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Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia

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Explore the wonders of two fascinating nations

You are viewing the 2022 itinerary. Select your departure year
20212022
14 days From £2,295 per person

2022 Tour code: VIS22

About the tour

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

Highlights

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What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - London and Hanoi

Our holiday begins with a flight from London Heathrow to Hanoi, via Bangkok. Vietnam's exciting capital is filled with vibrant culture and beautiful, centuries-old buildings.

Day 2 - Hanoi

Arriving on Day 2, we transfer to our hotel. We head out into the city, enjoying 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, we enjoy a unique cyclo ride through the Old Quarter, seeing this buzzing hub of activity set amongst traditionally Vietnamese buildings.

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, an imposing structure where Vietnam's revolutionary leader is interred. Later, we continue to the One-Pillar Pagoda, where Ho Chi Minh once lived, as well as the Quan Thanh Temple, an 11th-century Taoist structure dedicated to the God of the North.

After free time for lunch, our tour continues this afternoon, 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 introduces 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.

Day 4 - Halong Bay

This morning, we leave Hanoi and head to the stunning waters of Halong Bay, where we take an overnight cruise. This area of outstanding natural beauty is a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its deep turquoise waters and unusual rock formations. While on board, we sit down to a delicious seafood lunch, before spending the afternoon visiting Halong Bay. Sailing through the spectacular waters, we're treated to amazing views of some of the stunning caves and island here. In the late afternoon, we begin to wind down as we admire the stunning sunset over the bay, perhaps as we enjoy happy hour onboard or attend an interesting cooking demonstration.

Day 5 - Halong Bay

On Day 5, we start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sun deck before we continue cruising the bay, taking in more breathtaking 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 for an insight into local crafts. This evening, we visit a Water Puppet Theatre, where we enjoy a performance of this amusing and unique art form. We join the overnight Reunification rail service to Da Nang tonight, and settle down as the train whisks us through the rural landscapes of Vietnam.

Day 6 - Da Nang

After breakfast on board the train, our journey ends in Da Nang. We join a coach to Hoi An, a coastal port city filled with criss-crossing canals and known for its incredible preserved Ancient Town. The rest of your day is free to discover the faded grand architecture and atmospheric streets of one of Vietnam's most intriguing cities.

Day 7 - Hoi An

On Day 7, we discover the best of Hoi An on a morning walking tour. We explore the historic and colourful Old Quarter, seeing Tan Ky old house, the Fukien Assembly Hall, and the stately looking Japanese covered bridge, which has stood proudly for over 400 years. After our tour, we visit the Precious Heritage Museum and Art Gallery in Hoi An. Here, we can admire images from all around Vietnam from a host of talented artists. The museum and gallery is also home to a permanent exhibition featuring the work of famous photographer Réhahn, a French photographer based in the city who's known as the photographer who 'captures souls' due to his moving portraits. The rest of your afternoon is free to continue discovering the city at your own pace.

Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City

We transfer to Da Nang airport today for our morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Once just a small fishing village, Ho Chi Minh City is now Vietnam's largest and most exciting city, with a dizzying blend of modern 21st-century skyscrapers and charming lanes lined with ancient temples.

This afternoon, we explore the city, which was famously known as Saigon under French colonial rule. We see 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. We continue to the War Remnants Museum, home to exhibits from the Vietnam War and first Indochina War.

Day 9 - Cu Chi Tunnels

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 your own pace. Stroll down the wide boulevards filed with grand historic colonial buildings, or perhaps take the time to sample some authentic street food. You could try pho, a tasty noodle soup that's one of Vietnam's most popular dishes, or bánh mì, a traditional Vietnamese crusty sandwich.

Day 10 - Phnom Penh

We leave the hotel after breakfast and transfer by coach to the capital and beating heart of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, arriving in the late afternoon. As with many cities across South-East Asia, Phnom Penh has a distinctly French feel to much of its grandest buildings, with French colonial mansions stand alongside newly emerging designs. 

Day 11 - Phnom Penh and Siem Reap

We explore the capital 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 delicious local delicacies. This afternoon, we transfer by coach to Siem Reap, a vibrant city at the gateway to the Angkor region.

Day 12 - Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat

Today, we explore some the ancient architectural wonders that Cambodia is renowned for as we explore the Angkor Archeological Park, home to the remains of several former capitals of the Khmer Empire.

First we visit Angkor Thom. Translated as 'Great City', Angkor Thom was the last and longest-serving capital of the Khmer Empire, and was thought to have been home to as many as one million people at its peak. We explore the hauntingly beautiful abandoned city, seeing the remains of the South Gate, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas Hindu Temple, Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Later, we continue to the temple complex of Angkor Wat, the most celebrated of the former Khmer capitals. Built as the early capital of the empire by King Suryavarman in the beginning of the 12th century, Angkor Wat is the symbol of Cambodia and even appears on the national flag. We have time here to admire complex, where pinecone-shaped towers peak through the surrounding thick rainforests that are steadily reclaiming the ancient structures.

Day 13 - Siem Reap

Spend the day relaxing or exploring further until we bid farewell to Cambodia this evening. We transfer to Siem Reap airport for the flight home, via Bangkok.

Day 14 - London

We arrive back into London Heathrow on Day 14.

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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Palace Gate Hotel & Residence, Phnom Penh

Palace Gate Hotel & Residence, Phnom Penh

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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 2022

Worldwide Holidays by Rail 2022

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Highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia

Explore the wonders of two fascinating nations

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Lynne Broadley
Lynne
Helen Laverack
Helen
Luke Simpson
Luke
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