Explore the Ancient Temples and Vibrant Cities of Cambodia and Vietnam

Get a feel for the histories and cultures of Cambodia and Vietnam with this 11-day guided tour. In addition to seeing the Hindu temples of Angkor Wat and the former Vietnamese presidential palace, you can take additional optional side trips, such as an evening vespa ride in Ho Chi Minh City. You can also extend your trip with 3 days in Bangkok for an additional fee. This trip includes the following:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) or Los Angeles (LAX)
• All intra-Asia flights and ground transportation
• 1 night of standard accommodations in Phnom Penh at Himawari Hotel
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Siem Reap at Sokha Angkor Resort
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City at Grand Hotel Saigon
• 1 night of standard accommodations in Ha Long City at Halong Plaza Hotel
• 2 nights of standard accommodations in Hanoi at Hilton Garden Inn
• 11 meals: daily buffet breakfast plus one lunch and two dinners
• Comprehensive touring program, including entrance fees
• Professional English-speaking local guides

See the full itinerary here.

Days 1–2: En route

Day 3: Phnom Penh, Cambodia

After flying across the world and crossing the International Date Line, your plane touches down in the Cambodian capital on Day 3. Spend the day getting settled and strolling the streets of Phnom Penh on a guided tour. Enjoy a welcome dinner after the days excursions. A few things to look forward to:

• Tour the Royal Palace: The kings of Cambodia have resided in this palace since its construction in 1866. The famous Emerald Buddha lives here, too.
• Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: A somber visit to this former Khmer Rouge prison tells of Cambodia's violent Communist history through black-and-white photographs and artifacts.
• Sample local cuisine such as traditional tiger-prawn curry, or seek out more adventurous fare, including deep-fried tarantulas and stir-fried ants.

Days 4–5: Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, Cambodia

After breakfast, you'll fly to Siem Reap to explore Cambodia's ancient past at Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spread over 400 square kilometers, it contains remnants of the Khmer Empire's capitals from the 9th–15th centuries. During the tour you'll see:

• Angkor Wat: One of the best-preserved temples in Cambodia, Angkor Wat is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and remains one of the country's most popular attractions.
• Look for Kala: Kala, a monster associated with the Hindu god Shiva, appears as a motif throughout the ruins—look for a monstrous head, sharp teeth, and no lower jaw.
• Terrace of the Elephants: This extensive terrace surrounding the walled city of Angkor Thom is named for its intricate carvings, many of which are of elephants.

Day 6: Siem Reap, Lake Tonle Sap, and Ho Chi Minh City

Tour visits Lake Tonle Sap, SE Asia’s largest freshwater lake, on Day 6. Passengers board a boat and visit a village to see the floating houses, farms and even hospital and then enjoy free time at the Siem Reap market. After this, they fly to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy a city tour that includes that Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Opera House, City Hall & more. Additional information available here. This leg of the tour includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Presidential Palace: Once the South Vietnamese presidential headquarters, the palace was stormed by North Vietnamese troops in 1975, bringing an end to the Vietnam War.
• Notre-Dame Basilica reflects the city's French colonial roots, with Romanesque spires and a façade made of bricks imported from Marseille.
• Saigon Opera House: This French colonial building is modeled after the Palais Garnier in Paris.

Days 7-8: Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Long Bay

Enjoy some time at leisure or fill your time with optional tours, including a boat tour of the Mekong Delta or tour the Cu Chi Tunnels. On Day 8, travel to Ha Long Bay. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay contains thousands of limestone isles and karsts—cavelike geological formations made by dissolved rock.

Days 9: Ha Long Bay

On day 9, travel by private boat through lush limestone formations and small islands said to have been formed by a dragon in Ha Long Bay; a fresh seafood lunch is served during the cruise.

Day 10: Hanoi

The tour wraps up in Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital city and the onetime capital of French Indochina. You'll be able to check out the city's cultural offerings, such as art galleries, the Trang Tien Plaza shopping center, and a traditional water puppet show. An included half-day tour covers the following sites:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The body of former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh lies in state inside a glass casket.
• One Pillar Pagoda: An air of tranquility suffuses this wooden pagoda perched on a single pillar above a pond full of lotuses.
• Hỏa Lò Prison held several POWs during the Vietnam War, including US Senator John McCain. The guillotine and underground tunnels serve as a chilling reminder of the country's troubled past.
• Museum of Ethnology: This research center and public museum celebrates the various ethnic groups of Vietnam.
• Optional excursion: See Hanoi's historic district from a cyclo (a a three-wheeled bicycle popular in Vietnam) before catching a traditional water puppet show.

Day 11: Depart from Vietnam

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much would it cost to fly from an airport not listed as part of this deal?
This deal is only available with departures from LAX and JFK.

2. Can we extend our trip before or after the promotional dates for the deal?
Late returns are possible at a cost of $100 per person, plus any difference in airfare and additional services required, and are subject to availability. To book a late return, let Friendly Planet know and they’ll do their best to accommodate your request.

3. How do I find out if the dates I want to travel are available?
If your requested date is available for purchase on Groupon’s site, it should still be available.

4. What happens if I buy the Groupon and my travel dates are not available?
If your requested date is available for purchase on Groupon’s site, it should still be available.

5. Does my child need a Groupon, and can they stay in my room?
Every passenger traveling is required to have one. Triple rooms are only available upon request and are subject to availability.