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The Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

Including Angkor Wat

These fascinating countries of South East Asia have many common threads running through them. The hotels we use are of a good standard, the food is superb and the people friendly and welcoming.

The hotels we use are of a good standard, the food is superb and the people friendly and welcoming.

The saffron of the Buddhist monks, gorgeous silks and flowers, motor scooters, charming people, a recent history of war, heat and humidity and a determination to move forward. 

The Kingdom of Cambodia, more than UNESCO Heritage Angkor Wat and Tonle Sap Lake, offers an array of sleepy towns, faded colonial architecture, memorable landscapes, a chequered history and friendly people.

Vietnam - rich in history, a diverse culture, World Heritage sites, natural scenery and charming innocence, plus frenetic Ho Chi Minh City, enchanting Hoi An, colonial Hanoi, UNESCO Halong Bay and Sapa in the highlands.

Our 19th tour to the region - a popular, tried and true itinerary.

 

Your travel itinerary

Tuesday 20 May

Auckland - Singapore

Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines with a late evening arrival in Singapore.  Overnight at the Airport Hotel.

Wednesday 21 May

Singapore - Siem Reap (Cambodia)

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A morning flight to Siem Reap. After lunch at a local restaurant, we take a boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake (Asia’s largest inland lake) to see the way of life of the lake-dwelling people - an unexpected highlight. Welcome Dinner tonight. 

Thursday 22 May

Angkor Wat

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A special tour of Angkor Wat, the UNESCO site built in the 12th century and last capital of the Khmer Empire. The complex looks much the same as it would have done when the French explorers came here 140 years ago – shrouded in undergrowth with huge roots of old Banyan trees growing over and down the ruins. The Southern Gate is guarded by giant carvings of gods and demons all preserved in time. Sunset paints the temple in an orange light.

Friday 23 May

Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh

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Tour the intricate temples of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samré, with a delightful stop at a palm sugar village in between. Transfer for an afternoon Vietnam Airways flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Saturday 24 May

Ho Chi Minh City

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Our morning begins with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels constructed during the Vietnam War. This is a unique experience to feel what life was like underground for the Viet Cong during the war years as well as seeing the countryside. Lunch is followed by a city tour which features a poignant visit to the War Relics Museum, followed by the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral.

 

Sunday 25 May

Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta

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Today, travel by coach to the Mekong. Take a cruise through river islands, the busy floating market and visit local people in their homes. After lunch, sail through a handmade canal to An Binh Island with stops to see ‘cottage’ industries of candy making, rice paper production and much more. 

Optional Tour: Vespa Evening Tour 

This part-night excursion on the back of a vintage Vespa scooter, part street food adventure of Ho Chi Minh City allows you to experience night life the way the locals do. 

Cost: NZD$220 per person 

Monday 26 May

Ho Chi Minh – Hoi An

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Free time to visit the famous Ben Thanh Market before our noon flight to Danang. After a brief local tour, drive to Hoi An via the Marble Mountains.  Hoi An retains the feeling of centuries past and is a real gem.  The ‘old town’ is a pedestrian and bike-only zone with a maze of shops and tailors.  An opportunity to order tailor-made clothes.

 

Tuesday 27 May

Hoi An

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Optional Cooking Class L - This morning, an option to join the Cooking Class (NZD$90) at a local restaurant, visiting a local food market along the way for ingredients. 

For those not attending the cooking class, the morning is free.This afternoon, a guided walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Old Quarter and the fruit, vegetable and fish markets. Remainder of the day free.

Wednesday 28 May

Hoi An

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Early start as we head off on our Farming and Fishing Life Eco Tour. Get a personal insight into local farming communities and their methods, before a leisurely cycle tour and a river cruise. Lunch on board using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village. After lunch free time to wander around Hoi An and possibly collect your new tailored clothes.

 

Thursday 29 May

Hoi An – Danang – Hue

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Morning travel by coach along the coastal road to Hue, known as the Imperial city and a former Vietnamese capital. Tour the walled citadel where former dynasties ruled and the very unique Garden House in Hue.  Enjoy a special cuisine dinner at a garden house.  

 

Friday 30 May

Hue– Hanoi

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After breakfast, board a dragon boat for a cruise along the famous Perfume River to the countryside. Later, transfer to the airport for a flight to the French colonial city of Hanoi for a two-night stay.

Saturday 31 May

Hanoi

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Our city tour includes the Ho Chi Minh complex, the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, a former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda.  

After lunch, visit the Museum of Ethnology and the infamous Hoa Loa Prison Museum also known as the ‘Hanoi Hilton.’  Later, enjoy a one hour cyclo tour of the French inspired ‘Old Quarter.’ Dinner tonight in a local restaurant. 

Sunday 01 June

Hanoi – Halong Bay

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This morning drive to the ‘Jewel in the Crown of Vietnam’ – Halong Bay.  

Board your boat and set sail while lunch is served.  Cruise among thousands of limestone Karst formations and understand why this area is now one of the ‘New Seven Wonders of Nature.’ Special dinner onboard.

 

Monday 02 June

Halong Bay – Hanoi

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Enjoy breakfast on board and the morning cruise before the drive back to Hanoi. Hanoi’s history dates back a thousand years, but the French European influence is clearly seen in the elegant colonial buildings and tree-lined boulevards which contrast with the Old Quarter. Free time before dinner.

 

Tuesday 03 June

Hanoi – Overnight Train to Sapa

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A day in the countryside exploring at leisure, two traditional villages around Hanoi featuring workshops, paintings and music. Return to the city for lunch with the rest of the afternoon free before freshening up for dinner and our overnight ‘Fansipan’ train at 8.30pm.  Tonight’s journey is in a sleeper train with two people per four berth cabin. 

 

Wednesday 04 June

Lao Cai - Sapa

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Arrive early at Lao Cai Station, only three kms from the Chinese border. After breakfast visit Cat village and continue through rice paddy terraced fields and areas of rain forest to the Y Linh Ho village inhabited by Black Hmong people. Arrive Sapa early afternoon with free time before dinner.

 

 

Thursday 05 June

Sapa

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This morning a short drive toward Muong Hoa valley. Observe and experience how the locals plant and harvest rice, one of the most important activities in their daily lives. We then take a short walk from Lao Chai village of the Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority. Afternoon free before dinner.

 

Friday 06 June

Sapa – Hanoi

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This morning free time to wander around the town and Sapa’s market.  After lunch, travel by express coach back to Hanoi. Arrive late evening.

 

Saturday 07 June

Hanoi – Singapore

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Morning at leisure before transferring to the airport for a noon flight to Singapore.Change planes and continue on to Auckland.

Sunday 08 June

Singapore – Auckland

Arrive Auckland mid day. 

 

Inclusions

• Economy class flights - Auckland – Singapore – Siem Reap / Ho Chi Minh City – Danang / Danang – Hanoi / Hanoi -     Singapore - Auckland

• English speaking guides in Vietnam and  Cambodia

• All hotel accommodation with private   facilities. 

• Meals as specified

• All transfers and transport as outlined

• Entrance fees and permits during guided   time

• Cyclo tour in Hanoi

• Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour in Hoi An

• Halong Bay cruise (overnight) 

• Overnight train to Sapa

• Escort subject to 15 persons travelling

Cost

Cost Per Person *
Auckland - Auckland
Twin ShareSingle 
 

$7,995

 $10,095

Business Class (Auckland – Singapore return only )

 

+$4,485

Premium Economy ( Auckland – Singapore return only )

 

+$1,699

Early Booking Discount (01 December 2024)

 $150

Previous International Pukekohe Travel Tour Discount $100

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

• Travel Insurance - please ask us for a   quote

• Airline and Government taxes (approx.   NZD215) 

• Vietnamese e-Visa Fee (approx. NZD50) 

• Cambodian e-Visa Fee (approx. NZD65)

• Items of a personal nature 

• Tips for guides and drivers

• Optional extras – Vespa Tour (NZD220) -   Cooking Class (NZD$90)

Booking Conditions

• A non-refundable deposit of $750 per   person secures a place on the tour

• Full payment is due no later than 06 March 2025

Cancellations

• From date of booking until 06 March 2025 – loss of deposit 

• After 06 March 2025– no refund

Travel Insurance

• Travel insurance is essential  - please ask for a quote. 

General Information

Documentation

• Travel insurance is compulsory – please   ask us for a quote 

• A current passport is required – valid six   months beyond return date of travel

• All other passports – please ask

• A Vietnamese e-Visa is required and   Pukekohe Travel will assist in obtaining   this (NZD50)

• Cambodian e-Visa (approx. NZD65) each

 Climate / Temperatures

May / June in Indo China is summertime and it will be hot most of the time – max 35°c in Hanoi. We have planned rest time from the heat.  

The hotels, coaches and the trains are air-conditioned.

 Clothes

Lightweight, comfortable clothes are the order of the day – the laundry service in the hotels is inexpensive and efficient. Hats, sunglasses and comfortable sandals are a must.  A scarf or pareu is handy for temples etc. or for sun protection.

A small umbrella is great for rain showers or sunshade.

Water

Bottled water is available for purchase at all times.

 Food

Fruit and vegetables are plentiful.  Due to the colonial influence, bread is of very good quality.  Meals are reasonably priced, the cost of Western style food is more expensive, but still reasonable.  Beer is the best alcohol option, local and international brands are available – wine and spirits are relatively expensive.

Currency / Money

Vietnam - the Dong

Cambodia – Riel (Tourists only use USD)

These currencies are not available outside the countries. US Dollar cash is widely used and the currency to travel with. ATM’s in Cambodia dispense USD  

A budget of NZD50 per person per day will adequately cover extra meals, incidentals and tipping.

 Shopping

The scope is huge: silk, linen, lacquer-ware, tailor made clothes, children’s clothes, shoes to name a few.  Remember to leave home with no more than 12 to 15 kg of luggage!! 

Hawkers are everywhere, follow the guide’s advice and be prepared to bargain or ignore.

 Cultural

Photographic opportunities are plentiful – respect the local people and ask before taking photos.

Health and Mobility

A good standard of health and fitness is required, along with the ability to walk unaided on uneven, fairly steep surfaces is essential.

 

Terms and Conditions

• For full terms and conditions please visit our website www.pukekohetravel.co.nz/termsandconditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy


Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change

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