The journey
Wander Hoi An's lantern-lit streets and cycle its river islands, ride the Vietage down a historic coastal railway to a secluded beach resort, explore Saigon by day and by Vespa at night, stand before the temples of Angkor, and close on a private island and a candlelit riverside feast in Phnom Penh, seventeen days across two of Southeast Asia's most storied destinations.
Vietnam & Cambodia: A Luxury Journey is a seventeen-day journey built around three of the region's finest experiences: a scenic ride aboard the Vietage, Vietnam's most luxurious train; the ancient temples of Angkor; and two secluded beach stays bookending the trip. Begin in Hoi An at Namia River Retreat with a heritage walking tour, a cycling tour of the town's river islands, and a hands-on banh mi cooking class, before boarding the Vietage for a six-and-a-half-hour journey along a historic French-built coastal railway to Zannier Bai San Ho in Quy Nhon, where three unhurried days unfold on one of Vietnam's last untouched stretches of coastline.
Highlights
- A guided heritage walk through Hoi An's UNESCO-listed old town, followed by a cycling tour of its river islands and traditional craft villages
- Ride the Vietage, Vietnam's most luxurious train, along a historic French-built coastal railway from Hoi An to Quy Nhon
- Three unhurried days at Zannier Bai San Ho in Quy Nhon, one of Vietnam's last untouched stretches of coastline
- An evening Vespa food tour through Ho Chi Minh City's back streets, from a bustling night market to a hidden cocktail bar
- The temples of Angkor, an immersive rural Cambodian village visit, and an exclusive fine-dining evening in Siem Reap
- Three days at Six Senses Krabey Island, closing with a candlelit riverside dinner at Rosewood Phnom Penh
Included
Accommodation
16 nights: 3 at Namia River Retreat, Hoi An; 3 at Zannier Bai San Ho, Quy Nhon; 2 at Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City; 3 at Zannier Phum Baitang, Siem Reap; 3 at Six Senses Krabey Island; and 2 at Rosewood Phnom Penh
Activities
a Hoi An heritage walking tour (former merchant homes, communal halls, the Japanese Bridge) with a martial-arts healing house visit and a local dessert tasting · a Hoi An river island cycling tour (a boat crossing of the Thu Bon River, a pearl wood carving workshop, a basket boat-making family, a sedge mat-weaving family) · dinner at Mango Rooms · a banh mi cooking class (a local bakery, a market visit, Tra Que Herb Village, a Vietnamese coffee demonstration) · the Vietage luxury train journey, Hoi An to Quy Nhon, with an onboard three-course meal · a Ho Chi Minh City walking tour (City Hall, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel, the Saigon Opera House, the Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market) · an evening Vespa food tour through Ho Chi Minh City · Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom (Terrace of the Elephants, the Royal Palace enclosure, Bayon) and Angkor Wat · exclusive dinner at the Embassy Restaurant · a rural Cambodian village tour (Ta Brak village, a market walk, a smokehouse visit, a Buddhist blessing ceremony) with a visit to Satchaa social enterprise · a private candlelit dinner at Villa Chandara · a private dinner with Chef Nak on the outskirts of Phnom Penh
Also included
Private air-conditioned transfers with driver and English-speaking guide throughout · one-way Vietage train ticket, Hoi An to Quy Nhon · boat trips as mentioned · bottled water in the vehicles · entrance fees for all visits mentioned · breakfast daily from Day 2 (16 total), lunch on Days 3 and 4 (2 total), and dinner on Days 2, 8, 10, 11 and 16 (5 total)
The route
01Hoi AnDays 1 to 3
02Quy NhonDays 4 to 6
03Ho Chi Minh CityDays 7 to 8
04Siem ReapDays 9 to 11
05Krabey IslandDays 12 to 14
06Phnom PenhDays 15 to 17
The full day-by-day itinerary is below.
Day by day
The route in detail
Day 1
Arrival in Hoi An
Arrive at Danang Airport and transfer around 50 minutes to Namia River Retreat in central Hoi An, one of Vietnam's most picturesque towns and a UNESCO World Heritage site, once a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Overnight at Namia River Retreat, Hoi An.
Day 2
Hoi An Heritage and River Islands
Set out with a local guide for a half-day discovery of the ancient town: former merchant homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes and the iconic Japanese Bridge, along with lesser-known backstreets and alleys. Visit a traditional house where a local family has practised a martial-art-based healing method for generations, with a chance to learn some basic steps, before a stop at a local home to taste a typical dessert. In the afternoon, collect bicycles and ride to the pier for a short boat crossing of the Thu Bon River to one of the delta's river islands. Cycle past rice fields to visit a family workshop specialising in pearl wood carving, a family that makes traditional basket boats (thung chai), and a family that weaves mats from sedge grass, before returning to Hoi An along the country road. This evening, dinner at Mango Rooms, a riverside restaurant in Hoi An known for owner-chef Duc's Asian-fusion cuisine. Overnight at Namia River Retreat, Hoi An.
Day 3
Hoi An Banh Mi Cooking Class
Begin at a local bakery to see how the iconic banh mi baguette is made, then explore a vibrant local market for fresh herbs before continuing by electric buggy to a cooking class at a local house in Tra Que Herb Village. Learn to craft the signature fillings that define a great banh mi, from char siu to a vegan nut pate and freshly made pickles, followed by a demonstration on brewing Vietnamese coffee (ca phe sua da) and a tasting of your own creation. Return to the hotel by midday. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Namia River Retreat, Hoi An.
Day 4
Hoi An to Quy Nhon Aboard the Vietage
Transfer around 50 minutes to Danang Railway Station and board the Vietage, Vietnam's most luxurious train, for a six-and-a-half-hour journey along a historic stretch of rail first built by the French during the colonial era. Settle in for a three-course meal as the train winds through Central Vietnam's countryside and coastline. On arrival, transfer to Zannier Bai San Ho, a secluded resort on South Central Vietnam's coastline offering diverse landscapes, beautiful beaches and a relaxed pace. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Zannier Bai San Ho, Quy Nhon.
Day 5
Quy Nhon at Leisure
A free day to enjoy the resort and the coastline of Quy Nhon. Overnight at Zannier Bai San Ho, Quy Nhon.
Day 6
Quy Nhon at Leisure
Another free day at leisure on Quy Nhon's coastline. Overnight at Zannier Bai San Ho, Quy Nhon.
Day 7
Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City
Morning at leisure before checking out and transferring to Quy Nhon's Phu Cat Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once known as the 'Pearl of Indochina' for its architectural wealth. On arrival, transfer to Park Hyatt Saigon in central Ho Chi Minh City. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 8
Ho Chi Minh City by Day and by Vespa
A morning walking tour through the historic city centre and CBD: City Hall, Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House, followed by a historic building revived by the city's creative generation, the Central Post Office (with a glimpse of the former CIA building), 30 April Park, the Reunification Palace and its preserved war rooms, and Ben Thanh Market. Return to the hotel to relax for the afternoon. This evening, ride pillion on a vintage Vespa through the city's bustling streets: a queue at a well-regarded banh mi stall, a briefing over drinks at a characterful coffee shop, a home-cooked tasting meal at a hidden restaurant, a night market alive with food and drink stalls inside a converted old apartment complex, a local-style cake at a dessert spot, and a final stop at a hidden bar for a signature cocktail before returning to the hotel. Overnight at Park Hyatt Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 9
Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Welcome to Cambodia: be met on arrival and transferred to Zannier Phum Baitang. Overnight at Zannier Phum Baitang, Siem Reap.
Day 10
The Temples of Angkor
Begin early, from 07:30, at Ta Prohm, the temple made famous by the film Tomb Raider and known for the trees and vines that have grown atop its walls, entering from the east to avoid the crowds. Continue to Angkor Thom, visiting the Terrace of the Elephants and the Royal Palace enclosure, then stroll the lower galleries of Bayon's carvings, depicting scenes of 11th-century life. Return to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, a 12th-century temple built by King Suryavarman II and reflecting Mount Meru, home to the Hindu gods, its intricate carvings and reliefs showcasing Hindu myths and over 2,000 apsara dancers. This evening, exclusive fine dining at the Embassy Restaurant, headed by executive chefs Pol and Sok, known as "the Kimsan Twins," trained under Michelin-starred chefs, with a constantly changing seasonal menu paired with fine wines. Overnight at Zannier Phum Baitang, Siem Reap.
Day 11
Rural Cambodia and a Farewell Dinner
From 07:30, an authentic rural Cambodia tour to Ta Brak village, busiest in the morning: breakfast with a local family while observing village life, a walk through the local market's colourful produce stalls, and time to chat with locals along the way. Visit a Khmer smokehouse to learn the process of smoking fish over a fresh coconut juice, followed by a Buddhist blessing ceremony from local monks. Return to town for a visit to Satchaa, a local social enterprise supporting Cambodian craftspeople. In the afternoon, transfer to the boat pier of Villa Chandara, a charming private villa just west of Angkor Thom, for a walk through landscaped spice gardens and a candlelit farewell dinner surrounded by rice paddies, inaccessible to the tourist crowds. Overnight at Zannier Phum Baitang, Siem Reap.
Day 12
Siem Reap to Krabey Island
Free time before checking out and transferring to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport for the flight to Sihanoukville. On arrival, transfer to the boat station for a shared-boat crossing to Six Senses Krabey Island. Check in and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Six Senses Krabey Island.
Day 13
Krabey Island at Leisure
A free day on the island, with a range of activities available to arrange directly with the resort: water sports including diving, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and island-hopping boat trips; a visit to the Earth Lab & Market Farm, a four-hectare sustainability centre; or a cooking class in Khmer cuisine. Overnight at Six Senses Krabey Island.
Day 14
Krabey Island at Leisure
Another free day on the island to enjoy the beach or the resort's water sports, farm and cooking class activities. Overnight at Six Senses Krabey Island.
Day 15
Krabey Island to Phnom Penh
Time at leisure before transferring back to the mainland jetty and continuing by road to Rosewood Phnom Penh, around three hours on the expressway. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Rosewood Phnom Penh.
Day 16
Phnom Penh History and a Farewell Feast
This morning, gain insight into Cambodia's recent history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former school used as the Khmer Rouge's main detention centre, S-21, followed by the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure. In the late afternoon, your guide meets you for the drive to the outskirts of the city, to an antique wooden house by the Mekong River for a five-course dinner crafted by Chef Nak, whose cooking has been named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the world's 14 finest dining experiences. Enjoy live traditional music in an intimate setting as local ingredients and traditional techniques come together in a final taste of Cambodia. Overnight at Rosewood Phnom Penh.
Day 17
Departure from Phnom Penh
Breakfast at the hotel, then free time before transferring to the airport for your departing flight.
Moments
Along the way
Keep exploring
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