Vietnam & Cambodia Group Tour for Solos 30s & 40s
Overview
Vietnam and Cambodia are dream destinations, plain and simple, but how do you choose which one to visit? That’s easy – you don’t! On this jam-packed 15-day adventure, you’ll experience the best of both countries with a small group of travelers just like you. Devour delicious bun cha in Hanoi, ride bikes in the rice fields of Hoi An, wriggle through the Cu Chi Tunnels, witness the sunset over the Angkor Temples, and do Tai Chi in Ha Long Bay. This one’s not to be missed!
Good Morning, Vietnam! You've arrived, and there's no way about it – Vietnam is about to capture your heart forever. Once you've grabbed your bags and cleared customs, our driver will be eagerly waiting for you, ready to drop you off right at the hotel. Arrival has never felt so easy! The rest of the day is yours to enjoy, so freshen up and start exploring. Tonight, we'll gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other. Let's get this adventure started!
You'll start the day like the locals by joining a group Tai Chi and Aerobics class at Hoan Kiem Lake. Afterwards, recharge with a breakfast of Bank Mi and Vietnamese iced coffee (or even egg coffee if you're feeling more adventurous)! Today is all about exploring every corner of Hanoi – from the captivating B-52 Lake to the intriguing Hoa Lo Prison (which once confined American prisoners of war). En route you'll be sampling several local Vietnamese dishes. Oh and let's not forget about the infamous "train street"! We'll round off a busy day in the capital city with a glass (or two) of Vietnam's best known beer – Bia Hoi.
Leaving the city behind, today we're going remote to experience village life at Pu Luong Nature Reserve, meeting with the friendly locals who call this area home. The drive alone is wow-worthy – expect panoramic views where vast rice paddies intersect picturesque mountain ranges. After arrival, we'll wander the working farmland and rice fields to get a firsthand insight of daily life in this rural corner of Vietnam. This place is special – most tourists don't make it here!
Vietnam's most beautiful scenery is yours to discover on today's half-day trekking and cycling expedition. We'll start our 4km trek by descending into a stunning valley filled with tumbling rice terraces, surrounded by lush vegetation. As we make our way through the valley, you'll discover the quaint Uoi village at the base of a towering mountain. The views from above are incredible! We'll stop off for refreshments at a local home and then continue the rest of our journey on bicycle towards Lan village. The setting is pure bliss! Late afternoon, we'll make our way to our next destination – Ninh Binh.
Ninh Binh is our base to explore the breathtaking Tam Coc region, also known as "inland Ha Long Bay". As you glide along the river surrounded by the soaring karst mountains, you'll soon understand why! Today has a bit of everything – exploring temples, riding bikes through charming villages, devouring mouthwatering local dishes, and even hiking up a mountain if you're up for the challenge! The best bit, though, has to be the Mua Cave, where you can climb 500 steps to a viewpoint overlooking the whole region. This is what you came to Vietnam for.
If there was ever one destination that could convince you to visit Vietnam, it'd be Ha Long Bay. Today, you'll get to see it with your own eyes! Hopping aboard our private charter boat, we'll sail our way towards Lan Ha Bay, the quieter – but equally beautiful – neighbour of Ha Long Bay. It's a leisurely day of sailing where we'll stop off at secluded spots for a kayak and swim in the turquoise waters. Tonight, as the sun sinks below the water, we'll spend a chilled night onboard, sleeping under the stars, enjoying this small slice of paradise.
On day two of this Ha Long Bay adventure, we'll rise bright and early to enjoy sunrise Tai Chi on deck, before taking in the early morning landscapes over breakfast. As we head back to port we'll stop off first at the Viet Hai fishing village, giving you some time to explore the island and take in local life in action. Afterwards, it's back to Hanoi to catch a short flight down the Vietnamese coast to Da Nang. From here we'll catch a private transfer to our next stop, the wonderful little city of Hoi An.
Hoi An is one of the most charming, and drop-dead-gorgeous, places in Vietnam, so there's no time to sleep in – let's explore! The best way to check out the surroundings of Hoi An is on a bike, so we'll do just that, spending the day riding through the countryside, far away from the hustle and bustle. We'll cross a floating bridge, learn how basket boats are made (and then take to the water in one, of course!) and also stop off at a traditional Vietnamese countryside home. Thanks to all these fabulous stops, we'll only average around 1km per hour on our bikes, so today's cycling journey is suitable for everyone.
Yesterday was all about Hoi An's surroundings, so today, it's time to explore the city itself, and we're leaving the itinerary up to you. Don't miss the UNESCO-listed Old Town, filled with stunning ancient buildings and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. As you wander through the streets, you'll see how Chinese and Japanese merchants who arrived here in the 14th century left their mark on the city. Once the sun has gone down, watch the Old Town come to life as hundreds of paper lanterns light up the city. It's magical!
After a quick flight to Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon), we'll whisk you off to the Cu Chi tunnels. This network of underground tunnels was used during the Vietnam War to shelter from bombing and fight the enemy whilst staying hidden. We'll explore this fascinating network today, climbing into hidden entryways, checking out the secret traps used to injure enemies, and even crawling through the tunnels ourselves! Afterwards, you'll have some free time to explore Saigon.
Today, we'll hit the waters of the Mekong Delta, gliding along this vast and peaceful river system, taking in all the sights and sounds. In the morning, we'll witness locals heading out on their fishing boats and coconut cargo boats before we wind through a coconut jungle to visit a coconut workshop. From prising the husks off to peeling the coconuts by hand, we'll get to watch the magic unfold before our eyes as we indulge in the local coconut candy that's made here. Yum! Staying on dry land for a while, we'll explore the Delta's surroundings via tuk-tuk, before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City.
The Vietnam leg of our trip is now complete and today we're heading to neighbouring Cambodia! Another short flight will take us to Siem Reap, saving us countless hours on the road. Once we touch down, get ready for a new passport stamp as we enter this amazing country. Our private airport transfer will take us straight to our hotel in Siem Reap, where you can settle in and then spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace. And if you're feeling up for it, don't miss out on the famous "Pub Street". Let your hair down and join the party!
It's temple time and these magnificent temples are nothing short of jaw-dropping. Some are hidden deep in the jungle, some are crumbling into ruin, and others look surprisingly brand new! After a jam-packed morning visiting temples (including the iconic Bayon Temple, better known as the "smiley face" temple) we'll break for a picnic lunch in the shade. Then, it's time for Cambodia's star attraction: Angkor Wat! This kick-ass temple was built in the early 12th century and was mysteriously abandoned two centuries later. We'll explore it from top-to-bottom, before heading over to Pre Rup temple for sunset. What a day!
Today is a free day in Siem Reap to spend however you'd like. One great option is to visit the village of Kampong Kleang where the houses are built on stilts 10 ft in the air. Alternatively, you can head to Tonle Sap Lake where the locals live in a network of floating houses which is fascinating to see. We'll provide you with a comprehensive list of recommendations prior to the trip. Equally, you could choose to take it a bit easier and simply pass the day relaxing by our hotel pool! In the evening, we'll go together for the final group meal of our trip.
With two full weeks of adventure behind us, we've finally come to the end of the road. Think of all the incredible things you've done, seen, and eaten, though! You've sailed through Ha Long Bay, slurped huge bowls of Pho, explored the temples of Angkor, and done it all with a group of incredible people who love travel as much as you do. Everybody will head off at different times today to catch their flights, so be sure to squeeze in some final goodbyes before you hit the road. Then, your airport transfer will arrive to drop you off before your flight for a worry-free departure. Until next time!
Included
- 15-days / 14-nights: 2 Hanoi, 1 Pu Luong, 2 Ninh Binh, 1 Ha Long Bay, 3 Hoi An, 2 Ho Chi Minh City, 3 Siem Reap
- Accommodation in hand-picked 3 & 4-star hotels (based on sharing twin room)
- Meals – All breakfasts, 7 lunches & 3 dinners
- Airport pickups and drop-offs
- All transportation & activities within itinerary (excluding optional activities)
- 3 x internal flights
- A Vietnamese host plus various local experts
Not Included
- International flights (we will recommend)
- Vietnam/Cambodia visas