VIETNAM – CAMBODIA STUDY TOUR FOR OVERSEA STUDENTS – 10 Days

Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students – Brief itinerary:

Day 1: Saigon – Arrival
Day 2: Saigon Half Day City – Cu Chi Tunnels Tour
Day 3: Vinh Long – My Tho – Can Tho – Floating Market
Day 4: Can Tho – Chau Doc – Tra Su Tour
Day 5: Chau Doc – Speed Boat to Phnom Penh
Day 6: Phnom Penh – City Tour in Private
Day 7: Phnom Penh – Boat trip to Siem Reap
Day 9: Siem Reap – Angkor Tour
Day 10: Siem Reap – Departure

DAY 1: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : ARRIVAL – SAIGON (-/-/-)

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel for check in.

The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life.

DAY 2: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students  : SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOUR AND CU CHI TUNNEL (B/-/-)O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

In the morning, the tour will take you to visit our bustling and friendly city. Your will be excited to view the daily life of local people with the crowded bikes and motorbikes. This tour gives you a chance to exploring the exotic street & sights of business city.

Start with Reunification Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War.

Nearby are Notre Dame Cathedral – an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral & Post office – the city’s major landmark. We have a shot walking down the shopping Dong Khoi street offers photo shooting opportunities. We continue our trip to Cu Chi. The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war.

The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. We visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Upon leaving Cu Chi we drive a short distance to Tay Ninh, the headquarters of Cao Dai Sect. This religion was founded in 1923 and now numbers over 2 million members.

We arrive in time to see the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend the fantastic mid-day service when the followers fill the hall wearing colored robes. These costumes are a symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : SAIGON TO MY THO – BEN TRE – CAN THO (B/-/-)

In the morning, heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands.

The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we proceed to Can Tho .

Arrive in Can Tho, the city located on Mekong Delta bank.

O/N in Can Tho.

DAY 4: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : CAN THO – CAI RANG – TRA SU – CHAU DOC (B/-/-)

After breakfast, board a sampan to visit Cai Rang floating market and a fruit garden (Ba Cong) and then ride on a “xe loi” (motor cyclo) from Chap Phap Bridge to Binh Thuy Ancient House. Observe the rural life and enjoy the beautiful vegetation along the riverbanks. In the afternoon, drive to Chau Doc, near the Cambodian border.  

On arrival, we visit Sam Mountain, a popular pilgrimage site with a host of Chinese, Cham and Khmer temples before checking into your hotel. We are going on to Tra Su cajuput forest which is renowned for not only its almost-untouched natural beauty but also its sanctuary of flora and fauna. Taking a boat trip into the forest and harmonizing oneself with nature.

The impressive pictures of cajuputs, the fragrance of flowers and the music-like noise of birds, insects and animals will definitely make travelers do not want to leave. From the observation post, the forest can be seen with an area of nearly 900 ha, home of many birds and animals, including some rare ones.

DAY 5: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : CHAU DOC – PHNOMPENH BY A SPEED BOAT (B/-/-)O/N in Chau Doc.

After early breakfast at the hotel, we depart from Chau Doc Town around 7 am. We transfer to the boat dock. First we take a ride cruising to a fish farm, and you will hear about the ways of life and doing business of the floating-house people.

A Cham minority village is the next one visited, where a towel weaving workshop is located with the weaving of the tcolourful traditional wears (Sarongs and towels). We have a chance to learn more about the Mekong delta people on stilted houses, especially Cham ethnic minority people.

Coming to Phnompenh in lunch time. Check in on arrival.

In the afternoon, visit National Museum, it was build in 1917 and designed in Khmer style by famed French architect Georges Groslier & Ecole Des Arts. The museum has a good collection of Khmer sculptures dating from the pre-Angkor period (4th centuries) to post-Angkor period (14th centuries).

Then visit Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, Silver Pagoda, Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles.  When you exit from the Royal Palaces, Then continue your visit to the riverfront, it is the most popular place for the tourist. The view of the confluence of Mekong and Tonle Sap River is the geographically unique.

O/N in Phnom Penh.

DAY 6: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : PHNOMPENH SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel

Today, we visit the notorious Killing Fields ” Choeung Ek” 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul Sleng Prison during Pol Pot regime (From 1975–1979). Then return back on the way drop and visit to the handicraft shop, spa and vocational training restaurant.

This place was created in 1996 by Pour un Sourire d’ Enfant (PSE). Is the NGO that aims to rescue Cambodian children who are forced to scavenge through the rubbish dumps to survive, especially around Steung Mean Chey garbage dump in Phnom Penh. Today we prefer you to have lunch over there. 

In the afternoon, we visit National Museum, it was built in 1917and designed in Khmer style by famed French architect Georges Groslier & Ecole Des Arts. The museum has a good collection of Khmer sculptures dating from the pre-Angkor period (4th centuries) to post-Angkor period (14th centuries).

Then visit Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, Silver Pagoda, Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles.  When you exit from the Royal Palaces, Then continue your visit to the riverfront, it is the most popular place for the tourist. The view of the confluence of Mekong and Tonle Sap River is the geographically.

O/N in Phnom Penh.

DAY 7: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : PHNOMPENH – BOAT TRIP TO SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TOURS (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel.

Transfer to Siem Reap by boat trip. The town of Siem Reap is our base for visiting the world famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which is home for the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire dating from 802 AD to 1350 AD. This stunning and extensive site sprawls through the dense jungle, over an area of 60 square miles. On arrival, you are met and transfer direct to hotel for check in.

DAY 8: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : ANGKOR WAT TOURS (B/-/-)O/N in Siemreap.

Visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Lunch at local restaurant (Your own account)

In this afternoon, we visit Angkor National Museum & the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor.

Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology, visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng Hills. Dinner and enjoy with Aspara Dance Show at local restaurant, O/N at Siem Reap. (Optional for elephant or balloon riding).

O/N in Siemreap.

DAY 9: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : ANGKOR WAT TOURS (B/-/-)

Breakfast hotel.

Today, we take time to visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Neak Pean, a fountain built in the middle of a pool (representing the paradisiacal Himalayan mountain-lake), Ta Som, built in late 12th century C.E. the most distant temple on the grand circuit, small but classic. Preah Khan temple, Built by the King Jayavarman VII. Lunch at local restaurant. 

This aternoon, we continue to visit the unique interior brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Srah Srang (“The Royal Baths” was once used for ritual bathing), Banteay Kdei (surrounded by 4 concentric walls), Ta Keo, constructed in late 10th early 11th century C.E, the first temple to be constructed wholly of sandstone. We go for dinner at local restaurant

O/N in Siem Reap.

DAY 10: Vietnam Cambodia Study Tour for Oversea Students : TONLE SAP LAKE TOUR – SIEM REAP DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel

We board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake. Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, and hospitals.

Free leisure for your own time for rolling at local market for shopping until transfer to Siem Reap International airport departure flight.

***End of Service***

INCLUDING:

• Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation in hotels (Twin / Double shared room)
• Meals as indicated: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner
• Regional English or French speaking guide
• Entrance fee to indicated sights
• Boat trip in Can Tho, Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Siemreap
• Pure bottled water & wipes

EXCLUDING:

• Other meals
• Tip, drinks
• Single room supplement
• Airport tax
• Personal expenses
• Visa, flight in/ out Indochina
• Travel insurance
• Any optional additional tours or activities during free time.