14 Day Private 5 Star Vietnam & Cambodia

Chao mung! Welcome to Vietnam and its beautiful ancient capital, Hanoi. On arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be met and privately transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city. Take some time to relax and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon or evening at your leisure. Special InformationArrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you meet your Hanoi guide and head off on a full day exploration of this charming city. This morning we will visit Van Mieu, otherwise known as The Temple of Literature. The Confucian temple dates back to 1070, and features peaceful walled courtyards and graceful gateways and is one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Following this, we continue on to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex from the outside; an impressive mausoleum that houses the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh. This afternoon we head to the charming Old Quarter where we'll enjoy a walking tour through Hanoi's most historic and picturesque neighbourhood. The Old Quarter is the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, highlighting more than 1,000 years of history. Explore the network of narrow alleyways known as 'The 36 Streets'. This is a wonderful place to soak up local life, and peruse market items from fabrics to crafts and exotic medicines. Each street was named to reflect the specialised trade of the merchants who had shops there, such as silk traders or jewellers. Return to your hotel for an evening of leisure, or you may want to join an optional evening tour to explore the city's incredible food culture. Inspiring Highlights The Temple of Literature, a Confucian temple dating back to 1070, and one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, which houses the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh. With over 1,000 years of history, Hanoi's charming Old Quarter, especially ‘The 36 Streets' area. Special Information In the hotter summer months the touring will be early morning and late afternoon for a more comfortable experience.

This morning we depart for a leisurely drive to Tuan Chau Port. Upon arrival at this port city we will board our luxury Halong Bay cruise. Onboard, enjoy a complimentary welcome drink as the Cruise Manager provides an orientation, covering activities and on-board safety. You'll be shown to your private luxury cabin where you can enjoy rich oak interiors, with high windows, a bathtub with a seaview and private balconies to make the most of the incredible views during your cruise. The cruise then departs to explore the stunning Lan Ha Bay. As you sail, indulge in a meal featuring the unique flavors of Vietnamese cuisine while avoiding the crowds of more traveled routes.You'll then arrive at the Light and Dark Cave, one of the top attractions of Lan Ha Bay, renowned for its untouched and serene beauty. You are free to relax or explore the area by local boat or kayak, or swim in the crystal-clear, emerald waters. In the evening, relax as you enjoy the sunset over the bay. If the weather permits, enjoy dinner on the sundeck. Enjoy a feast of local Vietnamese specialties for dinner before retiring for the evening. Alternatively, you may wish to enjoy the ship's evening activities including squid fishing with help from the crew. Inspiring Highlights Enjoy your luxury cabin and a private balcony to take in the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay Relax, kayak, or swim in the serene waters of Lan Ha Bay Savour a decadent freshly made Vietnamese specialties onboard, adding a taste of the region to your cruise experience Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.Please note: The Hanoi-Halong-Hanoi transfer will be unescorted for private groups of 1 to 3 passengers. Your journey to Halong Bay will be on a shared boat with other travellers, where you'll enjoy meals, sightseeing, and activities together. Please note - The final cruise itinerary is subject to change upon weather condition or chosen cruise.

Rise early to experience the magical dawn over the sea. In Vietnam, the "East Sea" is poetically referred to as the "Eastern Sea," and watching the sunrise over the bay's scattered islets is truly a sight to behold. Start your day with a rejuvenating Tai Chi lesson or enjoy some peaceful time in your cabin. After breakfast, you will join the Cat Ba World Biosphere tour, home to one of the most impressive caves on Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. As the cruise heads back to the mainland, enjoy a leisurely brunch on board. Once docked, bid farewell to the crew and transfer back to the wharf. From there, we will take you to Hanoi Airport for your flight south to Danang, followed by a transfer to the charming town of Hoi An. On arrival in Hoi An, we check into our 5-star resort, located only a short walk from the ancient town. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and make the most of the hotel's beautiful facilities or take a short walk and wander the ancient streets and canals of this beautifully preserved town. Inspiring Highlights Begin your day with a peaceful Tai Chi class as the sun rises over Halong Bay. After your cruise, check into a 5-star resort near the ancient town of Hoi An, offering relaxation and the chance to explore this historic gem. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.Please note - The final cruise itinerary is subject to change upon weather condition or chosen cruise.Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

This morning enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter and spend time mingling with local vendors at the Hoi An Market. Previously known as Faifo, Hoi An was once the most important trading port in the region. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the city is one of the best places to discover well-preserved Vietnamese architecture. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please. As the sun goes down, the city lights up with a sea of colourful lanterns, giving Hoi An the moniker ‘City of Lanterns.' Expect a thoroughly photogenic and romantic atmosphere! Inspiring Highlights Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets on a guided walking tour of Hoi An's Old Quarter. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Hoi An Market, once a key part of Hoi An's history as a major trading port. Enjoy the stunning sight of Hoi An illuminated by colourful lanterns.

Enjoy one free day in Hoi An! Explore every corner of this ancient town or just relax on the beach, Cua Dai beach and An Bang beaches are just 4-5km from the old town. Alternatively, you may wish to join the optional tour to the Golden Bridge and Bana Hills. This evening enjoy an Inspiring Taste as you join a cooking class and learn to make one of Hoi An's traditional dishes: the white rose dumpling. Following your class, enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to the hotel. Inspiring Highlights Explore Hoi An at your leisure or unwind on the nearby beaches or join our optional tour. Learn to prepare Hoi An's traditional white rose dumplings in an immersive cooking class. Savour the fruits of your labour with a delicious dinner.

Enjoy breakfast at the resort before transferring by road to Hue. En route we stop by the picturesque Lap An Lagoon for some amazing photo opportunities, as well as the famous Hai Van Pass. On arrival in Hue, we board a local dragon boat for a tranquil cruise along the famous Perfume River. The river bore the name Huong (perfume) for over a century as a result of the orchards upstream dropping into the water during autumn and omitting a strong floral scent. We take the cruise to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda and then a road transfer to visit the Imperial City. Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802 CE, this historic city is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Centre and retains many architectural highlights, temples, and palaces. Afterwards, we'll visit the nearby village of Thuy Bieu, well-known for its rustic ancient houses and gardens, before transferring to our hotel for check-in, and an afternoon of leisure and relaxation. Inspiring Highlights Capture stunning views and photos along the picturesque route from Hoi An to Hue. Enjoy a peaceful Dragon Boat Cruise on the Perfume River to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. Explore the historic Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the charming village of Thuy Bieu. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Enjoy breakfast before we transfer to the airport for our included flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formally known as Saigon. With over 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, buzzing with activity 24/7. On arrival, you are transferred to your 5-star hotel located in the heart of this exciting city. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City's most loved sights, including Dong Khoi Street, the city's major thoroughfare connecting French colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers; the beautiful Saigon Central Post Office with its Neo-classical European architecture and Asian influence, and the War Remnant's Museum which is home to 20,000 documents, artefacts, and films about the Vietnam War and its consequences. After a fun and full day of sightseeing, we return to the hotel where the rest of the evening is spent at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Visit Ho Chi Minh City's major sights including Visit Dong Khoi Street, showcasing both French colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers. See iconic architectural gems including the Saigon Central Post Office, known for its stunning Neo-classical design. Visit the War Remnants Museum for a moving experience and insight into the Vietnam War and its lasting impact. Special Information Your internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and head to Ben Tre, a beautiful tranquil province in the Mekong Delta region. You'll love its lush green landscapes, winding rivers, and friendly locals. On arrival, we board a boat and cruise along the mighty Mekong taking in scenic canals, islands, floating villages and seeing locals going about their daily lives. The cruise will stop at a local brick factory and a coconut workshop before disembarking to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, we return to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. Inspiring Highlights Enjoy a scenic cruise - the canals, islands, and floating villages of the Mekong Delta. Explore local workshops to see local craftsmanship up close. Savour an authentic lunch using local, fresh ingredients. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours

Enjoy breakfast before we transfer to the airport for your included flight to Siem Reap, the second-largest city of Cambodia and gateway to the famous ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries. On arrival you will be welcomed and transferred to you luxury 5-star resort hotel located in an oasis of coconut palms just minutes from the vibrant downtown district. The rest of the day is at leisureto enjoy the hotel facilities or take a short tuk tuk ride and explore the city on your own. Special InformationYour internal flight for this day is arranged by our local partner. Specific flight details will be provided by your Tour Leader upon arrival and cannot be provided in advance. Please note that these group flights cannot be upgraded, amended, or checked in online. Your Tour Leader will manage the check-in process for the group.

Today is dedicated to the famous temples of Angkor Wat. For the early-rises, join the group for a once in a life time experience as we watch the sunrise over Angor Wat temples before returning back to the hotel for breakfast. Following breakfast we'll head off to begin discovering the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. There isn't much that matches the magnificence of this temple complex, one of the largest religious monuments ever built.The temple complex covers about 500 acres and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. This 12th-century masterpiece is considered to be a prime example of classic Khmer art and architecture and its depiction appears on the national flag. Built to represent Mount Meru, its distinctive five towers symbolise the five peaks of the mountain; the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolises the ocean. We first visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom City, Byon. Angkor Thom was once the capital of the Khmer empire. See the well preserved South Gate, with its huge statues depicting the Hindu mythology of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. We'll visit Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. We'll also see the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, we will explore Ta Prohm Temples. The jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sightwith enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers entwined in the stone foundations of the traditional structure, giving the impression of man's creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We'll explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevadobefore returning to the hotel where the rest of evening at leisure.

After a delicious breakfast we begin our journey to Phnom Penh. The journey takes approximately 6 hours in totaland along the way, we will stop atTonle Sap Lake and take a boat ride tothe fascinating Kampong Phluk FloatingVillage where houses are built on stilts and floating rafts. You will have time for lunch (not included) before continuing the journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia's busy capital which sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap river and was once the hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On arrival check into your luxury 5-star hotel located in the heart of the thriving and lively capital city of the “Kingdom of Wonder”.

After breakfast we enjoy a guided tour of Phnom Penh. We start with a visit the Tuo Sleng Genoice Museum and learn of the harrowing stories of the Cambodian genocide at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime. We then continue to the Russian Market, named due to the large Russian expat population back in the '80s and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (not included). Following this, continue to the legendary Wat Phnom, a Buddist temple that stands on the only hill in Phnom Penh which lent the the Cambodian capital its name. Later, we visit the private quarters of the Royal Palace which are now home to the royal family and closed to the general public. At the northern area of the palace grounds we see the impressive Silver Pagoda, the most sacred temple in the country. Return to your hotel this afternoon for a rest before we enjoy an authentic Cambodian dinner for our last night together.

Your tour concludes at the hotel after breakfast. At the appropriate time you will be privately transferred to the airport. Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience. Special InformationDeparture transfers are included as part of your package. You will be collected from your hotel at the appropriate time and transferred to the airport to meet your flight. If you choose to extend your stay (e.g., departing after the final tour date) and have booked your additional accommodation independently, this included service will be forfeited and no refund will be issued. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.