Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery

Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s colonially influenced atmospheric capital. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Start your day with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex and the Ethnology Museum to learn about the country’s ethnic groups. Next stop at the Confucian Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, before taking a walking tour of the Old Quarter where you will witness Hanoi’s rich cultural and artistic history. Take a relaxed stroll at Hoan Kiem Lake, a great spot for people-watching.

After breakfast travel to Hoang Su Phi, one of northern Vietnam’s emerald green rice terrace areas. The rest of the day is at leisure to begin exploring.

Take an unforgettable journey on foot through the epic rice terraces of Hoang Su Phi. As you turn every corner, anew view of this outstanding landscape of lush, mist wreathed terraces will unfold in front of you, providing a plethora of unreal photo opportunities. Stop enroute at the Red Yao Village to learn about local life in the area, and meet the Long Tunic Yao people as you explore. You’ll stay overnight in Hoang Su Phi on both nights.

Travel back to Hanoi. This evening, take a walking tour of the city’s unique street-side night life and food vendors. Taste the varied flavours of Vietnamese street food such as Pho Cuon and Banh Xeo – this is where the locals come to meet, dine and have a good time.

Board a traditionally designed junk boat for a serene and unforgettable cruise on the glassy, limestone studded waters of Halong Bay. Pass by quaint fishing towns, taste freshly caught seafood, and take a swim in the cool waters of the bay. Watch the sun set behind the limestone karsts from the deck of the boat, cocktail in hand.

Start your day with a calming yet invigorating Tai Chi session on the deck of your junk boat, and take in the stillness of the morning as you gently set sail. Explore the inquisitive formations of Surprise Cave and enjoy a buffet lunch on board before cruising back to the dock and driving to Hanoi for your flight to Hue.

Cycle through Hue for a tour of the imperial sights. Start at the Imperial City, then continue to Phu Mong Garden House, part of Hue’s legacy from the Nguyen Dynasty. Stop by Thien Mu Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River before driving to Tu Duc Tomb. The rest of the day is at leisure; you may wish to explore Dong Ba Market, or take a cyclo to enjoy Hue by the fading evening light.

Drive to Hoi An, stopping enroute at the Museum of Cham Sculpture. Spend the afternoon wandering the beautiful, charming, flower covered streets of this ancient town. Walk past Chinese traders’ homes, visit local artists and tailors and walk through the 16th century Japanese Bridge. Arguably Vietnam’s friendliest town, Hoi An is always a favourite for relaxed exploration.

Jump back on your bike today and wheel through the scenic rice paddies outside Hoi An. Pay a visit to local farmers where you can try your hand at traditional farming techniques – look out for water buffalo! Enjoy a calming boat ride to a peaceful fishing village, where you can try fishing net making and paddling unique bamboo basket boats. Transfer to Danang for your flight to Saigon.

This morning discover the amazing network of the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way back to Saigon there is an opportunity to visit a Wildlife Rescue Station, aiming to stop the endangered wildlife trade in Vietnam. Continue to Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral and the War Remnants Museum. This evening take an motorbike ride, classic Saigon pillion style. 

Drive to Ben Tre and set out on a boat trip through winding, forest lined canals. After lunch, cycle through rice fields and coconut groves and visit the Cao Dai Temple, local markets and a flower and bonsai village. Spend the night in a local homestay.

Take a relaxed morning cycle through the village, sampling freshly picked fruit. Drop by the local market and pay a visit to Cai Nhum Cathedral before returning to Saigon.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. This a special treat that awaits in the form of a performance from the PHARE Cambodian Circus, an NGO which teaches street children to become internationally renowned circus artists.

What better way to see the world famous Angkor Wat Complex than from the back of a traditional tuk tuk? You’ll explore Angkor Wat, the centrepiece of Siem Reap’s famous temples, before riding your tuk tuk to Angkor Thom and the Bayon Temple, a 12th century masterpiece. Lastly, buried deep in the jungle, you will find Ta Prohm; a photogenic and atmospheric smorgasbord of trees wound through temple ruins.

Visit Kompong Kleang, a settlement of over 20,000 people housed in wooden structures on stilts, suspended up to ten metres above the water. Greeted by waves of friendly locals, here you can glimpse Cambodia’s countryside culture and easy going family lifestyle. After lunch, head out into the dense forest and find the hidden temple of Beng Mealea, whose wonders lay undiscovered for centuries.

Fly to home the same or following day.