Real Vietnam to Cambodia
Deal number: 26476476
INTREPID
This deal expires 30 June 2026
Valid for select departures between 16 Aug - 28 Mar 2027
Southeast Asia
20-day tour
Price from
£1,879*
per person
Deal number: 26476476
Packed with value:
Return economy class flights
20 day small group tour with Intrepid Travel for 18-35 year oldsExplore the top sights of Vietnam and Cambodia with new friends who you just haven't met yet! Designed for 18-35 year olds, experience the best of Vietnam and Cambodia under the guidance of a local trip guide, with plenty of free time for you to also do your own thing.
Flight Centre Exclusive: £1 deposit - book by 30th of June 2026Secure your flights + tour with our exclusive £1 per person deposit, giving you plenty of time to budget for your next adventure. When you book flights + tour together, you're also given extra peace of mind from booking a package holiday - speak with your travel expert to find out the benefits.
Day tours including Lan Ha bay, Hoi An old town walking tour, Phnom Penh killing fields and tuol sleng tour, Angkor Wat by sunrise and moreWith plenty of included activities, this tour will give you a great overview of Vietnam and Cambodia With plenty of free time, you can also choose from your own additional activities (at local cost) whilst in destination, making sure that your trip ticks the boxes that you want it to tick.
This is a scheduled tour which departs on select travel dates. Speak to your travel expert to find out which dates are available. Price based on January 2027 departure.
Itinerary
Experience all that Vietnam and Cambodia have to offer, from markets, good street food, beaches and temples to ancient sites, homestays and long-tail boat rides - all with a small group of new friends and a knowledgeable local leader by your side. On this 20-day adventure through South East Asia, you'll traverse the bustling streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and paddle through the serene waters of Cat Ba Island. Get active with cycling tours and hiking options and learn about everyday village life in Sambo Prei Kuk. Tour the incredible natural beauty of Ninh Binh and kick back on the beaches of Koh Rong Island. End your adventure in Siem Reap's Angkor complex - discover this ancient wonder at sunrise and spend a full day wandering this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site. You'll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including on overnight trains. Accommodation and amenities are shared and basic, but the experience of rubbing shoulders with the locals makes it all worthwhile. For more about this experience, see our blog post here: https://www. intrepidtravel. com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight. , Temperatures and humidity can be high in Cambodia, especially when walking around sights like the Angkor complex, where there may be little shade. Be prepared by taking plenty of drink breaks and wearing appropriate skin protection. Some travellers find an umbrella handy to keep the sun off (this will also come in handy if it rains!). , You will visit a number of temples on this trip, and this requires a level of modesty. Be sure to bring clothes that cover your arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it's hot. , You'll be spending a night with a local family on this trip. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to connect with the local people (and enjoy delicious home-cooked meals!). Read more about the experience here: https://www. intrepidtravel. com/adventures/cambodia-homestay-experience. , This trip is part of a longer itinerary. You might be joining travellers who have already spent some time together. If you have more time to explore, you might like to check out Epic South East Asia (TTYAC)
Day 1 Fly from the UK to Hanoi
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure kicks off in Hanoi - Vietnam's capital - with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, wander these gorgeous streets and see the sights. Tonight, maybe grab your new group and see who's up for some food and a fresh bia hoi at a roadside stall or watch the motorbikes zoom by. Hanoi is also a great place for local beer and cocktail bars, so maybe hit the nightlife and discover what this city has to offer after sundown.
Today is a free day in Hanoi to explore however you'd like. Maybe check out your reflection in the beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, wander along shaded boulevards or relax in a public park with some delicious street food (spring rolls inside rice paper rolls, anyone?). Museum-wise, you could visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, drop into the serene Temple of Literature or get arty at the city's Fine Arts Museum. Maybe head to KOTO for lunch - this organisation is dedicated to developing the hospitality careers of disadvantaged youth. Later, maybe explore the centuries-old architecture as the sun goes down.
Travel by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island - the largest island in Lan Ha Bay, connected to the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. With thousands of little limestone islands scattered around, this area is one of those quintessential Vietnamese scenes in which bright green water is dotted with traditional junk boats and limestone karsts. Take a cruise around Lan Ha Bay and enjoy a seafood lunch prepared by your onboard chef. What could be better? This afternoon, hop off the boat to get up close and personal with this other-worldly landscape by kayak. Paddle through serene waters and then watch the sunset over this awe-inspiring landscape.
This morning, take a ferry back to the mainland and head to Ninh Binh province - once the site of Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, which is now a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Join a local guide on a cycling tour to visit the ancient citadel. This once covered 300 hectares (741 acres) of land, however the passage of time has left few remains of the once glorious capital. You'll visit the 17th-century temples built in honour of King Dinh and King Le among other temples, pagodas, monuments and lush grounds surrounded by mountains.
The day is yours to explore the many other wonders of Ninh Binh. You might like to lace up your hiking boots and trek to Mua Cave. While the cave sits at the base of a mountain, be sure to make the trek up the 500 steps to the mountain peak for amazing views of Hoa Lu and Ngo Dong River. Or maybe get out on the water and take a boat tour past limestone karst peaks, caves, temples and maybe even filming locations from a King Kong movie. Tonight, board an overnight train to Hue.
Arrive by train in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. You have today free to do as you please. You can easily spend a couple of hours exploring Hue's massive walled citadel and the Forbidden Purple Palace that's enclosed within. Maybe jump on board a dragon boat and enjoy a cruise up the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda. You could also check out Dong Ba Market, which offers locally made goods, fresh produce and some tasty street food. This is a good place to try the dish that Emperor Nguyen used to feast on - the banh khoai royal rice. If you like being on two wheels, maybe cycle out to one of the royal tombs like the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc (one of the most well-preserved examples of its kind). Tonight, head into the home of a local family and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner. You'll be chatting and laughing over your chopsticks in no time!
Continue along the coast to Hoi An by private bus. When you arrive, your leader will take you on a walking tour of this unique town which has been influenced over the years by Europe, China, Vietnam and Japan. The town was a major trading port from the 17th century onwards, and its old-school flavour is written all over its architecture. For a small town, it's pretty lively. The tour will take you down the streets that are being restored and look a lot like they did 100 years ago, then you'll discover some of the more chilled out spots. Check out a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. Later, maybe play bingo with your leader in a town square - a popular local past time.
Start the day by cycling through the beautiful surroundings of Hoi An to Tra Que Vegetable Village, visiting the organic vegetable and herb garden of a local chef. This village was established over 500 years ago and has become a thriving agricultural hub known for its produce. See, smell and taste what makes Vietnamese food so delicious during a tour of the gardens. Then, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch using some of the ingredients you picked during your tour. Much of the food waste here is composted, recycled or reused. The rest of the afternoon is free for your own exploring. Maybe wander to the Central Market and browse the paintings, woodwork, ceramics and lanterns. Hoi An is also famous for its talented tailors, so if you've been wearing the same shirt every day (who hasn't), why not hit one of the same-day tailors and get yourself something new? Tonight, maybe wander the lantern-lit streets for some great photo ops.
This morning, say goodbye to Hoi An and drive to Quy Nhon - a coastal city in the Binh Dinh province. When you arrive, you have a free afternoon and evening to explore at your own pace. There are plenty of optional activities you can take on today to explore the beautiful location - maybe visit Banh It Tower, taking in stunning scenery from the top of the hill, or visit the Cahn Tien Tower (Bronze Tower). Take a food tour, trying some local specialities like banh xeo tom nhay (a crunchy pancake with fresh prawn), nem nuong (grilled pork sausage) or bun ca (fish noodle soup). Maybe take a trip to Eo Gio for a hike and coastal views. There are also lots of great local restaurants you can hang out at - ask your leader for recommendations!
Today is a free day in Quy Nhon to take on any optional activities you didn't get a chance to do yesterday. You might like to head to the Con Chim Ecological Zone, where you can go fishing or stand up paddleboarding. You could also head to Ky Co Beach or take a day trip to Hon Kho Island for a swim in the blue-green waters. Tonight, you'll take an overnight train, so maybe grab some snacks this afternoon for the journey. As you make your way to Ho Chi Minh City, maybe play a few (or many) rounds of cards or get stuck into a good book. As the light changes outside, you can watch the everchanging scenery pass you by, showing you a glimpse into what rural life is like in Vietnam.
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City early this morning and transfer to your hotel. Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a whirl of sights and sounds. You can still see the French influence in the top-notch baguettes and coffee. Compared to the north, the food here is spicier, sweeter and more varied. Maybe take advantage of the early morning by checking out the markets and tucking into a bowl of pho with the local traders. With your group, you'll visit a local market, where you can browse the street foods - maybe try some banh da xuc hen (fried clams with rice crackers) or banh xeo (savoury stuffed crepes). Then, try the iconic Saigon cafe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk) amid the market's everyday bustle as your leader shares stories about life in Ho Chi Minh City. Tonight, why not get your group together for a meal and some drinks on Pham Ngu Lao Street?
Your day is free to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace. Maybe explore the Ben Thanh Market, where you can snack on chao tom (barbecued shrimp paste on sticks of sugar cane) and banh beo (bouncy, savoury steamed rice cakes). Or, if you want to get out of the city, the Cu Chi Tunnels make for an interesting daytrip - learn how this complex underground system was used by the Viet Cong in the long war against the Americans and was instrumental to the Vietnamese victory. You'll have another meeting at 6 pm tonight to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of the trip.
Today, travel to Phnom Penh on a public bus - this is a long journey that includes two border crossings and a stop where you can grab some lunch. Have your favourite books or road trip games ready - this is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers better. Your guide will assist with the formalities at both sides of the border. When you arrive, why not treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage to ease the tension. Look no further than Seeing Hands - a great organisation supporting visually impaired masseurs.
Enquire to book this trip
Deal number: 26476476Real Vietnam to Cambodia
INTREPID
Valid for select departures between 16 Aug - 28 Mar 2027
Southeast Asia
20-day tour
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