VIETNAM CAMBODIA (HANOI)
9 Days
May 25, 2026
Singapore Airlines
Explore Vietnam and Cambodia in 9 days with Somans Leisure Tours.
Departure Dates
- 25 May 2026
VIETNAM CAMBODIA (HANOI)
Itinerary
Our journey begins at Cochin International Airport, where we board our
Singapore Airlines flight to Hanoi via Singapore. After completing visa
stamping formalities, we transfer to our hotel for check in. The afternoon
unfolds with an immersion into Hanoi's soul—starting at Ba Dinh Square,
the nation's political heartbeat where Ho Chi Minh declared
independence in 1945. We explore the Ho Chi Minh Complex, admiring
his stilt house nestled in fragrant frangipani trees, the tranquil fish pond
he meditated beside, and the iconic One-Pillar Pagoda, an 11th-century
lotus-shaped marvel. Next, we step into scholarly serenity at the Temple
of Literature, Vietnam's first university, where ancient stone turtles bear
inscriptions of doctoral laureates. As the sun softens, we settle into a
cyclo (rickshaw) for a leisurely ride through the Old Quarter's 36 guild
streets, circling the legendary Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals gather at
dusk for chess and street-side pho. We return to our hotel.
After breakfast and hotel check-out, we embark on a scenic journey
through Vietnam's picturesque countryside, passing emerald rice
paddies and rural villages where farmers work alongside plodding
water buffalo, arriving at the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage-listed
Halong Bay. We board the cruise and set sail through a mesmerizing
seascape of jagged limestone karsts rising dramatically from
jade-green waters. We enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on deck while
cruising past iconic formations like Fighting Cock Islet, then spend the
afternoon exploring hidden caves adorned with glittering stalactites,
kayaking through secluded lagoons, or swimming in the bay's tranquil
waters, followed by a Vietnamese cooking demonstration at sunset. As
night falls, we savor a delicious dinner of local specialties simply relaxing
under a canopy of stars, lulled to sleep by gentle waves against our
overnight cruise.
We rise at dawn to witness the magical sunrise over Halong Bay's
karst-studded waters, where the Vietnamese "Eastern Sea" paints the
limestone pillars in golden hues. After breakfast, our cruise glides past
whimsically named islets like Sail Island and Turtle Rock, each
formation more dramatic than the last. We check out and enjoy a
farewell brunch as the cruise returns to port. We disembark and transfer
to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport for our flight to vibrant Saigon (Ho Chi Minh
City). Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, we transfer to a restaurant.
Later we transfer to our Hotel. Check into hotel.
After breakfast at our hotel, we embark on a scenic journey to the
Mekong Delta, where we'll board a traditional wooden motorboat to
glide past vibrant floating markets and coconut-fringed islands,
stopping first at a family-run coconut candy workshop to witness the
sweet-making process and sample fresh candies, then visit a local bee
farm to taste exotic honey teas and tropical fruits. Our adventure
continues as we switch to a charming bamboo sampan for a peaceful
paddle through narrow, palm-shaded canals, followed by a delicious
Delta-style lunch featuring the region's famous elephant-ear fish
served with rice paper and fresh herbs. We return to Ho Chi Minh City in
the evening for shopping at Ben Thanh Market, where we can browse
for silk scarves, lacquerware, and other souvenirs, then cap off our day
with a romantic dinner cruise along the Saigon River, enjoying
gourmet Vietnamese cuisine and stunning city views as the sun sets
over the water.
Today reveals Vietnam's wartime ingenuity at the Cu Chi Tunnels,
where we'll crawl through underground passages used by Viet Cong
soldiers. We see hidden trapdoors and learn survival tactics before
enjoying lunch. In the afternoon, we embark on a scenic drive to the
Moc Bai border, where we complete immigration formalities before
continuing into Cambodia. We travel through picturesque countryside,
arriving in Phnom Penh by evening. Upon arrival we proceed for dinner.
Post dinner, we check in to our hotel and unwind for a restful overnight
stay.
Our day begins with a profound exploration of Cambodia's history,
starting at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison), where the
haunting classrooms-turned-torture chambers tell stories of the Khmer
Rouge era. We continue to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, where a
peaceful stupa filled with skulls serves as a memorial to the victims.
Later in the afternoon we proceed to the Royal Palace, where we will
marvel at the Silver Pagoda's gleaming floor tiles and the sacred
Emerald Buddha, then dive into local culture at the bustling Central
Market, browsing for silk scarves, silver jewelry, and aromatic Kampot
pepper.
After breakfast, we embark on a captivating overland journey through
Cambodia's countryside toward Siem Reap, with unforgettable stops
along the way. First, we brace ourselves at Skuon's Spider Market,
where adventurous foodies can sample crispy fried Spiders—a local
delicacy—alongside other exotic snacks like grilled frogs and silkworms
(optional, but worth the story!). We continue to the ancient Spean
Kompong Kdei bridge, a 12th-century engineering marvel. Next, we
explore Kompong Khleang, a stilted fishing village on the edge of Tonlé
Sap Lake, where towering wooden houses and floating schools reveal
a way of life shaped by the water's rhythms. We arrive in Siem Reap by
late afternoon, check in to our hotel, and freshen up to prepare for a
magical night of culture and cuisine with a traditional Apsara dance
performance. Later proceed to dinner.
After breakfast, we step into the mystical world of Angkor as we enter
the ancient city of Angkor Thom through its magnificent South Gate,
where a grand avenue of stone gods and demons lines the bridge,
leading us to the mesmerizing Bayon Temple - its 216 enigmatic smiling
faces carved into towering stone towers creating an atmosphere of
serene mystery. We continue to the enchanting Ta Prohm, where nature
and architecture intertwine in a breathtaking dance, as massive
silk-cotton tree roots cascade over crumbling temple walls. In the
afternoon golden light, we behold the crown jewel of the Khmer Empire
at Angkor Wat, where we'll wander through vast galleries adorned with
intricate bas-reliefs depicting Hindu epics, marvel at the celestial
nymph carvings adorning its walls, and witness the temple's majestic
reflection shimmering in the mirror-like ponds - a perfect finale to end
the day.
After a leisurely breakfast at our hotel. Afternoon proceed for lunch,
Later transfer to the airport with a heart full of memories, from Saigon's
energy to Angkor's mystical temples, carrying the essence of
Indochina's timeless beauty home with us.
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