12 days 11 nights - A Glimpse of Vietnam & Cambodia
Travel Dates: October 20 - 31, 2025 and February 23 - March 6, 2026
Duration: 12 days 11 nights
Highlight destinations: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Halong - Hue - Danang - Hoi An - HCMC - Siem Reap
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival - Hanoi Half Day City Tour with Train Street Morning: Private pick up at the airport
14:00 - 14:30: Pick up at the hotel then we will move to St. Joseph Cathedral and have a look at one of the first structures constructed by French colonists during their expansion in Indochina and still intact in Hanoi after two fierce wars.
14:30: Continue to visit the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11th century! Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi built in the 6th century.
15:30: Get to the hidden train street, have a coffee/beer and see the train passing by!
16:30: Visit Ho Chi Minh complex, walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969. Then visit One Pillar Pagoda where the Goddess of Mercy – It is the most unique pagoda in the world.
18:00: Drop-off at the hotel, have dinner by yourself!
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 2: Ninh Binh Day Trip: Hoa Lu - Trang An - Mua Cave (B,L)
8:00: Get picked up then depart for Ninh Binh Province
09:15: Have a short break for 15 – 20 minutes to relax
10:30: Visit Hoa Lu, ancient capital of Vietnam Between 968 and 1010. You have a chance to learn about Vietnamese history in the feudal system under the Dinh, Le, and Ly Dynasty.
11:45: Have lunch at the local restaurant!
13:00: Discover Trang An grotto on a boat ride. You can have a chance to visit this World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO in 2014. While you’re there you can spend 2 hours on the boat ride to enjoy the beauty of this place, which has a wonderful tunnel cave system and appears in the New Version of Kong in 2016 – “Skull Island”.
15:30: Get back to the Limousine Bus then leave for Mua Cave (Dancing Cave). Walk up almost 500 steps, you can reach the top of Lying Dragon Mountain & have an amazing panoramic view of Tam Coc from here.
16:30: Get on the bus to return to Hanoi
18:30: Get dropped off at the hotel!
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 3: Hanoi to Halong Bay - Cruise Trip (B,L,D)
8:15 - 8:30: Our driver will pick you up at your hotel in Hanoi!
9:00: Departure to Halong Bay for around 2.5 Hours with 20 minutes short break.
11:30 – 12.00: Arrive Tuan Chau harbor
12:00 – 12:30: Get transferred to Cruise by a tender boat.
Around 13:00 Warmly welcome to Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Enjoy the lunch while cruising in the magnificent Halong Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay. Continue cruising through Con Vit islet (Duck Islet), Thumb islet and Gia Luan Harbor belong to Lan Ha Bay. Drop anchor for swimming or just simply sunbathe on the cruise heading back toward the sleeping area. Check-in your cabin.
17:30: Come back to Cruise and participate in our sunset party. Take photos and relax.
18:30: Join cooking class guided directly by Chef Halong Cruise. You have a chance to practice Vietnamese traditional dishes such as spring roll or famous cuisine of Vietnam.
19:00: It is time for your romantic dinner
21:00: You are free to relax on cruise. Playing games, squid fishing, relaxing with massage service (on request) and staying overnight on the Cruise.
Overnight on cruise
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Flight Hanoi to Danang 18:00 - 19:30 (B,L)
6:30: Early morning sun risers and you can enjoy Tai-chi lessons on the sundeck.
7:00 - 7:45: Have breakfast while cruising on the beautiful bay.
8:00: Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and its dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Dark & Bright Cave. Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on a kayak or comfortably on a local bamboo boat rowed by the locals.
09:30: Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay.
10”00: Enjoy the brunch on the cruise with Vietnamese cuisine.
10:45: You will be transferred by tender to Tuan Chau Harbor.
11:30: Cruises are landing at Tuan Chau Harbor, tourists say goodbye to sailors and finish the cruise.
12:00 – 12:30: Return to Hanoi, directly private transfer to the airport!
15:00 - 15:30: Arrive at the airport!
Flight Hanoi to Danang 18:00 - 19:30 - Our driver will pick you when you land!
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 5: My Son Sanctuary & Coconut Village & Evening Lantern (B,L)
7:30 - 8:00: Our guide and car will pick you up at your hotel in Hoi An and transfer to My Son. With our guide, you will explore the beauty of My Son. In 1999, My Son Holy Land was named and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sightseeing My Son, travelers will have the opportunity to learn about the culture and architecture of Champa Ancient Kingdom.
12:00: Have lunch at the local restaurant
13:30: We will move to Cam Thanh Coconut village first. You will experience a basket boat ride around the coconut forest, learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community.
15:30: Back to Hoi An Ancient Town – a well-known walking town in Hoi an. Wander around Hoi an to visit Chinese Communal House, Tan Ky Merchants’ Houses, Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi an market, and learn about the daily life of Hoi an local people.
17:30: Take a boat trip on Hoai River and release floating lanterns to the river. We will take you back to your hotel.
OPTIONAL: Adding Hoi An Street Food Walking Evening Tour (with extra cost)
Experienced and knowledgeable local tour guides who have a big love with Vietnamese Cuisine. Taste many delicious street foods and have a chance to interact with locals at each location. Eating in local places for each dish in small restaurants which are all very hygienic and safe.
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 6: Ba Na Hills Day Trip (B,L)
7:30 - 8:00: Pick up from hotel in Hoi An
9:30: Get on a Cable Car which gains 4 world scores. Visit Linh Ung Pagoda, located at around 1,500 meters above sea level. Visit Debay Wine Cellar built in 1923 (entrance fee by yourself), Le Jardin D’Amour Flower Garden Highlight in this tour is Golden Bridge ( Hands of God). You will have a chance to see and take photos of this beautiful bridge.
11:30: Have a buffet lunch!
12:30: Visit Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple. Explore the French Square, visit and play some games in Fantasy Park – one of the largest indoor amusement parks in Vietnam
15:00 – 15:30: Back to the cabin down the mountain.
16:30: Drop off at the airport!
NOTE: Included tickets with cable cars, excluded wine cellar inside tickets
Overnight in Hoi An
Day 7
Option 1: Hue Ancient Town City Day Tour – Flight Hue to HCMC 19:05 - 20:35 (B,L)
7:30 - 7:45: Pick up at your hotel and get on the dragon boat to visit Thien Mu Pagoda.
09:15: Visit Imperial Citadel
11:30: Continue to see Dong Ba Market
12:15: Have Lunch at a local restaurant
13:30: After lunch, continue to visit Minh Mang Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb
16:00: Visit and take photos at Conical hat and incense-making village
17:30: Arrive at the airport directly!
Flight Hue to HCMC 19:05 - 20:35
Option 2: Danang Full Day City Tour (B,L)
8:00: Pick you up at your hotel and start the Danang City Tour. Visit Marble Mountains - a cluster of 5 mountains, located ~8 kilometers south of Da Nang city. You also have a chance to visit Non Nuoc Stone Carving village, just on the foot of Marble Mountains.
10:00: Visit the well-known and modern bridges of Danang: Han Bridge and Dragon Bridge; visit Cham Museum – converges all the ancient artifacts of an interesting Cham culture.
11:30: Have Lunch at a local restaurant
13:30: Continue to visit Han Market and Linh Ung Pagoda (Lady Buddha) on Son Tra Peninsula.
16:30: Drop off at the airport directly!
Flight Danang to HCMC 18:15 - 19:45 Overnight in HCMC
Day 8: Mekong Delta Full Day Trip (B,L)
8:00: Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and starting your trip to depart for My Tho, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which dates back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.
9:30: Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking around the country lane and see orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, and folk song music which is performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation. Ride a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and treat yourself in the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business, visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.
12:00: Have lunch at a local restaurant. Break time.
14:00: In the afternoon, time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Hammock relaxing and enjoying cool breeze for those who can't join the cycling trip.
17:30: Return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in HCMC
Day 9: HCM Half Day City Tour - Flight HCM to Siem Reap 16:30 - 17:30 (B,L)
8:00: Take the trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification palace, which was built on the site of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum - a vast display of both the Indochina wars.
12:00: Have lunch at the local restaurant!
13:30: Drop you back at the airport directly!
Flight HCM to Siem Reap 16:30 - 17:30
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 10: Banteay Srei & CNN Hero Rolous Tour (B,L)
We depart for Preah Khan Temple. It is located northeast of Angkor Thom and just west of the Jayatataka baray, with which it was associated. It was the center of a substantial organization, with almost 100,000 officials and servants. Next is Neak Poan, “the entwined snakes” is a small temple located on an island in the center of the now dry Jayatataka baray, a water reservoir 3,500-meter-long and 900 meter wide. Continue to Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway.
You’ll also visit the Landmine Museum where Mr. Aki Ra, a child soldier in the Khmer Rouge, has dedicated his life to helping those in need. Having spent most of his childhood fighting for the Khmer Rouge, Mr. Aki Ra was trained by the United Nations to detonate land mines; His fantastic work earned him a nomination for CNN Hero of the Year in 2010.
Drive to the rural outskirts 35 km from Angkor area to visit the smallest, but magnificent, Banteay Srei built in the 10th Century and dedicated to Shiva. The temple was the birthplace of Khmer classical style architecture and the bas-relief work is the best example of Khmer classical art remaining. The pink sandstone structure bears a series of striking and beautiful sculptures, lintels, pediments and friezes. On the way back, stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, a handicraft for selling to tourists. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living in the countryside struggling with their daily life. Not to be missed is Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 11: Angkor Highlight Day Trip (B,L)
We will drive to Angkor Thom, which was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire.
We began to visit the Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king. We continue to visit the Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century. We continue to Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. We journey out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 12: Departure from Siem Reap (B)
Your pick up time will be updated when we have your flight information!
Package Inclusions
Accommodation with private room (11 nights): 2 nights in Hanoi, 1 night on cruise, 3 nights in Hoi An, 2 nights in HCMC, 3 nights in Siem Reap
Private pick-up and drop-off A/C transfer at the airport
Total private tour in Hanoi - Siem Reap - HCMC
Private car A/C transfer for tour itinerary
Only sharing cruise trip in Halong Bay (Private transfer Hanoi - Halong - Airport)
Meals mentioned in the itinerary (No drinks) (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
Local English-speaking tour guide
Entrances fee and tickets in the itinerary
24 hours supporting hotline
2 bottles of cold water per day
Exclusions
Local flight tickets as mentioned in the itinerary (Price is up to the booking time)
Beverages in the meals
Vietnam Visa and Cambodia E-visa (with extra cost)
Airport VIP Fast Track in Hanoi and Siem Reap
Tips, personal expense
Other things not mentioned in included
Accommodations
Room types are based on standard rooms with double/twin sharing.
Types of room are available at the checking point.
All hotels serve daily Western or Local breakfast.
All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.