Southern Vietnam and Cambodia 8 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry, an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture.

Overnight: Majestic Hotel

Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, your guide will arrive to show you around Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll visit the History Museum where there is a special exhibition of the 5th century ‘Oc Eo’ civilization. The Museum of War Remnants provides a very partial, but riveting, perspective of the ‘American War’: not for the squeamish! You’ll also visit the Jade Emperor Temple. It’s one of the best Taoist temples in Vietnam, with superb effigies, remarkable carved panels and somewhat incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries. You’ll then return to your hotel to freshen up or wander around the huge Ben Thanh market, one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City, is packed with every conceivable commodity. You’ll spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight: Majestic Hotel (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City - Vinh Long - Can Tho

After escaping from Ho Chi Minh City’s urban sprawl, you’ll travel to Vinh Long for a Mekong River cruise, visiting fruit orchards, a traditional family-run brick kiln, and some long established cottage industries, along the way. You’ll drive further into the Mekong Delta to Can Tho. Upon arrival you’ll make your way to the Munir Ansay – an ancient Khmer style pagoda, renowned for its unique structural decorations. You’ll then drive to your hotel in Can Tho where you’ll spend the night.

Overnight: Victoria Can Tho Resort (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 4 - Can Tho - Chau Doc

The day begins with a boat cruise to Cai Rang, a floating market on the Mekong Delta – both the journey and the market provide insights into the Mekong rural lifestyle. Then, you’ll be taken to Chau Doc. Upon arrival, you’ll take a drive to the Sam Mountain. Here you'll have the opportunity to climb to the summit of Sam Mountain, which is well worth the effort, enjoy the striking views of the pancake-flat Mekong and the plain across the Cambodian border are striking.

Overnight: Victoria Hotel (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 5 - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh

After breakfast, you’ll take a speed boat to travel into Cambodia then to Phnom Penh. Arriving in Phnom Penh, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. In the afternoon, you'll visit the National Museum and the Silver Pagoda, followed by a sunset cruise on the Chatomouk River. You’ll spend the night in Phnom Penh.

Overnight: The Quay Hotel (Breakfast and dinner included)

Day 6 - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap

After breakfast and a morning flight to Siem reap, your day will be devoted to the Temple complex, of which Angkor Wat is a key element. You’ll begin with a visit to Angkor Thom, starting with the Bayon, a bizarre structure of several architectural changes reflecting a switch from Hinduism (the foundations) to Buddhism (the superstructure). Your next visit will be to the Elephant and Leper King Terraces followed by the Baphoun Temple, which is now nearing the end of an eight-year multi-million dollar restoration project. In the afternoon, you’ll explore Angkor Wat itself, the largest, and for most people, the most impressive temple in the complex. As dusk nears, a walk to the summit of Phnom Bakheng Hill will afford a panorama of the whole complex lit by the rays of the setting sun, weather permitting of course. Your overnight accommodation will be in Siem Reap.

Overnight: Hotel de la Paix (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 7 - Siem Reap

Your day will be taken up with visits to some of the outer sites including Preah Khan, a huge and highly explorable monastic complex, Neak Pean, a Himalayan-style lake and sanctuary, and East Mebon, a temple-mountain. After lunch, you’ll also see Ta Prohm, strangled by massive tree roots and typical of the condition of the whole complex when it was discovered in 1860 by French naturalist Henri Mouhot. Your guide will then show you the Prasat Kravan (also known as the Cardomom Sanctuary) and Srah Srang lake and landing terrace. The Srah Srang is less touristed and could be sunrise alternative to Angkor Wat.

Overnight: Hotel de la Paix (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 8 - Siem Reap Departure

After breakfast, your time will be your own until you're picked up for your departure flight.

(Breakfast included)

Accommodation Information

Majestic Hotel

Opened in 1925 as the city’s finest abode, the Majestic has gone through several reincarnations over the years, changes that reflect the tumultuous history of Vietnam. During World War II, the Japanese Imperial Army used this French colonial structure as a military barracks. During the Vietnam War, it was frequented by foreign correspondents and espionage agents.

Victoria Can Tho Resort

The only luxury hotel in the center of the Mekong Delta, the Victoria Can Tho Resort blends colonial-style architecture with the natural beauty of the river. Close to Can Tho town, but a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, the resort lies on the banks of the Hau River, set amidst gardens with a plethora of exotic plants.

Victoria Hotel

Built in colonial style with low-rise French architectural design, the Victoria Chau Doc Hotel blends perfectly with its natural surroundings. The hotel is located right on the banks of the Bassac River crossing and is an ideal base to explore the fascinating Chau Doc region.

The Quay Hotel

Consider yourself home at The Quay — Phnom Penh's first carbon friendly and environmentally sound hotel. An ideal base in exploring Phnom Penh's vibrant energy and hidden charms, The Quay is a pleasant stroll away from top Phnom Penh landmarks such as the National Museum, the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and quaint streets dotted with charming cafes, designer shops and art galleries. As you step from the vibrant riverfront of Phnom Penh along the banks of the Tonle Sap, prepare yourself for a fusion of innovation and tranquility. As you enter the calming ethereal design of the lobby, you immerse yourself in form and comfort. From the start, your stay at this minimalist 16-room hideaway is urbane and relaxed.

Hotel de la Paix

This deluxe boutique hotel offers guests outstanding levels of luxury and world-class dining and spa facilities. Set around an inner courtyard with stone gardens and water features, Hotel de la Paix´s art deco inspired design is complemented by strong Khmer influences that respect the past whilst embracing the future. Excellently located in the heart of Siem Reap, Cambodia, within easy walking distance of the nightlife and colorful markets, and a few kilometres from the famous temple complexes of Angkor Wat, "de la Paix" is a favorite choice of accommodation when travelling to Siem Reap.