Day 1: Sai Gon arrival
Upon your arrival at Saigon airport look for our driver and guide who will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. The journey from the airport to your hotel will take approximately half an hour and is an entertaining experience full of chaotic traffic and millions of motorbikes.
Overnight in Sai Gon
Day 2: Sai Gon city tour – Cu Chi tunnels (B/L)
You will be met at your hotel at 8.00am by guide for a morning walking tour through the heart of Saigon’s famous and historic city landmarks including Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the Rex Hotel, Municipal Theatre, Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame Cathedral. You will then join your vehicle and drive to the site of the former US Embassy (now the US consulate) before visiting the impressive Re-Unification Palace and War Remnants Museum.
After lunch, you will take the journey west from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi. On arrival you will be guided through the famous tunnels used by the communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War. The tunnel network stretches over 250km and extends to three levels underground providing you with a remarkable insight into the hardships, courage, determination and terror of a guerrilla war. You will return to your hotel at approximately 6.00pm. Evening free as your leisure.
Overnight in Sai Gon.
Day 3: Sai Gon – Cai Be Floating market (B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer to Cai Be by private car.The program will start with a visit of Cai Be colourfull floating market cruiseing among local barges full of fruits and vegretables by the luxury boat of Mekong Travel. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how rices paste, coconut candy and pop-rice, pop-corn are made.
It is so interesting to visit the handicraft village where you can see how they make some special products: making rice-net for spring-rolls, fish sauce & soya sauce, cooking salt, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage proof…
The best lunch will be served at local house (ancient house, orchard or bonsai garden…)
The rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals and to enjoy the peaceful time. It is so interesting to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and see some activities of the local farmers with an apportunity to make contacts with them and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta..
One more thing to do in this trip is biking ! It will be so amazing to bike on village paths to see the local farms, houses, « monkey » bridge, real life…
Overnight in homestay
Day 4: Can Tho – Sai Gon (B/L)
Have a breakfast and walk along the village to enjoy the fresh air in the morning
Boat trip to visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beatiful potteries from clay. We can visit Vinhlong market in the town. This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegretable…
The cruise will end at around 10.30am in Vinh Long town. Transfer back to Sai Gon and drop off at your hotel.
Overnight in Sai Gon.
Day 5: Sai Gon – Moc Bai border gate – Phnom Penh (B/L)
After breakfast, check out from hotel and transfer to Moc Bai border by private car. Process visa then cross border to Cambodia. Continue riding to Phnom Penh city. On arrival, be welcomed by tour guide and transfer to hotel for checking in.
Afternoon, you visit the notorious Killing Fields “Choeung Ek” 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of who first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (From 1975–1979). Continue your visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Day 6: Phnom Penh – City Tours – Silk Island (B/L)
After breakfast – We drive to visit Wat Phnom, is the most significant of all the temples in Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings although it is generally understood to be the royal abode of the King of Cambodia. The National Museum, one of Phnom Penh’s true architectural gems, It house more than 14,000 items; the World’s largest collection of Khmer Art, including sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects dating from prehistoric times to periods before, during and after the Khmer Empire.
11.40am – We go to the dock for joint cruise to Silk Island with our guide
12.00pm – Embark on Cambo Cruise with welcome drinks.
12.30pm – Enjoy lunch with fresh fruits.
You will cruising along the Phnom Penh riverfront enjoy the view from the upper deck or down on the main deck for a more cozy experience near the bar. Passing the Royal Palace, see the junction of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers. Up the Mekong River you will see floating villages and fishing families living on their boats. The trip to Silk Island takes about 1 hour.
Docking at Silk Island you are a short ride steps away from the silk farms. Along the way you can view plantations and see village life. A modern pagoda nearby is also an active monastery. This is not a tourist attraction, be respectful. At the silk farms you can watch the intricate process of silk being made from larvae to finished goods. Tour guides will be provided.
The boat will be open for food, drinks, relaxing or for using the facilities while in port.
On the 1 hour ride back to Phnom Penh cool off with a cocktail. Snacks will be provided.
15.50pm – Arrival at the dock, disembark and transfer to hotel
Overnight at Phnom Penh
Day 7: Phnom Penh – Siem Riep (B/D)
08.00am – We transfer to Siem Reap by private vehicle without guide, it will takes about 6 hour drives with 314 km distance. Checked in at hotel upon arrival and have a short relax.
This afternoon, take a fun by Rermork “Tuk Tuk” ride to visit the Angkor National Museum, learn about “the Legend Revealed” and see how the Khmer Empire has been established during the golden period. Continue to Preah Ang Check Preah Angkor, the secret place where local people go praying for good luck or safe journey. Tonight enjoy buffet dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at Amazon or Kulen II Restaurant.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 8: Siem Reap – Rolous Group – Small Circuit (B, L, D)
Breakfast at hotel
In the morning – we drive to explore the Roluos group. The Roluos group lies 15km (10 miles) southwest of Siem Reap and includes three temples – Bakong, Prah Ko and Lolei – dating from the late 9th century and corresponding to the ancient capital of Hariharalaya, from which the name of Lolei is derived. Remains include 3 well-preserved early temples that venerated the Hindu gods. The bas-reliefs are some of the earliest surviving examples of Khmer art. Modern-day villages surround the temples. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we visit small circuit including the unique brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, the jungle intertwined Ta Prohm, made famous in Angelina Jolie’s Tomb Raider movie. Ta Prohm, one of the popular temple in the area Take a leisurely stroll through this wondrous site, with giant fig and kapok trees strangling the ancient stonework in a photogenic interplay of man and nature. You also visit as well Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. Dinner at Chef D’ Angkor
Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 9: Siem Reap – Angkor Complex (B, L)
Morning, we drive to the antique capital of Angkor Thom, start from the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at Khmer Wooden House Restaurant.Afternoon, explore Angkor Wat the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Last but not least, view a wonderful sunset from Angkor Wat or somewhere possible. Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Siem Reap – Kampong Phluk – Departure (B/L)
Breakfast at hotel
We drive to visit Kampong Phluk Floating Village, located at 16 km at north-south of Siem Reap. the villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. During the dry season when the lake is low (March – July), the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6-meter stilts exposed by the lack of water. At this time of year many of the villagers move out onto the lake and build temporary houses. In the wet season when water level rises (Aug – February), the villagers move back to their permanent houses on the floodplain, the stilts now hidden under the water. Kampong Phluk’s economy is, as one might expect, based in fishing, primary in shrimp harvesting.
Lunch at local restaurant
Free until transfer to Siem Reap International airport for boarding home sweet home or next destination.
Tour Inclusions
- Selected accommodation with breakfast in twin share room
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
- Private air-condition transportation
- Boat at the program
- Experience and friendly English-speaking local guide
- Sightseeing and permit fees during guided times
- Service charge and VAT taxes
Tour Exclusions
- Visa stamping fee at the Embassy
- Domestic flights quote separately
- Travel Insurance in all kinds
- Other foreign language guide
- Peak tourist season or special event rates
- Child or adult in triple sharing room
- Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
- Solo traveller must single supplement
Trip Notes:
– Travelers are highly recommended to purchase Travel Insurance upon commitment of the booking in case of force majeure. Travel Insurance covers such costs as emergency and medical evacuation, hospital fees, property loss, etc. which could possibly happen during the trip.
– Rooms at hotels are available only from 1400 on arrival day till 1200 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
– The itinerary may subject to change depending on weather conditions and the local situation.
– Reservations during peak times such as Christmas, New Year, Vietnamese Lunar New Year, National Holidays may be subject to supplementary charges.
– If any proposed service is not available at the time of booking, we will try to find alternative and similar option and minimize changes to the program.
– Domestic flights may subject to change or reschedule before departure date
– Vietnam Travel and Cruise is not responsible for any injury, loss, death, inconvenience, delay or damage to personal property in connection with the provision of any goods or services whether resulting from but not limited to acts of God or force majeure, illness, disease, acts of war, civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, animals, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of services, food poisoning, mechanical or other failure of aircraft or other means of transportation or for failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time. Additional expenses incurred due to delays, accidents, natural disaster, political actions and unrest, must be covered by the clients. Vietnam Travel and Cruise will make every effort to recoup any losses from the service providers.
Booking condition:
Payment:
– A Deposit of AUD$300 per person is required upon confirmation of your booking. This deposit is non-refundable.
– The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. If you fail to pay by the due date we reserve the right to cancel your booking and retain your deposit.
– If you make a booking less than 30 days prior to departure, full payment is due within 48 hours.
Cancellation: Any cancellations must be made in witting.
– Cancellation fees apply to all cancelled reservations. The fee is determined by the date written cancellation received by Vietnam Travel and Cruise.
– Cancellation more than 30 days – Loss of deposit
– Cancellation at 30 or less days – 100% of total booking cost
Special conditions: Depending on airlines, hotels, cruises’ cancellation policies, the above conditions may be modified.
Claims and refunds for unused services
No refunds or exchanges can be made in respect of accommodation, meals, sightseeing tours, transport or any other services, which are included in the tour prices but not utilized by the client.
