GREAT HO CHI MINH TOUR TO CAMBODIA BY SPEED BOAT - 8 DAYS
Itinerary: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi – Cai Be – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Siem Reap – Angkor
TOUR CODE XSEC 0035 MULTI COUNTRY TOURS
Highlights:
- Visit some highlights places in Saigon
- Experience the complex underground network of Cu Chi Tunnel helping Vietnamese defeat American army
- Speed boat From Vietnam to Cambodia
- Visit Royal Palace and famous temples in Phnom Penhn
- Explore a mysterious Angkor Temple and surroundings
- Visit floating market in the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake
- Learn about the history and culture of the region in the company of our friendly knowledgeable guides
Overview
A great 2 days in Mekong Delta gives you the opportunity to see and understand the region a little better prior to heading across the Cambodian border to Siem Reap. Angkor Wat and its associated temples and ancient buildings are one of the world’s great sights and will leave indelible memories. Tonle Sap Lake, with its floating villages and the old Cambodian capital of Udong.
Start in Ho Chi Minh City and end in Siem Reap! With the Sightseeing tour 8 Days, you have a tour package taking you through Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Cambodia includes accommodation as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more.
Tour summary:
- Day 1: Saigon – Arrival
- Day 2: Saigon Half Day City – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour (B)
- Day 3: Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long - Can Tho (B)
- Day 4: Can Tho – Tra Su - Chau Doc (B/L/-)
- Day 5: Chau Doc – Speed Boat to Phnom Penh (B)
- Day 6: Phnom Penh sightseeing Tour - transfer to Siem Reap (B)
- Day 7: Siem Reap - Angkor full day tour (B)
- Day 8: Siem Reap – Departure (B)
DAY 1: SAIGON ARRIVAL
Private driver
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability).
Meals: No
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Saigon
DAY 2: SAIGON HALF DAY CITY TOUR - CU CHI TUNNELS (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Distance: Saigon to Cu Chi = 70kms
Today we spend a half day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of Maril 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!
Afternoon: Transfer about 70km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town. Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centers, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Back to Saigon for overnight.
SUGGESTION TOUR: DINNER ON SAIGON CRUISE
6:45pm: Boarding on the Junk, then All of delicacies and drinks will be served & enjoyed the traditional music which be performed by Vietnamese artists.
7.45pm: Junk departures, starting journey on Saigon River to Thu Thiem Bridge, then back to NhaRong Wharf along the Saigon piers.
9:15pm: We will come back Boat Station, and then Driver transfers you to your Hotel. Finish Trip Indochina Junk Dinner Cruise Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast , Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Saigon
DAY 3: SAIGON - CAI BE - VINH LONG - CAN THO (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Distance: Saigon to Cai Be = 110kms, Cai Be to Can Tho = 63kms
Breakfast at hotel
After breakfast at the hotel. Depart at 8:00AM from your hotel to Cai Be by air-conditioned car. Set off for a drive in the morning to Cai Be Town, deep in the Mekong Delta – the second largest Delta in the world, and embark on a private boat visit to some local home factories that produce rice paste, rice popcorn and coconut candy. Proceed to evergreen islands among the Mekong River through a large network of meandering tributaries, crisscrossed with countless arroyos. Lunch is served at a local home before the cruise to Vinh Long to discover beautiful landscapes along the river and observe the typical Mekong Delta rural life. Enjoy folk songs by local people. In the late afternoon, proceed to Can Tho. O/N in Can Tho.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Can Tho
DAY 4: CAN THO - TRA SU - CHAU DOC (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Distance: Can Tho to Chau Doc = 116kms
Breakfast at hotel
Start with an early morning boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market and marvel at the mounds of fruit and vegetables on display as you experience the market at its busiest time of day. Cruise through the small channels to visit a rice noodle making village, and then break for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc and venture into the Tra Su Cajuput Forest to visit a wild bird sanctuary. Discover the diversity of the splendid canals deep in the forest as you look for storks, cranes and other tropical birds. Return to Chau Doc to check in to your overnight accommodation. O/N in Chau Doc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Chau Doc
DAY 5: CHAU DOC - SPEED BOAT TO PHNOM PENH (B)
Private driver
Distance: Chau Doc to Phnom Penh = 117kms
Breakfast at hotel
Around 7 am, we will pick you up to harbor to catch speed boat to Phnom Penh.
Arrive Phnom Penh, you will be transferred to hotel for checking in. Phnom Penh is the biggest and wealthiest city in Cambodia. It’s also the cultural, commercial and political centre of the country. Covering an area of 345 sq km, Phnom Penh is located in the south-central region of Cambodia, at the confluence of the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers.
The bustling capital offers extensive cultural and historical attractions, including temples, museums and the Royal Palace. Attracting travelers from all over the world. O/N in Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
DAY 6: PHNOM PENH TOUR - TRANSFER TO SIEM REAP (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Breakfast at hotel
This morning after breakfast, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge then continue the visit to Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. The Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. Last visit today at Wat Phnom, an ancient pagoda on a hill, which marks the legendary founding place of the city.
Afternoon, our driver (No Guide) will overland transfer to Siem Reap by private transfer. The distance is about 312km, which spend around 5 to 6hours, Upon arrival Siem Reap transfer to hotel for check in. and Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
Note: You can choose a flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap if you want
DAY 7: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR FULL DAY TOUR (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Breakfast at hotel, then start your tours by visit to the World Heritage Site; visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue visit Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is one of the area’s most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been left relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.
Afternoon continue to seeing the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Back to hotel and evening Dinner with buffet show at local restaurant and overnight
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
DAY 8: SIEM REAP - DEPARTURE (B)
Private driver
Free time at own leisure until our guide & driver pick you up to Siem Reap Airport for departure to next destination. End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
Notice: Since this can be private or group tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!
1. The weather in the Southern of Vietnam
SOUTHERN (Saigon, Mekong Delta)
- Rain season (Jul – Sep): The heat covers rain season in Southern areas, followed by heavy rains and high humidity, especially during daytime.
- Dry season (Oct – Jun): The dry season of Southern regions lasts longer than Central ones. The temperature remains between 25 – 30oC with sunny long, dry days.
2. The perfect time to visit Cambodia
- Cambodia is under influence of the tropical climate. The best time to travel to Siem Reap is from November to March, during the cooler months of the dry season, when temperatures do not rise above 30 ° C. In December and January, it can be a bit chilly, especially in the evening and in the morning. As of March, it will be very hot in Siem Reap up to almost 40 ° C – and especially in May, before the rainy season begins, which lasts until October. The humidity is then extremely high and in rural areas, many roads are no longer passable after the often heavy downpours.
3.Passport & Visa
- You will need a valid passport and a Cambodian visa to enter Cambodia. Tourist and business visas are valid for one month from the date of entry into Cambodia. Cambodia offers online visa processing.
- The Cambodian visa now may also obtain at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings. Cambodian immigration officials at airports now collect fingerprints upon entry using an inkless, electronic process. The visa on arrival is valid for a 30-day stay and issued at a cost of US $30 per tourist and US$35 per business traveler.
- You must prepare:
+ A passport valid for at least 6 months from the expiry date
+ 02 recent passport-sized (4cm x 6cm) photographs - Some nationalities are required to get a visa in advance at Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Cambodia in their country: Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Nigeria.
- On the other hand, the nationals of the Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia do not need a tourist visa and may stay in Cambodia for 21 and 30 days respectively.
4.Foods should to try in Siem Reap
- Cambodia is not only famous for the Buddist temples and Angkok complex, but also well-known for its appetizing and original cuisine. “Natural Sweetness” is the essence of Cambodian food, with vegetables and fruits being utilized largely, thanks to its rich resource all-year-round in a tropical country.
- Prahok: Prahok is a crushed, salted and fermented fish paste that is used in Cambodian cuisine as a seasoning. Fish are exposed to the sun for a day, flavored with salt, pepper, garlic and cold rice and kept in a jar for several months. After it becomes pasty and grayish, it can be enjoyed. Prahok is among the symbols of Cambodian cuisine.
- Green Mango Salad: Takes little time to prepare, yet the results can be great. Such a dish is top ideal for any meal and any time during the day. The salad plate features various vegetables and fruits such as green mango (of course), tomato, cucumber, bell peppers and other ingredients like peanut butter, green onion, fresh basil/mint, fish sauce, etc.
- Kralan Bamboo sticky rice: Kralan is a snack that is made from Cambodia sticky rice cooked with coconut milk and soybean in a bamboo tube. The bamboo tree must be the bamboos that grow in village because it has long tubes, contains a lot of water and has white flesh inside the tube. Bamboo tubes are burned in coal fire, all the faces of the tubes must face the fire to be well-cooked.
- Jaggery sweet soup: Jaggery sweet soup’s main ingredients are coconut milk and palm fruits.
- sweet soup is a sweet thick soup with potato cubes and green beans and best served in cool or with some ice. Its typical colors range from golden brown to dark brown. This dessert can be savored to balance all the hot and spicy food you may have tried in Siem Reap and boost your energy.
5.10 credible things to do in Siem Reap
- Visit the Old Market
Also known as Psah Chas (pronounced “psa cha”), the old market is right in the heart of town and was the original market before the countless others cropped up. This market has everything and is a must-visit as it will give you a glimpse of the real Cambodia, the country that lies outside of the well-visited Siem Reap.
- Try a Fish Spa
Veteran travellers to Southeast Asia will have experienced these spas before, but they are mostly new to many. For around $5-10, you can soak your feet in a tank of dead skin eating fish resulting in beautiful (or rather clean) feet.
- Sip a drink in “Soul Kitchen.”
After all that shopping and temple hopping, it is time for a drink to wind down in a great venue without the chaos. For anyone looking for more Cambodian flavors, great cocktail and live music, where better than Soul Kitchen’s creative bar – A great escape from the loud and overpriced Pub Street.
- Foodie Tour by night riding a Vespa
Food lovers will enjoy Khmer cuisine on a vespa tour! What could make this experience better – experiencing it at night, of course. One of the best attractions on offer in Siem Reap, this tour also comes with a free flow of alcohol and a driver (thankfully). Not to be missed!
- Must-See: Phare, The Cambodian Circus Show
A great show for both kids and adults, the Phare circus show is a blend of arts, music, juggling, gymnastics, traditional, and modern theatre. Not only will it make you laugh and smile, but the project grew out of a Cambodian non-profit organization founded by ex-refugee artists.
- Eat a Scorpion Salad at Bugs Cafe
Yuck! But actually, they can be delicious. Try out Bugs Cafe, which offers insect tapas, scorpion salad, and a host of other crunchy critter delights.
- Visit a floating village
If you want to get out of the touristy Siem Reap, then head to one of the nearby floating villages and glimpse into traditional fishermen’s lives. The two closest ones are Kompong Phlouk and Kompong Khleang, the second being the less touristy of the two.
- Join a cooking class
After all the adventuring and sights in Siem Reap (not to mention exploring the Angkor ruins), you must be getting hungry. So why not delve into Khmer cuisine with a cooking class!
- Fun thing to do for everyone: Zipline!
If you are visiting Asia, you need to zip line at least once! While there are many zip line locations, who could pass up ziplining past Angkor Wat?
- Horse riding in Siem Reap Countryside
LIST OF OUR HOTELS:
The hotels offered by Xuan Son Travel classified from 02 to 05 stars at international standard, comfortable with all the required services.
- Homestay/local homestay: we have developed fair tourism, through contacts with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with locals and sharing their daily lives. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well assured and with the best possible conditions
- Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are decent, clean, equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and air conditioning.
- Superior Category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious and the services and facilities are more numerous.
- Deluxe category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a wide choice of quality services have swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi
- Luxury Category: 5 stars. Hotels with excellent comfort and a wide range of excellent services. Swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi…)
| CITIES /AREAS | HOME STAY | HOTEL-STANDARD | HOTELS-SUPERIOR | HOTEL-DELUXE | HOTELS- LUXURY |
| SAIGON | …. | …. | Chez Mimosa Petite / Queen Ann hotel / Bloom hotel or similar | Cicilia hotel/ Silverland Charner/ Grand Silverland / Eden Star hotel or similar | The Mys Dong Khoi hotel/ Hotel des Arts/ Majestic / Caravel Hotel or similar |
| CAN THO | Homestay | …. | Anh Dao Mekong2 hotel/ Kim Tho/Hau Giang/ Ninh Kieu or similar | Nam Bo boutique/ Irish Can Tho/West hotel/ Ninh Kieu riverside or similar | Azerai Can Tho resort / Vinpearl Can Tho or similar |
| SIEM REAP | Anou Home Guesthouse/Chamraoen’s Home/Sihariddh Angkor Villa | Ta Som Guest House/Mother home boutique | Central Boutique Angkor Hotel/Laniche D’Angkor Boutique/Angkor Holiday Hotel/City River/Treasure Oasis/Cheathata Angkor/Silk Angkor/The Frangipani Villa Hotel & Spa | Saem Siem Reap Hotel/Sokha Roh/Mother Home Boutique/Treasure Oasis Angkor | Hotel Somadevi Angkor Boutique & Resort/Royal Angkor Resort/Angko Micracle/Sokah Angkor/Angkor Palace Resort/Sak Mut Hotel & Spa… |
| PHNOM PENH | Capital Hotel | Khmer Village Guest House/Brigade Manager Hotel | Cardamon/King Grand Boutique/Town View III/River Home/Asia Tune/The Frangipani Living Arts Hotel | Ohana/Juliana/Harmony Phnom Penh/Kravan/ The Frangipani Royal Palace/Villa Langka/Iroha Garden Hotel & Resort | Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel/Palace Gate Hotel & Resort/Rose Suites/ Raffles Hotel Le Royal |
TRAVEL PRICE: GREAT HO CHI MINH TOUR TO CAMBODIA BY SPEED BOAT 8 DAYS 7 NIGHTS
From…. To… usd /per
Excluding international flights
Inclusion
- Indicated hotels based on TWN/DBL share with daily breakfast
- Meals as specified in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- 1 Dinner with Apsara Dance show
- Transfer by air-conditioned bus as itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Boat trip in Mekong
- Entrance fees for sightseeing
- Complimentary Mineral Water on tour (02 bottle / pax / day)
Exclusion
- Travel insurance
- Visa fee & Visa arrangement.
- Airfare & airport taxes
- Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone, souvenirs and laundry etc
- TIPPING for local guide and driver
- Others which are not mentioned in the inclusion
- Surcharge for Public Holidays, New Year holidays…
Early check in or late check out.
Customize this tour
This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.
Contact us
- +84 914374251
- xuansontravel@yahoo.com.vn
My name is Nicky, English & French speaking advisor at Xuan Son Travel. I have been the specialist in tailor-made trips to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 18years. I love the charm of the small streets of Hanoi as well as the charm of the countryside, with magical landscapes, warm and smiling inhabitants in all regions of Vietnam. As a Travel Consultant, I put it at your disposal and will assure you that your wishes and desires are perfectly suited to your trip to Asia.