14 Day Highlights Of Vietnam & Cambodia
This tour is categorised as 4 out of 5
Packed itinerary with maximum exploration: Embark on a whirlwind sightseeing tour with minimal downtime. This tour maximises your exploration, keeping you on the move and ticking off must-see locations. A good fitness level and mobility are required to keep pace with this action-packed adventure!
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.
A combination of 3 or 4 star quality properties. Stays are comfortable, clean and offering a comfortable overnight stay for the budget concious travel who seeks value for money.
Hotel stars are based on local ratings provided and the expected standard may differ depending on the destination. Hotels listed within the itinerary are indicative of the typical hotel we intend to use for that package but is subject to change.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
Make the most of your cruise and travel independently, with everything organised for you. Your international flights, pre-cruise stay, and cruise are organised so all you have to do is relax and enjoy your time at sea. Of course, there is the option of extending your tour if you don’t want to head straight to the airport upon disembarkation.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ Small, intimate group experience – no more than 20 people
✓ Return international airfares with a full-service airline
✓ All airport and port transfers
✓ All coach transportation
✓ 11 nights in quality 3 to 4-star accommodation
✓ 1 night cruising the stunning Halong Bay in a Deluxe Ocean View Cabin
✓ Daily breakfast, 6 lunches and 1 dinner, including a French fine dining lunch experience in Phnom Penh
✓ Professional, English-speaking guides throughout
✓ Incredible sightseeing, such as the famous Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, the UNESCO-listed temples of Angkor Wat, Hanoi’s Tran Quoc Pagoda and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, the Royal Palace compound in Phnom Penh
✓ 24/7 customer service and your own Dedicated Support Agent
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.
Chào Mừng! Welcome to Vietnam and Hanoi. You’ll be met on arrival at Hanoi airport and transferred to your hotel.
It’s no wonder Hanoi is fondly referred to as the cultural capital of Vietnam. With lots to do and see, it’s a fascinating mix of old and modern Vietnam. Hanoi street life is crowded and hectic – with motorbikes whizzing by, just crossing the road can be an adventure. Hanoi is known for its street food and you’ll find vendors all over the city, especially in the Old Quarter. Don’t forget to try the local delicacies, whether it’s pho, sticky rice or banh mi.
Take a break at a local coffee shop to experience the popular Hanoi pastime of sipping coffee and watching life in the neighbourhood.
Please note: Some flights may depart the day before.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day from as early as 6am through to late evening. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotels discretion.
We’ll see the city with a guided tour today. First stop is tranquil Tran Quoc Pagoda, located near West Lake. This 1400-year-old temple is the oldest in the city and very peaceful and scenic.
We’ll then visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, containing a museum and Ho Chi Minh’s final resting place. Ho Chi Minh is undoubtedly one of the most important leaders Vietnam has ever seen and this is a place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese. See ‘Uncle Ho’s Stilt House’, the simple two-room dwelling where he lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. You’ll have a chance to visit the mausoleum. Nearby, sitting in a lotus pond, view the miniature One Pillar Pagoda. It’s a reconstruction of the original 11th century temple.
We’ll visit beautiful Van Mieu, or Temple of Literature. The template dates back to 1070, and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius. Note the peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways – this is one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Afterwards, we’ll explore Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain), dedicated to the national hero Tran Hung Dao. The temple, with its famous bright red Huc Bridge, is in the centre of Hoan Kiem Lake.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
The tour starts at 18:00 with a walk around the vibrant and historic Old Quarter to visit family-run stalls and local restaurants serving up popular authentic fare. You’ll discover Vietnamese cuisine, culture, people and language. It’s difficult to find these food stalls and culinary delights on your own in the hidden alleys and sidewalks. You’ll watch and taste about 6-8 dishes. Your guide will tell you about the history of the Old Quarter – it’s about one thousand years old and retains much of the old atmosphere that made the area special in earlier times. The tour wraps up at 9pm.
Starts: approx: 6pm
Duration: approx: 3 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
After breakfast, we’ll leave Hanoi for Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a few hours drive – a journey through the Red River Delta with lush rice fields, water buffalo and a glimpse into Vietnamese rural life.
When we arrive at Tuan Chau Harbor, we’ll proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome on board, lunch will be served while cruising towards Halong Bay.
First stop is the pearl farm, home to the long-time local tradition of pearl harvesting. There’s also a chance for kayaking. We’ll then visit Titop Island before continuing through the bay, admiring the dramatic, fascinating rock formations. In the evening, you can join a cooking class onboard and learn to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes, like spring rolls.
Dinner is a seafood BBQ served onboard, followed by evening entertainment like chess, karaoke, squid fishing and cards.
Early risers will enjoy a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck, followed by breakfast, with those beautiful morning views of the bay’s landscape.
We’ll stop at Sung Sot Cave (Amazing Cave), where a guide will help you explore the cave. We’ll then continue to cruise though the magnificent rock formations, back towards port. Lunch will be served onboard before disembarking to transfer back to Hanoi. There will be a brief stop in Hai Duong province to visit a ceramics workshop.
When you arrive back in Hanoi, the rest of the day is yours.
It’s a free day until your evening flight to Ho Chi Minh City. when you arrive, you'll be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the night is yours to relax or explore the city.
This morning we’ll take a scenic drive passing through the rural beauty of northern Vietnam to arrive at Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Here we’ll visit the temples of Dinh Tien Hoang (first emperor of Vietnam) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh (of the Le dynasty, 980-1009). Hoa Lu’s ancient citadel used to cover an area of approximately three square kilometres, with palaces, temples, defensive walls and shrines. However, now only a few temples of past greatness remain. After seeing these temples, we’ll continue our drive to Tam Coc town for a Vietnamese lunch. We can make photo stops on the way as these dramatic landscapes are beautiful. Famous for its flooded cave system under the amazing limestone karsts that define its landscape, Tam Coc is part of the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch, enjoy a boat ride along Ngo Dong River, passing through paddy fields and limestone karst formations to get to Tam Coc caves – the name means ‘three caves’. No doubt this will be the highlight of the day – Hang Ca (First Cave) is the longest and most beautiful, around 127 metres long with a ceiling about two metres high above the water.
Starts: approx: 8am
Duration: approx: 10 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
You’ll spend the day exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, an elaborate network of more than 120 kilometres of underground tunnels and chambers, built by Vietnamese guerrillas to hide and fight against rival forces. Now a popular tourist attraction, here you’ll learn about the many kinds of booby traps used during the Vietnam War. Your guide will explain the methods of creating, maintaining and living in these tunnels, as well as the special technique for hiding smoke invented by the guerrillas. You’ll also visit different types of underground halls, secret spots and meeting rooms.
Afterwards, enjoy tea and cassava, typical wartime fare for the guerrillas. Watch a short 15 minute documentary about the tunnel before you return to Ho Chi Minh City.
It’s a free day to continue exploring this hectic, fascinating city.
A feast for the senses, Ho Chi Minh City is interesting, vibrant and moves at a frenetic pace. There are well-preserved colonial structures and war relics from the devastating Vietnam War. At the Reunification Palace, see where the first communist North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the gates in April 1975, resulting in Saigon’s official surrender.
Being Vietnam’s largest city, there are plenty of shopping options, ranging from high end, to major department stores and bustling markets.
In Ho Chi Minh City you’ll find downright daring dishes – like deep-fried snake or barbecued scorpion. But don’t worry, all your favourites are here. The city loves its street food, with great food on every block. Banh mi, pho, the crispy savory snack banh xeo, noodle soups like bun rieu and of course banh cuon, best described as noodle-wrapped spring rolls. Coffee is a national obsession in Vietnam and iced coffee is a must, a dark roast sweetened with condensed milk poured over ice.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
Meet your private guide at Ben Thanh Market and take a bus with the locals to Chinatown, where you’ll visit a fruit market. Enjoy a fruit tasting and head towards Le Quang Sung Street, a must-visit for a glimpse of Vietnamese life. It’s the only place in town to purchase wedding betel and areca – betel leaves and areca nuts or flowers are very important in Vietnamese marriage ceremonies. You’ll learn about Vietnamese and Chinese communities as you continue to Binh Tay Market, known for its beautiful Sino-French architecture. Wander and take in the atmosphere and peruse the food stands while your local guide tells you more about life in Ho Chi Minh City. Next stop is 19th-century Cha Tham Church, a decaying light-caramel-painted church with a sleepy, tropical feel. We’ll then visit markets like Kim Bien and Dai Quang Minh. The latter is heaven for Saigon creatives, full of shops that sell countless supplies for sewing and crafting. We’ll continue to beautiful temples where you can practise traditional gestures by making wishes for good fortune. Take in the sacred atmosphere of Thien Hau Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the seafarers. We’ll stop for a coffee break at one of the oldest cafes in town, where coffee is brewed the traditional way with an old-fashioned cloth strainer and a clay pot. The tour will end at Ban Co Market, where locals shop.
Starts: approx: 8am
Duration: approx: 3 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
You’ll be picked up at your hotel to travel to the Mekong Delta – the ‘rice bowl of Vietnam’ – with its green rice paddies, lush fruit orchards and winding rivers. Upon arrival in My Tho, you’ll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda with its unique blend of architectural styles. Afterwards, take a cruise around the intricate small canals and observe how locals go about daily life. See how they make coconut candy and chat to the friendly vendors about life in the Mekong Delta. We’ll stroll through an orchard and sample some tropical fresh fruits while enjoying traditional music. Visit a honey bee farm and taste special hot tea straight from the farm. After a delicious lunch, you’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City at 5pm.
Starts: approx: 8am
Duration: approx: 9 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
You’ll be picked up and taken to the Giant Ibis office for your transfer to Phnom Penh. It takes about six hours, including immigration procedures.
On arrival, you’ll be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours in Cambodia’s busy capital.
You’ll find beautiful architecture everywhere, from ancient temples to ‘new Khmer’, the term given to buildings erected after Cambodia’s independence in 1953. The art deco Central Market, with its distinctive domed building with four wings, is a great place to wander. It’s buzzing. It was once said to be the largest market in Asia.
For a refreshing tipple, head to tourist favourite Elephant Bar, at the iconic Raffles Hotel Le Royal. It’s an institution around here for afternoon tea and happy hour, home to one of Asia’s largest selections of gin. Try the Femme Fatale, their signature cocktail first made for Jacqueline Kennedy during her visit in 1967.
Giant Ibis bus service: This is a public and well-known bus transfer service. You will have an English speaking driver on-board, wifi (though connectiity at times can be an issue), complimentary water, air-conditioning and comfortable leg room. Please keep in mind that there are no toilets on-board the bus service. The bus will have scheduled rest stops for lunch near Moc Bai, where customers can order a meal and rest, while the bus staff do all the immigration paperwork, and then deliver the passport back to customers.
For group sizes between 2-4 passengers, our driver will pick customers up from their hotel and transfer them to Giant Ibis bus. On the bus, there is a driver and a Bus assistant, who can speak English and will be very help full with immigration procedures. They will collect the passports of customers and help them obtain their exit stamp from Vietnam and Visa on arrival to Cambodia (Visa cost USD$35 per person). IMPORTANT: if you entered Vietnam with an e-visa, you MUST have a copy of the actual e-visa with you when crossing the border into Cambodia, therefore please ensure keep your copy as well as having USD$37 cash, rather than USD$35 per person, as there is a $2 surcharge in this case.
We’ll see the sights on a half-day tour, starting with the city’s walkable riverfront. We’ll visit the beautiful Royal Palace compound, built in 1866 and set in exquisite gardens. The ornate Silver Pagoda (also known as the ‘Temple of the Emerald Buddha’) displays plenty of Buddha statues that are decorated and made with diamond, emerald, gold and silver – it’s especially famous for its Emerald Buddha statue and a modest 90kg Gold Buddha statue encrusted with thousands of diamonds.
Next stop is the Independence Monument, constructed in 1958 after Cambodia regained their independence from French colonial rule. It is now also a memorial to Cambodia’s war dead. The majestic tower, rising 20 metres in the air as a blooming lotus, is modelled on Angkor Wat’s central tower.
You’ll see the National Museum, a distinctive red building that’s a shining example of traditional Khmer architecture. Built in 1920, it contains more than 5000 artifacts and houses the largest collection of Khmer art in the world. Then we’ll visit the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum (also known as S21), where we’ll learn about the turbulent and harrowing history of Khmer Rouge’s reign in the 1970s. Located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, this museum – ironically a former school – was the infamous Khmer Rouge high-security prison and torture centre.
We’ll enjoy a sumptuous lunch at Topaz, a landmark for French fine dining in the heart of Phnom Penh. Afterwards, you are free to explore the city on your own.
It’s about a six-hour drive to Siem Reap through the Cambodian countryside. Watch the landscapes change through rural farm country and see the unique modes of transport the locals use to carry their wares.This route will be conducted on a private coach with your guide.
On arrival in Siem Reap, the rest of the evening is at your leisure. The city is known for its nightlife, and a great place to soak up the backpacker atmosphere is Pub Street in downtown Siem Reap. Elsewhere, you’ll find plenty of options, from high end to budget and everything in between. Don’t forget about the karaoke bars, either!
This is what you’ve been waiting for. We’ll head off in the morning to discover the most famous of all the temples on the Angkor plain: Angkor Wat. There isn’t much that matches the magnificence of this temple complex, one of the largest religious monuments ever built.
The temple complex covers about 500 acres and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. This 12th-century masterpiece is considered to be a prime example of classic Khmer art and architecture and its depiction appears on the national flag. Built to represent Mount Meru, its distinctive five towers symbolise the five peaks of the mountain; the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat symbolises the ocean.
The jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers entwined in the stone foundations of the traditional structure, giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. It has a romantic, haunted charm. We’ll explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples including Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado.
Visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom, once the capital of the Khmer empire. See the well preserved South Gate, with its huge statues depicting the Hindu mythology of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk. We’ll visit Bayon Temple, famous for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. We’ll also see the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Note: if you are interested in experiencing Angkor Wat during sunrise or sunset, you are welcome to visit again tomorrow when you have free time, as your pass will cover you for two days.
It’s a free day for you to explore Siem Reap today, with more to this city than simply being the gateway to the ruins of Angkor.
It’s home to Southeast Asia’s largest butterfly enclosure, a working butterfly farm with thousands flying freely around a large, enclosed tropical garden.
For authentic local food, head to Phsar Chas, the Old Market. You’ll find crispy fried tarantulas as well as other tamer delicacies like fried banana kebabs. The Angkor Night Market, with over 200 bamboo hut stalls, is open until midnight.
The Angkor National Museum is the perfect place to learn more about the history of the Angkorian period. A more sombre experience is the Landmine Museum, highlighting the ongoing danger and the efforts still being made to clear the country’s landmines.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
This morning we’ll visit Kompong Phluk, a cluster of three villages. The villages are primarily Khmer with about 3000 inhabitants between them, mostly living in stilt houses. The locals depend largely on fishing and tourism. We’ll embark on a traditional wooden boat through the flooded forests of the Great Tonle Sap Lake, to visit this amazing floating village built on eight to ten metre high stilts. We’ll visit an island pagoda, a school and traditional stilt houses to meet local families.
Starts: approx: 8am
Duration: approx: 3 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
You may choose to include 2 optional Inspiring Sights throughout your tour, free as part of your package.
It’s an early morning start to drive out of town, about 35km, to visit the famous 10th-century Banteay Srei (Citadel of Women). This pink sandstone temple is known for its fine, intricate carvings. We’ll then stop at Bakong Temple, the first of Angkor’s large mountain temples. The next stop is Kompong Phluk, a cluster of three villages. The villages are primarily Khmer with about 3000 inhabitants between them, mostly living in stilt houses. The locals depend largely on fishing and tourism. We’ll embark on a traditional wooden boat through the flooded forests of the Great Tonle Sap Lake, to visit this amazing floating village built on eight to ten metre high stilts. We’ll visit an island pagoda, a school and traditional stilt houses to meet local families.
Starts: approx: 8am
Duration: approx: 9 hours
Please note the start and duration times outlined are subject to change based on factors beyond our control such as traffic and weather conditions. Your Tour Guide will confirm operation times with you whilst on-tour and can answer any further questions you may have.
After breakfast, you’ll have some free time in the morning before checking out at noon. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this extraordinary journey.
Check out: Passengers will be departing at various times throughout the day. Standard hotel check-out times will apply no matter what time your flight is scheduled to depart. Check-out time is generally anywhere from 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time. Please note this service is subject to availability and will likely come at an additional cost. Your tour guide (or hotel staff) will confirm the time of your airport transfer with you directly.
Arrive home today after your amazing adventure, we hope you have been Inspired!
Inspiring Tastes
Inspiring Sights
To enhance your journey, we're offering guests 2 bonus sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 6 options (further details listed under 'Optional Tours')
Inspiring Stays
For further details on your Halong Bay cruise, please click HERE.
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Airfare Information
Full-service airline used will be Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines or similar.
Flights are not direct and include a maximum of two connections
If you would like to travel with a preferred airline, please ensure you mention this in the special request field. Please note that appropriate fare and tax difference will be applicable in order to confirm your request.
Melbourne and Sydney clients will most likely fly direct with Vietnam Airlines
Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide clients will most likely fly with Singapore Airlines
Adelaide customers will likely require two stops in either direction
All tickets will include 20 kilos checked baggage per person, along with 7 kilos of hand luggage.
Despite the airlines baggage allowance, we recommend travelling with 20 kilos per person due to restrictions with internal flights (where applicable), as well as coach and train transportation. Also, you will be responsible for handling your luggage at all times as the services of porters is not included. If travelling over this amount, you will be liable for any excess baggage fees enforced by the airline, payable direct.
Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable; any changes will be subject to the airline rules and change fees
Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required
Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control
Premium Economy or Business Class upgrades
Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable, or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund.
Land Only discount
A reduction of $700 per person applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. To purchase a land-only fare, please select this option in the booking process under 'Departure City'.
Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, please refer to the ‘Extra services’ section for pricing.
Extending Your Stay
Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre- and/or post-tour or including a stopover in another destination. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps:
By choosing to extend your stay, please note that a supplement of $150 per person, plus applicable fare and tax differences will apply. We will contact you via email with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, and then proceed with collecting the additional payment required to confirm your request.
You can enhance your holiday by arriving or departing before or after the tour, adding a stopover package en-route or booking a tour extension. On this tour you can choose from the following options:
Airport chauffeur
Take the hassle out of getting to the airport with private chauffeur transfers to and from your home airport. Your personal chauffeur will meet and greet you, attend to your luggage and drive you to your destination in a luxury vehicle.
Additional surcharges may apply depending on pick-up time, tolls and government levies.
Airport Chauffeur 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 this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
Pre and post tour accommodation (deviating from group flights forfeits your group airport transfers)
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Your transfer may be shared with other Inspiring Vacations customers.
Please specify in the 'Special Request' field when making your purchase your preferred travel arrangements and if you would like our team to book additional nights' accommodation and/or airport transfers. The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice and are subject to availability.
Airport lounges
Escape busy airport terminals and relax at a cosy and catered lounge instead. Departure lounge access in Sydney $70 per person (up to 6 hours); Melbourne & Brisbane $55 per person (up to 3 hours).
Airport lounge passes 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 this service, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance.
To enhance your journey, we're offering 2 free sightseeing experiences out of a choice of 6 options, listed below. Guests can also purchase any of the remaining 4 sightseeing experiences:
Please note - on Days 7 and 12, only one optional can be chosen on each day, as they run simultaneously.
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 or speaking with your Dedicated Support Agent for assistance.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 65 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.
Entry requirements
We wish to advise that there has been an update to the entry requirements for future travel to Vietnam. As of Saturday the 7th of March 2020, all travellers are required to fill in a medical status declaration prior to entering the country. For more information, please visit our Travel Update page or your Dedicated Support agent.
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.
This particular tour is categorised as a “3”:
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
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$10-20 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 $465 per person in addition to the twin share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
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.
A visa is required for travel to Vietnam. The visa is easiest to complete online and takes approximately 72 hours to confirm.
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:
For Cambodia, you will obtain your visa when crossing the border from Vietnam to Cambodia. The cost of the Cambodian Visa is USD$35 per person. Your driver of guide will collect your passports and assist in getting your stamp and visa.
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.
IMPORTANT: if you entered Vietnam with an e-visa, you MUST have a copy of the actual e-visa with you when crossing the border into Cambodia, therefore please ensure keep your copy as well as having USD$37 cash, rather than USD$35 per person, as there is a $2 surcharge in this case.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation, including e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
6-20 people.
Trip Style - Small Group Tour
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. You will travel with only a maximum of 20 other guests. Enjoy choice features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style. 6-20 people.
Children
Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Vietnam.
14 Sep 2020
Bright, vibrant, sweet, spicy and healthy to boot. Is there a better cuisine then Vietnamese? One of the best things about any trip to Vietnam is the exquisite food. From street side noodle stalls by the beach in Hoi An to fine dining along the side of the West Lake in Hanoi – the delicate tastes created across the cou...
14 Sep 2020
Lush paddy fields, Jungle mountains, tropical beaches, Vietnam has it all when it comes to the gifts from the gods For a country not even the size of California, Vietnam has pretty much everything you could ask for: lush green paddy fields, tropical jungle, white sandy beaches – it has it all. A relatively narrow str...
14 Sep 2020
Vietnam has been split into north and south far longer than it has been together For those of us old enough to remember, or to at least have seen the movies, Vietnam was split in two – the north was the bad guys and the south was the good guys – or so they told us. For more than 40 years Vietnam has been reunified un...
14 Sep 2020
One of Vietnam’s biggest celebrations is an homage to its ancient past The Hùng Kings Festival (also known as the Death Anniversary of the Hùng Kings) is one of Vietnam’s largest annual celebrations. From the 8th to the 11th of the third lunar month each year, with the main day of celebration on April 18 this year. I...
14 Sep 2020
Vietnam, a consistently popular Southeast Asian country with plenty to offer travellers, can be a year-round destination. But, when is the best time to go? Vietnam is over 1600 km long and experiences diverse weather systems between the north, the central coast and the south. If you are planning on covering a lot...
14 Sep 2020
The Vietnamese new year festival is a chance to explore seasonal cuisine and immerse yourself in local culture What is Tết? Not to be conflated with Chinese New Year, Tết is short for Tết Nguyên Đán and is a Vietnamese celebration that celebrates both the arrival of spring and the Vietnamese New Year. In 2024, Tết fa...
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