The journey
Overview
From the historic streets of Hanoi to the mystical islands of Ha Long Bay, this 12-day tour explores some of Vietnam’s most spectacular sights, and crosses into Cambodia to take in the iconic towers and silhouetted stupas of Angkor Wat – the largest religious complex in the world. On this 12-day trip, you’ll start in bustling capital Hanoi, where French colonial influences meet more than a thousand years of history, with options to explore the streets by cyclo (a three-wheeled cycle rickshaw), take part in a morning cooking class or discover the spectacular Tam Coc caves by boat. From here, you’ll travel to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise exploring these magical, island-dotted waters, before two nights in the enchanting town of Hoi An. Cycle to a local family home on an optional excursion and join the farmers at work before a traditional Vietnamese dinner, or visit My Son, once the holy land of the historic Champa people. Continue to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s main metropolis and an intriguing fusion of old and new, where shiny skyscrapers rise between historic alleys and lively food markets spill onto the streets. Explore Ben Tre, a rural town on the Mekong Delta, where waterways lined with coconut palms reveal a slower pace of life and enduring local traditions. Fly to Siem Reap in Cambodia for the final days of your journey and take in the awe-inspiring temples of the 12th-century Angkor Wat complex. From vast stone gateways and atmospheric jungle-clad ruins to intricate carvings that have endured for centuries, it is a spectacular finale to an unforgettable Southeast Asian adventure.
Unforgettable moments
Highlights
01
Tour the capital Hanoi
02
Overnight Cruise in Ha Long Bay
03
Discover ancient Hoi An
04
Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City
05
Explore the Mekong Delta
06
UNESCO Site: Angkor Wat
Your itinerary
Day by day
- Day1
Join tour in Hanoi with morning sightseeing tour+
Your tour starts in Hanoi at the 4-star Ann Hanoi Hotel and Spa. Early check-in and breakfast are available, depending on the arrival time of your flight.
Our Hanoi sightseeing tour visiting the city’s key highlights departs the hotel at 8.30am.
The tour includes the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which explores the country’s many ethnic groups; Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum Complex, home to the leader’s monumental marble mausoleum as well as his former residence; and the 11th century Taoist Quan Thanh Temple, a major religious landmark. If you want to delve deeper still, a pre bookable tour is available this afternoon with a one-hour scenic cyclo ride followed by visits to the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Sen Temple and the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. Or you could just take it easy and relax in the hotel grounds after the long flight.
(B, D)
- Day2
Enjoy a day at leisure, with optional half or full-day tours available+
Today is yours to enjoy at leisure, with optional half or full-day tours available (pre- bookable). Choose a morning cooking class, where you’ll be guided around a local market with a chef, before preparing (and tucking into) traditional Vietnamese dishes at the nearby KOTO restaurant. Alternatively, venture out on an optional full-day tour that starts in Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of the Dinh and Le dynasties, set amid spectacular scenery. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch before enjoying a river boat trip to see Tam Coc – a series of ancient caves and dramatic limestone karsts that rise above a sweep of lush, emerald rice paddies, nicknamed ‘Ha Long Bay on Land’. (B)
- Day3
Travel to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise+
Travel to Ha Long Bay this morning for an overnight cruise exploring this impressive, UNESCO-listed marvel, where 3,000 limestone islands rise majestically above the sea. Enjoy a welcome seafood lunch on board, before sailing to some of the islets as you take in this extraordinary landscape. In the evening, relax on board and enjoy an included dinner.
(B, L,D)
- Day4
Enjoy panoramic views of the bay this morning & transfer to Hanoi airport+
- Day5
Explore the town of Hoi An & relax with an afternoon at leisure or choose from two optional tours+
Explore the ancient, enchanting town of Hoi An on a guided tour this morning, visiting a historic Vietnamese house, the Hoi An Museum and the elaborate Japanese Covered Bridge, among other highlights. Relax with an afternoon at leisure or choose from two optional tours (pre-bookable); the first will take you to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered the holy land of the ancient Champa kingdom, which occupied the area from the second to the 17th centuries. Learn more about its history and the culture of the Cham people (around 80,000 of which still live in Vietnam), as you explore itsmonumental ruins. Alternatively, spend a leisurely afternoon cycling through the countryside to reach Tra Que, a small village known for its vegetable gardens, where you’ll be welcomed by a local family before a chance to join in with the farmers. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a traditional therapeutic foot bath with medicinal herbs, before learning how to make local specialities like tam huu spring rolls and banh xeo pancakes. Enjoy your creations and other traditional Vietnamese dishes before cycling back to the hotel. (B)
- Day6
Explore Hoi An at leisure or relax at the hotel then fly to Cambodia+
(B)
- Day7
Enjoy the highlights of the Angkor Archaeological Park & the temple of Angkor Wat+
Enjoy a guided tour this morning to see some of the highlights of the Angkor Archaeological Park, including the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire; the Bayon Temple and its imposing stone faces; the elaborate Royal Enclosure Temple; and the Terrace of the Elephants. In the afternoon, explore the spectacular centrepiece – the temple of Angkor Wat, which rises in a three-tiered pyramid with its legendary, beehive-shaped towers. To see Angkor from an alternative perspective, you can also choose an optional, one-hour boat trip on the Angkor Gondola (or Kongkear Angkor) (pre-bookable), cruising along the wall of Angkor Thom; this can be booked for any time, but we recommend the sunset trip for especially cinematic views. (B)
- Day8
Enjoy a day at leisure, with optional half-day tours available+
Today is free to enjoy as you wish. An optional half-day tour can take you to visit the Angkor National Museum (pre-bookable), which explores the history of the ancient Khmer Kingdom, with an extensive collection of artefacts and interactive, multimedia exhibits. Afterwards, stop by Senteurs d’ Angkor and Artisans Angkor to browse traditional crafts. Alternatively, take a half-day tour (pre-bookable) to explore more of Siem Reap’s temples: Ta Prohm, Preah Khan and Neak Pean, set on its own island. (B)
- Day9
Transfer to Siem Reap airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City+
(B)
- Day10
Venture to the rural Mekong town of Ben Tre+
Venture to the rural Mekong town of Ben Tre this morning for a glimpse into life on the Delta. You’ll see how grass mats, bricks and other materials are made using traditional techniques, learn how coconuts are used for different products, and taste exotic fruits and home-made delicacies such as rice paper and coconut sweets. Take in the scenic riverside setting and listen to the hum of passing boats as you explore its palm-dotted trails and enjoy an included lunch. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon. (B, L)
- Day11
Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh & an optional evening excursion+
Enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh this morning, visiting key sights like the Reunification Palace – the home of South Vietnam’s president during the war and the moving War Remnants Museum, which explores the US invasion of Vietnam. Afternoon free to explore. An optional evening excursion (pre-bookable) is also available to enjoy local Vietnamese street food by vespa. The adventure begins with an orientation ride around Saigon downtown, passed by the famous must-see sights then have a break at a local café to enjoy welcome drink and see how life goes by from the eyes of the locals. Throughout the night, you will travel around the city to learn, discover and enjoy a variety of authentic local street food that Saigon has to offer including the famous Banh mi, Vietnamese pizza –like, pork BBQ. A brief stop at back-alley area will bring you more local travel experience. The tour also includes visits to most popular eat-out snacks area which allows you to be a local to enjoy the food and mingle into local life atmosphere.
(B)
- Day12
Tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City+
An optional morning excursion (pre bookable) is available to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels – the network of underground passageways used as hideouts by the Viet Cong during the war, which makes for a fascinating, insightful visit. After an included dinner and late check out we depart our hotel for the flight home.
(B, D)
Peace of mind
What's included
- ✦11 nights’ accommodation
- ✦Meals Included: breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
- ✦Itinerary as described
- ✦Services of guides and local representatives
- ✦Interested in adding flights to this tour?
- ✦Find out more
- ✦.
- ✦- Travel Guides -
- ✦You can find out more about the country on the travel guide.
- ✦Flights from the UK can be added — ask your adviser