- 4.9/5 396 Latest reviews
- Destination: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
- Duration: 18 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
Three countries, three very different kinds of history. This 18-day private trip starts in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, crosses into Cambodia for Phnom Penh and the temples of Angkor, then flies to Luang Prabang in Laos. It finishes in northern and central Vietnam, with a night on a boat in Ha Long Bay and a stay in Hoi An.
You will watch sunrise over Angkor Wat, cruise on the Tonle Sap, take part in Luang Prabang's morning alms round and sleep among the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay. It is a tailor-made trip with a private guide and driver in each country, and suits travelers who want variety and are comfortable with several flights, a few long road days and early starts.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta
City highlights, Ben Tre day trip
4 - 5
Phnom Penh
Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng, Killing Fields
6
Kampong Thom to Siem Reap
Sambor Prei Kuk, overland drive
7 - 9
Siem Reap
Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, Tonle Sap
10 - 12
Luang Prabang
Royal Palace Museum, Pak Ou Caves, alms round, Kuang Si
13 - 14
Hanoi and Ha Long Bay
Old Quarter, Temple of Literature, overnight cruise
15
Ha Long Bay, Hanoi and Da Nang
Return, flight, Han River evening
16 - 17
Hoi An and Da Nang
Ancient Town, beach and Marble Mountains
18
Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City
Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. Rest after the flight, then take a short evening walk or a first bowl of pho nearby if you have energy.
Highlights: Airport transfer, hotel check-in, evening walk
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 2: Saigon Landmarks
Visit the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum and the French-built Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Finish at Ben Thanh Market. The museum covers the war from the Vietnamese perspective, so allow time to take it in.
Highlights: Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Central Post Office, Ben Thanh Market
- B , L
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 3: Mekong Delta and Ben Tre
Drive about 2 hours to Ben Tre and take a boat through the coconut-lined canals. Visit a workshop where coconut candy is made, ride a small sampan and have lunch in a village home.
Highlights: Canal boat, coconut candy workshop, village lunch
- B , L
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Fly to Phnom Penh, about an hour in the air, and transfer to your hotel. In the late afternoon, take a short cruise at sunset where the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers meet.
Highlights: Flight to Cambodia, riverfront, sunset cruise
- B
- Phnom Penh
- Day 5: Phnom Penh
Visit the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, then the National Museum. In the afternoon, visit Tuol Sleng and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, which document the Khmer Rouge period. These are heavy visits, so your guide sets the pace.
Highlights: Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Tuol Sleng, Choeung Ek
- B , L
- Phnom Penh
- Day 6: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Drive north, about 5.5-6 hours with stops. Break the journey at Sambor Prei Kuk, a group of brick temples older than Angkor, and stop in a roadside market for local snacks. Arrive in Siem Reap in the evening.
Highlights: Sambor Prei Kuk, roadside market, Siem Reap arrival
- B , L
- Siem Reap
- Day 7: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom
Start early at Angkor Wat, then move on to Angkor Thom, with the Bayon’s carved stone faces and the Terrace of the Elephants. Take a rest at your hotel in the heat of the afternoon.
Highlights: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants
- B , L , D
- Siem Reap
- Day 8: Banteay Srei and Ta Prohm
Drive out to Banteay Srei, a small temple of pink sandstone with very fine carving, then explore Ta Prohm, where tree roots grow through the ruins. Visit Banteay Kdei and Ta Keo if time allows.
Highlights: Banteay Srei, Ta Prohm, optional smaller temples
- B , L
- Siem Reap
- Day 9: Tonle Sap and Fly to Luang Prabang
Take a boat among the floating villages of Tonle Sap lake, then transfer to the airport for your flight to Laos. Check whether the flight is direct or connects, as this affects arrival time.
Highlights: Tonle Sap floating villages, flight to Luang Prabang
- B , L
- Luang Prabang
- Day 10: Luang Prabang Temples and the Mekong
Visit the Royal Palace Museum and Wat Xieng Thong, then cruise upriver to the Pak Ou Caves, where thousands of Buddha statues sit in limestone grottoes.
Highlights: Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Pak Ou Caves
- B , L
- Luang Prabang
- Day 11: Alms Round and Kuang Si
Rise before dawn to watch the monks’ alms round from a respectful distance, with no flash and no touching. Then visit Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you can swim in the turquoise pools. For more on Laos, see our dedicated Laos tour.
Highlights: Alms round, Kuang Si Waterfalls
- B , L
- Luang Prabang
- Day 12: Fly to Hanoi
Take a morning flight to Hanoi. In the afternoon, wander the Old Quarter’s narrow streets and stop for egg coffee or a bowl of bun cha.
Highlights: Flight to Hanoi, Old Quarter, street food
- B , L
- Hanoi
- Day 13: Hanoi
Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area. In the evening, watch a traditional water puppet show.
Highlights: Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, water puppet show
- B , L
- Hanoi
- Day 14: Ha Long Bay Overnight Cruise
Drive about 3.5-4 hours to the coast and board a boat for an overnight cruise through the limestone islands. Kayak around the formations, visit Surprise Cave and watch sunset from the deck. Dinner and a cabin on board.
Highlights: Drive to Ha Long, limestone islands, kayaking, overnight on board
- B , L , D
- Halong Bay
- Day 15: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang
Morning leisure on cruise, return to Hanoi, then flight to Da Nang. Evening walk along Dragon Bridge or riverside promenade. This day adds urban charm to your Vietnam Cambodia Laos journey.
Highlights: Halong Bay sunrise, Da Nang arrival, Dragon Bridge walk, Vietnam Cambodia Laos itinerary.
- B
- Da Nang
- Day 16: Hoi An Ancient Town
Drive about 45 minutes to Hoi An, a trading port of yellow shopfronts and silk lanterns. Walk the Japanese Covered Bridge and the old merchant houses, and take part in a lantern-making workshop.
Highlights: Japanese Bridge, merchant houses, lantern workshop
- B
- Da Nang
- Day 17: Da Nang at Leisure
A free day. Walk or swim at My Khe Beach, climb the Marble Mountains or visit the cave temples. Your guide can suggest options.
Highlights: My Khe Beach, Marble Mountains
- B
- Da Nang
- Day 18: Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh City Departure
Transfer to the airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City for your international flight.
Highlights: Airport transfer, domestic flight, departure
- B
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