Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

(10 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi, Siem Reap (Angkor)

This private luxury tour visits the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia. Stay at the best luxury hotels in Vietnam and Cambodia, and enjoy personalized private touring with your own guides and drivers.

Begin in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam's most dynamic city. With an expert private guide and driver, learn about the city's history while touring French colonial-era landmarks, as well as the mid-century Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Visit interesting neighborhoods like Cholon (Saigon's Chinatown) and explore busy markets and temples. Perhaps stop for a refreshing Vietnamese iced coffee, or snack on a typical Vietnamese banh mi (baguette sandwich). If desired, browse the boutiques of Vietnamese designers and renowned art galleries and museums. Alternatively, take an excursion into the countryside to tour the Cu Chi Tunnels. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange additional activities such as river boat rides, meeting with historians, visits to private homes, private musical performances, philanthropic activities, art and design touring, an excursion to the Mekong Delta, private cooking classes and tasting tours, and more.

Next, travel to Hoi An, an atmospheric port town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay at a luxury beachfront resort, and experience the best of this centuries-old town during private touring. Visit the vibrant morning market, where stalls are piled high with fresh fish and produce. Explore the colorful backstreets, and tour well-preserved historic homes, temples, the Japanese Covered Bridge and other interesting attractions. Perhaps visit a local tailor for custom-made silk clothing, a Hoi An specialty, and enjoy a boat ride on the river. Also visit the nearby Museum of Cham Sculpture, as well as the Marble Mountains, which contain Buddhist cave temples. Upon request, we can arrange additional activities in and near Hoi An, such as visits to local villages, cooking lessons and farm visits, an excursion to the Cham ruins in My Son, biking through the countryside, or a silk lantern-making lesson at a Confucian temple. There will also be time to relax and enjoy your resort's beautiful architecture, spa and beach.

Continue to Hanoi, Vietnam's fascinating capital and intellectual center. During private touring, visit the city's most important historical attractions, such as the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, the House on Stilts and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. Take an in-depth tour of Hanoi's incredible Old Quarter, where each street was historically dedicated to a specific trade or material, such as bamboo, silk and lacquer. While touring the narrow streets, learn about the history of the Old Quarter and its traditional architecture, and see how it has transformed into a fashionable district with cafes, art galleries and boutiques featuring the finest Vietnamese design and style. Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and leafy backstreets lined with beautiful French colonial-era buildings, many of which are now upscale restaurants. If desired, also visit Hanoi's top museums, such as the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology and the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum. One day, meet a culinary expert to tour one of Hanoi's excellent markets and sample local street food specialties like bun cha (barbecued pork with noodles) and pho cuon (fresh herb and beef rolls). Also attend a performance of Hanoi's renowned water puppet show, or attend a performance at the landmark Hanoi Opera House.

Finally, fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to explore incredible Angkor, the wondrous ruins of the ancient Khmer empire. With your private guide, tour the most interesting parts of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including Angkor Wat, an enormous temple city built as a model of the Hindu universe in stone; Angkor Thom, an ancient capital filled with iconic sites such as the Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King; Ta Prohm, a temple being devoured by the jungle; and serene Preah Khan, a former monastery and school. Also visit Banteay Srei, a petite temple with elaborate carvings in pink sandstone, and other lesser-known temples. Additional special-interest activities can also be arranged, such as a cruise on Lake Tonle Sap, bike riding, Khmer cooking lessons, private yoga sessions, visits to orphanages and children's centers, Khmer dance performances, photography excursions, shopping, village tours or chartering a helicopter to remote jungle temples.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Saigon, Vietnam VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Saigon Full-day private city tour Day 3 Saigon – Hoi An Private transfer to airport for flight to Da Nang. Private arrival transfer to Hoi An resort for 2 nights, with touring en route Day 4 Hoi An Morning private tour. Afternoon at leisure at resort Day 5 Hoi An – Hanoi Private transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Hanoi. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 6 Hanoi Full-day private city tour, including culinary touring. Evening water puppet or opera house performance Day 7 Hanoi – Siem Reap, Cambodia Private transfer to airport for flight to Siem Reap. Fast-track assistance through immigration. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Sunset private tour of ruins Day 8 Siem Reap Private touring of temples and ruins Day 9 Siem Reap Private touring of more remote temples and ruins or private cruise on Tonle Sap Lake Day 10 Depart Siem Reap Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

Saigon: Park Hyatt Saigon or The Reverie Saigon Hoi An: Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai Hanoi: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel or Capella Hanoi Siem Reap: Amansara or Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor

Cost

$12,850 Per person (double occupancy)