Cross Mekong from Vietnam to Cambodia 7 Days 6 Nights

Upon arriving at Tan San Nhat Airport, you'll be transferred to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. This vibrant city is a hub of commerce, finance, culture, and tourism in Vietnam. Experience the bustling metropolis filled with bikes and motorbikes, numerous shopping areas, and sidewalk cafes. If time permits, take a stroll downtown to observe the local way of life.

You'll embark on a tour of busy Saigon. Explore the Old Colonial Residential Quarter and visit the City's old Hotel, a magnificent palace designed by the French architect Paul Gardès in 1902-1908 during the Indochina era. Discover the stunning Opera House, inspired by Paris' Opera Garnier, constructed in 1900, and featuring a facade replicating the Petit Palais in Paris. Next, visit the renowned Notre-Dame Cathedral, a marvel of HCMC's architecture, constructed in 1877 using materials imported from France. Don't miss the Post Office, an architectural gem signed by Gustave Eiffel.

The tour continues with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda before returning to your hotel.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant and spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

At 8:30 am, we'll depart from HCM city and head to Cai Be river wharf, which is approximately 110km away and takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes by car. Upon arrival, our tour guide will warmly welcome you and accompany you to Mekong Lodge by boat. Once there, you'll check in to your private bungalows at the Mekong Lodge.

At 12:00 pm, savor a delicious planned menu for lunch in the restaurant. In the afternoon, at 3:00 pm, we'll embark on a private walking or bicycle tour to explore the nearby village surrounding the Lodge. Our route will take us through off-road paths that are traffic-free, offering a chance to admire beautiful rice terraces along the way.

Next, we'll enjoy a relaxing Sampan trip in an arroyo, visit local orchards, and savor some freshly picked fruit. As the day winds down, at 6:30 pm, immerse yourself in a hands-on culinary experience by participating in a "Vietnamese cooking demo" and relish the dishes you've prepared.

Note: The bar at the Lodge opens from 7h to 12h, located at the end of the big swimming pool.

Overnight at the Mekong Lodge (authentic | swimming pool | nice garden).

07:10 am: Enjoy breakfast at the restaurant.

08:00 am: Embark on a rowed sampan to explore Cai Be floating and ground market. Witness the traditional production of goods in Mekong Delta as we visit families making rice cakes, coconut candy, and caramel soufflé cakes. Don't miss the chance to taste some local honey tea.

Return to the Lodge for some leisure time.

Around 11:00 am: Check out from the Lodge and board our boat back to Cai Be harbor. From there, we'll head to Chau Doc, crossing Sa Dec.

Visit the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, a captivating 18th-century residence on the riverfront. This house holds a romantic history, once being the residence of Huynh Thuy Le, involved in a love affair with the young French writer Marguerite Duras. Inspired by this story, she wrote "The Lover" in 1984, later adapted into a film in 1992 by Jean Jacques Annaud.

Enjoy lunch at the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house before continuing our journey to Kien An Cung pagoda and Trung Vuong school, where Marguerite Duras attended primary school.

Arrive in Chau Doc and check in to your hotel.

Overnight at Chau Doc.

After breakfast, we'll board an express boat for a scenic trip along the Mekong River, crossing into Cambodia and heading towards its capital, Phnom Penh.

Phnom Penh, once considered the loveliest city of Indochina, still retains its considerable charm despite its turbulent history. Our tour continues with a visit to the Royal Palace, where the private quarters now house the royal family and are not open to the public. However, we can still admire the beauty of the palace from its surroundings. Within the palace grounds, we'll explore the Silver Pagoda, the most sacred shrine in the country.

Our 7-day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia continues with a visit to the legendary temple of Wat Phnom, which recounts the history of Phnom Penh's name. This iconic structure adds to the rich cultural experience of our journey.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Early in the morning, we'll transfer to Phnom Penh Pier to begin the fifth day of the 7-day Vietnam Cambodia itinerary. We'll start our day by boarding an express boat that will take us up the Tonle Sap River and into the lake of the same name. Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and its shallow waters provide a unique journey.

The duration of our boat journey can vary depending on the season, ranging from 4 to 6 hours to reach Siem Reap. This charming town will be our base for exploring the world-famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which served as the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD.

After arriving and checking into our hotel, you'll have some free time to explore this beautiful city at your own pace. Enjoy the rest of the day discovering the unique charms of Siem Reap.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, we will embark on a captivating tour of Angkor Thom, starting at the South Gate entrance. Our first stop will be the remarkable Bayon temple, known for its distinctive four-faced towers, representing the last great temple built at the Angkor complex.

Next, we'll explore the Terrace of the Elephants, where Khmer rulers once observed their returning armies, and visit the breathtaking three-tiered temple of Baphuon, which underwent a remarkable 51-year restoration project.

Prepare to be enchanted as we venture into the steamy jungle surroundings, where the famous movie "Tomb Raider" was filmed. Lunch will be served before we continue our temple tour at the iconic Angkor Wat, the legendary temple and former capital of the Khmer kingdom.

Admire the intricate carvings and bas-reliefs dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, featuring captivating scenes from Hindu mythology. After an awe-inspiring day, we'll return to Siem Reap, where you can enjoy a buffet dinner at a local restaurant while being mesmerized by a traditional Apsara dance performance, evoking classical myths and adding a magical touch to your evening.

Dinner on your own. Overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning, we'll explore the ancient temples of the Roluos group, dating back to the early Angkor period (802-1431).

Our first stop will be at Preah Ko, the inaugural temple constructed in the now-defunct city of Hariharalaya. The temple's name, Preah Ko (Sacred Bull), originates from the three sandstone statues facing the central towers, symbolizing Nandi, the white bull, who served as Shiva's mount.

Next, we'll visit Lolei, the final temple of the three in Hariharalaya. Lolei is renowned for its exquisitely carved lintels and false doors, displaying remarkable artistic craftsmanship.

After the Roluos tour, we'll return to your hotel in Siem Reap for check-out. You'll have some free time until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Take this opportunity to enjoy the last moments in this fascinating destination before bidding farewell to Vietnam and Cambodia, cherishing the unforgettable memories created during our 7-day itinerary. Safe travels!

End of Vietnam Cambodia itinerary 7 days !