(11 days/10 nights)

Ho Chi Minh - Tay ninh - Cu chi tunnels - Caibe - Vinh long - Can tho -Chau doc - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap - Angkor temples

This  transborder trip allows us to get a deep appreciation for this beautiful country and its people. From the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh, we head to the watery world of the Mekong before taking a boat trip crossing the border to Phnom Penh. A few days touring the wonder of Angkor Temples is memorable.

HIGHLIGHTS

    . Ho Chi Minh                     

    . Caodai temple (Tayninh)

    . Cuchi tunnels                 

    . Caibe floating market                 

    . Vinhlong              

    . Chaudoc

    . Phnom Penh

    . Siem Reap         

    . Angkor temples

DAY  1: ARRIVAL - HO CHI MINH

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This bustling metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area 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.

DAY  2 : HO CHI MINH

Today we spend a full day exploring Ho Chi Minh City. We pass the now-demolished wartime American Embassy before we visit the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the Palace, there are some beautiful French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. After seeing the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum, we continue our trip to Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown, which is crammed with fascinating temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. We end our city tour with a visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 3 : HO CHI MINH - CU CHI - TAY NINH - HO CHI MINH

The head quarter of Cao Dai sect is located in Tay Ninh. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers  over 2 million members. After breakfast we travel by roads to Tay Ninh to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and  attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Afterwards we continue to the famous  Cu Chi Tunnels, which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

DAY 4 : HO CHI MINH - CAI BE - VINH LONG - CAN THO

Heading out of the town, we travel by road to Vinh Long Province. On arrival, we embark on our boat cruising around the tributaries of the mighty Mekong River which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up. Along the way, we visit the vibrant floating market of Cai Be and many local cottages industries including rice paper makers and bonsai nurseries. A huge lunch followed with many seasonal fruits at an orchard is some enjoyment of the trip. We then weave our way through the intricate network of canals which are the lifeblood of the Mekong Delta before we meet up with our vehicle for a short drive to Can Tho, our today destination. O/N in Can Tho. (B,L)

DAY 5: CAN THO - CHAU DOC

This morning we depart for Chau Doc and pass many rice fields fringed with palm trees, fruit orchards and canals crammed with boats and rice barges. Arriving in Chau Doc  we have time to stroll around. This  is a tranquil town and 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. An afternoon tour takes us to major places of interest in this region. We enjoy a boat trip on the Hau River to explore the fishing breeding houses and a Cham village. Upon disembarking, we discover the sacred Ba Chua Temple and the nearby sanctuary of Tay An before ascending the Sam Mountain to watch the beautiful sunset over Cambodia and the mighty Mekong River. O/N in Chau Doc. (B)

DAY 6: CHAU DOC - PHNOM PENH

After breakfast we board  an express board for a trip along the Mekong River crossing into Cambodia and continuing on to its capital. Phnom Penh was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina. Despite its recent turbulent history, it still maintains considerable charm. 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 shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom which recites the history of Phnompenh’s name. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY  7: PHNOM PENH

The sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh continues with as visit to the Royal University of Fine Arts where the young Cambodians learn the ancient arts of their ancestors. The most interesting part of this structure is the Dance Academy. Here, many young children practice the graceful movements of the beautiful national dances. We then continue to the National Museum, dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period (9^th to 15^th Century), but some date from as early as the 4^th Century. The Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. These sights provides us a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. O/N in Phnom Penh. (B)

DAY  8: PHNOM PENH - SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES

An early morning transfer to Phnom Penh Pier.  We embark on express boat and make our way up the Tonle Sap River and into the lake of the same name. The shallow Tonle Sap is the largest of Southeast Asia’s lake. Depending on the season, our boat journey takes us anything from 5 to 6 hours to reach Siem Reap. This town is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. After checking into hotel, we drive to the archeological area to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of Leper King and the largest as well as most complete structure of Angkor Wat. O/N in Siem Reap. (B)

DAY 9: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR TEMPLES

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 this masterpiece as well as its surrounding temples of Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit including Preah Khan, the Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup Temple is also visited, this afternoon before we ascend Phnom Bakheng Hill for a view of the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. O/N in Siem Reap.(B)

DAY  10: SIEM REAP - BANTEAY SREI - ROLUOS GROUP

Heading out of the town, we drive on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well preserved temple of Banteay Srei. On the way , we make stover at the Preah Dark village and the River of 1000 Lingas, locally named Kbal Spean. We follow these with a visit the Banteay Samre Temple adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishunu as well as Krishna legends. We also have time today, exploring 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. (B)

DAY  11: SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE

There is free time for your own exploration of the town and strolling around the shopping areas. The trip ends after your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for departure. (B)

INCLUDING : Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver +  Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner + Accommodation:  twin sharing room at the below  mentioned hotel or similar one  + English or French speaking guide +  Entrance fee to indicated sights + Boat trip in  Mekong Delta, Siem Reap + Express boat Chau Doc - Phnom Penh & Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

NOT INCLUDING : Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa to Vietnam & Cambodia, flight in/ out Indochina, any optional additional tours or activities during free time.

TRIP NOTES:

     The itinerary is corrected at the time of viewing. Occcasionally, our itineraries change as we make improvement that stem from our past traveller's comments and our own research or due to local conditions oe circumstances beyond our control. This includes festival, pubplic holidays, weather and flight delay,... that may effect the itinerary.

  Vietnam & Cambodia are developing countries whose infrastructure, values, customs, standard may different from what you expect in your home land. Road condition are poor, accommodation and transportation may be basic in remote area.

      Daily breakfast (B) and 01 Lunch (L) are included on this trip. Other meals are at client’s expenses. However, the trip with full board meal is arranged upon request.

     The dress standards are conservative thoughout Asia. Loose, lightweight, long clothing are all respectful and cool in Asian hot climate. In addition to your items of personal clothing, we suggest you to bring trainer or sneaker shoes, jacket for cold weather, torch/flash light, hat, rain coat for wet season, sun cream, sunglasses, daypack, toiletries and small towel, insect repellent.

      During the dry season (May - July) the low level of the Tonle Sap River does not permit a cruise   to the fishing village on the Tonle Sap. The excursion will be replaced by a visit to the Chantiers Ecoles, a non-profit organisation who teaches the Cambodian children to learn the skill of arts such as carving, paintings.

       Departure place could be changed upon client’s request.