Vietnam and Cambodia are neighbors in Southeast Asia on the Indochina Peninsula. Thus, the combination traveling two countries is quite easy, with a variety of transport ways such as flights, buses, cars, and boats. You will have many experiences in these incredible countries in the natural beauty and the uniquely fascinating cultures. In this article, we will mention the top destinations in Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary.
Hanoi Capital
Hanoi is famous for the huge of culture and long-time historical sites that attract a lot of tourists. The first destination in Hanoi is Ho Chi Minh complex which involves the Mausoleum, his former stilt-house residence, and one-pillar pagoda. These places are home to the national hero in Vietnam is President Ho Chi Minh, where our President read the Declaration of Independence on 2/9/1945, giving birth to Vietnam. After that, you can take the bus to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology displayed the traditional tools of the 54 officially recognized ethnic groups in Vietnam.
In the afternoon, you should take a cyclo tour around Hanoi Old Quarter. Hanoi Old Quarter is constructed both of old-style and modern – styled streets to adapt to the dynamic atmosphere. Hoan Kiem Lake is one of the most popular which located inside a complex of Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, and Pen Tower.
At the end of the day, The Water Puppet show is the choice for travelers which is a traditional show of Vietnamese people. It is believed that the performance of actors will bring you the strange feeling. Actually, the farming or legends like the golden turtle and the Emperor are traditional activities.
Sapa
Sapa is famous for many beautiful scenes and the unique food of the Northwest forests. Cat Cat village is the village of ethnic groups which is famous for the distinctive customs and practices kept for a long time. Come here, you will approach the life of Black H’mong people where you can discover many interesting facts about their daily life as well as culture and architecture. In Shin Chai village, the woman wears the beautifully embroidered clothes with distinctive an enormous red turban and the silver jewelry so it is an attractive point. They will be around all the time, singing, dancing or anything to make you smile. Moreover, you can teach them songs, poems that you used to love when you were a child.
Sapa is famous for its markets, and on almost every day of the week. Therefore, you don’t worry about missed any markets during the coming time. For distance, Coc Ly Market opens on Tuesday which is a great place to buy traditional costumes and to learn more about the local culture. There are two largest markets organized in the weekend like Can Cau Market and Bac Ha market. Can Cau market is located only 7 kilometers from the Chinese border and is a fascinating and authentic experience. The most famous market in Bac Ha. You can buy several products, such as handicrafts, traditional costumes, and food.
Ta Phin village is surrounded by mountains with the rice terraces. You come to Ta Phin can find many distinctively handmade brocades made by ethnic people. You can buy some products to bring back to your country. For example, there are a bag, purse, skirt, and even a backpack and coat. You will have a lunch cooked by the ethnic group.
Hue
Hue is one of the main cultural, religious and educational centers of Vietnam. Tu Duc’s tomb is the most popular and impressive of the royal mausoleums. Hue owes its charm partly to its location on the Perfume River with the atmosphere. Then you should visit The Imperial Citadel. This place lets us know a unique South-East Asian culture specific to the lower Red River Valley. Of course, it is influenced by coming from China in the north and the ancient Kingdom of Champa in the south.
For long years, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of emperors past so your couple can visit some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. For example, the charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Located on the converse of rivers, and it gives you a great view of the Perfume River and the surrounding area. Next, Thien Mu Pagoda is built on a hill overlooking the Perfume River, 4 kilometers Southwest of the Citadel. Of course, Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the most fascinating and ancient pagodas in Hue city.
In the evening, you can enjoy the Hue Royal specialty and music by joining one of the boat trips along Perfume River. There are two kinds of music “Dai Nhac” and “Nha Nhac” which are appeared under Le and Nguyen dynasty.
Hoian town
Historic Hoian is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Hoian is very impressed with the town interesting lines of the lamp. During night time, almost houses are turned on with colorful lamps and you grace a lot of floating candles appeared on the river. The Japanese Covered Bridge was constructed by the Japanese in order to pass the water and been established as the symbol of Hoian due to built for 400 years. The Fujian Assembly Hall, which bears all the fundamental features in the structure of a Chinese Assembly Hall, is believed to be built by Chinese merchants of the Fujian Province.
Next, you will have an experienced tour with the Lifestart community which is a non-profit charity organization. Especially, you will learn life skills through handicraft. The mission of this tour directly supports disadvantaged members of the community. Lanterns in Hoian are very famous and attractive foreigners.
Danang
Danang is one of the cultural and educational centers of Vietnam which is located along Han River.
In the evening, one of the most popular activities is walking to Dragon Bridge which is a special bridge in Danang. However, to grace the particular you should come to there before 9:00 p.m. Dragon bridge is built over the Han River. Fire-breathing in 2 minutes and water breathing in 3 minutes are breath from the dragon on the bridge. It is very attractive for the sight of foreigners.
In the morning, My Khe is worldwide known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world which are always welcome you with all the harmonious facilities supplied for tourism. It is convenience in the swimming or and some activities like diving, water-skiing, diving, and race activities. It is time for you to sunbathing under the sunny, nice wave, cool water, and fresh air. Moreover, you approach the life of local by seeing the fishermen do their work. Besides, you should try many special kinds of seafood like shrimp, crab, squid, and abalone.
Ho Chi Minh City
The first place you should come to is Duc Ba church because of its design, apart from the intention to create a religious look, aims at showing the influence of French architecture. Some couples come to take photograph and record movies, especially for the wedding. You should go to Saigon Central Post Office to admire its interior. The office can provide many services for visitors such as sending letters, changing money, selling stamps and coins. Next, Ben Thanh market is a great place to find local handicrafts, Vietnamese art, and other souvenirs. However, you should bargain the price of the goods you want. There are the popular products such as clothes, textiles, luggage, watches and an assortment of electronic goods.
In the late afternoon, you should come to Saigon Opera House has been constructed by the French architect, which is now a venue including 468 seats offers a good view from every seat for many high-profile events in the city. The theater had been build with two door layers in order to prevent traffic noise. The Saigon Opera House becomes a theater for a variety of traditional and classical performances.
Mekong Delta
You will be picked up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh by bus to transfer to My Tho. You should take a boat ride through Bao Dinh natural canal; you will admire some stunning views in the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river bank. It is easy to visit orchards, bee farms and coconut candy in Ben Tre. And have you been to the Cai Rang Floating Market? One recommendation for you is to spend a 30-minute boat ride to the market. You will be actually enjoying it by the peaceful floating.
You can’t be missed Phong Dien floating market in the best Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary tour. You will be experienced in exchanging goods in the market. For example, there are the variety of goods such as canoes, roofing sheets, knives, machete, and fishing tools, weaving products and all kinds of the general local region. Additionally, you will enjoy the food: noodle soup, noodle with roasted meat, rice soup, hu tieu. Otherwise, they have a chance to experience how to pass a “Monkey bridge” which is built by only one bamboo. You cross the small channels system and visit a rice noodle making village.
Phnom Penh
Once considered the most attractive of the cities that the French constructed in Indochina, the city is today recovering from its turbulent past. On the fifth day, you will embark on a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Phnom Penh. Upon arrival Siem Reap, meet your guide at Borei Seang Nam station and transfer to check in at the hotel for refreshment.
Siem Reap is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Archaeological Park which is roughly 7 kilometers away. However, the town itself is worth exploring with day and night markets, Khmer massage and spa treatments, a variety of great cafes and restaurants, and even fish massage!
This afternoon, let’s try one time moving by “Tuk Tuk” to visit the Angkor National Museum, learn about “the Legend Revealed” and see how the Khmer Empire has been established during the golden period. Continue to Preah Ang Chek – Preah Ang Chom, the secret place where local people go praying for good luck or a safe journey. Next, in the dinner, you enjoy buffet dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at Amazon or Kulen II restaurant.
Siem Reap
South Gate of Angkor Thom is known as the gods of the good and evil line the entrance. Angkor Thom is famous for 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Enclosure, and the Elephants Terrace. You will start from the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple. Afternoon, you explore Angkor Wat the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor. Last but not least, you view a wonderful sunset from Angkor Wat or somewhere possible.
Tonle Sap Lake
You will enjoy a quintessential river excursion through the region’s floating villages, where you will get a glimpse of the local lifestyles on the Tonle Sap River. The Lake adapts more than half of the fish consumed in Cambodia. Towards the end of the day, you will emerge onto the vast expanse of the lake, which is Cambodia’s largest. Chong Khneas is the famous floating village on the lake, which locates at the Southern part of Siem Reap town by a boat to travel. You need about two hours to approach the floating village. Moreover, on the Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary, you will discover various types of culture like Khmer, Muslim, and Vietnamese in the floating households and floating markets.