Vietnam Cambodia Rural – 19Nights/20Days

Depart India this morning on a three-hour flight to Vietnam’s vibrant capital city, Hanoi. Meet your English-speaking guide and transfer to your central hotel. After time to relax, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show and dinner in the heart of Hanoi, renowned for its delectable cuisine.

This morning we visit a rural village on the outskirts of Hanoi. Stroll through the local market and meet farmers selling their produce before visiting a farmer growing a wide range of vegetable crops. Return to Hanoi for lunch and a tour of this delightful city including the tree-lined boulevards, French-colonial architecture, charming Old Quarter, lakes and ancient temples including the famous Temple of Literature. Enjoy the chance to further explore Hanoi or relax this evening.

Meals: B, L Overnight: Hanoi

Today we travel east and embark on an overnight cruise through Halong Bay, a World Heritage area of surreal beauty with its steep limestone islands, curious caves and hidden grottos. Enjo a fine dinner on board your cruise boat tonight.

Enjoy the day cruising the waters of Halong Bay. Early risers can watch the sunrise and take part in a Tai Chi class and later you have the chance to visit the famous Surprise Cave, spend time kayaking or swimming or simply relaxing on board. In the evening you may join an interactive cooking demonstration or try your luck at squid fishing.

After exploring more of the beautiful Bay, disembark the ship and return to Hanoi. Later take a short flight to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, set on the banks of the Perfume River. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning discover Vietnam’s royal past at Hue’s impressive Imperial City and the enclosed Forbidden Purple City. Later depart south through farmlands and along the scenic coastline of the South China Sea and through Hai Van Pass, a famous wartime hideout. Visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain, as well as the famous coastline known as “China Beach”. Continue to the delightful city of Hoi An with its ancient houses, lantern-lit streets and 400 year old Japanese covered bridge. Enjoy time to stroll the charming streets, lined with tailor shops (some offer 24 hour service!) and craft stores.

This morning visit a charming and historic little village renowned for its fresh vegetables and herbs. Learn how local growers use a natural algae fertiliser to enhance their produce. Later return to Hoi An where you have the rest of the day free to enjoy the delights of this charming town – perhaps take a cooking class, a cycle tour, enjoy the warm ocean waters or try out your bargaining skills in the local stores!

This morning depart Hoi An and fly to Nha Trang. Famed for its beautiful coastline, Nha Trang is the ideal place to take a break from your travels. After taking an orientation tour on arrival and checking into your beachside hotel, you are free to relax for the rest of the afternoon.

A free day to relax and take a dip in the warm waters of Nha Trang, enjoy local spa services, explore the sights or perhaps take a boat trip to visit the beautiful offshore islands.

This morning we travel to the Da Lat region of the South Central Highlands. Da Lat is the most productive agricultural area in Vietnam and a large variety of crops are grown here including rice, coffee, vegetables, flowers, tea and fruit. Visits will be made to several farms typical of the region during your stay.

We spend the morning visiting rural enterprises and taking in the panoramic mountain scenery. We visit a village and learn about local crafts including silk making. Later we visit a cricket farm – a source of protein for some Vietnamese – followed by a unique enterprise making weasal coffee (a delicacy!) and rice wine. 

This morning transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam’s largest city. On arrival we tour this famous city taking in sights such as the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office and the large and diverse Ben Thanh Market.

Visit the incredible Cu Chi tunnel network built by the Vietnamese resistance during wartime struggles before continuing to the Mekong Delta region, famous for its expansive rice fields – the “rice basket” of Vietnam – orchards and fish farms. Enjoy the evening in the heart of the Delta.

Return to Ho Chi Minh this morning. You have free time to further explore the city this afternoon before your final dinner in Vietnam.

This morning we take a boat ride on the Mekong RIver to visit the lively Cai Rang floating market where locals go to buy and sell a variety of fruit, vegetables and other products from boats of all sizes – a maze of hundreds of boats packed with mango, bananas, papaya, pineapple, drinks and even smuggled goods like cigarettes! Also visit a riverside rice mill, a vegetable grower, a fish farm and an orchard. Return to your charming hotel for the evening.

AAfter breakfast and time to pack, depart for the airport and check in for your return flight to New Zealand (via Singapore) or continue on to Cambodia.

This morning we transfer to the airport and take a short flight to Siem Reap. On arrival we take an orientation tour before checking into the hotel and enjoying the afternoon in Siem Reap. This evening we have a ‘Welcome’ dinner accompanied by a traditional Apsara (Khmer) dance performance.

Today we explore the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. A UNESCO World Heritage monument, this great masterpiece remains an identity of Cambodia. It is a true ancient wonder, the largest temple complex in the world and famed for its intricate carvings and technological advancement of its time. We begin with visiting the Preah Khan temple and Northern Baray ancient water reservoir. Next we visit Angkor Wat, thought to have been built under the reign of the Great King of Angkor, Suryavaraman

1. We continue to Bayon temple located in the same circuit and other temples such as Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant or Lipper King before returning to town. Evening at leisure.

This morning we explore the nearby rural village in collaboration with a local agricultural organisation. Enterprises include fish, pig, crop and vegetable operations. You’ll have the chance to engage with local farmers and learn about their way of life. After lunch you have time to enjoy the delights of Siem Reap – perhaps shop for silk or handcrafted shoes, take a cycle tour or simply relax and indulge in a little pampering.

This morning we depart for Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. On arrival tour the city once known as the “Pearl of Asia” including the Royal Palace and the central area where you gain an insight into Cambodia’s troubled past. Tonight we take a river cruise and enjoy a farewell dinner.

After breakfast and time to pack, transfer to the airport and fly to New Zealand (via Singapore)