Vietnam & Cambodia Explorer

Welcome to Vietnam! Check in at the hotel and if you arrive early, enjoy free time to wander through the streets of Hanoi’s city centre. The capital city’s streets are lined with markets waiting to be explored. Top sights include the Temple of Literature, the National Museum of Vietnamese History and Hoan Kiem Lake. Walk around and explore the vibrant city - you never know what gems you’ll stumble across! Later, meet your fellow travellers and tour leader at the hotel - the tour is officially underway!

Start day two of this Vietnam and Cambodia tour with a full day of sightseeing in Hanoi. Visit the home and resting place of Ho Chi Minh, known as the father of modern-day Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh Complex consists of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and One Pillar Pagoda. Visit Vietnam’s first university, the Temple of Literature, which was built in 1070 to honour Confucius. Then, learn about the country’s 54 official ethnic groups found in the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. End with a visit to the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex: The Ho Chi Minh complex is an important place of pilgrimage. Roam through the house and presidential palace of Ho Chi-Minh, the president of North Vietnam from 1954 to 1969. The complex includes beautiful botanical gardens and his original Stilt House. Catch a glimpse of the erstwhile president himself in his resting place, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

See the One Pillar Pagoda: A pagoda is a tiered tower that acts as a Hindu or Buddhist temple. The Buddhist One Pillar Pagoda is considered one of the most unique landmarks in Vietnam. Built to resemble a lotus flower, the temple stands on a single 4m-high pillar.

Visit the Temple of Literature: Built in 1070 as the temple of Chinese teacher and philosopher, Confucius, the Temple of Literature is listed as one of the 23 national monuments of Vietnam and also depicted on the 100,000 Vietnamese dong note.

Explore the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology: The museum exhibits objects, movies and cultural objects signifying the 54 official ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple: Hoan Kiem Lake means ‘Lake of the Restored Sword’, so named after the legend of a tortoise using a sword to drive the Chinese from Vietnam and then returning the sword back to the lake. Found on an island in the lake is the Ngoc Son Temple, meaning ‘Temple of the Jade Mountain’.

Travel to the coast and get ready for one of the highlights of a tour to Vietnam - a visit to Ha Long Bay! Hop aboard a cruise ship to enjoy some waterway explorations. Sit down to a delicious lunch on board and set off to explore some of the 1,600 islets in Ha Long Bay. The first stop is Sung Sot (Surprising) Cave. Cruise from the confines of the caves to a picturesque sandy beach. Back on board, feast your eyes on a cooking demonstration before tasting the seafood delights that have been prepared. Join the crew as they catch squid under the stars. Or choose to learn about the history and culture of Indochina as you sit back and watch a movie onboard.
 
*Cruise itineraries and schedules are subject to change without pre-notice depending on the weather and operating conditions.

Cruise Ha Long Bay overnight: This unique bay and all its towering islands have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Ha Long Bay is one of the most visited places in Vietnam. It’s also known as the ‘Descending Dragon Bay’. Spend the night onboard a ship and marvel at the majestic scenery all around.

Explore Sung Sot Cave: This cave was first discovered in 1901 by the French who named it ‘Grotte des Surprises’ because of the cave’s surprising beauty. The cave is divided into two caverns and bright lights illuminate the different formations.

Enjoy a Vietnamese cooking demonstration: On board the cruise, seafood is prepared in a traditional Vietnamese style right before your eyes. Learn more about Vietnamese cuisine and look forward to tasting some delicious local food.

Go night-time squid-fishing (onboard): Get to know the local cultures and customs as you partake in night-time squid fishing.

Watch an Indochina movie (onboard): Sit back and relax as you enjoy a movie about Ha Long Bay and its history.

Wake up in Ha Long Bay and start the day with a refreshing Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck. Admire the views as the cruise continues to meander through the beautiful limestone islands. Enjoy a light lunch on board and look forward to a kayak tour of Luon Cave which offers a closer look at the beautiful natural scenery from the water. Later this afternoon, it’s time to bid farewell to this beautiful region of Vietnam and travel back to Hanoi to catch a flight to Hue.

Take a Tai Chi lesson: Enjoy panoramic views and a glorious sunrise as you take part in a Tai Chi lesson on the boat’s sundeck. 

Tour Luon Cave: A local guide will transport the group to Luon Cave via bamboo boat - the last bit of exploring in Ha Long Bay! The 60m arch of the cave only rises 4-6m above the water level (depending on the tide). So, the only way to enter the cave is by kayak or small boat.

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Hue. This vibrant city was the political, cultural and religious centre of unified Vietnam until 1945. Visit the city’s main attractions by cruising along the Perfume River on a traditional Dragon boat. The river spans 80 km, flowing through Hue City Centre. The first stop is the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the best-preserved religious sites in Vietnam. Then, it’s onto the Imperial Citadel and the Royal Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. Spend the rest of the day meandering through the Dong Ba Market to find local food to try and even a few souvenirs to take home.

Cruise the Perfume River on a Dragon boat: Hop onto a colourful, traditional dragon boat to float down the Perfume River. The river was given its name many years ago because of the scent carried along from flowers that dropped into the water upriver.  

Visit Thien Mu Pagoda: Thien Mu, meaning ‘Heavenly Lady’, was originally built in the 1600s, but the current 7-tiered tower was completed in the mid-1800s. 

Visit the ancient Imperial Citadel: Hue is often referred to as “Vietnam’s Imperial City” because it was home to the last of its dynasties. The Nguyen Dynasty ruled from this citadel, as did many others before. 

Visit Royal Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc: One of the must-see sights in Hue is Emperor Tu Duc’s Mausoleum. The tomb was built while the emperor was alive and he lived out his last days in this lavish setting. 

Free time in Dong Ba Market: Chong Dong Ba is the oldest market in Hue. Here, you’ll find hundreds of stalls selling anything from fresh food to household items and clothing.

Drive along the scenic stretch of Vietnamese coastline from Hue to Hoi An. Stop in Da Nang to see the Marble Mountains. These five limestone hills each boast an abundance of beauty and a pagoda resting on top. Later, arrive in Hoi An and spend the afternoon exploring the beautiful coastal city.

Scenic drive from Hue to Hoi An: Glimpse the beauty of Vietnam’s coast. See how the locals live and take in all the beautiful scenery.

Discover the Marble Mountains: These five stunning limestone hills are known as Ngu Hanh Son in Vietnamese. Each mountain represents one of the five elements - Tho Son (Earth), Thuy Son (Water), Moc Son (Wood), Kim Son (Metal or Gold) and Hoa Son (Fire).

Embark on a jam-packed tour of Hoi An Ancient Town today. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda, which is considered to be an icon of Hoi An. Wander through the quaint streets of the ancient city. Stop at the Sa Huynh Culture Museum and learn about a civilisation from 2,000 years ago. The next stop is the Tran Family Chapel, used in the early 19th century to worship the Tran family’s ancestors. Watch as the locals go through the meticulous process of lantern-making. Pay a visit to the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall - a pagoda that was built in 1690 and stands in honour of the Goddess of the Sea. The afternoon is yours to explore this unique ancient town. Soak up the sunset and take in the lights reflecting on the water this evening.

See the Japanese Covered Bridge Pagoda: Built in 1593, this bridge connected the Japanese community to the Chinese community across the stream. While the French flattened the arches for vehicle access, they have since been restored.

Visit the Sa Huynh Culture Museum: Explore the beautiful exhibits of artefacts from the Sa Huynh civilization, which flourished 2,000 years ago. They founded the Hoi An trading port, which allowed for trade with merchants from Southeast Asia, South India and China.

See the Tran Family Chapel: Dating back to 1802, the chapel was built for worshipping the Tran family’s ancestors. The unique architecture contains features from both Chinese (the ‘turtle’ style roof) and Japanese (the triple beam) cultures.

Enjoy a traditional lantern workshop: Visit a lantern workshop and see skilled craftspeople creating these delicate keepsakes from bamboo and silk.   

See the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall Pagoda: The pagoda was built in 1690 and used by the largest Chinese ethnic group in Hoi An (the Fujian). Today, the temple is still used as a place of worship by the people of Phuoc Kien.

Spend the morning at the beach or enjoying soaking up the last few hours in Hoi An. Then, it’s onto Da Nang airport to catch a flight to Can Tho! Set in the Mekong Delta region, the city is known for its canal networks, floating markets, restaurants and bars. Visit the iconic Binh Thuy Ancient House during your free time in the afternoon. The 100-year old house is uniquely decorated, with a clear western influence on the outside and traditional eastern touches on the inside.

Visit Binh Thuy Ancient House: This structure is about as iconic as it gets. If you've seen a film about Vietnam, chances are you've glimpsed it somewhere in the background. It was originally constructed in the 1870s but also received some extensive refurbishment in the 1900s.

Cruise along the Can Tho river and experience traffic on water! First up is the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta - Cai Rang. Experience the morning hustle as locals buy their fresh produce, cooked meals, fish and even coffee from the local traders. For a change of scenery, visit the An Binh indoor market where traders from nearby farms sell their produce. Glimpse local life while cruising down the Rau Ram canal. Walk through the local village and head into a rice noodle workshop to see how it is made. Today’s last stop in the countryside is the Ba Cong tropical fruit garden. Here, learn more about the traditional methods of gardening before unwinding and indulging in a delicious meal in a local restaurant. Finally, it’s back to Can Tho City to make the trip to Ho Chi Minh/Saigon.

Cruise through Cai Rang Floating Market: Enjoy the unique experience of shopping for fresh produce and local foods from a traditional floating store! Head up to the sun deck of one of the traders and capture a picture of the bustling market below.

Visit An Binh Market: Watch as local farmers bring their fresh produce, meat and merchandise to trade at the indoor market. Experience the difference between the floating market and the bustling indoor market.

Explore Rau Ram canal on a walking tour: Experience the activities of local life while wandering through the local village. Capture the moment as people use traditional methods in their daily lives.  

Enjoy a rice noodle workshop: Watch a demonstration at a rice processing factory. Learn how to make rice noodles and taste this Vietnamese staple food.

Visit Ba Cong tropical fruit garden: Sample some of the delicious fruits as you learn how to garden with a local family.

The Vietnam War played a huge role in shaping Vietnam and its history. One of the iconic sites of this tumultuous war is the Cu Chi Tunnels, where the Viet Cong lived and fought underground. Next up, explore Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon. Look forward to seeing sights including the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the Post Office and the former Presidential Palace. End the day by wandering through the Ben Thanh Market and searching for souvenirs. This is a popular place to pick áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese silk tunic worn by both men and women at the start of the New Year.

Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels: Visit the 200 km-long network of tunnels used by the Viet Cong during the war. Crawl through the small and dark tunnels and experience what life must’ve been like during the war for the guerilla fighters.

See the Notre Dame Cathedral: This 60m-high cathedral is a symbol of the French and Christian influence on Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. The cathedral was built in the late 19th century by French colonists.

See the Presidential Palace: Also known as the Reunification Palace, it’s one of the most important historical buildings in Vietnam. It was here where the South Vietnamese government lost power after the National Liberation Front tanks crashed through the gates.  

Visit the Ben Thanh Market: This is the best place to see where the locals buy their clothes and trinkets, and also happens to be a great spot to shop for some of your own.

Today, it’s time to venture into the second country of this tour through Vietnam and Cambodia! Glance down during the flight to get your last few views of Vietnam before crossing the border into Cambodia. Today it’s on to the next Southeast Asian treasure. Phnom Penh welcomes you! Enjoy some free time to explore on your own later today.

Discover Cambodia’s rich local culture alongside its turbulent history on a Phnom Penh city tour. The first stop on this tour through Cambodia’s capital is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Hear about the catastrophic history of those prisoners held captive in this former school. Follow the route that many took from the Choeung Ek extermination camp, also known as the Killing Fields. Afterwards, visit the Toul Tom Poung Market where you can search through all the souvenirs and merchandise on offer. Next, head to the Royal Compound, which is home to the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Today’s final stop is Wat Phnom Temple, a beautiful pagoda atop a hill.

Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 prison): Pol Pot’s security forces held tens of thousands of prisoners captive and tortured them at the S-21 prison.
 
Experience the “Killing Fields” of Choeung Ek: After being detained at the S-21 prison, over 17,000 prisoners were transferred to the extermination camp of Choeung Ek. Here, men, women and children (considered to be political prisoners) were executed. The mass grave site represents the atrocities that occurred between the years 1975 and 1978.
 
Explore Toul Tom Poung Market: This destination is also known as the Russian Market, because of memorabilia relating to the time of the Eastern Bloc.
 
Tour the Royal Compound: Resembling a small town of royal dynasties, it’s a lavish sight to behold. The Royal Palace serves as the King’s residence and is used for court ceremony and acts as a symbol for the Kingdom. The Silver Pagoda is so named because of the silver-tiled floor and is home to countless treasured artefacts. It’s here where the King meets with the monks.
 
See Wat Phnom Temple: Regarded as one of the most important pagodas in Phnom Penh. Built in 1373, this temple is found atop a 27m-high knoll that is covered in trees.

It’s time to venture to the resort town of Siem Reap - the gateway to the ruins of Angkor! Start the day of exploring at Chong Kneas floating village. Then, hop onto a traditional wooden boat to float down the Tonle Sap Lake. Spend the rest of the day watching how young Cambodians are trained in the ancient Khmer traditions at the Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor.

Experience Chong Kneas floating village: Found on the Tonle Sap Lake, the Chong Kneas floating village is a unique shopping experience. Take a look at what the locals have on offer as you float by the ‘shops on a boat’.
 
Visit Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor: Young Cambodians receive training in the ancient Khmer traditions of stone carving and wood sculpting.

Look forward to another major highlight of the tour today with a visit to the impressive Angkor! Explore the iconic World Heritage temples of the Angkor Wat complex, the largest religious monument in the world! Spend the whole day exploring the sights - including the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple and the Royal Enclosure. Marvel at the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. This is sure to be an experience that stays with you long after you return home.

Explore Angkor Wat: For many centuries, Angkor was the centre of the Khmer Kingdom. One of its most iconic sites is the Angkor Wat temple, which was constructed in the 12th century. This temple is the largest and best-preserved structure in the Angkor Temple complex. Another notable temple is the Ta Prohm temple. This jungle-covered temple is a testament to the strength of the forces of nature. The huge fig trees and enormous creepers have almost completely absorbed the man-made temple.

After 15 adventure-filled days, it’s the end of this Vietnam and Cambodia tour. The tour ends after breakfast. Make sure you have exchanged contact details with your new-found travel friends, and share your amazing tour memories with us online using the hashtags #ExpatExplore and #BetterTogether.