Colorful Indochina: Vietnam & Cambodia tour

Arrival at Noi Bai airport and transfer to the hotel. Free time and overnight in a hotel in Hanoi. 

After breakfast, start the day visiting the current capital of Vietnam: the Temple of Literature dedicated to Confucius and the Men of Letters, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday), the house on stilts and One Pillar Pagoda.

In the afternoon visit Van Nien Temple and Tao Sach Pagoda, then take a tour around the old quaters on foot. It is a peaceful area allowing you to get an insight on the life of the city and its inhabitants.

The tour ends with a walk around Hoan Kiem lake also known as Lake of the Restored Sword, visiting Ngoc Son Temple. Overnight in hotel. 

Breakfast -Lunch-Dinner

Departure in the morning to Halong Bay. You'll cross the rich farms of the Red River Delta. Once at Halong pier, you'll board a junk for a cruise around the beautiful islands emerging from the tranquil emerald sea. Seafood-based lunch and exploration of the Surprise Cave, one of the most beautiful caves of the bay. Dinner and overnight on the junk.

In the morning after breakfast leave the junk and set off on a sampan (typical boat) to visit the famous caves. Brunch on the junk. Return to Hanoi for the flight to Hue. Check in to the hotel and overnight.

(The route of the mini cruise can vary according to the kind of junk used and sea conditions. The guide on board will speak English /French).

In the morning meeting at the hotel and then set off to visit the Forbidden City, the Imperial Museum and Tu Duc Tomb. Then embark on a traditional sampan for an excursion along Perfume River towards Thien Mu Pagoda. Stop to visit this beautiful pagoda, built in 1601, symbol of Hue. Continue to Thuy Bieu village.

After lunch, a pleasant bike trip in the village will allow you to discover the daily activities of the locals. Enjoy some rest with a foot bath with hot water and medical herbs, a traditional health practice.

Transfer to the old city of Hoi An and overnight in hotel.

In the morning visit Hoi An, a Unesco Heritage Site. Visit the main attractions including Japanese Bridge, Chinese Temple, the old house of Phung Hung, the market, the harbour, Chuc Thanh Pagoda, the oldest in Hoi An (1454) erected by a Chinese monk, and finally visit the gallery of French photographer Rehànn.

Overnight in hotel.

Breakfast.

We leave the romantic city of Hoi An for the transfer to Da Nang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. In the afternoon you'll start exploring the city and its historical boulevards; visit War Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. In the afternoon you'll also visit Thien Hau Pagoda and Cho Lon Chinese market. Explore Dong Khoi street with its boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by the Vietnamese.

After breakfast depart by car towards Mekong Dekta, considered as the rice bowl of Vietnam. Arrival at the pier of Hung Vuong (Ben Tre town) opposite the hotel with the same name. Embark on a cruise along Ben Tre river, one of the main tributaries of Mekong river. En route you will have the chance to see lively local activities, fishing men along the river and the irrigation system of the canals.

Stop at a furnace to see the processing of bricks in traditional style through molds and bakery. Along the canal visit one of the many workshops for coconut processing, Continue through natural bends of the delta reaching a village.

Stop at a local house to taste tea and fresh fruit picked in the area. By moto taxi (Xe Loi) or bike explore local nature: woods, green ricefields and vegetable plantations, a true approach to local rural life. Stop for lunch in a local restaurant. Transfer to Can Tho. Overnight in hotel.

In the morning visit the floating market of Cai Rang on a ferry. The scenery before your eyes is authentic and thrilling, with hundreds of sampans full of rice, fruit, artisanal objects, joining together to exchange and sell goods. Meeting local people will make you learn more about their lives and will allow you to approach the many animated local and traditional activities.

Leave Can Tho. En route stop at Cai Be to see the old house of Mr Ba Kiet. After lunch return to Saigon for the flight to Siem Reap. Overnight in hotel. 

Ride among the jungle passing local villages and local shops. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom. Afterwards, we wil visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, dating back to the 12^th century, the South Gate, Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Enclosure and finally the Elephant terrace and the Leper King Terrace.

We will visit Kilt, that is the only project in Siem Reap that seeks to afford disabled Khmers who are in most instances landmine victims opportunities to become independent by their own efforts by making jewellery, growing organic vegetables, hand milling rice, playing music, and other activities.

We continue to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.

Start your trip with the visit of Banteay Srei (Women Citadel), consecrated to Lord Shiva, whose architecture and sculptures in pink tiles show the great craftsmanship of Khmer art. Visit Banteay Samre, a Hindu temple in the architectural style of Angkor Wat.

In the afternoon visit Pre Rup Temple, the most beautiful temple of the Great Circuit complex. It is a temple that was built in red bricks in 960, when  Rajendravarman II was ruling. 

In the evening enjoy a romantic dinner with music and Apsara traditional dance. Overnight in hotel.

Early morning departure to the floating village of Kompong Khleang which is about an hour's drive from Siem Reap and is visited by many tourists each year. Kompong Khleang is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses. Walki around the village to get to know the inhabitants and enter a house where a family lives and raises crocodiles. Afterwards boarding on a local boat and sailing on the canals to the big lake whose inhabitants move their houses according to the seasons. Then transfer to the airport for departure flight.