Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia

Welcome to Siem Reap! You'll be met off the plan by your friendly driver (your first experience of the magical Cambodian smile!) and whisked off to your hotel in the centre. The rest of your day is yours to relax and unwind after your long journey. You might simply choose to take it easy at your hotel or head out to Pub Street to explore the charming town, local markets and street food.

Today is free for you to explore Siem Reap at your own pace. Siem Reap is home to so much more than simply the world-famous temple complexes. You could fill your day with fun foodie tours, quad biking, horse riding countryside tours, cycling to quiet villages, visits to waterfalls, birding tours, visits to floating villages, cooking classes, local circus shows, wellness experiences or even visiting a local elephant sanctuary at Kulen. Chat to us about what you might fancy, and we'll get it arranged.

Today is all about the temples! Rise early this morning to catch the world-famous sunrise over Angkor Wat. We promise that the view will make up for the early morning wake-up call. You'll spend the full day with your brilliant private guide, marvelling at the vast temple complexes that put Siem Reap firmly on the map. Enjoy your time at Angkor Wat before making visits to the equally spectacular Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Ta Phrom, Terrace of the Elephants & Leper King temples.

You'll check out this morning and be picked up to continue your journey overland to Phnom Penh. The drive takes approximately 4-5 hours, but stops will be made along the way. Before arriving in the city, you'll visit the Spider Market where you can buy a bag of the 'ch’ngain' (tasty) eight-legged creatures. These are a traditional snack in this area, but if you prefer, you can taste some tropical fruits instead.

A little while later, you'll arrive in Phnom Penh. The city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm.

This morning, you'll head off on a tour of the city. Making visits to the stunning Royal Palace complex, home to the Cambodian royal family and a symbol of the nation, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and the hilltop pagoda of Wat Phnom.

After a delicious lunch, it's time to explore the more recent history of Cambodia. This afternoon, you’ll make visits to Tuol Sleng Prison (S-21) and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek, sites used by the Khmer Rouge regime when they ravaged the country in the 1970s and 80s. Although the visits can be quite upsetting, they offer a key insight into understanding the development of Cambodia and the resilience of its people.

You'll take a short flight today over to Vietnam’s vibrant capital city and the next stage of your adventure, Hanoi. Once checked in, you're free to explore the city at your own pace. You could fill your day by visiting the local markets, taking a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, or flitting between hidden cafés and street food gems in the Old Quarter. If you'd like some tips or recommendations, you know where we are.

This morning, you’ll be collected by your private guide and taken on a fascinating tour to explore Hanoi’s highlights and all of the hidden treasures and local spots in between. Stops will be made at the Temple of Literature, as well as the Vietnam Women’s Museum, which celebrates the vital role of women in Vietnamese society. Your tour draws to an end with a wander through the busy and vibrant Old Quarter, where we're sure you’ll pick up lots of recommendations for where to eat this evening!

Your day starts with a 2.5-hour transfer to Halong today. Upon arrival at the pier, you’ll be checked in for your overnight cruise. After a warm welcome and cabin check-in, enjoy lunch as your boat begins its gentle cruise into the bay. The afternoon offers time for kayaking, squid fishing, Tai Chi, or simply marvelling at the natural beauty of the dramatic limestone karsts. As evening falls, anchor in a quiet cove where you’ll enjoy a delicious dinner as the sun sets, before retiring to your cabin for a peaceful night on the water.

Wake up to the fresh morning on the bay and enjoy your onboard breakfast amongst the serene setting of the spectacular rock formations. Disembark and meet with your guide for the transfer back to Hanoi airport for your short flight south to Hoi An. Arrive in enchanting Hoi An, where lantern-lit streets, riverside charm, and timeless architecture welcome you. You can opt to stay on the beach here or in the centre of the Ancient Old Town – we have a wealth of knowledge on all the accommodation options here and will happily help you choose the best suited for your holiday.

Set off this morning for a delightful countryside experience, exploring the rural landscapes of Hoi An by bicycle. Enjoy a leisurely ride passing water-coconut groves, lotus ponds, and seasonal rice paddies, an idyllic slice of Vietnamese village life.

Your journey takes you to a thriving organic vegetable garden, a 6,000-square-metre community project supporting 14 local families. Learn about traditional farming techniques and, depending on the season, try your hand at planting, weeding, or harvesting alongside the farmers. Afterwards, enjoy a 20-minute ride in a traditional woven basket boat, gliding along a gentle river to a charming local restaurant nestled amid rice fields. Here, relax with a delicious Vietnamese lunch before returning to central Hoi An in the early afternoon.

Spend a relaxing day at leisure in Hoi An today. If you're travelling between March and August, we recommend staying at one of the beautiful beach resorts here (especially if you're looking to incorporate some relaxation on the coast during your adventure). But you may prefer to stay in the Ancient Old Town – just a few minutes’ drive away. There is so much to do in Hoi An and a plethora of places to pick up some fantastic food. We'll be more than happy to give you some recommendations for your holiday. 

After a short flight south from Hoi An, you'll arrive in vibrant Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) today. The skyscrapers, horn honking and endless stream of scooters is quite the move away from the laid-back atmosphere in Hoi An, but it's no less special! You'll spend your last couple of days exploring the city’s rich history, lively markets, and mouthwatering cuisine – but be careful when crossing the road, there’s definitely a knack to it! 

On your last full day in Vietnam today, you'll head off on an insightful excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, just outside Saigon. Explore this vast underground network, which played a crucial role during the Vietnam War, and discover its rich history and strategic significance. Explore the tunnels (if you’re brave enough to go in!), hidden traps, and exhibits, offering a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s wartime resilience. No trip to Southeast Asia is complete without at least one street food tour, and in our opinion, Saigon is the very best place for this. Meander the streets with your local guide and experience a food scene like no other on your final excursion of the holiday.

Bid farewell to Saigon today as your big Vietnam and Cambodia adventure comes to an end. As you board your overnight flight back to the UK, we hope you'll already be dreaming about your next adventure!