7 Nights Southern Indochina Discovery

Day 1 – Arrival at Ho Chi Minh City

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and be greeted by your chauffeur, who will transfer you to your hotel. Check in, relax and recuperate from the flight, and then explore the city at your leisure. This is a great opportunity to sample the restaurants in this famous Vietnamese city, so be sure to save up an appetite. Spend the night at your hotel in the city.

First: La Siesta Premium Saigon (Deluxe) | Novotel Saigon or similar
Deluxe: Hotel Des Art Saigon | Caravelle (Deluxe) or similar 
Deluxe Plus: The Reverie (Deluxe Room) | Park Hyatt (Park Room) or similar

Day 2 – Cu Chi Tunnels / Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out to sightsee at the renowned Chu Chi Tunnels. These played a noteworthy part in the Vietnam war, with the Vietnamese guerillas building a labyrinth of tunnels and hideouts to regroup and recuperate in. Explore this tunnel network, then return to Ho Chi Minh City for a tour of noteworthy sites. Highlights include key photo stops at the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. You can also take the opportunity to visit a local market in Chinatown, and the beautiful Thien Hau Temple or Quan Am Pagoda.

Spend the night in your Ho Chi Minh hotel.

First: La Siesta Premium Saigon (Deluxe) | Novotel Saigon or similar
Deluxe: Hotel Des Art Saigon | Caravelle (Deluxe) or similar 
Deluxe Plus: The Reverie (Deluxe Room) | Park Hyatt (Park Room) or similar

Day 3 – Ho Chi Minh City / Cai Be / Vinh Long / Can Tho

Depart the city and embark on a boat cruise, bringing you along the waters to the Cai Be area. Spend plenty of time on deck to watch the world flow by, watching the lively bustle of activity among the local merchants who trade directly from their boats. Visit a riverside village and the family-run businesses there, with traditional goods like rice cakes and rice paper on offer. Eat a delicious lunch at one of the local houses, then proceed to Bin Hoa Phuoc islet for a fantastic ride on a sampan boat.

Disembark at Vinh Long for your drive to Can Tho, appreciating the country views outside your window. Arrive at Can Tho, and spend the night there.

First: Sheraton Can Tho (Deluxe City River) | Muong Thanh Can Tho (Deluxe) or similar
Deluxe: Victoria Can Tho (Deluxe Room) or similar 
Deluxe Plus: Azerai Hotel (Garden Room) or similar 

Day 4 – Can Tho / Chau Doc

Eat a delicious breakfast, then take a morning boat cruise to the iconic Cai Rang Floating Market, where countless little boats bustle on the waters. Goods from all parts of the Mekong Delta are plied here, with the seasonal fruits providing a particularly enticing option to try. We recommend buying a variety of fruits to taste directly on the water – there’s nothing quite like it.

Proceed to the trading port of Chau Doc, close to the Cambodian border. On arrival, you’ll enjoy a boat trip to the Chau Giang fish farm, marvelling at the traditional industry of raising fish in cages between floating houses. Tour the Cham village for more glimpses at the lifestyle here, then overnight in Chau Doc.

First: Victoria Chau Doc (Deluxe Room) or similar 
Deluxe: Victoria Chau Doc (Deluxe Room) or similar

Day 5 – Chau Doc / Phnom Penh

Take to the waters once again on a half-day cruise to Phnom Penh, appreciating the grandness of the Mekong River and the rich culture of the people who live alongside it. When you arrive at Phnom Penh, check into your hotel, and in the afternoon enjoy a tour of the city’s most remarkable sites. From the Silver Pagoda that contains the famed Emerald Buddha statue, to the city’s oldest shrine Wat Phnom, and even the Royal Palace, you’ll be exploring truly beautiful landmarks and monuments.

End your tour in the city with an hour-long sumptuous Khmer massage at La Rose Spa – a truly luxurious way to end a great day. Then, rejuvenated and refreshed, spend your night at your Phnom Penh hotel.

First: Duong Chan Hotel | Baitong Hotel & Resort or similar
Deluxe: Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh or similar 
Deluxe Plus: Raffles Hotel Le Royal | Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeetra | Rosewood Phnom Penh or similar 

Day 6 – Phnom Penh / Siem Reap / Angkor Complex

After a delicious breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for a short flights to Siem Reap. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred to your hotel in the city. Your afternoon will be truly magnificent today, spent in discovery of the ancient city of Angkor. Enter into Angkor Thom via the South Gate, heading through the awe-inspiring ruins of Bayon, and then to many awe-inspiring sights. Explore Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terraces, the Leper King Terrace, and the breathtaking sight of Ta Prohm Temple wreathed in verdant jungle greenery.

After that day of outstanding exploration, head to your Siem Reap hotel to spend the night.

First: Anjali by Sophon | Tara Angkor Hotel | Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa or similar 
Deluxe: Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas | Anantara Angkor Resort | Navatu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat | Sohka Angkor Resort or similar 
Deluxe Plus: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort | Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor | Park Hyatt Siem Reap | Amansara or similar 

Day 7 – Siem Reap / Banteay Srei / Banteay Samre / Blessing Ceremony / Angkor Wat

Following a fulfilling breakfast, it’s time to head out to the countryside. Traverse ancient reservoirs and gorgeous small villages surrounded by rice paddies, and arrive at Banteay Srei where some of the finest Angkor period carvings remain. Visit Banteay Samre Temple on your return.

In the afternoon, drive to a local monastery, participating in a private ceremony where the local monks bless you with good luck, health, and safe journeys. Sit on the mat while the blessings are chanted, receiving a sprinkle of holy water believed to [ass on the good fortune of the gods. After the ceremony, a sacred thread will be tied around your wrist, said to ward against evil spirits or unfortunate accidents.

In the aftermath, head to Angkor Wat temple in the late afternoon, witnessing one of the world’s greatest wonders illuminated in the breathtaking colours of the setting sun.

Spend the night in your Siem Reap hotel.

First: Anjali by Sophon | Tara Angkor Hotel | Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa or similar 
Deluxe: Shinta Mani Angkor and Bensley Collection Pool Villas | Anantara Angkor Resort | Navatu Dreams Resort & Wellness Retreat | Sohka Angkor Resort or similar 
Deluxe Plus: Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort | Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor | Park Hyatt Siem Reap | Amansara or similar 

Day 8 – Siem Reap / Departure

This is your day of departure. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then spend your day in the city as you please until it’s time for your transfer to the airport.