14 Day Highlights Of Vietnam & Cambodia
This tour includes return international airfares. See the Fine Print section for further details.
This tour is categorised as 1 out of 5
Explore at your own pace: Discover your destination at your own pace with our self-guided itinerary. Options include driving, rail, or cruising (excluding expeditions). Enjoy included guided day trips for sightseeing as outlined in your itinerary.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
These tours allow you to experience the destination with a comfortable sized group. You will travel with between a maximum of 26-30 other guests depending on your selected tour. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as a wide range of included sightseeing, comfortable accommodation and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
✓ Return international airfares included with Bamboo Airlines or Vietnam Airlines
✓ Incredible sightseeing, including exploring the vibrant capital Hanoi, historic Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, iconic sights like Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, Cambodia’s Siem Reap, spectacular Angkor temples and Tonle Sap Lake
✓ Comfortable group experience, with no more than 30 people
✓ All domestic flights
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of tour
✓ 11 nights in deluxe, 4-star hotel accommodation
✓ Overnight cruise on a premium traditional junk boat on Halong Bay, including all meals
✓ Dedicated transportation in comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles
✓ Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 1 dinners
✓ Escorted by expert, English-speaking local guides
✓ In-depth sightseeing and all entry fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Chao mung! Or welcome to Vietnam.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the beautiful ancient capital city before a big day of touring tomorrow.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day . If you arrive prior to standard check-in time (generally 3pm), you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and enjoy the hotel facilities or explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
Some flights may depart the night before and fly overnight, to arrive on Day 1
After breakfast, join a city tour of Hanoi and explore the city’s main attractions such as the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda) and Tran Quoc Pagoda - one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. After a morning of sightseeing, visit a local food outlet and learn how Australian beef is imported and sold to Vietnamese customers. Lunch today is included.
2024 itinerary amendment
Please note for 2024 departures you will travel to Halong Bay for the evening of day 2, returning to Hanoi by road on day three. Touring of Hanoi is on day 4 prior to the afternoon flight to Danang.
AUSTRALIAN PREMIUM BEEF WITH A VIETNAMESE TWIST DINNER
Visit a local restaurant where talented chefs combine Australian premium beef and Vietnamese ingredients into a local experience locals can’t have enough of. Pair your meal with a Dalat red wine for a memorable evening full of Vietnamese flavours.
Today, you will travel by coach through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to arrive at Halong Bay. Designated a World Heritage site in 1994, Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands, dotted with wind- and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty.
Upon arrival you will board a ship to visit the thousands of limestone islands filled with caves of all shapes and sizes. The sails of junks and sampans gliding along the clear and emerald waters of the bay form a magnificent scene that blends into the sky. You will also have the opportunity to visit some of the hidden grottoes beneath the towering cliffs.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands, a sight not to be missed! Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy a light lunch before heading back to shore. Your driver will then meet you at the Halong jetty for your drive back to Hanoi in time for the short flight to Da Nang.
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Hoi An. As an important trading route during the 15th to 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a unique blend of culture, cuisine and architecture. Step back in time as you wander the narrow streets of this charming former trading port, with its ancient covered bridges and temples.
Today, enjoy a day of leisure to explore Hoi An or join an optional tour.
Golden Bridge Tour
This morning you’ll be collected from the hotel and transferred to the Ba Na mountains. Travel by cable car to the Marseille station before a short walk to the Golden Bridge. Supported by two giant ‘stone’ hands, the Golden Bridge offers superb views.
Next, walk to the Le Jardin D’Amour - 9 gardens with 9 stories in 9 styles. Continue to the Linh Ung Pagoda to admire its sophisticated architecture together with a 27m high Shakyamuni statue. Finally, catch the cable car downhill and transfer back to Hoi An.
This morning, explore Hoi An on a walking tour, visiting an old merchant’s home, Hoi An Market, a local Chinese temple and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The bridge was first constructed here in the 1590s by the Japanese community.
Over the centuries its style has remained faithful to the original Japanese design. The French flattened the roadway for cars, but the original arched shape was restored in 1986. After lunch, enjoy some free time before a transfer to Da Nang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival at Saigon airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
This morning, continue to Cu Chi Tunnels. During the Vietnam War, guerrilla fighters built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels, using them to hide during bombing raids and to stage surprise attacks. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving visitors a unique understanding of what life was like during the Vietnam War. Later this afternoon, embark on a tour of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon). Visit highlights such as the Post Office, the War Remnant Museum, photograph the Notre Dame Cathedral and soak up the atmosphere at Ben Thanh market, one of Ho Chi Minh’s liveliest areas.
Today is a free day to explore more of Ho Chi Minh City or join an optional excursion.
DINNER ON SAIGON RIVER CRUISE
Dinner on Saigon River Cruise offers an opportunity to witness another side of Saigon.. Hop on your wooden barge and sail down the river. Feel the gentle breeze caressing your skin and enjoy a lovely dinner accompanied by the traditional music and dance performances.
Embark on a cruise on the Ben Tre River visiting local brickworks, a local coconut processing workshop and village to witness traditional handicrafts. Continue taking a motor cart (xe lôi) or cycling through the green rice fields and vegetable plains. Lunch is served at a riverside restaurant. In the afternoon, sail back to Hung Vuong Pier for your return to the city.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Ho Chi Minh City airport and board your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore this vibrant city.
Spend a full day discovering the mystical Angkor temples. Your day starts with a visit to Angkor Wat, then we will visit the ancient Ta Prohm Monastery.
In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom (the Great City) beginning by the south gate and the famous Bayon of the 12th and 13th centuries. Then, journey to the Elephant Terrace and the raised Leper King Terrace, built in the 12th century features many beautifully sculptured Apsaras.
Today enjoy a boat tour of Tonle Sap Lake, a fascinating destination still unknown to most travellers. Locals have built their houses on stilts, offering an exceptional natural environment with breathtaking views of floodplains, rice fields and water vistas as far as the eye can see. You have a chance to take a look at crocodiles raised by a family and see how Vietnamese people live on this large lake. We then return to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Enjoy a day of leisure to explore Siem Reap at your own pace.
After a delicious breakfast and at the appropriate time, you will be transported to Siem Reap airport in time to board your flight home.
Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime.
This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.
If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section
Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Baggage
Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:
Country of Origin |
Carry-on Baggage |
Checked Baggage |
Australia |
7kgs |
20kgs |
New Zealand |
7kgs |
20kgs |
United States of America |
15lbs |
45lbs |
Canada |
15lbs |
45lbs |
India |
7kgs |
20kgs |
United Kingdom |
7kgs |
20kgs |
Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.
Flight requests, amendments or preferences
We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.
To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service? By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:
If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.
FAQs
For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs section.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you feel that your guide and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
For the services of your guide, it is suggested that you budget for AUD$10 per person, per day. Tipping of your driver is also appreciated and we would suggest AUD$5 per person, per day.
As this particular tour does not collect a ‘kitty’, it is entirely up to the individual whether or not you would like to tip locals for the services of things like taxis or when dining at restaurants. In these cases, we suggest you allow 10-20% of the value of the service as a tip. Again, it is not compulsory and entirely up to the individual.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $763.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
VIETNAM:
You will need to arrange your Visas for travel to Vietnam closer to departure. Please note, we don't recommend applying for the e-visa until around 30-45 days prior to your departure.
Visa's are easiest to complete online and take approximately 72 hours to confirm.
You will be able to obtain your e-visa when you have your flight documents indicating your date of entry into Vietnam. Remaining tour documentation, including hotel details, will be sent 4 weeks prior to departure.
Please note the e-visa is limited to 30 days validity from the date of arrival and is only valid for 3 months from date of issue.
You must make sure that the same travel document that was used for applying online is used for entering into Vietnam.
Visit https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn/ to apply for an e-visa.
Information required:
Once approved, please ensure that you travel with the following documentation as they are required to present to customs upon arrival into the country:
You may require a double entry visa for Vietnam if your flights home from Cambodia come via Vietnam.
CAMBODIA:
You will need to arrange for your e-visa to be issued closer to departure. It will cost approx $36US per person. Apply via this link.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements. Visas should not be applied for until you receive your final documentation.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
15-30 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Pre Tour Accommodation
Post Tour Accommodation
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please select the number of extra nights required in the 'Additional Nights Accommodation' field when making your purchase. The additional cost for these arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Vietnam.