
Vietnam & Cambodia Itinerary 14 days
Explore Angkor Wat & Halong Bay with others in their 30s and 40s
From: USD 1,972
14 Days
9 Reviews
Trip Highlights
Majestic Halong Bay
Lose yourself in Angkor Wat temple complex
Dive into bustling street food markets
1000 lanterns in enchanting Hoi An
Indico Travels' Specials
Created for people in their 30s and 40s
Enjoy sunset over Angkor Wat from a balloon
Learn to cook regional dishes with locals
Stay overnight in a Vietnamese village
Have Halong Bay and Angkor Wat been on your bucket list for years? Join others in their 30s and 40s on this unforgettable trip to Southeast Asia. Together, you'll dive into authentic country life, delight in the breathtaking landscapes and fill your bellies with fantastic regional cuisine.
Your adventure begins with a nighttime scooter ride through Hanoi, soon followed by a homestay in a traditional mountain village, swimming under a waterfall, and downtime on the beach. The imperial city of Hue, lantern-adorned Hoi An, and the breathtaking World Heritage Site of Angor Wat temple complex offer more moments you'll never forget.
So if you're in your 30s or 40s and would like to discover Vietnam and Angkor Wat: just book this trip and pack your suitcase - we're waiting for you!



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Day 1 • Street food & scooters in Hanoi



Arrive in Hanoi
Evening city tour on scooters
Sample street food in Hanoi
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon landing, your driver will whisk you to our hotel in the classy French Quarter, and you can freshen up and enjoy the pool.
In the early evening, meet your fellow travelers and guide. A group of locals pull up at the hotel and invite you all to hop on the back of their scooters. They want to take you on an unconventional sightseeing tour! You weave through traffic, spotting the city's key sights and stopping off to find out more about the vibrant capital that balances tradition and modernity. In between, your hosts will stop off at their favorite street food stalls and invite you to a delicious first taste of fresh Vietnamese cuisine. This is the real Hanoi!
Meals included: Dinner
Transport: Local transport (2:00h), Private Taxi (1:00h)



La Casa Hanoi
Facilities:
Swimming Pool
TV in room
Restaurant
Internet/Wifi
Gym on board
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Day 2 • Countryside homestay with H'Mong people



Free morning in Hanoi
Cook with your hosts
Homestay with a H'Mong family
Awake to a leisurely morning in Hanoi. Do you feel like wandering to nearby Hoan Kiem Lake, or stop off at the charming little cafés of the Old Quarter to try the local's favourite, ice coffee?
Later, hop into a private van that will take you and your fellow travellers out of the bustling city to the lush countryside. We arrive in a remote village, nestled amongst plum trees, where the people of the H'mong ethnic group live. Your host family gives you a warm welcome to their home, where you will stay the night. They are keen to show you more about their lives and culture. How better to start than by exploring what locals eat? Together, you'll cook fresh delicacies, like the popular bamboo rice, and have the chance to sample delicious regional cuisine.
Our stay in Hang Kia is part of a community based tourism project. This means that by visiting, we are contributing to improving the lives of numerous families in the region. What a tasty way to have a positive impact!
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transport: Private Bus (4:00h)


Sung Y Mua Homestay
Type: Guest house
Category: Simple
Facilities:
Internet/Wifi
Shared Bathroom
Hot water
Day 3 • Beautiful ethnic lands



Learn Batik painting
Hike through the hills
Relax at ecolodge
See rice paddies
In the morning, women from the village invite you to learn about their ancestral textile dying techniques. Try yourself at traditional Batik painting - you may be a hidden talent!
After lunch, say farewell to your kind hosts and head off through the hills. Your four-hour hike takes you through the lush green countryside, past rice fields and little houses on stilts. You are now wandering into the land of the White Thai people.
Later, check into your bungalows in a local ecolodge. The evening is free for you to take in your surroundings and refresh by the pool.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Private Bus (0:30h), By Foot (4:00h)



Mai Chau Villa
Type: Lodge
Day 4 • Explore rural Vietnam by bike



Bike ride through countryside
Lunch with a local family
Travel back to Hanoi
Beers at local bar
After breakfast, hop on bikes and head out to explore the region together. You'll pass hamlets, vegetable gardens, rice fields, and water buffalo, stopping off to chat with locals and take pictures. In the little village of Mai Hich enjoy a home cooked meal, which supports a community based tourism project.
Later, head back to the big city of Hanoi. After freshening up at the hotel, your guide invites you all to join him for a drink where locals meet: Bia hois are the local equivalent of a pub. At these little stands on a sidewalk, with simple plastic chairs and tables, people gather in the late afternoon to enjoy a freshly draughted rice beer. Cheers!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Private Bus (4:00h), Bicycle (2:00h)



La Casa Hanoi
Facilities:
Swimming Pool
TV in room
Restaurant
Internet/Wifi
Gym on board
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Day 5 • Cruising through Halong Bay



Hop on board your cruise
Explore majestic Halong Bay
On board cooking show
Sunset over Halong Bay
Today is the day: you're off to Halong Bay! Your boat to paradise awaits in the bay, with a delicious hot lunch welcoming you on arrival.
Cruising towards a more remote area of the bay, take in your magical surroundings from the sun deck. The programme on board depends on the time of the year and weather, but you will have the opportunity to visit a cave as well as explore a floating village or do some kayaking over the course of these 2 days.
Afterwards, watch the sun set on this unforgettable seascape, and enjoy a cooking demonstration by the onboard chefs before digging into a hearty dinner on board.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transport: Private Bus (2:30h), Boat (11:00h)



Syrena Cruise
Type: Cabin (ship)
Category: Comfort
Day 6 • Exploring Halong Bay



Early morning tai chi
Visit a floating village
Take the sleeper train to Hue
Wake up in your deluxe cabin with a stunning view of Halong Bay. Early birds can assemble on the sun deck for a morning tai chi lesson.
Your exploration of the bay continues, followed by a hearty brunch to refuel. We arrive back in the dock and make our way back to Hanoi. There, take some time out to explore by yourself, or join the guide on a visit to the Temple of Literature. Grab some dinner on your own (opt.), before meeting the group for the next big adventure: a night on the sleeper train!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Train (7:00h), Private Bus (3:00h), Boat (10:00h)

Vietnam Railway
Facilities:
Shared Bathroom
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Day 7 • The City of Kings & Emperors



Visit Forbidden City
Imperial City tour
Try traditional banh dish
Free afternoon to explore
Your overnight train pulls into the historical city of Hue just in time for breakfast. Dig into a hearty bon bo Hue, the tasty noodle soup preferred by locals, before setting off to explore Vietnam's imperial past. Visit Emperor Khai Dinh's tomb and the Forbidden City, located inside the walls of the Citadel - the best place to learn more about the daily life of Kings and their courts during this period.
For lunch, we visit nearby Kim Long ancient village, where a charming family prepare traditional rice cakes and dumplings for us, known as banh of Hue.
The afternoon is free for you to stroll around the town or relax. Those who wish can take part in an art workshop, in which they can try themselves at a new form of local art called Truc Chi, in which bamboo paper is carved (optional, USD25 per person).
Hue is a vibrant city, so those wanting a night out on the town are in the perfect place!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Private Bus (1:00h)



Rosaleen Boutique Hotel
Facilities:
Internet/Wifi
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Day 8 • Sunrise lagoon excursion - aaand relax



Sunrise over Tam Giang lagoon
Visit a fish market
Enjoy the hotel's 3 pools
Today is your day to relax, enjoy the beach and take in all you've experienced in the last few days. We do have a special morning activity planned for those who like, but if you want to lay in, go ahead!
Early birds set their alarm to wake them before dawn. We head to Dam Chuon lagoon and take a local boat to Tam Giang, home to fishing communities. Watch the beautiful sunrise over the lagoon. We reach the wholesale fish market, where fishermen are unloading their catch from the night. Our guide picks the freshest seafood and asks a local chef to cook some tasty traditional Vietnamese pancakes with it. Along with a cup of tea, this is our breakfast today. We continue to the Japanese bridge of Tanh Toan. There, a local street vendor often performs a cappella folk songs. Are we in luck to hear her today?
Heading back to the hotel, we pick up the rest of the gang who stayed in bed. Together, we go to Phu Thuan beach and relax in our gorgeous seaside accommodation for the rest of the day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private Bus (1:30h), Boat (0:30h)



Villa Louise
Facilities:
Internet/Wifi
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
TV in room
Day 9 • Hiking in the jungle



Jungle hike in national park
Refreshing lakes & waterfalls
Scenic drive
Boat ride into Hoi An
Enjoy your breakfast by the beach before an adventurous trek in the jungle.
We head to beautiful Bach Ma National Park, where we take an exciting 2.5-hour hike, climbing up rocks and down ladders to get to the best spots. We'll pass by several lakes - anyone fancy jumping in to refresh themselves? We pass by the top of the 350m high Rhododendron Waterfalls and take a break for a picnic lunch.
In the early afternoon, we drive down the mountain and continue our journey passing by Lang Co Bay and the scenic Hai Van Pass. We reach Cam Thanh mangrove, where a local wooden boat awaits.
We cruise along the river into the sunset. Feel like an emperor or empress as the ancient city of Hoi An appears in the distance, with a thousand colourful lanterns lighting the scene for our arrival. Welcome to Hoi An, one of Vietnam's most picturesque cities.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Private Bus (4:00h), By Foot (2:30h), Boat (1:00h)


Belle Maison Hadana Hoian Hotel & Spa
Day 10 • Charming Hoi An



Sample street food in Hanoi
Free afternoon to explore
Walking tour of Hoi An
Check out the night market
Be warned: today you may lose your heart to the charming town of Hoi An. Stroll through the ancient streets while your guide tells you more about the old port town. Get your bearings, stopping off for delicious bites to eat.
The afternoon is yours to enjoy in this friendly town. Would you like to drink Vietnamese coffee with a view of the river? Head to An Bang beach for a little sizzle? Rent a bike to explore?
In the evening, we recommend checking out the bustling night market where you can find souvenirs to take home.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: By Foot (2:30h)


Belle Maison Hadana Hoian Hotel & Spa
Day 11 • Kayak & SUP through a palm forest



Kayak/SUP through palm forest
Travel to Siem Reap
There is one more spectacular sight to see in Vietnam before we head to Cambodia: the mangrove and coco palm forests of the region! Choose whether you prefer to explore them from a kayak or SUP (Stand Up Paddle). We paddle through the beautiful scenery to Cam Kim island, where we stop off to visit Duy Vinh commune. Here, thanks to a tourism project, locals can earn a living while keeping the traditional craft of sedge mattress weaving alive.
Head back to Hoi An for some last shopping and packing before you fly to Siem Reap. Arriving in the Cambodian capital, meet your guide and hear their tips for where to spend your free evening in this lovely town.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private Bus (1:30h), Flight (2:00h), By Foot (1:00h), Boat (2:00h)



La Niche D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Type: Hotel
Category: Standard
Facilities:
Internet/Wifi
Computer Room
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Day 12 • Marvellous Angkor Wat



Full day at Angkor Wat
Are you ready for a day you'll never forget? Today you get to visit the largest religious monument in the world, legendary Angkor Wat!
Originally built in the 12th century to honour a Hindu God, the 1.6 square km (0.6 miles) large complex is now one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world. It holds 72 major monuments, some of which the jungle tried to claim for itself, covering them in roots. Channel your inner Lara Croft as you recognise Ta Prohm Temple, in which the movie Tomb Raider was partially filmed.
Other buildings sport intricate decorations which tell thousands of stories. Lose yourself and your sense of time as you spend the day exploring Bayon Temple, Angkor Thom and other areas of the fantastic Angkor Wat on bike and on foot.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private Bus (1:00h), By Foot (2:30h), Bicycle (3:00h)



La Niche D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Type: Hotel
Category: Standard
Facilities:
Internet/Wifi
Computer Room
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Day 13 • A taste of Cambodia



Learn to cook Cambodian food
Meet a Khmer family
Sunset balloon over Angkor Wat
Before we leave, let's learn some skills to take home: we're taking a Cambodian cookery class. We hop on tuk-tuks and travel to the countryside. We have time for a wander around the village and meet a local family that show us their herb garden and tell us about food related superstitions in the regional Khmer culture. Then it's time to put on our aprons and roll up our sleeves at a gorgeous outdoor cookery school. After cooking several local dishes, we sit down in the garden to enjoy the fruits of our labour together.
The afternoon is free for you to spend in Siem Reap, before we end our trip with a very special final hurrah. We soar into the sky in a balloon - which is attached to the ground by ropes - and from this bird's eye view, we watch the sun set over majestic Angkor Wat, as we reflect on the many magical moments of this trip to Vietnam and Cambodia.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transport: Local transport (1:00h)



La Niche D'Angkor Boutique Hotel
Type: Hotel
Category: Standard
Facilities:
Internet/Wifi
Computer Room
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Swimming Pool
Day 14 • Farewell to South East Asia

Last day in Cambodia
It's your final morning in South East Asia. Take the chance to do some final shopping and pack your bags, before being taken to the airport. On the plane, drift off to sleep while planning your next dinner party with friends, where you can share your new cookery skills and your memories of your trip to Vietnam & Cambodia.
Meals included: Breakfast
Transport: Private Bus (1:00h)
Angkor Temples Extension
Optional Extension After End of Trip
Reviews

Cornelia S
Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia
I had an amazing time on this trip. I loved that we could experience both beautiful nature and bustling cities. We learned about the culture and met very friendly and welcoming locals. Everything was very well organized and the tour guides were great.

Linnéa T
Highlights of Vietnam & Cambodia
I had the most amazing trip! Two weeks filled with the perfect mix of city experiences vs countryside life. We got to try out plenty of local dishes and enjoy a lot of beautiful nature. The tour guides were friendly and skilled.