Northern Vietnam And Cambodia Itinerary: Tailor-made Trip

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

• Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport.

• Transfer to hotel.

• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour - Sapa

• Visit the Ho Chi Minh President Complex, including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Stilt House, and One Pillar Pagoda.

• Visit the Temple of Literature: A historic site dedicated to Confucius.

• Try some street foods: bun cha, banh mi, pho bo.

• Enjoy Vietnam's famous Water Puppet Show.

• Take a one-hour cyclo ride around the Old Quarter.

• Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

• Depart to Sapa by train.

• Overnight on the train.

Day 3: Cat Cat Village - Sin Chai Village

• Arrive at Lao Cai station, and rent a motorbike to go to town.

• Walk to Cat Cat and Sin Chai villages in Muong Hoa Valley.

• Visit the Black Hmong ethnic minority and observe traditional weaving and embroidery.

• Explore colorful rice terraces and a scenic waterfall.

• Back to Sapa town. 

• Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4: Lao Chai & Ta Van Village

• Trek along small trails to Y Linh Ho Village and Lao Chai Village - home of the Black Hmong tribe.

• Reach Ta Van village, inhabited by the Zay ethnic minority.

• Overnight in Sapa.

Day 5: Fansipan 

• Depart for the Cable Car Station and experience a 20-minute ride to the peak of Fansipan Mountain. Visit Trinh Pagoda, Bao An Thien Tu, flagpole. 

• Take a bus back to Hanoi.

• Overnight in Hanoi

Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay

• Bus to Halong, arrive at Tuan Chau Island.

• Embark on a cruise.

• Enjoy Vietnamese dishes while cruising through scenic areas.

• Visit the Tung Sau Area and swim at Ti Top Beach.

• Learn to make traditional Vietnamese spring rolls on the sundeck.

• Overnight on the cruise.

Day 7: Return to Hanoi - Siem Reap

• Start the day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck

• Visit Sung Sot Cave.

• Enjoy lunch while cruising back to Tuan Chau Port.

• Transfer to Hanoi airport and fly to Siem Reap.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Siem Reap City Tour

• Visit West Baray and explore a silk farm.

• Visit Artisans Angkor, a school of fine arts established in 1999 to help young people find employment and practice traditional crafts.

• Visit Wat Thmey Killing Field, containing the remains of victims from the Khmer Rouge regime.

• Overnight in Siem Reap. 

Day 9: Angkor Wat Complex

• Visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, including:

Bayon Temple, Baphuon, Terrace of the Leper King, Phimeanakas.

• Experience an elephant ride on Bakheng Mountain.

• Explore Thommanon Temple, Chau Say Tevoda Temple, Ta Keo Temple, Angkor Wat.

• Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 10: Siem Reap - Phnom Penh

• Transfer to board a speedboat for a scenic 6-hour journey to Phnom Penh.

• Enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the Mekong River.

• Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 11: Phnom Penh City Tour

• Visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum.

• Visit Wat Phnom Temple: A significant cultural and historical site in Phnom Penh.

• Explore Psar Toul Tom Pong (Russian Market).

• Enjoy a Cyclo ride along the Mekong River.

• Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 12: Departure 

• Enjoy some free time until your scheduled pickup for transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

• End the journey.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

• Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport.

• Explore Hanoi Old Quarter.

• Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake.

• Visit the Temple of the Jade Mountain.

• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi Bicycle Tour

• Take a short ride outside Hanoi to immerse yourself in rural Vietnamese life.

• Cycling in Dong Ngac Ancient Village.

• Stop in Lien Mac Flower Village to take a stroll through the fields.

• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi - Pu Luong Nature Reserve 

• Transfer to Mai Chau Valley.

• Visit Pom Coong village, home to the Thai people, and enjoy lunch with friendly locals.

• Hiking adventure at Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

• Overnight at homestay in Pu Luong.

Day 4: Hiking in Pu Luong Nature Reserve 

• Spend the morning chatting with locals, learning about the customs and traditions of the Thai people.

• Hiking along fertile rice paddies and lush mountain valleys.

• Trekking to Hieu Village. Experience a scenic ride on a bamboo raft.

• Overnight at the Ecolodge.

Day 5: Pu Luong - Ninh Binh

• Transfer to Ninh Binh province.

• Admire the beauty of Tam Coc.

• Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 6: Trang An Complex - Bai Dinh Pagoda 

• Board a sampan for a 2.5-hour journey at Trang An.

• Visit Hoa Lu - the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries.

• Visit Bai Dinh Pagoda - the largest Buddhist pagoda complex in Southeast Asia.

• Explore highlights including Thai Vi Temple, Bich Dong Pagoda, and Thung Nham Bird Park.

• Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 7: Ninh Binh - Halong Bay

• Transfer to Halong Bay. Board a ship for a two-night cruise.

• Enjoy fresh seafood while cruising east to Bai Tu Long Bay.

• Paddle to Cap La, a famous floating village.

• Return to the cruiser and relax on deck until dinner.

• Overnight on board.

Day 8: Bai Tu Long Bay

• Amire the sunrise on Ha Long Bay, breakfast on the deck.

• Kayaking around tropical lagoons in Cong Dam.

• Visit Thien Can Son cave, exploring its network of caverns.

• Overnight on board.

Day 9: Return to Hanoi - Siem Reap

• Visit the Vung Vieng fishing village.

• Back to Hanoi and catch a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

• Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the evening free.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 10: Siem Reap City Tour

• Visit Prasat Kravan, a 10th-century temple with five brick towers housing sculptures of Vishnu and Lakshmi.

• Explore Srah Srang - the 10th-century reservoir called the "Royal Bath”.

• Visit Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm - 12th-century Buddhist temples.

• Discover Neak Pean artificial island topped by a Buddhist temple in a man-made pond.

• Explore Preah Khan - the temple complex built by King Jayavarman VII in 1191.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Angkor Wat Day Tour

• Visit Angkor Thom - the ruins of the "Great City”.

• Admire Bayon Temple - the 54 Gothic towers commissioned by Jayavarman VII.

• Explore the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.

• Watching the sunset Pre Rup.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Phnom Kale - Banteay Srey

• Day Trip to Phnom Kulen.

• Visit Banteay Srey- the 10th-century Hindu temple.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 13: Tonle Sap Lake - Phnom Penh

• Depart to Tonlé Sap Lake by boat.

• Visit Kompong Pluk floating village.

• Transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh.

• Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 14: Phnom Penh City Tour

• Visit Choeung Ek Memorial - this sobering stupa containing around 8,000 human skulls, a monument to the Killing Fields.

• Learn about the Khmer Rouge's atrocities at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum.

• Explore Wat Phnom, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum.

• Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 15: Departure

• Transfer to the international airport to catch your flight home.

• End the journey. 

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

• Welcome to Noi Bai International Airport.

• Transfer to your hotel in Hanoi City Center.

• Relax and discover the city.

• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi Half-Day Suburban

• Morning tour followed by free time in the Old Quarter.

• Discover the Red River Delta’s daily life, history, and culture, including a visit to the ancient Co Loa village citadel by jeep.

Day 3: Ninh Binh

• Transfer to Ninh Binh.

• Hike Mua Cave: Ascend to the top for panoramic views of Ninh Binh.

• Try Tam Coc sampan ride.

• Cycle through rural villages and valleys.

• Visit Bich Dong Pagoda - one of the oldest pagodas in Northern Vietnam.

• Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 4: Pu Luong Nature Reserve 

• Depart for Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

• Explore Hieu Village: Experience the beauty of the 9-tier waterfall and enjoy bathing in its waters.

• Visit the stunning terrace fields and learn about the unique culture of the Black Thai ethnic group.

• Overnight in Pu Luong.

Day 5: Pu Luong Nature Reserve

• Wake up to witness a beautiful sunrise.

• Capture photo opportunities with the iconic water wheel at Tien Moi Village.

• Trek for about 2 hours through the Bamboo Forest.

• Enjoy a relaxing bamboo rafting tour on the Cham River.

• Explore Hang Doi Cave in Kho Muong Village.

• Overnight in Pu Luong.

Day 6: Mai Chau Mountain Village

• Take time to explore Poom Cong village and its scenic surroundings.

• Enjoy a meal at a traditional house on stilts.

• Experience a light trek to Lac Village and Van Village.

• Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 7: Mai Chau - Hanoi

• Stroll through the local village.

• Head back to Hanoi City.

• Enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Hanoi.

• Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi - Siem Reap

• Catch fly to Siem Reap.

• Enjoy a scenic Tuk-tuk ride around the suburbs of Siem Reap City.

• Participate in a traditional blessing ceremony by Buddhist monks.

• Savor dinner at a local restaurant while enjoying an enchanting Apsara Dance performance.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 9: Angkor Wat Complex

• Visit the magnificent Angkor Wat.

• Explore the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King, and Preah Khan Temple.

• Explore the captivating Ta Prohm Temple.

• Enjoying a beautiful sunset at Preah Rup temple.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 10: Kompong Khleang - Tonle Sap Lake

• Journey to Beng Mealea, a 12th-century temple similar in layout to Angkor Wat.

• After lunch, head to Kompong Khleang.

• Experience a boat cruise on the Kompong Khleang Floating Village.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap City Tour

• Visit the ancient ruins of three temples - Bakong, Lolei, and Preah Ko.

• Head to Psar Chars where you can experience the lively atmosphere surrounded by elegant French Colonial architecture.

• Enjoy a Tuk Tuk ride through the suburbs of Siem Reap.

• Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Departure 

• Take a stroll around the streets of Siem Reap.

• Catch your flight home.

• End the journey.