Cambodia – Vietnam Luxury Holiday

Upon arrival in Siem Reap you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel for check in. Siem Reap is the base for exploring the fabled temples of Angkor, the ancient capital of the Khmer empire. Over 100 temples are spread over a vast area and the site easily lives up to its status as one of the seven wonders of the forgotten world. The remainder of your day is at leisure and Overnight in Siem Reap.

Wake up early in the morning to catch up the sunrise under the Angkor, arrival at the bridge that leads to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat. The bridge is made of solid stone, flanked by large swaths of water and the imposing tower of the entrance gate. When you enter the courtyard you can see monks standing in bright orange robes like an imitation of the sunrise, their color reflected in the lily pond behind them which sits before the stunning architecture of the temple. Spend the afternoon exploring Siem Reap’s colorful markets and overnight in Siem Reap.

The delicious flavors of breakfast, from fresh tropical fruits of bananas, oranges, and jackfruit, to delicate baguettes and rich coffee brings brightness to the morning. After your meal you will once again venture out of Siem Reap with a private guide to the remarkable temple of Banteay Srei. The 10th century Hindu temple complex has resounding dark red sandstone along the low walls and rising peaking towers. The morning cool begins to shift into afternoon warmth. The temples sit in the open plaza surrounded by lush trees and swaying leaves.
In the afternoon, continues to add red light to the open blue sky as you travel deeper into the complex’s magnificence finding the art, the architecture, and the landscape blending in to one great moment. Get back to Siem Reap before late afternoon and overnight in Siem Reap.

Today, you will be picked up to the airport by private transfer for your flight to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The quiet demeanor of the city stretches along the Mekong River lined with shady palmed walkways. The French Colonial past is present within the energetic cafe culture and delectable cuisine that often fuses the flavors of Southeast Asia with the delicate techniques of France. Upon your arrival you will be taken to your hotel before meeting your guide who will tour you through the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum. The Khmer Rouge was the ruling party of Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 during which time the country became a shell of its former richness. Tuol Sleng Prison, also known as S21 is a representation of a tragic past from which the capital is still healing.

After breakfast, take a morning trip to the Royal Palace you notice classic Khmer roofs with ornate gilding. Constructed in the 19th century for the king, it was expanded in the 1960s to include solid silver tiles inlaid along the floor within the high walls around the manicured tropical garden. In the afternoon, continue to spectacular architecture and collective history within the National Museum of Cambodia. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the dawn in Phnom Penh with the busy streets and free at your leisure until you will be transferred to the port for embark the cruise down the river to Vietnam. Arrival in Chau Doc, a small town in Vietnam where you can see the Khmer and Cham influence continue as an everyday part of the community of temples, mosques, and churches. Boat along the Mekong River to the house on stilt, observe the people daily’s life and over night in Chau Doc.

Following breakfast, take time through the exciting sites of Chau Doc, the city is calm and small, which adds a particular elegance to the atmosphere. Then, afternoon drive to enjoy the scenic view before making your way to Ho Chi Minh City, the commerce capital of Vietnam.

After breakfast our tour guide will take a city tour  through the historic culture that often hides within the bustle of the modern city. Near the remnants of French Colonialism at the elegant construction of the Cathedral of Notre Dame, you will find the Jade Emperor Pagoda.

Following breakfast, take a short distance outside of the city brings you to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a large network of channels burrowed beneath the earth. The network runs almost 125 miles in length, deep enough to have not been effected by tanks and air raids during the Vietnam conflict. Learn about the history of their construction and venture into the network filled with hideouts and passageways. Get back to Ho Chi Minh city in the afternoon and enjoy night life energetic city.

Today free at your leisure untill transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. After settling into your hotel, you would be stay for free or wander around the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter is filled with colonial architecture and Buddhist temples showing the range of the city’s history that displays traditional riches and customs mixed with modern commodities as well. Enjoy the night life and overnight in Hanoi

Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – the final resting place of our hero of national liberation, the House on stilt where he lived off and on from 1958 to 1969. Keep going on Ho Chi Minh Museum where conserve the remarkable things about Uncle Ho. Then, we move to One Pillar Pagoda, which is a typical structure that make up a pagoda built over the water in the middle of a square lake.
From there, we walk onto the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, is dedicated to Confucian worship. (The very first stop-over of any foreign tourist in Hanoi is always Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (translated as Temple of Literature), which reveals the Hanoians’ spirit of study in the past)
Afterwards, continue city tour at Hoan Kiem lake – the heart of Hanoi, then sit on a cyclo to ride around Old Quarter to view the busy city or you can stop at Museum of Ethnology, which showcases Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. In the end of city tour, we will have a chance to see an interesting performance at water puppet theatre.

Transfer to Halong Bay, enjoy the journey en route as the car weaves through the picturesque countryside landscapes. Arrive in Halong and board your private, traditional junk boat that cruises among the unspoilt limestone islets of Halong Bay. After the sun sets, enjoy a romantic dinner in a private setting on the boat’s deck before retiring to your cabin for a good night’s sleep.

As your boat cruises back to Halong harbor through the spectacular karst and limestone rock formations, have a leisurely morning before enjoying brunch on-board. Your driver will meet you upon disembarkation for the transfer back to Hanoi.

Depending on departure time, the morning may be spent browsing through the colorful Central Market to find clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, and food. Or you are free at your leisure at your hotel untill transfer to airport after any excursions for onward flights.