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Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia

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Explore the wonders of UNESCO listed attractions

You are viewing the 2021 itinerary. Select your departure year
20202021
14 days From £2,095 per person

2021 Tour code: VIS21

About the tour

Explore the wonders of two fascinating nations on a tour of Vietnam and Cambodia. Delve into the history and culture of Vietnam, explore UNESCO-listed attractions and visit the incredible temple city of Angkor Wat.

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Days 1-2 - London and Hanoi

Our holiday begins with a flight from London Heathrow to Hanoi. Arriving on Day 2, we transfer to our hotel. We enjoy a walking tour of Ngoc Son temple, which translates to 'Temple of the Jade Mountain' and is situated on a small island north of Hoan Kiem Lake. Following this, enjoy a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, a buzzing hub of activity set amongst traditionally Vietnamese buildings.

Tran Quoc Pagoda Hanoi
Day 3 - Exploring Hanoi

We continue exploring Vietnam today, with a full-day sightseeing tour of Hanoi. Starting after breakfast, we explore the area around the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where Vietnam's revolutionary leader is interred. Later, we continue to the One-Pillar Pagoda, where Ho Chi Minh once lived, and the Quan Thanh Temple, an 11th-century Taoist structure dedicated to the God of the North.

After free time for lunch, our tour continues, and the focus shifts to food, with a visit to Ha Noi Old Quarter to experience the amazing scents and sights of Vietnam's famous street food scene. Our local guide will introduce us to some of the most delectable treats, including Bun Cha, delicious vermicelli served with fried pork and aromatic herbs, and Banh Goi, dumplings stuffed with meat and vermicelli.

One Pillar Pagoda, Hanoi
Days 4-5 - Halong Bay

This morning, we leave Hanoi and head to the stunning waters of Halong Bay, where we take an overnight cruise. Whilst on board, sit down to a delicious seafood lunch, before spending the afternoon visiting Halong Bay. Visit some of the stunning caves and islands, and, in the late afternoon, admire sunset over the bay, perhaps as you enjoy happy hour onboard or attend a cooking demonstration. This area of outstanding natural beauty is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its deep turquoise waters and unusual rock formations.

On Day 5, we start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sun deck then continue cruising the bay, spying more incredible views as we sail back to the ship's mooring point. After disembarkation, we transfer back to Hanoi, making a short stop at Dai Viet Craft Centre along the way. This evening, visit a Water Puppet Theatre, where we enjoy a performance of this amusing art form. Afterwards, join the overnight Reunification rail service to Da Nang.

Halong Bay
Days 6-7 - Da Nang and Hoi An

After breakfast on board the train, we arrive at Da Nang and transfer straight to Hoi An by coach, where the rest of your day is at leisure.

On Day 7, we discover Hoi An on a morning walking tour, uncovering the historic and colourful Old Quarter, Tan Ky old house, the Fukien Assembly Hall, and the stately looking Japanese covered bridge, which has stood for 400 years. After our tour, we visit the Precious Heritage Museum in Hoi An to admire images from all around Vietnam, including the work of famous photographer Réhahn. The rest of your afternoon is free to explore.

Hoi An
Days 8-9 - Ho Chi Minh City

We transfer to Da Nang airport today for our morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. This afternoon, we explore this city famously known as Saigon under French colonial rule, seeing the Reunification Palace, which occupies an important place in Vietnamese history as the site of the end of the Vietnam War, after North Vietnamese army tank crashed its gates and freed Saigon from South Vietnamese forces. We also see the General Post Office, and City Hall. The design of the city was heavily influenced by the French, with wide boulevards and grand historic colonial buildings. We then continue to the War Remnants Museum, home to exhibits from the Vietnam War and first Indochina War.

After breakfast on Day 9, we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground network created by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. This fascinating complex of tunnels are part of a network which stretches across much of the country, and were originally built as protection from air raids in the 1940s. This afternoon, you have some time to enjoy lively Ho Chi Minh City at leisure.

Cu Chi Tunnels
Days 10-11 - Phnom Penh

We leave the hotel after breakfast and transfer by coach to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, arriving in the late afternoon.

We explore on Day 11, visiting the Royal Palace, a gorgeous building that looks almost gilded in the right light and which serves as the home of the current King of Cambodia. We also visit the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum before continuing to the Central Market where you have the opportunity to sample some local delicacies. This afternoon, we transfer by coach to Siem Reap.

Royal Palace, Phnom Penh
Day 12 - Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat

Today, we explore the ancient architectural wonders that Cambodia is renowned for, seeing the remains of Angkor Thom's South Gate, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas Hindu Temple, Elephants Terrace, and Terrace of the Leper King. Later, we continue to the temple complex of Angkor Wat, admiring the pinecone-shaped towers that peak through the surrounding thick rainforests that are steadily reclaiming these ancient structures.

Angkor Wat
Days 13-14 - Siem Reap and London

Spend the day at leisure until the evening of Day 13, when it is time to bid farewell to Cambodia.

We transfer to Siem Reap airport for the flight home, via Ho Chi Minh City, arriving back into London Heathrow on Day 14.

Ho Chi Minh City

Additional information

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Visa requirements
Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotels

Sunway Hotel, Hanoi

Sunway Hotel, Hanoi

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Little Hoi An Central Boutique

Little Hoi An Central Boutique, Hoi An

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Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon

Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon, Ho Chí Minh

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Royal Angkor Resort

Royal Angkor Resort, Siem Reap

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Train

Soft sleeper

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Laos
Worldwide Holidays by Rail 2020/21

Worldwide Holidays by Rail 2020/21

Long haul rail holidays to North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australasia.

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Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia

Explore the wonders of UNESCO listed attractions

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Lynne Broadley
Lynne
Luke Simpson
Luke
Helen Laverack
Helen
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