Embark on an enchanting journey through two stunning Southeast Asian countries that share a vibrant border. Explore breathtaking countryside, idyllic beaches, and iconic monuments. From the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City to the mystical aura of Angkor Wat, this magical journey offers endless experiences waiting to be discovered.
Best Time to Travel: The ideal time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April
Average Temperatures
Upon arriving in Vietnam, you will be greeted by our guide and driver before proceeding to your hotel for check-in. Subsequently, you will embark on a half-day city tour. Begin with a visit to the Temple of Literature, known as Vietnam’s first university.
After lunch, explore the serene Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple. Finally, head to the Thang Long Theatre to enjoy a one-hour Water Puppets show. You will have the remainder of the day to relax at your hotel, with lunch and dinner provided, followed by an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: Thang Long Theatre hosts around 500 puppet shows, portraying Vietnamese history and folklore.
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel, then embark on a scenic drive to Hoa Lu, the site of Vietnam’s first capital. Visit the temples built around 1000 years ago in honour of the Le Dynasty emperors and explore the remnants of the Hoa Lu Citadel. If time permits, take a half-hour walk among the surrounding limestone karst hills for stunning vistas.
In the afternoon, unwind aboard a private sampan as you row across Tam Coc. Escape the typical tourist paths and navigate through lotus fields (best seen in summer) and magnificent cave formations before reaching Bich Dong Pagoda. Afterward, return to Hanoi for a leisurely evening, enjoying lunch and dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: The design of Bich Dong Pagoda is inspired by the Chinese symbol for the number three, comprising three distinct sections: the bottom, middle, and top pagodas.
Enjoy an early morning pick-up from your hotel for a 3.5-hour drive to Hong Gai Tourist Wharf, where you will check in at the OS Lounge. Embark on the Calypso Cruiser, attend a cruise briefing, and set sail for an exciting overnight cruise. Savor a delectable lunch as you glide past the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long. In the late afternoon, choose one of the following activities:
Option 1: Fishing Village Visit
For a glimpse into local life, hop on a bamboo boat for a rowing trip around Vung Vieng fishing village, nestled in a picturesque lagoon surrounded by mountains—perfect for memorable photographs.
Option 2: Beach and Kayaking
If you prefer water sports, engage in beach volleyball or take a refreshing swim. For the adventurous, grab a paddle and go kayaking amidst the spectacular beauty of Halong Bay.
After all the fun, return to your cruise ship to rinse off and unwind during sunset. Enjoy happy hour on the sun deck, and if you’re interested, participate in a cooking class with the cruise chef! Enjoy a delicious dinner onboard, and spend the evening with squid fishing or relaxing on deck, with entertainment available until 10:00 PM.
Destination Nugget: The Vung Vieng fishing village has its roots in the 19th century, serving as a hub for mariners to trade and exchange food.
Begin your day with revitalizing Tai Chi on the sun deck. After this invigorating session, breakfast will be served at sunrise. Later, board a day boat to cruise across Lan Ha Bay for kayaking at Dark and Light Cave. Pause for lunch before heading to Three Peaches Beach for more kayaking and swimming, then return to the mother boat for an overnight stay in the Cong Do area.
Destination Nugget: Lan Ha Bay is home to nearly 2,000 islands and islets, formed over millions of years of weathering and erosion.
Start your day with another Tai Chi session, enjoying coffee or tea while soaking in the morning seascape views. Have breakfast as you cruise toward Thein Canh Sun Cave, one of the lesser-visited caves in Bai Tu Long. Upon returning to the cruise ship, check out of your room and enjoy an early lunch while heading back to the harbour. Disembark from the cruise around noon and travel to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Danang.
Upon arrival in Danang, check in to your hotel, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, and spend the night in Hoi An.
Destination Nugget: Bai Tu Long Bay is said to be inhabited by the descendants of a fierce mother dragon who aided the early Vietnamese against foreign invaders.
In the morning, embark on a half-day visit to My Son, the historical and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom. Admire the breathtaking views of the lush valley and its numerous red brick towers and sanctuaries dating back to between the 7th and 13th centuries. On your way back to Hoi An, stop at Tra Kieu, originally known as the Lion Citadel, which served as the capital of Champa from the 4th to the 8th centuries.
After returning to Hoi An, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before setting out for an afternoon walking tour. Stroll through the historic trading port with its narrow streets and traditional houses. Visit the Chinese communal hall, marvel at the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and stroll through the vibrant market and expansive beach with its lively resorts and pristine white sand. After a satisfying dinner at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: Tra Kieu was the first capital of the Hindu Champa Kingdom and was originally known as Simhapura between the 4th and 8th centuries.
Set off overland to the former imperial capital of Hue. Travel along the scenic route over the Ocean Cloud Pass and through the picturesque fishing village of Lang Co. On your way, visit the Cham Museum in Danang, home to the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world.
Upon your arrival in Hue, savour a sumptuous lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Mausoleum of Tu Duc, initially built as a palace retreat and later converted into the Emperor’s resting place. Next, head to the tomb of Khai Dinh, which showcases a unique blend of traditional Vietnamese architecture with European influences. After exploring, return to the city and visit the vibrant Dong Ba Market, brimming with fresh produce. Enjoy some leisure time before dinner at a local restaurant.
Destination Nugget: The stone stele at the Mausoleum of Tu Duc weighs 20 tons and resides in a large brick house within his tomb complex.
After breakfast, explore Hue’s notable historical monuments. Begin with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, known as the Purple Forbidden City, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945. Then, proceed to the 400-year-old Thien Mu Pagoda, featuring a stunning 21-meter tall tower.
In the afternoon, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by some leisure time, before heading to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, and have dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: Thien Mu Pagoda has seven floors, each dedicated to a Manushi-Buddha (Buddha in human form).
Start your morning by touring the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network spanning over 200km that played a vital role during the war. Watch an introductory video detailing the tunnels’ construction, then explore the tunnels for an hour. Enjoy refreshments of tea and cassava, a staple food for soldiers during the war.
In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City for a half-day tour, visiting the commercial center and upscale shops. Explore notable sites such as:
Conclude your day with dinner at a local restaurant, followed by an overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.
Destination Nugget: The Cu Chi Tunnels were instrumental in the Viet Cong’s resistance efforts against American forces during the Vietnam War.
In the morning, depart from Ho Chi Minh City towards My Tho. Upon arrival, embark on a cruise along the Mekong River to Con Phung (Phoenix Island). Continue cruising through natural creeks and quiet villages in Ben Tre Province. Visit a small factory that produces exquisite coconut handicrafts, then explore local orchards, tasting tropical fruits, honey, and honey wine while enjoying traditional Vietnamese music.
You will also tour a round distillery to observe the coconut candy-making process and taste the results, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City and arrive at your hotel by late evening for dinner and an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: The Mekong River stretches approximately 3,000 miles from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea and hosts the largest inland fishery in the world.
After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before proceeding to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transported to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, visit Kampong Phluk Floating Village located about 20 kilometres southeast of Siem Reap. A one-hour car ride will take you to a dock where you will board a ferry to reach the village, home to around 3,000 Khmer residents. Experience the local village life as you explore the homes, which are built on stilts that rise up to 6-7 meters during the dry season. During this period, many villagers move onto the lake, constructing temporary houses that are submerged during the wet season. Fishing is the primary livelihood for these residents, and they also prepare smoked, fermented, and dried fish.
On your return, stop at the renowned Local Market of Phsar Chas and the Handicraft School of Artisan d’Angkor. Enjoy lunch and dinner at local restaurants, then return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: Kampong Phluk Floating Market, meaning “Harbour of Tusks,” appears to float only when the water level of Tonle Sap Lake rises.
After breakfast, embark on a guided tour of Angkor Thom and its many famous monuments, including:
In the afternoon, visit the magnificent world-famous Angkor Wat Temple, a 12th-century architectural masterpiece that spans about 210 hectares. Wander through its pavilions, libraries, courtyards, and ponds, learning about the Cambodian version of the Ramayana depicted in the carved low-reliefs. The reliefs also illustrate the daily lives of people during the era of Angkor Wat’s construction. Conclude your day by witnessing a spectacular sunset at Prae Rup Temple. Enjoy lunch and dinner at local restaurants before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: The name Angkor Wat translates to “City of Temples,” and it covers around 400 acres, making it the largest religious site in the world.
After breakfast, kick off your day with a visit to Artisan D’Angkor, a renowned handicraft center.
Next, make a brief stop at Wat Thmey, also known as the Killing Fields, to see the unique glass-walled stupa that holds the bones of those killed by the Khmer Rouge. Follow this with a visit to the War Memorial Monument dedicated to the brave souls who perished in the Cambodian Civil War. After concluding your morning itinerary, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and some free time before proceeding to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh.
Upon arriving at Phnom Penh Airport, meet your local guide and head to your hotel for check-in. Later in the evening, join your guide for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.
Destination Nugget: Artisan D’Angkor was established in 1992 under the name Chantiers-Écoles, with the mission of reviving centuries-old handicrafts that had significantly declined in Cambodia.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading out to visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the country’s most sacred shrine. Continue to the National Museum, dedicated exclusively to Khmer sculpture and art, followed by a visit to Wat Unalom Pagoda and the Independence Monument. Many exhibits date back to the Angkor period (9th to 15th century), with some even dating back to the 4th century. Marvel at the ancient temple of Wat Phnom, which gave the city its name, before breaking for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Center and the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum to gain a deep insight into the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime. Afterward, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Destination Nugget: The Silver Pagoda derives its name from its floor, which is covered in approximately 5 tonnes of silver.
After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time at the hotel. Later, check out and proceed to the airport for your flight back home.
Experiences