Sua s'dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively capital city. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of Khmer craftsmanship. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After, join your group for dinner at Malis Restaurant – an upmarket dining spot that’s committed to preserving and serving Cambodia's traditional cuisine. Maybe cap off the night with a cocktail at the Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

This morning, you’ll visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, which will tell the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge. Then, your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Phnom – the temple that gave rise to the city’s foundation in the 15th century – or the Royal Palace and sacred Silver Pagoda. Tonight, perhaps grab dinner with your group or wander the city and soak up the nighttime atmosphere. If you don’t wish to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, please inform your leader.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll go on a journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in a comfortable private vehicle. Discover traditional Cambodian life at Skun Village and learn about the town’s deep-fried tarantulas and other insects, which the locals consume daily. You’ll also visit Santuk Silk Farm to learn about silk production and its work as a social enterprise, employing local women as artisan weavers. Share a simple, rustic local lunch prepared by the weavers before you continue to Siem Reap, stopping to see historic bridges along the way before arriving at your hotel at approximately 5 pm. This tropical oasis boasts three pools and an excellent restaurant with a focus on wellness. Bright and spacious rooms are in harmony with the lush grounds and feature a veranda, private garden and rain showers. Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on Khmer favourites. Your driving time today will be approximately 5.5 hours, or 7 hours including stops along the way. Sometimes the order of your included activities in Siem Reap may change due to weather, season or other factors. The changes are made to give you the best possible experiences and to get you to places at the best time. Your leader will advise of any changes to the order of your included activities on Day 1.

If you choose, you can embrace a very early start today and experience a sunrise visit to the Angkor complex (optional). After, you'll spend the day discovering the fantastic temples of Angkor. For the first half of the day, you’ll be accompanied by a private Angkor Wat archaeological guide, who will provide expert knowledge and insight along the way. Begin at Angkor Wat – the largest and most complete structure and the only one of Angkor's temples with an entrance facing west. For lunch, visit the Sala Bai Hotel School, where underprivileged local youths learn skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry (note: The Sala Bai opens from Monday-Friday and usually closes during public, also school vacation, so on these days an alternative restaurant will be used) Enjoy a meal prepared by students at the school, then visit Angkor Thom – the 'Great Royal City' – a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. From here, you’ll head out of town to an ancient working monastery to gain a special insight into the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity and have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels. The rest of the evening can be spent exploring the bars of Siem Reap or relaxing in at your resort.

After breakfast, it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations – powerful symbols of nature. Next, visit Banteay Srei to snap some pictures of the temple’s intricate stone carvings. You can head back to the resort explore Siem Reap town, or use your ticket for the Angkor ruins to continue exploring the site. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner in the Khmer countryside to say farewell to your group and Cambodia. Amid a rustic and romantic setting, you’ll sit down for a private meal in the rice fields of rural Siem Reap .

Today, catch an unescorted flight to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not get out and explore the city at your own pace and perhaps enjoy a banh mi - a short baguette fill with a variety of tasty ingredients. This evening, there will be a second group meeting to meet your new group and new leader. Then head out for dinner at a restaurant that is a piece of Vietnamese history – this building was an old opium refinery station built in 1861, and nods to its past are still visible today. Here, you’ll feast on a menu bursting with classic dishes and southern Vietnamese favourites. As this trip is a combination of shorter itineraries, the travellers in your group and your group leader are likely to change today. Your transfer and flight will be unaccompanied. Your trip leader will provide you with more details on your flight information and your transfer to the airport. With its central location and distinct building styles, hotel rooms in Ho Chi Minh City tend to be quite compact.

Kick off your first full day of the trip with a visit to the Mekong Delta – a network of rivers and canals with floating markets and rice paddies. After breakfast, drive south towards this region via Ben Tre. Here, you’ll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at some coconut gardens to visit a local home where you can sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, return to the waterways of the delta on sampans (small rowing boats) and row past the coconut trees and stilt houses that flank the river. Back on land, take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages for a glimpse at rural life and learn how the coconut industry is woven into the community here. Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

This morning, head on a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 km) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. As you explore this labyrinth, you’ll be guided by a war veteran who will share a first-hand account of life during the war. He will also share his in-depth knowledge of the tunnel system. Your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what underground life must have been like. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit the renowned TV chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House Restaurant for an elevated, modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

This morning, see Ho Chi Minh City through the eyes of a local during a bus and walking tour with your leader. Visit the Reunification Palace to learn about the end of the war and then take a sobering trip to the War Remnants Museum after stopping by the Notre Dame Cathedral. Stroll the city’s streets and notice the many French buildings along the way, including the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall, modelled on Paris’ Hotel de Ville. Later this afternoon, fly to Hoi An – a riverside town in central Vietnam. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Join your leader on a walking tour this morning to discover Hoi An’s heritage-listed ancient architecture and unique mix of influences. With its charming low-tiled houses and tranquil feel, this is a delightful town to wander around. Start by visiting an opulently decorated historic house that was once home to a prominent trader. Then, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, stop by the Chinese Assembly Hall and pay a visit to a local museum to learn more about the history you’ve uncovered on the walk. After, sit down to a lunch with the group. This afternoon, you’re free to make the most of Hoi An and its surrounding areas. Your leader can provide suggestions if you need inspiration!

Once a significant port of the Champa Kingdom, Hoi An remains home to many Cham descendants today. This morning, your leader will guide you through the My Son Sanctuary – a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa that date back to the 4th century. Learn about the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and see the craters created by American bombs during the war. After exploring the temples and serene surroundings, experience an Apsara dance performance featuring sparkling traditional costumes, panpipes and drums. When you return to Hoi An, the afternoon is free for you to explore further – maybe visit one of the many tailor shops and get a custom outfit or relax by the pool at your hotel. Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Head for Hue this morning – the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam's historic past. On the way, pass through the Hai Van Pass – a scenic, mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co Beach. Arrive in Hue and discover its eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins stand as a testament to its proud history. Here, your leader will share insights into the devastating damage endured during the war. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Ready your appetite as today you’ll be diving into Hue’s culinary scene. First up, head to a street food eatery for bun bo Hue (this spicy noodle soup is usually made with beef and pig knuckles and is an absolute must-try). Next, meet a local chef and explore the market where you can taste and smell all the herbs and ingredients that bring local dishes to life while learning about the culture of Vietnamese cuisine. Stop for lunch, then continue to the chef’s home and discover how to cook up dishes using the fresh ingredients from the market. Later, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda – an active Buddhist monastery and unofficial symbol of Hue that dates back to 1601. You’ll also visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its beautiful lake, frangipani and pine trees and the Imperial Citadel.

Fly from Hue to Hanoi today. Settle in when you arrive and then get your bearings with a leader-led walk, where you’ll wander the ancient 36 Streets to discover shop-lined alleys that sell everything from souvenirs to silk clothing. In the afternoon, join your group again for a traditional Ca Tru performance. Ca Tru is an art form of Northern Vietnam dating back to the Tran Dynasty. Originally, this was performed at Royal Courts and is now included by UNESCO on the list of Intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. Today, these performances are rare, but you and your group will be taken to an ancient temple and treated to an exclusive show in one of the few places where these artists still sing acoustically. Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour. Your departure today will most likely be in the morning but can vary a little depending on flight schedules.

Leave Hanoi this morning in a private coach transfer to Mai Chau. This peaceful town is situated in a valley and surrounded by green mountains, making it famous for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hill tribe communities. Admire the views, fuel up over lunch and visit Vun Art – a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk scraps. Check into your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to unwind and relax. Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Today, your leader will take you on a walk through a series of Mai Chau villages. Along the way, you’ll pass terraced rice fields and traditional stilted houses, before getting an up-close view of traditional cotton textile making and hearing a local artisan’s insights into Thai garment craftsmanship. Next, you'll learn how to make Ruou Can, a traditional fermented rice wine, as well as the cultural significance behind each step of the process. After a lunch hosted by a local family, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. Relax at your hotel or speak with your leader about optional activities in the area.

Head back to Hanoi this morning for a guided half-day tour of the city with your leader, gaining insights into the city’s history during visits to the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary. Enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Tuuur Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills. The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Walking is a great way to explore the city, especially if you're interested in its many lakes and parks. You'll see that this northern capital can be quieter than its southern counterpart, and the West Lake, north of the main city, is an ideal place to interact with the locals and relax by its banks. Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Today, you’ll drive to Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site where karsts and islets create a spectacular sight. There’s no better way to appreciate the bay’s beauty than by boat – your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. Carefully designed with traditional touches and modern amenities, you can sit back in comfort as you weave through the limestone islets, karsts and caves. The sights you will visit vary, but you may stop at a vibrant fishing village to learn about local life or a cave to appreciate its interesting rock formations with your leader, then you’ll retire to the boat for a seafood lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have opportunities to swim, kayak or simply relax on the beach. This evening, dine on the boat’s deck and watch the sun go down. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your main luggage can be left in the hotel in Hanoi. The itinerary is subject to slight variations based on weather conditions and local regulations. Some sights are accessed via staircases and pathways can be a little uneven and slippery, so good walking shoes or sandals will be useful. Swimming in the bay from the boats is banned. Kayaking is restricted to designated zones within the bay. Your wooden boat has twin-share cabins with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning. Due to the limited cabins on board, the single supplement is excluded and accommodation will be on a twin-share basis. Local authorities only permit a limited number of boats to stay overnight in Ha Long Bay. To ensure all travellers can be accommodated on board available boats, on occasion you will stay on a larger boat and share your boat with another group. Or, your group may be split across different vessels, in which case a group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same. To arrange the best possible boat, the overnight on Ha Long Bay may be moved 1 day prior due to availability. If this is the case, you’ll tour Hanoi the day after the Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.

In the morning, enjoy breakfast on board the boat and perhaps take part in some optional Tai Chi to start off the day. Sail back to the port, disembark and travel back to Hanoi. Arriving back in the capital, enjoy some time to wander around and enjoy some of the city’s attractions that you may have missed the first time. You can shop on Hang Gai Street or perhaps enjoy some afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel. In the evening, join your group and leader for a final dinner in a Hanoi restaurant, sharing stories and reflecting on the highlights of your adventure with your newfound friends. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. Thinking of exploring more of Northern Vietnam after your trip? Then check out our Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) for an off-the-beaten path discovery of Pu Long and Ninh Binh. Or, you can try our Hiking In Sapa (TVAG) for dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colourful hill tribes.