Visit the major sights of Vietnam and Cambodia, the very essence of Indochina, experiencing their captivating blend of French colonial history, unique local culture and beautiful rural scenery. Overwhelming image retained by visitors to Vietnam is that of a country blessed with an extraordinary beauty. It’s a mosaic of mist-shrouded mountains, vibrant green forests, a patch-work of rice paddies and pristine white beaches, whilst its villages and cities are custodians of the culture and monuments of a unique 2,000 year old civilisation.
A journey through some of the delightful countryside is like stepping back in time: farmers bent double underneath their traditional conical hats work in fields stretching into the distance, whilst docile water buffalo methodically plough the rice paddies. On the roads there are bicycles being ridden to market, over-loaded with everything from huge sacks of rice to an imponderable number of ducks! Lining the riverbanks are wooden houses, balancing precariously on stilts and thatched with palm leaves.
Vietnam has a long and chequered past: for 2,000 years it was ruled by the Chinese, the Khmers, Mongols, Portuguese and the Japanese. They all left their legacies in the temples and Pagodas, together with palaces, fortresses and innumerable other buildings in every style imaginable. It was then colonised by the French, whose contribution was cathedrals, fine mansions, neo-classical public buildings, not forgetting excellent baguettes and pastries – an eclectic mix! Many visitors also inevitably recall the US-Vietnam war – who could forget those dramatic images of the frantic helicopter flights from the roof of the US embassy?
In the past few years Vietnam has opened its doors to the world and much has changed. Today, in one of the world’s last communist countries, the motorcycles and western dress of the industrious youth happily co-exist with orange-clad Buddhist monks and political posters from a different era. Visitors are invariably impressed by the development of excellent hotels and services in all the major centres and the much-improved road network. Hanoi and Saigon still retain a French flavour in their pavement cafés, architecture and wide tree-lined boulevards. In Hue, the former imperial capital, we see the amazing Citadel and its imperial Forbidden City, modelled on Beijing. Contorted by years of erosion, we’ll also explore the staggeringly beautiful rock formations of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
But Vietnam is more than just history and scenery. It also boasts a world-class gastronomic heritage: a delicious fusion of Malay, Chinese and Thai cuisines. With plenty of French-run restaurants thrown in for good measure, all at excellent prices, you really are in for a treat! The Vietnamese themselves are a wonderfully friendly people, always smiling, courteous and proud to show off their beautiful country to all.
Our tour in Cambodia includes a stay in the capital, Phnom Penh. Beautifully located at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers, Phnom Penh, with its vibrant riverside ambience, is one of the ‘hidden gems’ of Asian cities. After being virtually completely depopulated during Pol Pot’s regime, the city is now full of life and thriving once more. A short flight away is the town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the incredible complex of temples within the ancient city of Angkor. At its height in the thirteenth century, Angkor had a staggering one million inhabitants, larger in area than Manhattan. It was the capital of the fabulously wealthy Khmer Empire that stretched from Thailand, through Laos and Cambodia to southern Vietnam. The incredible state of preservation, the beauty of its design and artistry of its sculptures have, for many, made Angkor one of the great wonders of the world.
Vietnam and Cambodia are countries in flux, but bicycles and mopeds still outnumber cars by 100 to 1, so now is the time to visit these most fascinating and colourful destinations, whilst so much of their unique character and traditions are still in evidence!
The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room with sole occupancy rooms available at the relevant supplement. Price includes:
Included excursions are: Halong Bay cruise, guided tours of Hanoi, Hue, Saigon, Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh and Luang Prabang, plus one-day entrance and guided tour of Angkor;
Visas not included.
Please note that the luggage allowance for internal flights is limited to one bag per person weighing no more than 20kg.
With our brand new door-to-door transfer service, you can arrive at the airport in style in a private, luxury car. Prices based on the mileage between your home and the airport.
Up to 50 miles | Call for a quote |
51 - 75 miles | Call for a quote |
76 - 100 miles | Call for a quote |
101 -125 miles | Call for a quote |
126 - 150 miles | Call for a quote |
151+ miles | Call for a quote |
Please call us to book your luxury private transfer today.
Phare, The Cambodian Circus - from £22 per person
Phare, The Cambodian Circus tells of Cambodian folklore, historic and modern society stories through modern circus arts, dance, live music and theatre. More than just a circus, the young performing artists will enthral you with their talent incorporating emotion, enthusiasm and energy. This unique acrobat performance lasts for approximately 1 hour and is located in the very heart of the civilization of Cambodia, Siem Reap. Watch the video for a glimpse of what you'll see.
Please contact us to pre-book this experience.
All transfer times listed here are approximate, and dependent on traffic. If you have a question regarding transfer times please don't hesitate to contact us.
En route to the first hotel, we will stop for breakfast in Hanoi and have a sightseeing tour, lasting around 2 hours.
Arrival airport | First hotel location | Transfer time | Final hotel location | Departure airport | Transfer time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hanoi - Noi Bai International Airport | Hanoi | 1 hr | Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang International Airport | 20 mins |
Fact File
Visa Information
Along with a valid passport, UK citizens must have a visa in order to travel to Cambodia and Laos. For the most up-to-date passport and visa information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cambodia/entry-requirements and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/laos/entry-requirements
Laos visa cost is US$35 per person. Cambodian visa cost is US$36 per person. Full details of how and when to apply will be sent with your booking confirmation.
UK Citizens do not require a visa to enter Vietnam.
We are unable to accept responsibility if you are unable to travel because you have not complied with any passport/entry/immigration requirements.
Please note that visa costs may be subject to change.
Mobility
We want to ensure you make the correct choice before you book your holiday with us. If you have any concerns regarding the suitabilty of the holiday due to reduced mobility we would encourage you to call us to discuss these concerns. General information on mobility in connection with our tours can be found here.
Important note on water bottles
To lessen our impact on the environment, plastic bottles will no longer be handed out during your tour in Vietnam & Cambodia. Instead, we encourage you to take a reusable water bottle with you. There are several water refill points throughout the tour where you can top up with safe, clean drinking water.
Read about our sustainability efforts here.
Health
Whilst the travelling schedule shall pose no problems for people of any age in normal physical health, we would point out that in visiting a number of historical sites, paths may be uneven and we often enjoy walking tours of the main sights, therefore this holiday may not be suitable for clients of greatly impaired mobility. In the tropics temperatures and humidity levels are quite high for most of the year. Please consult your GP regarding the appropriate inoculations required for Vietnam,Cambodia & Laos at least a month before departure.