Vietnam & Cambodia: Ancient Beauty & Emerald Isles
Sail through Ha Long Bay to Lan Ha Bay, cook up a Vietnamese feast & witness Angkor Wat at sunrise
What's included
- Accommodation in twin rooms
- Max 14 travellers per group
- Exclusively for people in their 30s & 40s
About your trip
It’s here. Our first (but not last) twin-destination adventure. From Hanoi to Siem Reap, we’ve crafted something special; showing you the best of Vietnam and Cambodia in just under a fortnight.
Angkor Wat? Check. Admire it as the sun creeps over the ancient complex. Dreams of sailing Ha Long Bay? We’ve gone one better. Bypass the crowds aboard a traditional junk boat and drop anchor at the lesser-explored Lan Ha Bay for cave kayaking and late-night karaoke. Delicious local food? Absolutely. From a cooking lesson in Hoi An to Khmer specialities in Siem Reap and a visit to Cambodia’s only gin distillery, we’ve got you covered.
Travelling by bus, boat and bicycle, your adventure will show you the most iconic sights of Vietnam and Cambodia at all angles. Always with a touch of the unexpected along the way. This is Flash Pack, after all.
- Touch down in Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital, where a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to take you to your boutique central hotel
- Feast your way through the city’s bustling streets on a local-led food tour, exploring hidden alleys and buzzing market stalls
- Finish your evening at Bia Hoi corner (‘beer corner’), raising a toast with your group to the adventures to come
- Discover a different side to Hanoi on a gentle cycle ride along the river leading through serene countryside
- Pass through local villages dotted with traditional houses, lively markets, ancient pagodas and temples
- Stop off at a rural family home for a cup of tea and to learn about Vietnamese daily life before returning to the city for an afternoon at leisure
- Leave the city behind and travel to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a landscape of misty hillsides and shimmering rice paddies
- Explore your new surroundings as you hike through the countryside, passing fields of rice, bamboo forests and waterfalls
- Relax at your village lodge before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant
- Wake up to serene views of terraced rice fields, before setting out for a morning hike through the forested hills
- Onwards to the beautiful province of Ninh Binh: a striking landscape of limestone outcrops rising out of the rice fields
- Soak up the scenery with a rowing-boat ride along the Ngo Dong River; don’t be surprised if your boat guide rows expertly with their feet
- Travel to Ha Long Bay where you’ll board an Indochinese junk boat and sail away from the crowds to the lesser-explored Lan Ha Bay
- Kayak between ancient limestone karsts, hidden grottoes and secluded lagoons of this spectacular World Heritage landscape
- Learn to make spring rolls with your group, before a sunset dinner on board; try your hand at squid fishing (season dependent) and karaoke (talent optional)
- Wake early for sunrise tai chi against a breathtaking backdrop of the sun rising over the majestic limestone cliffs
- Sail to the Frog Pond area – the famous film location for Kong Skull Island in the King Kong movie – where you can kayak and swim in the emerald green waters
- Return to Hanoi for a short flight to Danang and a minibus ride to the graceful riverside town of Hoi An where you’ll be spending the next two nights
- Start your day with a walking tour of Hoi An, exploring the narrow alleys, lined with ornate assembly halls, colourful clan houses and wooden-fronted shophouses
- Spend your afternoon in a cooking lesson with local professional chefs, learning how to prepare three delicious dishes
- Enjoy your creations as part of an epic five-course dinner, which you an relish in style after all your hard work
- Spend a free morning exploring the winding alleys of Hoi An’s old town, known for its historic architecture and colourful lanterns
- Head to the airport and catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s biggest and busiest city
- Take a vintage Vespa tour, passing iconic sights like Bình Tây Market and the Reunification Palace, and stopping to sample delicious street food
- Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn how guerilla soldiers lived during the infamous war, weaving through a subterranean labyrinth of tunnels
- Cross the border to Cambodia where your new Pack Leader will be waiting to escort you to Phnom Penh, the country’s vibrant capital
- Visit Cambodia’s only gin distillery to see how craft Mekong Dry Gin is made from 13 botanicals, including pandan leaves, galangal, kaffir lime and lemongrass
- Confront Cambodia’s tragic past with a guided walk around the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and visit to the infamous Killing Fields
- Explore the city by three-wheeler cyclo, taking in the Russian Market, the hilltop temple of Wat Phnom and the charming French Quarter
- Make your way to the river to enjoy an early dinner and sundowners with your group
- Soak up the rural scenery as you travel overland to Siem Reap, a bustling hub for visiting the temples of Angkor – one of the world’s most awe-inspiring sights
- Stop off at the town of Skuon and keep a look out for the local speciality: deep-fried tarantula (whether you try the eight-legged snack is entirely up to you!)
- Head to the Spoons Cafe for top-notch Khmer cuisine: this hospitality-training centre provides opportunities for former street children
- Wake early to arrive at Banteay Srei before the crowds; this delicately carved rose pink temple is a masterpiece of Angkorian art
- Visit an artists’ hub set in gorgeous tropical gardens where you can see colourful Khmer artworks and watch apprentices in action
- Take a boat ride along the ancient moat of vast Angkor Thom, complete with canapes and a glass of fizz, heading to Prasat Chrung Temple for sunset
- Get up before dawn for a sunrise surprise before exploring Angkor Wat: this incredible 12th-century temple was the epicentre of Khmer civilisation
- Explore Angkor Thom’s multi-faced Bayon and head to the the jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple (used as a location in the Tomb Raider movie)
- Enjoy a farewell dinner with your group at a farm-to-table restaurant, before heading to Pub Street to celebrate the end of your trip
- Say goodbye to your group and make your own way to the airport; your Pack Leader will be on hand to help you arrange a local taxi
- Arrive home from Vietnam and Cambodia feeling awed by the iconic sights you’ve ticked off and humbled by the local experiences you’ve had the privilege of unearthing. And let’s not forget the joy of those new friendships…
Our favourite hotels
Here's a taste of the hotels we sometimes use on this adventure. The hotels you'll stay in for your departure will be shared with you one month before you go.
Belle Maison Hadana, Hoi An
Spacious rooms with balconies, plus a regular shuttle to the beach and Old Town. Make use of the free bike hire and end your days with a gin cocktail at the Terrace Cafe.
Pu Luong Retreat, Pu Luong
Pu Luong Retreat is all about the panoramic mountain and rice terrace views. You’ll be staying in a charming thatched-roof bungalow, although we can bet the pool-side cocktail bar might be where you spend most of your evening.
Shinta Mani Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap
This collection of eclectic apartments looks out across a pretty, palm-fringed pool. Dine inside its chic Kroya restaurant or enjoy an indulgent massage in the onsite spa – just a few reasons why we love this hotel.
Important notes
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Which airport do I need to fly in and out of? Plus airport code
Fly into Hanoi Airport (HAN) and fly out of Siem Reap International Airport (REP) or Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI).
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Will the itinerary change?
Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.
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What time do I need to arrive (in time for the welcome meeting)?
Please try to arrive before 3 pm on Day 1, although we will arrange an airport transfer for you regardless of when you arrive.
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What time should my flight depart on the last day?
There are no planned activities on the final day, so depart at your own leisure.
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Are airport transfers included?
If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.
Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.
We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi.
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Are tips included?
Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:
- Pack Leader: 10-15 USD per day
- Drivers: 4-5 USD per day
- Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, waiters, porters, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.
However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.
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Do I need a visa?
Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.
You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
- Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.
Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.
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What vaccinations and medication will I need?
While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalised medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.
1. Consult with a healthcare professional
We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.
2. Up-to-date medical advice
- UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
- US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialised health information.
- Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.
3. Government travel advice
- UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
- US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
- Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
4. Medication tips
If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.
We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.
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What will the hotels and food be like?
The hotels we stay at in on this trip have been chosen for their excellent locations and comfortable accommodation, however they are not all luxurious options. While we always take care to give you the best experience, we hope you can appreciate that different countries have different standards.
We know part of the unique experience travel provides is exploring local cuisine. Restaurants in Cambodia often cater to international tourists and you can expect to see Western influences in their menus. Our Pack Leaders will work hard to maximise your opportunities to experience authentic Khmer cuisine.
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How much should I budget per day for extras?
Excluding alcohol, we’d suggest budgeting the equivalent of 30 GBP (40 USD). That said, if you’re willing to eat like a local it can be a lot less. It is still possible in Southeast Asia to buy a plate of food for 1-2 GBP.
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