VFTA–35: 7D6N HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS – PHNOMPENH - SIEM REAP

You will be picked up by a staff of V-Family Travel at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Flight TBA) and transfer to Ho Chi Minh city_ the new name of Saigon, the second city which is the most important in Vietnam after only Hanoi capital. It is not only a commercial center but also a technological, industrial, a scientific and tourist center. Check in hotel.
O/N at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

ABF at hotel.
AM: HCM City
We start the trip by visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, followed by exploring the Reunification Palace, and the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, take break time at Ben Thanh Market.
PM: Cu Chi Tunnels
Located 60km from HCMC, Cu Chi is now a popular spot for both Vietnamese & foreign tourists - the network of over 200km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.
Today, ducks and water buffalos happily co-exist in the rivers along the side of the road. However, the peaceful rural rice paddy scenery belies the area’s violent history. Visitors will find it hard to imagine the destruction, damage & defoliation over this whole area, caused by bombing and mines. There is plenty of evidence of the fierce battle that took place here during the 1960s when Cu Chi was a "Free Target Zone".
Start our tour in the morning, before entering the tunnels, visitors can watch a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. You will spend the next hour exploring the tunnels. Afterwards, enjoy tea, cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war). Return to Saigon. 
O/N at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

ABF at hotel.
Transfer to the Tan Son Nhat International airport for flight to Phnompenh- Cambodia.
Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Int’s Airport, process immigration procedure (visa on arrival is available or obtain in advance via www.evisa.gov.kh), then get your luggage and walk straight to the Exit Gate where our driver (no guide) is waiting. After self-introduced, you’ll transfer directly around 45 minutes to the hotel in the city for check in (check in time is 2pm). Time to fresh-up and relax at hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at your hotel.
Visit the Royal Palace compound built in 1866 by the Predecessors of King Norodom, it is the most conspicuous feature and also one of impressive colorful Khmer-style Palaces. Nearside the Royal Palace is the Silver Pagoda (The Emerald Buddha temple), displays plenty of Buddha statues that were decorated and made by diamond, emerald, gold and silver. Travelers will proceed to visit Independence Monument which was constructed in 1954 after Cambodian took their country back from French colony, then visit the National Museum, the distinctive red building with a beautiful Khmer architecture was built in 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others.
This afternoon, we will learn about the dark side of Cambodia – Its more recent turbulent and harrowing history. Initially, you visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), ironically a former school, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this was the infamous Khmer Rouge prison/torture centre. Once you have gained an initial insight of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime you will be driven 15 km from Phnom Penh to visit the ‘Killing Fields’. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed ; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel.
We drive to Angkor Thom that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. Following the occupation of Angkor by the Chams from 1177 to 1181, the new king decided to build an impregnable fortress at the heart of his empire. 
We begin to visit Bayon Temple. At the exact center of Angkor Thom, this is an eccentric expression of the creative genius and inflated ego of Cambodia’s most celebrated king.
Photo stop at Terrace of the Leper King. Along the Terrace of Elephants, originally used as a viewing gallery for the king to preside over parades, performances and traditional sports. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating from the reign of Uditayavarman 1 in the 11th century.
Visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever.
We journey out to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world's largest religious building, this temple is the perfect fusion of symbolism and symmetry and a source of pride and strength to all Khmers. 
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at hotel, we travel out to the mighty Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village of Chong Kneas. Nestled under the hill of Phnom Krom, this floating community moves location with the waters of the lake. During the wet season when the lake swells to five times its size, the village is near Phnom Krom, but during the dry season, it moves as much as 4km from the hill.
Everything floats on water in this living fishing community. There are floating schools, floating shops, floating petrol stations, even floating karaoke bars. Many of the houses are floating fish farms with large pens of fish underneath. For those that are interested, we can also make a stop at the Gecko Environment Centre to learn more about the lake, which is like the heartbeat of Cambodia, providing sustenance to millions of Khmers. 
Transfer to Siem Reap airport for departure to next destination. It’s time to say goodbye, we thank you for traveling with us and warmly welcome you to come again. 
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