Mekong Delta Odyssey: From Siem Reap to Hanoi 14-Day

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport in Siem Reap, a charming city in northwestern Cambodia, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for check-in (standard check-in time is 2:00 PM).

Spend the rest of the day at leisure exploring Siem Reap. Visit the famous Angkor Wat temple complex, stroll through the bustling night market, or relax while enjoying local cuisine.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:
La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar
Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar
Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

Between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Siem Reap, depart for Angkor Thom, a magnificent architectural masterpiece built by King Jayavarman VII as a fortress at the heart of his empire following the Cham occupation from 1177 to 1181.

Begin at Bayon Temple, located at the center of Angkor Thom, showcasing the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s celebrated king. Stop for photos at the Terrace of the Leper King, a unique stone terrace in the Royal Square of Angkor Thom. Next, visit the Terrace of Elephants, used by the king for parades, performances, and traditional sports, and explore Baphuon, one of Angkor’s most beautiful temples, built in the 11th century during Uditayavarman I’s reign.

Continue to Ta Prohm, a picturesque temple nearly overtaken by the jungle, with magnificent tree roots entwined around huge stone blocks, creating an exotic and haunting scene.

Finally, visit Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building, a perfect blend of symbolism and symmetry, and a source of pride and strength for all Khmers.

Return to your hotel in Siem Reap between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

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Accommodation Options:
La Niche D’angkor Hotel - 3-star or similar
Royal Angkor Resort - 4-star or similar
Angkor Village Hotel - 5-star or similar

Between 8:00 AM and 8:15 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Siem Reap, embark on a boat ride to explore Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest permanent freshwater lake, which connects to the Tonle Sap River and joins the Mekong River in Phnom Penh. Witness the fascinating lifestyle of local fishermen in a floating village, featuring unique floating schools, a floating police station, and other facilities, moving with water levels and currents.

After the boat ride, transfer to Siem Reap bus station and board a shuttle bus to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh bus station in the late evening, our driver (no guide) will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

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Accommodation Options:
Okay Boutique Hotel - 3-star or similar
Anik Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar
Palace Gate Hotel - 5-star or similar

Between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Phnom Penh, begin your city tour with a visit to the Royal Palace compound, built in 1866 by King Norodom’s predecessors, showcasing colorful Khmer-style architecture and the city’s most prominent landmark. Adjacent is the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha Temple, displaying Buddha statues adorned with diamonds, emeralds, gold, and silver.

Next, visit the National Museum, a distinctive red building with Khmer architecture built in 1917, housing over 5,000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood, and other materials. Continue to the Independence Monument, constructed in 1954 to commemorate Cambodia’s independence from French colonial rule.

At noon, explore Phsar Thmey (Central Market), a 1937 dome-shaped building with four branching arms, offering countless stalls selling gold, silver, antique coins, books, flowers, fabrics, shoes, souvenirs, seafood, and more.

Proceed to Wat Phnom (Mountain Pagoda), a Buddhist temple on a hill, symbolizing Phnom Penh’s name. Built in 1372 to house four Buddha statues discovered by Lady Penh in the Mekong River, it’s a popular spot for locals to pray for good luck, play, and enjoy a stunning sunset.

In the late afternoon, embark on a sunset cruise on the Mekong River, viewing the Royal Palace as the river branches into four streams. Return to your hotel between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

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Accommodation Options:
Okay Boutique Hotel - 3-star or similar
Anik Palace Hotel - 4-star or similar
Palace Gate Hotel - 5-star or similar

At 7:00 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Phnom Penh, our guide and driver will pick you up at the pier and transfer you to Chau Doc, Vietnam via an express boat across the Song Tien/Vinh Xuong land border. The journey takes approximately 5 hours, with our team assisting you through the immigration process at the border. You’ll arrive in Chau Doc between 12:00 PM and 12:30 PM.

Upon arrival, visit the Ba Chua Xu Temple, the most important destination in Chau Doc, located at the foot of Sam Mountain. This temple, dedicated to the local goddess Ba Chua Xu, is revered for bringing good fortune and prosperity to devotees, attracting thousands during the Ba Chua Xu Festival (4th lunar month). Its Chinese-inspired architecture features a lotus-shaped layout and three-tiered blue-tiled roof. Note: Photography of the main statue is prohibited, and respectful attire is required due to the temple’s sacred nature.

Next, explore Sam Mountain (Forbidden Mountain), a 230-meter-high pilgrimage site offering panoramic views of the Mekong Delta and Cambodia. Known for its spiritual significance and lush scenery, the mountain includes other temples and pagodas at its base, enhancing its cultural allure.

After the sightseeing tour, check into your hotel in Chau Doc between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM and enjoy free time to explore the town or relax at the hotel. Consider visiting the Chau Doc Floating Market or local restaurants for authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

Important Notes: The land border is Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Song Tien/Vinh Xuong (Vietnam). Ensure you have a valid Vietnam visa before departure.

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Accommodation Options:
Chau Pho Hotel - 3-star or similar
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel - 4-star or similar
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel - 4-star (local best)

Between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Chau Doc, depart for Tra Su, a wild bird sanctuaryin the heart of the Mekong Delta. Cruise on small boats through splendid canals deep in the forest, observing storks, cranes, and other tropical birds in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, drive to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, check into your hotel between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM and enjoy free time to explore Can Tho at your leisure.

Overnight in Can Tho.

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Accommodation Options:
Iris Can Tho Hotel - 3-star or similar
TTC Hotel - Can Tho - 4-star or similar
Charmant Suites a Boutique Hotel - 5-star or similar

At 7:00 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Can Tho, embark on a boat trip to the Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Witness local farmers trading produce on the water, a centuries-old tradition, and sample local specialties like noodle soup, coffee, and fresh fruits.

After the market visit, drive to a fruit orchard to taste tropical fruits grown in the region and enjoy local tea. Then, travel to Ho Chi Minh City, arriving around 5:00 PM. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Accommodation Options:
Elios Hotel Saigon - 3-star or similar
Nesta Saigon Hotel - 4-star or similar
Majestic Saigon Hotel - 5-star or similar

Between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, embark on a fascinating tour of the city’s highlights. Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunning neo-Romanesque structure built by the French in the 19th century. Next, explore the Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, featuring intricate maps, designs, and arched windows. Then, tour the Reunification Palace, the former presidential palace of South Vietnam, a symbolof the country’s tumultuous past.

After lunch at a local restaurant, travel 75 km (approximately 1.5 hours) to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a popular destinationfor Vietnamese and foreign tourists. This 200km tunnel network, used during the Vietnam War, functioned as underground cities with trap doors, living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. Learn about the tunnel construction, explore war remnants, and gain insights into the harsh conditions and ingenious methods of life underground. Sample simple cuisine eaten by local fighters and venture into the tunnels for a firsthand experience.

Return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM for a comfortable overnight stay.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Accommodation Options:
Elios Hotel Saigon - 3-star or similar
Nesta Saigon Hotel - 4-star or similar
Majestic Saigon Hotel - 5-star or similar

After breakfast at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy a free day to explore the city at your leisure or indulge in shopping. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hoi An. Upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport, our representative will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in. Spend the rest of the dayrelaxing, exploring Hoi An, or shopping at your own pace.

Overnight in Hoi An.

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Accommodation Options:
Garden Palace Hotel and Spa - 4-star or similar
Lantana Riverside Hoi An Hotel - 4-star or similar
KOI Resorts and Spa - 5-star or similar

Between 8:15 AM and 8:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Hoi An, embark on a full-day excursion to explore Hoi An, a charming and historic trading center once known as “Faifo”, a key port for Dutch, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, and other Far East merchant vessels.

Begin with a visit to a temple in the center of Hoi An, featuring partially gilded statues reflecting Chinese and Japanese influences. Next, explore a pagoda dedicated to sailors and fishermen, and a chapel with origins from the 1700s.

Continue to the Sa Huynh Museum, near the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, showcasing exhibitions from Hoi An’s earliest history, offering insights into the city’s rich past.

In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to Kim Bong Village on Cam Kim Island, where you’ll observe skilled woodworkers and shipbuilding families practicing their traditional crafts for generations.

Return to your hotel at Cua Dai Beach, a world-famous beach, between 3:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Spend the evening at leisure, relaxing on the beautiful beach and enjoying the stunning scenery.

Overnight in Hoi An.

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Accommodation Options:
Garden Palace Hotel and Spa - 4-star or similar
Lantana Riverside Hoi An Hotel - 4-star or similar
KOI Resorts and Spa - 5-star or similar

After breakfast at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your early flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your friendly guide will pick you up to begin a full-day tour of Hanoi City between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM.

Start at Tran Quoc Pagoda, located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, built in the 6th century. Admire its stunning architecture and learn about its historical and cultural significance.

Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, viewing Ho Chi Minh’s embalmed body and strolling through the garden to see the two houses where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969. Explore the One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy, renowned as the world’s most unique pagoda. Note: If the tour falls on a Monday or Friday, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed, and an alternative itinerary will be arranged.

Continue to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum to explore the culture of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. If on a Monday, when the museum is closed, visit the Women’s Museum instead.

Enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, savoring authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, established in the 11th century, to learn about ancient Vietnamese education. Conclude at Hoa Lo Prison, used by French colonists for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War, known as the “Hanoi Hilton”.

Return to your hotel in Hanoi between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM for check-in and leisure time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

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Accommodation Options:
TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar
Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar
Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

Between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM, after breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi, our private mini-van/bus will pick you up for a 3.5-hour drive to Halong City, offering views of simple countryside and rice paddy life along the way. Upon arrival at the port, board an authentic Chinese Junk for an amazing cruise through Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy lunch on board, featuring a selection of the freshest seafood. Visit Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave), then take a swim in the tranquil emerald waters of Halong Bay. Cruise to a quiet area to anchor for the night. Savor dinner as the sun sets over the bay. Afterward, relax by swimming in the phosphorescent water, retiring to your cabin, or sleeping under the stars on the top deck, surrounded by Halong’s magical scenery.

Overnight on the cruise in Halong Bay.

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Accommodation Options:
MILA Cruises - 3-star or similar
MILA LUX Cruises - 4-star or similar
Paradise Sails Cruises - 5-star or similar

Wake up early to witness a beautiful sunrise and breathe in the fresh ocean air on your Halong Bay Cruise. Enjoy breakfast on the boat while leisurely cruising through thousands of stunning islands, offering an amazing opportunityfor breathtaking photographs. Visit a floating fishing village to hear legendary stories about the fishermen’s daily life.

Lunch will be served on board as you cruise back to Halong City pier. Transfer to Hanoi, arriving between 3:30 PM and 4:00 PM. Check into your hotel and enjoy free time to explore the fascinating Old Quarter of Hanoi, indulging in delicious local street food or browsing shops for souvenirs.

Overnight in Hanoi.

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Accommodation Options:
TK-123 Hanoi - 3-star or similar
Lion Boutique Hanoi Hotel - 4-star or similar
Hotel du Parc Hanoi - 5-star or similar

After breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi, enjoy free time until the standard check-out time of 12:00 PM. Explore Hanoiat your leisure or opt to extend your stay in the vibrant city, with airport transfer still available whenever you’re ready to depart.

When it’s time to leave, our team will provide a hassle-free airport transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight, included in your itinerary.

Thank you for choosing Legend Travel Group as your travel companion. We hope you had an unforgettable experience and look forward to welcoming you for future adventures. Safe travels!