Highlights
- Walk amid the clouds on Da Nang's Golden Bridge
- Discover historic landmarks and ancient capitals in Hanoi and Tam Coc
- Tour the ancient Khmer city of Angkor and its legendary temples
- Board a boat for a ride around the floating villages of Tonlé Sap
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Da Nang (Vietnam), Optional Beaches | Da Nang |
| Day 2 | Day Trip to the Golden Bridge | Da Nang |
| Day 3 | Fly to Hanoi, City Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 4 | Day Trip to Ninh Binh, Temples & Boat Rides | Hanoi |
| Day 5 | Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Gateway to Angkor | Siem Reap |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Angkor Temples | Siem Reap |
| Day 7 | Visit Banteay Srei & Floating Villages, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Da Nang (Vietnam), Optional Beaches
Welcome to Vietnam! Rather than arriving in the capital of Hanoi (you'll enjoy that later), this adventure kicks off in Da Nang. Located on the central Vietnamese coast, all around this dynamic and modern city lies the beauty and culture that has made Vietnam a tourism hotspot. Besides the long golden beaches and high mountain passes, Da Nang also boasts a thriving restaurant scene.
A driver will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Then, you'll have the rest of the day to enjoy Da Nang on your own schedule. Perhaps stretch your legs with a leisurely stroll on the banks of the Han River, the arterial waterway that bisects the city. Or head to the wide and inviting sands of My Khe, Da Nang's main urban beach. And when you get hungry, not to worry—in Da Nang, like elsewhere in Vietnam, you're never far from world-class street food.
Day 2: Day Trip to the Golden Bridge
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll meet your driver for a day trip to the most stunning landmark in Da Nang: the Golden Bridge. Located in the misty Truong Son Mountains, this 490-foot (150 m) pedestrian bridge sits at the top of the green Ba Na Hill. This entire region was a popular leisure spot for 19th-century French colonialists due to the incredible views it offers over the countryside and coast.
After driving for one hour to the mountain's base, you'll ascend to the top via the Ba Na Cable Car. Running 19,032 feet (5,801 m), this is the longest non-stop cable car in the world. Once at the top, you'll stand 4,593 feet (1,400 m) above sea level. Enjoy the dizzying 360-degree views with a stroll along the Golden Bridge, whose most incredible feature is the pair of giant stone hands gently cradling it.
The bridge crosses lovely gardens and offers views of nearby French villas, which make great photo opportunities. Another highlight is the Linh Tu Pagoda, a temple dedicated to the Holy Mountain Mother, a kind of patron saint of Ba Na Hill. Return to your hotel in Da Nang in the late afternoon.
Day 3: Fly to Hanoi, City Tour
In the morning, you'll transfer to the airport in Da Nang and catch a 1.5-hour flight north to Hanoi. Vietnam's dazzling capital has been a societal hub in the Red River Delta region ever since the third century BCE. Since that time, the city, along with the country, has seen the rise of dynasties, dictatorships, and devastating wars. Its streets are filled with history and energy, from ancient temples and communist-era landmarks to endless street food carts and bustling merchant shops.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, a driver will meet you at the terminal for the ride to your hotel in the city. Then, you'll meet another guide for a full-day city tour. It begins at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where Vietnam's revered revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh, lies embalmed in a mausoleum. Amble through the peaceful grounds to see the humble wooden stilt house where he once lived and the ornate One Pillar Pagoda, which sits in the middle of a lake and resembles Vietnam's national flower, the lotus.
After lunch, visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology, which houses an expansive collection of artifacts from Vietnam's 54 ethnic minority groups. Next up is the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first national university, built in the late 11th century. Lauded for its striking architecture, the temple is featured on the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote. Finish the tour in the historic Old Quarter on the shores of Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals come to socialize, practice tai chi, and pray at Ngoc Son, an island temple.
Day 4: Day Trip to Ninh Binh, Temples & Boat Rides
Meet your driver in the morning and transfer a couple of hours south of Hanoi to Ninh Binh, a region loved for its palace ruins and verdant rice paddies bisected by snaking rivers. Your first stop is Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, which features decorative temples built in honor of former emperors like Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty.
Stop at a market and restaurant for lunch before heading to the dock at Tam Coc. Here, you'll board a sampan boat, which your driver will row with their feet, local style. Float through limestone grottoes and marvel at spiritual sites like Dia Linh Mountain, which stands out amid the dramatic karst scenery. End the day with a trip to Mua Cave, where you can climb nearly 500 steps for a panoramic view over Tam Coc, before returning to Hanoi.
Day 5: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia), Gateway to Angkor
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Day Trip to Angkor Temples
Get ready to discover Angkor, one of the most awe-inspiring archaeological parks in the world. This full-day experience kicks off early with your transfer to Angkor Thom (literally "Great City"), once the most impressive royal city of Cambodia's Angkor period. Construction began on this massive temple city in the 12th century by King Jayavarman VII, and it covers a whopping 3.5 square miles (9 sq km).
A major highlight here is the 12th-century Bayon Temple. This marvel is comprised of 54 Gothic towers featuring 216 stone sculptures of Jayavarman VII's smiling face and glaring eyes. Other structures you'll visit include the Terrace of the Elephants (with sculptures and bas-reliefs of elephants), Phimeanakas (a three-tiered pyramid), and the Terrace of the Leper King, known for its carvings of demons and mythological figures.
In the afternoon, you'll return to Siem Reap and visit Wat Thmei (New Wat). Also known as the Killing Fields Pagoda, this Buddhist temple was built in 1966 and is famed for its elegant stupa, which houses the remains of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Though only in power for four years, this murderous dictatorship claimed the lives of over two million Cambodians or about 25% of the country. In addition to its spiritual role, Wat Thmei functions as an educational center, raising awareness about the history of the Khmer Rouge and the importance of preserving the memory of the victims.
Day 7: Visit Banteay Srei & Floating Villages, Depart
After breakfast, take a trip back to the ruins. On the way, you'll stop at the artisan village of Preah Dak, where you can browse for Khmer art, woven baskets, and other handmade items. Then, you'll tour Banteay Srey, a 10th-century Hindu temple made of pink sandstone, almost every inch of which is adorned with intricate designs. The name Banteay Srey translates to "Citadel of Women," and it's indeed likely that women completed the elegant carvings depicting scenes from the Sanskrit epic "Ramayana."
In the afternoon, you'll transfer 11 miles (18 km) south to Tonlé Sap. The "Great Lake of Cambodia" is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems. Here, you'll board a traditional wooden boat and travel to the famous floating villages—communities comprised of wooden stilt houses over the water. On a visit to one such village, you'll visit Les Chantiers Écoles. Since 1992, this group of artisans has been providing training to young Cambodians in an effort to revive the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting.
Later, you'll return to the hotel in Siem Reap to gather your things. Then, you'll bid a fond farewell to Cambodia. A vehicle will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the airport, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!
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