Itinerary
- Day 1
Phnom Penh
Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. If you've arrived early, the French colonial architecture around the city makes for a good walk, or head to the National Museum to get some background on Cambodia. At 6 pm, you'll meet your trip leader and the rest of the group. Later, dinner happens at Malis Restaurant where you'll try traditional Cambodian food.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Cambodian cuisine at Malis Restaurant)
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Phnom Penh's French colonial architecture
- Visit the National Museum and its collection of classic Khmer craftsmanship
- Cocktail at Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel
Landmarks National Museum 
- Day 2
Phnom Penh
After breakfast, you'll spend the full day exploring Phnom Penh with your leader. The Sacred Silver Pagoda sits within the Royal Palace complex and is the first stop. From there, you move to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and then the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek to understand the Khmer Rouge history. If you're interested, there's an optional visit to Wat Phnom temple. By evening, the city's yours to wander at your own pace.
Included Activities
- Visit Silver Pagoda in the Royal Palace complex
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Optional Activities
- Visit Wat Phnom temple
Landmarks Silver Pagoda Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Killing Fields of Choeung Ek Wat Phnom - Day 3
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
After breakfast, you'll head out in a private vehicle from Phnom Penh toward Siem Reap. Along the way, Skun Village introduces you to how locals live and what they eat, including local insects. At Santuk Silk Farm, you see weavers at work and learn about silk production. You'll share a basic lunch prepared by the weavers themselves. Arrival in Siem Reap happens around 5 pm. That evening brings dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Simple, rustic local lunch prepared by weavers at Santuk Silk Farm), Dinner (Khmer favourites at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre)
Included Activities
- Visit Skun Village
- Santuk Silk Farm tour and silk production learning experience
- Simple local lunch prepared by weavers
- Dinner and Khmer traditional dance show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre
Landmarks Skun Village Santuk Silk Farm 
- Day 4
Siem Reap
There's an optional early sunrise option to see the Angkor complex light up. During the day, a private archaeological guide takes you through the temples starting at Angkor Wat. Lunch comes at Sala Bai Hotel School, where students prepare your meal. After eating, you visit Angkor Thom temple and an active monastery where monks offer a water blessing and tie a red band around your wrist. You'll have the evening free to check out Siem Reap on your own.
- Meals
- Lunch (Meal prepared by students at Sala Bai Hotel School)
Included Activities
- Angkor Wat temple visit with private archaeological guide
- Lunch at Sala Bai Hotel School prepared by students
- Angkor Thom temple visit
- Visit to ancient working monastery with monk interaction and sacred water blessing
Optional Activities
- Sunrise visit to Angkor complex
Landmarks Angkor Wat Angkor Thom 
- Day 5
Siem Reap
After breakfast, you'll go to Ta Prohm temple, famous for the massive trees growing through its stone walls. Next, head to Banteay Srei for photographs of the intricate stone work. Your afternoon stays flexible - more ruins if you want them, or just getting to know the town better. For your last night, dinner takes place in the rice fields outside Siem Reap, timed so you catch the sunset.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Private meal in rice fields of rural Siem Reap with sunset view)
Included Activities
- Ta Prohm temple visit
- Banteay Srei temple visit
- Private farewell dinner in rice fields of rural Siem Reap
Optional Activities
- Continue exploring Angkor ruins using Angkor ticket
- Visit Preah Khan temple
- Explore Siem Reap town
Landmarks Ta Prohm Banteay Srei Preah Khan 
- Day 6
Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City
You check out of your hotel and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where Vietnam begins. After landing, your driver meets you and takes you to your hotel. If there's time, wander through this busy city and check out the shopping and historic areas. Before dinner, you'll connect with your group and leader. That evening, you eat at a restaurant set inside an old opium refinery station from 1861, and your leader points out traditional southern Vietnamese dishes worth trying.
- Meals
- Dinner (Classic dishes and southern Vietnamese favourites at historic opium refinery building)
Included Activities
- Dinner at historic opium refinery building with southern Vietnamese cuisine
Optional Activities
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City's shopping, historic sites and attractions
- Day 7
Mekong Delta
After breakfast, you drive south toward the Mekong Delta, heading through Ben Tre. You'll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at coconut gardens to visit a local home and taste tropical fruits and coconut jams. Then comes a ride in a small rowing boat through the coconut trees and stilt houses. A tuk-tuk tour around the villages shows you rural life and how the coconut industry works. Lunch happens at a local restaurant, then you head back to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Private boat cruise of Mekong Delta
- Visit local home to sample tropical fruits and coconut jams
- Sampan (rowing boat) tour through delta waterways
- Tuk-tuk tour of villages
- Lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks Mekong Delta Ben Tre 
- Day 8
Ho Chi Minh City
See Ho Chi Minh City through a local's eyes on a bus and walking tour with your leader. You'll visit the famous Reunification Palace to hear about the war's end, then the War Remnants Museum. Stop by the beautiful Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral. Walking through the city streets, you'll pass French colonial buildings like the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall, which was designed to look like Paris's Hotel de Ville. The evening's yours to find dinner at places your leader recommends.
Included Activities
- Reunification Palace visit
- War Remnants Museum visit
- Notre Dame Cathedral visit
- Walking tour of French colonial architecture including main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall
Landmarks Reunification Palace War Remnants Museum Notre Dame Cathedral Ho Chi Minh City Hall - Day 9
Cu Chi Tunnels to Dalat
After breakfast, you spend half the day at Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network that stretches approximately 200 kilometres and was originally dug by the Viet Minh then expanded by the Viet Cong. Your leader explains the history and what happened during the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section's been widened for visitors, though it can get hot and tight inside (an above-ground option exists if that's not comfortable). Later this afternoon, you fly to Dalat.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cu Chi Tunnels guided tour with leader
- Tunnels visitor section exploration
Optional Activities
- View Cu Chi Tunnels from above ground instead of exploring tunnels
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 10
Dalat
Dalat, known as the City of Flowers, sits high in the southern highlands surrounded by hills, pine forests, lakes and waterfalls. You visit a family-run coffee farm to learn specialty coffee from growth through harvest and roasting, then taste their final product. After that, you sit down with the group for lunch. Your afternoon is free, so you could check out the historic Bao Dai palace or browse the vibrant local markets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with group)
Included Activities
- Local family-run coffee farm tour with production learning and tasting
- Lunch with group
Optional Activities
- Visit historic Bao Dai palace
- Explore local markets
Landmarks Bao Dai Palace - Day 11
Dalat to Hoi An
The morning's yours in Dalat. The Crazy House guesthouse, designed by avant-garde architect Hang Nga, makes for interesting exploring if you want something different. In the afternoon, a short flight takes you to Danang, followed by a private vehicle ride to Hoi An, which began as a Cham port town. If you're interested, you can arrange same-day tailoring with specialist tailors, visit a local workshop to learn rice paper making, or take a Vietnamese cooking class.
Optional Activities
- Visit Crazy House guesthouse
- Same-day tailoring at specialist tailors
- Learn rice paper making at local workshop
- Vietnamese cooking class
Landmarks Crazy House 
- Day 12
Hoi An
Your leader takes you on a walking tour this morning to discover Hoi An's architecture and the unique mix of cultural influences. You'll see an ornate historic trader's house, walk across the Japanese Covered Bridge, check out the Chinese assembly hall, and visit a local museum to learn the town's story. Afterward, you sit down with the group for lunch. The afternoon stays free so you can explore Hoi An and nearby areas, with suggestions from your leader.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Delicious lunch with group)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Hoi An's architecture with leader
- Visit opulently decorated historic house
- Japanese Covered Bridge
- Chinese assembly hall visit
- Local museum visit
- Lunch with group
Optional Activities
- Explore Hoi An town
- Explore nearby countryside
Landmarks Japanese Covered Bridge Chinese Assembly Hall 
- Day 13
Hoi An
Your leader guides you to My Son Cham, a collection of temples built by the Kings of Champa dating back to the 4th century. This UNESCO site shows off ancient Champa architecture and craters left over from American bombs dropped during the war. You'll watch an Apsara dance performance with traditional costumes, panpipes and drums. Your afternoon's free - you can explore more or relax by the pool at your hotel.
Included Activities
- My Son Cham UNESCO temple complex guided tour
- Apsara dance performance
Optional Activities
- Afternoon exploration
- Relax by hotel pool
Landmarks My Son - Day 14
Hoi An to Hue
You leave Hoi An heading to Hue, the former imperial capital and center of Vietnam's history. The route crosses the scenic Hai Van Pass with its mountain highway and views down to Lang Co beach. Once in Hue, the streets are busy but also quiet and peaceful in spots. That afternoon, you visit the Imperial Citadel with the Forbidden Purple City, which was largely destroyed during the Tet Offensive. Your leader explains what the war did to these historic structures.
Included Activities
- Drive through Hai Van Pass
- Imperial Citadel visit including Forbidden Purple City
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Lang Co Beach Imperial Citadel Forbidden Purple City - Day 15
Hue
Today focuses on Hue's food scene. You start with a street food breakfast of Bun Bo Hue, a spicy noodle soup with beef and pig knuckles. Then you meet a local chef and walk through a bustling market, tasting the herbs and ingredients used in local cooking. Lunch brings celebrated Hue specialties. After that, you go to the chef's home to learn how to prepare simple, delicious dishes using fresh market ingredients. Later, you visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery from 1601, and the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc with its lake and gardens.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Street food breakfast - Bun Bo Hue (spicy noodle soup with beef and pig knuckles) at local eatery), Lunch (Celebrated Hue dishes)
Included Activities
- Street food breakfast - Bun Bo Hue at local eatery
- Market tour with local chef including tasting and learning about ingredients
- Lunch with celebrated Hue dishes
- Cooking class at local chef's home
- Thien Mu Pagoda visit
- Emperor Tu Duc royal tomb visit
- Imperial Citadel visit
Landmarks Thien Mu Pagoda Emperor Tu Duc Tomb - Day 16
Hue to Hanoi
You fly from Hue to Hanoi this morning, with departure likely early but depending on flight schedules. After settling in, your leader takes you through the ancient 36 Streets, shop-lined alleys selling souvenirs, silk clothing, jewellery and embroidered tablecloths. In the afternoon, you experience a traditional Hat Xam performance, a rare Northern Vietnamese art form from the Tran Dynasty. This exclusive show at a private club house includes storytelling and possible interaction with performers.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of ancient 36 Streets
- Private traditional Hat Xam performance with storytelling
Landmarks 36 Streets 
- Day 17
Hanoi
You take a guided half-day tour of Hanoi with your leader. You'll visit the Temple of Literature, the One Pillar Pagoda, and Ho Chi Minh's former residence to learn about the revolutionary's life. Lunch happens at KOTO restaurant, which supports an Intrepid Foundation program teaching hospitality skills to disadvantaged youth. Your free afternoon opens up for the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, walks around the city's lakes and parks, or just soaking in the quieter northern capital vibe.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at KOTO restaurant)
Included Activities
- Guided half-day tour of Hanoi with leader
- Temple of Literature visit
- One Pillar Pagoda visit
- Ho Chi Minh's former residence visit
- Lunch at KOTO restaurant
Optional Activities
- Visit Vietnam Fine Arts Museum
- Walk around lakes and parks
- Explore West Lake
Landmarks Temple of Literature One Pillar Pagoda Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Vietnam Fine Arts Museum West Lake - Day 18
Hanoi to Halong Bay
You drive to Halong Bay, a World Heritage site and one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Your boat's a traditionally-designed junk with traditional touches and modern comforts, and it's your accommodation for the night. As you sail through limestone islands, karsts and caves, you stop by Surprise Cave to see its rock formations. Lunch is seafood served on the boat. During warmer months, swimming from Ti Top Island is possible, and kayaking lets you get close to the limestone karsts. Dinner comes by candlelight on the deck with a sunset view.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch on boat), Dinner (Dinner by candlelight on boat deck with sunset view)
Included Activities
- Drive to Halong Bay
- Junk-style boat cruise through limestone islands, karsts and caves
- Surprise Cave visit
- Seafood lunch on boat
- Dinner by candlelight on boat deck
Optional Activities
- Swimming from Ti Top Island (warmer months)
- Kayaking near limestone karsts
Landmarks Halong Bay Surprise Cave Ti Top Island 
- Day 19
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Breakfast comes on board in the morning, and there's optional Tai Chi if you're interested. You sail back to port and disembark, then travel back to Hanoi. Once back in the capital, you have time to wander around and catch attractions you might have missed. Shopping on Hang Gai Street or afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel are both options. That evening, you join your group and leader for a final dinner at a Hanoi restaurant, sharing stories and talking through the best parts of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast on boat), Dinner (Final dinner in Hanoi restaurant with group and leader)
Included Activities
- Breakfast on boat
- Final group dinner in Hanoi restaurant
Optional Activities
- Optional Tai Chi on boat
- Shop on Hang Gai Street
- Afternoon tea at Metropole Hotel
- Explore other city attractions
Landmarks Hang Gai Street Metropole Hotel - Day 20
Hanoi
Your trip ends after breakfast this morning. If you want to stay longer in Hanoi, additional accommodation can be set up beforehand depending on what's available.
- Meals
- Breakfast
