Premium Cambodia & Vietnam in Depth

Sua s’dei! Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively capital city. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, why not go for a stroll and discover the city’s French architecture or check out the National Museum and its fascinating collection of Khmer craftsmanship. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and fellow travellers. After, join your group for dinner at Malis Restaurant – an upmarket dining spot that’s committed to preserving and serving Cambodia’s traditional cuisine. Maybe cap off the night with a cocktail at the Le Moon Rooftop at Amanjaya Pancam Hotel.

This morning, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to learn the story of the tragic legacy of the Khmer Rouge, and the Royal Palace, where you can see Throne Hall, topped by a 59 m (193.5 ft) tower inspired by the Bayon at Angkor. Then, your afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit Wat Phnom – the temple that gave rise to the city’s foundation in the 15th century. Tonight, perhaps grab dinner with your group or wander the city and soak up the nighttime atmosphere.

After breakfast, journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap in a comfortable private vehicle. Discover traditional Cambodian life at Skun Village and learn about the town’s deep-fried tarantulas and other insects, which the locals consume daily. You’ll also visit Santuk Silk Farm to learn about silk production and its work as a social enterprise, employing local women as artisan weavers. Share a simple, rustic, local lunch prepared by the weavers before you continue to Siem Reap, stopping to see historic bridges along the way before arriving at your hotel at approximately 5 pm. You’ll love this boutique hotel’s location in the tree-shaded Royal District and its quiet pools, tropical gardens and art-filled spaces. Tonight, head out for dinner and a theatre show at Angkor Village Apsara Theatre, where you’ll watch Khmer traditional dance and dine on Khmer favourites.

If you like, head out earlier than the rest of your group to catch sunrise at the Angkor complex. After, you’ll spend the day discovering the fantastic temples with your leader. For the first half of the day, you’ll be accompanied by a private archaeological guide, who will provide expert knowledge and insight beginning at Angkor Wat – the largest and most complete structure and the only one of Angkor’s temples with an entrance facing west. Have lunch, at the Sala Bai Hotel School, where underprivileged local youths learn skills to find gainful employment in the hospitality industry. Then, visit Angkor Thom, the ‘Great Royal City’ – a temple famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone. From here, you’ll head out of town to an ancient working monastery to gain a special insight into the life of a monk and Theravada Buddhism. Meet the monks, enjoy a sacred water blessing for good luck and prosperity and have a red band tied around your wrist to keep you safe in your travels. The rest of the evening can be spent exploring the bars of Siem Reap or relaxing in at your resort.

After breakfast, it’s off to the Ta Prohm temple, which has large trees embedded in the stone foundations – powerful symbols of nature. Next, visit Banteay Srei to snap some pictures of the temple’s intricate stone carvings. You can head back to the resort to explore Siem Reap town or use your ticket for the Angkor ruins to continue discovering the site. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner in the Khmer countryside to say farewell to your group and Cambodia. Amid a rustic and romantic setting, you’ll sit down for a private meal in the rice fields of rural Siem Reap.

Today, take an unescorted flight to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening, you’ll have a second meeting at 6 pm to meet your new group and leader. If you arrive with time to spare, why not get out and explore the city at your own pace, maybe grabbing a tasty banh mi along the way (a baguette filled with a variety of fresh herbs, meat and veggies). Tonight, head out for dinner at a restaurant that is now a piece of Vietnamese history – this building was an old opium refinery station built in 1861, and nods to its past are still visible today. Here, you’ll feast on a menu of classic dishes and southern Vietnamese favourites.

Kick off your first full day of the trip with a visit to the Mekong Delta – a network of rivers and canals with floating markets and rice paddies. After breakfast, drive south towards this region via Ben Tre. Here, you’ll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at some coconut gardens to visit a local home where you can sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, return to the waterways of the delta on sampans (small rowing boats) and row past the coconut trees and stilt houses that flank the river. Back on land, take a tuk tuk tour around the villages for a glimpse at rural life and learn how the coconut industry is woven into the community here. Then, visit with the NGO GreenHub to see how Intrepid’s travel choices can create positive environmental impact beyond the trip itself. GreenHub’s initiatives include mangrove protection and plastic waste reduction to protect coastal ecosystems. Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.

This morning, head out on a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 km/124 mi) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. Your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what underground life must have been like. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon walk through central Saigon. Pass the City People’s Committee, Opera House, old CIA building viewpoint and Post Office to contrast important landmarks, civic history and modern city life. Tonight, perhaps visit the renowned TV chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House Restaurant for an elevated, modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

This morning, hop a flight to Hoi An via Da Nang. When you arrive, head to lunch at a local restaurant, then take an Old Town walking tour with your leader. Discover Hoi An’s ancient heritage-listed architecture and unique mix of influences. With its charming low-tiled houses and tranquil feel, this is a delightful town to wander around. Start by visiting an opulently decorated historic house that was once home to a prominent trader. Then, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, stop by the Chinese Assembly Hall and visit a local museum to learn more about the history you uncovered on the walk.

Take the morning to enjoy some free time, then after lunch, head to Hoi An, once a significant port of the Champa Kingdom and still home to many Cham descendants. Today, you’ll have an after-hours Premium Experience at the My Son Sanctuary – a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa that date back to the 4th century. Meet with an expert Cham researcher who will explain their work as an archaeologist and monument conservator, give insight into this ethnic group and discuss the significance of My Son. Learn about the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and see the craters created by American bombs during the war. After exploring the temples and serene surroundings, return to Hoi An and have free time for dinner.

Today is free for you to experience Hoi An at your own pace. You might start with a wander through the Old Town, stopping at assembly halls, heritage houses and quiet backstreets along the Thu Bon River. Maybe head out by bike to nearby villages, visit a tailor for a custom-made piece (the tailors are famous in Hoi An and can sometimes even have your piece ready in 24 hours!) or join a cooking class to get a closer look at central Vietnamese flavours. In the evening, choose a riverside restaurant or see the town lit by lanterns.

Head for Hue this morning – the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam'’s historic past. On the way, pass through the Hai Van Pass – a scenic, mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co Beach. Arrive in Hue and discover its eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins stand as a testament to its proud history. Here, your leader will share insights into the devastating damage endured during the war.