Vietnam and Cambodia 2024

Attractions Morning Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saïgon) and the nearby Saigon Central Post Office. eisurely stroll down Dong Khoi Street-explore boutique shops and local cafes Afternoon e War Remnants Museum( vietnam history) reunification palace, independence palace Evening Strret Food tour with local guide Nha hang Ngon- for dinner Stay Reverie Saigon. Landmark 81 Residence Luxury suite Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC; Vietnamese: Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh), also known as Saigon (Vietnamese: Sài Gòn), is the most populous city in Vietnam, with a population of around 10 million in 2023. The city's geography is defined by rivers and canals, of which the largest Saigon River is named after. As a municipality, Ho Chi Minh City consists of 16 urban districts, five rural districts, and one municipal city (sub-city). As the largest financial centre in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City has the highest gross regional domestic product out of all Vietnam provinces and municipalities, contributing around a quarter of the country's total GDP. Ho Chi Minh City's metropolitan area is ASEAN's 6th largest economy, also the biggest outside an ASEAN country capital. Since ancient times, water transport has been heavily used by inhabitants in the area. The area was occupied by Champa from 2nd century AD to around the 19th century, due to Đại Việt's expansionist policy of Nam tiến. After the fall of Citadel of Gia Định, Saigon was the capital of French Indochina from 1887 to 1902, and again from 1945 until its cessation in 1954. Following the partition of French Indochina, it became the capital of South Vietnam until it was captured by North Vietnam, who renamed the city after their former leader Hồ Chí Minh, though the former name is still widely used in informal usages. Beginning in the 1990s, the city underwent rapid expansion and modernization, which contributed to Vietnam's post-war economic recovery and helped revive its international trade hub status. Ho Chi Minh City has a long tradition of being one of the centers of economy, education, entertainment and education in Vietnam. As such, the city is also the busiest international transport hub in Vietnam, as Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport accounts for nearly half of all international arrivals to Vietnam and the Port of Saigon is among the busiest container ports in Southeast Asia. Ho Chi Minh City is also a tourist attraction. Some of the war and historic landmarks in the city include the Independence Palace, Landmark 81 (tallest building in Vietnam), the War Remnants Museum, and Bến Thành Market. The city is also known for its narrow walkable alleys and bustling night life. Currently, Ho Chi Minh City is facing increasing threats of sea level rise and flooding as well as heavy strains on public infrastructures.

Morning Cai Rang floating market after having breakfast at hotel Afternoon Lunch at riverside restaurant visit traditional village Dinner The Chopsticks at Ho chi minh Stay Same as previous The tunnels of Củ Chi are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Củ Chi District of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country. The Củ Chi tunnels were the location of several military campaigns during the Vietnam War, and were the Viet Cong's base of operations for the Tết Offensive in 1968. The tunnels were used by Viet Cong soldiers as hiding spots during combat, as well as serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort.

Morning Catch an early flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang check into your hotel and head straight to My Khe Beach breakfast-cafes like Bamboo2 Bar Afternoon famous Dragon Bridge (Cau Rong) Son Tra Peninsula-ady Buddha statue towering over Da Nang by Moc Seafood Restaurant known for its fresh seafood dishes. Evening take part in a cooking class r at Cloud Garden Stay stay, Home Farm Villa Hoi An upscale experience can opt for the Sun Grow Luxury Villas & Resort Da Nang, Da Nang or Danang (Vietnamese: Đà Nẵng), is the fourth-largest city in Vietnam by municipal population. It lies on the coast of the East Sea of Vietnam at the mouth of the Hàn River, and is one of Vietnam's most important port cities. As one of the country's five direct-controlled municipalities, it falls under the administration of the central government. The city was known as Cửa Hàn during early Đại Việt settlement, and as Tourane (or Turon) during French colonial rule. Before 1997, the city was part of Quang Nam - Da Nang Province. On 1 January 1997, Da Nang was separated from Quảng Nam Province to become one of four centrally controlled municipalities in Vietnam. Da Nang is designated as a first class city, and has a higher urbanization ratio than any of Vietnam's other provinces or centrally governed cities. Da Nang is the commercial and educational center of Central Vietnam and is the largest city in the region. It has a well-sheltered, easily accessible port, and its location on National Route 1 and the North–South Railway makes it a transport hub. It is within 100 km (62 mi) of several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Imperial City of Huế, the Old Town of Hội An, and the Mỹ Sơn ruins. APEC 2017 was hosted in Da Nang. Da Nang has a Human Development Index of 0.800 (very high), ranking fifth among all municipalities and provinces of Vietnam.

Da Nang to Sapa via an overnight sleeper train or bus (approximately 8-10 hours) Start your day with a visit to Cat Cat Village Afternoon For lunch, savor local dishes at Lao Chai Restaurant before embarking on a guided trek through Muong Hoa Valley-trek offers breathtaking views of terraced fields Evening Sapa town for dinner at Vietnam Restaurant, Stay balanced stay, Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery upscale experience can opt for the My Gallery Boutique Hotel & Spa Sa Pa (, also written as Sapa) is a district-level town of Lào Cai Province in the Northwest region of Vietnam. The town has an area of 685 km2 (264 sq mi) and a population of 70,663 in 2022.: 73  The town capital lies at Sa Pa ward. It is one of the main market and touristic towns in the area, where several ethnic minority groups such as Hmong, Dao (Yao), Giáy, Xa Pho, and Tay live.

After breakfast, take a bus or train from Sapa to Hanoi (approximately 5-6 hours) explore the historic Hanoi Old Quarter Stop by St Joseph’s Cathedral (Nha Tho Lon) for some beautiful photos Afternoon For lunch, enjoy local specialties at Quan An Ngon visit the Hoa Lo Prison,-Vietnam's history during colonial times Vietnamese Women’s Museum that highlights women's contributions n the evening, indulge in a street food tour that takes you through Hanoi's culinary scene.-Sample dishes like pho and banh mi For dinner, head to The Hanoi Social Club balanced stay, Scent Premium Hotel upscale experience can opt for the Hanoi Royal Palace Hotel 2 Hanoi (Vietnamese: Hà Nội ) is the capital and second-most populous city of Vietnam. The name "Hanoi" translates to "inside the river," – Hanoi is bordered by the Red and Black Rivers. As a municipality, Hanoi consists of 12 urban districts, 17 rural districts, and one district-level town. The city encompasses an area of 3,359.84 km2 (1,297.24 sq mi) and as of 2023, a population of 8,587,100. Hanoi had the second-highest gross regional domestic product of all Vietnamese provinces and municipalities at 51.4 billion USD in 2022, behind Ho Chi Minh City. In the third century BCE, the Cổ Loa Capital Citadel of Âu Lạc was constructed in what is now Hanoi. Âu Lạc then fell under Chinese rule for around a thousand years. In 1010, Vietnamese emperor Lý Thái Tổ established the capital of the imperial Vietnamese nation Đại Việt in modern-day central Hanoi, naming the city Thăng Long (lit. 'ascending dragon'). In 1428, king Lê Lợi renamed the city to Đông Kinh (東京, lit. 'eastern capital'), and remained being so until 1789. The Nguyễn dynasty in 1802 moved the national capital to Huế and the city was renamed Hanoi in 1831. It served as the capital of French Indochina from 1902 to 1945. After the August Revolution, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam designated Hanoi as the capital of the newly independent country. In 2008, Hà Tây Province and two other rural districts were annexed into Hanoi, almost tripling Hanoi's area. Hanoi is the cultural, economic and education center of Northern Vietnam. As the country's capital, it hosts 78 foreign embassies, the headquarters of People's Army of Vietnam, its own Vietnam National University system, and many other governmental organizations. Hanoi is also a major tourist destination, with 18.7 million domestic and international visitors in 2022. The city hosts the Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Hoàn Kiếm Lake, West Lake, and Ba Vì National Park near the outskirts of the municipality. Hanoi's urban area has a wide range of architectural styles, including French colonial architecture, brutalist apartments typical of socialist nations and disorganized alleys–tube houses stemming from the city's rapid growth in the 20th century.

After breakfast in Hanoi, take a shuttle bus or private transfer to Ha Long Bay (approximately 2-3 hours). Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. © UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

After breakfast on the cruise, disembark and take a scenic drive to Ninh Binh (approximately 2-3 hours). morning head to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam Explore the temples dedicated to the Dinh and Le dynasties, Afternoon enjoy local specialties at Trang An Restaurant boat tour through Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, dinner at Quan An Minh Trang For a balanced stay, Tamcoc Catalina Hotel upscale experience can opt for the Tam Coc Garden Resort

After breakfast, take a private transfer from Ninh Binh back to Hanoi (approximately 2 hours) and catch a flight from Hanoi to Siem Reap (approximately 1.5 hours). iconic Angkor Wat temple complex at The Temple Restaurant significant temples like Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm, famous for its intertwining trees and roots. traditional Khmer cuisine at Pavilion Restaurant. consider attending an Apsara dance performance for an immersive cultural experience Siem Reap, officially Siemreap (Khmer: សៀមរាប [siəm riəp], lit. 'Siam's Defeated'), is a province (khaet) of Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Oddar Meanchey to the north, Preah Vihear and Kampong Thom to the east, Battambang to the south, and Banteay Meanchey to the west. Its capital and largest city is Siem Reap. Siem Reap province is the tenth largest province in Cambodia. Having reached a population of one million in 2019, it ranks as the nation's fourth most populous province. A large portion of Siem Reap province's southern border is demarcated by the Tonle Sap and as such, it is one of the nine provinces that making up the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. In modern times the province is best known as the site of Angkor and the Angkor Wat temple ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also the home of Banteay Srei, Roluos (temples), the UNESCO tentative site of Beng Mealea, and the UNESCO tentative site of Phnom Kulen National Park, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha.

after breakfast in Siem Reap, take a bus or private transfer to Phnom Penh (approximately 6 hours) historical sites such as the Royal Palace and the adjacent Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo). Afternoon For lunch, enjoy local flavors at Khmer Surin before visiting the poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) Choeung Ek Genocidal Center (Choeung Ek Killing Fields) for reflection on this somber chapter Evening In the evening, unwind with dinner at The Riverside Bistro, Mekong River. Consider taking a sunset cruise along the river afterward for a relaxing end to your day Stay , Hotel KVL choice offers a great mix of comfort and convenience. upscale experience can opt for the Mettavary Hotel, Phnom Penh (; Khmer: ភ្នំពេញ, Phnum Pénh [pʰnomˈpɨɲ], lit. 'Penh's Hill/Mountain') is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its economic, industrial, and cultural centre. Before Phnom Penh became capital city, Oudong was the capital of the country. Phnom Penh succeeded Angkor Thom as the capital of the Khmer nation but was abandoned several times before being reestablished in 1865 by King Norodom. The city formerly functioned as a processing center, with textiles, pharmaceuticals, machine manufacturing, and rice milling. Its chief assets, however, were cultural. Institutions of higher learning included the Royal University of Phnom Penh (established in 1960 as Royal Khmer University), with schools of engineering, fine arts, technology, and agricultural sciences, the latter at Chamkar Daung, a suburb. Also located in Phnom Penh were the Royal University of Agronomic Sciences and the Agricultural School of Prek Leap. The city was nicknamed the "Pearl of Asia" for its early 20th century colonial French architecture, which included Art Deco works. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1372, the city is noted for its historical architecture and attractions. It became the national capital in 1434 following the fall of Angkor, and remained so until 1497. It regained its capital status during the French colonial era in 1865. There are a number of surviving colonial-era buildings scattered along the grand boulevards. On the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers, Phnom Penh is home to more than 2 million people, approximately 14% of the Cambodian population. The Greater Phnom Penh area includes the nearby Ta Khmau city and some districts of Kandal province. The city has hosted numerous regional and international events, the most notable being the 2002, 2012, and 2022 ASEAN Summit, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Phnom Penh will be the first Cambodian city and the second city in Southeast Asia to host the Asian Youth Games in 2029.

local markets, such as the Phnom Penh Central Market (Phsar Thmey), Afternoon For lunch, try some street food or dine at Riverside Restaurant,-known for its delicious Khmer dishes The National Museum of Cambodia in the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at Topaz Restaurant, Phnom Penh (; Khmer: ភ្នំពេញ, Phnum Pénh [pʰnomˈpɨɲ], lit. 'Penh's Hill/Mountain') is the capital and most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since the French protectorate of Cambodia and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its economic, industrial, and cultural centre. Before Phnom Penh became capital city, Oudong was the capital of the country. Phnom Penh succeeded Angkor Thom as the capital of the Khmer nation but was abandoned several times before being reestablished in 1865 by King Norodom. The city formerly functioned as a processing center, with textiles, pharmaceuticals, machine manufacturing, and rice milling. Its chief assets, however, were cultural. Institutions of higher learning included the Royal University of Phnom Penh (established in 1960 as Royal Khmer University), with schools of engineering, fine arts, technology, and agricultural sciences, the latter at Chamkar Daung, a suburb. Also located in Phnom Penh were the Royal University of Agronomic Sciences and the Agricultural School of Prek Leap. The city was nicknamed the "Pearl of Asia" for its early 20th century colonial French architecture, which included Art Deco works. Phnom Penh, along with Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, are significant global and domestic tourist destinations for Cambodia. Founded in 1372, the city is noted for its historical architecture and attractions. It became the national capital in 1434 following the fall of Angkor, and remained so until 1497. It regained its capital status during the French colonial era in 1865. There are a number of surviving colonial-era buildings scattered along the grand boulevards. On the banks of the Tonlé Sap, Mekong, and Bassac Rivers, Phnom Penh is home to more than 2 million people, approximately 14% of the Cambodian population. The Greater Phnom Penh area includes the nearby Ta Khmau city and some districts of Kandal province. The city has hosted numerous regional and international events, the most notable being the 2002, 2012, and 2022 ASEAN Summit, the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, and the 12th ASEAN Para Games. Phnom Penh will be the first Cambodian city and the second city in Southeast Asia to host the Asian Youth Games in 2029.