Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)!
Upon arrival, your guide or driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Cu Chi and City Tour
Begin your journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels by departing at around 8am from your hotel and travel through the countryside which was once a stronghold of the Viet Cong. Upon arrival, watch a short video about what life was like for soldiers who lived there during the war. The cramped tunnels were central to a few of the war’s strategic operations, including the famous 1968 Tet Offensive, and they didn’t escape damage. American B52 bombers dropped hundreds of missiles leaving huge tell-tale craters behind. The tunnels served not only as living quarters, but as supply routes and hospitals for thousands of guerilla fighters. Many died there from malaria and other diseases, and a few were also born or married. Today they are viewed by some as a testimony to the Vietnamese people’s resiliency.
In the afternoon enjoy a half day walking tour of Saigon. Start your Story of Saigon with a visit to the War Remnants Museum. Here, your guide will tell the story of the city’s darkest and most tragic hours during the Vietnam War. The museum contains displays of military aircraft, weaponry and many photographs - some that are quite graphic in nature. Although many of Vietnam’s 90 million people are now too young to remember the war, its legacy is still felt strongly across Vietnamese society. Next, visit the Reunification Palace, once a symbol of the South Vietnamese Government. It was here on 30 April 1975, that the war ended when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates. See the war room, the banquet hall and the presidential office with the unusual gifts which have been received. Then, continue to the Central Post Office, designed and constructed by the renowned architect Gustave Eiffel, and take a moment to send a postcard! Just behind the post office is the Notre Dame Cathedral, an iconic Saigon landmark built in neo-Romanesque style by the French between 1863 and 1880. Today it’s a favoured backdrop for Vietnamese wedding photographs.Next, stroll down follow Dong Khoi Street, which figured prominently in Graham Greene’s famous Vietnam novel, The Quiet American, as Rue Catinat. The walk ends at the Saigon Opera House. From a bomb shelter to housing the parliamentary Lower House, the Opera House has had an interesting history.
Tip: For a captivating evening, consider attending the AO show. Through the clever use of bamboo props, the show tells a captivating story of the transition from the peaceful countryside to the bustling city life of modern Southern Vietnam.You'll be treated to stunning acrobatics, contortion, and live music that blends traditional and modern tunes seamlessly.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Tre
We start with a boat trip along the Mekong River, where we'll visit a traditional brick factory, offering a unique insight into the age-old brickmaking process that has endured for centuries. Next, we'll journey to a coconut farm, immersing ourselves in local life and witnessing firsthand the coconut production process. You'll have the opportunity to learn about the making of coconut products and experience the art of crafting sleeping mats alongside the locals. Following this, we'll embark on a tranquil rowing boat ride through the narrow coconut canals, enveloped by lush greenery,before continuing our exploration by motor cart through charming villages and scenic landscapes, providing an authentic glimpse into local culture and fostering interactions with welcoming locals. To conclude our adventure, we'll enjoy a delectable lunch at a local home, savouring traditional Vietnamese dishes crafted from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
You will then be transferred to Can Tho
Day 4: Can Tho floating market, transfer to Chau Doc
The Cai Rang floating market is one of the most unique and colorful markets in Southern Vietnam. Learn about the history and culture of the market and buy fresh fruits from one of the charming local vendors. Then, visit a traditional family owned“noodle house” where colorful noodles are made using traditional techniques.See the fascinating process of making noodles and sample some of the delicacies.Make your way along the idyllic canals in search of a traditional cocoa farm,where you will learn a lot of interesting facts and stories about chocolate! Find out how organic cocoa is used to make everything from wine to cosmetics,while enjoying a glass of cocoa milk or cocoa wine! Delicious!
Interesting fact: The sellers on boats in the river use long poles with samples of their goods attached. This helps them show what they're selling to customers on the riverbanks or passing boats. It makes buying and selling easier in the busy floating market.
In the afternoon you will be transferred to Chau Doc Nestled on picturesque Sam Mountain, just outside of Chau Doc, Victoria Nui Sam Lodge is the ideal base to explore this fascinating area. Hop on one of the lodge’s mountain bikes to discover the many nearby ethnic pagodas and temples, and as a bonus, be rewarded with spectacular panoramic views extending deep into neighbouring Cambodia.
Day 5: Chau Doc Fishing Villages, Cham Culture and Tra Su Mangrove Forest Tour
One of the most enchanting stops along the journey is a visit to a renowned floating fishing village in the Mekong River Delta. Here, amidst the gentle sway of floating houses, you'll experience the genuine warmth of the locals as they share their unique way of life. Witnessing the lively fish feeding rituals under these homes, surrounded by nets teeming with Pangasius and Tilapia, offers a glimpse into the harmonious relationship between community and river. Continuing on, your adventure leads you to the hidden treasures of Chau Doc, where the rich cultural tapestry of the Cham minority unfolds. Stepping into their village feels like stepping back in time as you're enveloped in the traditions and values that have sustained their community through generations. As you navigate the tranquil waters of the Chau Doc Vinh Te small canal, passing by stilt houses that stand as silent sentinels to a bygone era, you can't help but feel a sense of reverence for the beauty and resilience of this region.
In the afternoon, visit the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary for an out-of-this-world experience. You will travel by sampan through endless waterways flanked by mangroves and lush greenery. Here, amidst the seasonal bird sightings and the captivating beauty of Vietnam's most stunning flooded forest, you'll find yourself immersed in the serenity of Southeast Asia's wilderness. Returning to the motorboat, you'll venture deeper into the forest, embarking on a 500-meter stroll to reach the 25-meter observation post. From this vantage point, you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountains, vast expanses of cajeput forest, and the graceful flight of storks dotting the sky. Crossing the longest bamboo walking bridge in Vietnam, you'll have ample time to savor the unspoiled splendor of nature. En route, your knowledgeable guide will regale you with insights into the local flora and fauna, from the towering sugar palms to the verdant rice fields and bustling fish farms. Delve into the significance of Khmer Buddhism in the borderlands between Vietnam and Cambodia, gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural tapestry that defines this region. Concluding your journey, you'll return to your hotel in Chau Doc, carrying with you memories of an unforgettable encounter with nature's wonders.
Day 6: Chau Doc - drive to Kep via Ha Tien border
Today you will be transferred to Kep via Ha Tien border.
Check in your hotel and relax. The rest of day is at leisure.
Interesting fact: In the early 20th century, Kep was a popular destination for the French colonialists and Cambodian royalty who built luxurious villas and enjoyed its scenic coastal landscapes. Today, remnants of this colonial-era architecture can still be seen, giving Kep a unique charm and character.
Day 7: Kep fish market and pepper farm tour
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After breakfast, we’ll begin our journey to explore the vibrant Crab Market. Here, you’ll witness the daily rhythms of vendors selling fresh and cooked seafood. Stroll through the bustling alleys to take in the lively atmosphere of this unique marketplace.
Next, we’ll head to La Plantation farm to discover the secrets behind the famous Kampot Pepper. Passionate guides will share the story of the "La Plantation" project, highlighting the sustainable production of high-quality spices in Cambodia. Depending on the season, you’ll observe various stages of the pepper-growing process. Following a 45-minute farm tour, enjoy a 30-minute tasting session of their peppers and spices, complete with insights, recipes, and stories from the team.Afterward, indulge in lunch set within the plantation’s beautiful tropical garden, followed by a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to make an iconic Khmer dessert.
Interesting fact: Did you know Kep was showcased in an episode of Anthony Bourdain's show 'Parts Unknown'? In that episode, Bourdain delved into Cambodia's culinary and cultural treasures, featuring its seafood specialties and coastal towns like Kep. He toured local markets, engaged with residents, and tasted a variety of traditional dishes.
Day 8: Kep - drive to Phnom Penh via Kampot
Departing from Kep, you'll travel northeast to the capital with sightseeing and a stop at Kampot en route. This quiet riverside town exudes charm and offers a delightful stroll along the waterfront to admire the faded glory of French colonial architecture. Kampot is renowned for its salt and pepper production, as well as its fish sauce and durians, making it a fascinating stop along your journey.
Interesting fact: Do you know that Phnom Penh sits at the confluence of three major rivers: the Mekong, the Tonle Sap, and the Bassac. This strategic location has historically made Phnom Penh a vital center for trade and commerce in the region, contributing to its growth and significance as the capital city of Cambodia.
Day 9: Phnom Penh - Toul Sleng Museum and Killing Field tour
This fascinating half-day tour provides deeper insight into Cambodia’s history and highlights two of the Khmer Rouge regime’s most chilling legacies. Start the day at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former secondary school that was converted by Khmer Rouge into one of the regime’s largest detention and torture centers, Security Prison 21. An important educational site, the museum chronicles the Cambodian genocide and documents the atrocities that occurred within its walls. Please note that images on display are graphic and can be unsettling. Next visit Choeung Ek, one of the mass grave sites of the Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge executed over a million men, women, and children between the years 1975 and 1979. Today, Choeung Ek is a memorial with a Buddhist stupa filled with skulls and bones to honor the victims.
Day 10: Phnom Penh - fly to Siem Reap, half day tour of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre
In the morning fly to Siem Reap.
In the afternoon drive to Banteay Samré, a temple in eastern Angkor. Built in the early 12th century, it is a Hindu temple in the Angkor Wat style. Continue on to Banteay Srei temple, known as the ‘citadel of women,’perhaps for its smaller size. Built largely of red sandstone, the temple boasts intricate carvings on almost every surface. The remarkable preservation of these ornamental decorations and its unusual scale has earned the temple recognition as the “jewel of Khmer art,” which should not be missed.
Day 11: Angkor full day temple tour
Set off early to see the sun rise over the magnificent Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and the best-preserved temple in the complex. This visually spectacular massive three-tired pyramid has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its flag. Admire the grandeur of its architecture its extensive decoration of bas-relief friezes.Continue to Ta Prohm, one of Cambodia’s most beloved temples. Unusually, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found. The combination of large trees growing out of the ruins and the surrounding jungle give the temple a truly magical feel. Take a break for lunch and then set off to the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where statues of the gods of good and evil line the entrance.Next visit Bayon, a richly decorated temple. Its most distinctive feature is the hundreds of smiling faces that grace the towers. Impressive bas-reliefs tell stories of daily life and of the great battles that were fought between the Khmers and ancient Thais.Move on to Phimeanakas, a pyramid-shaped temple with two ponds in the rear. Climb to its top and take in the awe-inspiring sight of the Angkor ruins below before taking in row upon row of elephant trunks that form the wall of the Terrace of the Elephants.
Interesting fact: Unlike many other temples in the Angkor complex, Ta Prohm has been left largely in its natural state, with towering trees and massive roots intertwining with the temple's structures. This captivating combination of ancient stone ruins engulfed by the roots of giant trees, such as silk-cotton and strangler fig trees, creates a surreal and mystical atmosphere.
Day 12: Tonle Sap half day tour
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Take a short 15-kilometer drive to Tonle Sap Lake, located south of Siem Reap. Here embark on a cruise to Kompong Phluk, an isolated Khmer community of three villages built on stilts. The community has about 3,000 residents who farm fish and vegetables on the floating platforms. Admire the floating village with a Buddhist monastery right in the middle.The cruise will also take you through the flooded forests that surround the village, a unique ecosystem where millions of fish come to spawn each season, attracting a myriad of water birds. Enjoy the views and keep an eye out for wildlife, especially birds and crab-eating macaques.
Interesting fact: The Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia experiences a unique phenomenon where its water flow changes direction twice a year. During the dry season, the lake drains into the Mekong River. However, during the rainy season, the Mekong River swells with water, causing the Tonle Sap River to reverse its flow direction, effectively filling the Tonle Sap Lake and expanding its surface area. This phenomenon is essential for maintaining the lake's ecosystem and biodiversity and supports the livelihoods of many people living in the surrounding areas.
Day 13: Departing Siem Reap
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.
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