Vietnam and Cambodia, From Hanoi to Siem Reap

Les incontournables du Vietnam et Angkor 4^*

On arrival at Hanoi Airport (HAN), you will be welcomed at the airport by your driver and driven to your hotel (room available from 2 p.m.).

Afterwards, you will have the afternoon free to explore the narrow streets of the historic city centre on foot or to relax.

Tip: take a stroll through the "36 Trades Quarter" and lose yourself in the countless narrow streets of Old Hanoi.

Meals included: dinner in a local restaurant

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: Distance from airport to Hanoi City Centre: 18.6 miles - approx. 1 hr.

The morning will be devoted to visiting the Vietnamese capital: first you will discover the mausoleum of Hô Chi Minh, featuring architecture that is reminiscent of that of Lenin in Moscow. You will then visit The House on Stilts, as well as the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th century by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong.

Finish the morning at the Vietnam Ethnography Museum, which is certainly one of the most interesting in the country (it is both a research centre and a public museum presenting the different ethnic groups of Vietnam).

In the afternoon, you will visit the Temple of Literature and the "First University of Vietnam", with its sumptuous courtyards, altars, and roofs - a fine example of Vietnamese architecture.

Puppet show on the water.

On this walk through the streets of the city, you'll understand what makes Hanoi's Old Quarter such a special place. You can sample all the Vietnamese specialities such as banh cuon (the traditional Vietnamese rice cake) or banh mi (the famous Vietnamese sandwich that even features in the Oxford Dictionary). Try the Vietnamese beer that is so popular with locals and travellers alike. You will also visit a Pho restaurant (Vietnamese noodle soup).

Then walk along the Hoan Kiem Lake before enjoying a tasty dessert at a Vietnamese ice cream parlour.

You will leave your guide after your ice cream break and continue your discovery of Hanoi's nightlife on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Please note:

• Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Every year, the monument closes for restoration between mid-September and mid-December.
• To be granted access to the mausoleum, your legs must be covered and you must stand in a line, two by two, in silence, without crossing your arms or putting your hands in your pockets.
• The Museum of Ethnography is closed on Mondays.

In the morning, you will set off by road towards Halong, arriving around midday.

You will embark on a cruise in the unmissable Halong Bay, on board a junk. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with its gigantic rocky islands covered with vegetation and seeming to emerge right out of the water. Halong Bay has around 1,900 islands and islets filled with rocky peaks, most of them uninhabited and unspoilt. This ensemble creates a spectacular seascape, which earnt it a place on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1994.

To finish the day, try your hand at night fishing on board your boat.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner (with dishes including seafood and fish from the Bay itself).

Distance: 112 miles - 2.5 to 3 hours by motorway.

Note: English-speaking guide on board.

The cruise will continue in the heart of the bay, finally disembarking in the late morning (depending on the season, it is advised that you do not get up too late so that you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise that gradually illuminates the bay, revealing all its beauty).

You will then return to Hanoi.

Enjoy a light dinner (e.g. Pho) before taking the night train to Huế.

Meals included: Breakfast (tea, coffee, pastries), brunch.

Please note:

• Distance from Halong to Hanoi: 112 miles - 2 to 2.5 hrs
• No guide on board the train during the journey.
• Trains in Vietnam are not very comfortable, and the journeys are noisy and hectic. What's more, the air conditioning in the cabins cannot be adjusted, so it is advised that you bring a sleeping bag or travel blanket for the train journey. There is no restaurant on board the train - plan to eat prior to departure.

After arriving by train in the morning in Huế (approx. 8:40 - 9 a.m.), you will have the opportunity to visit the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful sites in Hué, which exudes tranquillity and is a prime example of traditional Vietnamese art. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty (16th-20th centuries) and the French colonial invasion.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Citadel, constructed from 1804 onwards under the orders of the first emperor Gia Long. Remarkable on account of its fortress-like appearance, entrenched right in the heart of the city. Inspired by Vauban's fortifications, it is split into three different parts: the capital city (Kinh Thanh), the imperial city (Hoang Thanh) and the forbidden city (Cam Thanh). It was largely destroyed in 1968 during the Vietnam War.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, you will visit a unique arena, off the beaten track, where emperors, mandarins, and locals engaged in fierce battles between elephants and tigers during the Nguyen dynasty.

After a short walk, you will visit Long Chau Temple, known as "the Palace of Crying Elephants".

After the tour, you will begin a bicycle ride to the village of Thuy Bieu, where you will explore the old vilage quarters and its garden houses, a characteristic feature of the city of Huế. The walk ends at a local home, where you will be welcomed by the host and treated to a lunch of local cuisine.

In the afternoon you will depart Huế for Danang. You will pass over the spectacular Hai Van pass, the "Cloud Pass", which offers a superb panoramic view of the bay below. You will make several stops along the way, including one at the idyllic beach of Lang Co before arriving in Hoi An.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Notes:

• Duration of the excursion: 3 hours.
• Distance and duration of bike ride: 5 miles, approx. 1 hour.
• Level: 0. If you are unable to cycle, you can get an electric bike at an additional cost on site.
• Distances: Huế - Hoi An: 93 miles - approx. 4-hour drive.

In the morning, you will discover the Old Town of Hoi An, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The originality of the site lies in the fact that it blends Vietnamese, Japanese, Chinese, and French architectural elements. You will then go for a bike ride to the vegetable-growing village of Tra Que, renowned for its aromatic herbs** (mint and basil in particular). This morning is also a great opportunity to discover how the local farmers live and how they grow their crops. They will also introduce you to the work that goes into digging and picking vegetables.

At lunch, you will sample the famous village speciality, tam huu, an assortment of shrimp, pork and herbs, as well as six other kinds of regional speciality.

Then you will return to Hoi An in the early afternoon. You will then have the afternoon free to explore the city or enjoy the beach.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Please note:

• Distance and duration of cycling activity: 2.5 miles - approx. 20 minutes.

If you are unable to cycle, you can get an electric bike at an additional cost on site.

After breakfast, a bus will take you to Da Nang Airport where you will catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. You will be met at Ho Chi Minh City Airport and taken to your hotel.

Once you've settled in, set off to explore the former French colonial city. This tour will take you past the city's notable sites: the former post office (built during the French Indochina period), the Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior), the Chinese quarter of Cholon and the Ben Thanh Market (where you will find shoes, accessories, jewellery, fabric, pet shops, handicrafts, flowers, spices, a range of foods, and restaurants).

After the tour, cocktail tasting in the late afternoon.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch in a local restaurant.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

*Note: The Cathedral is closed for renovation until 2027 - Exterior view only.

Set off in the morning to discover the town of Ben Tre, Vietnam's "Green Venice", located at the mouth of the Mekong River. You will visit a brick factory in Phong Nam, where bricks are still made by hand with great care and precision. Then you will board a boat for a cruise along the Chet Say River (one of the branches of the Mekong). You will stop multiple time to discover different local workshops, which will give you a better understanding of the local economy. Discover the coconut charcoal factory and even a coconut processing workshop. Then the boat will cross a small canal, and stop in a village where you will continue exploring the delta with a visit to a carpet weaving workshop. You can even try your hand at this activity, before getting into your xe loi (a kind of motorised rickshaw) or going on a bike ride around the village.

Here you will see traditional farms, rice paddies, and vegetable fields, before stopping at a small local restaurant to enjoy a delicious lunch of regional specialities (including "elephant ear fish" and freshwater shrimp).

Then it will be time to board a sampan (a traditional flat-bottomed boat) for a relaxing cruise along the canals.

You will return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Note: Distance: 56 miles - approx. 2.5 hours one way.

Today, you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. On arrival at the airport, you will be met by your driver and taken to your hotel (rooms available from 2 p.m.).

Free time to explore Siem Reap on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Note: Transfers will be without a guide (driver only).

After breakfast, you will meet your guide at the hotel reception before setting off to discover the wonderful temple of Angkor Wat, a World Heritage site with its slender towers and magnificent low-relief carvings.

Built in the 12th century (1112-1152) in honour of Vishnu, it is one of the most extraordinary monuments ever conceived by the human mind.

In the afternoon, you will head for Banteay Srei, where one of the most impressive jewels of Khmer art remains. Built in the 10th century, this small pink sandstone temple, the name of which means "the citadel of women", contains some remarkable, very well-preserved sculpted lintels.

On the way back, you will visit the ancient Ta Prohm Monastery, where the immense kapok trees have taken root between the stones. Aside from the impressive plantlife, you'll find magnificent sculpted devatas and an atmosphere that is truly unique to this temple and to temples built during the reign of Jayavarman VII in general.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day of discovery in a tuk tuk.

In the morning you will concentrate on the northern part of the site. Your first stop is Preah Khan, built in 1191 by the great Jayavarman VII. A little further on, you will visit the Neak Pean Temple dating from the same century, the only Angkorian temple situated on top of an island. It is said to represent Anavatapta, a mythical and sacred lake in the Himalayas whose waters have the power to heal and are revered by the Indians.

You will continue your journey southwards to two beautiful temples: Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, both built in the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II.

In the afternoon, you will take a road lined with gigantic century-old trees. Suddenly, you'll see a majestic stone gateway and enter Angkor Thom, also known as "the great city". Seeming to appear as if by magic in the middle of nowhere, you can admire the enormous smiling faces carved into the stone: welcome to the Bayon Temple, constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries. This incredible monument is surrounded by 54 towers, each adorned with 4 faces. After the Bayon temple, you will head to Baphuon, a mountain temple built in the 11th century and restored by French architects. You can then admire the 350-metre-long Terrace of the Elephants, which was used for royal audiences and public ceremonies. Further on, you will visit the Terrace of the Leper King, built in the 12th century and covered with magnificent sculptures of Apsaras.

To help you make the most of the marvellous Angkor site, we offer the chance to experience the sunset at Près Rup.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will board a local boat from Kompong Khleang and meander leisurely on the Tonle Sap Lake to observe the small floating villages, both Khmer and Vietnamese. It is not uncommon to come across Vietnamese families in this region of Cambodia. The small local boat will enable you to move easily along the various canals that join the large lake. Upon reaching the mouth of the river, where you see nothing but water as far as the eye can see, that's when you realise just how immense this lake is! During the dry season, you can take a stroll with the locals before embarking on your cruise.

Return to Siem Reap. Meeting with the Eco Soap Bank NGO in Cambodia. A one-and-a-half hour workshop awaits, providing another perspective on life in Cambodia. You'll get a brief introduction to the NGO and its "magic hands", and you'll be able to observe the various stages of the incredible soap recycling process. Once the presentation is over, it's your turn to... wash your hands! You'll roll up your sleeves and start work on making your own bar of soap, with the help of local women. Participation in this workshop enables 50 bars of soap to be made, covering part of the annual distribution of soap required by the Angkor Children's Hospital. Feel free to bring your soap and donate it to Eco Soap Bank.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Note: From 15 February, due to low water levels, large boats accommodating more than 10 people will no longer be navigable. For groups of 10 or more, the boat trip will be to Chong Kneas.

Free time until the departure of your chauffeur-driven transfer to the airport to catch your return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Notes:

• The room is available until midday
• The journey to the airport will be unguided.
• This tour strictly follows an ethical charter for sustainable tourism drawn up in collaboration with ChildSafe and Travelife. The environmental impact is controlled and the economic and social impact is positive.

• For people booking the "hotel-only" package (without international flights), please send us your flight details as soon as possible via the contact form located in the "Help and contact" section at the bottom of the page, so that we can organise your transfers.

- PLEASE NOTE: Your arrival flight must land before 2 p.m. Your departure flight must take off after 12 noon. Outside these times, please add a private transfer at additional cost.

_ Flight times and exact hotel names will be given when the voucher is sent, i.e. maximum 48 hours before departure.

• Domestic flight times are given as a guide only and are subject to change without prior notice.

Passport/visa formalities:

Vietnam:

Since 15 August 2023, French nationals have been exempt from any visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days** (including days of arrival and departure), regardless of the type of passport or the purpose of the stay.

To benefit from this visa exemption, the expiry date of the French passport must at least six months after the end of the stay in Vietnam.

Cambodia:

All travel to Cambodia requires a visa. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 6 months.
Visas can be obtained in a number of different ways (the price of a visa may vary by a few dollars depending on the method used; bring some cash in USD as payment by bank card is not always available):

Prior to departure, online (e-visa): tourist visa (type "T")

Prior to departure, at the Cambodian embassy in your country of residence;

On arrival, at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports, at dedicated immigration counters, on payment of a USD 30 fee for a 1-month tourist visa (please bring a 4x6 cm passport photo).

On arrival at land border crossings from Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam. Visa fees at land borders may vary (around USD 40). Bring cash in USD (payment by bank card is not always available);

All trips to Cambodia require insurance covering hospitalisation and repatriation costs, which cannot be covered by the embassy under any circumstances.

Maximum group size: 20 people.

Round trip hotel/airport transfers are included.

Tips for drivers and guides are expected.

Accommodation:

During your stay, you will stay in the accommodation listed or in similar accommodation if unavailable.

Type of accommodation: Single, double, twin or triple rooms, depending on the number of guests.

As a general rule, it is only possible to add an extra bed for 1 child under the age of 12. One bedroom can accommodate a maximum of 1 double bed and 1 single bed.

Note regarding triple rooms: If the customer books a triple room, there is no extra charge at the hotels. On the junk cruise, however, we must pay a supplement of USD 55/person as we would need to book 2 cabins (1DBL/TWN + 1 SGL cabin) as there are rarely any TPL cabins on the junk.

Check-in / Check-out in Vietnam: We would like to point out that the official hotel check in/out times are 2 p.m. for check-in and 12pm for check-out.

Local English-speaking guides are provided as mentioned in the itinerary, except in Halong Bay (English-speaking guide on board) or on the days marked as being without a guide.