Essential Vietnam & Cambodia

Day 1 - UK - In flight

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your overnight flight to Hanoi.

Day 2 - Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, begin a city tour of city with a visit to the National Museum of Fine Art, home to an impressive collection of ancient stone carvings and Buddhist statues. Continue to the lakeside Ngoc Son Temple before taking a walking tour of the Old Quarter, a lively district of narrow streets, traditional shop-houses, temples and countless cafés and bars. Please note: depending on your arrival flight time, this included city tour may take place on Day 3, with the rest of Day 2 at leisure after your flight.

Day 3 - Hanoi

Continue exploring Hanoi this morning, passing the monumental Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the wooden stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived in his later years. See the One Pillar Pagoda, the 11th-century Temple of Literature and West Lake, then visit Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Taoist Quan Thanh Temple. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening, there is the option to attend a traditional water puppet show, a unique northern Vietnamese art form.

Day 4 - Hanoi - Halong Bay

Travel to Halong through the fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta. Board a private junk (a traditional wooden vessel) for a cruise across the emerald waters of Halong Bay, scattered with more than 2,000 jungle-clad karst islands. Enjoy lunch on board before returning to Halong.

Day 5 - Halong - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An

This morning is free then fly to Danang and continue to nearby Hoi An.

Day 6 - Hoi An

Travel to the peaceful village of Triem Tay on Cam Kim Island in the Thu Bon River. Visit traditional houses, meet local residents and gain insight into daily life, culture and customs in the countryside surrounding Hoi An. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Hoi An’s exceptionally well-preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover more than a thousand historic buildings, including temples, merchants’ houses, warehouses and workshops.

Day 7 - Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City

Fly south to Ho Chi Minh City. This evening, enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8 - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh City

The Cu Chi Tunnels are a vast underground network used by Vietcong guerrillas during the Vietnam War. This morning, explore sections of the tunnels, including hidden trapdoors, underground kitchens, living quarters and meeting rooms. Return to the city for a tour of key landmarks, including Reunification Palace, Central Post Office and the Opera House.

Day 9 - Ben Tre

Travel to the Mekong Delta, often referred to as the ‘rice bowl of Vietnam’. In Tien Giang, board a boat for a scenic river cruise, stopping at a small handicraft factory on Turtle Island. Continue by tuk tuk along country roads, sample locally produced honey and explore the Xep Canal by boat. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, transfer to the hotel.

Day 11 - Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world and Cambodia’s most cherished symbol. Begin this full day excursion at the ancient city of Angkor Thom. At the centre of the city stands the impressive Bayon Temple, adorned with enigmatic carvings. After lunch continue to the Ta Prohm temple, whose ruins are wrapped in the sinuous, snake-like roots of strangler figs and silk cotton trees. Then explore Angkor Wat itself, a remarkable site famous worldwide for its exquisite bas reliefs, including over 3,000 images of apsaras – celestial nymphs or muses – as well as dynamic battle scenes, and depictions of Hindu myths. Later, visit Pre Rup Temple before viewing sunset from either Sros Srong or Bakheng Mountain.

Day 12 - Siem Reap

Take a morning boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake, stopping at a floating village. Visit the SATCHA Cambodian handicraft centre, where local artisans develop traditional and contemporary skills. Return to the hotel for free time. Later, visit the Royal Garden, home to the King’s Palace, and offer a lotus flower at the Preah Ang Chek Preah Ang Chorm Shrine.

Day 13 - Siem Reap - In flight

Enjoy free time before transferring to the airport for the overnight return flight to the UK. Visit the colourful Psah Chas market in Siem Reap en route to the airport.

Day 14 - UK

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.