18 Days Vietnam Cambodia Explorer Tour

After breakfast, transfer to take the Tonlé Sap for a cruise on the lake with the visiting to floating village to explore the fishman’s life.
At noon, board the 6 hour bus to Phnom Penh departing at 12:30 passing the countryside and town along the country. There are few stops on the way to relax.
Arrive in Phnom Penh and you are met and transferred to the hotel for check in. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Morning, we will explore this charming city of Phnom Penh: visit the Victory Monument, the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Visit to the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - from throughout the ages. 
At noon, you will be transfer to the boat station for the express boat trip to Chau Doc, the border town of Vietnam departing at 12:30. To enter Vietnam at border with Cambodia, you will need to have Vietnam visa in advance. Arrive Chau Doc in late afternoon (around 18:00), you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Chau Doc.

Located on the upper Mekong Delta, Chau Doc town is 280 km (174 miles) south-west of Ho Chi Minh City close to the Cambodian border. With such proximity to Cambodia, the local population is an eclectic mix of Cham, Khmer, Chinese and Vietnamese, sharing different cultures and historical richness. 
After breakfast at hotel, transfer from Chau Doc to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta where we will board our Mekong cruise. Your crew welcomes you on board your private sampan with cold towels and a refreshing drink. Cruise the waterways of the Mekong Delta, observing villagers going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes while your attentive crew serves tea and seasonal fruit. Sail past local barges laden with produce from the Delta as you enjoy lunch on board, with the mighty Hau River as a backdrop, one of the two largest arms of the Mekong. Transfer to a small rowboat to better explore the beautiful waterways and peaceful villages. Enjoy your night on board the Mekong cruise.

Begin cruising in the early morning hours at about 6:30 am, just as the villages begin to stir and children get ready for school. After a leisurely breakfast on board, our first shore excursion is to visit a small brick factory. Arriving at Cai Be, step ashore to visit local cottage industries that utilize products from the Delta like rice and coconuts to make tasty snacks including puffed rice and chewy coconut candy. Then, transfer to your hotel in Saigon. Overnight in Saigon. 

Depart this morning for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground tunnels begun in 1948 by the Viet Minh in their struggle against the French. These tunnels were expanded and used by the Viet Cong during the war between Vietnam and America. American called this area the “Iron Triangle” and was a Viet Cong strong hold for almost thirty years. You may walk underground in the tunnels. Return to the city before lunch time.
Afternoon, you will explore this cosmopolitan city o­n a guided tour. High lights are the famed Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace (outside visit), War Remnant Museum, Ben Thanh Market. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Early monring, transfer to Nha Trang train station for the day train to Danang SE2 leaving at 04:22AM. On arrival at Da Nang at 13:34, pickup at the train station and visit to Cham Sculpture Museum (rich collection of Cham sculptures from in 14-15 century back with Indian influences) before transferring to Hoi An town, which was originally one of major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Visit of Hoi An Town with mixed the culture of Vietnam/Chinese/Japanese with Chinese tiled houses, Chinese temples, Japanese covered bridge. Overnight in Hoi An town.

Morning, take a discovery trip to My Son, 40km from Hoi An. Located in a lush valley, My Son was a capital and religious center of Cham people, now remaining with red brick towers and sanctuaries. My Son, considered being in the same league as some of Southeast Asia's greatest archaeological sites, including Angkor in Cambodia, Bagan in Myanmar, Ayutthaya in Thailand and Borobudur in Indonesia. These towers and sanctuaries were built from the 7 to 13 centuries. Admiring great architectural and art works of the Cham lost Kingdom. Having a brief understanding of the history, culture for which My Son was recognized the World Cultural Heritage.
Afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to a village of woodworkers and boat building families on Cam Kim Island and Thanh Ha pottery village.
You will have free time in the afternoon and whole evening to explore more of the town or doing your own things today. Overnight in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at hotel.
Morning, you are free to relax or explore more of Hoi An town on your own.

Check out hotel at noon and you will have a nice drive over the scenic Hai Van pass (Cloudy Pass) along the coast to the old citadel of Hue. On the way, visit Marble Mountain (Ngu Hanh Son), discover the stunning natural caves of the mountain and enjoy the beautiful view from the top of the Marble Mountain and have a quick view of the Dragon Bridge in Danang city. You will have a short stop in spectacular Lang Co beach for a view before continue on our drive to Hue.  Overnight in Hue.

Today, take the sightseeing in Hue to the Ancient Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces and temples built by the Nguyen from early 19th Century for which Hue was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.
Then you will embark on a drive to Hue’s countryside to reach the Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb, one of the most beautiful royal architectures of Nguyen dynasty.
Afternoon, visit Thien Mu pagoda and enjoy the leisure boat trip on the scenic Perfume River. Late afternoon, visit Dong Ba, the local market in Hue, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local seller. Then transfer to the train station for the night train to Hanoi SE4 leaving Hue at 17:06. Overnight on the train in 4 soft berth A/C sharing cabin. 

Option: 
- Upgrade to the private 2 person cabin with extra cost is on request.
- We can replace the night train by the one hour flight to Hanoi and stay overnight at hotel on your request. 

After breakfast, leave for one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Halong covers 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast onboard, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Asia. Stay overnight on Boat.

Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, explore a beautifule cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served while you are cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out. Rejoin the the transfer back to Hanoi. 
Arrive in Hanoi around 3:00-3:30pm, check in hotel and leisure time or explore more of the Old Quarter on your own. Overnight in Hanoi.