Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia
14 day Small Group Tour – from £2565
With flights from £3455
Travel in good company as you experience the sights, sounds and flavours of Vietnam and Cambodia on this expert led, small group tour.
Highlights:
- Cruise along the waterways of the Mekong Delta
- See the city sights of Saigon and visit the Cu Chi Tunnels
- Discover the history of ancient Hoi An
- Experience the magic of a Halong Bay overnight cruise
- Explore the magnificent Temples of Angkor
Your Itinerary
Expand All
On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers.



Day 2 – Hanoi
Spend the day discovering Hanoi’s must-visit sites including Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the bustling Old Quarter. Next is the Ho Chi Minh complex where you will see the imposing mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and the former leader’s humble stilted residence, before finishing off with the unique One Pillar Pagoda.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Temple of Literature with its series of ornate and tranquil courtyards and long history of teaching dating back to 1070. Then its onto the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison used during the Vietnam War, followed by two fine examples of French architecture with St Joseph’s Cathedral and the Opera House where you will take afternoon tea inside.





Day 3 – Hanoi to Halong Bay
This morning drive to the coast for one of the highlights of the trip, a Halong Bay cruise. On arrival, board a well-appointed junk boat, enjoy a delicious lunch and begin cruising among some of the 3,000 islands which rise from the sea. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, or relax on the main deck.





Day 4 – Halong Bay to Hoi An
Continue your exploration of Halong Bay and enjoy brunch on board. Cruise back to port and then drive to Hanoi for your onwards flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in the charming town of Hoi An. Enjoy an evening of free time.





Day 5 – Hoi An
Along with your fellow travellers and guide, begin today with a walking tour to discover the mix of Chinese, Japanese and French influenced architecture that make this town so unique. Visit the Fujien Chinese Assembly Hall with its large incense coils hanging from the ceiling, followed by a walk along the riverbank with its colourful shops decorated with lanterns. Finish with one of the town’s most notable landmarks, the Japanese Covered Bridge which was built in the 17th century.
The afternoon is free for you to do as much or as little as you like. Choose to retrace your steps around the old town, have a local tailor custom make a new wardrobe or cycle to An Bang Beach.





Day 6 – Hoi An to Saigon
Enjoy free time in Hoi An before flying to Saigon. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in and enjoy an afternoon to explore at your leisure.





Day 7 – Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels
From Saigon, visit Cu Chi and discover the network of underground tunnels and their significance during the war. You may try a short segment of tunnel to gain an insight into how they were used with their varying levels.
In the afternoon return back to Saigon. Join a guided walking tour and discover the rich history of this spirited city as you visit some of its main attractions. The Presidential Palace made history in 1975 when the Viet Cong rolled through in their tanks thus signalling the fall of Saigon. Then explore some fine examples of French architecture with stops at the Notre Dame cathedral, the Old Post Office and the City Hall buildings. Finish off with a visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, one of the largest in downtown and a great place to haggle for those souvenirs.





Day 8 – Saigon to Mekong Delta
Travel by road to Can Tho in the Mekong Region to board your boat and begin your exploration of the Delta. After a delicious lunch on board cruise through the many palm fringed canals and waterways, as you witness local life along the shoreline. Take a guided walk to a rural village or through orchards and rice paddies.





Day 9 – Mekong Delta
It’s an early start this morning to visit the bustling Cai Rang floating market by Sampan where you can observe the locals buying and selling fruit and vegetables from their boats.
Later, drive to Binh Thuy ancient house with its harmonious mix of east and west influences, before heading to your hotel in Can Tho.





Day 10 – Mekong Delta to Chau Doc
After breakfast at the hotel, meet up with the guide and drive to Chau Doc. On arrival if time permits, continue your tour by visiting a beautiful Khmer temple and floating houses that double as catfish farms.





Day 11 – Mekong River & Phnom Penh
After breakfast, transfer to the pier to board your speedboat which will take you to the Cambodia border to clear immigration formalities before continuing up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh.
In the afternoon, visit the Tuol Sleng Musuem and the Killing Fields memorial at Choeng Ek where you will learn about turbulent past of the country under Pol Pot regime.





Day 12 – Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Enjoy a morning cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) ride through the backstreets of Phnom Penh. Discover Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the capital, the Royal Palace with its famous landmark the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum with its unique collection of Khmer art. Continue the day with an overland drive to Siem Reap, with multiple stops along the way such as the Spider and Insect Market in Skun and the stone mason village near Phnom Santuk. Arrival in Siem Reap during the early evening.





Day 13 – Siem Reap
Spend the day exploring the famous temples just outside Siem Reap. Angkor Wat is said to be the world’s largest religious building and famous for its beautiful symmetry and central spires. At Angkor Thom you will see the Bayon temple with its gigantic faces carved in the stonework and the Terraces of Elephants and the Leper King. The final temple is Ta Prohm which was made famous in the film Tomb raider and is noted for its eerie atmosphere with massive tree roots growing out of the temple ruins.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at Apsara Theatre where dancers, singers and musicians showcase ancient culture.





Day 14 – Departure
It is time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.



Your Itinerary
Day 1
|
Arrival in Hanoi
On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing and welcome drinks with your fellow travellers.



Day 2
|
Hanoi
Spend the day discovering Hanoi’s must-visit sites including Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of the bustling Old Quarter. Next is the Ho Chi Minh complex where you will see the imposing mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and the former leader’s humble stilted residence, before finishing off with the unique One Pillar Pagoda.
After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the Temple of Literature with its series of ornate and tranquil courtyards and long history of teaching dating back to 1070. Then its onto the infamous ‘Hanoi Hilton’ prison used during the Vietnam War, followed by two fine examples of French architecture with St Joseph’s Cathedral and the Opera House where you will take afternoon tea inside.



Day 3
|
Hanoi to Halong Bay
This morning drive to the coast for one of the highlights of the trip, a Halong Bay cruise. On arrival, board a well-appointed junk boat, enjoy a delicious lunch and begin cruising among some of the 3,000 islands which rise from the sea. In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, or relax on the main deck.



Day 4
|
Halong Bay to Hoi An
Continue your exploration of Halong Bay and enjoy brunch on board. Cruise back to port and then drive to Hanoi for your onwards flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in the charming town of Hoi An. Enjoy an evening of free time.



Day 5
|
Hoi An
Along with your fellow travellers and guide, begin today with a walking tour to discover the mix of Chinese, Japanese and French influenced architecture that make this town so unique. Visit the Fujien Chinese Assembly Hall with its large incense coils hanging from the ceiling, followed by a walk along the riverbank with its colourful shops decorated with lanterns. Finish with one of the town’s most notable landmarks, the Japanese Covered Bridge which was built in the 17th century.
The afternoon is free for you to do as much or as little as you like. Choose to retrace your steps around the old town, have a local tailor custom make a new wardrobe or cycle to An Bang Beach.



Day 6
|
Hoi An to Saigon
Enjoy free time in Hoi An before flying to Saigon. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for check in and enjoy an afternoon to explore at your leisure.



Day 7
|
Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels
From Saigon, visit Cu Chi and discover the network of underground tunnels and their significance during the war. You may try a short segment of tunnel to gain an insight into how they were used with their varying levels.
In the afternoon return back to Saigon. Join a guided walking tour and discover the rich history of this spirited city as you visit some of its main attractions. The Presidential Palace made history in 1975 when the Viet Cong rolled through in their tanks thus signalling the fall of Saigon. Then explore some fine examples of French architecture with stops at the Notre Dame cathedral, the Old Post Office and the City Hall buildings. Finish off with a visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, one of the largest in downtown and a great place to haggle for those souvenirs.



Day 8
|
Saigon to Mekong Delta
Travel by road to Can Tho in the Mekong Region to board your boat and begin your exploration of the Delta. After a delicious lunch on board cruise through the many palm fringed canals and waterways, as you witness local life along the shoreline. Take a guided walk to a rural village or through orchards and rice paddies.



Day 9
|
Mekong Delta
It’s an early start this morning to visit the bustling Cai Rang floating market by Sampan where you can observe the locals buying and selling fruit and vegetables from their boats.
Later, drive to Binh Thuy ancient house with its harmonious mix of east and west influences, before heading to your hotel in Can Tho.



Day 10
|
Mekong Delta to Chau Doc
After breakfast at the hotel, meet up with the guide and drive to Chau Doc. On arrival if time permits, continue your tour by visiting a beautiful Khmer temple and floating houses that double as catfish farms.



Day 11
|
Mekong River & Phnom Penh
After breakfast, transfer to the pier to board your speedboat which will take you to the Cambodia border to clear immigration formalities before continuing up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh.
In the afternoon, visit the Tuol Sleng Musuem and the Killing Fields memorial at Choeng Ek where you will learn about turbulent past of the country under Pol Pot regime.



Day 12
|
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Enjoy a morning cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) ride through the backstreets of Phnom Penh. Discover Wat Phnom, the birthplace of the capital, the Royal Palace with its famous landmark the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum with its unique collection of Khmer art. Continue the day with an overland drive to Siem Reap, with multiple stops along the way such as the Spider and Insect Market in Skun and the stone mason village near Phnom Santuk. Arrival in Siem Reap during the early evening.



Day 13
|
Siem Reap
Spend the day exploring the famous temples just outside Siem Reap. Angkor Wat is said to be the world’s largest religious building and famous for its beautiful symmetry and central spires. At Angkor Thom you will see the Bayon temple with its gigantic faces carved in the stonework and the Terraces of Elephants and the Leper King. The final temple is Ta Prohm which was made famous in the film Tomb raider and is noted for its eerie atmosphere with massive tree roots growing out of the temple ruins.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at Apsara Theatre where dancers, singers and musicians showcase ancient culture.



Day 14
|
Departure
It is time to say goodbye, but just think of all the wonderful stories you will take home. A transfer will take you to the airport for your onward travels.



Meals & Inclusions
Departure Dates
2023-12-21
2024-01-11
2024-01-25
2024-02-08
2024-02-22
2024-03-07
2024-03-21
2024-04-04
2024-04-18
2024-05-02
2024-05-16
2024-05-30
2024-06-13
2024-06-27
2024-07-04
2024-07-18
2024-08-01
2024-08-15
2024-08-29
2024-09-12
2024-09-26
2024-10-10
2024-10-24
2024-11-07
2024-11-21
2024-12-05
2024-12-19
2025-01-02
2025-01-16
2025-01-30
2025-02-13
2025-02-27
2025-03-13
2025-03-27
Flights & More
With FREEDOM, you can book your Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia small group tour and flights together, as an ATOL protected package. Our Travel Experts can find the best priced Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for you.
You can also personalise your holiday. Why not add:
- Add extra nights in Hanoi or Siem Reap before or after your tour
- Add a Bangkok city break after your tour
- Choose to fly Economy, Premium, Business or First Class
Next Steps
Please get in touch with our Asia Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
Essence of Vietnam & Cambodia
14 day Small Group Tour – from £2565
With flights from £3455
Map

