Compare Vietnam & Cambodia by Under30Experiences vs Vietnam and Cambodia Signature by Odynovo

Day 1: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City!

Morning/Afternoon

• Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam before 3:00 pm to meet your fellow travelers.
• Your Trip Leader will meet you at the airport and take you included private transportation to our accommodations in the center of Ho Chi Minh.
• Relax after a long flight at your hotel or take a walk with your Trip Leader and explore Ben Thanh market or discover Ho Chi Minh‘s Chinatown (Cho Lon).

Evening

• Get to know your new friends over a delicious Vietnamese dinner. Savor the traditional cuisine of Vietnam with your group as you begin to settle into this side of the world.

Day 2: Explore the Capital of Southern Vietnam

Morning

• Wake up in Vietnam and enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
• After breakfast, your Trip Leader will lead you on a morning sightseeing tour in Ho Chi Minh city where you’ll see some of the most important historic sights of the city.
• Visit The Reunification Palace, Stroll in Dong Khoi Street--home to many French colonial buildings and Vietnam’s version of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Afternoon

• Enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace.
• Find some of the best Vietnamese food for lunch with the help of your Trip Leader and indulge in the exotic cuisine of the region.

Evening

• In the evening, you’ll have the option of taking a street food tour or attending an A-O Show at the Ho Chi Minh Opera House.
• Explore this lively city at night with your new group of friends.

Day 3: Vietnamese Cooking Class & Cu Chi Tunnels

Morning

• After breakfast, travel to an organic farm outside the city (~1.5-hour drive).
• Pick fresh vegetables and mushrooms straight from the garden that you’ll use for your cooking class with your Vietnamese Chef.

Afternoon

• Enjoy your homemade Southern Vietnamese lunch with your group.
• Afterward, enjoy an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels--one of the most important historic sites of the Vietnam war. This network of underground tunnels is 200km long complete with meeting rooms, medical and sanitary posts.

Evening

• Return back to Ho Chi Minh City and relax for the rest of the evening or enjoy the Ho Chi Minh nightlife with your group.

Day 4: Cycle & Float the Mekong Delta

Morning

• Enjoy your final breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City before departing for the Vung Liem district in the Mekong Delta (~3.5-hour drive).

Afternoon

• Arrive at your new lodge situated perfectly along the river.
• Enjoy some free time to enjoy a hearty lunch amongst coconut trees and picturesque rice fields.
• Cycle for 1-2 hours through the beautiful Vietnamese countryside. If you don’t like to cycle, you can follow along on a tuk tuk.
• Float down the small canals of the Mekong Delta in the shadow of the surrounding water-coconut trees.

Evening

• Settle into your riverside lodge and enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Mekong Delta.

Day 5: Vietnamese Cultural Immersion

Morning

• Wake up in the stunning Vietnamese countryside and enjoy breakfast with your group.
• Take a morning boat ride through the Mekong and reach a farmers market where locals sell vegetables, fruits, fish, and meat.
• Continue down the river to a local Cao Dai temple by the river, a coconut factory, and learn how locals make crafts from natural materials. 

Afternoon

• Return to your riverside lodge for lunch.
• Spend the rest of your afternoon taking part in optional activities like fishing, palm weaving, or preparing dinner with a local chef.

Evening

• Feast on some more delicious Vietnamese cuisine at your riverside lodge.
• After dinner, meet a former Viet Cong war veteran and interact with him as you listen to traditional songs about war.

Day 6: Welcome to Cambodia!

Morning

• Enjoy a relaxing morning or check out the local workshops in Vinh Long.
• Be sure to enjoy a final scenic walk along the river before departing for our next stop--Cambodia!

Afternoon

• Travel back to Ho Chi Minh City (~4-hour drive) with your group and catch a final Vietnamese lunch in the city before catching your included flight to Cambodia (~1.5 hour flight).

Evening

• Welcome to Cambodia!
• Take included transportation to your boutique hotel in Siem Reap.
• Wrap up your first night in a new country with a delicious dinner.

Day 7: Village Immersion in Siem Reap & Angkor Wat

Morning

• Start off your first morning in Cambodia by cycling to Bong Thom Village where you’ll visit Preah Dak--a local Cambodian market.
• Arrive at a villager’s house renowned for its production of Cambodia's famous rice noodles.
• Be welcomed by the family and help them through the different stages of making rice noodles.
• Eat the traditional breakfast you helped prepare called Nom Bahn Cho.
• Stop at another family home where villagers teach you how to make palm leaf handicrafts.
• Visit two temples called Banteay Samre and Phnom Bok as you cycle through picturesque rice paddies and palm trees. If you don’t like to cycle, there will be a tuk tuk available to transport you.

Afternoon

• Enjoy lunch in a small village that specializes in bamboo sticky rice production.
• Relax under a palm tree while indulging in delicious Cambodian snacks.
• After lunch, you’ll visit Angkor Wat-–the biggest temple in the Angkor complex. Marvel at the architectural achievement of one of the largest religious monuments in the world.

Evening

• Finish the day by visiting Ta Prohm, a temple which has been covered by the surrounding jungle and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Enjoy included dinner in Cambodia as a group at a traditional restaurant.

Day 8: Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple

Morning

• Travel by tuk tuk on a road surrounded by hundred-year-old trees to discover the legendary Angkor Complex.
• Visit Angkor Thom known as “the big city.”
• Admire Bayon Temple built around the 12th century and Baphuon, a temple mountain built in the 11th century.
• Discover the Terrace of the Elephants, with a length of 350 meters, was used for royal audiences and public ceremonies.
• Continue your visit to the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century, covered by magnificent Apsara sculptings.

Afternoon

• Enjoy a free afternoon discovering more of the Angkor Wat complex at your own pace.
• If you’d prefer to make your own adventure your Trip Leader will provide more information on some of the best optional activities the Siem Reap has to offer.

Evening

• Enjoy another traditional Cambodian dinner with your group (not included) as you recount the experiences of the last few days.
• Check out the nightlife in Siem Reap before we depart to Battambang in the morning!

Day 9: Phnom Sampov & Battambang

Morning

• For those who didn’t go out, wake up early and experience the sunrise over the Angkor Temples by local tuk tuk (optional).
• After breakfast, travel to Battambang from Siem Reap (~3 hours drive)
• Stop at a local silk farm and learn about the importance of cultivation, cocoon unwinding, and silk weaving.

Afternoon

• Arrive in Battambang and visit the Bat Caves at Phnom Sampov.
• Phnom Sampov is known for its "killing caves" from the Khmer Rouge era.
• Take a hike to the top of Phnom Sampov and soak in the magnificent views over the rice fields and surrounding countryside as millions of bats take a flight out of the caves.

Evening

• Enjoy dinner at your boutique hotel in Battambang.

Day 10: Discover Battambang

Morning

• Discover Battambang’s beautiful countryside by tuk tuk.
• Start off at an ancient pagoda named Wat Balat, and drive past typical Cambodian houses that have been unchanged for generations.
• Observe the daily activities such as the preparation of sticky rice, custom knife making, and the preparation of the traditional fish paste prahok.

Afternoon

• Have the option of riding the famous Bamboo Train of Battambang or do a workshop at the Phare arts school.
• Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the famous sights of Battambang, visiting the central market or strolling along the riverside.

Evening

• After an eventful day, grab dinner with your group at a restaurant in Battambang where you’ll be able to try traditional Khmer dining.

Day 11: Siem Reap

Morning

• Begin the drive back to Siem Reap (~3-hour drive).
• Admire the traditional Khmer houses, the massive Tonle Sap Lake, and observe the stonemasons whose techniques have been passed down since the Angkorian era.
• Afternoon
• Your final afternoon in Siem Reap is free for you to relax or immerse yourself further in everything the city has to offer.

Evening

• Enjoy your farewell dinner at one of the best restaurants in Siem Reap.
• Reflect on the cultural experiences of the last few days and enjoy one final night out with your group of travelers.

Day 12: Departure

Morning

• Enjoy the final morning at your leisure or do some last minute souvenir shopping.
• After checkout, you will take included private transportation to Siem Reap Airport for your flight back home.
• Be sure your flight home departs after 12:00 pm.
• Stay in touch back home with the Under30Experiences Community!

Day 1: Arrival - Hanoi

Overnight: Hanoi

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will be greeted by a local guide then driven to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure or go out and explore the city.

Day 2: Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hanoi

This morning will commence with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, followed by a visit to Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House. Later, continue your tour to some significant sites, including One Pillar Pagoda, Hoa Lo Prison, and Temple of Literature.

In the afternoon, visit the Museum of Ethnology and then experience a rickshaw trip around the Old Quarter. The last stop is Hoan Kiem Lake. Passing through the wooden red-painted bridge, you will reach Ngoc Son Temple. After the tour, feast your eyes on a local water puppet show.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight: On Board

Today you will head to Halong Bay for a 2-day cruise trip. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is famous for its original limestone karst geomorphology features. You will sail through some islets and a fishing village, and then anchor the vessels at the Frog Pond area. The ship offers a variety of optional activities like kayaking, swimming, diving to explore this beautiful area.

Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An

Meals: Light Breakfast, Brunch

Overnight: Hoi An

If you wake up early, why not try an organized Tai Chi class among the peaceful surroundings. Before disembarking, you may have a chance to visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the most spectacular and biggest caves. Walking around 600 steps up to the cave, you will reach it and be amazed by the beauty inside.

After the cruise, meet your guide and driver who will accompany you to Hanoi airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, be transferred to your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 5: Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hoi An

In the morning, visit the Japanese Bridge, the famous Chinese Temple, and the former Vietnamese Merchant's House. Later, head to the home of an artisan in the old street, where you will have a chance to make a traditional lantern by hand and keep it as a souvenir.

Day 6: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hue

Move on to Hue by land, via Da Nang. Along the way, stop to visit Cham Museum, Non-Nuoc Beach, Marble Mountain, and take in a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Da Nang at Hai Van Pass. Arrive in Hue late afternoon, check into your hotel and relax.

Day 7: Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Hue

This morning you will visit the majestic Tomb of King Minh Mang, the final resting place of one of the Nguyen Dynasty's staunchest Confucians. Then, ride a royal dragon boat along the Perfume River to the sacred Thien Mu Pagoda - the symbol of Hue. Continue to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City for their historic monuments. At the end of the tour, you will have a chance to take a stroll down the traditional Dong Ba Market to experience the local lifestyle.

Day 8: Hue - Ho Chi Minh City

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, you will be escorted to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your local guide and escorted to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Go for exploration at the underground Cu Chi Tunnels and then return to the downtown to visit the Ben Thanh Market, War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace. Step into the Old Saigon Post Office, which is one of Vietnam's most beautiful examples of French colonial architecture. Lastly, have a stroll at Dong Khoi Street.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

A 2-hour drive will take you to Ben Tre, one of the popular Mekong Delta hubs. Here, you will navigate a maze of narrow canals to witness life around the water, walk in the village to see local houses, and enjoy a homemade lunch in the home of the residents.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for the night after the tour.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

Meal: Breakfast

Overnight: Siem Reap

Say goodbye to Vietnam and fly onward to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival, take a private transfer to your downtown hotel for a rest.

Day 12: Siem Reap

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight Siem Reap

Today, you will be delighted by the time-honored Angkor temples. Passing through the bridge guarded by two rows of mythical statues, you will enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire built in the 13th century with multiple temples. See the most notable Bayon Temple and Elephant Terrace in the center of Angkor Thom.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the UNESCO-listed Angkor Wat. This well-preserved temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world, spanning 402 acres. Before returning to the hotel, climb up to Bakheng Hill or the less-crowded Pre Rup Temple for the stunning sunset.

Day 13: Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Overnight: Siem Reap

Aside from Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat, there are many other temples worth visiting. You will pass through some local villages to visit red-sandstone Banteay Srei. Listen to your guide telling fairy stories in relief above each lintel while looking for beautiful angles to

practice your photography skills.

In the afternoon, go back to explore Ta Prohm Temple, where crumbling temples and majestic trees are intertwined, like scenes from the film Tomb Raider. Not far away is Ta Keo Temple, possibly the first to be built entirely out of sandstone by the Khmer Empire.

Day 14: Siem Reap - Departure

Meal: Breakfast

Your vacation to Vietnam and Cambodia comes to an end today. At the appointed time, a private transfer takes you to the airport. Bid farewell to your guide and board your homebound flight with wonderful memories.