Compare Vietnam and Cambodia Highlights by APT Touring vs Premium Vietnam & Cambodia by Intrepid Travel
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4.5 | Great
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Duration | 13 days | 13 days |
Price From | $ 4,848 | $ 4,345 |
Price Per Day | $ 373 | $ 334 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Luxury | Standard |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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N/A |
Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
Description |
Enjoy 13 days with a seven-night Mekong River cruise aboard the RV AmaLotus, cultural and religious exposure, as well as authentic fine dining. |
Immerse yourself in the rich historic and cultural heritage of Vietnam and Cambodia on a 13-day Premium adventure. Uncover the oriental influences of the historic Asian traders, settlers and indigenous people that have made this part of the world a cornerstone for empires and colonies. From navigating the various fusions of east and west in Hoi An, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to cruising the natural UNESCO World Heritage listed wonderland of Halong Bay and exploring war time monuments, and experiencing one of the world’s great archaeological treasures at Angkor, this journey will share the best of these countries’ history, nature and tradition. |
Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap
Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you’ll be met by an APT representative and transferred to your luxurious hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to explore.
Stay: Three Nights: Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor
Day 2: Siem Reap
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Dining
Choose from an extensive range of activities that showcase the cultural heart of Siem Reap.
Meet your tour director and fellow travellers this morning at your welcome briefing and then head to Angkor Archaeological Park to visit the last and most enduring capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, and the 12th-century temple of Bayon. This evening, enjoy dinner and a traditional Apsara dance performance.
Day 3: Siem Reap
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Rise early and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a glass of champagne as you enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.
Freedom Of Choice - Dining
Tonight you can select from a number of local restaurants for dinner.
Explore the vine-engulfed temple of Ta Prohm, a World Heritage-listed site, and pay a visit to ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art’.
Day 4: Siem Reap, Prek K’dam, Embark Ship
Transfer to Prek K’dam to embark your river ship. Tonight, celebrate the beginning of your cruise with a Luke Nguyen Welcome Dinner.
Stay: Seven Nights: Cruise the Mekong River aboard APT’s RV AmaLotus
Day 5: Kampong Chhnang, Koh Chen
Hop aboard a small boat to explore the lush wetlands near Kampong Chhnang, watching for water birds and traditional fishing traps near the riverbank. Back on your ship, continue sailing to the village of Koh Chen for a walk to visit the fine silverware and copperware workshops.
Day 6: Prek K’dam, Oudong, Kampong Tralach, Phnom Penh
From Prek K’dam, take a coach to Oudong where you’ll call on a monastery for a Buddhist blessing experience with monks. In Kampong Tralach later, ride an ox cart through the countryside, passing rice fields and smiling locals on the way back to your ship. Later, arrive in Phnom Penh.
Day 7: Phnom Penh
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Sightseeing
Perhaps enjoy a tour of the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, or take a moving excursion to the infamous Killing Fields. Your other options are a visit to the National Museum or a city tour in a tuk tuk.
After breakfast, disembark in Phnom Penh.
Day 8: Phnom Penh, Border Crossing
Relax while border crossing formalities are carried out before arriving in Tan Chau.
Day 9: Tan Chau, Evergreen Island
Transfer to a small boat for a journey along the tiny tributaries that snake around Tan Chau. Glide past a floating fishing farm, then take a rickshaw tour. Later, observe rural Mekong life on an evergreen island.
Day 10: Sa Dec, Cai Be
In the city of Sa Dec, enjoy a small boat ride past floating markets, then disembark to visit a Cao Dai temple. You’ll also enjoy a guided tour of Huynh Thuy Le’s old house and visit a rice paper manufacturer.
Day 11: Disembark Cruise, Depart Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Long Tan OR Cu Chi Tunnels
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
In Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), attend either a memorialservice at Long Tan Cross or visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Disembark at My Tho Port and select from two Signature Experiences.
Stay: Two Nights: Ho Chi Minh City, Park Hyatt Saigon
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
Tonight, enjoy a Luke Nguyen-inspired degustation dinner with matching wines at Xu Restaurant.
FREEDOM OF CHOICE - Sightseeing
Discover the city on your choice of activities: tour the city on foot, enjoy a motorbike tour, visit the Ky Long Art Villa, join a shopping tour, or take part in a cooking class at GRAIN by Luke Nguyen cooking studio.
Day 13: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to the airport this morning.
Day 1 Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital city. You’ll be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm where you’ll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, Hanoi offers plenty of enticing experiences. Perhaps head to the city’s colourful old quarter and explore the charming jumble of shops and cafés, or check out the Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum, showcasing ancient through to contemporary Vietnamese art. This evening, join your leader and small group for a welcome dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the exciting world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.
Day 2 Halong Bay
Depart Hanoi and travel to Halong Bay, one of the great natural treasures of Vietnam. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening, a gloriously beautiful and traditionally decorated junk-style boat featuring modern conveniences. Set sail in total comfort as unforgettable views of scattered islands and towering limestone outcrops slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay while enjoying a pleasant seafood lunch onboard. Learn about the fascinating geography of the region and its importance to the Vietnamese people, visit Surprise Cave where your leader will point out interesting rock formations, and in the warmer months you can choose a swim from Ti Top Island Beach or take an optional kayaking tour. Sit back with a drink on the upper deck and face out to the spirit-lifting view that will be stamped on your memory of Vietnam. Soak in the stunning surroundings with a candlelit seafood dinner on deck before settling in for a night of stargazing and swapping stories.
Day 3 Hanoi
Start your day with a peaceful breakfast and perhaps take part in some Tai Chi on board the boat before returning to Hanoi. This afternoon you’ll take part in a once-in-a-lifetime experience and sit down to a soul-stirring traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is an art form of Northern Vietnam dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Originally, this was performed by blind performers, and was enjoyed by local working-class audiences, right up until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. Today these performances are rare, but you and your group will be taken to a private club house and treated to an exclusive performance in one of the few places where artists still sing acoustically. The performance takes around 60 minutes, and includes possible interaction with guests, so be ready to get involved!
Day 4 Hoi An
This morning you’ll get to know Hanoi’s charms on a half-day tour with your leader. Discover a captivating city where traditional and modern sit side by side as your leader shares knowledge on the Temple of Literature, an oasis of calm in the heart of town. You'll also visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, known as the "Hanoi Hilton" which held American POWs. Today’s lunch is extra special as you will visit the fantastic KOTO café, a social enterprise that provides hospitality training and experience while empowering at-risk and disadvantaged youth in Vietnam – not to mention a creative menu of food made with local ingredients. This afternoon you’ll say goodbye to Hanoi and fly south to Danang. Drive on to Hoi An and take in views of lush scenery along the way. Arrive in Hoi An in the late afternoon and check into your boutique accommodation. The rest of the day is yours – maybe make the most of your hotel’s fabulous pool.
Day 5 Hoi An
Set off on a tour of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover a blend of traditional treasures and cultural influences from historical traders. Your leader will discuss the city’s history as you wander the pagoda lined streets, visit a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, enter the ornately decorated historic house of a former trader and check out a local museum. Hoi An was once a great trading port for pottery, and centuries-old pottery villages still exist to this day. No trip to Vietnam is complete without trying its famed coffee. Your leader will take you to a local coffee shop, where you can savor a delicious coffee of your choice as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An pass you by. Perhaps try a traditional egg coffee - the addition of condensed milk and egg white make this caffeinated beverage into a frothy treat, or a refreshing coconut coffee. Your afternoon is free for your own explorations.
Day 6 Ho Chi Minh City
The morning is free for you to enjoy more of delightful Hoi An and the surrounding area. Perhaps browse the market for silk and other materials or collect any garments that you might have had crafted by the efficient tailors, or hire a bicycle and ride along the lanes and out to a nice nearby beach. Your leader will have great recommendations for places to eat and drink. In the afternoon, transfer back to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into your hotel and enjoy a free evening – the bustling food stalls at Cho Ben Thanh market might beckon you over with the sweet and savoury aromas of pho and bun mam. Delicious!
Day 7 Ho Chi Minh City
Head out of the city to the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. Enter a widened section of the tunnels with your leader who will help you imagine what life underground must have been like and explain how the tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation and schools, and were used for refuge, storage and as a military base for the Viet Cong. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of the dynamic city where daily life plays out on the streets. Your leader will take you to the Reunification Palace, formally the Presidential Palace and the site of South Vietnam’s surrender in 1975, before visiting the War Remnants Museum. In the evening, perhaps spend some time with your fellow travellers and enjoy a final dinner at a local restaurant. Your leader will know of some wonderful options.
Day 8 Phnom Penh
Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively capital city. You’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel today. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French colonial architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of classic Khmer craftsmanship. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After, join your group for dinner at Malis Restaurant – an upmarket dining spot that’s committed to preserving and serving Cambodia's traditional cuisine. Maybe cap off the night with a cocktail at the Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel.
Day 9 Phnom Penh
Today your leader will introduce you to the sights of Phnom Penh during a full-day city tour. The private quarters of the Royal Palace are home to King Sihamoni and closed off to the public, but you can visit the sacred Silver Pagoda in the palace complex. Your included visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek will tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. There is an optional visit to Wat Phnom, the temple that gave rise to the city’s foundation in the 15th century. Tonight is free to grab dinner at your leisure or wander the city’s nighttime atmosphere.
Day 10 Siem Reap
After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a journey of discovery from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in a comfortable private vehicle. Discover traditional Cambodian life at Skun Village and learn about the town’s deep-fried tarantulas and other insects, which the locals consume daily. You’ll also visit Santuk Silk Farm to learn about silk production and its work as a social enterprise, employing local women as artisan weavers. Share a simple, rustic local lunch prepared by the weavers before you continue to Siem Reap, stopping to see historic bridges along the way before arriving at your hotel at approximately 5 pm. This tropical oasis boasts three pools and an excellent restaurant with a focus on wellness. Bright and spacious rooms are in harmony with the lush grounds and feature a veranda, private garden and rain showers. Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on Khmer favourites.
Day 11 Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
If you choose, you can embrace a very early start today and experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (optional). After, you'll spend the day discovering the fantastic temples of Angkor. For the first half of the day, you’ll be accompanied by a private Angkor Wat archaeological guide, who will provide expert knowledge and insight along the way. Begin at Angkor Wat – the largest and most complete structure and the only one of Angkor's temples with an entrance facing west. For lunch, visit the Sala Bai Hotel School, where underprivileged local youths learn skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school, then visit Angkor Thom – the 'Great Royal City' – a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. From here, you’ll head out of town to an ancient working monastery to gain a special insight into the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity and have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels. The rest of the evening can be spent exploring the bars of Siem Reap or relaxing in laidback luxury at your resort.
Day 12 Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
After breakfast, it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations – powerful symbols of nature. Next, visit Banteay Srei to snap some pictures of the temple’s intricate stone carvings. You can head back to the resort or use your ticket for the Angkor ruins to continue exploring the site. The vaulted corridors of Preah Khan are well worth a visit, or you may prefer to spend the afternoon getting to know the town. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner in the Khmer countryside to say farewell to your group and Cambodia. Amid a rustic and romantic setting, you’ll sit down for a private meal in the rice fields of rural Siem Reap .
Day 13 Siem Reap
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Siem Reap, just speak to your booking agent.