Southern Vietnam & Cambodia Wonders in 14 Days

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, a vibrant destination where modern city life blends with longstanding Vietnamese traditions.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), meet your private guide and driver, who will welcome you with a personalized sign and arrange your private transfer to the hotel in the city center.
After check-in, the rest of the day is free to relax after your flight or get your first taste of Saigon. Step out to discover its bustling streets, stop at a traditional Vietnamese coffee shop, or sample the city’s diverse street food scene as the evening comes alive. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Discover Ho Chi Minh City through its cuisine and historic landmarks. Start the day with a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class, where a local chef introduces you to the fresh ingredients, traditional techniques and distinctive flavors that shape Southern Vietnamese cuisine. Enjoy the dishes you have prepared for lunch.

In the afternoon, discover the city's rich history through visits to iconic landmarks, including the Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the Saigon Central Post Office. These historic sites offer fascinating insights into Ho Chi Minh City's colonial past and its development over the years.

At 6:30 PM, transfer to Bach Dang Harbour to board your dinner cruise along the Saigon River. Enjoy a Vietnamese dinner while taking in views of the illuminated skyline and waterfront, offering a relaxing end to your day in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the morning, depart Ho Chi Minh City for Tay Ninh Province to visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, the spiritual center of Caodaism. If your visit coincides with the midday ceremony, observe this colorful religious service and learn about Caodaism, a distinctive Vietnamese religion that draws on elements of Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism and Confucianism.

Enjoy lunch at a carefully selected restaurant before continuing to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used by Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Explore sections of the tunnels and discover the underground living quarters, field hospitals and other facilities that supported life during wartime. The visit offers insight into the ingenuity, hardships and resilience of those who lived and fought in this underground network.
In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

At 8:00 AM, depart Ho Chi Minh City for Ben Tre, a Mekong Delta province known for its coconut groves, winding waterways and traditional village life.
On arrival, take a boat trip along the Mekong River, then board a traditional hand-rowed sampan to explore narrow canals shaded by water coconut palms. Visit local family workshops to see how coconut candy is made and discover the traditional craft of sedge mat weaving. Along the way, enjoy fresh tropical fruits and honey tea while listening to Don Ca Tai Tu, the traditional folk music of Southern Vietnam.
Continue to a garden house restaurant in the village for lunch, featuring Mekong Delta specialties, including the region's well-known elephant ear fish.

In the afternoon, visit Dong Tam Snake Farm to learn about snake species, venom research and the farm's role in snakebite treatment. Continue to Vinh Trang Pagoda, a well-known Buddhist temple admired for its distinctive combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European architectural influences.
Later, drive to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing or taking an evening stroll around Ninh Kieu Wharf.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Mekong Delta

Ben Tre

Can Tho City

Rise early at 5:30 AM to experience Cai Rang Floating Market at its liveliest, typically between 5:30 and 7:30 AM. Board a private boat and cruise along the bustling waterways as vendors trade fresh tropical fruits, vegetables and other regional produce directly from their boats.

During your visit, try a hot bowl of traditional Hu Tieu (Vietnamese noodle soup) served from a floating food boat. This local breakfast specialty gained international attention when renowned chef Gordon Ramsay sampled a bowl during his visit to Vietnam and praised it as one of the most delicious dishes he had ever tasted.

After exploring the floating market, return to your hotel for breakfast and check-out. Continue to a local fruit orchard, where you can sample fresh seasonal fruits straight from the trees and learn about the daily lives and traditional livelihoods of people in the Mekong Delta.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before departing Can Tho for the drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and enjoy a private transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Mui Ne, a coastal destination known for its sandy beaches and relaxed seaside atmosphere. The drive takes approximately 3 hours.

Upon arrival, check in at your beachside resort and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Relax by the swimming pool, stroll along the sandy beach, take a refreshing swim in the sea, or enjoy optional beach activities and water sports.

Overnight in Mui Ne.

Enjoy the next few days at your leisure in Mui Ne. Relax on the sandy beaches, swim in the sea, or unwind by your resort's swimming pool with a refreshing drink.

If you feel like exploring, there are several optional activities to discover the area. Visit the famous White and Red Sand Dunes at sunrise or sunset, try sand sliding or an ATV ride across the dunes, or take a peaceful walk along the Fairy Stream (Suoi Tien). You can also explore the local fishing village and sample freshly prepared seafood at a seaside restaurant.

Overnight in Mui Ne.

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Mui Ne before checking out of your hotel. At the appropriate time, meet your driver for a private transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City for your flight to Siem Reap.
Board the flight KR 730, departing at 2:00 PM, and travel to Cambodia. Upon arrival at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), meet your local guide and driver for a private transfer to your hotel.

After check-in, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Relax at the hotel or head out to explore the nearby area before beginning your Angkor temple discoveries the following day.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Restaurants in Siem Reap

Siem Reap Province

Start early with a visit to Angkor Wat, Cambodia's most iconic temple and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its impressive galleries, intricate bas-reliefs, and grand towers while learning about the history and symbolism of the Khmer Empire. The temple's scale and detailed stone carvings offer a remarkable introduction to Angkor's architectural heritage.

Continue exploring the Angkor Archaeological Park and discover more of the ancient Khmer civilization through its remarkable temple complex. Your guide will share insights into the history, religious traditions, and architectural features that make Angkor one of Southeast Asia's most significant archaeological sites.

After lunch, enjoy some free time in Siem Reap to relax at your hotel or explore the town. Later in the afternoon, head to Phnom Bakheng for panoramic views over the surrounding landscape and, weather permitting, a memorable sunset. (Please note that access to the top sunset viewing area is subject to visitor limits).

In the evening, enjoy dinner by the lakeside at Lotus Lake, a peaceful setting to unwind after a day exploring Angkor. You may also have time to enjoy optional activities around the lake, depending on availability.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Today, continue exploring the Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city built by King Jayavarman VII. Enter through its impressive South Gate and discover the Bayon Temple, renowned for its towers adorned with carved stone faces. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, where intricate stone reliefs offer a glimpse into the art and royal life of the Khmer Empire.

In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, one of Angkor's most distinctive temples, famously featured in the film Tomb Raider. The temple is known for its ancient stone structures intertwined with enormous tree roots and surrounded by dense vegetation. Walk through its weathered corridors and courtyards to appreciate the remarkable relationship between the temple ruins and the surrounding forest.

After exploring these remarkable Khmer temples, return to Siem Reap and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may relax at your hotel or explore the town's lively evening streets.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

In the morning, drive to Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, and board a private wooden boat to explore Kompong Phluk, depending on seasonal water levels and local conditions. Discover the distinctive way of life in these lakeside communities, where stilt houses and floating structures adapt to the lake's changing waters. At Kompong Phluk, cruise through flooded mangrove forests when water levels permit and observe daily activities along the waterways.

On the way back to Siem Reap, stop at a local Buddhist pagoda for a traditional Khmer water blessing ceremony (Sraung Preah). Led by resident monks, the ceremony involves prayers and the sprinkling or pouring of blessed water, symbolizing wishes for good fortune, peace, health, and safe travels. Your guide will explain the customs and help you participate respectfully.

Return to Siem Reap for lunch at a local restaurant. The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax by the pool, enjoy an optional Khmer massage, or browse handicrafts and souvenirs at the Old Market (Phsar Chas).

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and spend the remaining time at leisure in Siem Reap. You may browse for last-minute souvenirs, take a leisurely stroll around town, or relax by the pool before departure.

At the scheduled time, meet your private driver for a transfer to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) for your onward flight.

Thank you for choosing WaytoVietnam Travel for your trip through Vietnam and Cambodia. We hope you take home wonderful memories of your travels and look forward to welcoming you on another tour with us in the future.

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