13 Days Cambodia & South Vietnam Experience Tour

Name: 13 Days Cambodia & South Vietnam Experience Tour
Brand: Tour
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Destinations : Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Chau Doc, Can Tho, Vinh Long, Mui Ne Beach - Binh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City

Starts Siem Reap

+ 5 Destinations Phnom Penh, Chau Doc...

Ends Ho Chi Minh City

Excellent 1 reviews

Trip overview

Our 13 Days Cambodia & South of Vietnam Tour is combined between the highlights of the two countries. This trip goes from the majestic Angkor complex and then vibrant Phnom Penh, goes through the Mekong Delta - the lush green rice basket of Vietnam, to the hustle and bustle of Saigon, the legendary Cu Chi tunnels and end up at the Mui Ne ..More

Duration: 13 days / 12 nights
Activities: Walking , Sightseeing, Cultural, Historical, Beach Relaxing, Cruising
Tour type: Private Tour
Themes: , Vietnam Cambodia Tours

Highlights

Siem Reap - Gateway to the Angkor Wat temple complex
Phnom Penh - Capital of Cambodia surrounded by the Mekong River; home to majestic palaces and pagodas
Mekong Delta - ‘Rice basket of Vietnam’ and home to many living, working and travelling along the river
Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) - Vietnam’s most cosmopolitan and vibrant city
Mui Ne – Home to tranquil beaches and has a thriving fishing industry.

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Tour itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap (N/A)

On arrival in Siem Reap, transfer to the hotel (rooms may not ready until early afternoon).

Afternoon, visit the Roluos Group. The monuments of Roluos, which served as the capital of Indravarman I (reigned 877-89), are among the earliest large, permanent temples built by the Khmers and mark the beginning of Khmer classical art. Preah Ko erected by Indravarman I in the late 9th century dedicated by the King to his ancestors in 880. Bakong the largest and most interesting of the Roluos group temples, with his active Buddhist monastery just to the north of the east entrance. Lolei built on an islet in the center of a large reservoir (now rice fields) by Yasovarman I, the founder to the first city at Angkor. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (B)

In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. 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. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolize Meru’s five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.

Afternoon, visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Sunset at Angkor Wat. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples (B)

Morning, transfer to Banteay Srei temple (10th c), regarded as the jewel in the crown of Classical Khmer Art. Continue to Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

In the afternoon, you continue your temple visits to Preah Khan. Built by the King Jayavarman VII, Preah Khan is, like Ta Prohm, a place of towered enclosures and shoulder hugging corridors. Unlike Ta Prohm, however, the temple of Prea Khan is in a reasonable state of preservation and ongoing restoration efforts should maintain and even improve this situation. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som and Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. Two concentric walls enclose the ensemble. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (B)

Morning, take the 50 minute flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Arrive in Phnom Penh, we will visit this charming city of 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 Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha. Visit Wat Phnom temple. Before ending the tour of today, we enjoy the Cyclo ride along the Mekong River. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh – Chau Doc (Vietnam) (B)

Morning, visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek are not to be missed. A visit to these sights provides a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Toul Tom Pong, all called the “Russian Market”, where anything and everything is for sales.

Early afternoon, you will be transferred to the boat station for the express boat trip to Chau Doc, the border town of Vietnam. To enter Vietnam at border with Cambodia, you will must have Vietnam visa in advance. Arrive Chau Doc in late afternoon, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Chau Doc.

Day 6: Chau Doc – Mekong River On Private Song Xanh Cruise (B/L/D)

Located on the upper Mekong Delta, Chau Doc town is 280 km (174 miles) south-west of Ho Chi Minh City close to the Cambodian border. With such proximity to Cambodia, the local population is an eclectic mix of Cham, Khmer, Chinese and Vietnamese, sharing different cultures and historical richness.
Your crew welcomes you at the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel jetty at 10:00am with cold towels and a refreshing drink as your Song Xanh private sampan sets off for its leisurely cruise on the waterways around Chau Doc towards Long Xuyen, traveling along a narrow canal past monkey bridges and peaceful villages.
Lunch is served on board before arriving in Long Xuyen. Visit Tiger Island (Cu Lao Ong Ho), a small island that was once the home of Vietnam’s second president - Ton Duc Thang. Take a stroll around the park surrounding the museum and cycle around the island for a better look.
Your last stopover before sunset is at a Vietnamese home to gain insight into how the locals live. The owner will welcome you and a candlelit dinner will be served. Enjoy your first night on board the Song Xanh on the Hau River.

Day 7: Mekong River On Private Song Xanh Cruise (B/L/D)

Breakfast is served on board at 7:00 am while your sampan cruises downstream. Arrive in Sa Dec in time for a stroll around this charming town. Visit one of the town’s highlights, the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, a real-life character in the celebrated novel and film “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. The small town is well worth exploring as it played an important role in the development of the Mekong Delta. Large Chinese and Khmer communities were established here, while the French also left their mark on the local architecture. As a result, many
religions are represented side by side: a Cao Dai temple, a Catholic church, a Chinese temple and Vietnamese pagodas. Lunch and dinner are served on board. Enjoy your second night aboard the Song Xanh on the Mekong River.

Day 8: Cai Be – Saigon (B/L)

We begin cruising at 6:00 am towards Cai Be. Observe life as it plays out on shore - people going about their daily activities against picturesque landscapes - while your crew serves breakfast onboard. Stop at various points along the way for a look into some of the cottage industries of the region: a brick factory and local food production like coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of pop corn), small home-based businesses that provide a living for the river people. Your cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant. Lunch is served in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river, surrounded by fruit plantations, a glimpse into the Indochina of yesteryear.
We will finish our Mekong River adventure on private Song Xanh sampa in Cai Be where will take our car for the trip to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Day 9: Saigon (B)

Although Saigon is a big and chaotic metropolis, but this makes your discovering the city are unique. Nice colonial center, with broad promenades and squares, and some French influence buildings that should not be missed. There are also many nice temples and pagodas. Another of the things visitors should not miss is popular markets - a great place to taste the local food specialties. Our sightseeing in this city tour inclusive Reunification Palace, War Museum, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, Binh Tay Market, on the way back we visit bustling China Town, and Ben Thanh Market. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Day 10: Saigon – Cuchi Tunnels & Cao Dai Great Temple (B)

We depart the hotel in the morning for Cu Chi to visit the Tunnels. Cu Chi Tunnels are a network of underground tunnels begun in 1948 by the Viet Minh in their struggle against the French. These tunnels were expanded and used by the Viet Cong during the war between Vietnam and America. Americans called this the “Iron Triangle” and was a stronghold of the Vietcong for almost thirty years. Walk underground in the tunnels. From here you will continue on to see the Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh, where each day at noon a prayer service is held. It is a striking structure on a very large compound. The term Cao Dai (meaning higher tower or place) is a euphemism for God. Caodaism was found in the 1920’s by Ngo Minh Chieu, using a combination of teaching from Buddism, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam and other religions into one religion to promote peace. Have lunch on your own and back to Saigon. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Day 11: Saigon – Muine Beach Resort (B)

We depart after breakfast for the 4-5 hour drive to Phan Thiet Province, seaside resort of Mui Ne. Besides fine sandy beaches, Mui Ne has an imposing landscape of sand dunes that impress all visitors. Many of them have been an inspiration of artistic photographs and paintings shown in postcards and travel brochures that promote Vietnam tourism.

Enjoy this afternoon on the beach. Overnight at beach resort in Muine.

Day 12: Muine Beach Resort (B)

Free day at leisure in the beach resort. Overnight at beach resort in Muine.

Day 13: Muine – Back To Saigon For Departure (B)

You will be free until the transfer back to the airport in Saigon for the departure flight. Say “Farewell to Saigon and Vietnam”. End of the 13 Days Cambodia & South Vietnam Tour.

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Trip Inclusion

Accommodation with daily breakfast bases on twin/double sharing rooms
2 nights on the private sampan on Mekong River
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)
Airport transfers & tour transport by private vehicle with A/C
Boat tickets: Phnom Penh to Chau Doc
Local English speaking tour guides
All entrance fees and permits where applicable

Trip Exclusions

Meals that not mentioned in the program
Travel insurance
Vietnam visa
Cambodia visa
International flight and departure tax
Tipping, drinks and other personal expenses

Accommodation Categories

Standard:
Standard accommodation equates to a Western 3-star standard, always featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant. Sometimes these are a good affordable choice in cities where accommodation is very expensive, but where being centrally located is a prime consideration.

Superior:
Superior accommodation equates to a Western 4-star standard, featuring en-suite rooms and usually a restaurant and often a swimming pool and/or a fitness centre. This is the 'classic' hotel standard we use on most of our group based tours.

Deluxe:
Deluxe accommodation equates to a Western 5-star standard, usually featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, excellent service and customer care. India and Southeast Asia have a fabulous array of top notch 5-star properties.

Luxury:
Luxury accommodation equates to a Western 5-star plus standard - the creme de la creme. Featuring spacious, en-suite rooms, a restaurant, swimming pool and fitness centre and an array of amenities, this accommodation is a cut above the rest. Sheer opulence!

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