Wendy Wu Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery

– Discover the delights of Hanoi
– Hike through the rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi
– Relax with a cruise on Halong Bay
– Soak up the scenery on the Hai Van Pass
– Explore the ancient town of Hoi An
– Meet the locals on the Mekong Delta
– Marvel at the magnificent temples of Angkor

Day 1-2 – Fly to Hanoi
Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s colonially influenced atmospheric capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3 – Discover local Hanoi
Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex and the Ethnology Museum to learn about the country’s ethnic groups. Next stop at the Confucian Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, before taking a walking tour of the Old Quarter where you will witness Hanoi’s rich cultural and artistic history. Take a relaxed stroll at Hoan Kiem Lake, a great spot for people-watching.

Day 4 – Hoang Su Phi
After breakfast travel to Hoang Su Phi, one of northern Vietnam’s emerald green rice terrace areas. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin exploring.

Day 5-6 – Hike through the rice terraces
Take an unforgettable journey on foot through the epic rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi. As you turn every corner, anew view of this outstanding landscape of lush, mist-wreathed terraces will unfold in front of you, providing a plethora of unreal photo opportunities. Stop enroute at the Red Yao Village to learn about local life in the area, and meet the Long Tunic Yao people as you explore. You’ll stay overnight in Hoang Su Phi on both nights.

Day 7 – Hoang Su Phi to Hanoi
Travel back to Hanoi and spend the rest of the day at your own leisure.

Day 8 – Overnight on Halong Bay
Board a traditionally designed junk boat for a serene and unforgettable cruise on the glassy, limestone studded waters of Halong Bay. Pass by quaint fishing towns, taste freshly caught seafood, and take a swim in the cool waters of the bay. Watch the sunset behind the limestone karsts from the deck of the boat, cocktail in hand.

Day 9 – Tai Chi and Cave Exploration
Start your day with a calming yet invigorating Tai Chi session on the deck of your junk boat, and take in the stillness of the morning as you gently set sail. Explore the inquisitive formations of Surprise Cave and enjoy a buffet lunch on board before cruising back to the dock and driving to Hanoi for your flight to Hue.

Day 10 – Farmer and Fisherman Experience
Hop on your bike today and wheel through the scenic rice paddies outside Hoi An. Pay a visit to local farmers where you can try your hand at traditional farming techniques – look out for water buffalo! Enjoy a calming boat ride to a peaceful fishing village, where you can try making a fishing net and go paddling in unique bamboo basket boats.

Day 11 – Charming Hoi An
Drive to Hoi An, stopping en route at the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Spend the afternoon wandering the beautiful, charming, flower-covered streets of this ancient town. Walk past Chinese traders’ homes, visit local artists and tailors and walk through the 16th century Japanese Bridge. Arguably Vietnam’s friendliest town, Hoi An is always a favourite for relaxed exploration.

Day 12 – Imperial Hue An by bicycle
Cycle through Hue for a tour of the imperial sights. Start at the Imperial City, then continue to Phu Mong Garden House, part of Hue’s legacy from the Nguyen Dynasty. Stop by Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River before driving to Tu Duc Tomb. From here, take a cyclo tour along the banks of the Perfume River

Day 13 – Saigon
Enjoy some free time before flying to Saigon in the late afternoon. This evening take an exhilarating ride on the back of a vintage Vespa, classic Saigon pillion style. Stop for a cocktail before continuing to a favourite local eating spot. Wind up your night with drinks, accompanied by a live band.

Day 14 – Saigon old and new
This morning discover the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way back to Saigon there is an opportunity to visit a Wildlife Rescue Station, aiming to stop the endangered wildlife trade in Vietnam. Continue to Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. This evening take an exhilarating ride on the back of a vintage Vespa, classic Saigon pillion style. Stop for a cocktail before continuing to a favourite local eating spot. Wind up your night with drinks, accompanied by a live band.

Day 15 – Ben Tre by bicycle
Drive to Ben Tre and set out on a boat trip through the winding, forest-lined canals. After lunch, cycle through rice fields and coconut groves and visit the Cao Dai Temple, local markets and a flower and bonsai village. Spend the night in a local homestay.

Day 16 – Cycle through the Mekong
Take a relaxed morning cycle through the village, sampling freshly picked fruit. Drop by the local market and pay a visit to Cai Nhum Cathedral before returning to Saigon.

Day 17 – Cambodian Circus
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. This a special treat that awaits in the form of a performance from the PHARE Cambodian Circus, an NGO which teaches street children to become internationally renowned circus artists.

Day 18 – Angkor Wat by tuk-tuk
What better way to see the world-famous Angkor Wat Complex than from the back of a traditional tuk-tuk? You’ll explore Angkor Wat, the centrepiece of Siem Reap’s famous temples, before riding your tuk-tuk to Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, a 12th-century masterpiece. Lastly, buried deep in the jungle, you will find Ta Prohm; a photogenic and atmospheric smorgasbord of trees wound through temple ruins.

Day 19 – Kompong Kleang Floating Village
Visit Kompong Kleang, a settlement of over 20,000 people housed in wooden structures on stilts, suspended up to ten metres above the water. Greeted by waves of friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia’s countryside culture and easy going family lifestyle. After lunch, head out into the dense forest and find the hidden temple of Beng Mealea, whose wonders lay undiscovered for centuries.

Day 20-21 – Fly Siem Reap to UK
Fly to the UK arriving home the same or following day.

You’ll spend 18 nights in 3+/4* accommodation

Your accommodation is selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. In more remote areas, accommodation may be of a lower standard and may not have all western amenities.

Hoi An by bicycle
Hop on a bike and take the scenic route through Hoi An’s beautiful rural scenery to try your hand at traditional farming techniques with a local farmer, and to paddle the round basket boat used by the locals.

Saigon by Scooter
Ride pillion on a vintage Vespa, through Saigon’s bustling streets on a night-time foodie adventure.

Angkor Tuk Tuk Tour
Sip on a cocktail before venturing to popular local eating spots, finishing up in a lively bar. Discover the many wonders of the Temples of Angkor on an exciting tuk tuk tour through the complex. Keep an eye out for jungle-engulfed ruins, orange-robed monks and the local wildlife.

Cambodian Circus Show
A rip-roaring combination of theatre, music, dance and circus, Phare: the Cambodian Circus, tells tales woven from local folklore, history and modern life in a unique, magical and authentically-Cambodian way.

– Return international flights
– All Accommodation
– Selected meals: 16 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 11 dinners
– All transportation & transfers
– All sightseeing & entrance fees
– English speaking National Escort & local guides
– Visa fees for UK & EU passport holders

Coaches: Coaches with air conditioning are used on our group tours for city sightseeing, short excursions to the countryside and longer transfers where necessary. However, mini buses may be used for smaller groups (under 10 passengers).

Planes: Internal flights are based on economy class, with reputable airlines.

Go Beyond

Go Beyond tours are characterised by engaging cultural experiences, active adventures and getting off the beaten track. They aim to include as much variety as possible so that no two days on your holiday will be alike. You’ll gain a deep understanding of your destination and experience more, whilst still getting to see all the major sights.

Most Wendy Wu groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a National Escort. There will usually be no more than 18 travellers in each group although you may encounter other Wendy Wu tour groups while you are travelling.

This tour has a Level 3 fitness rating. This means that a good level of fitness is required as you need to be comfortable walking for 2-3 hours and covering longer distances. Other activities such as cycling will be at a gentle pace and will involve straightforward terrain.