Mekong Melodies: Vietnam and Cambodia

Upon arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and driver who will escort you to your hotel in the city center. Free time to relax and overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Discovery of the capital Hanoi. Hanoi is a fascinating city where ancient traditions mix with modern life - We visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (not accessible on Mondays and Fridays as it is closed), Ba Dinh Square where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House, a simple stilt house where he lived from 1958 until his death in 1969, the One Pillar Pagoda - it is built on a single stone pillar and surrounded by a lotus pond, making it a picturesque place for visitors. - Afterwards, we will go to the "Temple of Literature: a symbol of education" - The Temple of Literature in Hanoi is a historic Confucian temple and also the first college in Vietnam. - In the early afternoon, you will visit the renowned Ethnographic Museum (closed on Mondays), which gives us an insight into the different cultures of Vietnam and the lives of its people. - You will end your city tour in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, wander through narrow streets lined with ancient houses, vibrant markets, and authentic eateries, immersing yourself in the city's vibrant past and present. In the eveningh you will have chance to immerse your selve The Quintessence of Tonkin show. Born from an artistic vision to showcase the cultural highlights of northern Vietnam, The Quintessence of Tonkin blends skillful performers, a mermerising set, delightful water puppetry, a stunning light show, an evocative soundtrack and the Thay Mountain into a breathtaking open air spectacle that is both emotive and uplifting.

Depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh, often referred to as 'Halong Bay on land,' which enchants visitors with its stunning karst landscapes and tranquil river cruises." Continue to Tam Coc for peaceful boat rides through beautiful rice fields and high cliffs. You may feel amazed of how your boat captain uses their legs to row the wooden paddles. Explore the peaceful Bich Dong Pagoda in Ninh Binh, a place where ancient caves and beautiful architecture blend with nature, creating a serene experience in Vietnam We arrive at Hoa Lu, the capital of Vietnam that existed for 41 years under the Dinh and Le dynasties (between 968 and 980), where past kings are celebrated in a peaceful place. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure from Hanoi to the world famous Halong Bay, ‘the "descending dragon", a drive of about 3.5 hours. Halong Bay is known as UNESCO World Heritage Site and captivates with its emerald green waters, thousands of limestone islands and enchanting boat rides. - You will board our junk for an unforgettable cruise. Spending a night on a boat in Halong Bay, you can drift under the stars surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the limestone karst rocks and the calm water. You can enjoy various activities such as kayaking, swimming, cave exploring and enjoying fresh seafood while taking in the breathtaking scenery - Dinner will be served with delicious local seafood on board, with other options available. Overnight stay on the junk. - Note: The cruise itinerary and schedule may change depending on the selected Cruise, weather and operating conditions.

Breakfast on board. After breakfast, continue your cruise through the breathtaking scenery of the bay. After disembarking, transfer to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, transfer to hotel and check in. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel. 08.00: You will spend a full day visiting Hue, which with its ancient imperial citadel and rich cultural heritage is a captivating city that showcases Vietnam's royal history. A sampan ride on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda offers a serene journey through the cultural and spiritual heart of Vietnam. A visit to the Citadel in Hue immerses you in the splendour of Vietnam's imperial past, with its historic architecture and rich cultural heritage. In the afternoon, visit Tu Duc Tomb and Minh Mang Tomb, a serene and beautifully designed final resting place reflecting the peaceful and contemplative spirit of the eponymous emperor Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel in Hue

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Hoi An. Hoi An is known for its charming lantern-lit streets, ancient architecture and vibrant markets. A visit to Hoi An is a must as it captures the essence of Vietnam's cultural diversity. In Hoi An, you will visit the historic Old Quarter, taste delicious street food, stroll along the riverside and learn about the rich traditions of this UNESCO World Heritage Site: Japanese Bridge, Quan Cong Temple, Fujian Temple, one of the ancient houses and the local market. Afterwards, take a boat ride on Thu Bon River. Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Sai Gon. Now known as Ho Chi Minh City, it is a vibrant metropolis in Vietnam that combines a dynamic urban atmosphere with a rich historical heritage In the afternoon, visit the central post office designed by Gustave Eiffel and Notre Dame Cathedral, inspired by its Parisian model. Then, visit the moving War Remnants Museum, which tells the story of the Vietnam War through images and artifacts from the period. Continue your city tour with a visit to District 5, formerly called Cho Lon and also known as Chinatown. It is a lively and bustling district in Ho Chi Minh City filled with colorful markets, historic temples and a rich painting of cultures . We end our city tour with a visit to Thien Hau Temple, also known as the " Temple of the Heavenly Lady" to admire its ornate friezes and incense spirals. Dinner on your own. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

"Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Then drive to Ben Tre, where you'll arrive around 10:00 am. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River and discover local activities such as brick making and coconut workshops. Visit Cai Son and Nhan Thanh creeks and observe mat making by local families. Take a horse-drawn cart ride through rice paddies and vegetable fields to learn about rural life. At noon, you'll have lunch with a local family at a nearby restaurant. In the afternoon, explore the Palm River by rowboat and drive along the Cai Coi River back to Ben Tre City. Afterwards, departure to Can Tho. Overnight at hotel.

Start the day with a boat ride through the winding waterways of Cai Rang, the largest and liveliest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Upon our return, we continue to Chau Doc, the closest town to the Vietnam-Cambodia border in An Giang province. Our adventure continues with a visit to the enchanting Tra Su Forest, where we immerse ourselves in the lush greenery of this natural paradise. We will spend the night in Chau Doc, surrounded by the beauty of the Mekong Delta

In the morning, we'll travel by speed boat to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. After arriving around noon, you can relax and enjoy lunch on your own. Visit to the Royal Palace compound build in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), display plenty of Buddha Statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Continue to National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony. Next, we head to visit Wat Phnom “Mountain Pagoda” is a Buddhist temple that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh, located on the hill. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four statues of Buddha deposited here by the waters of the Mekong River and discovered by Lady Penh. Wat Phnom is the most popular place for local people come to play healthy spot or praying for their good luck as well as admire the sundown. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Pick up by driver and transfer to Phnom Penh Airport to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap airport, meet our guide and transfer to city. We will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent fresh-water lake in South East Asia and flows into Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, floating police station, etc. It is same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" move from place-to-place following water levels and current. Dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant. For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, no visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we go to Preah Khan Temple, a historic site near Angkor Thom. Nearby is Neak Poan, a small temple on an island in a former water reservoir. We then visit Tasom, known for its scenic spots and tree-covered entrance. Later, we explore the Akira Landmine Museum to learn about Cambodia’s recent history. We drive 35km to Banteay Srei, a small but stunning temple dedicated to Shiva. It's famous for its intricate carvings, often said to be so delicate that they must have been done by women. On our way back, we stop at Pradark Village, where locals make palm sugar and handicrafts. Lastly, we visit Banteay Samre, admired for its detailed carvings and beautiful pink sandstone walls. We end our day in Siem Reap, enriched with Cambodia’s ancient and recent stories.

We wake up early to see the beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat, a famous temple. It can get crowded, especially from December to March. After the sunrise, we explore Angkor Wat, taking lots of pictures from different angles. We also visit Ta Prohm, known for its big trees seen in the Tomb Raider movie. We'll take you to a quiet jungle temple away from the crowds for unique photos. Later, we see Bayon temple with its many towers and faces during the Golden Hour. Our day ends at one of Angkor Thom's gates to capture the sunset over the water. We stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Free time until the depature flight to say good bye to Siem Reap. And finish the emotion tour of 2 countries.