South Vietnam & Angkor Temples Tour – 7 Days

Day 01: Ho Chi Minh arrival
Upon arrival Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon. Welcome by our Tour guide and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this dynamic city.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh city (B, L)
Today, you will literally feel the excitement of Ho Chi Minh City.
First, we visit the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today this building is a museum and venue for official receptions. Inside you can visit the private rooms of the president, the “War Room” from where the South Vietnamese forces were controlled, and, most poignantly, the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975. Next, we visit the War Remnants Museum, Historically, the war museum as part of the Vietnam and World Peace museums system was born on Sep 4 1975 at 28 Vo Van Tan street, district 3, HCMC. Since its 30-year inception, the museum has attracted over 10 million arrivals of domestic and foreign tourists, especially, student delegations from provinces and cities nationwide. It helps reappear the then-wars, helping students well realize on the values of patriotism, struggle for peace and national liberation from forefathers. This museum includes 8 specific exhibitions and various collections of the truth of history (conspiracy and process from hostile forces for the war in Vietnam); crime evidences and war consequences; kinds of weapon and tools serving for the wars; prison (prison house system, concentration camp, torture, maltreatment, corporal mutilation and spiritual oppression against political prisoners).
We also stop at the Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office. The post office, built between 1877 and 1883, is an excellent example of classic French colonial architecture. In deference to the Chinese heritage, you will also visit Thien Hau Pagoda, built in 1863 by the ethnic Chinese of Saigon and dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, and Cho Lon market.
The rest of time is free at the leisure.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Old Post Office

Notre Dame Cathedral

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong delta - Ho Chi Minh (B, L)
08.30 we start the trip from Ho Chi Minh City to Vietnam's rice basket, the Mekong Delta. We will pass through idyllic, rural scenes until we arrive at My Tho, a peaceful town on the bank of the Mekong River, where we will visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda. Next we will have a boat ride on the Mekong, visit local homes and orchards, a coconut candy workshop, a honeybee farm, take a sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks, try a taste of seasonal fruit and honey tea and enjoy a performance of traditional Southern singing. We return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 04: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - Fly to Siem Reap (B, D)
08.00 we will leave busy Ho Chi Minh city for the tunnels of Cu Chi, where are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Cu Chi district of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam.
At Cu Chi tunnel, we see a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, followed by an exploration of the maze of tunnels, some of which have been widened to allow tourist access. Also on display are various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers. On our way there we drive through pleasant countryside: rubber plantations and rice paddies. Afternoon we fly to Siem Reap.
Siem Reap – Treasures of the Kingdom of Cambodia, special welcome all warmly to everybody, a moment of courtesy meeting then self-introduce with our Cambodian tour guide in the meeting point's Siem Reap. You are met our guide and transfer to hotel for check in.
Welcome dinner with Apsara Dance show at local restaurant.
For those travelers thirsting for cultural highlights of Cambodia, No visit to Cambodia is complete without attending at least one traditional Khmer dance performance, often referred to as 'Apsara Dance' after one of the most popular Classical dance pieces. Traditional Khmer dance better described as 'dance-drama' in that the dances are not merely dance but also meant to convey a story or message.

Mekong Delta

Cu Chi Tunnels

Day 05: Siem Reap (B, L)
Rise early to beat the crowds at the photogenic of Ta Prohm "Tomb Raider" fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history. Left as it was ‘discovered’ by French explorer Henri Mouhout in 1860, the tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones, man first conquering nature to create, nature later conquering man to destroy. We visit Ta Prohm early to avoid the masses of crowds and provide a unique visit in this incredible temple.
We head further out through rural countryside to the small but beautiful temple of Banteay Srey. This temple is largely built of pink sandstone; a harder rock that can be more elaborately carved and better survives the rigors of time. This is an opportunity to capture some good photographs of the clear and detailed carvings. Continue to Banteay Samre: Its rose-colored sandstone walls are decorated with carvings and bas-reliefs, which are among the most accomplished Angkor has to offer.
For the later afternoon we head back into main Angkor Park and journey to Tasom. Tasom offers some beautiful photo spots, especially the rear entrance where tree roots adorn the gateway. We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside.

Day 06: Siem Reap (B, L)
We start on our bike and cycle to world heritage areas on the roads less travelled. Ride among the jungle passing local village and local shop. It’s a very special and acting day as you will explore some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass tourist.

• The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century)
• See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara
• Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru
• We step to see our old palace as Phimeankas temple in huge complex that was used for our king in the past time.
• Then Elephant terrace is platform for king and officer viewed show and people meeting.
• Preah Palilay was is older than Angkor Thom was nearby, deeply in forest and on path back You see monk sprinkle water to people.

We continue to visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology.
Enjoy foot massage 1hour and walking at busy pub street where you can find many bars for cool drink or shopping at Angkor Night Market.

Day 07: Siem Reap - Tonle Sap Lake - Departure (B)
After breakfast depart Siem Reap for the Tonlé Sap, driving down the eastern side of the lake. Arrive at Kompong Klaing, a remarkable village built entirely on stilts, where there is time to explore the various houses, school and shops before boarding your private boat. Cruise along a short tributary, passing fishermen and children playing in the shallow waters before arriving at a typical floating village where you may either disembark or cruise amongst the waterways.
Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination. End of the trip.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Temple complex

What is included?

• 06 night hotel accommodation in twin shared as noted or similar.
• All transfer and transportation vehicle with air-conditioning
• Boat trip in Mekong delta and Tonle Sap lake.
• Local English/ French speaking guide (for other languages supplements apply).
• Admission fee to indicated sights.
•  Meals as stated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
• Souvenir gift and mineral water.

What is excluded?

• Visa to Vietnam and Cambodia
• Int’l air tickets to / from Vietnam.
• Flight ticket Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap.
• Travel insurance in all kinds.
• Meals is not mentioned.
• Tip, drinks and personal expenses.