Itinerary
- Day 1
Hanoi
You'll land in Hanoi and have a welcome meeting set for 6 pm. If your flight gets in early, there's time to walk around the old quarter, grab some street food and local beer, or check out what Hanoi's nightlife has going on.
Optional Activities
- Explore Hanoi streets and sights
- Street food and bia hoi (local beer) at roadside stalls
- Watch motorbikes and city life
- Visit local beer and cocktail bars
- Discover nightlife
Landmarks/POIs Hanoi - Day 2
Hanoi
Today's yours to explore Hanoi however you like. Head to Hoan Kiem Lake, walk through the shaded boulevards, try street food, or spend time at museums and cultural sites. KOTO restaurant is worth a lunch stop since they support youth training programs for disadvantaged kids.
Optional Activities
- Visit Hoan Kiem Lake
- Explore shaded boulevards
- Relax in public parks with street food
- Visit Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit Fine Arts Museum
- Lunch at KOTO (organisation supporting hospitality careers for disadvantaged youth)
- Explore centuries-old architecture at sunset
Landmarks/POIs Hoan Kiem Lake Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh Temple of Literature Fine Arts Museum - Day 3
Hanoi to Cat Ba Island
You'll take a bus and ferry out to Cat Ba Island, the biggest island in Lan Ha Bay near UNESCO's Ha Long Bay. On the cruise around Lan Ha Bay, you'll have seafood lunch prepared right on the boat, then kayak through calm waters and watch the sunset hit the limestone cliffs.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch prepared by onboard chef)
Included Activities
- Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay
- Seafood lunch prepared by onboard chef
- Kayaking
Landmarks/POIs Cat Ba Island Lan Ha Bay Ha Long Bay - Day 4
Cat Ba Island to Ninh Binh
After ferrying back to shore, you head to Ninh Binh province, which was Vietnam's capital back in the 10th and 11th centuries. A local guide takes you on a cycling tour to see the ancient citadel, temples built for King Dinh and King Le, plus pagodas and monuments surrounded by mountains.
Included Activities
- Bike tour to visit ancient citadel
- Visit temples of King Dinh and King Le
- Visit pagodas and monuments
Landmarks/POIs Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel - Day 5
Ninh Binh to Hue (Overnight Train)
You've got the full day to explore Ninh Binh. Hike up to Mua Cave and climb 500 steps to the mountain peak for views of Hoa Lu and Ngo Dong River, or take a boat past the limestone peaks and caves instead. Later this evening, you'll board an overnight train heading to Hue.
Optional Activities
- Trek to Mua Cave with 500-step hike to mountain peak
- Boat tour past limestone karst peaks
- Visit caves
- Visit temples
- See King Kong movie filming locations
Landmarks/POIs Mua Cave Ngo Dong River - Day 6
Hue
You arrive in Hue, the old imperial capital. The day's free to check out the walled citadel and Forbidden Purple Palace, take a dragon boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, walk through Dong Ba Market, or cycle to the royal tombs. Tonight you'll have dinner at a local family's home.
- Meals
- Dinner (Freshly prepared homemade dinner with local family)
Included Activities
- Home cooked dinner with local family
Optional Activities
- Explore Hue's walled citadel
- Visit Forbidden Purple Palace
- Dragon boat cruise on Perfume River
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Explore Dong Ba Market
- Cycle to royal tombs
- Visit tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Landmarks/POIs Hue Citadel Forbidden Purple Palace Perfume River Thien Mu Pagoda Dong Ba Market Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Day 7
Hue to Hoi An
A private bus takes you to Hoi An. When you get there, you'll join a walking tour through this town with influences from European, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese traders. You'll see restored streets, historic houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese assembly halls, and museums. Maybe play bingo with your leader.
Included Activities
- Old Town walking tour
Optional Activities
- Visit historic trader house
- Visit Japanese Covered Bridge
- Visit Chinese assembly hall
- Visit museum
- Play bingo in town square (local pastime)
Landmarks/POIs Hoi An Old Town Japanese Covered Bridge - Day 8
Hoi An
You'll cycle from Hoi An out to Tra Que Vegetable Village, which has been around for over 500 years. Tour the organic vegetable and herb gardens, then have a fresh lunch made with ingredients you picked yourself. After lunch you have free time to browse the Central Market or visit tailors, then stroll through the lantern-lit streets tonight.
- Meals
- Lunch (Freshly prepared lunch using ingredients picked during garden tour)
Included Activities
- Garden-to-Table with A Local Chef
Optional Activities
- Cycle through Hoi An surroundings to Tra Que Vegetable Village
- Tour organic vegetable and herb gardens
- Browse Central Market paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns
- Visit same-day tailors
Landmarks/POIs Tra Que Vegetable Village Central Market - Day 9
Hoi An to Quy Nhon
You'll drive to Quy Nhon, a coastal city in Binh Dinh province. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore. Optional things to do include visiting towers with scenic views, food tours, coastal hikes, and checking out local restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Visit Banh It Tower with scenic views
- Visit Cahn Tien Tower (Bronze Tower)
- Food tour trying local specialities
- Try banh xeo tom nhay (crunchy pancake with fresh prawn)
- Try nem nuong (grilled pork rolls)
- Try bun ca (fish noodles)
- Trip to Eo Gio for hike and coastal views
- Visit local restaurants
Landmarks/POIs Banh It Tower Cahn Tien Tower Eo Gio - Day 10
Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City (Overnight Train)
Another free day in Quy Nhon to finish up any optional activities you missed. Visit Con Chim Ecological Zone for fishing or stand up paddleboarding, head to Ky Co Beach, or take a day trip to Hon Kho Island. Tonight you'll board an overnight train going to Ho Chi Minh City.
Optional Activities
- Visit Con Chim Ecological Zone
- Go fishing
- Stand up paddleboarding
- Visit Ky Co Beach
- Day trip to Hon Kho Island for swimming
Landmarks/POIs Con Chim Ecological Zone Ky Co Beach Hon Kho Island - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City
You'll arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early in the morning and transfer to your hotel. Explore markets with the group, try local street food like pho and chat with vendors, and have the iconic iced coffee with condensed milk (cafe sua da). Tonight the group gathers on Pham Ngu Lao Street.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early morning breakfast option with local traders at markets)
Included Activities
- Local Market Visit
- Local Coffee Experience
Optional Activities
- Check out markets early morning
- Tuck into pho with local traders
- Browse street foods
- Explore nightlife and bars on Pham Ngu Lao Street
- Group meal and drinks
Landmarks/POIs Pham Ngu Lao Street - Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City
This day is open for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. Optional day trips include Cu Chi Tunnels or the Mekong Delta. There's a second group meeting at 6 pm for any new members joining. Enjoy a group dinner or explore nightlife using recommendations from your leader.
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Cu Chi Tunnels
- Day trip to Mekong Delta
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City at own pace
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels Mekong Delta - Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
You'll take a public bus to Phnom Penh on a long journey with two border crossings and a lunch stop. Your guide handles border paperwork. Once you arrive, consider getting a traditional Khmer massage at Seeing Hands, where visually impaired masseurs run the place.
Optional Activities
- Traditional Khmer massage at Seeing Hands
- Day 14
Phnom Penh
Start with authentic breakfast near a local market. Then visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, after which you can explore the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum, or Wat Phnom at your own pace. Evening brings a sunset river cruise with a drink included, followed by checking out rooftop bars.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Authentic local breakfast near one of the markets), Dinner (Included drink on sunset river cruise)
Included Activities
- Local Breakfast
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21)
- Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
- Sunset River Cruise with included drink
- Orientation Walk
Optional Activities
- Explore Royal Palace
- Visit Silver Pagoda
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Wat Phnom (Buddhist temple built 1372)
- Rooftop bar exploration
Landmarks/POIs Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Royal Palace Silver Pagoda National Museum Wat Phnom Tonle Sap River Mekong River - Day 15
Phnom Penh to Koh Rong
You'll leave Phnom Penh by private bus heading to Sihanoukville, then hop on a speed boat to Koh Rong island. When you arrive, the afternoon is for swimming, relaxing on the beaches, and walking the coast to find spots for dinner.
Optional Activities
- Swimming
- Relax on beach
- Walk along coast for dinner
- Explore nightlife recommendations
Landmarks/POIs Koh Rong Sihanoukville - Day 16
Koh Rong
Another day on Koh Rong beach to soak in the sun, order cocktails or cold beers, and swim in calm waters. If you want something more active, ask your leader about hiking options to see jungle and hidden waterfalls. Later tonight you'll head to Nest Beach Club to party.
Optional Activities
- Soak in the sun
- Order cocktails or cold beers
- Swimming
- Hiking through jungle
- Discover hidden waterfalls
- Party at Nest Beach Club
Landmarks/POIs Nest Beach Club - Day 17
Koh Rong to Sambor Preikuk
You'll leave Koh Rong and travel to Isanborei, a rural community that keeps to traditional ways within Sambor Preikuk UNESCO World Heritage site. A local guide takes you through the village to meet the community and your hosts, then you'll have traditional homemade Khmer dinner while watching the sunset over rice fields.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional homemade Khmer dinner with host family at sunset over rice fields)
Included Activities
- Homestay
- Village Walk
- Local Community Guide
- Khmer Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Sambor Preikuk - Day 18
Sambor Preikuk to Siem Reap
Your local host prepares breakfast. You can visit Sambor Preikuk Temple with ruins from the 6th century, or cycle through rural roads past rice fields. You could also try Sombai Cambodian Liqueur if you're interested. After saying goodbye to your hosts, you'll travel to Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat, and explore central markets for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast prepared by local host family)
Optional Activities
- Visit Sambor Preikuk Temple (6th century ruins)
- Cycle through rural village roads
- Pass through rice fields
- Try Sombai Cambodian Liqueur
- Explore central markets
- Pick up local food for dinner
Landmarks/POIs Sambor Preikuk Temple - Day 19
Angkor Temples
You'll get up early to see the Angkor complex at sunrise, the largest religious structure around. A guided tuk-tuk tour with a local social enterprise supporting women's employment takes you through over 1,000-year-old Khmer Empire buildings like Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. You can return for sunset views if you want.
Included Activities
- Angkor Temples Guided Tour by TukTuk
- Angkor Wat Sunrise
- One day Angkor Pass
Optional Activities
- Return for sunset views of temples
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Wat Bayon Ta Prohm - Day 20
Siem Reap to Bangkok
You'll leave Cambodia and drive to Bangkok, Thailand in a private minivan. After a long journey, you arrive and can unwind. Explore Bangkok's khlongs (canals), hit Chinatown for street food dinner, or get a traditional Thai massage. Check out the city's nightlife and rooftop bars with your group.
Optional Activities
- Explore khlongs (canals) by boat
- Visit Chinatown for street food dinner
- Traditional Thai massage
- Explore nightlife and rooftop bars
Landmarks/POIs Bangkok Khlongs Chinatown - Day 21
Bangkok
There are no scheduled activities today. Your tour ends. Bangkok has plenty to see including the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or Jim Thompson Museum if you want to explore before you leave. You can contact your booking agent if you'd like to extend your stay.
Optional Activities
- Visit Grand Palace
- Visit Temple of the Emerald Buddha
- Visit Jim Thompson Museum
Landmarks/POIs Grand Palace Temple of the Emerald Buddha Jim Thompson Museum
