There is no end to discovering new worlds and vibrant cultures on this custom tailored tour that will take you through the ancient traditions and modern cities of Cambodia and Vietnam. From the celebrated Angkor temple complex to unique ethnic mountain tribes found along the Chinese border, whether adventuring through the Cu Chi Tunnels or strolling along the Sunlight Bridge over Hoan Kiem Lake, you will find the beauty in the customs, remembered histories, and tremendous diversity of Southeast...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Siem Reap – Early Discovery
Welcome to Siem Reap, considered to be the modern gateway to Angkor. The city stands on the sleepy banks of Siem Reap River. You notice the plethora of tuk-tuks, simple motorbikes with trollies attached, that hum along the main roads. The scent of the city is filled with a mixture of traditional spices and French pastries, from croissants to baguettes, dating back to an age of French Colonialism. You are met at the airport by a private transfer and taken to your comfortable accommodation. In the evening you can walk through the energetic streets of the city, delighting on traditional cuisine at dinner and enjoying the Khmer movements of Aspara, masked, and folk dance, along with the sensational intricacies of shadow theater.
What's Included:
Day 2
Siem Reap – Exploring the Ancients
Day 3
Siem Reap – Deeper into the Ancients
Day 4
Phnom Penh – Healing Pasts
Day 5
Phnom Penh – Finding the Capital
Day 6
Mekong Delta – Rolling Down the Great River
Day 7
Ho Chi Minh City – Riverside to Street Side
Day 8
Ho Chi Minh City – Once Southern Capital
Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City – Within the Labyrinthine Grounds
Day 10
Hanoi – Time in the Capital
Day 11
Overnight Train – Explore Hanoi before Heading to the Mountains
Day 12
Sapa – The Many Colors of the Mountains
Day 13
Overnight Train – More of the Mountains
Day 14
Hanoi – Recent Discoveries
Trip Highlights
- Experience the incredible architecture of the ancient temples of Angkor
- Witness the remnants of a city healing from its contemporary past, from French Colonialism to a despotic regime within Phnom Penh
- Journey across the Mekong Delta to witness life along the riverbanks
- Venture beneath the earth to traverse a portion of the infamous Cu Chi Tunnel system outside of Ho Chi Minh City
- Meet the diverse ethnic tribes within the northern mountains of Sapa, from Flower H’mong to Tay
- Enjoy the varied neighborhoods of Hanoi that blend modernism with the city’s traditions that date back a millennium
Detailed Description
You don’t have to be an anthropologist or archeologist to venture out into the wonders of Southeast Asia and to witness its sensational diversity. On this 14-day trip to Cambodia and Vietnam, you will explore the tremendous histories that date back millennia, from Angkor Wat to the Old Quarter of Hanoi. You can experience the traditional markets of ethnic hill tribes whose clothing echoes color and unique styling. Whether cruising through the Mekong Delta witnessing the rice paddy fields of the countryside or wandering through the Museum of Ethnology for an introduction to the variety of cultures within the remarkable landscapes of Vietnam, you can relish the journey of discovery every step of the way.
Your venture begins with your arrival in Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to Angkor. The city is both sleepy and energetic along the banks of the Siem Reap River. The following day your guide will meet you and take you out into the famous temple complex of Angkor to witness the expansive ancient city. At Banteay Srei you will find temples with delicate and intricate features before visiting Tonle Sap, an ancient lake where floating villages have made their home for as long as anyone can remember. Venture south on the fourth day to arrive at Phnom Penh where the French Colonial lined streets give elegance to a city with a fractured contemporary history of the Khmer Rouge. For two days you will experience both the tragedy and beauty of the city emblazoned on the smiles of the people who have helped bring the streets back to vivacity. Leaving Phnom Penh will take you along the Mekong River, cruising over the border to Vietnam and arriving in Chau Doc.
An early exploration of Chau Doc will then find you transferring to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. The commercial capital is filled with non-stop energy, from its colonial architecture to the celebrated Jade Emperor Pagoda. Outside of the city you will find the winding labyrinth of the Cu Chi Tunnels and the unique temple of the Cao Dai Holy See. Once in Hanoi you will find a city with roots dating as far back as the 11th century. The calm collection of modern and ancient bring a soothing atmosphere around the bustling colonial buildings. A night train will bring you to Sapa where you will spend two days within the cultural markets and stunning mountain landscapes. The hill tribes have embraced the lush foothills and you can see terraced paddy fields decorating the slopes. Another night train will bring you back to Hanoi where you will catch your flight and return home.
Zicasso offers a variety of Vietnam tours and Cambodia tours; be sure to browse the options.
Starting Price
$4,200 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.84 stars based on 794 reviews.
The trip was well organized by Zicasso's travel company. We had nice hotel accommodations we liked the guides a lot.
Reviewed By Guillermina M.
Amazing! Zicasso's travel agent worked with my son and me to plan the perfect trip in celebration of his college graduation. She arranged for friendly and knowledgeable tour guides and went out of her way to ensure we were happy.
Reviewed By Jennifer S.
Our trip was seamless from start to finish. We were thoroughly impressed by the expertise and attentiveness of our local guides—their knowledge, perfectly timed tours, and the thoughtfully planned itinerary by the Zicasso trip planner made for an exceptional experience.
Reviewed By Bernadette B.
We had an amazing, nearly three-week trip throughout Southeast Asia. Zicasso's tour operators did an incredible job planning all of the details of the trip. In general, I am not easily impressed and I tend to be pretty upfront with my criticism. In this case, I was truly impressed. I really don't have any criticism about the whole experience.
This was a very complicated trip, with eight cities/locations and six internal flights. We had great communication in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. They were receptive to all of our requests and they gave very good advice when we had questions.
All of the guides were great. The hotels were amazing and all of the details of the activities, transfers, and internal flights were well thought out and well coordinated. I was so impressed by their attention to detail. They were also willing to be flexible and able to make changes, even during the trip. I was able to reach them throughout the trip by WhatsApp and they responded quickly every time. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.
Reviewed By Jeffrey W.
We traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia from May 8 to 22, 2025. This was my fifth trip through Zicasso. As expected, the itinerary was excellent and exactly what we were looking for. I did double my budget from what I initially sent to Zicasso.
All of the lodging selections were outstanding. Along with the tours of the Ho Chi Minh complex, Hue Imperial City, the Angkor Wat complex, and numerous other temples and pagodas, we experienced a cable car ride to a mountain summit, a walk through an ethnic village, a water puppet show, a Cambodian circus, a Vietnamese cooking class, an evening lantern boat ride in Hoi An, and dinner in one of the top 50 restaurants in Asia. The water puppets are an ancient Vietnamese art (11th century) and the show was extraordinary.
Reviewed By Marcia H.
Zicasso's travel specialist arranged a wonderful trip and was extremely responsive to our interest in all art forms, culture, cuisine, and the American war in Vietnam. She was very receptive to revisions, even during the trip.
Reviewed By Marlene H.