Vietnam and Angkor Premium Journey

Arrive in Hanoi, Vietnam’s culture–rich capital. Spend the day strolling tree–lined boulevards and sipping excellent coffee from the doorways of grand buildings. Around 6pm we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers to hear about the journey ahead, then share a welcome dinner at KOTO – supporting their inspiring training restaurant and foundation for disadvantaged young people. If you want more time to explore before the tour, you can arrange extra nights in Hanoi.

This morning we explore the city, visiting the Temple of Literature, Hoa Lo Prison and the Old Quarter. We pause for lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is free – you can wander around Hoan Kiem Lake and take in the view from a lakeside café.

We make an early start for the drive of about four hours to Ha Long Bay, where some 3,000 limestone peaks rise from an emerald sea. We cruise amid the karst scenery, stopping to swim and kayak where conditions allow, and enjoy a seafood lunch on board. Later we gather on the top deck for sunset drinks before settling into twin–share cabins for the night.

This morning we continue our cruise before returning to port. We then meet the Ha Long Women’s Association in Hon Gai to learn how they remove waste from the bay and upcycle it into handcrafted items – you may have the chance to try upcycling too. Afterwards we drive back to Hanoi for a free evening – you can relax or ask your leader to arrange tickets for a traditional water puppets performance, subject to availability.

After breakfast we transfer to Hanoi Airport for our flight to Da Nang. On arrival we climb Marble Mountain to explore large caves once used as a hospital base during the war and take in sweeping views over My Khe Beach and the surrounding countryside. We then continue to the captivating town of Hoi An, about an hour away. This evening we dine together at a local restaurant overlooking the atmospheric Thu Bon River.

This morning we take a walking tour of Hoi An, a former European trading port of the 16th century, with wooden merchant houses, pagoda–style temples and a lively riverside market. After lunch at a local eatery, the afternoon is free – you could browse for silk, linger in cafés or join an optional trip to My Son, the spiritual home of the Cham civilisation, where several stone towers and sanctuaries remain.

We spend the morning at the market selecting ingredients before a hands–on class at the renowned Green Mango Cooking School, learning Vietnamese techniques and then eating the dishes we prepare. The afternoon is free – you can enjoy Hoi An at leisure or opt for a gentle bike ride through the countryside to Cua Dai Beach, about 5 km away.

This morning we transfer to Da Nang Airport for the flight of about 1 hour 25 minutes to Ho Chi Minh City, a dynamic metropolis where temples stand beside modern towers and the Saigon River winds through the centre. On arrival we enjoy a tasty lunch at Pho Hoa on Pasteur, a city institution serving southern–style noodles and spring rolls. In the afternoon we tour the city, including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum – please note, some images on display are graphic.

We travel north to the Cu Chi tunnels, an extensive network on three levels stretching for around 240 km. Some sections have been widened for visitors to experience the system first–hand, though anyone with claustrophobia may prefer to remain above ground. In the afternoon we return to Ho Chi Minh City, where you have free time for your own exploration.

We drive for around 2 hours 30 minutes to the Mekong Delta and board our boat to explore the Four Sacred Islets of the Tien River – Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix. We stop at a local house to sample seasonal fruits and hear traditional southern music, walk to an orchard for honey tea, and visit a coconut–candy workshop. A tuk tuk carries us through coconut gardens to the villages of Quoi Son, Phu An Hoa and An Khanh to learn about daily life, and after lunch we take a rowing boat to see fish reared in floating cages. We return to Ho Chi Minh City and gather this evening for dinner at Cuc Gach Quan, a Michelin–recommended restaurant in a traditional house.

We transfer to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. On arrival we meet our Cambodian tour leader and head to Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa, our base for three nights. This evening we enjoy a welcome–to–Cambodia dinner in the village of Lum Orng at the country’s first farm–to–table restaurant, where authentic Khmer dishes showcase produce from the garden. Depending on flight times, we may also catch sunset at the Angkor temple complex – otherwise we do this tomorrow.

We begin with sunrise at Angkor Wat – an unforgettable moment. After breakfast back at the hotel, we return to the World Heritage complex to explore Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Bayon. A home–cooked lunch follows at an old wooden house in Srah Srang village, where Aunt Ki welcomes us and serves a meal prepared with locally sourced rice and vegetables. We finish around 4pm, leaving you time to relax at our tranquil resort.

We return to Angkor to visit Banteay Srei and the atmospheric Ta Prohm, where tree roots still clasp the stonework. Afterwards we head back to the hotel to relax before our farewell dinner featuring traditional cuisine and a dance performance.

After breakfast the tour concludes in Siem Reap. There are free transfers to Siem Reap Airport for all travellers. If you would like to linger longer, you can extend your stay to explore more of this captivating destination.