VIETNAM COMBODIA DIARIES

ITINERARY:
 

📌DAY 1: SAIGON ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be greeted and picked up by our local guide. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and relax.

Overnight in Saigon.

📌DAY 2: SAIGON – CU CHI TUNNELS – HALF DAY CITY TOUR

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 - Our tour guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and depart for the Cu Chi Tunnels.

The Cu Chi Tunnels are an extensive underground tunnel complex and an important legacy of the Vietnam War. Step back in time to understand more about the lives of Viet Cong guerrillas and local people during the war.

Before entering the tunnels, visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will then spend approximately one hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea and cassava, which were considered guerrilla food during the war.

The Cu Chi Tunnels are now a popular attraction for both Vietnamese and foreign tourists. The network of over 200 km of tunnels became legendary during the war and functioned as underground cities, including trap doors, living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens.

Lunch will be served.

15:00 - Start the Saigon City Tour.

First, visit the War Remnants Museum, which provides an insight into the history and consequences of the Vietnam War.

Continue to the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Convention Hall, an important landmark in Ho Chi Minh City.

Next, pass by Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, a historic cathedral built during the French colonial period.

Continue to the Saigon Central Post Office, a beautiful historic building featuring Gothic, Renaissance and French architectural influences.

Overnight in Saigon.

📌DAY 3: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON

Breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 - Our tour guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and depart for the Mekong Delta.

During the approximately 1.5-hour drive, enjoy views of green rice fields before arriving at the beautiful rural area of My Tho.

09:30 - Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, the largest pagoda in the Mekong Delta region. Explore this beautiful temple complex surrounded by fruit trees in the village of My Hoa.

10:30 - Continue to My Tho and board a motorized boat on the Tien River. Cruise around the Tortoise, Dragon, Phoenix and Unicorn Islets.

Walk through the village and visit a local fruit garden, where you can enjoy tropical fruits while listening to traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music performed by local islanders. Experience the daily activities of the local people and enjoy the peaceful countryside atmosphere.

Visit a local bee house before continuing the journey.

14:00 - Proceed to Ben Tre Province, known as “The Land of Coconut.” Visit a local coconut candy-making workshop and learn about the traditional production process.

Enjoy a relaxing rowing boat trip along a small canal surrounded by water coconut palms. Afterwards, relax on a hammock or enjoy a bicycle ride around the village.

16:30 - Return to the hotel in Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

📌DAY 4: SAIGON – SIEM REAP BY FLIGHT

Breakfast at the hotel.

Our tour guide and driver will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the airport for your flight from Saigon to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, the treasure of the Kingdom of Cambodia, you will receive a special welcome. Meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Spend the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

📌DAY 5: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR THOM – ANGKOR WAT

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, proceed to explore the magnificent Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat temple complexes.

Visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom, offering a quieter and less crowded approach to the ancient city.

Explore the ancient capital of Angkor Thom, dating back to the 12th century, including:

• South Gate of Angkor Thom
• Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara.
• Baphuon Temple, a pyramidal representation of the mythical Mount Meru.
• Phimeanakas Temple, located within the former Royal Palace complex.
• Elephant Terrace, once used by the king and officials to watch ceremonies and public events.
• Preah Palilay, an atmospheric temple surrounded by forest.
• Ta Prohm, famously known as the “Tomb Raider” temple, where enormous trees and roots have grown over the ancient ruins, creating one of Cambodia's most iconic sights.

Continue to the magnificent Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992 and one of the world's most remarkable temple complexes. Admire its grand architecture, intricate carvings and extensive bas-reliefs depicting stories from Hindu mythology.

Later, enjoy a sunset experience at Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup, subject to weather and local conditions, and admire the golden colours over the temples and surrounding landscape.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

📌DAY 6: SIEM REAP DEPARTURE

Breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Tonle Sap Lake for a boat trip and experience the unique lifestyle of communities living on the lake. Along the way, pass by floating houses and impressive flooded forests, offering an insight into life on the water.

Return to town and visit Artisans d’Angkor, where you can explore traditional Cambodian craftsmanship. Visit the workshops and watch students learning the art of creating silk fabrics and garments, stone and wood carvings, lacquerware, polychrome products, silver plating and silk paintings.

Later, transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward journey.

Say goodbye to your driver. Goodbye Cambodia!

Note: The itinerary may be changed or adjusted depending on hotel check-in/check-out timings and weather conditions.