Selected: fully customisable Vietnam & Cambodia UncoveredIf Vietnam and Cambodia are on your bucket list, look no further than this itinerary which covers the best of both.Following the classic trail from Hanoi to Siem Reap, we’ve added plenty of twists to show you hidden sights away from the crowds - like Halong Bay’s quieter neighbour, rural villages around Hoi An, and the backstreets of Phnom Penh. But don’t hold back. Tell us what you like to do on holiday and we’ll tailor a trip to match.Read more LocationMulti-country Suggested Length14 days /13 nights Activity Level Fully customisable Every trip is unique Ratings LightLight mobility requirements as sightseeing activities are done predominantly by vehicle, with light walking SteadyIdeal for most fitness levels. Sightseeing involves walking and being on your feet for a couple of hours at a time, with down-time included too ActiveRequires a moderate level of fitness. Activities and sightseeing will generally involve walking and being on your foot for much of the day. Often includes light activities such as cycling, kayaking, or hands-on experiences AdventureDemands higher fitness. Most days will include a substantial amount of walking and/or activity throughout the day. EnergeticFor people who love being active. We reserve this rating for active itineraries with substantial movement and adventure activities almost every day. Trip highlights Itinerary Is this trip for you? Reviews What's included Explore the magnificent temples of Angkor, and learn about Indochina’s troubled past at the Cu Chi Tunnels and Cambodia’s Killing Fields and S21 Genocide Museum Visit landmarks and hidden sights on city tours and foodie safaris in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Soak up the scenery from the back of a vintage Vespa near Hoi An, a night aboard a traditional junk in Lan Ha Bay and a boat trip on Tonlé Sap Lake Watch an acrobatic performance at Phare, The Cambodian Circus ItineraryAll itineraries are fully customisable. Our destination experts created this trip as an example of a cultural adventure: combining remarkable sights, guided experiences and a slice of everyday local life. Choose us, and we’ll create you a custom holiday where every detail reflects your pace, passions and preferences. Take as much or as little from this trip idea as you want, talk to us when you’re ready. Plan my trip Image Image Day 1-2Hanoi Highlights: Get the day started with a tai chi class in the park Pull up a plastic stool for a typical Hanoian breakfast of pho noodles Explore Hanoi’s historic landmarks including the Temple of LiteratureGood Morning Vietnam! Wake up early on your first full day to explore two faces of Hanoi. We’ll team you up with a knowledgeable guide who’ll first introduce you to daily life in the capital. At 5.30am head to Long Bien Market to see fruit and vegetable wholesalers in full swing. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, then do as the locals do by joining a tai chi class. Having worked up an appetite, tuck into the Hanoian breakfast of choice, a steaming bowl of pho noodles washed down with a sweet Vietnamese coffee. In the afternoon, the focus is on history at the 1,000-year-old Temple of Literature and One Pillar Pagoda. Visit the house where Ho Chi Minh lived to learn about his life and legacy. Accommodation Hanoi • Vietnam Moderate La Siesta Classic Hang ThungSituated on the edge of Hanoi's Old Quarter, the La Siesta Hang Thung is well located for morning strolls around Hoan Kiem Lake and shopping and dining in the heart of Hanoi. Hanoi • Vietnam Superior La Siesta Premium Hang BeLa Siesta Premium Hang Be overlooks the Old Quarter’s vibrant streets and at just 200m from Hoan Kiem Lake, this boutique hotel is ideally located for you to get out and explore Vietnam’s bustling capital. Hanoi • Vietnam Deluxe Sofitel Legend MetropoleThe iconic Metropole, located in the centre of Hanoi close to the Opera House and Hoan Kiem Lake, ranks amongst Vietnam’s finest and most distinguished colonial hotels. Hanoi • Vietnam Deluxe Capella HanoiFrom the famed Asian design studios of Bill Bensley, the Capella Hanoi offers 47 individually designed rooms and suites, redolent of 1920s opera in New York. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 1:Car transfer from Hanoi Airport to Hanoi (45 minutes) Day 3Lan Ha Bay Highlights: Cruise through stunning Lan Ha, a bay sprinkled with karst mountain islands Spend the night in a private cabin aboard a traditional junk boat Take an island excursion, go kayaking or try your luck at squid fishingHead east from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay, one of the most spectacular seascapes in the world, where hundreds of limestone karsts dot the ocean. Neighbouring Halong Bay is the famous spot but these days its chock-a-block with cruise boats. That’s why we recommend peaceful Lan Ha which is just as beautiful, with the added bonus of white beaches on some of the islets. You’ll spend a day and a night aboard a gorgeous traditional junk. They’ve got a whole menu of activities for you: kayaking, squid fishing and cooking classes, as well as island excursions. Of course, nobody’s going to blame you if you opt instead to relax with a cocktail and watch the scenery drift past your cabin balcony. Accommodation Lan Ha Bay • Vietnam Moderate Peony CruiseBuilt in traditional wooden style, the Peony cruises the beautiful waters of Lan Ha Bay, with 24 spacious and comfortable cabins with large windows, giving you spectacular views across the water Lan Ha Bay • Vietnam Superior Orchid Classic CruiseBuilt in traditional wooden style, the Orchid Cruise offers 14 spacious and comfortable en-suite cabins with large windows, giving you spectacular views across the water. Lan Ha Bay • Vietnam Superior Orchid Trendy CruiseThe Orchid Trendy Cruise offers 20 spacious and comfortable en-suite cabins with balconies and large windows, and is built in the traditional junk style. Lan Ha Bay • Vietnam Deluxe Ginger CruiseOne of the best ways to explore Lan Ha Bay is on the Ginger; part of Heritage Line’s luxurious fleet. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 3:Car transfer from Hanoi to Lan Ha Bay (2.5 hours) Day 4-5Hoi An Highlights: Explore the Hoi An countryside from the back of a vintage Vespa Stop off at cottage industries in rural villages, and Cam Kim Island fishing port Wander the riverside night market illuminated by colourful lanternsThere’s a vintage Vespa waiting for you in Hoi An. Riding pillion, you’ll zip through the old town, past 15th century merchant houses and ochre villas, before heading into the countryside. Whizz past rice paddies, boatyards and villages where the locals make rice crackers, weave baskets and tend the land using traditional techniques handed down the generations. The rest of your time in Hoi An is yours to spend as you please. Soak up the sun on An Bang beach, visit a tailor to order a made-to-measure suit or discover how silk lanterns are made. As night falls, check out the vibrant restaurant scene where local specialities include white rose dumplings and cao lau pork noodles. Accommodation Hoi An • Vietnam Moderate Legacy Hoi An ResortSituated a five minute drive from the beach and from the centre of town, the Legacy Hoi An Resort offers a warm welcome in amongst the tropical gardens. Hoi An • Vietnam Moderate Cozy Savvy Boutique Hoi AnThe Cozy Savvy Boutique hotel is excellently located just outside of the main pedestrianised section of Hoi An Ancient Town and features gorgeous décor, a wonderful restaurant and rooftop pool. Hoi An • Vietnam Superior Boutique Hoi AnLocated on a quiet stretch of Cua Dai Beach, ten minutes by car from the historical UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, the Boutique Hoi An Resort is a fusion of French style and modern, Vietnamese elegance. Hoi An • Vietnam Superior Allegro Hoi AnLocated in the heart of Hoi An's Old Town, the Allegro Hoi An puts the highlights of this ancient port town within walking distance of your room. Hoi An • Vietnam Superior La Siesta Hoi An ResortThis Oriental-styled boutique hotel is situated just outside of Hoi An’s Old Town and the hotel is within easy walking distance to the Old Town itself. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 4:Car transfer from Lan Ha Bay to Hanoi Airport (2.5 hours)Flight from Hanoi to Danang (1.5 hours)Car transfer from Danang Airport to Hoi An (45 minutes) Day 6-7Ho Chi Minh City Highlights: Take a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s French colonial architecture Chow down on local specialities including crispy pancakes and pork ribs Get to grips with Vietnam’s military history at the Cu Chi TunnelsBy now, you’ve travelled over 1,000km from Hanoi to Vietnam’s second metropolis, Ho Chi Minh City. It’s fascinating to compare the two: one steeped in tradition, the latter forward-thinking and spontaneous. We’ve got a clued-up local guide to show you Ho Chi Minh City’s most beautiful French colonial architecture, plus hidden boutiques and cafés run by young Vietnamese creatives. In the evening, tuck into crispy pancakes, hearty Chinese soup, rice and pork ribs on a street food tour. On your second morning, you’ll head out to the Cu Chi Tunnels where the Viet Cong lived below ground to escape shelling - a moving place to get an understanding of the US-Vietnam War. Accommodation Ho Chi Minh City • Vietnam Moderate Silverland Ben ThanhUpon checking into the Silverland Ben Thanh, you'd be forgiven for thinking you've maybe arrived in Morocco, or a futuristic space ship when you enter the iron-clad restaurant. Vietnamese, it is not, but well-located and welcoming it is. Ho Chi Minh City • Vietnam Superior La Siesta Premium SaigonThis is the La Siesta brand's fourth hotel in Vietnam, and the first in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh City • Vietnam Deluxe Hotel des Arts Saigon, MGallery CollectionThe chic Hotel des Arts is reminiscent of French Indochina in the 1930s, modernised with all the comforts of the 21st century. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 6:Car transfer from Hoi An to Danang Airport (45 minutes)Flight from Danang to Ho Chi Minh City (1.5 hours)Car transfer from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to Ho Chi Minh City (30 minutes) Day 8-9Phnom Penh Highlights: Go bar hopping by tuk tuk on a nightlife tour of Phnom Penh See a quieter slice of the city on a backstreet walking tour Explore the dark side of Cambodian history at the Killing FieldsWelcome to Cambodia. Kick off with a night out of cocktails, Khmer cuisine and live music in Phnom Penh. Next morning, you’ll explore the backstreets on foot with our hand-picked local guide to see how people actually live in the capital. Wander residential streets, glimpse local markets and shops, and stroll down the waterfront. You’ll also visit the magnificent Royal Palace built in 1866. Of course, there’s a dark side to recent Cambodian history in the form of the Khmer Rouge, which you’ll discover at Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Sobering yes, but visiting these places gives a vivid sense of the suffering endured by the Cambodian people. Accommodation Phnom Penh • Cambodia Moderate Penh HousePenh House subscribes to a modern residential concept, with polished concrete, tropical plants and print photography found throughout the 52 rooms and public areas. Phnom Penh • Cambodia Superior Palace GateTucked beside the gilded spires of Cambodia’s Royal Palace, the Palace Gate Hotel is more than just a place to stay—it’s a step back into a bygone era of Indochinese charm, with all the comforts of modern luxury. Phnom Penh • Cambodia Superior La Rose Suites HotelFound on a quiet, tree‑lined avenue in the heart of Phnom Penh, La Rose Suites offers a peaceful traditional Khmer residence, yet lies just moments from the pulse of the city. Phnom Penh • Cambodia Deluxe Raffles Hotel Le RoyalRaffles Hotel Le Royal has, for nearly a century, held the position of the finest and most glamorous hotel in Phnom Penh. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 8:Car transfer from Ho Chi Minh City to Ho Chi Minh City Airport (30 minutes)Flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh (1 hour)Car transfer from Phnom Penh Airport to Phnom Penh (1 hours) Day 10-13Siem Reap Highlights: Hop in a boat to see the ‘floating’ stilt houses of Tonlé Sap Lake Watch the sun rise over the ancient temples of Angkor Catch an acrobatic performance at Phare, The Cambodian CircusYou’ll see idyllic Cambodian countryside today, stopping off for a boat trip across Tonlé Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, to explore villages built on stilts. Arriving in Siem Reap, head out for a street food safari. Try deep-fried insects if you dare, as well as pancakes in the night market, rice wine and beef skewers served from family-run shacks. But the best is still to come: the ancient city of Angkor. Catch the sunrise over Phnom Bakheng temple, then spend your final day exploring the ruins: Ta Prohm tangled in vines, magnificent Angkor Wat and the enigmatic stone faces of Bayon. Toast the end of your trip on a gondala cruise along the moat of Angkor Thom. Accommodation Siem Reap • Cambodia Moderate Saem Siemreap HotelWith a traditional Khmer design, the hotel wraps around a salt-water pool and is filled with traditional features and furnishings. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Lynnaya Urban River ResortSurrounded by tropical gardens, the resort offers a peaceful retreat from bustling Siem Reap, despite being only a 15-minute walk to the popular Pub Street area of restaurants and shops. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Anjali by SyphonThe Anjali is a sleek contemporary boutique hotel, located just a short tuk tuk ride away from the bustling town and ancient temples of Angkor. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Heritage Suites HotelTucked away on a quiet street a short walk from the restaurants and markets of Siem Reap is one of the most delightful retreats in town. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Viroth's HotelBoasting a sleek design inspired by the 1950s, all rooms have a private patio or balcony and are decorated with locally sourced materials and art, making Viroth's Hotel is a firm favourite of ours. Siem Reap • Cambodia Superior Shinta Mani AngkorThe Shinta Mani Angkor was designed by the acclaimed architect Bill Bensley, and the space is designed to reflect the famous Angkor temples, making use of minimalist square design with dark wood, granite and stylish orange accents. Siem Reap • Cambodia Deluxe Park Hyatt Siem ReapThe Park Hyatt is one of the top 5* hotels in Siem Reap; a tranquil homely hotel environment centred around a garden courtyard. Siem Reap • Cambodia Deluxe Phum BaitangPhum Baitang is a beautiful property designed to look like a traditional Cambodian village. Not quite what you had in mind?We’ve plenty more to choose from, these are just a few of our favourite options. Chat with an expert to find stays that suit your style and budget. Make an enquiry TransportDay 10:Car transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (5.5 hours)Day 13:Car transfer from Siem Reap to Siem Reap Airport (20 minutes) Is this trip for you? What's greatWe’ve designed this itinerary to showcase the crème de la crème of Vietnam and Cambodia with a strong focus on food, history and cultureInstead of Halong Bay, we highly recommend its quieter neighbour Lan Ha Bay. There are far fewer tourist boats but the scenery’s just as beautiful with the added bonus of a few alabaster beachesWe can easily lengthen your trip to include time on the beach. The Cambodian Islands have their best weather from November to March, or extend your stay in Hoi An from March to August.Things to considerThis trip hits all the classic sights of Vietnam and Cambodia. It’s a well-trodden trail so there will always be other tourists around, although our guides are high-skilled at navigating busy times of day to avoid big crowdsIndochina has a diverse climate, so whenever you travel there will always be one destination that’s not enjoying optimal weatherSome of the foodie experiences on this trip are not great for people with dietary requirements. If that’s you, let us know and we’ll come up with suitable alternatives - rest assured we won’t let you go hungry! ReviewsOur trips start with listening. These honest, unedited reviews show how we put people first - because making customers happy is what we’re here to do.Read more reviews I would highly recommend Inside Japan and Inside Asia. This is our third trip with them. Their support and advice at the planning stage are excellent. They made suggestions for places to visit that even my Japanese sister in law was impressed with in terms of unusual and unique places [...] What's included? What's includedBreakfast every dayTwo lunches: one on board the Lan Ha Bay cruise; one during the Vespa tour of Hoi AnFour dinners: one on board the Lan Ha Bay cruise; a street food tour of Ho Chi Minh City; dine-around in Phnom Penh; street food tour of Siem ReapTwo full-day experiences: countryside tour of Hoi An by Vespa; visit the temples of the Angkor Temple ComplexSeven half-day experiences: Good morning Hanoi; Hanoi city tour; Ho Chi Minh City backstreets tour; Cu Chi Tunnels; walking tour of Phnom Penh; Khmer Rouge sites of Phnom Penh; boat trip on the Tonlé Sap LakeFour evening experiences: street food tour of Ho Chi Minh City; dine-around in Phnom Penh; street food tour of Siem Reap; Phare, The Cambodian Circus performanceAll entrance fees to sites included in guided experiencesAll internal transport & accommodationNot includedVisasInternational flightsMeals not mentionedEntrance fees to any sites not included in guided experiencesTips for guides & porters
I would highly recommend Inside Japan and Inside Asia. This is our third trip with them. Their support and advice at the planning stage are excellent. They made suggestions for places to visit that even my Japanese sister in law was impressed with in terms of unusual and unique places [...]