12-Day Best of Vietnam and Cambodia Tour

Experience the best sights in Vietnam, then wrap the journey up with a visit to Cambodia’s main attraction – the temple city of Angkor. Immerse yourself in the intoxicating sights, sounds and smells of the streets in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, experience the picture perfect scenery of Halong Bay and discover countless ancient temples in Cambodia on an exhilarating 12-day adventure.

What You’ll Love…

The Culture – Visit the largest religious site in the world, mausoleums of legendary leaders and discover an intoxicating blend of architectural styles

The largest religious site in the world awaits. Head to Siem Reap, where you’ll come close to the giant stone faces of Angkor Thom, trek to the secret forest temple of Ta Prohm, admire the intricate carvings of the temples of Angkor and discover Angkor Wat – centrepiece to the world’s most fascinating ruins.

Discover the Chinese, French and Vietnamese influences of Ho Chi Minh City, a city full of clashing cultures. Admire the European influenced architecture of the Ben Tanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City Hall and Notre-Dame Cathedral before delving through the Cu Chi tunnels - a major tactical thoroughfare used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War.

Take a visit to Hoi An’s old town, a perfect, UNESCO-listed example of a 15th-19th century trading port. Step back in time as you visit the Japanese-influenced Covered Bridge, discover delicious street food snacks at the bustling Hoi An Market, then travel through a Chinese temple complex where ornate architecture and well-trimmed gardens set a picturesque scene.

The Nature – Float across Vietnam’s most iconic bay and take a scenic drive past gorgeous marble mountains

Experience Ha Long Bay, arguably Vietnam’s most wonderful natural attraction. Sail across the emerald waters and pass thousands of limestone islands, caves and secluded beaches, then discover milk-stone stalactites and stalagmites while wandering the grottoes under the bay’s dramatic cliffs.

Pass by Vietnam’s five Marble Mountains on a scenic drive, enjoying breathtaking views as you go. Each mountain is said to represent a natural element such as water, wood, fire, metal and earth, and the pagodas that cover their bodies give an idea of the area’s alluring spiritual side.

Flights to Vietnam depart daily from all major Australian cities. Direct options are available in some instances but single stopovers are typical - total flight time can take around 9-14 hours. Flights are included with your package.

Flights (included flights on this tour depart Australia only): Booking your flight with us is a quick, easy process. First, confirm your travel dates with the hotel, then head to our new online booking page to book your flights here . An expert member of our team will reply within 24 business hours with a quote at the lowest rate possible, with no booking fee to you. If you require further assistance, please call 1300 88 99 00.

DAY 1 – Hanoi Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s stunning capital where the remnants of French and Chinese colonialism still linger in the street’s architetcure. Begin your journey at Noi Bai International Airport, where you’ll be met by your tour manager and transferred to your hotel. From here, the rest of the day is free – so why not explore some of the city’s museums? The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is a great place to start, showcasing fashion from Vietnam’s different eras and tribes and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology boasts an extensive collection of well-presented tribal art, artefacts and other trinkets.

Accommodation: Belle Maison

DAY 2 – Hanoi Walking through the streets of Hanoi, it’s easy to spot different cultural influences as hints of French, Chinese and Vietnamese cultures come to life in the city’s buildings and monuments. Today you’ll embark on a guided city tour to some of the city’s most famous sites. Begin with a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, where the body of Vietnam’s former revolutionary leader lies embalmed in a glass sarcophagus. Next visit One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. In the afternoon, enjoy a rickshaw ride around the Old Quarter, watching the ebb and flow of local life as you wind through the streets. At the end of the day, enjoy a water puppet show – a traditional form of folk storytelling often shared between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Accommodation: Belle Maison

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 – Halong Bay Halong Bay’s glistening waters and limestone karsts form one of world’s most iconic natural scenes. After arriving at Halong Bay by coach, head to the water and board a boat before enjoying a close-up view of this magical place. Admire breathtaking sights of the tree-covered islands and traditional junk boats as you glide over the emerald waters and towering cliff faces to explore the grottoes below. Check out the milk-white stalagmites and stalactites as you wander through the caves, then head back to your boat and return to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Halong Paradise Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 – Hanoi Soak up some sun during a morning at leisure, or join in on an optional food tour to sample tasty local delicacies (more info needed, email sent). Later in the day, transfer back to the hotel in Hanoi for the next leg of your tour.

Accommodation: Belle Maison

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 – Hoi An After a morning flight to Da Nang, touch down and begin your drive towards the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Hoi An. Take in scenic views of the Marble Mountains of Da Nang along the way as you try to spot the religious pagodas adorning these gorgeous marble outcrops. Eventually you’ll arrive in Hoi An, an exceptionally well-preserved example of a regional 15th-century port. Once an important trade route for travellers, Hoi An has absorbed decades of cultures, cuisine and architecture to create its own unique identity. Step back in time as you wander the narrow streets, discovering bridges and temples covered in intricate, ancient designs.

Accommodation: Hoi An Garden

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6 – Hoi An Take a guided tour through the historic streets of Hoi An, starting with a visit to an old merchant’s home for a peek into Hoi An’s trading history. Continue to the Japanese Covered Bridge to see a stunning example of Vietnamese and Japanese architecture before heading to the Hoi An Market where you’ll find fresh fruit, banh mi and other delicious snacks. Travel to a local Chinese temple complex to admire the stunning ornate architecture and well-trimmed gardens, then enjoy the rest of the afternoon at your own pace. You could stroll along the picturesque Thu Bon River or even slip into one of the riverside cafes and watch people walk by.

Accommodation: Hoi An Garden

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 – Ho Chi Minh City Fly from Hoi An and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in Vietnam. Setting the cultural and economic pace for the rest of the country, this city is a perfect focal point for those looking to uncover the country’s history, cuisine and architecture. Begin your memorable adventures through this intoxicating city by travelling to the French-built Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, the palace-like City Hall, the Gothic-inspired Central Post Office before arriving at the lively Ben Thanh Market, where restaurant stands and souvenir shops are never too far away.

Accommodation: Eden Saigon Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 – Ho Chi Minh City Today you’re free to discover the beauty of Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. You can choose to join an optional tour to the Mekong Delta, the iconic river that connects to 12 of the country’s provinces. During this tour, you’ll trave to Ben Tre to discover the unique lifestyle of inhabitants living along the Mekong Delta. Visit fruit and bonsai gardens, a coconut candy workshop and a rice paper mill, then enjoy a bike ride or travel by horse carriage along the village road, treating yourself to local delicacies and tropical fruits along the way.

Accommodation: Eden Saigon Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9 – Siem Reap Come face to face with Vietnam’s intricate war history on a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, formerly used as a Viet Cong holdout during the Vietnam War. At its height, this enormous tunnel system stretched over three levels and 250 kilometres from Saigon to the Cambodian border, and was filled with countless trap doors, carved living areas, storage facilities and other military-based hideaways. The remaining tunnels have turned into a major tourist attraction and give a feel for what life was like during the war. After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to Siem Reap, Cambodia – home to the stunning temple complex of Angkor.

Accommodation: Central Boutique Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 – Angkor Known as the world’s largest temple complex, the intricately carved temples and monuments of Angkor need to be seen to be believed. Start your day with a guided tour across the site, visiting temples such as as; Banteay Srei - known as the “Jewel of Khmer Art” with its delicate decorations, the ancient Khmer capital of Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple Complex and the Terraces of Elephants, Terrace of Leper King, before arriving at the rustically carved Royal Palace. In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm – the only temple to retain most of its original design. It’s a perfect example of what most of the temples of Angkor looked like after being rediscovered by French naturalist Henri Mouhot in 1860. Finally, visit the complex’s centerpiece: Angkor Wat. Built over a period of 30 years by King Suryavarman II in the middle of the 12th-century, this temple is the pinnacle of ancient Khmer design.

Accommodation: Central Boutique Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11 – Siem Reap Today is at your own pace to explore Siem Reap however you want. Consider taking an optional tour to Tonle Sap Lake for a view into Cambodian rural life. Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia, and serves as a lifeline to over three million people who live along its banks. You can often see fishermen rowing out onto the lake with their basket-nets, performing a balancing act over the side of their boat before swooping in for the catch. Learn more about the local community as you explore around the lake, visiting schools, villages and markets along the way.

Accommodation: Central Boutique Hotel

Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 – Tour Ends After enjoying a morning of free time, transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

Meals: Breakfast