Cambodia and Vietnam Tour 17 Days: Siem Reap to Hanoi

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your full-day exploration of the legendary Angkor Archaeological Park, one of Cambodia’s most iconic cultural treasures and a highlight of any Vietnam and Cambodia 17-day itinerary.

Start your visit at the impressive South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last great capital of the Khmer Empire. Continue to the magnificent Bayon Temple, famous for its mysterious smiling stone faces and remarkable Khmer architecture. Then visit the Terrace of the Elephants, once used as a royal viewing platform for public ceremonies and military processions.

Continue to Baphuon Temple, an impressive three-tiered temple mountain located within Angkor Thom. Carefully restored after decades of conservation work, Baphuon offers deeper insight into the scale, engineering, and religious heritage of the Angkor civilization.

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the iconic Angkor Wat, Cambodia’s most legendary temple and the largest religious monument in the world. Admire its grand towers, long galleries, intricate carvings, and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the spiritual symbolism of the Khmer Empire.

In the late afternoon, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Angkor Wat as the soft golden light enhances the beauty of the ancient temple complex, subject to weather conditions. Afterward, return to Siem Reap and enjoy the evening at your own leisure.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast at the hotel, continue your discovery of the Angkor Archaeological Park with a visit to Ta Prohm Temple, one of Angkor’s most atmospheric temples. Famous for its giant tree roots embracing ancient stone walls, Ta Prohm offers a memorable jungle-temple setting and a striking contrast to the grandeur of Angkor Wat.

Continue to Banteay Srei Temple, often admired as one of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. Built from pink sandstone, this small but richly decorated temple is known for its delicate carvings, detailed lintels, and elegant architectural style.

Have lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional flavors.

In the afternoon, travel to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and an important part of Cambodia’s natural and cultural landscape. Take a boat trip to visit a local floating village, such as Kampong Phluk, where you can observe traditional stilt houses, fishing activities, and daily life connected to the lake. This visit offers a deeper understanding of Cambodia beyond the Angkor temples, combining local culture, nature, and community life.

After the visit, return to Siem Reap and enjoy the evening at your leisure.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart from Siem Reap for Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s vibrant capital city. Travel by private vehicle through the Cambodian countryside, passing rural villages, rice fields, palm trees, and local landscapes that offer a glimpse into everyday life beyond the Angkor temples.

Along the way, enjoy a short stop at a local market or village, where you may see regional snacks, seasonal fruits, and traditional products. This light cultural stop helps break up the journey and adds a local touch to your overland travel experience.

Optional stop: Depending on timing and road conditions, visit a traditional local market or an ancient bridge along the way for a closer look at Cambodia’s rural culture and historical heritage.

Continue with lunch at a local restaurant en route before driving onward to Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax after the journey. Located at the confluence of the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers, Phnom Penh is known for its riverside atmosphere, French colonial heritage, royal landmarks, and complex modern history.

In the late afternoon or early evening, you may take a gentle walk along the lively riverside promenade, enjoy the sunset atmosphere by the river, or explore nearby cafés and local markets at your own pace.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your full-day Phnom Penh city tour, exploring Cambodia’s vibrant capital where royal heritage, Khmer art, riverside life, French colonial charm, and modern history come together.

Start with a visit to the Royal Palace Phnom Penh, the official residence of the Cambodian royal family. Admire its elegant Khmer architecture, golden roofs, peaceful courtyards, and beautifully decorated buildings. Continue to the Silver Pagoda, located within the palace complex and known for its sacred Buddhist statues, cultural treasures, and refined royal atmosphere.

Next, visit the National Museum of Cambodia, home to one of the world’s finest collections of Khmer art. The museum offers valuable insight into Cambodia’s ancient civilization, religious traditions, and artistic heritage, making it a meaningful cultural complement to your Angkor experience in Siem Reap.

Savor lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties.

In the afternoon, continue with a respectful visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school used as a detention and interrogation center during the Khmer Rouge period. This visit provides an important understanding of Cambodia’s modern history and the resilience of its people.

Afterward, visit the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, one of the most significant memorial sites related to the Khmer Rouge era. The visit offers a reflective insight into Cambodia’s tragic past while honoring the memory of those who lost their lives.

After the day’s tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s dynamic southern metropolis.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is famous for its energetic street life, French colonial landmarks, bustling markets, rooftop cafés, and vibrant food culture.

The afternoon is free at leisure to relax after your flight or explore the city at your own pace.

In the evening, enjoy an exciting Ho Chi Minh City motorbike street food tour, one of the best ways to experience Saigon after dark. Travel safely with experienced local riders through lively streets and hidden neighborhoods with experienced drivers, stopping at authentic food spots to taste popular Vietnamese dishes, street snacks, and refreshing drinks. Along the way, discover the city’s evening atmosphere, food culture, and everyday life beyond the main tourist areas.

After the tour, return to your hotel for some time to relax.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Ho Chi Minh City for the Mekong Delta. On the way, stop in My Tho to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, one of the most beautiful and well-known Buddhist pagodas in southern Vietnam. Admire its peaceful atmosphere, decorative architecture, and cultural details before continuing to Ben Tre, a charming province known for coconut groves, river canals, fruit orchards, and traditional village life.

Upon arrival, take a boat trip along the small Mekong Delta waterways, passing local houses, coconut palms, and riverside villages. Visit a local workshop to see how regional products such as coconut candy or handmade crafts are produced, offering insight into the daily life and traditional skills of Mekong Delta communities.

Continue with a gentle walk or short cycling experience through quiet village paths, where you can enjoy the relaxed countryside atmosphere, tropical gardens, and authentic rural scenes. You may also take a traditional sampan ride through narrow canals shaded by water coconut trees, one of the most memorable experiences in the Mekong Delta.

Savor lunch at a local restaurant featuring Mekong Delta specialties.

In the afternoon, continue exploring the rural charm of the region before returning to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon. The evening is free at leisure.

Enjoy free time in the evening for your own activities.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Ho Chi Minh City for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most significant historical sites in southern Vietnam. This vast underground network offers fascinating insight into Vietnam’s wartime history, local resilience, and the unique tunnel system used during the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, explore selected sections of the tunnels, learn how they were constructed, and discover hidden entrances, underground living areas, trapdoors, command rooms, and wartime facilities. This visit provides a deeper understanding of the historical importance of the Cu Chi Tunnels and their role in Vietnam’s modern history.

After returning to Ho Chi Minh City, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue with a guided Ho Chi Minh City tour, discovering the city’s most iconic landmarks, colonial-era architecture, and modern history. Visit the Reunification Palace, formerly known as the Independence Palace, an important historical site connected to the end of the Vietnam War.

Continue to the Notre Dame Cathedral for an outside visit, followed by the Central Post Office, one of the city’s most recognizable French colonial landmarks. Then visit the War Remnants Museum, which offers powerful insight into Vietnam’s wartime past and its lasting impact.

If time permits, stop by Ben Thanh Market, one of the most famous local markets in Ho Chi Minh City, where you can experience the lively atmosphere and browse local products, souvenirs, textiles, and Vietnamese specialties.

After the day’s tour, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your domestic flight to Da Nang, the gateway to Central Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport, meet your local guide and transfer to Hoi An, a charming UNESCO-listed town known for its lantern-lit streets, well-preserved merchant houses, riverside atmosphere, tailor shops, and rich cultural heritage.

Have lunch at a local restaurant and sample local cuisine.

In the afternoon, join a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town with your local guide. Stroll through the atmospheric old streets and visit some of Hoi An’s most iconic landmarks, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, Fujian Assembly Hall, ancient merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls, and traditional craft shops. Along the way, learn about Hoi An’s history as a former international trading port and its unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European influences.

Continue with a hands-on lantern-making experience, one of the most memorable cultural activities in Hoi An. Learn about the meaning of traditional Hoi An lanterns, then create your own colorful lantern with guidance from local artisans.

Enjoy free time in the evening for your own activities. You may enjoy the magical lantern atmosphere, stroll along the Hoai River, explore the Hoi An Night Market, or relax at a riverside café.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at the hotel, start your guided countryside discovery around Hoi An with a scenic bike ride through peaceful village roads, rice fields, and local neighborhoods. A support vehicle is available if needed, ensuring a comfortable and flexible experience for all guests. Continue to Tra Que Vegetable Village, a charming farming village known for its fresh herbs, organic vegetables, and traditional cultivation methods.

Upon arrival, meet village farmers and learn about daily agricultural life. Join a hands-on farming activity, where you may help prepare the soil, water the herbs, or discover how vegetables are grown using traditional techniques. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience the rural charm of the Hoi An countryside and connect with community life beyond the ancient town.

Continue with a hands-on cooking class in Tra Que, using fresh herbs and vegetables from the village. Learn how to prepare selected Vietnamese dishes with guidance from a local chef, then enjoy your freshly cooked meal for lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Cam Thanh Coconut Village, also known as Bay Mau Coconut Forest, for a memorable coconut basket boat ride through the water coconut palms. Glide along narrow waterways in a traditional round basket boat, enjoy the peaceful natural scenery, and learn about the fishing culture that has shaped life in this riverside area.

Continue to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, one of Hoi An’s long-standing traditional craft villages. Walk through the village, meet skilled artisans, and learn how pottery products are shaped by hand using traditional methods. You may also try making your own simple pottery item, creating a meaningful hands-on cultural activity.

After the visit, return to your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Hoi An.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart from Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Travel via Da Nang and enjoy one of Central Vietnam’s most scenic coastal routes.

Drive along the famous Hai Van Pass, known for its winding mountain roads, panoramic sea views, lush hills, and dramatic coastline. Stop along the way for a relaxing coffee break, where you can enjoy the fresh mountain air and beautiful views over the coast.

Continue toward Lang Co Beach, a peaceful seaside area known for its long sandy beach, blue lagoon, and scenic mountain backdrop. Take time for photos and enjoy the relaxed coastal atmosphere before continuing to Hue.

Have lunch at a local restaurant and sample local cuisine.

Upon arrival in Hue, visit the Imperial Citadel, part of the UNESCO-listed Complex of Hue Monuments. Explore the former royal city of the Nguyen Dynasty, including historic gates, palaces, courtyards, temples, and royal architecture that reflect Vietnam’s imperial heritage.

After the visit, transfer to your hotel in Hue, check in, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your guided discovery of Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital, with a relaxing boat cruise along the serene Perfume River, also known as the Huong River. Enjoy the peaceful scenery and riverside life before visiting Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the most iconic religious landmarks in Hue.

Continue to Thuy Bieu Village, a peaceful countryside area known for its traditional garden houses, pomelo gardens, quiet lanes, and authentic local atmosphere. Enjoy a leisurely walk or optional cycling through the village, where you can observe daily life and experience the slower rhythm of rural Hue.

Visit a traditional garden house and learn more about local architecture, family culture, and village traditions. Afterward, relax with a soothing herbal foot bath, a simple but memorable wellness experience using local herbs.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or garden house in Thuy Bieu Village, featuring Hue-style dishes and regional specialties.

In the afternoon, visit Thuy Xuan Incense Village, famous for its colorful incense sticks and traditional incense-making craft. This is a great place to learn about local handicrafts and capture vibrant photos of Hue’s cultural heritage.

Continue to Khai Dinh Tomb, one of the most impressive royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty. Admire its unique blend of Vietnamese and European architectural styles, elaborate mosaics, dragon motifs, and hillside setting.

After the visit, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Hue.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to Phu Bai International Airport for your domestic flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s charming capital city.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, you will be welcomed by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Known for its centuries-old history, French colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, vibrant street life, and rich culinary culture, Hanoi offers a wonderful contrast to the imperial atmosphere of Hue.

The afternoon is free at leisure to relax after your flight or explore the nearby streets at your own pace.

In the evening, enjoy a guided Hanoi street food tour, one of the best ways to experience the city’s local culture after dark. Walk through the lively streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter, stopping at authentic food stalls and local eateries to taste signature Vietnamese dishes, traditional snacks, and local drinks. Along the way, learn about Hanoi’s food culture, daily life, and the stories behind each dish.

Once the tour concludes, head back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your full-day guided Hanoi city tour, exploring the capital’s cultural heritage, historical landmarks, local markets, and traditional performing arts.

Start with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi, beautifully located by West Lake. Enjoy the peaceful lakeside atmosphere and learn about Vietnam’s Buddhist traditions before continuing to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, one of the best places to discover the rich cultural diversity of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

Note: If the tour falls on a Monday, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is closed. In this case, the visit can be replaced by the Vietnamese Women’s Museum, which offers meaningful insight into the role of Vietnamese women in family life, culture, history, and contemporary society.

Continue to Hoa Lo Prison, also known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” a significant historical site that offers insight into Vietnam’s colonial period and wartime history.

Savor lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional flavors.

In the afternoon, visit Long Bien Bridge, also known as Paul Doumer Bridge, from the Tran Nhat Duat Street side. This historic bridge is one of Hanoi’s most recognizable landmarks and offers a glimpse into the city’s colonial past and everyday riverside life.

Then explore the Hanoi Old Quarter, including Dong Xuan Market, the largest traditional market in the area, and Bach Ma Temple on Hang Buom Street, one of the oldest temples in Hanoi.

Later, join an egg coffee lesson and learn about Hanoi coffee culture. Discover how this famous local drink is made, then enjoy your own cup of rich and creamy Vietnamese egg coffee.

In the early evening, enjoy a traditional Hanoi water puppet show, a unique Vietnamese art form that brings folk stories, village life, and traditional music to the stage.

After the show, return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at the hotel, depart from Hanoi for Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural wonders and a highlight of any Vietnam tour itinerary.

Upon arrival at the cruise harbor, board your Halong Bay overnight cruise and enjoy a welcome drink while the crew gives a short safety briefing. As the cruise begins, admire the breathtaking scenery of limestone karsts, emerald waters, and peaceful islands.

Enjoy lunch on board while cruising through the beautiful seascape of Halong Bay.

In the afternoon, visit Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprise Cave, one of the largest and most impressive caves in Halong Bay. Continue to Titop Island, where you may relax on the beach or climb to the viewpoint for panoramic views over the bay.

Return to the cruise and enjoy happy hour at sunset on the sundeck, a perfect time to relax and take photos of the magical scenery. Later, join a short Vietnamese cooking class and learn how to prepare a traditional dish with guidance from the onboard team.

Enjoy dinner on board.

In the evening, relax at leisure or take part in optional onboard activities such as squid fishing.

Spend the night on board your cruise in Halong Bay.

Note: The cruise itinerary and activities may vary depending on weather conditions, tide levels, and the selected cruise operator.

Wake up early to enjoy the peaceful morning atmosphere of Halong Bay. Join a refreshing Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over the limestone karsts, followed by a light breakfast on board.

Visit Luon Cave, a beautiful area surrounded by limestone cliffs and calm emerald waters. Enjoy kayaking or take a traditional bamboo boat ride to explore the cave and its quiet lagoon, one of the most relaxing experiences in Halong Bay.

Return to the cruise, freshen up, and complete check-out procedures as the boat continues cruising back toward the harbor.

Enjoy brunch on board while admiring the last views of Halong Bay.

After disembarking at the harbor, transfer back to Hanoi. Check in at your hotel upon arrival and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner is at your own expense.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Note: Cruise activities and schedules may vary depending on weather conditions, tide levels, and the selected cruise operator.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy time at leisure until your transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure flight.

Depending on your flight schedule, you may take a final walk around Hanoi, enjoy a cup of Vietnamese coffee, or shop for last-minute souvenirs.

End of your Vietnam and Cambodia 17-day itinerary.