Vietnam & Cambodia Walking
Natural & Cultural Wonders from Hanoi to Angkor Wat
Fascinating history, diverse scenery and cultural immersion await on our once-in-a-lifetime journey through Vietnam and Cambodia. Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter, then sail the placid waters of Halong Bay among 3,000 spectacular towering limestone peaks and islands. Experience rural life during walks to small villages through lush countryside. Visit the ancient capital of Hué, where Vietnam’s turbulent history is recorded in its architectural monuments of past empires. Stroll through Hoi An, Vietnam’s oldest city. Fly to Cambodia and discover the ancient temples of Angkor, some of the world’s most breathtaking archaeological treasures.
- Cambodia’s thrilling Angkor Wat ruins
- Hoi An: beautifully preserved and a delight to explore
- Cruise and kayak on gorgeous Halong Bay
- Indulge in some of Asia’s freshest and tastiest cuisine
- The historic monuments of Hué
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1 Hanoi
Meet in Hanoi 
Discover the Old Quarter, with its narrow streets packed with food and flower stalls, and Ngoc Ha, a lively district seldom visited by tourists.
Day 2 Hai Phong
Shuttle to an ancient village for Backroads’ exclusive visit with the local headman Stroll through coastal Hai Phong’s open-air market for a unique look at everyday life.
Days 3-4 Halong Bay
Travel by hydrofoil to Cat Ba Island, then board a Vietnamese junk for a seaborne journey through Halong Bay, a World Heritage site Discover hidden beaches, relax on the deck of our boat or go kayaking Returning to Cat Ba Island, stroll through a broadleaf jungle en route to the remote village of Viet Hai.
Day 5 Hanoi
Climb Tiptop Island for 360-degree views of Halong Bay Shuttle to Hanoi for an afternoon of exploring and shopping.
Day 6 Hue
Fly to Hué, the ancient capital of Vietnam and a World Heritage site On foot, visit the mysterious and imposing Hué Royal Citadel, the site of intense conflict during the Vietnam War.
Days 7-8 Hoi An
Embark on a dragon boat ride up the Perfume River, and walk among riverside villages and imperial mausoleums Visit the World Heritage site of Hoi An, an ancient port town filled with wooden shop houses Learn how to make an authentic Vietnamese dish from ingredients gathered at a local market.
Days 9-11 Siem Reap
Fly to Cambodia and ancient Angkor, where Khmer empires spanning the 9th to 15th centuries ruled Explore awe-inspiring temples, statues and other archaeological wonders well off the beaten path Spend an unforgettable day at the Hindu temple of Angkor Wat 
Meet villagers in the distant fishing community of Tonle Sap.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
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Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
The trip could not have been better. Every aspect was extremely well thought out, researched and coordinated. Despite the relatively tight itinerary there was still an amazing amount of flexibility. No request or need was unmet and both trip leaders were extremely resourceful in accommodating us. It became a bit of a joke on the trip how well things were organized and how good Backroads' local contacts were. We always were wisked through customs. Vans were always available, snacks and drinks just kept on coming, the opportunities to go where other groups did not - to visit homes and to hike through remote villages was particularly impressive. Clearly a great deal of time was spent on making this the spectacular trip that it was.- Philadelphia, PA More about this Trip All Guest Reviews
For 30 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the tour experts. For walking tours and hiking tours in , trust our in-depth connections. To see all our walking tours and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning multisport tours click here.
Vietnam & Cambodia Walking
ASIAN LUXURY: Premiere Inns*
Hotel Sofitel Metropole
Hanoi (2 nights) In the heart of old Hanoi near the Opera House, this five-star French-Colonial gem has garnered accolades from Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler and National Geographic Traveler.
Harbour View Hotel
Hai Phong (1 night) Simple well-appointed rooms overlook the courtyard of this comfortable hotel, the finest in town.
* Casual Inn
Huong Hai Junk
Halong Bay (2 nights) Our comfortable boat sails amid the bay’s surreal karst formations by day and anchors in a quiet cove at night.
* Casual Inn
La Residence Hotel & Spa
Hué (1 night) A blend of Asian opulence and Colonial charm, this deluxe boutique hotel set on the banks of the Perfume River features stylishly decorated guest rooms, a saltwater pool, tennis court and full-service spa.
The Nam Hai
Hoi An (2 nights) Located just outside town on a pristine white-sand beach, this spectacular new seaside resort earns high praise from Andrew Harpers' Hideaway Report.
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Siem Reap (2 nights) This historic hotel on the outskirts of Angkor Wat features Art Deco country-style furnishings, Cambodian objets d’art and a pool inspired by the ancient royal bathing ponds of Angkor.
Vietnam & Cambodia Walking
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Walking Tour of Hanoi 1 hour
Day 2
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 1.2, 3 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Kayaking 1 hour
Day 4
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 3.1, 4 miles
- 0 - 1000 feet elevation gain
- Kayaking 45 minutes
Day 5
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 30 minutes
Day 6
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 1, 2.5 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 7
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 1, 1.9 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 8
- Walking Tour of Hoi An 45 minutes
Day 9
- Walking Tour of Angkor Tom Temple
Day 10
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- 3 hours
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 11
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- 1.9, 3.7 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain