Joyful Vietnam and Cambodia
TOUR OVERVIEW
- 15 days
- Max people: 25
- Wifi available
- Jan 01 - Dec 31
- Min age:
- Pickup: Airpot
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the vibrant landscapes of Vietnam and Cambodia, where rich cultural experiences and family-friendly activities await you and your loved ones. This comprehensive tour promises to delight both young and old, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Kick off your adventure in the bustling capital of Hanoi, where you’ll explore the city’s historic landmarks and immerse yourselves in the local way of life. When you travel to the serene Ninh Binh, the little ones will be captivated by the traditional Vietnamese craft workshops, where they can try their hand at age-old techniques. Then on the iconic Halong Bay, the family will have joyful time together on a boutique cruise. In Hue, the former imperial capital, your children will be enchanted by the majestic Thien Mu Pagoda and the historic Citadel. From Hue to Hoi An on a scenic train ride along the picturesque coastline, the family will be then welcomed by a delightful cooking class in Hoi An will allow them to delve into the flavors of Vietnamese cuisine, sparking their culinary curiosity.
Finally, cross the border into Cambodia and discover the wonders of Siem Reap, home to the magnificent Angkor Wat. The kids will be awestruck by the towering temples and the rich cultural heritage that permeates this remarkable destination.
This “Joyful Vietnam and Cambodia” tour is designed to captivate the hearts and minds of every member of your family, blending adventure, education, and relaxation into an unforgettable journey. Prepare to be enchanted by the warm hospitality, vibrant traditions, and breathtaking landscapes of these two remarkable countries.
ITINERARY
Day 1Hanoi Arrival
Welcome by the driver (without a guide) at the airport exit (recognizable by the sign with your name) after collecting your luggage and completing the customs procedures. Transfer and accommodation at the hotel will be provided.
Rooms will be available from 14:00. Early check-in is not included but can be requested for an additional fee.
The rest of the day will be at your disposal (guide, transport, and visits not included).
Day 2Hanoi City Tour
Breakfast Included at the Hotel.
You will have an appointment with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30. The guide will accompany you to visit the Museum of Ethnography, providing a unique opportunity to explore the cultural richness of the numerous ethnic groups in Vietnam. After the museum visit, you will head to the Temple of Literature (Quoc Tu Giam), considered the first national university of Vietnam. It was built under the Ly dynasty in the 11th century and served as a place of worship for Confucius and as a school for the education of royal children.
You will have free time for lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (only from the outside, as it is closed on Mondays and Fridays) and take a pleasant walk in the botanical gardens. You will also visit the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived and worked. Then, you will reach Ba Dinh Square, the place where Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence of Vietnam from the French in 1945. Subsequently, you will visit the One Pillar Pagoda, considered one of the city’s most important symbols.
Finally, you will visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, dating back to the 6th century during the reign of Emperor Ly Nam De. Afterwards, you will take a 40-minute cyclo (xich lo) ride around Hoan Kiem Lake, known as the Lake of the Returned Sword, reviving the legend of a giant turtle and a magical sword used to drive the Chinese out of Vietnam. Additionally, you will explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter with its famous lively and bustling streets.
The day will conclude with an egg coffee at the Hanoi Coffee.
Dinner will be at your leisure, and you will spend the night at a hotel in Hanoi.
Day 3Hanoi - Ninh Binh
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Meeting with our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30. Transfer to Ninh Binh, a place rich in historical, cultural, religious, and natural wonders. During the journey, you will cross the Red River Delta, where you will have the opportunity to make a brief stop to admire the beauty of the area.
Upon arrival in Hoa Lu, the former capital of Vietnam from the 9th to the 10th century, you will visit the temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh dynasty (968-980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le dynasty (980-1009), who played a fundamental role in obtaining the country’s independence after a thousand years of Chinese rule.
Lunch will be at your leisure at a local restaurant.
The next stop will be Tam Coc, also known as “Halong on land,” which appeared in the famous French film “Indochina.” Upon arrival at the pier, you will board a private rowing boat for a ninety-minute cruise along the Ngo Dong River. You will pass through three caves and admire a beautiful landscape dotted with small villages, rice fields, cemeteries, and temples.
The tour will then continue to Bich Dong (closed around 4:30-5:00 PM), a typical pagoda located in the Red River Delta countryside, built in the 15th century. Upon arrival, you will cross a stone bridge to reach Chua Ha and from there, more than 100 steps will lead you to Chua Trung – the cave pagoda housing unique clay statues. Subsequently, you will walk up to Chua Thuong. In this place, you will not only have the opportunity to learn about Buddhism but also enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the surrounding countryside.
Dinner will be at your leisure, and you will spend the night at a hotel in Ninh Binh.
Day 4Ninh Binh - Halong
Breakfast at the Hotel.
The scheduled meeting is at 07:30 at the hotel reception with the driver for the private transfer to Halong Bay or the shared transfer via the cruise company’s bus to Halong (about 4 hours with a short intermediate break).
Halong Bay, known as “where the dragon descends into the sea” in Vietnamese, is a charming bay with thousands of limestone islands, karst caves, cliffs, and islets that make it a picturesque and fascinating place. Wonderful, mysterious, and majestic, Halong Bay was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 and is considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. Arrival at the port will be around 12:00-12:30. The cruise company’s program will follow.
Please note:
- Lunch and dinner with a selection of seafood served on board the junk (beverages not included).
- Overnight stay in a private deluxe cabin on board the junk (equipped with air conditioning and shower).
- The cruise program may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions or decisions of local authorities.
- There is only one English-speaking guide provided by the cruise company on board.
Day 5Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue
06:30: You can participate in the Tai-chi session at dawn on the solarium terrace or simply enjoy the stunning view of the bay while sipping a cup of tea or coffee.
07:00: Breakfast will be served in a Western style, to provide you with the necessary energy to tackle a new day of exploration in the bay. During breakfast, you can admire the enchanting panorama that will give you the right energy to face new adventures.
08:00-10:00: Scheduled activities from the junk
10:00: Brunch will be served on board
11:30-12:00: Return to the port and disembark at the Ha Long cruise port.
12:00: Return to Hanoi by junk bus (about 3 hours). A stop will be made at the Aeon Long Bien Shopping Center, where you will be greeted by a private car that will take you directly to Noi Bai Airport to take a flight to Hue. Once you arrive at Phu Bai Airport, you will be met by a driver in the arrivals hall. You will be provided with a transfer and hotel accommodation in Hue.
Day 6Hue City Tour
Start the morning with breakfast at the hotel.
Then depart by car or motorbike to the old quarter of Bao Vinh, located about 5 km northeast of Hue. Upon arrival, you will receive an informative introduction about the history of the merchant city and its craft villages. Then, take a stroll through the characteristic alleyways with ancient wooden houses and cultural heritage temples. Bao Vinh seems like the old town of Hoi An without the crowds of tourists.
After visiting some workshops like the blacksmith and mother-of-pearl inlay, it’s time to admire, smell, and taste some local products, and have a snack at the central market.
Enjoy a included lunch at a local restaurant featuring “Banh Hue” dishes.
Then head to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. It is the spiritual highlight of the city, known for its majestic octagonal tower and the beautiful view over the Perfume River.
The Hue sightseeing tour ends with a pleasant cyclo ride across Truong Tien Bridge and in front of the Imperial City.
Day 7Hue - Danang - Hoi An Visit
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for the Hue train station where the entire family will board the train to travel to Da Nang. This is described as a very nice and authentic experience.
Arrive in Da Nang. Meet and transfer to Hoi An.
In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to visit the ancient town of Hoi An. This includes seeing the famous Japanese Covered Bridge dating back to the 17th century, the Fukien Assembly Hall founded by a Chinese community devoted to the Sea Goddess, and the historic Phung Hung House.
You will then check in to your hotel for the night in Hoi An.
Day 8Hoi An Cooking Class
Breakfast at the hotel.
Pick up at the hotel lobby in Hoi An between 8:15 and 8:30 in the morning. They will then cycle to the colorful local market in Hoi An. Here, you will have the opportunity to interact with local vendors and learn about the ingredients you will use in the cooking lesson. Make sure to have your camera handy! They will then cycle back to the Tra Que herb village. Enjoy a moment of rest and a special welcome drink upon arrival. You will be taken to the herb gardens where local farmers work on their crops using traditional methods dating back 300 years. Learn the traditional methods of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. Learn to make vegetable flowers and animals as decoration. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked. (Ingredients can be substituted to meet dietary needs or allergies). Return to the hotel.
Dinner will be at your leisure, and you will spend the night at the hotel.
Day 9Hoi An Relax on Beach
To enjoy free time in Hoi An (without a guide, without transfers).
Day 10Hoi An Relax on Beach
To enjoy free time in Hoi An (without a guide, without transfers).
Day 11Hoi An - Flight to Saigon City tour
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Da Nang Airport in a private car for the flight to Saigon. Meeting with our guide at the airport. The day is dedicated to visiting the Independence Palace, which once housed the Presidents of South Vietnam. During the visit, we will have the opportunity to admire the North Vietnamese tank that crossed the threshold of the presidential palace in 1975, marking the end of the controversial Vietnam War. The palace, which spans five floors, offers rooms with original furnishings reflecting the style of the 1960s and 1970s, and also has a basement transformed into a bunker. A must-see in Ho Chi Minh City is the War Remnants Museum. The permanent exhibitions provide a comprehensive view of the Vietnam War, which may offer surprises compared to what we are used to hearing and seeing.
Lunch will be at your leisure at a local restaurant.
Continue your pleasant tour to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, walking until you reach an iconic attraction of the city: the Central Post Office of Saigon, a magnificent building designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. The rest of the day will be at your disposal to visit the city’s most famous market, Ben Thanh Market, which has been open since 1870. The tour will end around 3:00 pm/3:30 pm. You will then have the rest of the free time at your disposal (without a guide or driver included). Dinner will be at your leisure, and you will spend the night at the hotel.
Day 12Saigon - Ben Tre - Saigon - Flight to Siem Reap
Breakfast is served at the hotel.
You will meet our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30. In the morning, you will head to Ben Tre, a beautiful region located in the Mekong Delta, famous for the production of coconut sweets. Once you arrive at Phong Nam Bridge, you will take a boat trip along the Ben Tre River to discover local daily life. Along the canal, you will visit a brick kiln to observe how bricks are produced according to traditions, as well as one of the numerous workshops dedicated to processing coconuts, where you will have the opportunity to taste fresh coconut and observe how every part of this fruit is transformed into derivative products. You will continue the boat trip to the village of Nhon Thanh. Here, you will have the chance to taste fresh fruit. Afterwards, you will take a bike ride (or Tuk tuk) along a trail that passes through villages, enjoying the view of coconut plantations, rice fields, and surrounding gardens.
Lunch will be at your leisure at a small local restaurant. A short walk will allow us to immerse ourselves more deeply in local life. Later, you can take a boat ride along the narrow canal, shaded by wild palms. Return to Saigon. Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport in a private car for the flight to Siem Reap.
You will have the opportunity to dine freely and to spend time exploring the city or simply relaxing.
Day 13Siem Reap Visit
Breakfast is served at the hotel.
08:30: Start the day with a visit to the Angkor area, where you will spend the entire day exploring the marvelous ancient ruins. Notable places to visit include the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the majestic Angkor Wat Temple, the largest and most complete of all. This architectural masterpiece dates back to the 12th century and covers an area of approximately 210 hectares.
You will have lunch at a local restaurant.
You will explore this impressive structure, admiring the numerous galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds filled with water reflecting the majestic Ta Prohm Temple in the jungle, a spectacle of rare beauty. The enormous fig trees and giant creepers winding around the stone foundations of the structure give the impression that human creation is being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. You will conclude our day by admiring a lovely sunset at the Ta Prohm Temple.
In the late afternoon, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset on the hill of Bakeng.
Optional option: You will take a short Tuk Tuk ride and have the opportunity to participate in the Buddhist ceremony, where you will be blessed by the monks who will wish you happiness and prosperity for your holiday, with a supplement of 10 USD per person.
For dinner, you will be free to choose from local restaurants. We will spend the night in Siem Reap.
Note: During the visit to the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat:
- Visitors are required to wear appropriate attire, covering shoulders and knees (shorts, miniskirts, or short pants are not allowed).
- Visitors must wait in line and take turns to climb the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat.
- Children under twelve are not allowed to climb this tower.
- The tower will be closed during Buddhist Sabbath days, which are Buddhist religious days (four days a month).
Day 14Siem Reap Visit
Breakfast at the hotel.
At 08:30, the tour guide will come to the hotel to meet you. Wake up early in the morning to head to the floating village of Kompong Khleang, which is about an hour away from Siem Reap and is visited by thousands of tourists every year. Kompong Khleang is one of the most impressive villages for the height and size of its stilt houses. You will take a walk in the village to meet the inhabitants and visit a house where a family raises crocodiles. Afterward, you will board a local boat that will take you through all the canals to the large lake, where the inhabitants move their houses according to the season.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
Next, you will visit the Banteay Srei temple (X century), considered the treasure of classical Khmer art. After that, continue your visit to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. This complex consists of a central temple with four wings, preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, extremely well-preserved. Continue the visit to Preah Khan, Kravan, and Neak Pean. Overnight stay at a hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 15Siem Reap Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
You will have free time in Siem Reap until the transfer to the airport without the presence of a guide. Please note that the room will be available until 12:00. Please inform us in advance if you wish to extend your stay in the room beyond the departure time. We wish you a good return journey!