Day 1: Start of tour in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! Check in at the hotel and if you arrive early, enjoy free time to wander through the streets of Hanoi’s city centre. The capital city’s streets are lined with markets waiting to be explored. Top sights include the Temple of Literature, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and Hoan Kiem Lake. Walk around and explore the vibrant city - you never know what gems you’ll stumble across! Later, meet your fellow travellers and tour leader at the hotel - the tour is officially underway!
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour
Start day two of this Vietnam and Cambodia tour with a full day of sightseeing in Hanoi. Visit the home and resting place of Ho Chi Minh, known as the father of modern-day Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh Complex consists of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Visit Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature, which was built in 1070 to honour Confucius. Then, learn about the country’s 54 official ethnic groups found in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. End with a visit to the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.
Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Travel to the coast and get ready for one of the highlights of a tour to Vietnam - a visit to Ha Long Bay! Hop aboard a cruise ship to enjoy some waterway explorations. Sit down to a delicious lunch on board and set off to explore some of the 1,600 islets in Ha Long Bay. The first stop is Sung Sot (Surprising) Cave. Cruise from the confines of the caves to a picturesque sandy beach. Back on board, feast your eyes on a cooking demonstration before tasting the seafood delights that have been prepared. Join the crew as they catch squid under the stars. Or choose to learn about the history and culture of Indochina as you sit back and watch a movie onboard.
*Cruise itineraries and schedules are subject to change without pre-notice depending on the weather and operating conditions?.
Day 4: Cat Ba island - Hanoi - Flight to Hue
Wake up in Ha Long Bay and start the day with a refreshing Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Admire the views as the cruise continues to meander through the beautiful limestone islands. Enjoy a light lunch on board and look forward to a kayak tour of Luon Cave which offers a closer look at the beautiful natural scenery from the water. Later this afternoon, it’s time to bid farewell to this beautiful region of Vietnam and travel back to Hanoi to catch a flight to Hue.
Day 5: Hue City Tour
Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Hue. This vibrant city was the political, cultural and religious centre of unified Vietnam until 1945. Visit the city’s main attractions by cruising along the Perfume River on a traditional Dragon boat. The river spans 80 km, flowing through Hue City Centre. The first stop is the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the best-preserved religious sites in Vietnam. Then, it’s onto the Imperial Citadel and the Royal Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Spend the rest of the day meandering through the Dong Ba Market to find local food to try and even a few souvenirs to take home.
Day 6: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An
Drive along the scenic stretch of Vietnamese coastline from Hue to Hoi An. Stop in Da Nang to see the Marble Mountains. These five limestone hills each boast an abundance of beauty and a pagoda resting on top. Later, arrive in Hoi An and spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful coastal city.
Day 7: Hoi An Ancient Town
Embark on a jam-packed tour of Hoi An Ancient Town today. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, which is considered to be an icon of Hoi An. Wander through the quaint streets of the ancient city. Stop at the Sa Huynh Culture Museum and learn about a civilisation from 2,000 years ago. The next stop is the Tran Family Chapel, used in the early 19th century to worship the Tran family’s ancestors. Watch as the locals go through the meticulous process of lantern-making. Pay a visit to the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall - a pagoda that was built in 1690 and stands in honour of the Goddess of the Sea. The afternoon is yours to explore this unique ancient town. Soak up the sunset and take in the lights reflecting on the water this evening.
Day 8: Hoi An - Da Nang - Flight to Can Tho
Spend the morning at the beach or enjoying soaking up the last few hours in Hoi An. Then, it’s onto Da Nang airport to catch a flight to Can Tho! Set in the Mekong Delta region, the city is known for its canal networks, floating markets, restaurants and bars. Visit the iconic Binh Thuy Ancient House during your free time in the afternoon. The 100-year old house is uniquely decorated, with a clear western influence on the outside and traditional eastern touches on the inside.
Day 9: Cai Rang Floating Market - Ho Chi Minh/Saigon
Cruise along the Can Tho river and experience traffic on water! First up is the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta - Cai Rang. Experience the morning hustle as locals buy their fresh produce, cooked meals, fish and even coffee from the local traders. For a change of scenery, visit the An Binh indoor market where traders from nearby farms sell their produce. Glimpse local life while cruising down the Rau Ram canal. Walk through the local village and head into a rice noodle workshop to see how it is made. Today’s last stop in the countryside is the Ba Cong tropical fruit garden. Here, learn more about the traditional methods of gardening before unwinding and indulging in a delicious meal in a local restaurant. Finally, it’s back to Can Tho City to make the trip to Ho Chi Minh/Saigon.
Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh/Saigon City Tour
The Vietnam War played a huge role in shaping Vietnam and its history. One of the iconic sites of this tumultuous war is the Cu Chi Tunnels, where the Viet Cong lived and fought underground. Next up, explore Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon. Look forward to seeing sights including the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Post Office and the former Presidential Palace. End the day by wandering through the Ben Thanh Market and searching for souvenirs. This is a popular place to pick áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese silk tunic worn by both men and women at the start of the New Year.
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh/Saigon - Flight to Phnom Penh
Today, it’s time to venture into the second country of this tour through Vietnam and Cambodia! Glance down during the flight to get your last few views of Vietnam before crossing the border into Cambodia. Today it’s on to the next Southeast Asian treasure. Phnom Penh welcomes you! Enjoy some free time to explore on your own later today.
Day 12: Phnom Penh City Tour
Discover Cambodia’s rich local culture alongside its turbulent history on a Phnom Penh city tour. The first stop on this tour through Cambodia’s capital is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Hear about the catastrophic history of those prisoners held captive in this former school. Follow the route that many took from the Choeung Ek extermination camp, also known as the Killing Fields. Afterwards, visit the Toul Tom Poung Market where you can search through all the souvenirs and merchandise on offer. Next, head to the Royal Compound, which is home to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Today’s final stop is Wat Phnom Temple, a beautiful pagoda atop a hill.
Day 13: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
It’s time to venture to the resort town of Siem Reap - the gateway to the ruins of Angkor! Start the day of exploring at Chong Kneas floating village. Then, hop onto a traditional wooden boat to float down the Tonle Sap Lake. Spend the rest of the day watching how young Cambodians are trained in the ancient Khmer traditions at the Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor.
Day 14: Angkor Wat
Look forward to another major highlight of the tour today with a visit to the impressive Angkor! Explore the iconic World Heritage temples of the Angkor Wat complex, the largest religious monument in the world! Spend the whole day exploring the sights - including the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple and the Royal Enclosure. Marvel at the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. This is sure to be an experience that stays with you long after you return home.
Day 15: End of tour in Siem Reap
After 15 adventure-filled days, it’s the end of this Vietnam and Cambodia tour. The tour ends after breakfast. Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #BetterTogether.