2027 VFTA-41: HO CHI MINH CITY – CU CHI TUNNELS - SIEM REAP - BANGKOK

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.
PM: Cu Chi Tunnels
Located 60km from HCMC, Cu Chi Tunnels 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 Tunnels 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.

Breakfast at hotel. You will visit the West Gate of Angkor Thom – undiscovered by mass of tourists.

• The ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century).

• See the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara.

• Baphuon temple lying just to the north of Bayon a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru.

• We step to see our old palace Phimeankas temple in huge complex that was used for our king in the past time.

• Then Elephant terrace platform for king and officers to view shows and people meeting.

• Preah Palilay older than Angkor Thom, deeply in the forest and on path back, You see monks sprinkle water to people.

• Ta Prohm “Tomb Raider” fame. Ta Prohm has been abandoned to the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to the dramas of human history.

We continue to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat has been 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.