Current as of: December 21, 2024 - 09:42

Vietnam & Angkor – Premium Adventure

Vietnam & Angkor - Premium Adventure Trip Notes

  • Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Premium Adventures, Private Group Adventures
  • Destination: Cambodia, Vietnam
  • Programmes: Culture
  • Activity Level:

    1 out of 7 - Easy

  • 14 Days: Land Only
  • Ages: 16+
  • Trip Code: AOH
  • Carbon Footprint: 88kg CO2e

Trip Overview

Experience the best of Vietnam and the Angkor temples in Cambodia, while staying in premium accommodation

Immerse yourself in incredible experiences on this expertly led cultural adventure from Hanoi in northern Vietnam to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Explore limestone cliffs and enjoy sundowners on deck as you cruise Ha Long Bay; discover culture and history in Hoi An; witness street life in vibrant Ho Chi Minh City; and slow down on the serene waterways of the Mekong Delta. Finally, we journey to Siem Reap, staying at the intimate Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa – the perfect base to visit one of the great surviving archaeological wonders, the iconic temple complex of Angkor.

At a Glance

  • Accommodation: 13 Premium nights (12 hotel, 1 Ha Long Bay boat)
  • Travel by private air-conditioned minibus, three flights and boat
  • Group normally 4 to 16 plus leader

Highlights

  • Combine the wonders of Vietnam and Angkor, Cambodia, in one unforgettable adventure
  • Cruise around Ha Long Bay on a small Premium cruise ship and enjoy sunset drinks on deck
  • Explore Hoi An and pick up new culinary skills in a cooking class led by a Vietnamese chef
  • Traverse the meandering waterways of the Mekong Delta by boat
  • Discover the best of Angkor, Southeast Asia’s greatest ruins, plus the lesser-visited temples

Is This Trip for You?

This Premium Adventure is rated Activity Level 1 (Easy). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please do not hesitate to contact us.

This is not a rushed trip and, although there are early starts, the focus is on spending time in each area in comfort, with few long road journeys. Both Vietnam and Cambodia are humid, which can be tiring as we explore some areas on foot. We have included three flights to keep travelling time to a minimum but delays can occur.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Group

The trip is led by English-speaking Vietnamese and Cambodian tour leaders, chosen for their experience and great feedback.

Adult min age: 16

Min group size: 4

Max group size: 16

Itinerary

AOH Map

Land Only

  • Start City: Hanoi
  • End City: Siem Reap

Accommodation

Premium hotels and Ha Long Bay cruise

Vietnam & Angkor – Premium Adventure

For this Premium adventure through Vietnam and Cambodia, we handpicked accommodation for their location, comfort, style and unique characteristics. The hotels typically used are on the daily itinerary. However, below are some of the standout places we stay.

Ha Long Bay: Le Journey Cruise

Vietnam & Angkor – Premium Adventure

Experience Ha Long Bay, an icon of Vietnam and highlight for many of our travellers, from the comfort of a small Premium cruise ship. Enjoy views over the striking scenery from your deluxe/executive cabin or head to the sundeck to gather with the group and soak up the atmosphere. The latter is a prime spot for sunset, which you can experience with a drink in your hand from the bar.

Siem Reap: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa

Vietnam & Angkor – Premium Adventure

Relax at this intimate riverside resort, which sits in the heart of Siem Reap, an ideal location for our adventures! For ultimate peace, there’s the Nirvana Spa, which offers a traditional Khmer massage, plus tropical gardens and a freshwater pool. The Palate restaurant serves modern Cambodian cuisine made from fresh, local ingredients, and has a sky bar for cocktails with a river view.

Worth knowing

  • The accommodation shown has been booked and agreed in advance; however, we may need to make changes to a property of similar or higher standard after you have booked. We endeavour to inform you of any changes in advance, which could, on rare occasions, be at late notice.
  • Single supplements are available (on request) for the 12 hotel nights (not for the Ha Long Bay night). Please advise your sales representative at the time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement.
  • The Ha Long Bay cruise ship may have other guests on board at the same time.

Single supplement from £ 615

Food & Drink

All breakfasts, seven lunches and seven dinners are included.

Food is cheap in Vietnam and Cambodia, and you can generally avoid the spicier food if you wish. The cuisines share many similarities. However, Vietnamese food relies on fresh fish, vegetables, rice and a myriad of verdant herbs and spices. The Chinese and French influence is felt throughout the country where you are just as likely to be offered a banh mi (stuffed baguette) as you are a steaming bowl of pho (noodle soup).

Cambodian food is all about contrasts − sweet and bitter, salty and sour, fresh and cooked. It shares many dishes with its neighbours, and you’ll find noodle soup similar to Vietnamese pho, the refreshing salads and sour soups of Thailand, Indian-inspired curries, and noodles and stir fries handed down from years of Chinese migration.

Vegetarian food is widely available; however, the offering will be fairly similar in most places. Please advise at time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Transport

We use private air-conditioned car, minibus or bus dependent on group size. Boats are used at various points in the itinerary. There are three flights included in the itinerary and all bookings on flights are economy class.

Tet Holiday Period (Vietnamese New Year)

During the Tet holiday period, 28 January to 3 February 2025 and 16-21 February 2026, our itinerary is subject to minor change as, despite booking hotels and trains in advance, rooms and seats are difficult to obtain during this busy festive period when people are travelling home to celebrate with their families. It is unlikely that changes will occur, but if required, suitable alternative premium accommodation will be used.

Weather & Seasonality

The weather will be hot and humid throughout with daytime temperatures usually between 28C and 34C (82F and 93F). It is only a little cooler at night.

There is quite a range of seasons between the north and the south: the south up to Hue has a distinct dry season between December and April and then a rainy season from May to November when it tends to come in short heavy bursts with bright sunshine in between. Hanoi is cool in autumn, and even gets chilly between November and February (with drizzly rain).

There is no ideal time to visit Vietnam; it is quite pleasant at any time of year, though due to the shape of the country it is unlikely the weather will ever be perfect for the entire duration of any trip.

Please be aware, the Ha Long Bay boat trip can be subject to change at short notice if certain adverse weather conditions develop. These could occur year-round, but especially in monsoon season (October to April). Ha Long Bay boat trips are governed by local authorities, who are authorised to make such appropriate safety decisions. If your Ha Long Bay trip is affected by adverse weather, this could either result in a reduced excursion on Ha Long Bay for your group, or less likely, the need to re-arrange the itinerary if it is not possible at all to go out on Ha Long Bay. While this is not a frequent occurrence, our local team and leaders are well equipped to handle such situations and have long offered appropriate options to groups in the instances where this may occur.

In Cambodia, the weather will be hot and humid year-round. The dry season is late October to May and the monsoon is normally between May and October; though there is an obvious transitional time between those settled periods. The dry season is as it sounds, with hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short bursts of rain and is generally overcast all day though this does not detract from the enjoyment of the place; just take an umbrella or buy a cheap poncho locally.

Joining Instructions

Key information

Recommended arrival time: You should aim to arrive by late afternoon to catch the welcome dinner
Airport: Hanoi Airport (HAN)

Getting to the start hotel

Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers to Siem Reap Airport (SAI) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.

Location start: Hanoi
Location end: Siem Reap

What To Take

Essential Equipment

  • Casual clothes. As it is generally hot and humid, light cotton clothing is recommended for most of the trip, though it will be cold in Hanoi between November and early March and you should bring a warm jacket, woolly hat and trousers if you are travelling at that time
  • You will be expected to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during temple visits. Sandals are useful as they are cooler and are easier to take off when visiting temples and you will need comfortable footwear for exploring the Angkor complex
  • A first-aid kit is carried on each trip, but you should bring your own with diarrhoea treatment, painkillers, rehydration sachets, plasters and a blister-treatment kit.
  • Insect repellent is also highly recommended. Repellent containing DEET is thought to be highly effective
  • Overnight bag. For the night in Ha Long Bay and the Mekong Delta (2024 departures only), you will be required to leave your main bag behind at the previous hotel for the night.
  • Sun hat, sunscreen, swimwear

There will be plenty of opportunities to get laundry done locally at a very affordable price, so it is fine to pack light.

Internal flights in the destination country are subject to a weight limit of 44lb (20kg). As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline website for the latest information prior to your departure.

Water included

Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.

Optional Equipment

  • A sun hat, sunscreen, swimming suit for Ha Long Bay and where swimming pools are available
  • We recommend you bring a torch for the Mekong Delta and Marble Mountain cave/grottos
  • Money belt
  • Light waterproof or umbrella

Practical Information

Passport

To enter Vietnam and Cambodia your passport must:
  • Have an expiry date at least six months after the day you arrive in each country
  • Be undamaged (including no water damage)
  • Be complete (no pages missing)
Vietnam also specifically requests that you have at least two blank pages, though you will also need sufficient blank pages for Cambodia.

Visa

Vietnam

UK passport holders normally do not need a visa to enter Vietnam for visits up to 45 days, while those with a US or Irish passport normally do need a visa to enter. Visa requirements for EU citizens vary by country.

Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/vietnam
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/vietnam
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html

Cambodia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Cambodia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Important advice regarding e-Visas:

Please note, e-Visas are not accepted at all border checkpoints when travelling overland into Cambodia.

This applies to the following borders/trips:

  • Tinh Bien,Vietnam/Phnom Den, Takeo, Cambodia border: Thai Indochina Explorer (Trip Code: AOX) and Southeast Asia Express (AOK)
  • Xa Xia, Vietnam/Prek Chak, Cambodia (Ha Tien crossing): South East Asia Adventure (Trip Code: FIJ)

You can only purchase a tourist visa on arrival at these borders as e-Visas will not be accepted.

More information can be found at:

Visa on arrival:

For obtaining a visa on arrival, you will need $30 USD in cash and 2 passport photos. You will be required to fill in a small application on arrival with your personal details including the address of the first hotel you stay at in Cambodia.

Applying for your Cambodia tourist e-Visa:

If you choose to apply for a Cambodia tourist e-Visa before arrival, will need to add in the following information to your application:

Address during visit (Address in Cambodia):

Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa
Address: Acha Sva Road, Street 20, Siem Reap, Cambodia
Phone: (+855) 63 96 77 55

Intended date you enter Cambodia 2024 departures:  The Vietnam & Angkor: Premium Adventure trip (AOH) arrives in Cambodia on Day 12 of the itinerary.

Intended date you enter Cambodia 2025 departures:  The Vietnam & Angkor: Premium Adventure trip (AOH) arrives in Cambodia on Day 11 of the itinerary.

Supporting documents: You can submit your Exodus trip invoice and/or booking confirmation with your application.#

Important Information- Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA)

Applicable for all clients travelling on Exodus trips AOA/AOH/AOL & Angkor Wat Extensions.

As of 1 July 2024, all travellers arriving in Cambodia (via air only) are required to submit a Cambodia e-Arrival Card within 7 days before their arrival. The Cambodia e-Arrival Card (CeA) is free and is replacing the requirement to complete paper forms when arriving at Cambodia Airports. The e-Arrival card is separate from visa/e-visa requirements.

How to fill out the e-Arrival card online:

  1. Visit the official website https://arrival.gov.kh/
  2. Fill out the form online or download the app, available or iOS and Android devices.
  3. Once the form is completed, you will receive a confirmation email with QR code.
  4. Take a screenshot, download or print the QR code.
  5. Present the QR code to the immigration upon arrival.

Vaccinations and Health

Cambodia

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’re arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm your vaccine recommendations and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Vietnam

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to speak to your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may want to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Similarly, dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Vietnam. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Local Time

Cambodia's time zone: Asia/Phnom_Penh (UTC +07:00)

Vietnam's time zone: Asia/Ho_Chi_Minh (UTC +07:00)

Electricity

Cambodia's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins), C (two round pins) and G (three rectangular pins) – 230V, 50Hz

Vietnam's electricity: Plug types A (two flat pins, US standard), C (two round pins, European standard) and F (two round pins) – 220V, 50Hz

Vietnam & Angkor – Premium Adventure

Money

Cambodia's currency: Cambodian riel (KHR); however, US dollars are widely accepted

Vietnam's currency: Vietnamese dong (VND)

ATM Availability

ATMs are widespread in Southeast Asian cities and are the easiest way of obtaining money. In Vietnam, it is possible to draw a maximum 5m Vietnamese dong (approximately US$202) in major cities in one go. ATMs in Cambodia dispense money in US dollars or Cambodian riel.

Credit card acceptance is widespread at restaurants and shops catering for tourists in cities in Southeast Asia. Credit/debit cards are usually not accepted for small payments or in most local restaurants and shops. Clean banknotes in small denominations are recommended. If you would like to bring cash, there will be ample opportunity for you to change this. US dollars and British pounds are both easily exchanged.

As you will likely be carrying much of your money in cash, we strongly recommend using a money belt.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

You need about US$300‐US$375 for all other meals, which will allow you to eat well. Apart from the food, you should allow money to cover drinks (more if you like a beer/alcohol) and souvenirs.

Optional excursions

There are several optional activities, which your leader can help arrange for you and advise of costs locally.

Hanoi

  • Water puppets: US$6

Hoi An

  • Tu Bon River boat trip: US$7 depending upon numbers

Tipping

On this Premium Adventure, tipping for any local support staff is included, and will be taken care of by your tour leader (or in some cases through our local agent). So need no for tipping kitties or to make your own tips during the trip.

Our ‘included tips’ will normally cover drivers, local specialist guides, certain hotel staff, and serving staff for included meals. Amounts will be in line with the local standard. Of course, if you wish to make a further tip for some extra special service you may do so.

Tips for the tour leaders are not included. Whether to tip at all and the amount is entirely at your own discretion, but as a starting point we suggest around 61,000-125,000 dong (US$3-US$6) per person per day for the duration of the trip.

Sustainability and Impact

At Exodus, we thrive on travel, and we firmly believe our adventures should help destinations thrive too.

As a certified B Corp, we aim to take a ‘nature positive’ approach across our adventures, including carbon and waste reduction, animal welfare and support for rewilding and conservation. We also seek to contribute to local communities, providing economic opportunity and empowerment.

Important Information

Water safety

This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.

Important Information

Your safe participation 

When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary. 

Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity. 

By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred. 

Seatbelts

All vehicles used by Exodus should be equipped with working seatbelts, except where approved by Exodus based on the vehicle type or journey. Wherever seatbelts are available, we require our customers to use them for their own safety, even where it may not be a legal requirement.

How to Book

  1. Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
  2. Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
  3. Complete your booking and payment

When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.

After booking

You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.

Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.

Trip Note validity

These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.

The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Licensing

Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.

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