Compare Cambodia to Vietnam: Night Markets & Noodle-Making by G Adventures vs Signature Cambodia & Vietnam by Sky Vacations

Day 1 Bangkok

Arrive at any time and welcome to Thailand's bustling capital - Bangkok! Tonight, meet your CEO and get to know fellow travellers as you cheers to new adventures.

You must arrive on tour with your Vietnamese visa. See the Visa section of the Tour Details for more information and exceptions.

Day 2 Bangkok/Siem Reap

Cross the border from Thailand into Cambodia, your home base for exploring Siem Reap and the incredible Angkor Wat. Opt to check out Phare Circus, a uniquely Cambodian experience.

Prefer to plan ahead? Pre-book the "Phare Circus" activity when booking your tour to include this exciting activity in your itinerary.

Day 3 Siem Reap

Watch the sun rise over the majestic and mystifying ruins of Angkor Wat. Then, taste all manners of salty, sweet, spicy, and sour with a delicious Khmer meal at a restaurant kickstarted by our non-profit partner, Planeterra, or with a local family. Later, head to the infamous Pub Street, where the party goes round the clock. Grab a bite to eat (deep-fried tarantula, anyone?) and let the beats move you through market stalls and bars.

Day 4 Siem Reap/Phnom Penh

Travel to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s busy capital nestled along the mighty Mekong River. Get your bearings on an orientation walk and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 5 Phnom Penh

Spend the day diving deep into Phnom Penh's culture and history. Opt to reflect on one of Cambodia’s darkest periods with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Prison and the Killing Fields. Or venture to the Silver Pagoda or Royal Palace for a more peaceful experience. Later, discover the foodie side of this city on a street food crawl.

Phnom Penh can be confusing and we recommend to always keep a hotel card with you when you are exploring.

Day 6 Phnom Penh/Koh Rong

Ride in style to Sihanoukville and board a boat to your own private beach on Koh Rong island. Take the afternoon to taste local seafood, or sit back and relax with a drink before hitting the warm waves.

Please note that during monsoon season (between June to October), this itinerary may be subject to change based on weather conditions. If heavy rains and flooding prevent our boat from safely travelling to Koh Rong island, we will provide alternate activities and accommodations in a nearby town.

Day 7 Koh Rong

Enjoy your last full day on this pristine island. Do anything you might have missed the day before, like fishing, hiking, or kayaking. Wait 'til after sunset to swim in a sea of blue sparkles caused by phosphorescent plankton. Ooh la la!

Day 8 Chambok Homestay

Head back to the mainland and journey to Chambok Village where you’ll spend the night and get to know the local people over a delicious Cambodian home cooked meal. Immerse yourself in the community and wander around this remote region.

Day 9 Chambok Homestay/Ho Chi Minh City

Cross another border into Vietnam, stopping in the famed Ho Chi Minh City where you'll spend the night at a popular backpackers hostel. Take this chance to visit the Ben Thanh Market for souvenirs and handicrafts before taking in the buzzing nightlife. Choose to venture to one of the many rooftop bars for a panoramic view and live music.

Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang

Feel the pulse of Vietnam’s biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk, with free time after to double back to your favourite spots. Shop 'til your heart's content, immerse yourself in local culture, or just wander the streets to take in the city's unique vibe. Tonight, catch up on sleep on an overnight train to Nha Trang.

During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.

Day 11 Nha Trang

You’ve arrived! Welcome to the eastern sea. Take this morning to explore local shops and markets, rejuvenate in a therapeutic mud bath, relax on the beach, or visit nearby historical sites before an evening street food crawl.

Day 12 Nha Trang/Da Nang

It’s not over yet. There’s more free time to explore Nha Trang today, so soak it all in. Then, hop on an overnight train to continue to Hoi An, stopping first in Da Nang for a short transfer.

Day 13 Da Nang/Hoi An

Hoi An’s excited to meet you. See why on an orientation walk of the city before spending free time in the afternoon. Dig even deeper and choose between a cooking class, cycling to the beach, visiting a tailor, or exploring old town. Tonight's the night for your big night out, grab a drink on our tab and reminisce about your favourite adventures so far. Then dance the night away!

From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.

Day 14 Hoi An

Noodles might be fun to eat, but they’re even more fun to make. Find out how during a visit to G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles. The rest of the day is yours, so see what you can discover. Choose to visit the ancient ruins of My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or cruise down the Thu Bon River.

Day 15 Hoi An/Huế

Head north to the Imperial City of Huế. There’s lots to do here, with options to visit the indestructible Royal Citadel and tombs, cruise along Perfume River, or jump on a motorbike and ride around like the local people.

Pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time to include this speedy activity on your tour.

Day 16 Huế/Phong Nha

Your second day in Huế comes with more free time to enjoy the city. In the afternoon, travel through Vietnam's stunning countryside to the green rocky mountains of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park.

Day 17 Phong Nha/Hanoi

Today, opt to head underground to explore the awe-inspiring caves of Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, where the oldest karst mountains and longest cave in Asia are found. Then it’s an overnight train to Hanoi.

Pre-book the full-day Caving in Phong Nha adventure to explore the longest cave in Asia, Paradise Cave, with massive stalactites. Enjoy a sumptuous Vietnamese lunch, then boat to the turquoise beach of Phong Nha Cave.

Day 18 Hanoi/Ha Long

After arriving in Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, take a private bus to the iconic Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave exploring. Be sure to charge your camera so you can grab a shot truly worth sharing!

Day 19 Ha Long/Hanoi

Feel like you've gone back in time with an orientation walk through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Then stop for a drink at Bia Hoi Corner, a spot that serves bia hoi, a local beer made of rice and wheat — and costs a mere $0.25USD per glass!

Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 20 Hanoi

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to your group of newfound friends. Be sure to sneak in some last-minute photos and exchange social medias before you head on your way.

Day 1: Welcome to Cambodia

On arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be welcomed by your Sky Vacations ambassador transferred to the hotel for check in. After a relaxing break, you will set out to discover the most remarkable sights of Phnom Penh in a Cyclo, an original Phnom Penh means of transportation and a very fun way to explore this lively city including the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and more! Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 2: Siem Reap

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap, your Sky Vacations ambassador will greet you and accompany you to the hotel for check in. This afternoon, begin your visit to Angkor by visiting the ancient city of Angkor Thom, surrounded by an 8 m high wall. From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. The particularity of this monument is the 54 towers with four faces representing the 54 provinces of the then Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Siem Reap

Begin your day by exploring the temples of the Small Circuit by ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai ‘tuk tuk’). Start your tour with a visit to Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vine. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. Return to the hotel for a relaxing break during the midday heat. After some rest at your hotel, depart on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia’s national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

DAY 4: Siem Reap – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

This morning is at leisure until it’s time for you to transfer to the airport for departure flight from Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon). Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 5: Ho Chi Minh City

Depart your hotel for a full day Ho Chi Minh City tour. Head to Cholon, the Chinatown district, to discover the area’s markets, shops and the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda Visit Vietnam’s first traditional medicine museum, the FITO Museum, with an amazing collection of 3,000 items relevant to the development of traditional Vietnamese medicine. Head back to the city center to visit Ben Thanh Market where an incredible display of fresh food is offered and simply stroll through the market exploring the variety of goods for sale.

This afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum and the former Presidential Palace. Stroll (your vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. At the end of the afternoon head back to your hotel.

Note: History Museum is closed on Mondays.

DAY 6: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi

Your tour begins early this morning after breakfast at your hotel. Leave the busy streets of Ho Chi Minh City and drive deep into the Mekong Delta on this Cai Be day tour. Upon arriving in Cai Be, disembark the boat at Tan Phong Island and start a very interesting cycling tour immersing yourself in nature through small villages and narrow roads. Ride along the pathways and take the opportunity to visit local families making traditional products such as handicraft items made from water hyacinth, roofs made from palm leaves, hammocks made from coconut ropes, and rice papers. Enjoy lunch with specialities of the Mekong Delta in the ambience of an ancient house. After lunch, walk the narrow lanes of a local market to enjoy the hustle and bustle before getting on board and continue cruising on the Mekong River. At the end of the tour, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Danang – Hoi An

Morning transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for a short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town center to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market. Rest of the afterrnoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An – Hue

Leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. with its mesmerizing mausoleums of the last emperors of Vietnam. The ancient citadel reflects the pomp and ceremony of the dynastic rulers as well as the scars of many years of turmoil, both ancient and modern (the Royal Citadel was badly damaged in the latter stages of the war) but retains a sense of grace and majesty even today. Drive through Danang and visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and then to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. In Hue visit the Imperial Citadel. See Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda overlooking the Perfume River, built in 1601! Overnight in Hue.

DAY 9: Hue – Hanoi

Start your day with a visit to the city’s vibrant Dong Ba Market to see its abundance of fresh produce. After exploring the market take a cyclo through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax, full of lotus flowers in summer and many local style coffee shops around the lake where university students come to study. Journey on to Khai Dinh’s Tomb designed in traditional Vietnamese style with a European touch making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. From here transfer to Hue Airport for a short flight to Hanoi. On arrival transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 10: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Following breakfast leave Hanoi for a drive to Halong Bay. Arrive in Halong City and proceed with cruise check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on Halong Bay.

DAY 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi

Breakfast on board as you enjoy your morning in the middle of the bay, as the sun rises on Halong, while you cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. In Hanoi, in the afternoon, visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), a research center and public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. Next, visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as the ‘36 Streets’. Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 12 – Hanoi

This morning depart your hotel for the Temple of Literature. In 1076, Vietnam’s first university Quoc Tu Giam, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam’s royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past.

Visit The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049. Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) to the nearby Taoist Temple of Quan Thanh. The balance of the day is yours for relaxing, shopping or both! Later today, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your onward journey.