Day 1 : Arrival Ho Chi Minh City/ Still Called Saigon – Welcome Dinner (D)
Tan Son Nhat Airport - Saigon
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Welcome dinner
– Private boat to cruise in the river
— Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City/ Saigon : GRAND HOTEL – 4 star
Day 2 : Saigon City Tour (B)
Ben Thanh Market - Saigon
Today we spend a full day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous mansion was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. Upon leaving these landmarks we drive to see the crowded Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon, which is crammed with fascinating temples as well as mysterious and narrow lanes. We follow it with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit with a wealth of images from the notorious conflicts. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast
– Private boat to cruise in the river
– Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh: GRAND HOTEL – 4 star
Dat 3 : Saigon – Tay Ninh – Cu Chi Tunnels - Saigon (B)
Cao Dai Temple
The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Upon leaving Cu Chi we drive a short distance to Tay Ninh, the headquarters of Cao Dai Sect . This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members. We arrive in time to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes. These costumes are a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. O/N in Ho Chi Minh
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast
– Private boat to cruise in the river
– Accommodation in Ho Chi Minh: GRAND HOTEL – 4 star
Day 4 : Saigon – Mekong Delta – My Tho – Can Tho (B, L)
Ben Tre Province
Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We meet up with our vehicle for a short drive to Can Tho, the capital city of this delta region. O/N in Can Tho
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– Private boat to cruise in the river
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Accommodation in Can Tho : KIM THO HOTEL – 3 star
Day 5 : Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Thot Not – Chau Doc (B, L)
Cai Rang Floating Market - Can Tho
The watery world of the Mekong Delta is home to many bustling floating markets. Today we take a boat trip exploring the vibrant floating market of Cai Rang, whose the trading way is unique; each boat usually sells one particular item, whether it be pumpkins, pineapples, sugar canes,…. and in order that the customer knows where to shop, they hang that item from the highest part of the boat. Upon leaving Can Tho we make our way towards Chau Doc with stop over at Bang Lang Stork Sanctuary just outside Thot Not village. This sanctuary is home to literally thousands of storks. The overland journey passes by many rice fields fringed with palm trees, fruit orchards and canals crammed with boats and rice barges to Chau Doc. This border town is less affected by the flash and glitz of Ho Chi Minh City’s fashionable young people although it is a major hub of trade along the Mekong River. On arrival in Chau Doc we enjoy a boat trip on the Hau River to a fishing breeding farm and a small Muslin community at Cham village. At end of our river trip we visit the sacred Ba Chua Temple and the nearby Tay An Sanctuary. We round off our day with a walk to the Sam Mountain to admire the sunset over the mighty Mekong River. O/N in Chau Doc
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Private boat to cruise in the river
– Meal : Breakfast, lunch
– Accommodation in Chau Doc : CHAU PHO HOTEL – 3 star
Day 6 : Chau Doc – Boat Trip to Phnom Penh - Tour (B)
Tuk Tuk Tour in Phnom Penh
Upon leaving Chau Doc Town we board an express boat for a thrilling trip along the Mekong River to Cambodia. The experience is unforgettable as we can see the picturesque scenery changing all along the way from Vietnam to Cambodia. On arrival at Phnom Penh pier, you are greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh lies near the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. This riverside town still maintains considerable charm despite its recent turbulent history. An afternoon city tour acquaints us with some major sights of Phnom Penh. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are now home to the royal family and are therefore very close to the public. At the northern area of the palace grounds is Silver Pagoda, the most sacred temple in the country. We follow it with a walk up to a small hill for an interesting visit to the legendary Wat Phnom and a fantastic view over the surrounding areas. O/N in Phnom Penh
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Speedboat : Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Accommodation in Phnom Penh : OHANA HOTEL – 3 star
Day 7 : Phnom Penh – Tonle Bati (B)
Tonle Bati - Phnom Penh
The delightful painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge still can be seen at the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious “Killing Fields” of Choeung Ek. We visit these infamous sites before heading south to explore the complex of Tonle Bati with Ta Prohm and Prasat Yeay Peo Temples. Today we have time seeing the National Museum, which is exclusively dedicated to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period from 9th to 15th century, but some date from as early as the 4th century. The next stop is one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Toul Tom Pong, all called the “ Russian Market”. We enjoy a walk around this bustling trading center and see plenty of local handicrafts and artifacts. The ideal way of spending your last evening in Phnom Penh is to relax in a café by the riverfront. O/N in Phnom Penh
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– All entrance fees
– Meal : Breakfast
– Accommodation in Phnom Penh : OHANA HOTEL – 3 star
Day 8 : Phnom Penh – Speedboat to Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (B)
Bayon Temple - Siem Reap
The river journey begins as we embark an express boat and navigate along the Tonle Rap River towards Siem Reap. On arrival you are met by our guide and driven to hotel. This tranquil town is our base for exploring the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. Upon leaving Siem Reap Town we set off on a short drive to the archeological area and spend our time to visit the most striking structures. They are the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns , libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. O/N in Siem Reap
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– Speedboat : Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast
– Entrance fees
– Accommodation in Siem Reap : STEUNG HOTEL- 3 star
Day 9 : Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (B)
Phnom Bakheng Hill - Siem Reap
The jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We explore the well known Ta Prohm and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologists’ division. Upon leaving this area we visit various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup. We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. O/N in Siem Reap
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast
– Entrance fees
– Accommodation in Siem Reap : STEUNG HOTEL- 3 star
Day 10 : Siem Reap - Angkor temples - Banteay Srei (B)
Siem Reap People
Heading out of town we drive beyond the Angkor Complex through the Preah Dark village to the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei Temple. We stroll around this beautiful landmark which was designed to leave no space undecorated. The roads begin to deteriorate but it is still fascinating to drive past the rolling mountain scenery towards Kbal Spean. This interesting site locally named the river of 1000 Lingars, has been largely reclaimed by the jungle; however it invovles a walk to catch a view over its riverbed carvings. The next stop is Banteay Samre which is adorned with striking relief depicting the scenes of Vishunu and Krishna legends. Today we also have a chance to explore the ancient Khmer civilization site of Hariharalaya which flourished in the late 9th and earlier 10th centuries. These are the earliest temples in the Angkor area and are referred to the Rolous group. O/N in Siem Reap.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast
– Entrance fees
– Accommodation in Siem Reap : STEUNG HOTEL- 3 star
Day 11 : Siem Reap Tour - Departure (B)
Preah Dark village - Siem reap
The sightseeing tour also includes Les Chantiers Ecole, a handicraft center located in the center of Siem Reap. This art school was founded in 1992 and aims to revive the ancient art of Khmer workmanship as it gives young people the opportunity to learn the art of stone and wood carving, silk weaving methods and polychromic technique. If time permits we pay a visit to this school and the market in town. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure.
Include:
– Private transportation by car with air conditioner & experienced driver
– English speaking tour guide
– Meal : Breakfast
– Entrance fees
Ho Chi Minh City: Still called Saigon, the dynamic heart of Vietnam, the city of crowding, business and also history.
