A Taste Of Vietnam And Cambodia

Mekong Delta Gateway Day Trip starts at 8:00 am from the lobby of the guests’ hotel in Saigon with a drive to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province 72 km from Ho Chi Minh City (Former Saigon). Guests will take time to visit Vinh Trang pagoda, the most beautiful pagoda in the province with a mixture of the structure of many styles. Then take a boat trip around 4 beautiful islets: Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise. These evergreen islands among the Mekong River remain unknown to many people. You will discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong delta rural life. Stops on the way can depend on requests for particular visits or photo-making.

After that, visit the traditional houses at Quoi An village (all made of coconut). During the visit, see the coconut collection set and how locals make handicrafts from trunk and shell, guests can see that they waste nothing. Moreover, coconut is even useful for weddings and funerals. Additionally, you can enjoy seasonal fruit and listen to traditional music. Get in a horse cart on the village path and stop at Ben Truc orchard, taste honey with tea or Mekong whisky (they have a funny rule for guests to get in). Join the rowing boat on water palm creek. Take a boat to visit the coconut candy mill (a special product of Ben Tre province). Enjoy fantastic lunch at a local restaurant before coming back to Saigon.

Today an experienced English-speaking guide will take you to Cu Chi Tunnels in the countryside near Ho Chi Minh City. The approximate travel time is one hour and 30 minutes. The residents of Cu Chi took the war underground into a highly developed network of tunnels that at its height stretches as far as Cambodia and includes meeting rooms, kitchens, and triage areas.

Imperceptible from the ground, opposing armies could roll their tanks over the bunkers without causing damage to the tunnels below. Indeed, the living conditions were harsh – in addition to fighting the war, resident’s battled food and oxygen scarcity, venomous insects, and cramped living quarters. Through this discovery, you might gain important insight into the prolonged struggle against invading armies, as well as an appreciation for the resilience and spirit of the Vietnamese people. After that, travelers can try the delicious manioc which was the main food for guerilla warriors in Cu Chi during the war. Moreover, visitors can try to fire off an AK47 or MK16, or machine gun at the nearby shooting range.

Then enjoy a transfer back to your accommodation. And free time until transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel. After your private guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and you will start your visit to Banteay Srei. A Brahmin counselor under a powering Rajendarvarman constructed it in the late 10th century. It was loosely translated to the citadel of the woman, but it is a modern appellation that probably refers to the delicate beauty of the carvings. Along the way, we make a stopover at the Preah Dark village and will visit the Banteay Samre Temple with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends.

Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon continue to visit Angkor Thom, the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple which King Jayavarman VII built from the late 12th century to the early 13th century and consists of 54 towers, the Royal Enclosure, the Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King, then visit Angkor Wat, one of the largest temples in world which covers an area of 200 hectares. Notably, it has a moat and an exterior wall measuring 1300 meters x 1500 meters surrounding it. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.