanoi, we will stop at Phu Lang pottery village in Bac Ninh province. Drive to Hanoi for overnight.
You will fly to Saigon in the morning, the largest and most dynamic city in Vietnam. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.
In the morning, we will visit Cho Lon, Vietnam’s largest China Town where you can shop to your hearts content and sample the fabulous cuisine. We then visit Thien Hau Temple, the most lively temple in Ho Chi Minh City, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, and Giac Lam Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in the city. Back to downtown Saigon to visit Notre Dame Cathedral (built in 1877) and the Central Post Office. In the afternoon, we will visit the Reunification Palace formerly known as Independence Palace. It served as the residence and working place of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam war. The tour ends with a visit to Ngoc Hoang Temple dedicated to the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity in Taoism. Overnight at hotel.
Leaving the bustling city of Saigon behind, we depart to the Mekong Delta considered Vietnam’s biggest rice basket. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre and embark our boat to cruise along Bến Tre River, a tributary of the great Mekong, to explore the local lifestyle and the daily hustle and bustle. Stop at the brickfield belonging to Mr. Tu Lo to see how bricks are made by hand in Vietnam and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making this local candy and other souvenirs. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow amply in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or cycle hrough the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm tree. Cruise back to the pier and disembark. We continue to Long Xuyen passing Sadec where we will visit Kien An Cung Pagoda, built by the family of Huynh Thuy Le, the main character in the novel “L’amant” by French novelist Marguerite Duras, and Trung Vuong primary school where her mother taught. We will continue our trip to Long Xuyen where we will arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
In the early morning, we embark a sampan to explore Long Xuyen floating market, the least visited yet most authentic floating market in the Mekong Delta. It is crowded with thousands of boats jostling for space. We then take a boat trip to visit a floating fish farm where you have the chance to feed the fish yourself. After disembarking the sampan we will visit a village of the Cham ethnic minority. Our last stop of the day is Cu Lao Ong Ho also known as "Tiger Island", home of Vietnam's first president. We will then drive to Chau Doc, atown on the border of Cambodia and Vietnam, where we will spend the night.
In the morning we will take a speed boat to Phnom Penh and arrive in the capital city of Cambodia around noon. Time to rest and have lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring Phnom Penh. We commence our tour with a visit to the National Museum, then on to the Silver Pagoda situated inside the Royal Palace complex and lastly Wat Phnom Pagoda considered the spirittual heart of the city. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast we will drive 168km to Kampong Thom-a picturesque town situated on the banks of Tonle Sap Lake. En route, we will stop at Skun Market- a unique place selling spiders and Kuhak Nokor Temple built during the reign of King Suryavarman I (1002-1050). This temple was built out of laterite and decorated with sandstone lingtel and pillars. Arrive in Kompong Thom, check into the hotel for a short rest. In the afternoon, by passing through the beautiful landscape of the Cambodian countryside, we reach Sambor Prei Kuk, which served as the ancient capital of Chenla built in the early 7th century. Drive back to Kompong Thom for overnight.
After breakfast we will drive 2,5 hours to Siem Reap. We will stop at the the old bridge in Kampong Kdei for a visit and photos. After arriving in Siem Reap you will have time to relax and discover the small town in your own. A welcome dinner with a special Aspara dance show will be served in the evening. Overnight at hotel
We start our trip by visiting the Roluos Temple Group built between 877-889, situated 13km outside Siem Reap. They were constructed during the first Angkor settlement of the ancient Khmer. The group boasts three temples: - Bakong is the most impressive of the three, much older than Angkor Wat it features beautiful carvings on its lintels that remain in good shape - Preahko Temple is close to Bakong and consists of six elegant brick towers with exquisite decorations and statues of Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull. - Lolei Temple constructed in 893, is an island temple dedicated to members of the royal family and the Hindu god Shiva. The afternoon is spent exploring the amazing World Heritage "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building, and Phnom Bakheng on Bakheng Hill the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor era, marking the move of the Khmer empire's capital from Roluos to Angkor in the late 9th century AD. Overnight at hotel.
We will continue our discovery of Angkor with a visit to Banteay Srei built when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It’s a masterpiece of Khmer Art with intricate sandstone construction and ornate design. We will then head back to visit Banteay Samre Temple built in the Angkor Wat style. In the afternoon, we will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephant, Phimean Akas and the Terrace of the Leper King. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Morning visit to the “Small Circuit” group of temples including Ta Prohm overgrown with the roots of enormous fig trees. This is one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects dedicated to his mother, Thommanon built at the same time as Angkor Wat and Chau Say Tevoda Temple, Banteay Kdei surrounded by four concentric walls, Srah Srang or “The Royal Baths" which was used for bathing rituals and Ta Keo known as “The Mountain with Golden Peaks” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The afternoon will be spent visiting the “Grand Circuit” including Pre Rup, a temple mountain with beautiful bas reliefs and excellent views of the surrounding countryside, East Mebon a large temple mountain dedicated to Shiva in honor of the king’s parents, Tasom the most distant temple of the Grand Circuit, Neak Pean a small island temple originally dedicated to Buddha, it is most photogenic during the wet season and finishing off the tour will be Preah Khan dedicated to Jayavarman VII's father. Overnight at hotel
SWe will start our morning with a visit to Beng Melea temple located 60km east of the city, a 2 hour drive. The temple was constructed around the same time as and in the style of Angkor Wat. It is hidden in the middle of a lush jungle, an ideal place for those looking for an off the beaten track adventure in Cambodia. Picnic lunch on the way. We will then visit Koh Keh, which used to be the most remote and inaccessible Angkor temple complex, but thanks to reconstruction, the road is now in good condition. Overnight in Siem Reap.
In the morning, we will explore Tonle Sap lake, the largest natural lake in Indochina, by boat. One or two hours of cruising will bring you closer to the floating villages and discover Cambodian life on the water. We then continue our drive to Battambang (3 hours). A famous tourist-spot, sporting numerous ancient temples, Buddhist shrines and the infamous bamboo railway. Upon arrival we will check into the hotel and relax. Overnight at hotel in Battambang
After breakfast we will visit a traditional house at Phum Wat Kor and Wat Ek Phnom Temple which was built in the 11th century during the reign of Soriyavaraman I (1002 – 1050), but now sits within the ground of a modern pagoda. On the way back we will visit the Buddhist temple Wat Slaket and Prahoc Market famous for selling Prahoc, a kind of fermented fish paste, which is a popular cooking ingredient with Khmer people, which they use to add a salty flavor to a dish or just eat by itself. In the afternoon we will drive to the Bamboo Railway Station. The Bamboo Train was set up by the villagers to facilitate the transportation of goods and people. The train itself is very basic, one platform on four wheels activated by a small motor. Sitting on the platform we will travel 8km to the next station through beautiful landscape and past rice paddies. On arrival, we will visit a village and take a walk to discover rural Cambodia. Overnight at hotel in Battambang
We will depart early in the morning to Pursat province, famous for its marble stone carvings, colonial architecture and floating market. From there we continue to Kompong Chanang province 100km north of Phnom Penh, a centre for pottery founded some 5,000 years ago. The next stop is Phnom Oudong, the former Cambodian capital during the latter stages of the Khmer Empire and crowning site of many past kings. Consisting of a series of stupas atop a large hill, the site offers outstanding views across surrounding plains. Phnom Oudong was bombed and desecrated by the Americans and then the Khmer Rouge, but still possesses a beauty that no war has been able to destroy. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Free time for your own shopping and exploration before we bring you to the airport for your return flight. The hotel room is available until noon only. Asiatica Travel’s services end at the airport.
Please note that the hotels mentioned in this list are for reference only. Depending on availability and your preference, they can be changed. If we are unable to book any hotel, it will be replaced by another hotel at least of equivalent standard and value.
Tour price: This trip is organised for private group only. The tariff depends on the number of participants and the tourist season of the year. Please click “Customize this trip” to get the price of your group and your travel date.Note: Please note that due to cost efficiency, we only organize tour for at least two people. Services included (applied for this tour, subject to change) Hotels based on 2 persons/room as mentioned in the program. Meals as mentioned in the program (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch ; D = Dinner) Air-conditioned private vehicles for all transportations The private English speaking local guides Boat trips as mentioned in the program, luxury boat in Ha Long Bay with private cabin. Domestic flights: Hanoi - Hue, Danang - Ho Chi Minh in economic class with airport' tax Speedboat: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh Entrance & sightseeing fees Daily mineral water Government taxes & service charges Services excluded (applied for this tour, subject to change) Arrival and departure international flight, airport taxes. Visas to Vietnam, Cambodia Personal travel insurance Tips and personal expenses such as: laundry, telephone, drinks… Meals not mentioned in the program Bank charges relating to the payment Other services that are not clearly mentioned in the "Price includes".
Below are all things to see & do in this tourPlease, click at "Read more" for details!
Hanoi surrounding areas have many attractions. As soon as we leave Hanoi center area, rice paddies are extending out of sight, interspersing with groves, villages, small roads, and rivers ... This is the Red River Delta! .....
Mai Chau is a westernmost district of Hoa Binh Province, around 135km from Hanoi.
About 100km from Hanoi, Ninh Binh is an increasingly popular destination in the North of Vietnam. Ninh Binh’s appeal is a blend of endearing history and fairy-tale nature. It is blissfully created with spectacular mountains, rivers, grottos and primitive forests. Ninh Binh is also proud to be the first imperial capital of Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay (literally “Bay of Descending Dragon”) is a must-see for any visitor to Vietnam.
Ho Chi Minh City went by several different names: the French figuratively put it “Pearl of the Far East”, the American named it “Saigon” and the Chinese called it “Cho Lon”.
Ben Tre is a little province in the east of Mekong Delta, being wedged between two main arms of Tien River. Ben Tre shares borders with Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, and Vinh Long. It has one township also called Ben Tre and 7 other small districts, including Ba Tri, Binh Dai, Chau Thanh, Cho Lach, Giong Trom, Mo Cay, and Thanh Phu. The province also accounts for the greatest part of Khmer ethnic population of the region.
Long Xuyen is the capital of An Giang, an increasingly popular province in Mekong Delta, made famous for its relaxing atmosphere and beautiful colonial houses.
Chau Doc is an interesting destination to explore: its spectacular mountains, unique floating fishing houses, and historic temples and pagodas.
Thanks to its 100km border with Cambodia, Chau Doc is getting more and more popular among travelers who are interested in entering Cambodia via the waterway.
Phnom Penh is a city of amazing architecture stamped with diverse influences, mainly French. Phnom Penh also makes a perfect base for many fantastic discoveries to surrounding areas.
Siem Reap is the capital of a province bearing the same name in northwest Cambodia. Located 300 km north of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap becomes a gateway to the Angkor region. Siem Reap is alluring huge crowd for its Angkor Temples (Buddhist Pagodas or Wats) around 7 km away from downtown. Siem Reap means the “Defeat of Siam” and refers to the centuries-old conflict between the Siam (now Thailand) and Khmer people.
The famous archaeological site of Angkor is located 7 km from Siem Reap downtown. This monumental complex comprises more than a hundred temples, palaces and pagodas built between the ninth and fourteenth century during the reign of King Suryavarman II.
Phnom Penh is located in the South of Cambodia. With an area of 290 km2 and the population of about 1.5 million, it is currently the largest city of Cambodia. The city has a tropical climate with two seasons: the rainy season (May to October) and the dry one (November to April). Situated at the confluence of three rivers named the Mekong, Bassac and the great Tonle Sap; Phnom Penh has its former name "Krong Chaktomuk" which means "City of Four Faces" because the 3 above rivers form an "X" where the capital is located. Under the French governance, Phnom Penh was kwon as the "Pearl of Southeast Asia" because of various large architectures built by the French. That is why it became the most important city of the Mekong basin since that period. It, however, was partially destroyed by the Red Khmer.
These reviews are objective opinions of our customers and we only publish those agreed by the customers. Please note that not all ready-made tours on our site are reviewed, as 90% of our customers requested a tailor made tour. For more information, please read our Testimonials Page.
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This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.
Couple Familly with baby under 12 years old Family with all adults Group of friends Company Others
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Mrs. Helen We will be back soon Traveled from 07 Oct 2013 to 18 Oct 2013
"We returned home safely and just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed our journey in Vietnam. We are all so happy and better informed about life in Vietnam after the trip you so carefully organised for us."