Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia

Your amazing southeast Asian adventure begins by meeting the Tour Manager and travelling group at London Heathrow airport ready for a flight to Hanoi.

Travelling overnight, we can begin to look forward to our voyage of discovery that will take in the delights for which Vietnam and Cambodia are renowned. An S-shaped strip of land, Vietnam winds down the coast of the South China Sea for more than a thousand miles. It has become a bucket-list destination for many people, drawn to the country's golden sand beaches, lush jungle and delicious cuisine. Neighbouring Cambodia is also a friendly and welcoming country, renowned for its hospitality and the once-lost Khmer temples in the jungles around Siem Reap.

Our plane lands in Vietnam this morning and, after some brunch, we transfer to our five-star hotel in central Hanoi. Once we have checked in, there is time to unwind and acclimatise to our new surroundings.

As the capital of French Indochina for the first half of the 20th century, Hanoi brims with colonial architecture. One of the most curious sights in the city is a train squeezing through a narrow street, almost touching the shops. 'Train Street', as it has been dubbed, is a short distance from our hotel but note that trains are more regular on weekends and the street is now only accessible to café patrons.

In the afternoon we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Old Quarter in cyclos (similar to tuk-tuks), journeying along lively streets dotted with temples. This is a wonderful way to experience the atmosphere of Hanoi and provides a great insight into local life and culture.

This evening, we gather back at our hotel for our first dinner as a group.

• Brunch, Dinner

We begin the day with breakfast at our hotel before a visit to Ba Dinh Square. The centrepiece of this grand square is the granite Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which houses the body of the famous Vietnamese revolutionary who declared independence for North Vietnam in 1945.

Lunch today is at a local restaurant where we enjoy Vietnamese cuisine, before embarking on a three-hour city tour. Our sightseeing starts at the Confucian Temple of Literature, which was originally constructed in the 10th century and altered by later dynasties to honour the nation's finest scholars. A well-preserved example of ancient architecture, landscaped courtyards lead to an ornate altar beneath a red-wood pagoda.

Our tour concludes after a visit to a local coffee shop for refreshments, and the evening is free for you to continue exploring on your own. Perhaps pop to the lively International Crossroads area of the Old Quarter for a local drink, or savour authentic flavours at one of Hanoi's restaurants.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer by coach to Ha long Bay for a highlight of your holiday.

Ha long Bay is extraordinary. This UNESCO-listed collection of towering limestone karst rock formations, isolated sandy beaches and jungle-topped islands jutting out of the emerald waters is understandably popular. Many day boats ferry tourists around the nearest islands, however our overnight cruise allows us to travel to quieter, iconic sights. After lunch on board our luxury junk boat, we arrive at Cat Ba Island where you have the choice of a stroll around the beautiful bay, or a gentle bike ride to Viet Hai - a small village nestled in the heart of a national park.

Our boat has many great places from which to relax ahead of dinner aboard. As the sun dips below the horizon, absorb the views of a breathtaking sunset before spending the night in your cabin.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up in Ha long Bay, early risers can enjoy sunrise and a tranquil tai chi class amidst this astonishing landscape, with breakfast served later. One of the finest sunlight-filled caves in Ha long Bay is Trinh Nu, covering more than 25,000 square feet. You can walk amongst the ethereal stalactites and stalagmites or join an included, organised kayak trip into the cave and around the lagoon.

Disembarking, a coach transfer takes us back to Hanoi where we observe a traditional water puppet show. Strongly influenced by Vietnamese folklore, this art form dates back to the 11th century and has a symbolic link to the rice harvest as these tales were originally performed in flooded rice fields.

Tonight, we leave the capital aboard the Reunification Express on an overnight journey to Hue in private-use Violette cabins. As the name suggests, this route honours the unification of Vietnam in 1976 and the train is a chance to experience local travel.

• Breakfast

The Reunification Express rolls into Hue this morning after a picnic breakfast on board. This historic city is smaller and calmer than Hanoi, and with an early check-in at our grand five-star hotel, there is time to relax under royal palms by the pool before embarking on a sightseeing tour this afternoon.

The main attraction of Hue is the impressive Imperial Citadel, the Nguyen dynasty's capital from 1802 to 1945. Modelled on Beijing's Forbidden City and often called the Purple Forbidden City, the expansive palace complex is surrounded by a series of moats fed by the Perfume River. So-called because of orchard leaves that fall into it upstream during autumn, the broad Perfume River flows in front of the palace grounds. Lavish pagodas, temple roofs decorated with dragon motifs, and attractive gardens are guarded by towering walls dotted with ten ornate gates.

Later, we visit the Thien Mu pagoda, a seven-storey octagonal Buddhist temple built in 1601 that has become a symbol of Vietnam, before returning to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we soak up the atmosphere at the Dong Ba market, the oldest in Hue, where we see stalls selling everything from fresh produce and street food to conical hats with poems woven into them.

Afterwards, we hop back on the Reunification Express for a journey down the verdant coast in Soft Seats class. On arrival in Da Nang, we transfer to the beautiful town of Hoi An, renowned for its monthly lantern festivals, night markets and bespoke tailors with suits made in just a few hours.

We check in to a five-star hotel on the riverbank for three nights. Art Nouveau in style, our elegant and refined hotel has a pool in the central courtyard, and the town's highest rooftop bar, providing spectacular views across Hoi An.

• Breakfast

We enjoy a guided tour of one of the most charming and attractive towns in Vietnam, Hoi An. Tan Ky Old house reflects Japanese, Vietnamese and Chinese influences and was constructed in 1741 by merchants, the descendants of whom still live on the top floor. Here, we admire the dark wood interiors, lacquered panels and jackfruit wood ceilings.

This picturesque town was historically a melting pot of cultures, and we experience this at the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, which contains an ornately decorated temple with porcelain-capped roof ties, and statues of a monkey and a dog. In Japanese folklore, these gods control Namazu, an underground catfish believed to cause earthquakes.

After a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, we take part in a hands-on craft experience at a lantern-making workshop. The Old Quarter still lights up with rainbow-hued lanterns at night, which you can witness on a free evening as you wander amongst the picture-perfect pastel-yellow façades. For dinner tonight, you might have been inspired by lunch to try some more delicious Vietnamese cuisine or choose to eat at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch

With a full free day stretching out in front of you after breakfast today, you may wish to wander through Hoi An's picturesque streets to discover more beautiful places.

Delve into the scents and sights of the Cantonese Assembly Hall and its pretty gardens as incense wafts gently by the elaborate dragon statue, or perhaps head out to Trang coconut village for a slice of rural life. Here, you can book an enjoyable basket boat trip through the tropical waterways. Embrace the laid-back Hoi An lifestyle by watching the world go by from a charming coffee shop. For lunch, you might like to enter Central Market to sample some of the flavours of the street-food stalls, including the French-influenced banh mi, delicious pho soup and many other interesting local specialities.

Hoi An also excels at seafood, which can be found in the Night Market or at one of the many restaurants serving crab, lobster, shrimp and different varieties of fish.

• Breakfast

Leaving the lantern city of Hoi An today, we transfer to Da Nang airport for a short internal flight south to Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam's most populous city was famously known as Saigon under French colonial rule - a name that many locals still use to this day. During their time ruling, the French heavily influenced the layout of the city, with wide leafy boulevards and grand colonial buildings. Nowadays, Ho Chi Minh City is an exciting place that's modern yet has a rich cultural history, showcased in the blend of unmistakably European architecture and assuredly Vietnamese traditions.

On arrival, we transfer to our centrally located French colonial-style hotel. Built in 1930, it contains a pool, rooftop lounge, bar and restaurant, and the remainder of the day is spent at leisure.

• Breakfast

Today we learn about the troubled recent history of this beautiful country on a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. A vast underground complex developed during the war of independence with France and later utilised in the conflict against the US, at their height the tunnels stretched almost 155 miles towards the Cambodian border.

As a base of operations for the Tet Offensive in 1968, there are still aircraft and tanks located near the entrances. Entry to the tunnels is optional, but those who want to can discover the living conditions and methods used to protect the tunnels, field hospitals and weapons factories contained within.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we return to Ho Chi Minh City for a guided sightseeing tour this afternoon, viewing the grand Central Post Office and the modernist Independence Palace. It was here in April 1975 that a North Vietnamese tank dramatically burst through the gates, signifying the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War.

There is a free evening tonight, during which you can experience the barter economy at the buzzing night markets near our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Flowing from Tibet, the Mekong River splits into branches as it enters Vietnam on its way to the South China Sea, creating a vast maze of rivers dotted with lush islands. The sprawling Mekong Delta is home to a wide range of interesting and often unique wildlife - and plays a vital role in the area's daily life.

Arriving in Cai Be, we begin to learn about those who depend on these waterways and the culture that thrives in this area. After learning how coconut sweets are produced, we take a rowing-boat excursion to observe the fascinating water-based life as houseboats line the fertile and verdant riverbanks.

We have lunch in Ving Long before transferring to our stunning five-star hotel on the edge of Can Tho. A colonial, U-shaped building gathered round an open courtyard of relaxing pools and attractive gardens that lead down to the edge of the Hau River, our hotel provides excellent views of the Mekong Delta.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There is a free day today to relax either at our beautifully located hotel or head out and explore Can Tho independently.

As the main city in the delta, Can Tho's wide boulevards and narrow back streets are awash with beautiful temples. Experience incense drifting through the air at the decorative Buddhist Ong Temple or view swirling finials and gold-covered detailing at the Munirensay Khmer pagoda. Connecting the town and our hotel is the curved Ninh Kieu pedestrian bridge with two large sculptures of lotus leaves that are illuminated at night.

Of course, with a palm-lined swimming pool and a relaxing spa, it's perfectly understandable that you might not want to leave our hotel.

• Breakfast

An early start sees us visit Cai Rang, one of the world's largest and most impressive floating markets. Arriving at this time allows us to enjoy the full, authentic experience of traders selling goods from their boats. After opportunities to peruse the wares, we return to the hotel for breakfast before transferring by coach to Cao Lanh.

Here, we board an express boat for an enjoyable journey up the Mekong into Cambodia and a border crossing with a difference - disembarking to get our passports stamped before continuing by river to Phnom Penh. The majestic Mekong guides us through the tropical flatlands as we drink in the lush scenery dotted with islands, temples and everyday life.

Arriving in the Cambodian capital, known as the 'Pearl of Asia', we discover a meeting point of three great rivers - the Mekong, Tonle Sap and Bassac. The Old Town's French-influenced streets are lined with street food stalls and colourful markets, while modern Phnom Penh is a forward-looking city. On arrival, we check in to our contemporary, central hotel ahead of dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We get to know Phnom Penh on a full day guided tour that introduces us to some of the city's main sights. In the morning, we explore the country's older history, visiting the richly ornamented Royal Palace and the impressive Silver Pagoda - two sites that occupy a sprawling park of gleaming, golden temples, and beautiful, manicured gardens surrounded by iconic yellow walls.

We stop at a local restaurant for lunch before learning about an integral part of the country's recent history at the poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum - infamously known as S-21 - for an insight into the history of Cambodia during the brutal reign of dictator Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979.

There is free time this evening to continue exploring the capital of this warm and friendly country. You could head to a market to admire the local crafts or sample Cambodian street food, or visit one of the city's restaurants. While similar to Thai food, Cambodian cuisine is less spicy, with one of its most popular dishes being the fragrant steamed fish curry called amok.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast today we take a fascinating coach journey through the heart of Cambodia, admiring the scenery as it passes by our windows.

From lush jungle encroaching on small, roadside towns to vast lakes shimmering as far as the eye can see, nature provides a captivating backdrop for our travels. On the way, we stop at Skuon market, where you could sample some traditional Cambodian snacks before we stop for lunch in Kampong Thom.

In late afternoon, we arrive in Siem Reap, a town that has become very popular due to the remarkable temples nearby. Siem Reap mixes a laid-back atmosphere with delicious cuisine and vibrant culture. After checking in to our luxurious five-star hotel, there is a free evening to unwind by the pool or lounge in the tropical garden area.

• Breakfast, Lunch

Today is a highlight of your holiday as we enjoy a full-day guided tour of iconic Angkor Wat. Covering more than 400 acres, this is the world's largest religious structure. Embracing local culture, we are transported to this sprawling complex in tuk-tuks, providing the flexibility to return to Siem Reap when you choose.

There are few places as enchanting as this once-lost city, built more than 800 years ago. Our visit begins at Angkor Thom, the 'Great City' and final capital of the Khmer Empire, before moving on to the renowned Angkor Wat after lunch in a local restaurant. The temples originally exhibited an extravagant display of golden roofs and whitewashed walls before being abandoned and reclaimed by nature. Appearing amidst dense jungle of overgrown fig, banyan and kapok trees, the weathered stupas and intricate carvings are utterly spellbinding.

Afterwards, we attend a pagoda where a Buddhist monk gives us a blessing. Then, we have dinner while enjoying an authentic and colourful Apsara dance show. This graceful artform features dancers in traditional dress and ornate headdresses narrating classical myths.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On our final day in Cambodia, there is some time for last-minute shopping at Siem Reap's lively riverside markets, where you can purchase local crafts or produce. However, if you prefer, you could relax by the pool.

After lunch at our hotel, we transfer to Siem Reap's architecturally charming airport. Here, we say farewell to Cambodia and its mystical temples on board a connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh City's international airport.

• Breakfast, Lunch

From the breathtaking overnight cruise around Ha long Bay and charming Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City's grand palaces and poignant Cu Chi Tunnels, Vietnam has provided some unforgettable memories. The mighty Mekong and its laid-back way of life carried us into Cambodia, where we explored Phnom Penh and the iconic Angkor Wat temples.

Your memorable exploration of two southeast Asian countries comes to an end as we board a flight, shortly after midnight, to London Heathrow, arriving back in the UK in the morning.