# 12-Day Cambodia and Vietnam Highlights: A Journey in Wonders

Unveil Angkor Wat with a local who shares you more than just the temples. Learn how the people conquer dark times in Phnom Penh before you feel up the vibes of Ho Chi Minh City from the back of a motorbike and kick back on sundeck of Halong Bay cruise. This is a journey for true explorers with real wonders.

## Highlights

- Angkor Wat essence and visit the less-visited Beng Meala
- Learn mind-provoking history in Phnom Penh
- Ride along with a local motorbiker in Ho Chi Minh City
- Meet Mr.Thanh in Hoi An at his cooking class
- Free your mind and body on Halong Bay cruise

## What's Included

- Private transfers and English-speaking tour guides in every destination
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- Internal flights including taxes and fuel as specified in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels, lunches for every guided day and one soft drink per person for the Halong Bay Cruise
- Governmental taxes

## Price per Person in US Dollars

Nov.1 - Mar.31 | Handpicked Comfort | Luxury
--- | --- | ---
2-5 People | $#AH-5,st,25,2016-11-10# | $#AH-5,lx,25,2016-11-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-5,st,69,2016-11-10# | $#AH-5,lx,69,2016-11-10#
Apr.1 - Oct.31 |  |
2-5 People | $#AH-5,st,25,2016-09-10# | $#AH-5,lx,25,2016-09-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-5,st,69,2016-09-10# | $#AH-5,lx,69,2016-09-10#

Note: The price is only for reference and subject to change on final confirmation.

## Suggested Itinerary

Day 1Siem Reap Arrival

Upon arrival, your private tour guide and drive will greet you at the airport. Transfer to hotel and enjoy the rest of day free at leisure.

- Entering Cambodia:

Siem Reap is connected to some international airports in Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. We would suggest you take Bangkok as entry considering the cost and accessibility.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Tara Angkor Hotel (Handpick Comfort) / Sokha Angkor Resort (Luxury)

Day 2Siem Reap

Kick start the morning with a fresh coffee and then we will head out for the Angkor Wat Complex. The famous Angkor Wat Complex can be divided into three loops. The first loop contains the major four sites, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm. Visit of the first ring will be at easy pace and finished before lunch.
Walk through the ancient hallways of Angkor Wat and you might even hear the echo of the flying Apsaras (celestial female spirits in Angkorian culture). At Bayon Temple, several gigantic stones flicker with the famous “Smile of Angkor”. Giant trees provide a canopy over Ta Prohm and it is just lovely to visit this magnificent site and enjoy the shade ion a hot afternoon.

- Dress code:

While visiting Angkor Wat of other religious sites alike, sleeve-less tops and short pants are not allowed for either male of female visitors. Female visitors should also wear long dress instead of mini skirt.

One of the must-do photo stops of Bayon
Day 3Siem Reap - Phnom Penh (45min by air)

Outside the first loop of the Angkor Wat Complex, there lies the sparkling pearl of Banteay Srei. This small temple complex is constructed by sandstone. This site is at its best in the early morning when the sun gives out a glittering radiance. The Cambodia Landmine Museum is a good place for learning about the tragic history of Siem Reap, and a great break from all the temples. Continue to Beng Meala, the un-restored ruins in the jungles, before transfer to the airport for the ongoing flight to Phnom Penh. In the afternoon, meet with your private tour guide and driver in Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel.

Accommodation:

2 nights at TEAV Boutique Hotel (Handpick Comfort) / Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel (Luxury)

Day 4Phnom Penh

What kind of impression will Phnom Penh leave with you? Feel its charm with a one-day city tour: the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda express the spirit of Cambodian traditional culture. Have lunch at Friends the Restaurant. Learn about the thought-provoking, tear-drawing history of the Khmer Rouge at the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the S21 Museum.

- Friends the Restaurant

Since 1994, Mith Samlanh, the owner of Friends the Restaurant, has devoted his time in helping street kids and marginalized youth by providing them professional culinary and hospitality training. By having lunch here, you will also be part of the help that supports these young people for a more promising future.

- Haunting history

Despite the fame of the Killing Fields and S21 Museum, we don't think they are suitable for young children under 15. In such a case, your afternoon sightseeing will be changed to other sites, for example, the National Museum and Russian Market.

Day 5 Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City(1 hour by air)

Have a free morning in Phnom Penh and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in upon arrival.

Accommodation:

2 nights Hotel Continental Saigon (Handpick Comfort) / Grand Hotel Saigon (Luxury)

Day 6Ho Chi Minh City

Every Vietnamese household has at least one motorbike and roaming the city by motorbike gives interesting insights into lifestyle of the locals and the layout of the city. Hop on the motorbike and you will see the less-traveled tracks of Saigon. The driving route is flexible but you will probably see the Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office, before stopping for a coffee at a local café. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Sample some Saigon flavors before continuing to exploration in some narrow back alleys of Chinatown.

- No need for Starbucks

One of the best hand-me-downs here of French colonists is the love for coffee. Highland Coffee is a national brand boasting for local-produced, fresh coffee beans producing in old-fashioned brews, leaving Starbucks stranded. Today your local tour guide will take you to a Highland Coffee branch. Sit down and watch the world goes by within a nice cup of coffee.

- Safety first

A helmet is a must on the motorbike and your tour guide (come driver) will not go beyond 60km/h. This motorbike trip is not suitable for young children under 15 or travelers with special physical restrictions. It can be changed upon request to a more traditional tour by van or car.

Day 7Ho Chi Minh City – Danang (1 hour by air) – Hoi An (40min by car)

Morning fly to Danang and transfer to Hoi An, a lovely town with delights await.
If you are walking alone in Hoi An Ancient Town, all the buildings seem to look the same but a real local will bring alive the stories behind: why the Japanese built the Japanese Covered Bridge, what the Tran Family Chapel and Fujian Assembly Hall mean to the Chinese immigrants and how business was established in the Old House of Tan Ky.
Finish today’s tour at Reaching Out Teahouse where you will enjoy a moment of serenity.

- Reaching Out Teahouse

A humble wood-built teahouse where young people with hearing disability earn their living by creating a peaceful escape, it is nice to just sit back and watch people pass by.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Hoi An Historic Hotel (Handpick Comfort) / Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Day 8Hoi An

Traveling is about creating new memories and meeting new people can be part of it. Today you will meet a local chef, Mr. Thanh. Mr. Thanh used to work at some high-end resorts and now returned home and focused on sharing his skills and stories along with an interesting cooking class. This morning, himself or his staff will come and pick you up at the hotel and you will head to the market. Learn about ingredients that will be used for cooking and get back to his house in countryside and start cooking. Have lunch with his family. Get back to your hotel and free at leisure.

- Cooking class for children

Mr.Thanh will create some easy dishes for your children to learn if they are interested. If not, his 3 adorable kids will also be nice playmates.

Mr.Thanh can speak good English, no need a translator for your cooking class
Day 9Hoi An – Danang (40min by car) – Hanoi (1 hour by air)

Have a free morning in Hoi An. Take an afternoon flight to Hanoi and free at leisure after check-in.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Golden Silk Boutique Hotel (Handpick Comfort) / Apricot Hotel Hanoi (Luxury)

Day 10Hanoi

Compared to the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi seems more introverted and slow-going, which is why you need a local insider who can shed special insight for these must-go attractions: Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, Ho Chi Minh Presidential Palace Historical Site and Hoa Lo Prison. Have lunch before you sit back in a rickshaw riding around the Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter.

Day 11Hanoi - Halong Bay (3 hours by car)

After 10 days of traveling, you deserve some time just for yourself. Today your private tour guide will take you to the beautiful destination of Halong Bay. Board on your cruise ship and let the journey begin. Your Halong Bay cruise will take you to Cua Van Fishing Village, Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Me Cung Caves, Virgin Cave, and Surprise Cave, as well as some small islets, such as Flight Cock Islet, Human Head Islet, and Toad Islet etc (subject to different itineraries of different boats).

- Just relax!

1. All meals onboard are inclusive but not for the drinks. We would suggest you buy some brinks on the way to the pier.
2. The cruise offers a seafood-based meal selection. Please inform us beforehand if seafood doesn’t greet with you.
3. Kayaking in the ocean can be so much fun and it is available upon request in advance.

Accommodation:

1 night on Glory Legend Cruise (Handpick Comfort) / Bhaya Cruise (Luxury)

Kayaking is available upon request for most cruise ships
Day 12Halong Bay – Hanoi Airport (3 hours by car) – Departure

The cruise will end at noon after a lovely brunch. Your private tour guide will meet you at the pier and take you to the airport. Fly home with great memories that we created together.

- One more night in Hanoi

Straight transfer to the airport is only available for flights that leave after 5pm. You will need to stay one more night in Hanoi otherwisely.

## Asia Highlights Handpicked Hotels

Asia Highlights chooses hotels with a balanced mixture of traditional Vietnamese and Cambodian style and modern comfort, easy access to everything yet quiet enough for a good night's sleep.

Siem Reap - Tara Angkor Hotel

- TripAdvisor's winner of Certificate of Excellence.
- Romantically designed in colonial style with Cambodian influence.Easy to get to the old town.
- Spacious rooms with small balcony, nice lightering and comfy surrounding.

Phnom Penh - TEAV Boutique Hotel

- Ranked 10 out of 265 hotels in Phnom Penh, winner of Certificate of Excellence.
- Centrally-located, getting to major attractions, restaurants and bars within minutes.
- Clean and adequate rooms, swimming pool, nice services.

Ho Chi Minh City - Hotel Continental Saigon

- Ranked 64/428 and winner of Certificate of Excellence.
- Proudly the first hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, it is rich in history and recently renovated.
- Rooms are bigger than most hotels of the same rank, centrally located, a wide selection of breakfast buffet plus great services.

Hoi An - Hoi An Historic Hotel

- Ranked 56 on TripAdvisor, winner of Certificate of Excellence.
- Located inside the ancient town, easy to walk to anywhere.
- Large room in historic decoration, good services, outdoor swimming pool, free Wifi and nice spa.

Hanoi - Golden Silk Boutique Hotel

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, ranked 89 out of 559 hotels in Hanoi.
- Wood floor, historical yet novel decoration, with good location in the Old Quarter.
- Well-equipped room, quiet setting, nice food and services just for good stay.

Halong Bay - Glory Legend Cruise

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence, ranked 18 out of 146 cruises in Halong Bay.
- Various activities including sightseeing to remote islands, cooking class and visiting Titov Island for a good view of the bay.
- Nice cabins with wide-open views, family cabins and connecting cabins available.

Note: Your comfort counts! It's totally possible to change hotels based on your interests and budget. From guesthouses to high-end luxury resorts, just let us know your preferences and we will help you choose.

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