Cambodia & Vietnam
Classic Tour
Vietnam & Cambodia Combined
Summary
Type: Classic Tour
Duration: 20 Days
Best Time to Travel: October – April
Places you'll discover
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Vietnam & Cambodia Combined - Itinerary
This trip lets you discover the heart of Vietnam’s rural and rugged north as we spend time in Sapa with her indigenous hill tribes. Halong Bay offers some amazing scenery and relaxation in contrast to the capital Hanoi. Central Vietnam has the former imperial capital of Hue, dominated with the walled Citadel whilst Hoi An is a charming town teeming with life. Saigon is a heaving metropolis and the lush Mekong Delta showcases how many Vietnamese live close to or on the water. The tour concludes with the magnificent Angkor temple complex in neighbouring Cambodia.
Day 1
Hanoi

Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport and private transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.

Remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Day 2
Hanoi – Sapa


Visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before moving onto his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. We then explore the Temple of Literature, formerly Vietnam’s oldest university and now one of the capital’s foremost Confucianism places of worship.

We have a look around picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple – very much the focal point of the capital. This is followed by a ‘cyclo’ ride around the bustling and often chaotic Old Quarter, also known as the 36 Streets. In days gone by each street used to specialise in a particular trade – hence you have Chicken Street, Gold Street and my favourite Ghost Street (Hanh Ma) dedicated to selling incense and offerings to be burned on family altars. The tour includes a stop at a Vietnamese “long house.”

Transfer to Ga Hanoi train station for the overnight Victoria Express to Lao Cai on the Chinese border (Superior 4 berths / cabin share).
Day 3
Sapa

Arrive at Lao Cai station close to the Chinese border and take breakfast at a local restaurant. Continue to Sapa and the Victoria Hotel which overlooks the town.

Remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Day 4
Sapa


Drive to a lively ethnic market which serves as a meeting point for various ethnic hill tribes.

Return to Sapa and free afternoon.
Day 5
Sapa – Hanoi

Drive to Y Linh Ho where a scenic hike will lead you down to the Muong Hoa Valley with its terraced paddy fields. From here there are options from 1.5 to 4 hour walks along the Hoang Lien Mountain Range with various photo stops before heading to the Lao Chai Junction for a panoramic view of the Muong Hoa Valley. Walk to Ta Van and return to Sapa by car.

Proceed to the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small and isolated village. Continue hiking through rice paddy fields and be immersed in spectacular natural scenery. Proceed to the ruin monastery of Ta Phin where your car will take you to the Lao Cai Train Station for your return journey to Hanoi.

Overnight train back to Hanoi.
Day 6
Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi in early morning and transfer to the hotel. Have breakfast at a local restaurant.

Remainder of the day is free at leisure.
Day 7
Hanoi – Ky Son – Hanoi


Drive to Ky Son village. Take a pleasant walk or bike ride around the village to get a taste of the rural northern Vietnam. Return to the Moon Garden for a cooking demo and eat what you have helped to prepare!

Relax before setting out on a bike ride to Duong Lam Village. Visit the Mia pagoda, old country houses and temples before returning to Ky Son Village. Relax and drive back to Hanoi.
Day 8
Halong Bay


Depart Hanoi and drive through the lush paddy fields of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay.

Board a luxury junk and cruise through Halong Bay with lunch on board.

Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea.
Day 9
Halong Bay – Hue

Optional Tai Chi session on the junk’s sundeck. Visit Titov Island and climb to the top for some breath-taking panoramic views of Halong Bay. Disembark late morning.

En route to the airport watch an open air water puppet show in a Red River Delta village. The tradition of water puppetry dates back a thousand years to when shows were originally performed in the flooded rice paddies. Continue to airport for evening flight to Hue.

Arrive in Hue and private transfer to your hotel.
Day 10
Hue


Embark on a Dragon Boat cruise on Hue’s Perfume River visiting Emperor Khai Dinh’s elaborate tomb set in the rolling countryside outside Hue and the Thien Mu Pagoda – Vietnam’s oldest active Buddhist monastery.

Visit the Imperial Citadel which still shows the scars of war from the 1968 Tet Offensive followed by the Phap Lam enamel restoration workshop (Phap Lam enamels used to decorate the palaces of Hue and the lost art has only recently been revitalised).
Day 11
Hue – Hoi An

rive along a spectacular coastal road and over the Hai Van Pass to Hoi An stopping en route at the photogenic fishing village of Lang Co.

Free time to discover Hoi An’s historic Old Quarter or relax at the hotel. For dinner I would recommend The Mermaid Restaurant in the old town. It is one of Hoi An’s most established restaurants which was set up by Miss Vy – a well-known local chef and restaurant owner.
Day 12
Hoi An


Visit Tra Que herb village and taste the local specialties.

Free time to stroll around the historic Old Quarter of Hoi An. The most popular attractions include the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Fukien Chinese Communal house, several ancestral homes and the vibrant riverside market on the banks of the Tu Bon River. Take a peaceful boat trip on the Tu Bon River and afterwards enjoy free time to further explore the old town.
Day 13
Hoi An

A free day to explore ancient Hoi An town.
Day 14
Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City


Free time until flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Transfer to your hotel. City tour including Reunification Palace (outside only), Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office and the poignant War Remnants Museum.
Day 15
Ho Chi Minh City – Cu Chi Tunnels

Visit the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels where Vietnamese guerrillas built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels as hideouts during the war.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Free time at leisure
Day 16
Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta


Visit a Cao Dai temple en route to My Tho

Take a boat through Mekong canals visiting local handicraft workshops. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.
Day 17
Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia and transfer to the hotel.

Begin exploring the vast Angkor Temple complex with the Roulos Group of temples dating from the 9th and 10th centuries, including the Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei Temples. Return to your hotel in the early evening.
Day 18
Siem Reap


Enter Angkor Thom via the Southern Gate and explore the ancient city. Then proceed to visit the ruins at Bayon, Baphoun, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace, the Elephant Terrace and the Leper King Terrace.

Visit the magnificent Angkor Wat and explore its extraordinary architecture for an opportunity to experience a spectacular sunset over the monuments.
Day 19
Siem Reap


After breakfast, drive to the graceful 11th century Temple of Shiva – Banteay Srei and the Banteay Samre Temple. Later visit to Ta Prohm Temple enveloped by the jungle.

Travel through the countryside to a local monastery and meet the resident monks and participate in a private good luck blessing ceremony. A sacred thread will be tied around your wrist to protect you from evil spirits or harm. End the tour with a rejuvenating traditional Khmer or foot massage.
Day 20
Siem Reap

Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Ho Chi Minh City and your onward flight to the UK.
Additional Information
What's Included?
- Hotel accommodation and daily breakfast
- Airport transfers and land transportation on tour
- Domestic flights: Hanoi – Hue / Danang – Ho Chi Minh City
- International flights: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap / Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh City
- Sightseeing with English speaking regional guides throughout
- Victoria Train Hanoi – Lao Cai – Hanoi (Superior 4 berths / cabin share)
- Entrance fees and boat trips as per itinerary
- 2 Days / 1 Night in Halong Bay on junk
- Meals as included in itinerary
What's Not Included?
- International flights
- Vietnam and Cambodia visas
- Travel insurance
- Drinks and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips, laundry and other expenses of a personal nature
Accommodation Information
4 Star Hotels
- Hanoi – Silk Path Hotel (Deluxe Room) – www.silkpathhotel.com
- Sapa – Victoria Sapa (Superior Room) – www.victoriahotels.asia/en/overview-sapa
- Halong Bay – Indochina Sails (Superior Cabin) – www.indochinasails.com
- Hue – Saigon Morin Hotel (Superior Room) – www.morinhotel.com.vn
- Hoi An – Hoi An Historic Hotel (Deluxe Room) – www.hoianhistorichotel.com.vn
- Ho Chi Minh City – Liberty City Point (Deluxe Room) – www.odysseahotels.com/liberty-central
- Siem Reap – Tara Angkor Hotel (Superior Room) – www.taraangkorhotel.com
5 Star Hotels
- Hanoi – Apricot Hotel (Canvas Room) – www.apricothotels.com
- Sapa – Victoria Sapa (Superior Room) – www.victoriahotels.asia/en/overview-sapa
- Halong Bay – Paradise Cruises (Deluxe Balcony Cabin) – www.paradisecruises.vn
- Hue – La Residence Hotel (Superior Room) – www.la-residence-hue.com
- Hoi An –Hotel Royal Hoi An MGallery (Garden Deluxe Room) – www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-9574-hotel-royal-hoi-an-mgallery-by-sofitel/index.html
- Ho Chi Minh City – Intercontinental Asiana (Deluxe Room) – www.ihg.com/intercontinental/hotels/gb/en/ho-chi-minh-city/sgnha/hoteldetail
- Siem Reap – Sokha Angkor Hotel (Deluxe City View Room) – www.sokhaangkorresort.com
Vietnam & Cambodia Combined Summary
Details
Type: Classic
Duration: 20 Days
Best Time to Travel: October – April
Places you'll discover
Speak to our friendly Travel Experts