Explore the temples of Angkor Wat at sunrise
Wander through the colonial streets of Hanoi
Sail between the karst islands in Halong Bay
Taste local street food in Vietnam
Learn about Cambodia's history at the national museum
Relax in the pretty town of Hoi An
Learn about ancient Asian history in Siem Reap
Revel in the beauty of Hoi An's lantern shops
Enjoy this Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary, taking in the must-see spots in South East Asia. Marvel at the faded beauty of the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia – enjoy a sunrise or sunset amongst the crumbling temples and follow the vines and roots as they weave in and out. Up the tempo as you hit Ho Chi Minh City, a city steeped in history and buzzing with energy, before stepping back and take a breather in the Mekong delta region as you see rural life at its best on the shores of the river.
Head north to the port city of Hue and the quaint town of Hoi An, popular with travellers. Its colourful artwork, relaxed pace and beaches mixed with historical temples give this place a lovely vibe. Finish in the north with an unforgettable tour of the limestone karsts dotted around Halong Bay and a tour of the city of Hanoi – see for yourself the difference in feel between north and south. Dodge the many motorbikes, enjoy delicious, fresh local food and meet the locals.
This itinerary can be tailored to suit your requirements please contact one of our consultants to start planning your dream trip.
Depart the UK from your chosen airport. Your journey to Asia will be overnight, with a transfer in a major Asian gateway.
Meet your guide on arrival and transfer to your hotel to check-in. Spend the afternoon exploring the history of this lively city - from the back of a cyclo.
Today you’ll fly to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of Angkor, home to the remains of the Great Khmer Empire from the 9th – 15th Century.
After helping you to check in at your hotel, your guide will accompany you on an afternoon visit to Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Empire.
Spend the morning exploring crumbling temples overgrown with vines and jungle trees – spectacular at dawn and certainly a very memorable experience. The afternoon will be spent on a tour of the famous Angkor Wat – often believed to symbolize the soul of the Khmer people.
Morning at leisure until your transfer to the airport – take the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the busy, cosmopolitan hub of Southern Vietnam. The afternoon is also free for you to explore as you wish.
Formerly known as Saigon, this vibrant city could keep you entertained for days! Fortunately you’ll have a guide and a driver to help make the most of your time; visit several markets, museums, a pagoda and the old colonial sights including the Old Saigon Post Office, the Continental Hotel and Opera House and City Hall. Be sure to take plenty of water and an empty memory card – and a good appetite, the street food is fantastic.
Today you’ll be driving to the delta town of Cai Be for a river cruise, taking in the floating market, home to some traders for generations. Enjoy a day experiencing daily life for local villagers, and feast on a local Mekong style lunch before heading back to the city.
Board a short morning flight to the port city of Danang, where you will then transfer on to Hoi An. A relaxed and colourful town, this is often a favourite for many visitors to Vietnam. Explore the markets and the old town at your leisure.
Head back through Danang and along the coast to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Making stops along the way, you’ll reach the Perfume River with time to visit the ruins of the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Begin your day at the vibrant market before picking up a cyclo and heading through the old city to the Lake. Make the most of this ancient city before taking the short flight to Hanoi, where you will transfer to your hotel to check in.
The stunning Halong Bay awaits you today – transfer north to the jetty before boarding your junk boat, where you’ll be sleeping tonight. Lunch and dinner are served on-board, and the afternoon will be spent cruising the bay amongst the karst formations.
Slowly cruise back to the jetty after brunch onboard. On arrival back in Hanoi you’ll have a chance to explore the fascinating capital of Vietnam – walk through the narrow streets of the Old Quarter and around the market and lake nearby. Enjoy a traditional Water Puppet show in the evening, a uniquely north Vietnamese art form depicting rural life.
With so much to see, maximise your final morning visiting some of the cities famous sights – the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the picturesque West Lake. Squeeze in a final bowl of Pho or steaming Bahn Xeo before departing for your return flight.
Depending on your return flight time you may arrive back in the UK on the same day, or on occasion some flights are overnight and arrive in early the following morning.
The climate in Vietnam varies dramatically depending on the region you are visiting and is incredibly diverse with weather ranging from snow and frost in the northern hills to tropical conditions in the south. There are two monsoons in Vietnam; the winter monsoon arrives between October and March and brings cold and wet winters to the north and dry and warm conditions in the south. From April to October the summer monsoon brings humid weather to the whole country apart from those regions sheltered by mountains. For the best balance we recommend visiting in either April, May or October. Singapore has a tropical climate and stays hot and humid throughout the year, temperatures average around 31c with little seasonal variation although its slightly hotter in April and May and cooler in December and January.
This itinerary is purely a suggestion, and can be tailor-made to your requirements, so please contact us with your dates and requests and we’ll put together a bespoke quotation for you.
11 nights in twin share 4* accommodation (1 night in a cabin on the Halong Bay junk boat)
