14 Day Private 5 Star Vietnam & Cambodia
Enjoy the comfort of having your travel arrangements all to yourself. From the exclusivity of having your own transportation to your own expert English-speaking guide who in most cases will accompany you throughout the entire tour unless stated.
This tour is escorted by local city guides in each location. The local guides will join you during the included activities and local representatives will assist with transfer arrangements. 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.
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.
✓ Private tour, enjoy the comfort and personalised service of private touring
✓ Private in-depth sightseeing
✓ Private air-conditioned transportation
✓ 12 nights in 5-star accommodation
✓ 1 night on a luxury 5-star cruise of Halong Bay
✓ Daily breakfast, 2 lunches and 3 dinners
✓ All internal flights and international flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
✓ The services of a professional, English-speaking tour leader in each city
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! Welcome to Vietnam and its beautiful ancient capital, Hanoi.
On arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be met and privately transferred to your luxury 5-star hotel located in the heart of the city. Take some time to relax and, depending on your arrival time, enjoy the afternoon or evening at your leisure.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Please note: if you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you meet your Hanoi guide and head off on a full day exploration of this charming city.
This morning we will visit Van Mieu, otherwise known as The Temple of Literature. The Confucian temple dates back to 1070, and features peaceful walled courtyards and graceful gateways and is one of the best examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Following this, we continue on to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex from the outside; an impressive mausoleum that houses the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh.
This afternoon we head to the charming Old Quarter where we’ll enjoy a walking tour through Hanoi’s most historic and picturesque neighbourhood. The Old Quarter is the oldest continuously developed area of Vietnam, highlighting more than 1,000 years of history. Explore the network of narrow alleyways known as 'The 36 Streets'. This is a wonderful place to soak up local life, and peruse market items from fabrics to crafts and exotic medicines. Each street was named to reflect the specialised trade of the merchants who had shops there, such as silk traders or jewellers.
Return to your hotel for an evening of leisure, or you may want to join an optional evening tour to explore the city’s incredible food culture.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
In the hotter summer months the touring will be early morning and late afternoon for a more comfortable experience.
Experience a magical water puppet show at a traditional Vietnamese theatre in Hanoi. Marvel at the ancient art form of water puppetry made famous throughout the world for their skills operating the puppets on a water stage set to music, with modern special effects. Following the performance, your guide will take you on a culinary journey with a guided walk through the bustling Old Quarter and explore the various street foods on offer. Your guide will help you traverse the winding side streets full of pop-up restaurants which offer truly local food like bánh cuốn (rice rolls with pork and herbs inside), bánh gối (pillow cake), and many kinds of noodle dish, such as bún chả, phở. Depending on your preferences the guide will explain what is in each dish so you can choose the one you like the best, to try. You will be surprised how tasty these dishes are and how unique they are to Hanoi. A highlight is a stop at a ‘Bia Hoi’ store in the Old Quarter where you get to sample fresh, local homemade beer - famous all over Hanoi and other areas of northern Vietnam.
Start time: 6.00pm
Duration: 3 hours
Includes: Transfers, Water Puppet Show & guided street food dinner
*Please note: a minimum of 2 passengers is required to operate
This morning we depart for a leisurely drive to Tuan Chau Port. Upon arrival at this port city we will board our luxury Halong Bay cruise.
Onboard, enjoy a complimentary drink and take a seat in the lounge before a short welcome briefing with fellow guests. You’ll be shown to your luxury cabin where you can enjoy rich oak interiors, with high windows, a bathtub with a seaview and private balconies to make the most of the incredible views during your cruise. Enjoy a decadent lunch onboard made with fresh local ingredients as you cruise through Halong Bay and into Lan Ha Bay.
In the afternoon, the cruise anchors at Tra Bau area, known for its natural beauty and spectacular view of the limestone islands. Guests are free to relax, kayak and swim around the boat. Enjoy a feast of local Vietnamese specialties for dinner before retiring for the evening. Alternatively, you may wish to enjoy the ship’s evening activities including squid fishing with help from the crew.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Please note - the final cruise itinerary is subject to change upon weather condition or chosen cruise.
Rise early to experience the magical dawn over the sea. In Vietnam, the "East Sea" is poetically referred to as the "Eastern Sea," and watching the sunrise over the bay’s scattered islets is truly a sight to behold. Start your day with a rejuvenating Tai Chi lesson or enjoy some peaceful time in your cabin.
After breakfast, the cruise continues through stunning areas where nearly every islet is named for its shape or unique features. Take in the serene beauty as you visit the Dark & Bright grottoes and islets by traditional rowing boats, exploring the untouched and mysterious landscapes of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
As the cruise heads back to the mainland, enjoy a leisurely brunch on board. Once docked, bid farewell to the crew and transfer back to the wharf. From there, we will take you to Hanoi Airport for your flight south to Danang, followed by a transfer to the charming town of Hoi An.
On arrival in Hoi An, we check into our 5-star resort, located only a short walk from the ancient town. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure and make the most of the hotel’s beautiful facilities or take a short walk and wander the ancient streets and canals of this beautifully preserved town.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
This morning enjoy a guided walking tour through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Quarter and spend time mingling with local vendors at the Hoi An Market. Previously known as Faifo, Hoi An was once the most important trading port in the region. Now designated a UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the city is one of the best places to discover well-preserved Vietnamese architecture.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you please. As the sun goes down, the city lights up with a sea of colourful lanterns, giving Hoi An the moniker ‘City of Lanterns.’ Expect a thoroughly photogenic and romantic atmosphere!
Inspiring Highlights
Experience the iconic Hoi An Memories show. The show features more than 500 performers in colourful costumes accompanied by music to create a high-tech show that recounts the history of Hoi An. Round-trip transportation is provided from your hotel.
Start Time: 7:30pm
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Inclusions: Transfers from/to hotel in Hoi An, show ticket, English-speaking guide.
*Please note: the show runs daily, except Tuesdays and a minimum of 2 passengers is required to operate
Enjoy one free day in Hoi An! Explore every corner of this ancient town or just relax on the beach, Cua Dai beach and An Bang beaches are just 4-5km from the old town. Alternatively, you may wish to join the optional tour to the Golden Bridge and Bana Hills.
This evening enjoy an Inspiring Taste as you join a cooking class and learn to make one of Hoi An’s traditional dishes: the white rose dumpling. Following your class, enjoy a delicious dinner before returning to the hotel.
Inspiring Highlights
Begin your day with a transfer to the stunning Ba Na Hills, where you'll embark on a scenic cable car ride that holds five world records. Your first stop is By Night Station, where you will explore Vong Nguyet Hills, the serene Linh Ung Pagoda, and the historic French Colonial Villas.
Afterward, descend by cable car and continue to the majestic Nui Chua Mountain, the highest peak in the Ba Na range. Here, visit the iconic Golden Bridge, a 150-metre-long structure elevated 1,400 metres above sea level, offering panoramic views of the lush mountainscape. Opened in June 2018, the bridge is famously held aloft by two giant stone hands.
The tour continues with visits to Nghinh Phong Peak, Le Nim Villas, and the vibrant Orchid Garden, offering a well-rounded experience of this breathtaking region.
Start Time: 8:30am
Duration: 7 hours
Includes: Transfers from/to hotel in Hoi An, round-trip cable car ticket, buffet lunch, English-speaking guide.
*Please note: a minimum of 2 passengers is required to operate
Enjoy breakfast at the resort before transferring by road to Hue. En route we stop by the picturesque Lap An Lagoon for some amazing photo opportunities, as well as the famous Hai Van Pass.
On arrival in Hue, we board a local dragon boat for a tranquil cruise along the famous Perfume River. The river bore the name Huong (perfume) for over a century as a result of the orchards upstream dropping into the water during autumn and omitting a strong floral scent. We take the cruise to the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda and then a road transfer to visit the Imperial City. Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802 CE, this historic city is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Centre and retains many architectural highlights, temples, and palaces.
Afterwards, we’ll visit the nearby village of Thuy Bieu, well-known for its rustic ancient houses and gardens, before transferring to our hotel for check-in, and an afternoon of leisure and relaxation.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Enjoy breakfast before we transfer to the airport for our included flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formally known as Saigon. With over 9 million people, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, buzzing with activity 24/7.
On arrival, you are transferred to your 5-star hotel located in the heart of this exciting city.
This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City’s most loved sights, including Dong Khoi Street, the city’s major thoroughfare connecting French colonial architecture with modern skyscrapers; the beautiful Saigon Central Post Office with its Neo-classical European architecture and Asian influence, and the War Remnant’s Museum which is home to 20,000 documents, artefacts, and films about the Vietnam War and its consequences.
After a fun and full day of sightseeing, we return to the hotel where the rest of the evening is spent at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and head to Ben Tre, a beautiful tranquil province in the Mekong Delta region. You’ll love its lush green landscapes, winding rivers, and friendly locals. On arrival, we board a boat and cruise along the mighty Mekong taking in scenic canals, islands, floating villages and seeing locals going about their daily lives. The cruise will stop at a local brick factory and a coconut workshop before disembarking to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
Following lunch, we return to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours
Enjoy breakfast before we transfer to the airport for your included flight to Siem Reap, the second-largest city of Cambodia and gateway to the famous ruins of Angkor, the seat of the Khmer kingdom from the 9th–15th centuries.
On arrival you will be welcomed and transferred to you luxury 5-star resort hotel located in an oasis of coconut palms just minutes from the vibrant downtown district.
The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or take a short tuk tuk ride and explore the city on your own.
Today is dedicated to the famous temples of Angkor Wat.
For the early-rises, join the group for a once in a life time experience as we watch the sunrise over Angor Wat temples before returning back to the hotel for breakfast.
Following breakfast we’ll head off to begin discovering 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.
We first visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom City, Byon. Angkor Thom was 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.
In the afternoon, we will explore Ta Prohm Temples. The jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm is an incredible sight with 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. 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 before returning to the hotel where the rest of evening at leisure.
After a delicious breakfast we begin our journey to Phnom Penh. The journey takes approximately 6 hours in total and along the way, we will stop at Tonle Sap Lake and take a boat ride to the fascinating Kampong Phluk Floating Village where houses are built on stilts and floating rafts.
You will have time for lunch (not included) before continuing the journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital which sits at the junction of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap river and was once the hub for both the Khmer Empire and French colonialists. On arrival check into your luxury 5-star hotel located in the heart of the thriving and lively capital city of the “Kingdom of Wonder”.
Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at the FCC Phnom Penh. Known endearingly as “the F,” this French colonial “Mansion” has been a favourite gathering place for countless impromptu meetings and cultural events since its founding in 1993 by a coterie of expat reporters, photographers and humanitarians following the end of the Cambodian-Vietnamese War.
After breakfast we enjoy a guided tour of Phnom Penh. We start with a visit the Tuo Sleng Genoice Museum and learn of the harrowing stories of the Cambodian genocide at the hands of the Khmer Rouge regime. We then continue to the Russian Market, named due to the large Russian expat population back in the '80s and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (not included). Following this, continue to the legendary Wat Phnom, a Buddist temple that stands on the only hill in Phnom Penh which lent the the Cambodian capital its name. Later, we visit the private quarters of the Royal Palace which are now home to the royal family and closed to the general public. At the northern area of the palace grounds we see the impressive Silver Pagoda, the most sacred temple in the country.
Return to your hotel this afternoon for a rest before we enjoy an Inspiring Taste this evening at an included dinner at the Malis Phnom Penh. Embracing traditional cooking techniques but experimenting with flavours and textures, Malis Restaurant delivers a tantalizing array of authentic Cambodian dishes with fresh ingredients like you have never tasted before. Enjoy the finest Cambodian dining experience in Phnom Penh where the secrets of the past are now available for everyone to share.
Your tour concludes at the hotel after breakfast. At the appropriate time you will be privately transferred to the airport.
If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed.
Inspiring Taste
Inspiring Sights
Inspiring Stay
This product requires full payment upfront to secure your booking.
Once you have created your booking you will be directed to your invoice to choose your preferred payment method.
This package is run on a private basis for 2 people. If you have more than 2 people travelling in your party the following discounts apply:
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Passengers
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Room Configuration
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Discount
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2
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1 room
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Price as displayed
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3
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2 rooms
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Price as displayed
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4
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2 rooms
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AUD $400pp
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5
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3 rooms
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AUD $400pp
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6
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3 rooms
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AUD $400pp
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7
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4 room
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AUD $400pp
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8
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4 rooms
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AUD $400pp
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9
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5 rooms
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AUD $400pp
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10 or more
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5 rooms or more
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AUD $500pp
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This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”. By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package.
Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.
Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal.
The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:
The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:
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
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
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.
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 $1,396.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
The Single Supplement applies to a person who wishes to have their own room but who is part of a travelling party. For example, 2 people travelling together who both wish to have their own rooms OR a party of 3 people where 2 people share a twin room and 1 person has a single room. The single supplement would be applicable to the person wishing to stay in their own room.
If you are a solo traveller (travelling on your own), please contact us directly for a quote and to make your booking.
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.
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
Maximum of 2 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:
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
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.
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.
Click HERE for more information on weather in Vietnam.
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