Discovering Vietnam and Cambodia through the Mekong 12-Day

Embark on an unforgettable journey through Vietnam and Cambodia with Legend Travel Group. Starting from the vibrant city of Hanoi and ending in the ancient temples of Siem Reap, you will discover the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of these two fascinating countries. Cruise the emerald waters of Halong Bay, explore the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City, and immerse yourself in the local life of the Mekong Delta. Visit the stunning Tra Su Sanctuary, learn about Phnom Penh’s past and present, and marvel at the world-renowned Angkor Wat. Let us take care of all the details so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey of a lifetime.

1. Halong Bay Cruise: Experience the breathtaking beauty of Halong Bay on an overnight cruise. Marvel at the towering limestone cliffs, enjoy a delicious seafood dinner, and watch the sunset over the emerald waters.
2. Cu Chi Tunnels: Explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and gain insight into the Vietnam War. Learn about the tunnel system and the guerrilla warfare tactics used by the Vietnamese soldiers.
3. Mekong Delta: Discover the lush countryside of the Mekong Delta, a land of rice paddies, fruit orchards, and sleepy villages. Take a boat ride along the canals, visit a local market, and enjoy a traditional lunch with a local family.
4. Tra Su Sanctuary: Visit the stunning Tra Su Sanctuary, a nature reserve known for its picturesque mangrove forests and diverse birdlife. Take a boat ride through the tranquil waters and immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings.
5. Phnom Penh: Learn about the fascinating history and culture of Cambodia’s capital city. Visit the iconic landmarks such as the Royal Palace, the National Museum, and the Killing Fields. Gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s past and present.
6. Angkor Wat: Explore the majestic temples of Angkor, one of the world’s most important archaeological sites. Marvel at the intricate carvings, towering spires, and stunning architecture of the ancient Khmer civilization. Experience the magical sunrise over Angkor Wat and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam! On your first day, you can arrive in Hanoi at any time as the only activity scheduled is the airport pick up. A Legend Travel Group car driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you have checked in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city and form your own first impressions of Vietnam. The airport transfer is included in the itinerary, so you don't have to worry about arranging transportation on your own. Stay overnight in Hanoi and get ready for an exciting adventure!

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Accommodation Options:

TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar

Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

After enjoying a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up by our friendly guide to begin your exploration of Hanoi City. The first stop will be at Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. This pagoda is the oldest in Hanoi and was built in the 6th century. Admire the stunning architecture and learn about the history and culture of this important landmark.

Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you will have the chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. Take a leisurely walk around the garden to see the two houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Then, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, which worships the Goddess of Mercy and is considered the most unique pagoda in the world.

Please note that Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. If your tour falls on either of these days, an alternative itinerary will be arranged.

Afterwards, head to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of the 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam. However, if your tour falls on a Monday, the museum will be closed, and you will visit the Women’s Museum instead.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at our restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to taste some of the best Vietnamese cuisine.

After lunch, continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam established in the 11th century. This is a great place to learn about the education system of Vietnam in ancient times.

The city tour will conclude with a visit to the Hoa Lo Prison, originally used by the French colonists in Indochina for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. During this later period, it was known to American POWs as the "Hanoi Hilton."

After an exciting day of exploring Hanoi City, you will be transferred back to the hotel for check in. Free at leisure and stay overnight in Hanoi.

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Accommodation Options:

TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar

Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar

Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, our private mini-van/bus will pick you up between 8:30 am to 9:00 am to begin your journey to Halong City. During the 3.5-hour drive, you will have the opportunity to view the simple countryside and rice paddy life along the way. Once you arrive at the port, you will board your private boat - an authentic Chinese Junk - and begin your amazing cruise through the stunning Halong Bay, a World Heritage Site. Lunch will be served on board and will consist of a selection of the freshest seafood.

During the cruise, we will visit "the Amazing cave" and then take a swim in the tranquil emerald waters of Halong Bay. We will then cruise further into a quiet area where we will anchor and spend the night. You will enjoy dinner and relax as the sun sets over the bay. Afterward, you are free to swim in the phosphorescent water, retire to your cabin, or even fall asleep under the stars on the top deck, surrounded by the magic of Halong. You will spend the night on the boat, taking in the stunning surroundings of the bay.

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Accommodation Options:

MILA Cruises - 3-star or similar

Pelican Cruises - 4-star or similar

Paradise Sails Cruises - 5-star or similar

Wake up early in the morning to witness a stunning sunrise and breathe in the fresh ocean air as we start our Halong Bay Cruise. Enjoy a delicious breakfast served on the boat as we leisurely cruise through thousands of stunning and seemingly never-ending islands. This is an incredible opportunity to capture some breathtaking photographs of the scenery. We will also make a stop to visit a floating fishing village and hear legendary stories of the fishermen's daily life.

For lunch, we will serve a delicious meal on the boat as we cruise back to the Halong City pier. From there, we will return to Hanoi. You will arrive in Hanoi around 3:30 pm to 4:00 pm. A Legend Travel Group driver will be waiting for you to take you directly to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, our staff will be ready to pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. You will have the rest of the day free to relax and explore the city at your leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Accommodation Options:

Elios Hotel Saigon - 3-star or similar

Ramada Encore Saigon Hotel - 4-star or similar

Majestic Saigon Hotel - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, embark on a fascinating journey through the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunning example of neo-Romanesque architecture built by the French in the 19th century. Next, stop at the historic Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel and featuring a beautiful interior of intricate maps, intricate designs, and arched windows. Then, explore the Reunification Palace, the former presidential palace of South Vietnam and a symbol of the country's tumultuous past.

After a break for lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon takes you to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a popular destination for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. The tunnels, which span over 200km, played a critical role during the Vietnam War and were functioning underground cities that included trap doors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. You will learn about the construction of the tunnels and spend the next few hours exploring the tunnels and war remnants, gaining insights into the harsh conditions and ingenious methods used to maintain life in the tunnels. You'll even have a chance to sample some of the simple cuisine that local fighters survived on and venture into the tunnels to experience the complex firsthand.

After the tour, return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for a comfortable overnight stay. The distance between Saigon and Cu Chi Tunnel is approximately 75 km, which takes about 1.5 hours to drive.

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Accommodation Options:

Elios Hotel Saigon - 3-star or similar

Ramada Encore Saigon Hotel - 4-star or similar

Majestic Saigon Hotel - 5-star or similar

You will be picked up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City at 8:00 am. Then, you will leave the city and enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway, bordered by green rice fields. Upon arriving at My Tho, you will visit Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a leisurely boat ride along the river, where you will be able to view stilt houses, fruit plantations, and fishing villages along the riverbank. Next, you will proceed to Tortoise Islet to have lunch in the orchard garden. Afterward, you will take a boat ride to An Khanh, which is a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre. Here, you can enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of water coconut trees along natural canals. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy seasonal fruit and honey tea while listening to "Southern Vietnamese folk music" performed by locals. Additionally, you will visit a family business that epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste delicious coconut candy, and observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantations and villages. Finally, you will proceed to Can Tho, where you will stay overnight in a hotel. However, a family homestay with dinner can be arranged upon request. During your free time in Can Tho, you can visit the bustling Can Tho market. Please note that pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City is included.

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Accommodation Options:

Holiday 2 Hotel - 3-star or similar

TTC Hotel - Can Tho - 4-star or similar

Sheraton Can Tho - 5-star or similar

Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River). Then, proceed to visit the Cai Rang floating market, which is one of the liveliest markets in the whole region (Phong Dien is optional). Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? If not, now is your chance to see how it's made. Afterward, take a stroll around the village, meet the friendly local people, and experience crossing a "Monkey bridge," which is built using only one stem of bamboo. Visit the orchard garden and stop for lunch. Then, proceed to Chau Doc and continue the tour by visiting Tra Su. Here, you can discover the wild birds Sanctuary by cruising smoothly with small boats and exploring the splendid canals deep into the forest. You will have the opportunity to observe storks, cranes, and other tropical birds. On the way back, stop by to visit Sam Mountain and the Cave pagoda (if time permits). Finally, return to town, check into the hotel, and spend the night in Chau Doc.

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Accommodation Options:

Chau Pho Hotel - 3-star or similar

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel - 4-star or similar

Victoria Chau Doc Hotel - 4-star (local best)

Wake up early at 7:00 am to prepare for your transfer to Chau Doc harbor, where you will board an express boat that will take you to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Our team will pick you up upon arrival at the border and assist you with the immigration process before accompanying you to the harbor.

The express boat journey is expected to take approximately 5 hours, and you will arrive in Phnom Penh between 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. Upon arrival, our team will be waiting for you to transfer you to your hotel in Phnom Penh for check-in.

After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Take a stroll around the vibrant streets, visit local markets, or indulge in some authentic Cambodian cuisine. Overnight in Phnom Penh, where you can relax and prepare for the exciting adventures ahead.

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Accommodation Options:

Okay Boutique Hotel - 3-star or similar

Anik Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Palace Gate Hotel - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, the tour will begin with a visit to the Royal Palace compound, which was built in 1866 by the predecessors of King Norodom. The palace boasts an impressive and colorful Khmer-style architecture and is the most prominent feature in Phnom Penh. Adjacent to the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha temple, which displays numerous Buddha statues decorated with diamonds, emeralds, gold and silver.

Next, you will proceed to the National Museum, a distinctive red building with beautiful Khmer architecture that has been standing since 1917. It contains over 5,000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and other materials. The tour continues with a visit to the Independence Monument, which was constructed in 1954 to commemorate Cambodia's independence from French colonial rule.

At noon, you will visit Phsar Thmey, also known as the Central Market. This large market, constructed in 1937, features a dome-shaped building with four branching arms leading to vast hallways filled with countless stalls selling a wide range of products, including gold and silver, antique coins, money exchange, books, flowers, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood, and more.

Next, you will head to Wat Phnom, also known as the Mountain Pagoda, a Buddhist temple located on a hill that symbolizes the name of Phnom Penh. According to legend, the first pagoda on this site was erected in 1372 to house four Buddha statues discovered by Lady Penh in the waters of the Mekong River. Wat Phnom is a popular place for locals to come and play, pray for good luck, and admire the stunning sunset.

In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River to view the Royal Palace from the water as it bursts into four branches. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

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Accommodation Options:

Okay Boutique Hotel - 3-star or similar

Anik Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar

Palace Gate Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast, you will be picked up by the bus company and take a shuttle bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap bus station, our guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Later in the day, you will enjoy a boat ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, which flows into the Tonle Sap River and joins the Mekong in Phnom Penh. During the boat ride, you will see a "floating village" of fishermen that includes floating schools, a floating police station, and other facilities. This village is like a large floating community on the lake, and it moves from place to place based on water levels and currents.

After the boat ride, you will be transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:

La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar

Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar

Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Angkor Thom, which was a magnificent architectural masterpiece built by King Jayavarman VII. The king built this fortress in the heart of his empire as a response to the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181.

Our first stop will be the Bayon Temple, which is located at the exact center of Angkor Thom. This temple is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia's most celebrated king. We will also have a photo stop at the Terrace of the Leper King, which is a unique stone terrace located in the Royal Square of Angkor Thom.

Next, we will visit the Terrace of Elephants, which was originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances, and traditional sports. At the southern end of the terrace lies the Baphuon, one of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman I in the 11th century.

We will also visit the picturesque Ta Prohm temple, which has nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, creating an exotic and haunting scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, which are pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.

Our final stop will be the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. This temple is believed to be the world's largest religious building and is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry. It is a source of pride and strength to all Khmers.

After a long day of exploring, we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:

La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar

Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar

Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

On the final day of your trip, you will enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel in Siem Reap. After breakfast, you will have some free time at your leisure to do any last-minute sightseeing, souvenir shopping or simply relax before departing for your next destination. Later, you will be transferred to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight. We hope you had an unforgettable experience with Legend Travel Group and we look forward to welcoming you back for more adventures in the future. Your airport transfer is included as part of this tour package.