From Hanoi to Angkor

Who it is for

For anyone who wants Vietnam from north to south and to close the trip in Angkor.

Not for anyone with only five days, since Vietnam is long and Angkor needs two full days.

The strategy

The trip goes down Vietnam from Hanoi to Saigon and ends in Siem Reap, a short flight away. Angkor comes last because it takes two full days and starts before dawn.

What you will see

• Hoàn Kiếm Lake and Ngọc Sơn Temple, Hanoi. A 12-hectare lake in the center, with the Turtle Tower on a small island and the 19th-century Ngọc Sơn Temple, reached by the red Thê Húc bridge.
• Dinh Độc Lập, Ho Chi Minh City. Seat of the South Vietnamese government, designed by architect Ngô Viết Thụ and completed in 1966 over the ruins of the Norodom Palace.
• Angkor Wat, Siem Reap. The largest religious monument in the world by area: 162 walled hectares, a moat about 190 m wide, and a central tower 65 m high.

Day by day

Hanoi

1. 1
   Day 1: The lake, the Old Quarter and the bia hơi corner

   
2. 2
   Day 2: Ba Đình, the citadel and official history

   1. 4Imperial Citadel of Thăng LongWorth a visit
   2. 3Temple of LiteratureEssential
   3. 6Hỏa Lò PrisonUp to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 3
   Day 3: West Lake, the river and a slower day · if you have more time

   1. 9Vietnam Museum of EthnologyOne to two hoursIf there is time
   2. 8Long Biên BridgeUp to half an hourIf there is time

Ho Chi Minh City

1. 4
   Day 4: The colonial center and the war
2. 5
   Day 5: Chợ Lớn and the river

   1. 9Landmark 81 and BitexcoIf there is time
3. 6
   Day 6: Tunnels, market, and farewell · if you have more time

   

Siem Reap

1. 7
   Day 7: Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the small circuit

   1. 1Angkor WatEssential
   2. 2Angkor Thom and the BayonEssential
   3. 3Ta ProhmEssential
2. 8
   Day 8: Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean, and the museum

   1. 4Banteay SreiEssential
   2. 6Angkor National MuseumUp to half an hourWorth a visit
3. 9
   Day 9: Tonlé Sap, workshops, and the Khmer city

   1. 8Artisans Angkor and Phare, the Cambodian CircusWorth a visit
   2. 7Tonlé Sap: Kampong Phluk and Kampong KhleangWorth a visit