Inside Vietnam + Cambodia Highlights

Arrive in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, famous for its rich culture, bustling life and colonial influences. Its small lakes, busy streets and secluded alleyways are all waiting to be explored. For those arriving on time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Hanoi at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), which is a 45-minute drive to the hotel.

This morning, we'll take a walking tour of Hanoi, taking in the main sights such as the Presidential Palace and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Our tour leader will fill us in on the history as we go. In the afternoon, there's the option to take a cyclo tour to discover Hanoi's Old Quarter. You'll notice that the streets here are named after various crafts or specialities; Paper Street, Silk Street, Basket Street and so on. You'll also notice food vendors selling noodles, snacks and stir-fries from shoulder panniers - it's the perfect time to try some street food. Take some time to soak in your surroundings as the tempting smell of the food mingles with the scent of incense from the local temples. Alternatively, there's the option to see a water puppet show. This is a centuries-old art form where wooden puppets dance across the water to live folk music.

Today, we say goodbye to Hanoi and drive for two-and-a-half hours to the island of Cat Ba, the largest island in the Bay of Tonkin and a UNESCO Biosphere site. The island is made up of rolling hills and towering cliffs and has a lush-forested interior pocketed with natural cave systems. After settling into our hotel, we'll have time to explore Cat Ba's green interior and some of its best caves. We first take a short, forested walkway to Trung Trang Cave which extends into the side of one of Cat Ba's many limestone cliffs.

This morning, we discover Lan Ha Bay, a lesser visited but nonetheless beautiful extension of stunning Halong Bay. The greater Halong Bay area is one of Southeast Asia's greatest natural attractions and is listed as one of the eight natural wonders of the world. The landscape is made up of hundreds of limestone islands that rise from the jade-green waters of the bay like the scales of a submerged dragon. Halong actually means 'where the dragon descends to the sea', and local legends talk of a time when this rugged landscape was created by the pounding tail of a dragon as he ran from the mountains into the waters of the bay below. Later today, we'll board the Reunification Express overnight train to Hue. As part of our commitment to sustainability, we choose to travel by train instead of flying - cutting carbon emissions and enjoying a more authentic experience of local life along the way. We'll travel in comfortable 'soft-sleeper' four-berth cabins with bunk beds - all bedding is provided. Each carriage has both Western and Asian-style toilets, plus a basin. Please note, our tour leader will assign beds and do their best to keep our group together, but we might need to share cabins with other travellers.

We'll arrive in Hue this morning, a peaceful city known as one of Vietnam's key cultural and religious centres. The Perfume River flows gently through the city and has inspired poets and artists for centuries with its serene beauty. In the afternoon, we'll take a relaxing boat ride along the river to the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's oldest temple and a cherished symbol of the city, surrounded by tranquil gardens and stunning views. But Hue isn't just about history - it's a food lover's paradise! Prepare to delight your taste buds with the city's legendary royal cuisine, famed for its delicate spices and unique flavours. Don't miss trying 'bun bo Hue', a spicy beef noodle soup that perfectly captures the city's rich culinary heritage. Other must-try dishes include 'com hen' (clam rice) and 'banh khoai' (crispy pancakes).

This morning, we'll explore Hue's incredible Imperial Citadel, a stunning palace built by Vietnam's last emperors. Even though parts were damaged in the past, the impressive walls and buildings still give a real sense of the city's royal history and charm. Whilt there we visit the Imperial Musuem and stop off at the HOPE Centre, a project set up to help Hue's disabled and disadvantaged residents to find employment and vocational training, the centre produces varieties of colourful garments and local handicraft items. might adjust the itinerary according to local conditions. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy however you like. You could check out the famous Emperor's Tombs, each with its own unique vibe and beautiful surroundings. Or head to Dong Ba Market to dive into local life and taste some amazing street food.

This morning, we'll set off on a breathtaking drive along the Hai Van Pass, also called the Ocean Cloud Pass. Along the way, enjoy charming rural scenes with thatched wooden houses and lush rice paddies, all framed by stunning sea views. Next, we will stop off at the Cham Museum which holds the largest collection of Cham art and sculptures in the world. Afterward, we'll stop at My Khe Beach, once known as China Beach by American troops, to relax on its soft, white sands and grab lunch. After lunch we'll explore the Marble Mountains - five striking peaks that represent the elements of water, wood, fire, metal, and earth. Inside, you'll find peaceful Buddhist grottoes and beautiful temples carved into the stone. From there, it's a short drive to the enchanting UNESCO-listed town of Hoi An, where history and vibrant culture await.

Today is yours to explore Hoi An at your own pace. This historic merchant town was once one of Southeast Asia's busiest trading ports in the 17th and 18th centuries. It attracted merchants from Japan, China, and Europe, including the Portuguese. Today, it retains much of its historic character, with many well preserved old buildings. You might want to stroll across the iconic Japanese Bridge or explore the intricate Chinese temples and meeting halls scattered throughout the Old Town. The town is full of vibrant shops, cozy cafes, lively bars, and excellent restaurants - perfect for souvenir shopping, getting custom clothes tailored, or simply relaxing by the river and watching the world go by. For something hands-on, consider joining a cooking class where you'll learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes using fresh, local ingredients - a delicious way to dive into the culture. Or, you could completely unwind with a traditional massage.

This morning, we'll visit My Son, one of Vietnam's most sacred and captivating Cham sites. The Cham people were ancient rulers who broke away from Chinese control in 2 AD to build their own kingdom. The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy more of Hoi An. You might want to try a famous banh mi from one of the local vendors or take part in a lantern-making workshop, crafting the colourful lanterns that light up the town. If you prefer, the beach is just a short taxi ride away, or you could take a peaceful boat trip on the river.

We're starting the day early to catch our flight to Saigon. After a quick drive to Danang Airport, we fly into Ho Chi Minh City airport and then drive directly to the amazing Mekong Delta. This area is one of the most unique spots in Vietnam, with its endless rivers, coconut palms, and small villages that feel like a whole different world. Once in the Delta, we take a boat to Tam Hiep Island. Visiting the island by trishaw we build a picture of local life and along the way we visit a local garden. Then, we jump onto traditional wooden sampan boats to cruise through the narrow canals, soaking in the peaceful vibe and watching everyday life float by. Finally we check in to our guesthouse accommodation for tonight.

This morning, we have even more time to explore the winding canals of the Mekong Delta. As we glide along the peaceful waterways, there's a chance we'll meet some of the locals going about their days. We might also catch a glimpse skilled workers turning fresh coconuts into tasty treats and useful products. After soaking up the tranquil atmosphere and rural charm, we'll hop back in the vehicle and make our way back to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, carrying with us the unforgettable sights and stories of the Mekong Delta.

This morning, we'll dive into the sights of Old Saigon. Along the way, our tour leader will point out landmarks like the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, the grand General Post Office, and some iconic French Colonial hotels like The Continental or The Majestic. Next, we'll visit the Independence Palace - also called the Reunification Hall - and the powerful War Remnants Museum, which offers a gripping look at Vietnam's turbulent history. In the afternoon, we'll explore a different side of the city by wandering through Old Saigon's narrow back alleys. Here, you'll see everything from quirky local shops and bustling markets bursting with colourful fruit and everyday goods, to churches, schools, and cozy homes all packed into tight spaces. Our walk finishes at Saigon's 'Secret Weapons Bunker' - a discreet tube house hiding a trapdoor leading down to a basement stocked with rifles, grenades, and ammunition. This bunker was a crucial part of the 1968 TET Offensive. You'll have time to explore the hidden rooms, filled with decommissioned weapons, photos, news clippings, and other wartime memorabilia.

This morning, we take a drive out of the city to explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels - an underground network that played a key role during the 1968 Tet Offensive. If you're feeling adventurous, you can crawl through a specially adapted narrow section of the tunnels to get a real sense of the tight, claustrophobic conditions the Viet Cong endured. We'll then continue on to Phnom Penh, crossing the border at Moc Boi/Bavet. The drive will take us around five hours.

Phnom Penh took over from Angkor as Cambodia's capital city in the 1440s. It's now a lively city with many French colonial buildings and plenty to see. Accompanied by a local guide, we'll visit the National Museum, a treasure trove of beautifully preserved carvings and lintels rescued from Angkor; the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda as well as the temple of Wat Phnom. This afternoon, we'll visit the emotive Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly a high school that became the Khmer Rouge's main torture and interrogation centre; and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - the memorial stupa is a glass tower filled with human skulls - a gruesome reminder of the scale of Pol Pot's atrocities before returning back in the city.

Our optional excursions close to the city include a trip to Silk Island, Chiso Mountain or the abandoned Royal City of Oudong. Each of these takes up half a day and can be combined, our tour leader will discuss it in more detail. Silk Island or Koh Dach is reached by a short local ferry journey along the Mekong where the majority of villagers on the island earn a living producing handicrafts. It's a great opportunity to learn more about traditional ways of life and interact with locals as you learn about silk weaving. Chiso Mountain, located in Sia village, south of Phnom Penh, is topped by the ruins of an 11th-century Khmer Brahmanic Temple with views of the surrounding paddy fields. Oudong is around one hour north of the capital and offers the opportunity to explore historic temples and stupas. Join for a delightful half-day culinary experience, where you will learn to cook traditional Khmer dishes at the renowned Banana Cooking Class. The expert Cambodian chef will guide you through selecting fresh ingredients from a local market and demonstrate tried-and-true Khmer cooking techniques.

This morning, we leave Phnom Penh behind and drive north towards Battambang, stopping in Kampong Chhnang, a province renowned for its centuries-old pottery-making traditions. Here, we'll visit a traditional pottery village to learn about the local craft before continuing our journey. Next, we travel to Pursat, where we’ll board a boat for a relaxing cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s largest freshwater lake and part of the Mekong River system. As we float along, we’ll see how the communities that depend on this waterway live day to day. Finally, we continue by road to Battambang, arriving in the late afternoon.

This morning we'll explore Battambang's bustling Phsar Nat, one of the city's oldest and most colourful markets. As we wander through the maze of stalls piled high with fresh produce, spices and local delicacies, we'll get a glimpse into daily Cambodian life. We'll also have the chance to sample a selection of seasonal tropical fruits, giving us a taste of the region's rich agricultural heritage. After the market, we visit the One Village One Product (OVOP) community, a grassroots initiative that celebrates traditional crafts. During our time here, we'll meet skilled artisans, learn about age-old techniques passed down through generations, and discover how these community enterprises help preserve Cambodia's cultural traditions while creating jobs for villagers. This afternoon, we leave Battambang behind and journey through the heart of the Cambodian countryside towards Siem Reap. Before reaching our hotel, we'll stop at the Angkor Silk Farm, where we'll follow the remarkable silk-making journey, from mulberry cultivation and silkworm rearing through to weaving and dyeing. Our visit give us an insight into one of Cambodia's finest traditional crafts and the efforts being made to keep this centuries-old industry alive. Afterwards, we'll continue the short drive to our hotel in Siem Reap, where the rest of the evening is free to relax

We have an early start this morning, as we head to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat – the largest religious monument in the world and a right-of-passage experience for any visitor to Cambodia. As the first light of day illuminates the temple's lotus-shaped towers, we'll have the opportunity to appreciate the sheer scale of the UNESCO World Heirtage site, originally built by King Suryavarman II in the 12th century, with its intricate carvings and remarkable craftmanship. We’ll return to the hotel for a late breakfast and have some time to relax, before heading back to the Angkor Archaeological Park to explore the ancient royal city of Angkor Thom. Entering through its imposing stone gates, we'll visit the Bayon Temple, renowned for its towering stone faces and beautifully carved bas-reliefs, which depict scenes of everyday Khmer life and historic battles. Our final stop of the day, is Ta Prohm, one of Angkor's most atmospheric temples. Left largely untouched since its rediscovery, the temple’s crumbling stone walls are entwined with the roots of towering silk-cotton and strangler fig trees, creating one of the most photographed and evocative sights in Cambodia. Afterwards our visit, we'll head back to our hotel, and the rest of the evening is free.

This morning, we'll set out on a guided walking tour through the streets of Siem Reap. Along the way, we'll visit Artisans d'Angkor, a social enterprise dedicated to preserving Cambodia's traditional crafts. We'll watch artisans at work, creating intricate wood and stone carvings, lacquerware, silk paintings and silverwork using techniques passed down through generations. The workshop also provides valuable training and employment opportunities, helping to keep Cambodia's artistic heritage alive. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your own pace. You might like to relax by the hotel pool, or discover more of Siem Reap's cafés, markets and galleries. Alternatively, you can join one of our optional excursions – our tour leader will be able to give you more details.

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Siem Reap. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Siem Reap at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI), which is approximately 60 minutes from the hotel. If you have time, you might choose to browse the old market for some last-minute bargains or visit the APOPO Museum.