Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

Intrepid Travel · 18 days
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
Best of Vietnam & Cambodia
18 Days
From AUD $3455
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Light

Rating


(20 reviews)

Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

Best of Vietnam & Cambodia

Intrepid Travel · 18 days
Duration

18 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Take an unforgettable adventure through two of the most colourful yet contrasting cultures in South East Asia.

Highlights

  • Sail through Ha Long Bay’s limestone karsts and island caves, visit a centre that turns the bay’s discarded trash into treasures and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
  • Travel like a local on a motorbike tour, riding pillion and taking in the historical pagodas, bridges and villages of Hue.
  • Watch the sun rising over Angkor Wat as it did over 800 years ago and wander through the ancient temples on a guided tour. With a three-day Angkor pass to cover your whole time in Siem Reap, you can explore this incredible temple complex as much and as often as you like.
  • Discover the countryside around Battambang on a bike ride around rural farms to meet with local producers, through an Intrepid partner and social enterprise that supports the local communities.
  • Experience life on water on a boat tour visiting the floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake and understand the deep bond between the late and the local communities.

Trip Details

Duration

18 days

Transportation

Boat,Motorbike,Overnight sleeper train,Plane,Private minibus,Taxi,Sampan,Tuk-tuk

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Hanoi, Cambodia

Finishes

Bangkok, Cambodia

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel, followed by a group dinner at KOTO restaurant – this organisation is dedicated to developing the hospitality careers of disadvantaged youth. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to see and do in this gorgeous city. You could book the Hanoi Street Food Experience with Urban Adventures and sample some delicious Vietnamese cuisine like a true local, or chill by Hoan Kiem Lake. Maybe wander the Old Quarter to admire the city’s French architecture and shopping streets, then grab a cold beer and a Bahn mi on a bustling street corner.

Included Activities:

  • Hanoi - KOTO dinner

Optional Activities:

  • Hanoi - Women's Museum (30000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology (40000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex (80000 VND)
  • Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (39 USD)
  • Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) (355 USD)
  • Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) (432 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Halong Bay
Travel by private minibus to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay, which is dotted with sandy coves, grottoes and 1600 limestone islands, formed over millennia by wind and water erosion. Board a private boat and cruise the bay, exploring Surprise Cave and Ti Top Island Beach. If you like, you can also take on an optional kayaking tour of the bay and see the gorgeous natural scenery from a different perspective. Spend your evening aboard the boat beneath the night sky, watching as the stars come out and maybe grab a drink at the restaurant bar, getting to know your fellow travellers a little better.

Included Activities:

  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
  • Halong Bay - Cave entry

Optional Activities:

  • Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour (250000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Overnight boat (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Hanoi – Overnight train
Wake up on the waters of Ha Long Bay and maybe watch the sunrise as the eagles soar overhead. Then, you’ll visit The Green Life Centre, which is committed to turning the bay’s trash into treasure by collecting discarded items and skilfully turning them into handicrafts. Meet the team behind this important cause and learn how to transform rubbish into a reusable bag, a scrunchie or a makeup case. After return to Hanoi by bus. Arrive late this afternoon and enjoy a free afternoon until tonight’s train voyage. Be sure to grab a bowl of pho while you’re in town and slurp down this local specialty made from broth, noodles and meat. Maybe chill by Hoan Kiem Lake until you board an overnight train to Hue this evening.

Included Activities:

  • Halong Bay - The Green Life Visit

Accommodation:

  • Overnight sleeper train (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Hue
Arrive in Hue this morning and transfer to your hotel. Once the imperial capital of Vietnam, Hue holds the treasures of the country’s royal past. Enjoy free time in the morning to rest or explore – you could check out the bustling Dong Ba Market to sample some of the specialties that once graced the Nguyen emperors' tables. Reunite with the group to visit the war-damaged ruins of the Imperial Citadel – a sprawling city-within-a-city which contains the remains of temples, state houses and the emperor’s palace.

Included Activities:

  • Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Hue
See Hue like a local today – from the back of a motorbike! Straddle the saddle and whiz around town with a local guide, taking in historic and contemporary sights along the way. Stop at Thanh Toan to see the 18th-century covered bridge and villagers shopping at their local market. Visit the 17th-century active Buddhist monastery of Thien Mu Pagoda and see the car that belonged to Thich Quang Duc – the monk who self-immolated in 1963 in protest against the treatment of Buddhists by the South Vietnamese regime. For lunch, sit down to a vegetarian feast in a nunnery. Finish at the lakeside royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc before heading back to town.

Included Activities:

  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets tour by motorbike
  • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
  • Hue - Vegetarian Lunch at Pagoda

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Hoi An
This morning, take the bus through coastal rice paddies and the spectacular Hai Van Pass. After a photo stop on the way, arrive in Hoi An – recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An was a major international trading port during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Today, parts of the beautifully preserved town retain the feel of centuries past. This is also a very popular town for shopping, famous for its many tailors. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a sightseeing walk through the Old Town to visit a handful of the city's major attractions. You’ll also be given a sightseeing pass so you can further explore select attractions at your leisure.

Included Activities:

  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour

Optional Activities:

  • Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure (39 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Hoi An
Today is a free day to explore Hoi An. Maybe browse the cobbled streets and art galleries or hire a bike and cycle through rice paddies out to Cua Dai Beach. Maybe browse for paintings, ceramics and colourful cloth lanterns in the town’s markets and preserved Chinese shophouses. If you’re craving a new look, you could visit to one of the hundreds of tailors and get an outfit custom made. Hoi An is also known for its delicious regional food, so you could have dinner a riverside restaurant or partake in a cooking class.

Optional Activities:

  • Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery (73 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City
Today, you’ll take a short, early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has a fascinating history and is arguably Vietnam’s capital of commerce and culture. After landing, take a sightseeing tour around the city by bus. Pass the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Opera House, then stop in at the War Remnants Museum to discover some of the sobering stories of the 20-year-long Vietnam/American War.

Included Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
  • Ho Chi Minh City - City tour

Optional Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace (40000 VND)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - A O show (1050000 VND)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure (29 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
This morning, head out on a daytrip to explore the Mekong Delta. Board a private boat to Ben Tre to visit the coconut gardens and stop at a local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, paddle in sampans (small rowing boats) past coconut trees along the Mekong Delta. Take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages and learn about rural life and the industry created around coconut products like brooms and coconut fibre mats. Eat lunch at a restaurant in the heart of the Delta, sampling regional specialties like elephant ear fish. After, return to Ho Chi Minh City and maybe grab dinner with your fellow travellers to toast to a great adventure!

Included Activities:

  • Mekong Delta - Mekong Delta Day Trip & Village Tuk-Tuk Tour
  • Mekong Delta - Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
10
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy a free day in Ho Chi Minh to get out and discover the city at your own pace. You could get a history lesson on guerrilla warfare during an Urban Adventures tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels – this underground network in the middle of the jungle was used by the Viet Cong during the war. On this day tour, you can climb into the tunnels and imagine what it would’ve been like to eat, sleep, work and cook as conflict raged above. Tonight, there will be another welcome meeting at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining you on the next stage of your adventure. After, perhaps get to know your new travel buddies over dinner.

Optional Activities:

  • Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace (40000 VND)
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum (40000 VND)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
11
Day 11: Phnom Penh
Travel by public bus across the border, through rural Vietnam and Cambodia to Phnom Penh. Cambodia's capital city is set on a major junction of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers and boasts some fine examples of French-inspired architecture. If you're looking for a tasty beverage when you arrive, head for a mojito on the rooftop. Or if you're in the mood for shopping, stop in at the art-deco Psar Thmei (Central Market) or travel out to Psar Tuol Tom Pong (the Russian Market) for the best range of local souvenirs.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
12
Day 12: Phnom Penh
Today, confront Cambodia's tragic past on a guided tour of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. It's estimated that more than 20,000 people were held and tortured here. You’ll also head out to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, where a stupa made up of some 8000 human skulls marks the execution ground for the torture victims of Tuol Sleng. Afterwards, you may wish to learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history from an optional visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Wat Phnom, shrouded in myth, is equally worth a visit, as is the National Museum with its excellent Khmer collection. Cyclo tours around the city are a great alternative to walking and generally include the Central Market, US Embassy, Wat Phnom, Mekong riverfront, the Independence Monument and Royal Palace.

Included Activities:

  • Phnom Penh - The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)

Optional Activities:

  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda (10 USD)
  • Phnom Penh - Wat Phnom (2 USD)
  • Phnom Penh - National Museum (10 USD)
  • Phnom Penh - Cyclo tour (4 USD)
  • Phnom Penh - Khmer massage (8 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
13
Day 13: Battambang
Travel by private minibus to Battambang today. Break up an otherwise long trip with a visit to the pottery visit in Kampong Chhnang and learn about the craft of pottery making at local workshops. Then continue to Cambodia's second-largest city – a pretty riverside town with French elegance, friendly Khmer people and beautifully preserved colonial architecture, this is a great place to explore on your own. Why not take part in an optional cooking class to learn the secrets of local dishes such as amok, Khmer curry and fried spicy chicken.

Included Activities:

  • Kampong Chhnang - Pottery village visit

Optional Activities:

  • Battambang - Cooking Class (12 USD)
  • Battambang - Phnom Sampov bat caves (15 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
14
Day 14: Siem Reap
Spend a bit of time riding around the countryside by bike, travelling out to the rural villages around Battambang. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at what rural life means in Cambodia. Visit local families who have been producing agricultural products the traditional way passed down through generations, like rice paper, dried bananas, and bamboo sticky rice and stop by a Khmer house and relax and enjoy some coconut water while chatting about their life. The Intrepid partner for this activity is a local social enterprise that support training of local youth for their future career. In the afternoon continue by private minibus to Siem Reap, arriving in the evening, and relax as you prepare for your much-anticipated visit to Angkor tomorrow. Perhaps hit the markets for some delicious street food for dinner.

Included Activities:

  • Battambang - Soksabike social enterprise countryside cycling & local snack tour

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
15
Day 15: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
Make your way to Angkor Wat in the early hours this morning to watch the sunrise over this UNESO World Heritage site. Then, Temple-hop with your local guide through the world-famous complex. The temples, dating back as far as the ninth century, were believed to represent the cosmic world and were set in perfect balance, symmetry and composition. The intricately carved bas-reliefs and architectural designs are mind-blowing and there are spectacular photo opportunities at any time of day. The ruins are scattered over an area of some 160 square km, but the main cluster of temples is close to Siem Reap, so there will be plenty of time to fully appreciate the great archaeological sites of Angkor Wat, Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm.

Included Activities:

  • Siem Reap - Three day Angkor Pass
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Siem Reap - Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
16
Day 16: Siem Reap / Angkor Wat
Continue your explorations of the Angkor complex this morning. In the afternoon, embark on a private local boat discover the floating villages and local daily lives at Chhong Kneas – a trading port of agricultural products on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia.

Included Activities:

  • Siem Reap - Angkor Temples Guided Tour
  • Chong Kneas - Tonle Sap floating village visit

Optional Activities:

  • Siem Reap - Angkor Zipline Silver Tour (54 USD)
  • Siem Reap - Landmine Museum (5 USD)
  • Siem Reap - Phare Circus Ticket (18 USD)
  • Siem Reap - Angkor Zipline Gold Tour (87 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
17
Day 17: Bangkok
It's a long drive by private minibus from Siem Reap to Bangkok today. Arrive in Thailand's bustling capital and take in this exciting world of tuk tuks, khlong boats and street vendors serving up delicious Thai food. Perhaps head out to sample some local specialties as a final farewell with your fellow travellers.

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
18
Day 18: Bangkok
Your trip comes to an end this morning, with no further activities planned. However, if you have more time, Bangkok is full of things to do, including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and the fascinating Jim Thompson Museum. Just speak to your booking agent if you'd like to extend your stay.

Optional Activities:

  • Bangkok - Chinatown Sights and Bites Urban Adventure (1960 THB)
  • Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House (200 THB)
  • Bangkok - Temple & River of Kings Urban Adventure (2900 THB)
  • Bangkok - Tuk Tuk Experience Urban Adventure (2500 THB)
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $3,455
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 18 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Take an unforgettable adventure through two of the most colourful yet contrasting cultures in South East Asia.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 20 Apr 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
4.5
Chris
Traveled, March 2024

04/16/2024

This was a wonderful trip, which I would highly recommend. We visited some wonderful places and had some amazing experiences. We met local people and learned about their lives, we learned lots about the history of both countries. We traveled in a group of people of from different parts of the world, with a range of background's and ages and found this also to be a life enhancing experience. The itinerary is quite full, but we found there was enough free time and optional activities scheduled to make this manageable. Now on our way home and can hardly believe how much we have seen and done. Thank you Intrepid!

4.5
Stewart
Traveled, March 2024

03/21/2024

Well organised and enjoyable with good local knowledge

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989