Visit Angkor Wat
The largest religious monument in the world
Ha Long Bay
Enjoy a cruise at Halong Bay - on one of the most amazing places you would go on earth
Visit Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the historical heart of Ho Chi Minh City
Phan Thiet
Soak up the sunshine at Mui Ne Beach
Southeast Asia has long been a draw for travellers searching for that certain something, far removed from daily life home. Spirituality, relaxation, adventure; there are infinite reasons why heading east has become an experience not to be missed. Join us on our discovery tour from Angkor Temples in Cambodia to Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and explore these two truly amazing countries of Southeast Asia!
What’s Extra
Depart the UK for your overnight flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Welcome to incredible Cambodia! Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, we’ll proceed through immigration, collect our luggage and transfer to our hotel in Siem Reap. After check in we will have some free time to rest after our flight. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome drink and dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.
After breakfast at our hotel we will visit Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. At the heart of Angkor Thom is the 12th-century Bayon, the mesmerising, if slightly mind-bending, state temple of King Jayavarman VII. This masterpiece temple is grandeur and is well known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.
Our next stop is the Terrace of Elephants which was used by Angkor’s king Jayavarman VII as a platform from which to view his victorious returning army. We will also see Terrace of the Leper King, the statue that depicts the Hindu god Yama, the god of death.
After breakfast at our hotel we will drive to the North of the Angkor area and visit the temple of Banteay Srei, carved in beautiful pink sandstone. It is also called The Citadel of Women and is one of the best-preserved temples in Cambodia.
In the afternoon we will visit the twin temples of Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda, built in the mid-12th century before exploring Ta Keo, a temple-mountain, possibly the first to be built entirely of sandstone by Khmers. We will also see the Srah Srang holy pond, Banteay Kdei also known as “Citadel of Monks’ cells” and Ta Phrom Temple, the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor. It has been swallowed by the jungle and looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them.
After breakfast at our hotel we will depart to Tonle Sap Lake and board a Sampan (flat-bottomed wooden boat) and head down the Roulos river to Kompong Phluk, a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. We will see the village houses on stilts, flooded forests and learn about the daily life of the local community.
After our tour we will have a lunch at local restaurant before transferring to the airport for our flight to Hanoi.
After arriving in Hanoi, we will transfer to our hotel in Hanoi.
After breakfast at our hotel we will start our tour of Hanoi. We will start with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his personal residence, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Museum of Women.
Afterwards we will have a lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon we will visit the Temple of Literature, the first University for the sons of mandarins. We will also walk through the old quarter of the city and visit a local house. Afterwards we will continue to Ngoc Son Temple at nearby Hoan Kiem Lake.
After breakfast we will depart for the stunning Halong Bay (3½ hour drive) located in the Gulf of Tonkin, a must see in Vietnam with over 1600 islands and islets, most of which are uninhabited.
After we arrive at Halong City we will check in and board a junk boat. Lunch will be served on board while cruising towards the bay.
In the afternoon you can enjoy some visits and activities or just spend some time relaxing on board (possibility to swim in the bay if weather permits). Dinner is served on board.
After breakfast on board we can enjoy the fresh morning in the bay. Our cruise ends around 11am. We will have an oriental tour in Hon Gai and Halong before going to Van Don Airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Upon arrival at Ho Chi Minh airport we will transfer to our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
After breakfast we will enjoy a full day exploring the city. We will visit the former Presidential Palace, or as it is known today – the Reunification Palace. Then we will head to the historical heart of the city and visit the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside visit only due to its renovation). The red bricks of the cathedral walls were originally from Paris. From there, we will take a short walk to the old Central Post Office. After that, we will visit the best-preserved buildings from the colonial era, the Opera House and the Hotel de Ville now home to Saigon’s municipal authorities. Later we will continue to Catinat building. Built in 1927, in an art deco style, it has once again become a hub for fashion conscious Saigonese and contains many designer boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafés.
After breakfast we will drive to Phan Thiet and once we check-in to our hotel, the rest of the day is free to spend as you wish.
After breakfast you can enjoy the day as you wish. Take in the sights & delights of the local area or spend time at the beach.
After breakfast you can enjoy the day as you wish. Take in the sights & delights of the local area or spend time at the beach.
After breakfast you can enjoy the day as you wish. Take in the sights & delights of the local area or spend time at the beach.
After breakfast, spend the day enjoying the beach. After a late check-out at 5pm, we’ll transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for flight home.
Depart on our flight back to the UK, arriving in London the same day.
We stay in comfortable hotels throughout as detailed below (or similar);
The visa waiver programme for British nationals has been suspended. You must obtain a visa in order to travel on Vietnam Airlines. For further information please visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements or the Embassy of Viet Nam http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/ (contact details on their website).
For latest info please check: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/vietnam/entry-requirements
A number of British nationals have been refused entry and exit due to their passport being damaged. Make sure your passport is in good condition before arriving in Vietnam. Being refused entry can result in significant cost and a long stay at the airport.
Your passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months on the date you enter Vietnam.
Tourist visas are available on arrival at Phnom Penh or Siem Reap international airports. If you wish to get a visa on arrival you must arrive with a passport photograph. You can also get an eVisa online before you travel.
Visa fees, conditions and photograph requirements are subject to change. Check the Royal Cambodian Embassy, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Co-operation website for the latest information on fees, conditions and photograph requirements and on how to apply for an e-visa. Currently an e-visa costs 30 USD + 6 USD processing fee).
Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cambodia. Entry is normally refused if you have a damaged passport or pages missing.
Your passport should also be valid for a minimum period of 6 months for any subsequent renewal or extension of your visa that you apply for from within Cambodia.
When checking into a hotel, you’ll have to hand over your passport so that the hotel can register your presence with the local police. Make sure your passport is returned and keep it in a safe place.
The transfer time from Siem Reap International Airport to your hotel in Siem Reap is approximately 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. The transfer time from your hotel in Phan Thiet to Ho Chi Minh International Airport is approximately 4 hours, depending on the traffic.
Vietnamese Dong
Cambodian Riel
The emphasis is on casual clothing throughout. Go for light, loose cotton clothing and comfortable shoes or walking boots. Conservative dress is preferred for both men and women. No shorts or vest tops in restaurants. When visiting temples and certain museums dress politely; shorts, singlets, spaghetti straps, skirts, tank-tops and open backed sandals are not acceptable. The dress code would be same for men and women, that is shoulders and legs covered, no hats, and shoes to be taken off.
We suggest a Group Collection to cover guides, transfer drivers, and hotel staff of equivalent of £70.00 per person. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip. The tipping of housekeeping will be left to your individual discretion (a small amount left in your room on departure should cover this and would be much appreciated). As is customary, ‘the hat’ will be passed around for the driver and guide on all optional excursions. For any meals that are not included in your itinerary, or taxi fares, your Tour Leader can advise of an appropriate % to add on.
A reasonable level of fitness/mobility is required as we include plenty of sightseeing/travelling, some with early starts.
The order of the itinerary and events may be subject to change
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Nov-Apr | 35 °C | 28 °C |
| May-Oct | 34 °C | 29 °C |
I was so nervous about embarking on my first Solos Holiday, but I shouldn’t have been – it was the best thing I have ever done!
Wow! Got to see the famous shipwreck beach in Zakynthos with Solos. Can’t wait to discover more of their destinations!
Our tour leader Monica was exceptional! Had such a good time and will be rebooking with Solos. Thanks for a great holiday!
Had the best time with Solos! Discovered beautiful destinations and met some lifelong friends.
