Compare Exploring the Mekong and Angkor Wat by Audley Travel vs Cambodia To Vietnam By Waterway Deluxe Tour In 15 Days by Realistic Asia

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Saigon.

Day 2 : Saigon

Arriving into Saigon you will be met and taken to your hotel, with the rest of the day to relax.

Day 3 : Saigon

Discover this city where east meets west; stroll along the wide boulevards lined with pretty colonial buildings before venturing into the bustling Chinatown area of Cholon.Drive out of Saigon this afternoon and visit the famous tunnels of Cu Chi. Originally built during the wars with the French, the series of intricate passages were later used to devastating effect by the Viet Cong against the Americans.

Day 4 : Saigon

Today you leave the city and embark on an overnight cruise through the lush and charming Mekong Delta region, learning about life of the 'Nine Dragon River' en route.

Day 5 : Can Tho

You rise today and have breakfast floating towards the famous floating markets of Cai Rang.Disembark around midday and transfer to your hotel in Can Tho, the largest town in the Delta.After settling in, you will be taken on a bike tour of the pretty backwater streets.

Day 6 : Chau Doc

Today you will head on towards the border town of Chau Doc, an attractive spot on the banks of the Mekong.

Day 7 : Phnom Penh

Leave Vietnam today and transfer by speedboat along the Mekong river into Cambodia, where you arrive at the bustling waterfront of Phnom Penh, the capital.

Day 8 : Phnom Penh

The full day city tour takes in both Phnom Penh's ancient past with a visit to the Grand Palace as well as its more recent, turbulent history with visits to the Killing Fields and the infamous S-21 prison. Audley recommends the Friends restaurant in the centre of the city for a great place to stop and have lunch.

Day 9 : Siem Reap

Depart Phnom Penh and fly north to the city of Siem Reap, the home of the ancient temples of Angkor. This afternoon you will head out to see the sun set over the largest; visiting Angkor Wat is an incredible experience.

Day 10 : Siem Reap

An early start today is the only way to ensure that you see the magnificent colours of the Khmer sunrise whilst being surrounded by the crumbling, jungle clad ruins of Ta Prohm. You will have the place to yourself at dawn and the mist rising from this ancient ruin really adds to the eeriness of Ta Prohm.You return to the site later in the day to explore the remaining temples on the main complex.

Day 11 : Siem Reap

Venture out of the main complex and explore the ancient sites of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, rarely visited and often overlooked.

Day 12 : Siem Reap

Today you travel away from Siem Reap to the massive Tonle Sap, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. As well as being the lifeline of the country, the lake is also home to thousands of inhabitants in the numerous floating villages. A number of rare species of birds also call Tonle Sap home.

Day 13 : International return flight

You have the majority of the day at leisure to explore as you wish or just relax at your hotel before your flight.

Day 14 : International return flight

Arrive home today to complete your journey.

Day 1 Welcome To Cambodia - Siem Reap Arrival

Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Siem Reap. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2 Explore The Magnificent Angkor Wat (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and start your sightseeing tour of the Angkor complex. Start your exploration with the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. Continue your sightseeing to the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares.

We will stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Then visit the famous jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. Here the enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3 Travel From Siem Reap To Phnom Penh (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your transfer to Phnom Penh. In the afternoon you will visit the Royal Palace, which is currently a residence of His Majesty, the King of Cambodia, and the royal family. The palace looks like a small town of royal dynasties. Continue to Silver Pagoda, which serves less as a functioning temple than a repository for cultural treasures such as 90 kg golden Buddha encrusted with 2086 diamonds. Finally visit Wat Phnom Temple, one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh It was built in 1373 on an artificial hill by the wealthy widow Daun Chi Penh.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 4 Explore Phnom Penh (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel, then visit Tuol Sleng Museum (S-21 prison). This former school was used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces. More than 17,000 people held at S-21 were taken to the extermination camp at Choeng Ek to be executed. Drive to visit the “Killing Fields” of Choeng Ek (15 km south of Phnom Penh) to see and learn more about this extermination camp.

Then visit Russian Market (Toul Tumpong Market). Here you can find everything: clothing, a large selection of Buddha images and woodcarvings, betel-nut boxes, silk, silver jewelry, and classic musical instrument.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 5 Phnom Penh - Travel To Chau Doc By Speed Boat (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel, and meet your driver around 11 am, who will take you to the port to embark on the speedboat.

At 12:00 pm, the speed boat will depart from Sisowath Quay – Kh Daun Penh (International floating port) to Chau Doc. You would cross the border between Cambodia and Vietnam and arrive at Chau Doc around 17:30. Our driver will meet you and take you to the hotel, where you can relax after the trip.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 6 Chau Doc - Cruise To Cai Be (B/L/D)

06:00 AM Have breakfast at the hotel and check out the room. You will take a bus to Cai Be where you will board your cruise boat and have some rest in your cabin. The boat will cruise through the branches and canals of the Mekong river, you could enjoy the amazing view of the surrounding landscapes and the diverse life of local people in the Mekong Delta. Have lunch on the boat.

In the afternoon you will have guided land excursions around small villages surrounded by rice fields and orchards. You could watch the locals build their boats or how food is processed in local family workshops.

Then you will get back on the boat and have free time, to enjoy the sunset on the top deck. The dinner would be served on the boat.

Overnight on a boat.

Day 7 Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Ho Chi Minh (B/L)

Get up early as the cruise starts with the sunrise, just when the Mekong Delta comes back to life, breakfast will be served at 6:30 am. Check out your cabin and get to your next destination – Cai Rang by sampan.

Cai Rang Floating Market is the biggest and most colorful floating market in the Mekong Delta region. In the very early morning, the river becomes a busy commercial site where hundreds of boats packed with fruits, vegetables, and plants line along the river and are ready for trading. Sellers will hang samples of what they are selling on the top of a long pole on their boats so the buyers can see their products from a distance. Enjoy your shopping and then visit the workshop where a local family produces noodles.

Afterward, you will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh, check-in at the hotel, and have some free time for rest.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 8 Explore The Mysterious Cu Chi Tunnels (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed, and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime.

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which included the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. All this was to help people living inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) will be served. Then you will return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 9 Ho Chi Minh - Travel To Hoi An (B) - flight included

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Da Nang. When you arrive at Da Nang Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10 Hoi An Leisure (B)

Have a free day to explore Hoi An at your own pace. The best way to explore this charming town is to rent a bicycle at the hotel and cycle around the town towards the riverside or the beach. At the beach, you will find many small cafes where you could relax with a fresh fruit drink after swimming. The water in the sea is warm and calm.

You could visit a tailor-shop which could make you and your loved ones a new piece of clothes, bag or shoes overnight.

In the evening we recommend you to walk around the Old Town area, which looks charming when the shops light their lanterns. You and would really feel like being in a fairy-tale. And don’t skip the colorful performances organized on the street in the evening.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 11 Hoi An - Travel To Hanoi (B) - flight included

Relish the remaining moment in Hoi An before your private driver escorts you to Da Nang airport to take the flight to Hanoi. When you arrive at Noi Bai Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the Old Quarter. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 12 Ba Vi Eco Tour (B/L)

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel then our experienced English-speaking guide escorts you on the trip to Ba Vi, a countryside located on the outskirt of Hanoi.

Arrive at Ri village, enjoy the welcome drink and snacks and meet your first host - Mr. Duoc, who is a Vietnam War veteran and tea-farm owner. Listen to the stories of Mr. Duoc's life during the war while enjoying the drink and then visit his tea plantation. You will learn how to pick the best tea leaves to make the most wonderful beverage in Vietnam. Carry on with the tea production at his small workshop, where most of the work is manual.

Then have a short drive to Moc village, where you will meet your next host Mrs. Chin, who will teach you how to cook local Vietnamese dishes. Later have the meals you made for lunch in a beautiful tropical garden.

Have a short break after lunch, and join Mrs. Chin for a walk around the village. You will visit some local families to understand the rural lifestyle and learn how tofu, conical hats, and other local products are made. Then have a cycling trip through beautiful paddy fields. Wrap up your countryside tour with traditional feet soak in warm water with herbs, following the traditional recipes of the Muong ethnic minority. It will relax you (and your feet) after cycling around the village. Later, enjoy a transfer from Ba Vi back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 13 Cruising To The Spectacular Halong Bay (B/L/D)- shared cruise

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see.

On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay.

The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.

Overnight on cruise.

Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be canceled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

Day 14 Wake Up With The Dragon In The Bay - Back To Hanoi (B/L)

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles.

Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 15 Time To Say Goodbye - Hanoi Departure (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.

Trip Ends.