19 Days Vietnam and Cambodia: Timeless Wonder and Adventures

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam
1 stop
1
Hanoi
• Arrival: According to your international flight schedule. • Airport transfer: Approximately 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. • Distance: Noi Bai International Airport to central Hanoi, approximately 25–30 km. • Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your driver will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Hanoi. After check-in, enjoy some free time to relax after your journey. If you arrive early and feel comfortable, you may take a leisurely walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi's Old Quarter, where you can discover the city's lively streets, traditional shops and local cafés. Meals: Not included unless specified.
5 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Hanoi City Tour – History, Culture & Water Puppet Show
2 stops
2
Hanoi Old Quarter Vietnam
• 08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel. • 08:30–10:00 – Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, including the exterior of the mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square and nearby historical landmarks. Entry to the mausoleum itself depends on its opening schedule and visitor regulations. • 10:00–10:30 – Transfer approximately 2–3 km to the next attraction. • 10:30–12:00 – Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's historic centre of Confucian learning. • 12:00–13:00 – Enjoy lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant. • 13:00–13:30 – Transfer approximately 5–7 km to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. • 13:30–15:00 – Discover the cultures, traditional houses, clothing and customs of Vietnam's ethnic communities. • 15:00–15:45 – Return towards central Hanoi, approximately 6–8 km. • 15:45–16:45 – Visit Hanoi Train Street for a coffee and photographs, subject to access and railway safety regulations.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
3
Hanoi Old Quarter Vietnam
• 17:00–18:30 – Free time to relax at the hotel or explore the Old Quarter. • 18:30–19:30 – Dinner at a local restaurant (if included in the selected package). • 20:00–21:00 – Enjoy a traditional water puppet show, a distinctive Vietnamese performing art. • 21:00 – Return to the hotel. Note: The order and duration of the mausoleum visit may change according to opening hours and security arrangements.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 3
Hanoi – Mai Chau: Ethnic Villages & Countryside Cycling
2 stops
4
Hanoi
• 07:00–08:00 – Breakfast and check-out. • 08:00–11:30 – Depart Hanoi for Mai Chau by private car or limousine, travelling approximately 135–145 km in 3–3.5 hours. Enjoy the changing scenery of rural northern Vietnam and the mountainous landscape near Thung Khe Pass. • 11:30–12:00 – Arrive in Mai Chau and check in or leave luggage at the accommodation.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
5
Mai Chau
12:00–13:00 – Lunch featuring local Vietnamese dishes. • 13:30–16:30 – Explore the traditional villages of the White Thai ethnic community by bicycle. Cycle along quiet village lanes, rice paddies and traditional stilt houses, with stops to meet local residents and learn about traditional weaving. • 16:30–17:30 – Return to the accommodation and relax. • 18:30–19:30 – Dinner with local specialities. • 19:30 onwards – Free time to enjoy the peaceful countryside. Cycling distances can be adjusted to the guests' fitness levels. An alternative vehicle can be arranged if needed.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Mai Chau – Pu Luong: Rural Life & Nature Experiences
2 stops
6
Mai Chau
07:30–08:30 – Breakfast at the accommodation. • 08:30–09:30 – Depart for Pu Luong Nature Reserve, approximately 40–45 km and 1–1.5 hours by road, depending on the village and lodge location. • 09:30–12:00 – Enjoy a gentle guided walk through traditional villages, terraced rice fields and mountain scenery. Visit traditional stilt houses and learn about local farming practices. • 12:00–13:00 – Lunch at a local restaurant or homestay.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
7
Pu Long Nature Reserve
13:00–16:30 – Experience the rural lifestyle of Pu Luong, with activities selected according to local conditions: o Visit bamboo water wheels and small streams. o Explore a traditional village and an old-style wooden house. o Enjoy a bamboo rafting experience where available and safe. o Experience a traditional buffalo-cart ride if available. o Visit a local cave or viewpoint if access and walking conditions permit. • 16:30–17:30 – Transfer to the lodge and check in. • 18:30–19:30 – Dinner featuring regional dishes. • Evening – Relax and enjoy the tranquil mountain surroundings. Activity order depends on weather, water levels, road conditions and the precise location of the accommodation. Cave visits and walking routes may require extra time.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Pu Luong Waterfall Visit – Transfer to Ninh Binh
2 stops
8
Pu Long Nature Reserve
• 07:00–08:00 – Breakfast and check-out. • 08:00–10:30 – Travel to a suitable waterfall in Pu Luong, such as Hieu Waterfall, depending on the lodge location. Enjoy the scenery and take a gentle walk around the waterfall area. Swimming is optional and only recommended when conditions are safe. • 10:30–12:00 – Visit the surrounding village and enjoy time by the stream. • 12:00–13:00 – Lunch beside the stream or at a local family-run restaurant, subject to advance arrangements.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
9
Ninh Binh
• 13:00–16:00 – Depart Pu Luong for Ninh Binh, approximately 120–150 km and 2.5–3.5 hours by road, depending on the start and end points. • 16:00–17:00 – Arrive in Ninh Binh, check in and relax. • 18:00–19:00 – Dinner at a local restaurant. • 19:00–20:30 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Town for an evening stroll, lantern-lit scenery and local refreshments. • 20:30 – Return to the hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Ninh Binh: Trang An, Hoa Lu & Bich Dong Pagoda
3 stops
10
Trang An Landscape Complex
07:00–08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel. • 08:00–08:30 – Transfer to the Trang An scenic complex, approximately 7–10 km from central Tam Coc. • 08:30–11:30 – Take a traditional sampan boat trip through Trang An Landscape Complex, passing limestone cliffs, caves, rivers and ancient temples. The route and duration depend on the selected boat itinerary. • 11:30–12:30 – Lunch at a local restaurant.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
11
Hoa Lu temples of the Dinh & Le Dynasties
• 12:30–13:00 – Transfer approximately 5–10 km to Hoa Lu. • 13:00–14:00 – Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, learning about Vietnam's early dynasties and historic temples.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
12
Bich Dong Pagoda
14:00–14:30 – Drive towards Bich Dong Pagoda, approximately 10–15 km depending on the route. • 14:30–16:00 – Visit Bich Dong Pagoda, a scenic pagoda complex built into limestone hills. • Alternative: Replace Bich Dong with Mua Cave for panoramic views. Reaching the summit requires climbing many steps, so Bich Dong is the gentler option. • 16:00–17:00 – Return to the hotel and relax. • 18:30–19:30 – Dinner at a local restaurant. • Evening – Free time in Tam Coc.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 7
Ninh Binh – Lan Ha Bay: Overnight Cruise
2 stops
13
Tuan Chau Island
• 07:00–07:45 – Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. • 07:45–08:00 – Meet the driver and depart for Tuan Chau Marina. • 08:00–11:00 – Transfer approximately 180–200 km in 2.5–3 hours, depending on the hotel location and traffic. The route follows the expressways towards Ha Long. • 11:00–11:30 – Arrive at the cruise waiting lounge at Tuan Chau Marina and complete check-in.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
14
Lan Ha Bay
11:30–12:00 – Transfer by tender boat to La Casta Cruise, subject to the operator's boarding arrangements. • 12:00–12:45 – Welcome drink, safety briefing and cabin check-in. • 13:00–14:00 – Enjoy lunch while the cruise sails into the spectacular limestone scenery of Lan Ha Bay. • 14:00–15:30 – Relax on the sundeck and enjoy views of the islands. • 15:45–17:00 – Visit the Ba Trai Dao area for kayaking, swimming or sightseeing, subject to weather and sea conditions. An alternative destination may be arranged when necessary. • 17:30–18:30 – Return to the cruise and enjoy the sunset party with Happy Hour offers. • 18:00–18:45 – Join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration. • 19:30–20:30 – Dinner featuring seafood and Vietnamese specialities. • 21:00 onwards – Evening entertainment, including squid fishing or karaoke when available.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 8
Lan Ha Bay – Flight to Hue – Royal Court Music on the Perfume River
3 stops
15
Lan Ha Bay
• 06:15–06:45 – Join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck and enjoy the sunrise. • 07:00–07:45 – Breakfast on board. • 08:00–09:00 – Visit Tra Bau, a scenic area for kayaking, swimming or enjoying the bay's limestone formations, subject to weather. • 09:00–09:30 – Return to the cabin, pack luggage and prepare for check-out. • 09:30–10:30 – Complete cabin check-out and enjoy the final cruise scenery. • 10:30–11:15 – Brunch on board. • 11:30 – Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
16
Hanoi
11:30–14:30 (estimated) – Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, approximately 155–170 km and 2.5–3 hours. Allow additional time for traffic and airport check-in.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
17
Hue
• Afternoon/evening – Take a domestic flight from Hanoi to Phu Bai International Airport, Hue. The flight typically takes around 1 hour 15 minutes, excluding airport procedures and any schedule variations. • After landing – Transfer approximately 15–20 km to central Hue, usually 30–45 minutes by car. • Evening – Check in at the hotel and enjoy dinner. • Optional evening experience – Take a dragon boat trip on the Perfume River and listen to traditional Hue royal court music, subject to the boat operator's schedule. Important scheduling note: This day is tight. The flight should be scheduled sufficiently late to allow the cruise disembarkation, road transfer and airport check-in. If a suitable flight is unavailable, an additional night in Hanoi or an adjusted cruise-to-flight arrangement may be necessary.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 9
Hue Imperial Heritage – Scenic Drive to Da Nang
3 stops
18
Hue Imperial City (The Citadel)
• 07:00–08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel. • 08:00–10:00 – Visit the Imperial City of Hue, including the historic citadel, royal courtyards and important palace structures. • 10:00–10:30 – Transfer approximately 5–7 km to An Hien Garden House. • 10:30–11:15 – Explore An Hien Garden House, a traditional garden residence showcasing Hue's architectural and cultural heritage.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
19
Thien Mu Pagoda
• 11:15–11:45 – Drive approximately 5–7 km to Thien Mu Pagoda. • 11:45–12:30 – Visit Thien Mu Pagoda, overlooking the Perfume River. • 12:30–13:30 – Enjoy lunch at a traditional Hue garden house, sampling regional cuisine.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
20
Da Nang
13:30–14:00 – Transfer to Hue Railway Station and prepare to board. • 14:30–18:15 – Take the planned scenic heritage train from Hue to Da Nang, enjoying coastal views, mountain scenery and the Hai Van Pass area. The stated departure and arrival times are subject to the actual train service and date. • 18:15–18:45 – Meet the driver at Da Nang Railway Station. • 18:45–19:15 – Transfer approximately 3–8 km to your hotel and check in. • Evening – Dinner at a local restaurant and free time.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 10
Son Tra Peninsula – Marble Mountains – Hoi An Ancient Town
3 stops
21
Son Tra Peninsula
07:30–08:00 – Breakfast and hotel pick-up. • 08:00–09:30 – Drive approximately 10–15 km to the Son Tra Peninsula. Visit Linh Ung Pagoda and admire the Lady Buddha statue and coastal views. • 09:30–10:00 – Continue to the next attraction. • 10:00–11:30 – Explore the Marble Mountains, known for limestone formations, pagodas and caves. Some areas involve stairs, so the route can be adapted to the group's mobility. • 11:30–12:30 – Lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
22
Cam Thanh
• 12:30–13:30 – Drive approximately 25–30 km towards the Cam Thanh coconut village area near Hoi An. • 13:30–14:30 – Experience a traditional round bamboo basket boat ride through the coconut waterways.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
23
Hoi An Ancient Town
• 14:30–15:00 – Transfer approximately 5–7 km into Hoi An Ancient Town. • 15:00–17:00 – Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, including historic merchant houses, traditional streets, the Japanese Covered Bridge area and local handicraft shops. • 17:00–18:00 – Join a Vietnamese cooking class and learn to prepare selected local dishes, subject to the booked class schedule. • 18:00–19:00 – Dinner featuring Vietnamese cuisine. • 19:00–20:00 – Enjoy Hoi An's lantern-lit streets and riverside atmosphere. • 20:00–21:00 – Return to Da Nang, approximately 30 km and 45–60 minutes by car. • 21:00 – Arrive at the hotel.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 11
Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Full-Day Tour
1 stop
24
Sun World Ba Na Hills
• 07:00–07:30 – Breakfast. • 07:30–08:30 – Pick-up and transfer approximately 25–35 km to Ba Na Hills, usually 45–60 minutes. • 08:30–09:00 – Arrive at the cable car station and prepare for the ascent. • 09:00–09:30 – Ride the cable car through the mountains and forest. • 09:30–10:30 – Visit the iconic Golden Bridge, famous for its giant stone hands and panoramic views. • 10:30–11:30 – Explore Le Jardin d'Amour flower gardens and Linh Ung Pagoda, subject to the day's operating arrangements. • 11:30–12:30 – Buffet lunch at a restaurant on the mountain. • 12:30–14:30 – Explore the French Village, Gothic-inspired buildings, squares and Fantasy Park indoor attractions. • 14:30–15:00 – Free time for photographs and refreshments. • 15:00–16:00 – Return by cable car and meet the driver. • 16:00–17:00 – Transfer back to Da Nang. • 17:00 onwards – Return to the hotel and relax.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 12
Da Nang – Domestic Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
2 stops
25
Da Nang
• 07:00–08:00 – Breakfast and check-out, depending on flight time. • Approximately 2 hours before departure – Transfer to Da Nang International Airport and complete check-in.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
26
Ho Chi Minh City
Flight: Da Nang (DAD) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). The direct flight takes approximately 1 hour 30–35 minutes, covering roughly 600 km by air. Exact flight times depend on the selected airline and date. • After landing – Collect luggage and meet your driver. • Airport transfer: Approximately 8–10 km to central Ho Chi Minh City, normally 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. • Afternoon – Hotel check-in and free time to rest or explore nearby cafés. • Evening – Dinner at a local restaurant.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 13
Cu Chi Tunnels & Ho Chi Minh City Historical Tour
2 stops
27
Cu Chi Tunnels
06:45–07:30 – Breakfast. • 07:30–09:30 – Hotel pick-up and drive approximately 55–70 km northwest to the Cu Chi Tunnels. The drive normally takes 1.5–2 hours, depending on traffic and the chosen tunnel site. • 09:30–11:30 – Explore the underground tunnel network, watch a historical documentary, learn about wartime survival techniques and see hidden entrances, ventilation systems and underground facilities. Visitors can sample cassava with sesame salt. • Optional activity – Shooting range experience, subject to age restrictions, safety rules and additional charges. • 11:30–13:00 – Return towards central Ho Chi Minh City, approximately 55–70 km. • 13:00–14:00 – Lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant.
4 hours • Admission ticket included
28
Ho Chi Minh City
14:00–15:00 – Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War and its historical impact. • 15:00–15:30 – Visit Notre-Dame Cathedral of Saigon from the exterior, subject to restoration and access conditions. • 15:30–16:00 – Explore the nearby Saigon Central Post Office. • 16:00–16:45 – Visit Reunification Palace, including selected historical rooms and exhibitions if open. • 16:45–17:30 – Optional visit to Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs and local shopping. • 17:30–18:00 – Return to the hotel. If traffic or museum opening hours affect the schedule, the guide may adjust the order of the afternoon visits.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 14
Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Can Tho: Mekong Delta Experience
2 stops
29
Ben Tre
07:00–08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel. • 08:00–10:00 – Depart Ho Chi Minh City for Ben Tre, approximately 85–100 km and 1.5–2 hours by road. • 10:00–10:30 – Arrive in Ben Tre, known for its coconut plantations and peaceful waterways. • 10:30–11:30 – Take a motorboat trip along the Mekong River, observing local fishing activities, riverside villages and traditional boat-building areas. • 11:30–12:00 – Visit a coconut candy workshop and learn how local families produce this regional speciality. • 12:00–13:00 – Enjoy lunch at a local garden restaurant, with regional dishes and fresh tropical ingredients.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
30
Can Tho
13:00–14:00 – Take a small rowing sampan through narrow canals shaded by coconut palms. • 14:00–15:00 – Explore a rural village on foot or by bicycle, meet local residents and discover traditional agricultural life. • 15:00–17:00 – Drive from Ben Tre to Can Tho, approximately 110–130 km and 2–2.5 hours. • 17:00–18:00 – Arrive in Can Tho and check in at the hotel. • 18:30–19:30 – Dinner featuring Mekong Delta specialities. • Evening – Free time to explore Can Tho's riverside promenade.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 15
Cai Rang Floating Market – Return to Ho Chi Minh City
2 stops
31
Cai Rang Floating Market
05:45–06:30 – Wake up and have an early breakfast, or arrange a light breakfast to take away. • 06:30–07:00 – Transfer to the boat pier. • 07:00–08:30 – Take a boat trip along the Can Tho River and visit Cai Rang Floating Market. Observe traders exchanging fruit, vegetables and other goods from their boats. Market activity varies with the season and time of day. • 08:30–09:30 – Visit a traditional rice noodle workshop to learn about local noodle-making techniques. • 09:30–10:30 – Visit a tropical fruit orchard, subject to availability, and enjoy seasonal fruit.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
32
Can Tho
10:30–11:00 – Return to the pier and transfer back to the hotel. • 11:00–12:00 – Check out and have some free time. • 12:00–13:00 – Lunch at a local restaurant in Can Tho. • 13:00–16:30/17:00 – Depart for Ho Chi Minh City, travelling approximately 165–180 km in 3–4 hours, depending on traffic and the route. • 16:30–17:30 – Arrive at your hotel and check in. • Evening – Dinner and free time.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 16
Ho Chi Minh City – Flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia
2 stops
33
Ho Chi Minh City
• 07:00–08:00 – Breakfast and check-out. • 08:00–09:00 – Transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport, allowing extra time for traffic and international check-in. • 09:00–11:00 – Complete airline check-in, immigration and security procedures. Actual airport arrival requirements depend on the airline. • 11:50–13:15 – Planned flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, subject to confirmation of the operating airline and flight schedule.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
34
Siem Reap
13:15–14:00 – Arrive at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, complete immigration and collect luggage. • 14:00–15:00 – Transfer to your hotel, approximately 45–60 km depending on the route, usually around 1 hour or slightly longer. • 15:00–16:00 – Hotel check-in and time to relax. • 16:00–18:00 – Free time to explore central Siem Reap, visit local cafés or stroll through the town. • 18:00–19:00 – Dinner at a Cambodian restaurant. • Evening – Optional walk around the lively Old Market or Pub Street area. • Overnight – Siem Reap. The flight time provided is the proposed itinerary time. Please verify the exact flight number, airline, airport and operating schedule before issuing the final programme.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 17
Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm & Angkor Thom: Khmer Empire Heritage
3 stops
35
Angkor Wat
07:00–08:00 – Breakfast at the hotel. • 08:00–08:30 – Meet your guide and driver, then travel approximately 6–8 km to the Angkor Archaeological Park area. • 08:30–11:00 – Explore Angkor Wat, the magnificent 12th-century temple complex known for its grand architecture, intricate bas-reliefs and historical importance.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
36
Ta Prohm
11:00–11:30 – Transfer approximately 10–15 km to Ta Prohm. • 11:30–12:30 – Visit Ta Prohm, famous for enormous tree roots intertwined with ancient stone structures. • 12:30–13:30 – Lunch at a local restaurant near the temple complex.
2 hours • Admission ticket included
37
Angkor Thom
13:30–14:00 – Transfer towards Angkor Thom. • 14:00–15:00 – Explore Bayon Temple, known for its monumental stone faces. • 15:00–16:00 – Continue to Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, depending on access and the group's pace. • 16:00–16:30 – Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom and admire its monumental faces and sculptures. • 16:30–17:30 – Optional sunset excursion to Phnom Bakheng. Reaching the hilltop requires walking uphill, and access may be limited by visitor capacity and weather. • 17:30–18:30 – Return to Siem Reap. • Evening – Dinner and free time.
3 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 18
Koh Ker and Beng Mealea temples
1 stop
38
Koh Ker Temple
8:00 AM: Depart from the city and drive to Koh Ker (approximately 1.5 hours). Explore the ancient ruins and surrounding forest of the Koh Ker temple complex, which served as the capital of the Khmer Empire from AD 928 to 944. ️ 10:30 AM: Begin the drive back towards Siem Reap, stopping at two beautiful temples along the way: Prasat Neang Khmau and Prasat Pram. ️ Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near Beng Mealea Temple. 1:30 PM: Visit Beng Mealea Temple. Take a short walk through the dense jungle and discover this fascinating ancient temple, surrounded by overgrown trees and vegetation. Afterwards, continue to Banteay Srei, often known as the “Gem of Angkor”, famous for its beautiful and intricate pink sandstone carvings.
6 hours • Admission ticket included
Day 19
Siem Reap Departure
1 stop
39
Siem Reap
• 07:00–09:00 – Breakfast at the hotel, depending on your departure time. • Hotel check-out – Complete check-out and prepare your luggage. • Airport transfer – Depart for Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport, allowing approximately 1–1.5 hours for the drive from central Siem Reap, subject to traffic and the hotel's location. • Airport check-in – Arrive with sufficient time for your international or domestic departure procedures. • End of tour – Say goodbye to Cambodia after 19 days discovering Vietnam's landscapes, local cultures, historic cities and the magnificent temples of Angkor. Thank you for travelling with Authentic Adventures. We wish you a safe and pleasant onward journey!
4 hours • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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