Compare Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery by APT Touring vs Vietnam and Cambodia Signature by Odynovo

Day 1: Hanoi

Meals: Dinner

On arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city. Later this evening, you’ll get to know your fellow travellers and your local guide during a Welcome Dinner.

Stay: Two Nights, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Freedom of Choice™

Perhaps tour the 500-year-old village of Bat Trang, world famous for its pottery. Or, relax and enjoy a foot massage back at your hotel. Embark on a walking tour to observe Hanoi’s French colonial architecture, and explore the interior of the Hanoi Opera House, or take in a water puppet show. Another option is a leisurely bicycle ride past Hanoi’s lush rice paddy fields.

Freedom of Choice™

Tonight, you’re invited to choose from a vast range of superb restaurants that have been carefully selected for you.

A guided tour of Hanoi takes you to the city’s most famous historical and cultural sites. Highlights include Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. You’ll also enjoy a cycle ride through the Old French Quarter. Then, explore more of this vibrant city on your selected Freedom of Choice experience. Tonight, choose your dining experience.

Day 3: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Stay: Two Nights, Ha Long Bay, The Au Co

Signature Experience

Embark on your three-day cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.

Travel by coach to Ha Long and set sail among thousands of limestone islets this afternoon, gliding slowly over the waters towards Ba Ham Lake while enjoying lunch on board. Take some time to enjoy a swim in the emerald waters, paddle in a kayak, or find a stretch of white sand at a nearby beach and soak up some sun. Tonight, perhaps take in a fun Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board your ship. The evening is yours to spend how you wish. You might like to watch a film in the onboard open cinema or order a cocktail to enjoy on the sundeck.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay

Daily: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Awake early and as the sun rises, perhaps rejuvenate your body and soul with a Tai Chi class. A secluded swim or chance to sunbathe is on the cards with a stop at Ba Trai Dao beach. After lunch back on board, gain a first glimpse of Cat Ba island before disembarking to discover Cat Ba National Park and Viet Hai Village. A barbeque dinner aboard The Au Co caps off an exciting day.

Aqua water and lush mountainous peaks

Day 5: Ha Long Bay, Hanoi, Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Visit the Cua Van Floating Culture Centre, considered the most idyllic spot on the bay. Take part in a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony on board as your ship makes its way back to port. Disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport for your included flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, be transferred to your hotel.

Stay: Three Nights, Siem Reap, Hotel Sofitel Angkor

Day 6: Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

In World Heritage-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, discover the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, and the 12th-century temple of Bayon. This afternoon, explore the temple of Ta Prohm, a World Heritage-listed site famous for its intertwined trees. Later, visit ‘Opportunities of Development thru Art’ (ODA), a Siem Reap organisation that provides education opportunities for disadvantaged children. Tonight, enjoy an Apsara dance show before dinner.

Day 7: Siem Reap

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Signature Experience

At Angkor Archaeological Park, enjoy a special sunrise experience at Angkor Wat.

Freedom Of Choice™

Perhaps visit the temple of Wat Preah Prom Rath for a Buddhist blessing or enjoy a tuk tuk ride to the Senteurs d’Angkor workshop. If you’re feeling energetic, join a quad bike adventure or take a leisurely bicycle tour through the Cambodian countryside. Other options include a horse and cart ride, a traditional Khmer cooking class, a shopping adventure, or why not indulge in a relaxing spa treatment.

Freedom Of Choice™

Tonight, take the opportunity to savour a taste of Cambodia with a choice of local restaurants for dinner.

Rise early this morning and travel back to Angkor Archaeological Park for a Signature Experience. Afterwards, join a guided tour of the temple, before breakfast back at your hotel. This afternoon, set out on your included Freedom of Choice activity. It’s up to you where you’d like to dine this evening.

Day 8: Kampong Cham, Embark Ship, Koh Pen

Daily: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Journey through remote Cambodian villages to Kampong Cham, where you’ll board the Mekong Serenity, your home for the next seven nights. Following lunch on board, take a tuk tuk to explore the island of Koh Pen with its wooden stilt houses and local farming culture. Tonight, an exclusive Luke Nguyen welcome dinner awaits, showcasing the diverse regional flavours of the celebrity chef’s heritage.

Stay: Seven Nights, Mekong River, Mekong Serenity

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.