Let your travel satisfaction be pushed to the maximum. Find out what’s so special about Vietnam and Cambodia in just over a week. Experience the most distinctive features of two countries: peaceful, attractive and charming Vietnam; Cambodia is formal, mysterious but romantic.

Trip highlights

• Romantic sunset from the mysterious Angkor temple
• The painful and violent past of the Cu Chi tunnels
• Visit a variety of Cambodian temples of cultural and architectural value

Trip summary

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted by our guide and dropped off at your hotel in the city center. Free for the rest of the day. Meals are your own. Overnight in the city.

Ho Chi Minh at night

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City> Cu Chi Tunnels

In the morning visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, then explore the Reunification Palace and the outstanding place is the War Remnants Museum. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, you visit for half a day to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels 200 km long, which was heavily damaged by landmines. Visit the tunnels and watch a short introductory video of how the tunnels were built. Spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. After that, enjoy tea, cassava (guest food during the war). Dinner is your own. Overnight in Saigon

Reunification Palace City. Ho Chi Minh

Day 3: HCMC> My Tho> Ben Tre> Can Tho

In the morning, the car will pick you up at the hotel, then leave Saigon, enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho, leisurely boat ride along the river, see stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages. Continue to Cu Lao Rua, have lunch in the orchard. Paddle your own boat to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, which serves seasonal fruit, honey tea and “Southern Don ca tai tu”. Visit an idyllic family business. Taste delicious coconut candies and observe the pastoral life of local villagers. Go to Can Tho. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Can Tho

Ninh Kieu Can Tho Night Market

Day 4: Can Tho> Chau Doc> Tra Su Holy Land

Morning boat ride to the picturesque tributaries of the lower Mekong (Basac River). Visit Cai Rang floating market, said to be the most vibrant in the whole region. Learn how to make Vietnamese noodle soup. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly locals. Experience how to cross the “Monkey Bridge” with just one bamboo stem. Visit the orchard. Stop for lunch. Continue to Chau Doc, then visit Tra Su. Observe magnificent ranges of canyons deep in the forest, gently dotted with storks, cranes and tropical birds. Visit Sam Mountain, Hang Pagoda (if time allows). Back to the city center hotel. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Cai Rang floating market

Day 5: Chau Doc> Take a speedboat to Phnom Penh

Morning boat trip to Phnom Penh after breakfast. Pick up at Phnom Penh marina for transfer to your hotel. Free for the rest of the day. Meals are your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Day 6: Phnom Penh > Siem Reap

Explore the Capital of Cambodia. Visit the temple on the hill Wat Phnom, built by a rich Khmer woman to keep sacred relics. Visit the National Museum dedicated to Khmer art. Continue to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. The treasures on display were mostly provided by the King of Cambodia. Among the treasures are a solid gold Buddha and a small 17th-century baccarat emerald and crystal Buddha. Lunch is yours. In the afternoon, transfer to Phnom Penh for a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our reporter will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Free for the rest of the day. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Siem Reap

Wat Phnom

Day 7: Angkor Thom & Angkor Wat Temple

Morning visit Angkor Thom (Great Citadel), Sough Gate, Bayon temple, famous for 216 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Continue to Baphuon Temple, a pyramid that represents the mythical Mount Meru. Visit the Terrace of Elephant – the facility for the king’s audience hall; Terrace of Leper King – a 7m high platform, topped by a nude statue, though genderless; and the Hindu temple Phimean Akas (Heavenly Palace). Afternoon explore the world heritage site of Angkor Wat, the most spectacular monument of the Angkor complex; Natural stone Phnom Bakheng (Temple on the mountain). Watch the sunset from Angkor Wat. Back to hotel in Siemreap. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Siem Reap

Temple of Angkor Wat

Day 8: Banteay Srey & Roluos . Temple

In the morning, drive 16 miles to the Banteay gem of Khmer Art, once belonging to the medieval capital Yasodharapura and Angkor Thom. Admire the carvings on the red sandstone walls of the temple and see the ornate layers where Khmer myths and legends are perfectly depicted. Walk through the local village and learn how sugar is produced from sugar palm trees (if time permits). Lunch at local restaurant. Continue to Preah Ko – the first temple built in the ancient city of Hariharalaya. Visit Mount Bakong temple – the official state temple of King Indravarman I and see the original relief pieces. Visit the last temple of Lolei, most famous for its fake doors and carved fabric. Dinner is your own. Overnight in Siem Reap

Bakong Temple

Day 9: Tonle Sap Lake> Depart from Siemreap

After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the fishing village of Chhong Kneas and board a private boat. Visit a floating village and discover the centuries-old lifestyle of the inhabitants of the lake. Cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Return to port and drive back to Siem Reap. Free shuttle to the airport for your flight home. The trip is over.

Floating village on Tonle Sap . lake