Classic Cambodia and Vietnam Journey 16 Days
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Itinerary

This 16 days Cambodia and Vietnam itinerary is designed for travelers who want a complete yet comfortable introduction to two of Southeast Asia’s most fascinating countries. The journey begins in Cambodia with the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor and the cultural layers of Phnom Penh, before continuing to Vietnam’s energetic cities, historic towns, peaceful beaches, and iconic natural landscapes.

Across 16 days, you experience a thoughtful balance of guided sightseeing and free time, allowing space to explore at your own pace. From ancient capitals and UNESCO-listed heritage sites to countryside escapes and an overnight cruise in Halong Bay, this itinerary offers depth, variety, and smooth transitions, making it ideal for travelers who value insight, flexibility, and well-planned routing.

Highlights:

  • Discover the iconic temples of Angkor with guided and flexible exploration
  • Enjoy free days with optional excursions to Cambodia’s most remarkable sites
  • Experience Cambodia and Vietnam through a smooth cross-border journey
  • Explore vibrant cities, historic capitals, and peaceful beach towns
  • Cruise overnight in Halong Bay amid limestone karsts and calm waters
  • Balance guided sightseeing with generous leisure time
  • Travel comfortably with flights, private transfers, and English-speaking guides

Day 1: SIEM REAP ARRIVAL

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you are warmly welcomed by your English-speaking guide and transferred by private car to your hotel. The remainder of the day is kept relaxed, giving you time to recover from your flight, enjoy the hotel surroundings, or take a gentle stroll through town to get a first feel for Cambodia

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: N/A

Cambodia in June Weather

Day 2: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TEMPLES DISCOVERY

Today is dedicated to exploring the Angkor complex with your guide, including iconic temples such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm. Each site reveals a different layer of the Khmer Empire, from grand ceremonial spaces to jungle-covered ruins that feel quietly powerful.

As you walk through galleries, towers, and ancient root-covered corridors, you gain insight into Khmer history, architectural mastery, and spiritual symbolism. The pace remains balanced, allowing time to absorb the atmosphere and appreciate details without feeling rushed.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast


Day 3: SIEM REAP – FREE DAY OR OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

This day is left open for you to enjoy Siem Reap at your own pace. You may relax at the hotel or choose one of the optional excursions below, depending on your interests and travel pace.

Optional tours:

1. Beng Mealea (Jungle Temple) & countryside ox-cart experience – Explore a mysterious, largely unrestored temple hidden in the forest, followed by a gentle ride through rural villages and rice fields.

2. Banteay Srei (Women’s Temple) – Visit a smaller but exquisite temple known for its fine pink sandstone carvings and elegant details.

3. Preah Vihear Temple & Koh Ker – Discover remote and dramatic temple complexes set high on cliffs and deep in the countryside, ideal for travelers seeking less-visited sites.

4. Tonle Sap Lake – Take a boat trip on Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake to observe floating villages and local life on the water.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide (optional)

Meals: Breakfast


Day 4: SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH

You fly to Phnom Penh and begin a half-day city tour that introduces Cambodia’s political and cultural heart. The experience offers a clear overview of the capital through its riverside setting, grand boulevards, and landmark architecture, helping you understand how history, monarchy, and daily life intersect in today’s Phnom Penh.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast

Phnom Penh City Tour by Tuk-tuk
Phnom Penh City Tour by Tuk-tuk (Image: Phnom Penh Taxi Service)

Day 5: PHNOM PENH – FREE DAY

Today is free to explore Phnom Penh at your own pace, whether you choose to relax or wander through local neighborhoods, cafés, and riverside areas.

An optional half-day visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields offers deeper insight into Cambodia’s recent history, providing context through preserved sites, personal stories, and quiet memorial spaces that encourage reflection.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide (optional)

Meals: Breakfast


Day 6: PHNOM PENH – HO CHI MINH CITY

You fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most dynamic metropolis. After arrival, the rest of the day is kept light, giving you time to rest or step out for a first look at the city’s lively streets, cafés, and constant movement.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast

Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh Highlights & Mekong Delta

Day 7: HO CHI MINH CITY – CITY HIGHLIGHTS

A half-day guided city tour introduces Ho Chi Minh City through its most representative landmarks, highlighting the contrasts between French colonial architecture, historic institutions, and modern urban life. The tour provides essential context before you explore the city further on your own.

The afternoon is free for shopping or café stops, while an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels offers deeper insight into Vietnam’s wartime history.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast

Cu chi tunnels day tour
Cu chi tunnels

Day 8: HO CHI MINH CITY – FREE DAY OR MEKONG OPTION

This day is free for you to enjoy Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace, whether through shopping, food exploration, or quiet café time.

An optional full-day Mekong Delta excursion takes you beyond the city to experience river life, local crafts, orchards, and the slower rhythm of southern Vietnam.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide (optional)

Meals: Breakfast

mekong delta tour

Day 9: HO CHI MINH CITY – DA NANG – HOI AN

You fly to Da Nang and continue by road to Hoi An, transitioning from a modern coastal city to a slower-paced heritage town. The journey sets the tone for central Vietnam, where daily life feels more relaxed and intimate.

In the afternoon, a guided walking tour reveals the charm of Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Lantern-lit streets, historic merchant houses, assembly halls, and riverside temples tell the story of a once-bustling trading port shaped by Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast


Day 10: HOI AN – BEACH RELAXATION

Today is devoted to relaxation by the beach in Hoi An, where the atmosphere feels calm and unhurried. If you prefer something more active, optional half-day experiences such as countryside cycling or a hands-on cooking class allow you to connect with local life beyond the shoreline.

Tour guide: N/A

Meals: Breakfast

An Bang beach

Day 11: HOI AN – LEISURE DAY

This additional leisure day allows you to fully settle into Hoi An’s relaxed rhythm. You may continue enjoying the beach, exploring nearby cafés and boutiques, or simply slow down before the journey continues north.

Tour guide: N/A

Meals: Breakfast

Cycling Through Rice Paddies in Hoi An
Cycling Through Rice Paddies in Hoi An with Your Family!

Day 12: HOI AN – HAI VAN PASS – HUE

You travel north to Hue via the scenic Hai Van Pass, a coastal mountain road known for sweeping ocean views and dramatic landscapes. Upon arrival in Hue, a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River offers a gentle introduction to the former imperial capital, revealing pagodas, riverside life, and the city’s calm atmosphere.

A visit to the Tomb of Tu Duc deepens your understanding of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty, showcasing refined architecture, landscaped gardens, and the philosophy behind royal life and legacy.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast


Day 13: HUE – HANOI

After flying to Hanoi, a half-day walking tour introduces the capital’s Old Quarter. Narrow streets, historic houses, and a traditional cyclo ride offer insight into Hanoi’s daily life, long-standing trades, and layered history.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast

cyclo in hanoi

Day 14: HANOI – HALONG BAY CRUISE

You depart Hanoi for Halong Bay, leaving the city behind as the landscape gradually opens into coastal scenery. Upon boarding the cruise, you enter a seascape of limestone karsts rising from calm emerald waters.

The afternoon is spent cruising deeper into the bay, with opportunities to relax on deck, enjoy onboard activities, and take in panoramic views. As daylight fades, the atmosphere becomes especially peaceful, setting the stage for an overnight stay surrounded by nature.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


Day 15: HALONG BAY – HANOI

After a morning cruise and brunch, you disembark and return to Hanoi by private transfer. The evening is free.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Brunch

early morning taichi session on cruise

Day 16: HANOI – DEPARTURE

At the appropriate time, you are transferred to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of the journey.

Tour guide: English-speaking guide

Meals: Breakfast


Pricing

This private package tour starts at USD1,995 per person.

Note:

– The price above is for reference only and can be adjusted based on your custom itinerary.

– This tour features comfort-level accommodations. If you’d like to upgrade to premium hotels or customize your itinerary for your 2026 Vietnam visit or beyond, we’re happy to tailor an experience to suit your preferences.

– All prices are listed in US dollars. For quotes in GBP or other currencies, please contact us via this form or email [email protected].

ACCOMMODATION

Below are our suggested accommodations at a comfort level. As we offer private tours, your hotel can be selected to match your travel interests. Share with our travel expert your preferences to get the quote within 12 hours by filling out the form below.

Cities Hotel category
Hanoi

San Boutique Hotel Hanoi
Premium Room

Halong Bay

Garden Bay Legend Cruise
Deluxe Seaview Cabin

Hue

Scarlett Hue Boutique Hotel
Passion Room

Hoi An

Garden Bay Legend Cruise
Deluxe Seaview Cabin

Ho Chi Minh City

Roseland Corp Hotel
Deluxe Room

Phnom Penh

iRoHa Garden Hotel & Resort
Comfort Balcony Double pool view

Siem Reap

Pavillon Indochine Hotel
Deluxe

Include & Exclude

TRIP INCLUSIVE

  • All private transfers and transportation.
  • Accommodation shared in a Twin/Double room with daily breakfast
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Meals as stated in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing tickets
  • Water and tissues on the coach
  • Private double/twin cabin in Halong
  • Domestic flights
  • Service charges and government tax

TRIP EXCLUSIVE

  • International flights & departure taxes
  • Beverage
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities
  • Vietnam visa
  • Others not mentioned above

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