Essence of Vietnam and Cambodia

Your 11 day itinerary in Cambodia and Vietnam with Incredible Asia Journeys best travel agency in Vietnam starts from Siem Reap. 

Arriving at Siem Reap international airport, you will be greeted by your private tour guide and driver and transferred to the city center for hotel check-in. The rest of the day is yours to explore Siem Reap. This evening, enjoy a delicious buffet dinner while watching the impressive Apsara Dance Show. Stay overnight in Siem Reap. 

Today we will have full day enjoying the Siem Reap Tour with the amazing temples. That will be the memorable day of your Vietnam and Cambodia 11 Day Tour.

Your personal tour guide will pick you up at your hotel lobby.Waking early to beat the crowd, we depart from the city and head to the outskirts toward the graceful 10th-century temple of Banteay Srei. You will be amazed by its detailed decoration carved in pinkish sandstone that surrounds the walls like a tapestry. It is believed that its modern name (which means The citadel of women in Khmer) reflects the perfection of its bas-relief carvings as the hand of a woman could only have carved the fine stone carving. We then drive to a hilltop to view the stunning Chau Srei Vibol Temple. Located away from the main tourist routes and other centrally located temples, this small enchanting temple is not normally seen by many tourists.

We will continue on to explore the remaining ancient Khmer ruins site of Hariharalaya dating from the late 9th and 10th centuries, and the first capital city of the Khmer Empire in the Angkor region. We venture on to the Roluos group of temples, considered to be the earliest in the Angkor area. We end today’s adventure at the Bakhong Temple, the first great temple mountain of sandstone – a five-level pyramid dedicated in 881 by King Indravarman 1.

Day 3 of Vietnam and Cambodia 11 Day Tour you will visit the highlighted Angkor Temples.

Another day for the Angkor Tour in the city, you will learn more about the Khmer culture and civilization. Today you will visit the most attractive places in Siem Reap as well as in your 11 days in Cambodia and Vietnam.

Depart your hotel early today to start your story of highlighted temples in Siem Reap with the picturesque Ta Prohm, better known as the ‘Tomb Raider’ temple due to its prominent showing in the famous Lara Croft movie. The mystical temple and ancient ruins entwined with tree roots will leave you in awe. After visiting the fabulous ruins, your next destination is the world-famous Angkor Wat. You will be overwhelmed by the longest continuous bas-relief on earth surrounding the outside of the central temple complex that tells the story of history. Considered to be the largest religious structure on earth, this World Heritage Site will provide you with a unique and remarkable experience. 

Lunch is at our own expense.   

Begin your afternoon with another temple highlight - Angkor Thom or “Great City”. You will be fascinated by the line of 54 divinities and demons that create a dramatic and charming spectacle beside the road; not to mention the enchanting Bayon Temple renowned for the large faces carved into the temples. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to stroll around the surrounding areas such as the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Leper King Terrace and the Royal Palace area. Finish your Angkor tour you will go back to your hotel for the free evening in Siem Reap. Use your free time for shopping in Siem Reap Night Market, find the best street food of Khmer and you will stay overnight in Siem Reap. 

Start your third day of your Vietnam and Cambodia Itinerary 11 Day with Tonle Sap Lake.

After breakfast, you will set off to Tonle Sap Lake, pass through the lush rice paddy fields, observe cattle on the road, as well as local houses on the outskirts. Upon reaching the pier, you will embark on a relaxing boat along this natural wonder. The scenic boat ride allows you observe the floating villages, the beautiful landscape, and vast wetlands with white storks occasionally swooping down to the water for fish, making your journey a wonderful and unique experience. A packed lunch is provided.   

After lunch, we drive to Battambang and start to explore this lovely city with a visit to one of the city’s most cherished temples - Wat Ek Phnom. This colorful modern pagoda and giant Buddha statue along with the partly collapsed 11th-century temple hidden behind is the central religious center for the people of the nearby village; especially for women hoping to conceive. After visiting the temple ruins, you have an opportunity to learn how the locals make rice paper or grolan (sticky rice stuffed in bamboo). At the end of the tour, your driver will transfer you to the city for an overnight stay in Battambang.

Start your evening with a glass of wine at the Lotus Bar and Gallery or Bric-a-Brac. Leaving this beautiful café, we head to Jaan Bai restaurant whose dinner menu was designed by a Michelin Star chef who resides in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Today is the last day in Cambodia in your Vietnam and Cambodia Tours.

After breakfast, we set out to the southwest towards the charming hilltop pagoda complex of Phnom Sampeau. Renowned for its spectacular views and mesmerizing display of bats, this limestone outcrop consists of a Buddhist pagoda on the summit and three natural caves, reminding us of Cambodia’s turbulent history. Stroll around the mountain before proceeding to the village of Ksach Puoy located on the banks of the Sangker River. The village is home to many well-preserved traditional Khmer wooden stilted houses and tropical fruit farms, giving you an opportunity to sample juicy oranges, sweet pineapples, and many other fruits available in the region. 

After lunch in a local restaurant, we visit Cambodia’s first vineyard close to Ksach Puoy. You will learn about the wine producing process in the tropics and savor some local wine. We then proceed to explore the awe-inspiring hilltop Prasat Banan constructed in the 11th century. We climb the 358 steps to the summit of the hill where incredible views across surrounding countryside await you. It is also the perfect place to watch the sunset over Battambang, and observe the small villages dotted in and around the endless rice paddies, punctuated with the characteristic sugar palm trees. At the end of the tour, your driver will transfer you to Battambang. You then take the 3-hour drive to Siem Reap for the late flight to Hanoi.  

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and driver and transferred to the city center for hotel check-in. The rest of the day is yours before staying overnight in Hanoi.  

Today is the first day in your 11 days in Cambodia and Vietnam.

After breakfast, you will embark on Hanoi City Tour of bustling Hanoi, starting with Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday, every afternoon and from late September to December), the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda where you can learn more about Vietnam’s rich history. Be amazed by the long queues of people from all over Vietnam and foreign tourists who come to pay their respect to Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh). We then proceed to explore one of the museums (Vietnam Military History Museum, Museum of Art, Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton” (a nickname used by US pilots during the war), or the Ethnology Museum).

After lunch served in a local restaurant, we continue today’s exploration at the picturesque Temple of Literature (Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam). The 11th-century temple hosts the Imperial Academy, Vietnam’s first national university and is dedicated to Confucius, sages, and nowadays, high-ranking scholars of Vietnam. 

Leaving the famous Confucian Temple, we will stroll around the Old Quarter of Hanoi with 36 interesting street names. Your last stop today is the Theatre where you will enjoy the fascinating Water Puppet Show. Go back to your hotel for finishing your Hanoi City Tour and you will have free time in Hanoi. Hanoi is one of the best places in Vietnam for food. You may enjoy the street food in Hanoi by walking around the Old Quarter with small alleys.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.  

Sapa is one of the highlighted destinations in Vietnam with the beautiful scenery. You will visit the local village of Sapa.

Today, your driver will pick you up at 07.30 AM at the hotel lobby. We depart early from Hanoi for the transfer to the mountain town of Sapa. The 5-hour scenic drive on your northward journey into the highlands is both breathtaking and dramatic. Upon reaching Sapa in the afternoon, you will have lunch then check into your hotel. 

This afternoon you will explore Sapa with a visit to the village of Cat Cat, home to the H'mong people. While there you will have an opportunity to chat with H'Mong tribe minority people, see the gorgeous waterfall in Cat Cat village, and enjoy the stunning views of the ethnic villages. We return to the hotel and stay overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast at your hotel, start your adventure tour in Sapa today with a visit to Muong Hoa Valley, one of the most famous destinations for breathtaking scenery. Trek to the top of the valley where you will enjoy a stunning view of the Sapa area with the blend of rice paddy terraces and cool winds. From there, trek down through gorgeous scenery to the valley to see the beautiful fields and learn more about the rice growing process. Leaving the fields, we will continue through the valley towards the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van, home to the Zay minority. We look into the local Catholic Church and learn more about the daily life of the various minorities in Vietnam. 

Lunch will be served in a local house before taking the transfer back to Hanoi. 

Stay overnight in Hanoi. 

Halong Bay is the best place to visit in Vietnam and the Halong Bay overnight cruise for 2 days 1 night will be perfect for your group to explore this World Natural Heritage. That will be the most highlighted time for your 11 days in Cambodia & Vietnam Itinerary. 

Today, you will discover one of New Seven Wonders of Nature and have the opportunity to stay overnight on a cruise of the world famous bay. After checking out of your hotel, we set off on the 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay. The journey offers you numerous photo opportunities as you pass through several northern Vietnamese towns and villages. Arriving the jetty at midday, you will board a traditional wooden junk. After check-in formalities, you will enjoy a stunning local seafood lunch onboard as the boat cruises into the mystical bay.  The guide will show you the most beautiful places in Halong Bay and you will learn more about how Halong Bay is formed. 

In the afternoon, you can transfer to an island, climb to the summit for a panoramic view of Halong Bay and go swimming in the emerald water. Otherwise, you may sunbathe on the boat’s sundeck to enjoy the tranquility of the bay. Later, you may choose to kayak among the hidden areas of the bay. Back on board, you can enjoy cocktails and watch the sunset over the bay before enjoying a lavish dinner in the dining room. This evening, you can enjoy the experience of night fishing for squid, and socialize with other guests over drinks. Finally, return to your cabin for a good night’s sleep.

Wake up refreshed from a good night’s sleep. You might like to take this opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay or participate in a morning Tai Chi session on the top deck before a wonderful breakfast. We then head off to explore the beautiful limestone grotto.  Back on board, we have a final glimpse of this UNESCO World Heritage Site while cruising back to the dock. After disembarking, we take the bus back to Hanoi for ending 2 day 1 night Halong Bay Overnight Cruise itinerary. You will then have free time before an overnight stay in Hanoi.  

Have free time for last minute shopping in Hanoi, then transfer to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight. End of  11 Day Itinerary in Siem Reap and Vietnam.

Thank you for choosing Incredible Asia Journeys - Vietnam reliable tour company for your Vietnam and Cambodia tour, we look forward to seeing you again in the future.