Vietnam & Cambodia Cultural and Coastal Odyssey – 21 Days

After breakfast, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum, stilt house, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and One Pillar Pagoda. Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. After a local lunch, tour the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups, and Hoa Lo Prison Museum, known as the “Hanoi Hilton.” Enjoy a second 1-hour cyclo tour through the French-inspired Old Quarter, followed by dinner. Optionally, attend a cultural performance like the Tu Phu, Ionah, Golden Bell, or Tonkin Show, highlighting Vietnam’s heritage. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, drive 180 km to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its emerald waters and limestone islands. Board a luxurious cruise at Tuan Chau Harbor, enjoy a welcome drink, and savor a sumptuous lunch while sailing. Explore the Lom Bo Area and visit Maze Cave, one of Halong Bay’s most stunning caves, with a climb for panoramic views. Relax with a sunset party, fruit carving demonstration, and a sparkling dinner under the stars. Enjoy traditional music, squid fishing, or socializing. Overnight on the cruise.

Begin with a Tai Chi session or photo hunt at sunrise. After breakfast, transfer to a day-boat to fish with locals and learn traditional methods. Kayak or swim in the Cua Van Area, visiting the fishing village to observe local life. Enjoy lunch on the day-boat, then tour a Pearl Farm to discover high-quality pearl cultivation. Return to the main cruise for dinner, squid fishing, or relaxation. Overnight on the cruise.

Start with a Tai Chi session or sunrise photo hunt. After breakfast, visit Ti Tov Island for swimming or trekking to a scenic viewpoint. Kayak through hidden corners of the bay, then join a cooking demonstration before a buffet lunch. Disembark at noon and return to Hanoi. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a flight to Danang. Visit the Cham Museum, home to a vast collection of Cham artifacts, then relax at My Khe Beach, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful. Explore the Marble Mountains, symbolizing the five elements. Transfer to Hoi An and spend the evening strolling its charming streets or relaxing on the beach. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, visit the Tra Kieu capital and My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO site and former Cham capital with 70 Hindu-inspired temples from the 2nd to 13th centuries. Return to Hoi An for lunch. In the afternoon, take a walking tour of Hoi An’s ancient town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Pottery Museum, Tan Ky Old House, Cantonese Congregation, silk street, and Chinese-style temples. Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to Danang Airport for a flight to Nha Trang. Upon arrival, your guide and driver escort you to a centrally located hotel. Spend the evening relaxing. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Nha Trang. Savor a morning coffee while people-watching or spend the afternoon lounging on the beach, soaking in the fresh sea breeze. Overnight in Nha Trang.

After breakfast, embark on a scenic boat tour along the Cai River. Visit the Cham Po Nagar Towers, a masterpiece of Cham architecture. Cruise upstream, admiring riverside villages, ancient 200-year-old houses, and seasonal fruit orchards. Observe handicraft workshops and local markets. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch at a riverside restaurant, then relax on Nha Trang’s beach in the afternoon. Overnight in Nha Trang.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Check into a central hotel, then visit the Reunification Palace, former seat of South Vietnam’s government, and the War Remnants Museum, documenting the Vietnam War. Stop at Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Saigon Post Office for photos, then explore the bustling Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, drive to Vinh Long and visit a local market to observe daily life. Take a boat to explore brick kilns, where artisans craft pottery from clay. Visit an orchard and traditional house, enjoying fruit, tea, and live traditional music. Row through narrow canals, passing palm-thatched houses and local farmers. Cycle along village paths, crossing “monkey” bridges and interacting with locals. Continue to Can Tho, the heart of the Mekong Delta, and check into your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.

Rise early for a boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest in the Mekong Delta, where vendors trade goods from boats. Return to the hotel for breakfast and relaxation, then transfer to Chau Doc. Check into your hotel and unwind. Overnight in Chau Doc.

After breakfast, board a 5-hour speedboat along the Mekong River to Phnom Penh. Arrive at midday, check into your hotel, and enjoy lunch at Friends Restaurant, supporting former street children. Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, followed by the National Museum, showcasing pre-Angkor to post-Angkor artifacts. Stroll to Wat Phnom for a scenic view and cultural insights. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, confront Cambodia’s tragic past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former Khmer Rouge prison. Explore the vibrant Russian Market, offering souvenirs, clothing, and local delicacies. In the afternoon, transfer by private car (without guide) to Sihanoukville. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Sihanoukville.

After breakfast, transfer to Ochheuteal Pier for a speedboat to Koh Rong Island. Check into your accommodation and enjoy the island’s pristine beaches. Overnight on Koh Rong Island.

Spend a full day at leisure, relaxing on Koh Rong’s white-sand beaches or exploring the island’s natural beauty. Overnight on Koh Rong Island.

Enjoy another day of relaxation on Koh Rong Island, soaking in the tranquil coastal atmosphere. Overnight on Koh Rong Island.

After breakfast, return by speedboat to Sihanoukville’s Ochheuteal Pier and transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, your guide and driver escort you to your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, explore the Angkor Archaeological Park, starting with Angkor Wat, a 12th-century masterpiece blending temple-mountain and corridor architecture. Tour its galleries, libraries, and reflective ponds. Visit Ta Prohm, a jungle-entwined temple reclaimed by nature, with massive fig trees and creepers. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and relax in the evening. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, venture to Banteay Srei, the “jewel of Khmer art,” carved from red sandstone with intricate wall carvings. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight, concluding an extraordinary 21-day journey.