South Vietnam And Cambodia Discover 12 Days

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, your guide and private car will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. This afternoon and evening are free at leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Visit the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace it was this modern building that North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. Continue seeingthe beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office and City Hall.
Have Lunch at local restaurant then  head to Vietnam's largest Chinatown on this tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s most atmospheric district. Hop aboard a traditional cyclo (pedicab), marvel at the Lady Thien Hau Temple, discover the ancient practice of Chinese medicine, and browse the stalls at Binh Tay Market.

Depart Ho Chi Minh City at 0800 in the morning for the drive to Tay Ninh. Leaving the city behind, the scenery changes to views of rice paddies, villagers drying noodles by the side of the road and other scenes typical to southern Vietnam. At Tay Ninh visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, with architecture that could have come straight from a Walt Disney fantasy and where all the major faiths of the world blend together in a unique religious cocktail. After lunch visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which consist of an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters (Viet Cong) during both the French and American wars. Start the visit with the Ben Dinh or Ben Duoc sections of the tunnel. Here you can imagine what it was like to be a guerrilla complete with Russian Carbine rifles and AK 47’s. In the late afternoon journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.  Your specialist guide at Cu Chi will be a war veteran who fought in the tunnels for 12-years from 1963 – 1975. Affectionately referred to as ‘Uncle Nam’ learnt firsthand accounts on he lived, fought and survived in the Cu Chi Tunnels during this time.    

A smooth one-and-half-hour bus ride through rice field scenery along National Highway 1 brings you to the beautiful rural district of Trung Luong. On arrival at My Tho, after visiting Vinh Trang pagoda, take a motor boat to enter My Tho city through Bao Dinh natural canal. Take a leisurely cruise on the Tien River to view the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise islands.  Take 30 min cycling  around a village in Mekong Delta before enjoy lunch at the local restaurant, then visit the coconut candy mill and take an amazing rowing boat trip along the small canal on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals. Then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals. Meet at the bus and return to Ho Chi Minh City. This trip provides a fascinating insight into daily life in the Mekong Delta and you are guaranteed to take home your own private collection of beautiful memories.
Overnight at your chosen hotel in Can Tho.

Jump on a motorboat and start your adventure to Cai Rang Floating Market where dozens of boats laden with fruits, vegetables, and fish from all over the Mekong Delta will be jostling for trade. To catch the attention of buyers, the sellers tie sample products to long poles.
Return to shore for a city tour of Can Tho and visit Can Tho Museum where numerous valuable objects are exhibited. You will have an overview of the Mekong Delta's culture and learn about the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic groups in this region.
Proceed to Chau Doc and continue the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. On the way back stop by to visit Sam Mountain, the Cave pagoda (if time permitted).
Back to the Town, hotel check in. Overnight in Chau Doc
 

After breakfast transfer to a speed boat for the final part of the journey to Phnom Penh. Arrive at Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penh at around 2pm. End of services. Finish your Exit to Cambodia through the lower Mekong river. Overnight in Phnompenh

Today we take a trip to explore some of the historic buildings in the riverfront area and learn about the history and culture of the city. Visit the famous Wat Phnom relics washed ashore by the river and admire the Khmer’s architecture of Royal Palace and National Museum and Understanding Cambodian Buddhism at Silver Pagoda.
In the afternoon we journey by remork (local tuk tuk) and local boat to a Mekong Island to see the lifestyle of the people who make their living from silk weaving, agriculture and aquaculture. We finish by taking a boat cruise to enjoy sunset at the junction of the Tonle Bassac, Tonle Sap, and the mighty Mekong Rivers.

Today we travel by private bus through the countryside to Battambang. The journey takes around 4.5 - 5 hours and we will stop to see local pottery-making along the way. Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang, (pronounced Battambong) is an attractive riverside town with traces of French elegance, friendly Khmer people and well-preserved colonial architecture.
Tonight, after settling in, we journey by remork to a local family’s house to enjoy a home cooked Cambodian dinner and hear about life in Cambodia.

Embark on a full-day tour to discover Battambang and its surroundings. Admire French colonial buildings, explore the ancient Wat Samrong Buddhist temple, and visit the historic Ek Phnom temple ruins. Traverse quaint villages, fruit farms, and riverside pagodas, greeted by friendly smiles from local farmers and children. End the day by witnessing thousands of bats emerging from the Battambang Bat Cave. This tour also offers insights into the Pol Pot regime's history, including the solemn 'Killing Cave' where tragedy unfolded for thousands.

Embark on a journey to Siem Reap in the comfort of a private minivan. Siem Reap serves as the entry point to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archaeological Park, situated approximately 7 kilometres away. However, the town itself offers its own set of attractions to explore. These include vibrant day and night markets, rejuvenating Khmer massage and spa therapies, a diverse array of excellent cafes and restaurants, and even the unique experience of fish massage.
Tonight enjoy a truly unique experience with fine Khmer cuisine, traditional surroundings and nighly dinner and apsara dance shows in Siem Reap
Overnight in Siemreap

Start with Angkor Wat, the world’s largest sacred building and an architectural masterpiece. Built in the 12th century the temple took 30 years to build and represents the Khmer civilisation at its grandest. Continue to visit the southern Gate of Angkor Thom, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side - gods to the left and demons to the right – and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. At ‘The Bayon’ (12th century) we see its beautifully crafted central towers, covered in more than 200 enormous faces, then explore the famous Terrace of the Leper King, and the Terrace of Elephants.
After lunch and a rest break we set out for Preah Khan temple. Known as the ‘Temple of the Sacred Sword’, Preah Kahn was recently restored by the World Monument Fund. At the end of the day we move on to the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm – one of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor. Once home to 2,740 monks, Ta Prohm today looks much as it did in the early 1850s, when French explorer Henri Mouhot ‘rediscovered’ this crumbling site. After exploring the maze-like interior of Ta Prohm, continue to see sunset at Pre Rup temple before return back to your hotel after a long but fulfilling day, which will leave you with a lifetime of memories of one of wonders of the world.

Move on to visit Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Take a relaxing boat trip to Kampong Phluk. Continue your visit to a mangrove forest nearby before returning to your hotel.
Your unforgettable South Vietnam and  Cambodia tour has come to an end. Your guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.