Day 1: Welcome to Cambodia

On arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be welcomed by your Sky Vacations ambassador transferred to the hotel for check in. After a relaxing break, you will set out to discover the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a very fun way to explore this lively city including the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and more! Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Siem Reap

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap, your Sky Vacations ambassador will greet you and accompany you to the hotel for check in. This afternoon, begin your visit to Angkor by visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom, surrounded by an 8 m high wall. From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. The particularity of this monument is the 54 towers with four faces representing the 54 provinces of the then Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Siem Reap

Begin your day by exploring the temples of the Small Circuit by ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Start your tour with a visit to Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vine. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat. After some rest at your hotel, depart on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia’s national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

DAY 4: Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

This morning is at leisure until it’s time for you to transfer to the airport for departure flight from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 5:  Ho Chi Minh City

Depart your hotel for a full day Ho Chi Minh City tour. Head to Cholon, the Chinatown district, to discover the area’s markets, shops and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda Visit Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, with an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Head back to the city center to visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh food is offered and simply stroll through the market exploring the variety of goods for sale.

This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum and the former Presidential Palace. Stroll (your vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. At the end of the afternoon head back to your hotel.

Note: History Museum is closed on Mondays.

DAY 6: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi

Your tour begins early this morning after breakfast at your hotel. Leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and drive deep into the Mekong Delta on this Cai Be day tour. Upon arriving in Cai Be, disembark the boat at Tan Phong Island and start a very interesting cycling tour immersing yourself in nature through small villages and narrow roads. Ride along the pathways and take the opportunity to visit local families making traditional products such as handicraft items made from water hyacinth, roofs made from palm leaves, hammocks made from coconut ropes, and rice papers. Enjoy lunch with specialities of the Mekong Delta in the ambience of an ancient house. After lunch, walk the narrow lanes of a local market to enjoy the hustle and bustle before getting on board and continue cruising on the Mekong River. At the end of the tour, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Danang – Hoi An

Morning transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for a short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market. Rest of the afterrnoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An – Hue

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. with its mesmerizing mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. Drive through Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and then to  the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. In Hue visit the Imperial Citadel. See Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, built in 1601!  Overnight in Hue.

DAY 9: Hue – Hanoi

Start your day with a visit to the city’s vibrant Dong Ba Market to see its abundance of fresh produce.  After exploring the market take a cyclo through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax, full of lotus flowers in summer and  many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study.  Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. From here transfer to Hue Airport for a short flight to Hanoi. On arrival transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 10: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a drive to Halong Bay. Arrive in Halong City and proceed with cruise check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on Halong Bay.

DAY 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Breakfast on board as you enjoy your morning in the middle of the bay, as the sun rises on Halong, while you cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. In Hanoi, in the afternoon, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), a research center and public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. Next, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 Streets’.  Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 12: Hanoi 

This morning depart your hotel for the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam’s first university Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Visit The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049.  Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) to the nearby Taoist Temple of Quan Thanh. The balance of the day is yours for relaxing, shopping or both! Later today, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your onward journey.