Highlights of Cambodia and Vietnam

Visit both Cambodia and Vietnam in 12 days. Your journey is going to be fun, exciting and relaxing.

Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are cities that contain the richest Buddhism and Hinduism engravings in Cambodia. Your tour aims to explore the most remarkable religious relics in both cities: in Phnom Penh, you will visit the National Museum, which is the world's leading museum of Khmer sculpture, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, that are often regarded as the homes to amazing Buddhist statuary; then carry on to Siem Reap to see the earliest temples of the Angkor period at Roluos, the highlights of the grand circuit, sites of Angkor Thom, such as the Victory Gate, the Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, etc, and the magnificent Angkor Wat architectures.

Besides discovering valuable religious artifacts in both cities, you will get a chance to visit historical sites that were crucial during the Vietnam War: the Museum of Genocide located in Tuol Saleng, which was a torture center established by the Khmer Rouge intended to “clean up” Vietnamese Communist forces and the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek before heading to Vietnam.

Then carry on your adventures in Vietnam by touring Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the reputable Cu Chi Tunnel, which was a three-level underground city created by the Vietnamese communists during the Vietnam War, exploring the “Hanoi Hilton”, which is the former central prison in Hanoi and an unique overnight Halong Bay Cruise, following a freshly prepared seafood lunch onboard.

Day 1 : USA/HONG KONG/PHNOM PENH
accommodations: n/a
meals: n/a
Get onboard your international flight today to begin your Highlights of Cambodia and Vietnam tour.
Day 2: EN ROUTE
accommodations: n/a
meals: n/a
Cross the International Dateline enroute to Cambodia.
Day 3: HONG KONG/PHNOM PENH
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: L
Arrive in Hong Kong early this morning for your connecting flight to Phnom Penh. Your English-speaking guide and driver will meet you at the airport and provide a transfer to your hotel. After a traditional Cambodian lunch, begin your tour of Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia since the 15th century. Visit the National Museum, the world’s leading museum of Khmer sculpture. Your next stop is the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the home to a glittering array of Buddhist statuary followed by the genocide museum at Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields of Choeng Ek tours.
Day 4: PHNOM PENH/SIEM REAP
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon your arrival, visit the earliest temples of the Angkor period at Roluos, including Preah Ko, Bakong and Lolei for a chronological perspective on Angkor’s development. This afternoon, visit the highlights of the grand circuit, including Neak Poan, Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Preah Khan.
Day 5: SIEM REAP
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
After breakfast, visit the sites of Angkor Thom, including Victory Gate, the Bayon, Baphuon, Phimean Akas, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. After lunch, visit the highlights of the petit circuit, including Prasat Kravan, Sras Srang, Banteay Kdei, Takeo and jungle-clad Ta Prohm. Continue your tour at the magnificent Angkor Wat to view its architecture and bas-reliefs; remember to enjoy the sceneries during sunset as well.
Day 6: SIEM REAP/HO CHI MINH CITY
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning, your guide and driver will transfer you to the Siem Reap airport for your flight to HoChiMinh City. Meet your local English-speaking tour guide and driver upon your arrival and transfer to the hotel. After lunch, visit Dong Khoi Street, HoChiMinh Square, Municipal Theatre of French-Colonial design, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Reunification Palace. Explore the War Remnants Museum (established in Sept 1975), which carries countless artifacts, photographs and papers documenting the Vietnam War. Then drive to Cholon, the China town district of the city where you can visit the Binh Tay Wholesale Market and the ornate Thien Hau Pagoda.
Day 7: HO CHI MINH CITY/MEKONG DELTA/HO CHI MINH CITY
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
After breakfast, depart Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho and cross the Mekong Delta by boat to see the manufacturing of coconut tree handicrafts. After lunch, continue to Ben Tre to visit orchards, and tour a bee-keeping farm to taste natural honey and honey wine. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Day 8: HO CHI MINH CITY
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
This morning visit Cao Dai Great Temple, the main temple of the Cao Dai religion and the focal point of the Cao Dai complex called Holy See. The beautiful pastel colored architecture is set among a large complex of schools, dormitories and an herbal medicine clinic. After lunch, travel to the Cu Chi Tunnels located in an area known as the “Iron Triangle” during the Vietnam War to explore the strength of its Communist insurgency. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Day 9: HO CHI MIN CITY/HANOI
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L
Today's tour includes visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum—the Humble House on Stilts where Ho Chi Minh ruled Vietnam until his death in 1969; and the intriguing Ho Chi Minh Museum. You will also explore the Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Your tour goes on to visit Hanoi's first University—the Temple of Literature, which could be dated back to 1070; this historical learning center is currently devoted to promoting Confucian worship. Visit the infamous “Hanoi Hilton”, a former central prison in Hanoi. The site of the prison is recently developed even though one wing has been retained as a museum.
Day 10: HANOI/HALONG BAY
accommodations: Halong Bay Cruise Ship
meals: B/L/D
This morning, travel east to Hon Gai (approximately 170 km or three hours away from Hanoi), the gateway to Halong Bay. Pass through the fields where busy farmers plant their crops by using traditional methods of cultivation. The bay holds an important position in Vietnamese legend and continues to stimulate imaginations of visitors. Upon your arrival in Halong, transfer to your cruise ship for an overnight excursion.
Day 11: HALONG BAY/HANOI
accommodations: deluxe hotel
meals: B/L/D
Explore Thien Cung Cave and Dau Go Grotto this morning as you continue your cruise on Halong Bay. Enjoy a freshly prepared seafood lunch on board before your return trip back to Hanoi. Visit the Ceramic production house at Hai Duong Town and en route to Hanoi this afternoon for dinner and a traditional water puppet show.
Day 12: HANOI/HONG KONG/USA
accommodations: n/a
meals: B
Get onboard your morning flight to Hong Kong for your connecting international flight back to the United States. Cross the international Dateline and arrive home the same day.

Inclusions

  • Prices listed above include Super Deluxe hotels.
  • Tour price includes sightseeing and meals as specified on the itinerary; intra-Vietnam airfare, private transfers, ground transportation, hotel accommodations, and the services of an English- speaking guide and driver.
  • All prices are quoted in US Dollars, and are subjected to change without notice. Please check at the time of reservation.
  • All prices are quoted per person, based on two travelers sharing a room (double occupancy). Single supplement applies for single travelers.
  • International airfare is included in air and land packages.

Exclusions

  • Passport or Vietnamese visa application fees.
  • Tips to guides and drivers.
  • Expenses of a personal nature.

Important Remarks

  • Prices are valid April 01, 2008 -- March 31, 2009. All prices are subject to change without notice.
  • For different scheduled tour, please contact us for a price quote.
  • All prices are quoted in US dollars, per person based on two people sharing a room (double occupancy).
  • All prices exclude International airfare, visa, tipping, and personal expenses.
  • For international flight departing from your city, please contact our agents for special discount airfare.
  • Lotus Travel highly recommends clients to purchase travel insurance. The Travel Plus Plan offered by the Travelex Insurance Company has excellent travel benefits and children 15 and under are free of charge when traveling with an adult.
  • A Chinese visa issued at the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles is good for 6 months. We recommend applying for travel visas at least two months before your departure. For detailed information, please visit the Web page at http://www.lotustours.net/promo/visas/index.shtml
  • Lotus Travel offers a very affordable cell phone rental package to help you stay in touch with families while in China. Please contact our cell phone rental specialist Theresa for more details.
Tour Overview
  • Tour Code:
    HCV-26
  • Trip Duration:
    10 days/9 nights
  • Price:
    Adult: $2,999 (Land Only)
    Child: $2,400
  • Departure Dates:
    2008: 9/09, 10/10, 11/07, 12/12

    2009: 1/09, 2/13, 3/13, 4/11, 5/09, 6/13, 7/11, 8/08, 9/12, 10/10, 11/07, 12/12

    2010: 1/09, 2/13, 3/13