Asia Travel Specialist’s ‘Best Of’ tour suggestion is just that! Perfect for first time visitors to Asia who want to cover lots of ground and see the main highlights on their Vietnam and Cambodia holidays. This tour suggestion uses excellent value hotels throughout and traverses the vast length of Vietnam from north to south with ease by using the efficient domestic flight network. In order to finish the tour with a flourish, head into Cambodia and visit the riverside capital city of Phnom Penh and finally the world-famous Angkor Temples.

Best of Vietnam and Cambodia – Tour Highlights

Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hoi An –  Saigon – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

• Explore Hanoi's vibrant and chaotic old quarter

• Cruise world famous Halong Bay

• Cycle the ancient cobbled streets of Hoi An and nearby village

• Visit The floating villages of the mighty Tonle Sap Lake

• Explore the Khmer era Temples of Angkor

Suggested tour itinerary – we will customise this for you

Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport. After immigration, customs and baggage claim, you will be warmly welcomed by your guide and driver in the arrivals hall and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

This afternoon is free at your leisure.

Meals: None

Hotel: Oriental Jade Hotel (Oriental Emerald Room)

Day 2 – Hanoi: Evening Vespa Food Tour

Early evening enjoy a cocktail at a stylish local Café and a delicious snack from one of the nearby night time vendors. Jump on the back of a vintage Vespa for an exiting food tour, a highlight for many on their Vietnam and Cambodia holidays. After weaving through the magical, busy back streets of the Old Quarter, we soon arrive at a fascinating local eatery right on the railway tracks (literally!) where we try some infused rice wine and a Buffalo Jerky appetizer. Ride through the narrow streets and head towards the next foodie place, a lively local restaurant serving Bun Cha. This the quintessential, must taste Hanoi dish of rice noodles, grilled pork and meatballs, with a side of Nem (spring rolls). Simple but delicious, all Vietnam and Cambodia holidays should include this place!

Later, head out of the Old Quarter and along the side of the lake to our next venue which is very famous in the neighbourhood! We try the local specialty of Pho Cuon, and learn the art of wrap ‘n’ roll with these fresh & fragrant ingredients, and the Pho noodle! Finally, a short ride on the Vespa takes us to a Jazz Club next to the superb Opera House. The halcyon days of the 1930’s may be over however this Jazz Club will wow you with a truly unique blend of styles – 30’s style Jazz & traditional Vietnamese music!

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Oriental Jade Hotel (Oriental Emerald Room)

Day 3 – Hanoi ~ Halong Bay

This morning private transfer by road 3 1/2 hours to Tuan Chau Port near Halong Bay.

Board Indochina Sails vessel at Tuan Chau Port. Enjoy a welcome drink before receiving a cruise and safety briefing.
A deluxe Vietnamese set menu is served for lunch. Massage service is available after lunch and throughout the cruise. Please book in advance with your cruise manager.

Cruise through Halong Bay, passing the most beautiful and quiet areas including Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock and Finger Islet. Arrive at Surprise Cave – one of the most spectacular and largest grottoes in Halong Bay. The mouth of the grotto is reached by ascending about a hundred stone steps. Depart and sail for about 30 minutes to anchor overnight. Attend the fruit and vegetable carving lesson led by the Head Chef. During the lesson, the chef shows guests how to decorate and make some traditional Vietnamese food. Afterwards dinner is served.

This evening board games like cards or Parcheesi are available, as well as the massage service. Everyone can try their luck at squid fishing on the boat with help from the crew.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Cruise: Indochina Sails (Superior Cabin)

Day 4 – Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hoi An

A light breakfast of coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. Early risers can enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck which lasts for about 30 minutes. After breakfast you are transferred by tender to Titop Island. Spend around one hour on the island which allows time to climb to the peak for a breathtaking 360 degree view of the bay. There is also an expansive viewing deck half way up. After the climb, there is time left to relax on the beach and have a swim.

Upon returning to the boat enjoy a full breakfast in the dining room. Bills are settled after breakfast.
Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as you approach the pier.

11.00 Arrive at Tuan Chau port and meet your local guide and driver who will transfer you 3 hours to Hanoi Airport.

Domestic flight approximately 1 1/2 hours to Danang airport. Upon arrival you are met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An, a 45 minute drive.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: La Siesta Hoi An (Deluxe Balcony)

Day 5 – Hoi An

This morning your guide will pick you up from your hotel for a tour of Hoi An and surrounding villages, a highlight for many on their Vietnam and Cambodia holidays.

Bike

Explore the hidden passageways and winding alleyways of UNESCO World Heritage town of old Hoi An by bike. Hoi An is a very popular destination, but the town is so beautiful with some great restaurants. It really is a wonderful place to explore. Stop to photograph the iconic Japanese bridge. After crossing the canal bridge near the night market, continue to the new metal bridge connecting Hoi An and its southern villages. Not far from the bridge, you visit a local family making Banh Dap using the traditional method. These small savory rice flour bowls are a common breakfast staple in the countryside.

Continue cycling to one of Hoi An’s most beautiful villages, stopping at a family home to learn about the tradition of family chapels. Our host is nearly 90 years old and fought in the American war. He has plenty of stories for you! This is the kind of authentic connection we seek to provide you on your Vietnam and Cambodia holidays.

Next, pedal past rice fields, vegetable farms, small canals and waterways towards a boat building site. Fishing is still the lifeblood of the province and the construction of these boats is quite amazing to witness and photograph.

The roads narrow again to concrete paths and the final stops include a traditional mat weaving shop and a family distillery. A delicious homemade lunch of Hoi An specialties will be served at a local house.

Kayak

After fueling up, cycle along the riverside and board the kayaks. Enjoy a paddle past water-coconut plantations, shrimp farms and little fishing hamlets. If you’re lucky, you can see the fishermen emptying their nets, which is a spectacular sight. Along the way, we will make a stop at one of the little islands to rest and enjoy the views.

Back to your hotel by 2:30 pm. Remainder of the afternoon is fee at your own leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: La Siesta Hoi An (Deluxe Balcony)

Day 6 –  Hoi An

Today is free for self exploration of Hoi An and relaxation at your hotel. Cu Dai public beach is a short taxi ride away. Alternatively if you are looking for tour suggestions for today such as a traditional fishing experience, cooking class or temple visit, just ask your Asia Travel Specialist. All our Vietnam and Cambodia holidays are fully tailored to meet your needs.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: La Siesta Hoi An (Deluxe Balcony)

Day 7 – Hoi An – Saigon

Transfer to Danang airport for your domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

Upon arrival in Saigon, your driver and guide will meet and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, firstly visit the former Presidential Palace, or as it is known today – the Reunification Palace. Then head to the historical heart of the city and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside visit only). The red bricks of the cathedral walls were originally from Paris. Later, take a short walk to the old Central Post Office. Afterwards visit the War Remnants Museum and discover some different perspectives on the war.

Finally you visit the best-preserved buildings from the colonial era, the Opera House and the Hotel de Ville. Also visit the art deco Catinat building which contains many designer boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafés. Transfer back to your hotel.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Mai House Saigon (Deluxe Room)

Day 8 – Saigon: Cu Chi Tunnels

This morning enjoy a  boat trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Embark on the speed boat from Ho Chi Minh City’s pier. Note the boat is not private and shared with other tourists. Your English-speaking guide will introduce you to life along the banks of the Saigon River as your boat gracefully slips through knots of floating water hyacinths on this scenic one-hour boat trip.

A traditional Vietnamese lunch of local specialties like lemongrass chicken and caramelized clay pot pork will be served on arrival to the tunnels. After a short documentary, your guide will lead you through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels.  The tunnels were dug by resourceful guerrilla fighters to provide communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters during numerous conflicts.

Return to your hotel, afternoon is free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Mai House Saigon (Deluxe Room)

Day 9 – Saigon – Phnom Penh

Transfer to the airport for your short flight to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Upon arrival you are warmly welcomed by your local guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening you will check out the emerging craft beer scene in Phnom Penh. Firstly we enjoy an evening tour of some of the leading micro-breweries and bars in town. Hops is a large German beer garden that brews some classic European beers based on the 500-year old Purity Law and so here we sample a good selection, including a pilsen, a wheat beer, a red beer and an IPA.

Later on we move on to a popular local barbecue restaurant for dinner, Sovanna. Here we can sample some Khmer flavours in an authentic environment. After dinner and drinks, continue to Botanico, an atmospheric garden bar and home of the Cerevisia Brewery. Sample a flight of tipples, including an IPA, an amber ale and more.

Finally, our last stop is nearby Bassac Lane, a gaggle of hole-in-the-wall bars that offer some craft beer options or creative cocktails. Explore more bars on your own or transfer back to the hotel at the end of the tour.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: La Rose Suites (Junior Suite)

Day 10 – Phnom Penh

This morning you will explore the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation. Firstly, we begin amid the beautiful Royal gardens, landscaped with tropical plants and studded with gleaming spires. Next, enter the Throne Hall where the royal receptions are held. Later, we then pass the Napoleon III Pavilion.

Later on visit the Silver Pagoda, named after the 5000 silver tiles covering the floor. Inside are some of the country’s most cherished treasures.  There is also a delicate emerald Buddha made of baccarat crystal, which gives the temple its Khmer name of Wat Preah Keo (Temple of the Emerald Buddha).

Leave the Royal Palace and continue to the nearby National Museum. The museum is home to the world’s finest collection of sculpture from the Angkor period and so is a very interesting place to visit. Marvel at the incredible sandstone sculptures from Angkor, as well as the intricate bronzes.

Afternoon:

This afternoon we come face to face with the horrific crimes of the Khmer Rouge. Tuol Sleng was a former high school that the Khmer Rouge turned into a centre for interrogation, torture and death. Today it is a museum of torture and serves to remind visitors of the terrible atrocities that came to pass in Cambodia. 17,000 people passed through the gates of this prison and only seven lived to tell the tale. Tuol Sleng is a profoundly moving experience and not everyone will want to visit.  That said, visiting Tuol Sleng on your Vietnam and Cambodia holidays is key to understanding the hell into which Cambodia descended and how far it has come in the years since.

Finally, the very last and rather downbeat stop today is the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. An old Chinese cemetery, Choeung Ek was turned into an extermination camp for political prisoners. The remains of 8985 people were exhumed from mass graves and are kept in a memorial stupa here. Despite the horrors of the past, it is a peaceful place to go and a tranquil spot to reflect on the tragic events that engulfed Cambodia and its people.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: La Rose Suites (Junior Suite)

Day 11 – Phnom Penh ~ Siem Reap

Today you are transferred approximately five hours to Siem Reap. Along the way enjoy the rural scenery and break the journey at the pre Angkorian temple site of Sambor Prei Kuk.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap check into your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Downtown Siem Reap is 15 minutes walk from your hotel and offers many excellent restaurants as well as lively night markets and nightlife.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Shinta Mani Shack (Pool View Room)

Day 12 – Siem Reap

Enjoy an entire day dedicated to discovering the mysterious Angkor temples, almost certainly a highlight of your holiday in Cambodia. Wake before dawn and enjoy a tuk tuk ride into the Angkor Archaeological Park. The first temple this morning is Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world. Dawn is one of the most beautiful and haunting times to visit and see Angkor Wat reflected on the pond. Return to your hotel for breakfast.

Head back into the Angkor Archaeological Park and Angkor Thom. Pass through the majestic South Gate of Angkor Thom and explore the monumental temple of Bayon, the heart of Angkor Thom. Later, visit the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Leaving Angkor Thom by the North Gate and travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples. Explore Ta Prohm temple, an atmospheric combination of ancient human ingenuity and the natural world. Fig, banyan and kapok trees spread their gigantic roots over stones, probing walls and terraces apart. Late afternoon is at leisure to enjoy your hotel or walk 15 minutes into downtown Siem Reap’s markets, shops and restaurants.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Shinta Mani Shack (Pool View Room)

Day 13 – Siem Reap

After breakfast – start the visit to Kampong Phluk floating Village. The name means “harbor of the tusks”. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to the variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques.

On the way back, stop at a local market at Rolous. Walk around this market and see the local selling fruits, vegetables, and many other local products. Continue to the temples in the Rolous group, “Preah Ko, Bakong & Lolei”. Return back to Siem Reap and have lunch at local restaurant.

The afternoon is free. If you wish to continue exploring the Angkor Archaeological Park, you guide and driver are available. There are many other impressive temples to see such as the intricately carved Banteay Srei.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Hotel: Shinta Mani Shack (Pool View Room)

Day 14 – Siem Reap

At an appropriate time your guide and driver will meet and escort you to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight.

If you are looking to extend this trip with some beach time, it is quite easy to fly from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville on the Cambodian coast and stay on one of the offshore island resorts such as Six Senses Krabey Island or Royal Sands Koh Rong. Alternatively there are many flights via Bangkok to Phuket or Krabi in Thailand. Resorts we recommend  include Pimalai Resort and Spa, The Sarojin and The Surin