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Comprehensive 10-Day Vietnam and Cambodia Cultural Adventure in May

Viewed by 73 travelers

Day 1: Hanoi Exploration

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 1, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Pho Bat Dan

Enjoy traditional Vietnamese Pho at this popular local spot open from 6:00AM, perfect for an authentic start to your morning.
VND50,000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple

Stroll around the scenic lake and visit the historic Ngoc Son Temple, open daily from 7:00AM to 7:00PM.
VND30,000, 1.5 hours

11:30AM

Explore Old Quarter

Walk through Hanoi's bustling Old Quarter, famous for its vibrant street life and traditional craft shops.
Free, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien

Sample the famous Bun Cha dish, Hanoi-style grilled pork with noodles, open from 10:00AM to 9:00PM.
VND60,000, 1 hour

3:00PM

Visit Temple of Literature

Explore the ancient Confucian temple dedicated to scholars, open from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
VND30,000, 1.5 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at Cha Ca Thang Long

Enjoy Cha Ca, a local grilled fish speciality, in a restaurant open until 10:00PM.
VND150,000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 2: Historic Hanoi & Water Puppet Show

Hanoi, Vietnam on May 2, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Kafe Villa

Sit down for a fusion breakfast offering local and western options, open from 7:00AM.
VND100,000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Pay respects at the preserved mausoleum and explore the nearby Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda, open from 8:00AM to 11:00AM except Mondays and Fridays.
Free, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at Quan An Ngon

Dine on a wide variety of authentic Vietnamese dishes served in a charming colonial villa, open until 10:00PM.
VND120,000, 1 hour

2:00PM

Explore Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

Learn about the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam through exhibits and traditional homes, open 8:30AM to 5:30PM.
VND40,000, 2 hours

5:30PM

Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre

Experience a traditional Vietnamese art form with a water puppet show, performances start at 6:30PM and last about 50 minutes.
VND100,000, 1 hour

7:30PM

Dinner at The Hanoi Social Club

Enjoy vegetarian and international cuisine in a cozy artsy setting, open until 11:00PM.
VND150,000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Hanoi

Day 3: Ha Long Bay Cruise

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam on May 3, 2025

7:00AM

Depart Hanoi to Ha Long Bay

Travel approximately 4 hours by road to Ha Long Bay, known for its stunning limestone karsts and emerald waters.
Included in cruise package, 4 hours

11:30AM

Board Cruise and Lunch

Embark on a 2-day, 1-night luxury cruise; enjoy a fresh seafood lunch while cruising the bay.
USD150, 1.5 hours

1:00PM

Explore Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island

Visit the spectacular Sung Sot Cave and relax or swim at Titop Island with breathtaking views.
Included in cruise, 3 hours

6:00PM

Dinner on Board

Savour a traditional Vietnamese dinner prepared on the cruise as you watch the sunset.
Included, 1.5 hours

8:00PM

Evening Activities

Optional squid fishing or relax on deck under the stars.
Free, 1 hour
Find Hotels in Ha Long Bay

Day 4: Return to Hanoi & Fly to Da Nang

Da Nang, Vietnam on May 4, 2025

7:00AM

Breakfast on Board

Enjoy breakfast while cruising back to the harbour.
Included, 1 hour

8:30AM

Return to Harbour and Transfer to Hanoi Airport

Disembark and take coach back to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Da Nang.
Included, 4 hours

1:00PM

Flight from Hanoi to Da Nang

Fly approximately 1.5 hours to Da Nang, gateway to central Vietnam's heritage.
USD80, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Check-in and Relax in Da Nang

Relax at your hotel or explore the nearby Han River Bridge area, known for its evening lighting.
Free, 2 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at Mi Quang Ba Mua

Try Mi Quang, a signature noodle dish from Central Vietnam, open till 9:00PM.
VND60,000, 1 hour
Find Hotels in Da Nang

Day 5: Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An, Vietnam on May 5, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at The Rachel Restaurant & Coffee

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast in Hoi An’s charming environment.
VND80,000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Travel from Da Nang to Hoi An

A short 45-minute drive takes you to the UNESCO-listed ancient town of Hoi An.
USD10 taxi, 45 minutes

10:00AM

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Visit Japanese Covered Bridge, Old Houses and vibrant markets. Open daily 8:00AM to 6:00PM.
VND120,000 entry ticket, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Miss Ly Cafeteria

Enjoy local dishes like Cao Lau, iconic noodle dish of Hoi An, open around 7:00AM to 8:00PM.
VND70,000, 1 hour

2:30PM

Visit Tra Que Vegetable Village

Cycle to this organic farming village to learn about local farming traditions.
Free; bike rental approx. VND20,000, 2 hours

6:00PM

Dinner at Morning Glory Restaurant

Dine on expertly prepared local and Vietnamese favourites, open until 10:00PM.
VND180,000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Hoi An

Day 6: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on May 6, 2025

7:00AM

Breakfast at hotel in Hoi An

Enjoy a hearty breakfast before travel.
Included in hotel stay, 1 hour

9:00AM

Drive to Da Nang Airport and flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Travel 45 minutes to Da Nang airport and fly approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to Ho Chi Minh City.
USD80, 3 hours including transfer

12:30PM

Lunch at Pho 2000

Enjoy authentic Pho where former US President Bill Clinton once dined, open until 10:00PM.
VND60,000, 1 hour

2:00PM

Visit War Remnants Museum

Discover Vietnam’s war history through impactful exhibits, open 7:30AM to 6:00PM.
VND40,000, 2 hours

5:00PM

Walk around Ben Thanh Market

Shop for souvenirs and immerse in local street food culture, shops open until 7:00PM.
Free entry; shopping at own cost, 1.5 hours

7:00PM

Dinner at Cuc Gach Quan

Enjoy home-style Vietnamese cooking in a charming setting, open until 10:00PM.
VND200,000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 7: Fly to Siem Reap

Siem Reap, Cambodia on May 7, 2025

6:30AM

Early Breakfast at Hotel

Quick breakfast before your flight to Cambodia.
Included, 1 hour

8:00AM

Flight to Siem Reap

Fly approximately 1 hour 15 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, Cambodia.
USD100, 1.5 hours including airport formalities

11:00AM

Check-in and Lunch at Cuisine Wat Damnak

Dine on modern Khmer cuisine in one of Siem Reap’s finest restaurants, open from 11:30AM to 2:30PM.
USD25, 1 hour

1:00PM

Visit Angkor National Museum

Gain insight into Khmer history and the temples before exploring them, open 8:30AM to 6:00PM.
USD12, 2 hours

4:00PM

Relax or Visit Pub Street

Enjoy the lively atmosphere of Siem Reap’s downtown with cafes and shops; ideal for light shopping and refreshments.
Free, 2 hours

7:00PM

Dinner at Marum

Savour Cambodian dishes made by local chefs in a community project restaurant, open till 9:30PM.
USD15, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Siem Reap

Day 8: Angkor Wat Temples

Siem Reap, Cambodia on May 8, 2025

5:00AM

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Witness the magical temple sunrise, early entry allowed for sunrise ticket holders.
USD37 for 1-day pass, 2 hours

7:30AM

Breakfast in Angkor Cafe

Enjoy a meal near the temple area before full day exploration.
USD8, 1 hour

9:00AM

Tour Angkor Thom and Bayon Temple

Explore the ancient walled city with iconic smiling towers, open 7:30AM to 6:00PM.
Included in Angkor ticket, 3 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Khmer Kitchen Restaurant

Taste authentic Khmer dishes near the temples, open 11:00AM to 2:30PM.
USD12, 1 hour

2:00PM

Visit Ta Prohm and Preah Khan

Explore these atmospheric jungle temples with giant trees growing through ruins.
Included in Angkor ticket, 3 hours

6:30PM

Return to Siem Reap and Dinner at Haven

Enjoy a socially conscious dining experience with delicious food, open until 10:00PM.
USD18, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Siem Reap

Day 9: Further Angkor & Countryside

Siem Reap, Cambodia on May 9, 2025

8:00AM

Breakfast at Sister Srey Cafe

Healthy and fresh breakfasts in a popular cafe near the centre, open from 7:00AM.
USD6, 1 hour

9:00AM

Visit Banteay Srei Temple

Marvel at intricately carved pink sandstone temple about 25km from Siem Reap, open 7:30AM to 6:00PM.
Included in 3-day ticket, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch in a local village

Experience home cooked Khmer food in a rural setting offered by local families.
USD15, 1 hour

2:00PM

Tonle Sap Lake boat tour

Visit floating villages on Asia's largest freshwater lake, tours run throughout the afternoon.
USD15, 3 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at The Sugar Palm

Traditional Cambodian classics in a charming ambience, open till 9:00PM.
USD18, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Siem Reap

Day 10: Phnom Penh Highlights

Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 10, 2025

7:00AM

Flight to Phnom Penh

Fly approximately 45 minutes from Siem Reap to the CBD of Cambodia.
USD60, 1.5 hours including airport time

9:00AM

Breakfast at Friends the Restaurant

Enjoy social enterprise dining with quality local and international dishes, open 7:30AM to 9:30PM.
USD12, 1 hour

10:30AM

Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum

Learn about Cambodia’s tragic recent history, open 8:00AM to 5:30PM.
USD5, 2 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at Romdeng Restaurant

Sample Cambodian cuisine in a beautiful colonial building, open 11:00AM to 10:00PM.
USD15, 1 hour

2:30PM

Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda

Explore the stunning royal complex with its artistic architecture, open 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
USD10, 2 hours

5:00PM

Relax by the riverside

Enjoy the sunset and local life along the Mekong and Tonle Sap river banks.
Free, 1.5 hours

7:00PM

Dinner at Malis Restaurant

Dine on refined Khmer cuisine in a sophisticated environment, open 6:00PM to 10:00PM.
USD30, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Phnom Penh
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