Vietnam and Cambodia, From Hanoi to Phnom Penh

Escape to Vietnam and Cambodia with a trip extension to Koh Rong 4^*

Arrival in Hanoi and welcome at the airport by our driver.

Transfer to the city and then free time to rest or explore the city on your own.

Please make your own dining arrangements. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Please note: rooms are available from 2 p.m.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit to the beautiful city of Hanoi, known as the "Paris of the East" on account of its colonial architecture, tree-lined boulevards, and picturesque lakes.

Stop off at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes the mausoleum and its floating house, to pay tribute to the nation's founder. The complex also includes the ancient One Pillar Pagoda, which predates the city itself. Continue on to Hanoi's oldest pagoda, located on an island in the western lake and known as Tran Quoc.

In the afternoon, you will visit Vietnam's first university, the Temple of Literature. Stroll through the old quarter, famous for its "36 streets" (for 36 trades).

Hoan Kiem Lake**, also known as the "Lake of the Returned Sword", is a magnificent place to end your visit by taking a stroll and admiring the scenery.

In the evening, you'll enjoy a puppet show on the water.

Make your own dinner arrangements. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

You will then take a shared bus to Ha Long Bay, passing through the Red River delta, for a memorable cruise.

Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is an extraordinary site consisting of thousands of limestone islands and islets covered in lush vegetation, offering breathtaking seascapes and an unforgettable cruising experience. You'll be amazed by the stunning karst landscape with its various different formations. Ha Long Bay is full of hidden caves and caverns, and we'll take time to explore one of them.

On arrival, the crew will welcome you on board the boat with a refreshing welcome drink, and then the cruise will begin! While sailing through emerald waters and limestone islands, a lunch of delicious fresh seafood is served.

Dinner on board. In the evening, night fishing is available on request.

Night on board.

Please note:

• This itinerary is subject to change depending on weather conditions and boat availability.
• English-speaking guide to be shared on the boat.
• No guide for the Hanoi - Ha Long - Hanoi transfer.

Start the day with an on-board Tai Chi demonstration, which combines deep breathing and relaxation with slow, gentle movements.

Enjoy a light breakfast and brunch as the boat continues its cruise around the bay, passing through the most beautiful and peaceful areas.

You will disembark at around 10:30 - 11 a.m. and will be transferred to Hanoi on the cruise provider's shared bus to Hanoi, then by private car to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue.

Welcome by your driver and transfer by private car to your hotel for check-in.

Make your own dinner arrangements and overnight stay in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today, you will visit the Imperial Citadel, constructed from 1804 onwards under the orders of the first emperor Gia Long. Remarkable on account of its fortress-like appearance, entrenched right in the heart of the city, it spans an area of more than 10 kilometres.

Afterwards, you will visit the garden houses, typical of the city of Hue. Constructed according to the rules of geomancy, these dwellings maintain the continuity between the countryside and the city and exude absolute serenity.

The afternoon will be dedicated to a visit to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, one of the most beautiful sites in Hue, which exudes tranquillity and is a prime example of traditional Vietnamese art. It will also be an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty (16th-20th centuries) and the French colonial invasion.

The tour continues with the Tu Hieu pagoda, close to the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc.

Stroll to the Dong Ba Market where you will have free time to stroll around and make a few purchases.

Make your own dinner arrangements and overnight stay in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel and a free morning to explore the city on your own or enjoy the hotel swimming pool.

In the afternoon, you will leave Hue for the city of Danang with your driver, taking the spectacular "Ocean Cloud Pass" road. This road, which overlooks the bay, offers a panoramic view like no other.

You will arrive in Hoi An at the end of the day.

Make your own dinner arrangements and overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time to explore the city at your own pace.

Hoi An offers the perfect combination of culture, history, culinary traditions, and relaxation, making it an unmissable destination on your visit to Vietnam.

Suggested sightseeing:

Stroll through the Old Town: Explore the picturesque streets of Hoi An's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and discover its well-preserved ancient architecture.

Tours of ancient temples and pagodas: Visit ancient religious sites such as the Fukian Temple, the Quan Cong pagoda, and the Japanese pagoda bridge.

Shopping: Explore the local markets and craft shops for unique souvenirs such as bespoke clothing, silk items, and handicrafts.

Beach trip: soak up the sun on nearby sandy beaches such as An Bang Beach, ideal for relaxing and swimming.

Boat trip: Take a trip along the Thu Bon River to discover the daily life of the local people and admire the picturesque scenery.

Vietnamese cookery classes: Take part in cookery classes to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes. A gourmet experience that is not to be missed.

Make your own dinner arrangements and overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time to explore the town on your own before you are transferred (without a guide) to Da Nang Airport for your afternoon flight to Siem Reap.

Meet your driver for your transfer by private car to the hotel.

Make your own dinner arrangements. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

With your guide, you will begin your visit by the famous temple of Angkor Wat.

Angkor Wat is an iconic archaeological site in Cambodia, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992, and home to the world's largest religious temple, known for its impressive architecture, detailed bas-reliefs, and historical significance as a symbol of ancient Khmer civilisation.

Visit to the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara.

We will continue with a visit the fabulous Ta Prohm, enveloped by the roots of enormous trees and gigantic lianas.

Make your own dinner arrangements and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

This day will be devoted to an excursion to Kbal Spean, to the north of Angkor. In the 11th century, hermits sculpted the sandstone bed of the river that fed Angkor, depicting "lingas", or phallic symbols, which were considered sources of fertility. A 45-minute walk through the forest will take you to the site.

The tour continues with a visit to Banteay Srei, the "Citadel of Women" dedicated to Shiva, featuring architecture and pink sandstone sculptures that are a masterpiece of Khmer art.

Stop to observe the work taking place in the rice fields and the palm sugar harvesting methods. On the way back, you will visit Sras Srang, the "Pool of Ablutions", and the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei. The latter is particularly picturesque, abandoned and overgrown with lush vegetation.

Please make your own dining arrangements.

Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Note: There is a 1.5 km uphill trek through the forest to reach the Kbal Spean waterfall. We suggest you bring a small fan or insect repellent. The best time to visit Kbal Spean is between July and December.

In the morning, your driver will take you to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Sihanoukville.

You will then be met and driven by your driver to the port of Sihanoukville, from where you will take a non-private speedboat (journey time approx. 45 minutes-1 hour) to the island of Koh Rong.

Check-in at your hotel and end of the day at leisure.

Please make your own dining arrangements. Overnight stay on Koh Rong.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a completely free day (no driver/vehicle available) to discover the island at your leisure.

Koh Rong is a tropical paradise island. Popular activities include relaxing on the white sandy beaches, snorkelling to explore the colourful seabed, hiking through the jungle for breathtaking views, and visiting local fishing villages for cultural immersion. Enjoy spectacular sunsets and the peaceful atmosphere of this secluded, unspoilt destination.

Please make your own dining arrangements.

Overnight stay on Koh Rong.

You'll have the day completely free (transfer service and driver unavailable) to relax on the beach or by the pool.

Please make your own dining arrangements.

Overnight stay on Koh Rong.

After breakfast, you will board a speedboat from the island of Koh Rong to Sihanoukville, where our driver will meet you and transfer you to the city of Phnom Penh (approximately 3 hours drive, depending on traffic).

Please make your own dining arrangements. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh.

Free time until our driver transfers you to Phnom Penh Airport for your return flight.

Please make your own dining arrangements.

Note: The room is only available until midday. Late check-out is not included and is available at an additional cost, subject to hotel availability.

Please note that Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) is currently entering a phase of gradual closure. The new Techo International Airport (KTI) will take over from September 9. Depending on your date of travel, your return flight may therefore depart from either of these airports.

VIETNAM

Since 15 August 2023, British nationals have been exempt from any visa requirements for stays of up to 45 days** (including days of arrival and departure), regardless of the type of passport or the purpose of the stay.

To benefit from this visa exemption, The expiry date of the British passport must not be less than six months before the end of the stay in Vietnam.

Tourist visa exemption (maximum of 45 days, including entry and exit days), e-visa (maximum of 90 days, including multiple entry and exit days), and tourist visas in general are not extendable or renewable once in Vietnam. Neither the British Embassy in Hanoi nor the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City can intervene in these matters, which are the responsibility of the Vietnamese authorities.

CAMBODIA

All trips to Cambodia require insurance covering hospitalisation and repatriation costs, which cannot be covered by the embassy under any circumstances.

Passport & Visa

It is also compulsory to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months.

Travel to Cambodia also requires a visa.

Visas can be obtained in a number of different ways (the price of a visa may vary by a few dollars depending on the method used; bring some cash in USD as payment by bank card is not always available):

Prior to departure, online (e-visa): tourist visa (type "T");

Prior to departure, at the Cambodian embassy in your country of residence;

On arrival, at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap International Airports, at dedicated immigration counters, on payment of a USD 30 fee for a 1-month tourist visa (type "T").

British nationals born to at least one Cambodian parent are entitled to a free, permanent "K-type" visa. This visa can be issued by the Cambodian embassy in London or on arrival at the airport, subject to proof of filiation with a parent of Cambodian nationality (father or mother). You will need a full copy of your birth certificate, that of the parent(s) concerned and proof of nationality (passport or Cambodian identity card) of the parent(s) concerned.

The following transfers are included in the offer:

• Transfer from Hanoi Airport to your Hanoi hotel in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver (day 1)
• Transfers between the stages mentioned above in a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver.
• Round-trip transfer from Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Hanoi by limousine shuttle provided by the cruise provider (days 3 and 4)
• Domestic flight Hanoi - Hue (day 4), including airport tax with 10 kg hand luggage and 1 piece of 23 kg checked luggage
• Domestic flight Danang - Siem Reap (day 8), including airport tax with 10 kg hand luggage and 1 piece of 23 kg checked luggage
• Flight Siem Reap - Sihanoukville (day 11)
• Transfer by speedboat from Sihanoukville Port to Koh Rong (day 11) and Koh Rong to Sihanoukville (day 14)
• Transfer from Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh in a private air-conditioned vehicle (day 14)
• Transfer from Phnom Penh hotel to Phnom Penh Airport in a private air-conditioned vehicle (day 15)

Note: No transfer service is included on free days.