General Information
Tour Route: Tour Route: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Phnom Penh – Koh Chen/Oudong – Border – Chau Doc – Sa Dec – Vinh Long – Cai Be – My Tho – Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnel – Con Dao Island
Duration: 14 Days
Start/End: Siem Reap/Ho Chi Minh city
River Cruise Name: Toum Tiou II Cruise (Downstream)
Cruise Type: Deluxe, Sharing, 14 cabins
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Siem Reap Arrival (D)
As soon as you arrive at the airport, the local guide will greet and transfer you to hotel in the center of Siem Reap, check-in and take a short rest. After that, we will begin the trip by visiting the “temple of female warriors” Banteay Srei, which has existed for nearly 1000 years. Banteay Srei proudly ranks first in the sophistication among all temples in Cambodia, even more than Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom. The temple is built from small sandstone blocks, walls carved with beautiful floral art. The attention and sophistication of each painting line make many tourists surprise. The statues of Buddha, spirit, movement, … are also meticulously sculpted to create life.
Return to Siem Reap to prepare for dinner and show at Phare Circus. The variety of Khmer cuisines will stimulate your appetite, then head to the circus tent to see the performer’s work. The show will last for more than 1 hour, this is an activity to help homeless, orphans and families have many difficulties in life.
After Phare Circus, explore Angkor Night Market with your guide to better understand the local customs, culture, and traditions. In this open-air market, you can find a wide range of clothes, handicrafts, silk paintings as well as handbags from recycled materials… all can be found here.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 2: Angkor Full Day Tour (B, L)
Today, we would like to take you to visit Angkor Wat, the pride of the Cambodian people. This place is a unique destination not to be missed in the journey of mysterious Cambodia. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, with a circumference of nearly 6km and an area of about 200 ha. Angkor Wat is the only temple in Cambodia that has the main entrance on the west, sunset direction. The temple architecture is modeled after the great Meru mountain of India, the highest central tower of 65m symbolizes the legendary Meru mountain, the surrounding five towers correspond to the five peaks. The entire structure is built of sandstone and honeycomb stone. All of those large blocks of stone were stacked on top of each other without any binders or reinforced concrete. We will visit the two main temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, which the most famous temples of this. Next, visit Bayon, Baphoun and Leper King Terrace, Phimeanakas, and then Ta Prohm. At the end of today, we will climb to the top of Bakheng Mountain to watch the sunset, you will admire and be overwhelmed by the red sun scene that gradually spread the last cluster of golden sunlight into the vast plains of Siem Reap at the foot of the hill. Return to hotel and lecture time in the evening.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (B)
Breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a short flight to Phnom Penh. Warmly welcomed by the local tour guide then we will visit some of the most highlight locations in this bustling city. Head to the famous Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields in Choeung Ek, we also can choose to visit the Russian market, where you can find many products including jewelry, souvenir. After that check-in, relax at the hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 4: (River Cruise begin) Phnom Penh – Kampong Tralach (B, L, D)
Pick up at hotel and transfer to Phnom Penh port, we will start the trip along the Mekong River from here. Lunch is served on the boat while we head to Kampong Tralach to visit the wonderful Vihara. You will also have the opportunity to see the green rice fields when passing by the village. Then return to the boat to depart for Koh Chen. Enjoy a great dinner and relax onboard.
Overnight on board.
Day 5: Koh Chen/Oudong – Phnom Penh – Border (B, L, D)
We will reach Koh Chen in the morning, a small village where residents specialize in silver and copper. You might feel excited and curious about the decorative items including fruit carved exquisitely to use for traditional events of the people here. Next, we will visit the hill of Oudong, the ancient capital of Cambodia. After that, we return to have lunch on board, the remaining time you are free to relax, this is also the last day we are in Phnom Penh before continuing the journey downstream.
Overnight on board.
Day 6: Border – Chau Doc (B, L, D)
This morning, the Toum Tiou crosses the border to Chau Doc, a border town located at the intersection of a tributary linking the Bassac and the Mekong River, which is also a place where many different cultures converge such as Chinese, Cham, and Khmer. We will take some time to visit the town, an ideal place to feel the bustle of the local market. The ship continues towards Sa Dec.
Day 7: Sa Dec – Vinh Long (B, L, D)
After energetic breakfast, we will go deeper into Sa Dec – Vinh Long by local boat, stop at a brick and pottery factory, Binh Hoa Phuoc island, and orchard. We also take you to a typical local house and a gallery of traditional farming tools. Passengers re-embark the board then cruise to My Tho. A hearty dinner is served.
Overnight onboard near Thoi Son Island – My Tho.
Day 8: Cai Be – My Tho (B, L, D)
On the 5th day onboard, hop on a local boat to the mainland of My Tho where you will visit the most famous places in the Mekong Delta, visit countless fruit orchards, especially coconut trees, bananas trees, and mango trees with immense rice fields. The last destination of this river cruise is Ho Chi Minh City, please enjoy the evening as well as a delicious farewell dinner.
Overnight on board
Day 9: My Tho – Ho Chi Minh city (B)
The Toum Tiou Cruise departs for Ho Chi Minh city. You will enjoy breakfast before arriving at port. After disembarking, we will pick up and check-in at hotel in Saigon city. Free time for the rest of the day.
Overnight at Ho Chi Minh city
Day 10: Cu Chi tunnel + City tour (B, L)
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, our guide will pick you up at hotel and spend the day visiting all the highlights of this city. Depending on the weather, we will arrange to visit Cu Chi or the city first.
After reaching Cu Chi, you will see the vivid footage of the fierce battle that has passed, about the hard moments of fighting against foreign invaders of Vietnamese people. Explore the Tunnels – an underground defense system, witnessing homemade weapons, bamboo traps. Moreover, this is also a place for the daily life of soldiers, you can see the living area including kitchen, bedroom, armory, field hospital, and command center… Enjoy a little bit of hot tea and rice tapioca, the main food during the war. Lunch at local restaurant.
Then return to the city center to visit some more historic places such as Reunification Palace, War Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Old Post office. Before back to the hotel for relaxing, visit the city’s most famous market: Ben Thanh Market, test your bargaining skills when buying a few souvenirs.
Overnight at Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 11: Con Dao island (B, L)
Break first at hotel then follow our guide to the airport for a short flight to Con Dao Island.
Upon arrival, you will be welcome and transferred to the resort. Enjoy beautiful beaches, great atmosphere as well.
Overnight at Con Dao island.
Day 12: Con Dao free day (B)
We suggest waking up early to enjoy sunrise, breakfast at resort.
The island is not only famous for its beautiful beaches but also associated with the Vietnam Wars. Con Dao prison was considered a “hell on earth” during the war. This prison system was built by the French to detain prisoners who are particularly dangerous for the French colonial regime such as political prisoners, death row inmates, communist characters against the colonial government.
The most famous place is the “tiger barn” which is the harshest solitary confinement. Prisoners here are confined in rooms only 5m² wide, without beds. Free time to go swimming at Dat Doc Beach or Lo Voi Cape.
Day 13: Free and Easy day (B)
This day there are many options that you can choose:
- Option 1: Explore the island by yourself
- Option 2: Visit Hon Tai & Hon Bay Canh
- Option 3: Visit Con Dao National Park
Day 14: International Flight (B)
You are free until we transfer to the airport, flight to Tan San Nhat airport then catch another flight back home. Trip end.
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