Region Overviews: Vietnam Travel Guide: Overview
Inside this breadth of natural diversity and jaw-dropping beauty, there are bustling cities, remote hillside villages, centuries-old Buddhist temples and skyscraping corporate headquarters.
Walking & Hiking
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Vietnam & Cambodia Walking & Hiking Tour
A Journey on Halong Bay to Majestic Angkor Wat
Colorful and intriguing. Dramatic and tranquil. A quiet sail among the limestone peaks of Halong Bay. Friendly greetings from villagers. Touching Angkor's ethereal ruins with your own hands. Every meal is a metaphor for the complex culture. Temples defy centuries. Smiles bridge oceans. And local guides open doors long closed.
THIS ITINERARY: 10 days, 9 nights
ACCOMMODATIONS: Premiere Hotels*
FROM:
$6,799 pp dbl occ
Plus $500 internal air
($1,820 for sgl occ)
Vietnam & Cambodia
Start Hanoi / End Siem Reap
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Walk amid Cambodia's thrilling temple ruins, whose beauty is both legendary and camera-ready
- Marvel at Hué's impressive 19th-century citadel, home to numerous palaces and shrines, and admire its remarkable stone walls
- Discover the marine secrets of heavenly Halong Bay, where a cave or hidden lagoon awaits at every turn
- Savor some of Asia's most delicious and distinctive cuisine, and learn some of its secrets in a cooking class
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Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
10 Days Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Our local guides bring to life the intertwined cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia | Walk through Hanoi's Old Quarter, famous for its 36 guilds—named for the artisans and traders that have made their home here for some 2,000 years.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi
| Premiere Hotel This five-star historic landmark is a French colonial gem set in the heart of old Hanoi. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Days 2-3
Ride in a bicycle rickshaw through narrow streets packed with food and flower stalls | Sail and kayak on Halong Bay, with hidden beaches, caves and lagoons | A morning cruise takes us into the bay, where karst cliffs jut from the water | Explore the isle of Cát Bà on foot, learning about Vietnamese island life and folklore along the way.
Indochina Sails Ship
Halong Bay
| *Casual Ship These fully equipped boats allow us to explore Halong Bay's spectacular karst formations by day, then retreat to quiet coves at night. Though rooms, with attached bathrooms, are small and basic, we'll be aboard the most comfortable boats on the more exclusive parts of the bay—on a charter just for Backroads.
Day 4
Opt for an early start and partake in a sunrise tai chi class | Energized and centered, savor breakfast as we sail | Walk an island studded with remnants of tombs and temples left by the Tran Dynasty.
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi
| Premiere Hotel This five-star historic landmark is a French colonial gem set in the heart of old Hanoi. Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Day 5
Explore imperial Hué, with its centuries-old palaces and temples | For a unique look at everyday life, you’re welcomed into a traditional home | Venture into the imposing citadel, site of heavy conflict during the Vietnam War.
Azerai La Résidence Hué
Hué
| Premiere Hotel A blend of Asian and colonial charm, this boutique hotel is housed in the former governor's mansion on the bank of the Perfume River. Travel + Leisure World's Best. (pool, spa)
Days 6-7
Ride a dragon boat up the Perfume River and stroll through regal mausoleums | Wander the streets of Hoi An, an ancient trading town with gorgeously preserved architecture | Revel in the sea breezes as you traverse Vietnam's central coast | Get a feel for rural life on Cam Kim Island | Learn the secret to local dishes in a cooking class.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
Hoi An
| Premiere Hotel This luxury all-villa resort is set on pristine China Beach, near the picturesque port town of Hoi An. (pool, spa)
Days 8-10
The remains of Cambodia’s ancient Khmer Empire will thrill you with iconic temples, giant carved images and beautiful bas-relief | Explore the shores of South East Asia's largest lake and the bread basket of Cambodia, Tonle Sap | Marvel at the towering stilted homes of a local village | Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat and listen to the stories behind the carvings that wrap around the temple.
Raffles Grand Hotel d'Angkor
Siem Reap
| Premiere Hotel Described by Andrew Harper as a "stylish and beautifully restored landmark resort-hotel surrounded by a 15-acre park, less than five miles from Angkor Wat." (pool, spa)
Dates & Prices
The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
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Activity Level: 1-2
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. LEARN MORE.
Note: The terrain on this trip includes a mix of village footpaths, valley trails, and ancient temple and archaeological site walks.
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Accommodations
We are constantly seeking the best possible accommodations on Halong Bay. Our traditional Chinese junks generally offer the most consistently comfortable boats with an appropriate number of cabins that also allow us to visit the more exclusive parts of the bay. Rest assured, we use the nicest boats that head to our favorite hidden beaches and secluded lagoons.
Walking & Hiking in an Emerging World
Your journey through Vietnam and Cambodia will probably be unlike anything you've experienced. The people you'll meet and places you'll visit will likely stay with you for a long time. As wonderfully fulfilling as travel is in this region, it's not always easy. These are developing countries and even something as simple as crossing the road can be a challenge.
Our itineraries and Trip Leaders remove as many obstacles and inconveniences as possible, making your next extraordinary encounter always within reach. Of course, we can't remove haze and noise from the air, or replace poorly maintained paths. But if you can be flexible and approach the region with an open mind, you'll enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Flights
On this trip we travel by plane to reach the exclusive hotels and activities this destination has to offer. We'll be flying commercially with Vietnam Airways aboard a narrow-body jet that seats 236 passengers from Hanoi to Hue and with Cambodian Angkor Air aboard a turboprop plane that seats 72 passengers from Da Nang to Siem Reap.
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