Vietnam Women Travel – Premium Private Tours Led by Women

Detailed Itinerary | Vietnam & Cambodia Heritage Discovery – 12 Days

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by your personal female guide from Vietnam Women Travel and transferred by private vehicle to your carefully selected 4-star hotel. After check-in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Relax after your journey or explore Hanoi’s charming Old Quarter, vibrant cafés, and Hoan Kiem Lake at your own pace. Your guide will gladly recommend local restaurants and hidden cultural gems for your first evening in Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Discover the Cultural Heart of Hanoi (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, begin your exploration at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, visiting the Presidential Palace grounds, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda while learning about Vietnam’s beloved national leader. Continue to the fascinating Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where exhibits beautifully showcase the traditions and lifestyles of the country’s 54 ethnic groups. Following lunch, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university and one of its best-preserved historical landmarks. Later, enjoy a relaxing cyclo ride through the bustling Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake before watching the famous Water Puppet Show. End the day with a delicious Vietnamese dinner at a carefully selected local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast, travel through the fertile Red River Delta to the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Along the way, admire picturesque rice fields, traditional villages, and peaceful rural landscapes. Upon arrival, board your premium overnight cruise and enjoy a welcome drink as the vessel begins sailing among thousands of spectacular limestone islands. Savor a freshly prepared seafood lunch while taking in the incredible scenery before enjoying activities such as kayaking, cave exploration, swimming, or simply relaxing on the sun deck. In the evening, delight in a gourmet dinner followed by optional squid fishing or stargazing. Overnight aboard your luxury cruise.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Start your morning with a refreshing Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over Halong Bay’s magical seascape. Enjoy breakfast while cruising through the bay’s magnificent limestone formations before returning to the harbor. Transfer back to Hanoi and continue directly to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, your guide will welcome you and escort you to your elegant 4-star hotel. Enjoy dinner featuring authentic Southern Vietnamese specialties before relaxing for the evening. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, travel to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an extraordinary underground network that played a vital role during the Vietnam War. Discover hidden passageways, underground living quarters, command centers, and learn about the remarkable resilience of the Vietnamese people. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch before visiting the War Remnants Museum, offering valuable historical insight into Vietnam’s modern history. Continue to the Reunification Palace, followed by the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral and the elegant Central Post Office, two of the city’s finest French colonial landmarks. Enjoy dinner at a renowned local restaurant before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 6: Authentic Mekong Delta Adventure – Ben Tre (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, travel to Ben Tre Province in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Cruise along peaceful waterways aboard a traditional wooden boat while observing daily village life, brick-making workshops, and coconut processing factories. Visit local families producing handcrafted coconut products and enjoy traditional Southern folk music performed by village artists. Continue by tuk-tuk through coconut groves and quiet countryside paths before boarding a hand-rowed sampan that glides gently beneath lush water coconut palms. Enjoy a delicious Mekong-style lunch prepared with fresh local ingredients before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh, Cambodia (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast, transfer to the bus station for your comfortable express coach journey to Phnom Penh. Cross the Vietnam–Cambodia border while enjoying scenic countryside views and glimpses of everyday rural life. Upon arrival in Cambodia’s vibrant capital, meet your local guide and transfer to your comfortable 4-star hotel. Spend the afternoon relaxing or exploring Phnom Penh’s riverside promenade before enjoying a traditional Khmer welcome dinner featuring authentic local flavors. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 8: Phnom Penh Historical & Cultural Tour (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Begin your day exploring Phnom Penh’s magnificent Royal Palace and the spectacular Silver Pagoda, home to priceless national treasures. Continue to the Independence Monument, Friendship Monument, National Museum, and Wat Phnom, the city’s most important religious landmark. After lunch, gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s recent history with visits to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These moving sites provide meaningful insight into Cambodia’s resilience and remarkable recovery. Return to the city for dinner and overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 9: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap Scenic Journey (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to Siem Reap through Cambodia’s beautiful countryside. Along the route, stop at Skoun Market, famous for its vibrant local atmosphere and traditional delicacies, before continuing to the ancient Angkor-era bridge at Kampong Kdei, one of the best-preserved stone bridges built during the 12th century. Arrive in Siem Reap during the afternoon and check into your elegant 4-star hotel. Enjoy free time before dinner featuring authentic Khmer cuisine. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 10: Angkor Thom – Ta Prohm – Angkor Wat (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Following breakfast, begin exploring the extraordinary Angkor Archaeological Park with the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom. Visit Bayon Temple with its iconic smiling stone faces, the Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Baphuon Temple, Royal Enclosure, and Phimeanakas before continuing to the enchanting Ta Prohm Temple, where giant tree roots embrace centuries-old ruins. After lunch, discover the breathtaking Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument and Cambodia’s greatest architectural masterpiece. In the evening, enjoy an unforgettable Khmer dinner accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance performance. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Banteay Srei & The Grand Circuit Temples (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Early risers may join the optional sunrise at Angkor Wat before breakfast. Afterwards, travel to the exquisite Banteay Srei Temple, admired worldwide for its intricate pink sandstone carvings and exceptional artistic beauty. After lunch, continue exploring the remarkable Grand Circuit, including Preah Khan, Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang, Neak Pean, and Ta Som, each revealing unique aspects of the Khmer Empire’s architectural brilliance. Conclude your day by watching the sunset from Pre Rup Temple, where panoramic views create an unforgettable ending to your Cambodian adventure. Return to Siem Reap for dinner and overnight.

Day 12: Tonle Sap Lake – Departure (Breakfast, Lunch)

After breakfast, visit Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and one of Cambodia’s most fascinating ecosystems. Enjoy a scenic boat excursion through floating villages where homes, schools, markets, and temples stand above the water. Meet local fishing communities and discover their unique traditions and daily life on the lake. Following lunch, transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight. Your unforgettable journey with Vietnam Women Travel comes to an end, leaving you with lasting memories of Vietnam’s vibrant culture, Cambodia’s extraordinary heritage, and the personalized service of our Premium Private Tours Led by Women.