Best of Vietnam & Cambodia – Self-Guided
18 days · Vietnam & Cambodia · 24 August 2026 → 10 September 2026
Estimated savings vs. commercial tour
Intrepid Travel charges £1,565. This no-markup version: ~£737.
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
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About this trip
Trip inspired by Intrepid Travel's "Best of Vietnam & Cambodia" route, generated independently with the operator margin removed — not booked with or affiliated with Intrepid Travel. Setting my own date, looking for trip mates to join. An 18-day self-guided adventure through the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia — from the buzzing streets of Hanoi and the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, down through Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City, before crossing into Cambodia to explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and the vibrant capital Phnom Penh. By ditching the guided group tour and booking transport, accommodation, and activities independently, you can experience exactly the same iconic destinations for a fraction of the price. Costs below are estimated per person based on current budget traveller rates and are approximate.
Day-by-day itinerary
Arrive in Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam
Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport. Take the 86 public bus or a pre-booked airport minivan (~£2–4) into the Old Quarter. Check into your hostel, get oriented, and explore the narrow lanes of the 36 Streets on foot. Grab a bowl of pho and a bia hoi (street beer) to kick things off.
- →Explore Hanoi Old Quarter on foot
- →Visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple
- →Try street food: pho, bun cha, banh mi
- →Bia Hoi corner for cheap local beer
~£35/person today · save ~£35/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Hanoi City Highlights
Hanoi, Vietnam
Spend a full day soaking up Hanoi's history and culture. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, the Temple of Literature, and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. In the evening, catch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show at the Thang Long Theatre — bookable directly at the door for ~£3.
- →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & One Pillar Pagoda (free/~£1)
- →Temple of Literature (~£1.50 entry)
- →Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (~£2 entry)
- →Water Puppet Show at Thang Long Theatre (~£3)
~£38/person today · save ~£38/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Ha Long Bay – Overnight Cruise Begins
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Take a booked shuttle bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (~3.5 hrs, £5–8). Board a budget cruise for a 2-day/1-night trip through the UNESCO-listed karst seascape. Budget cruises include meals, kayaking, and cave visits. Book in advance via GetYourGuide or direct with operators like Indochina Junk or Bhaya alternatives.
- →Shuttle bus Hanoi → Ha Long Bay
- →Board overnight cruise boat
- →Kayaking through limestone karsts
- →Visit Surprising Cave (Hang Sung Sot)
- →Sunset on deck with included meals
~£75/person today · save ~£74/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Ha Long Bay – Return to Hanoi
Ha Long Bay → Hanoi, Vietnam
Morning activities on the bay — swim, kayak, or watch the sunrise from deck. Check out after lunch and take the return shuttle to Hanoi. Rest at the hostel or explore any remaining Hanoi sights. Prepare for the overnight train to Hue.
- →Morning kayaking or swimming
- →Sunrise on deck
- →Return shuttle to Hanoi
- →Book and board overnight train to Hue
~£42/person today · save ~£42/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Arrive Hue – Imperial City
Hue, Vietnam
Arrive in Hue by morning after the overnight train. Check into your guesthouse and freshen up. Spend the day exploring the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City — Vietnam's answer to Beijing's Forbidden City. Hire a bicycle (£2/day) to explore at your own pace. Try Hue's famous bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) for lunch.
- →Imperial Citadel & Forbidden Purple City (~£7 entry)
- →Thien Mu Pagoda (free)
- →Rent a bicycle to explore (~£2/day)
- →Try bun bo Hue at a local restaurant
~£40/person today · save ~£40/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Hue Royal Tombs & DMZ
Hue, Vietnam
Hire a motorbike or join a shared 'Easy Rider' motorbike tour to visit the Royal Tombs of Tu Duc and Minh Mang (~£3–5 each). Optional: book a shared minibus DMZ tour (Demilitarised Zone) — bookable at any local travel agent for ~£12–18 — to visit Khe Sanh, the Ben Hai River, and Vinh Moc tunnels.
- →Royal Tomb of Tu Duc (~£4 entry)
- →Royal Tomb of Minh Mang (~£4 entry)
- →Optional DMZ shared tour (~£15)
- →Dong Ba Market for local shopping
~£45/person today · save ~£45/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Hue to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass
Hoi An, Vietnam
Take a local open-tour bus or book a private transfer over the spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hoi An (~3.5 hrs, £5–10). The pass offers breathtaking coastal views — ask to stop at the top for photos. Arrive in Hoi An, check in, and wander the lantern-lit Ancient Town in the evening.
- →Scenic drive over Hai Van Pass
- →Arrive and check into Hoi An
- →Explore Hoi An Ancient Town (entry ticket ~£3.50)
- →Japanese Covered Bridge
- →Evening lantern-lit streets and riverside bars
~£40/person today · save ~£40/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Hoi An – Tailors, Beaches & Cooking
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An is famous for its tailors, food, and nearby beaches. Spend the morning getting measured at a tailor (budget £20–40 for a custom garment). Rent a bicycle (~£2) and cycle to An Bang Beach in the afternoon. In the evening, consider a street food tour or cooking class bookable via GetYourGuide (~£20–25).
- →Visit a local tailor (~£20–40 optional)
- →Cycle to An Bang Beach (~£2 bike hire)
- →Street food walking tour or cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£22)
- →Cao Lau noodles for lunch (local dish)
~£55/person today · save ~£54/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Take a Grab or taxi to Da Nang Airport (~30 mins, ~£6) and catch a budget domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) with VietJet, Bamboo, or Vietnam Airlines (~£25–45 booked in advance). Arrive in HCMC, catch the 109 airport bus or a Grab to District 1. Check in and explore the lively Bui Vien backpacker street.
- →Transfer to Da Nang Airport
- →Budget flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- →Check in to hostel in District 1
- →Explore Bui Vien Walking Street
- →Ben Thanh Market visit
~£65/person today · save ~£64/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Ho Chi Minh City – War History & Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Start the day at the War Remnants Museum — one of Southeast Asia's most powerful and important museums (~£2 entry). In the afternoon, take a shared half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels (~£10–15 via GetYourGuide or local agents), the underground network used by Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Return to HCMC for a rooftop bar sunset.
- →War Remnants Museum (~£2)
- →Reunification Palace (~£2)
- →Shared half-day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels (~£12)
- →Rooftop bar in District 1 for sunset
~£45/person today · save ~£45/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Mekong Delta Day Trip
Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Join a shared day trip to the Mekong Delta (~£15–20 via GetYourGuide or local guesthouses). Visit floating markets, rice paper and coconut candy workshops, and ride sampan boats through narrow canals. This is one of the most rewarding day trips from HCMC. Return to the city by evening.
- →Shared Mekong Delta day tour (~£18)
- →Sampan boat ride through canals
- →Visit floating markets
- →Rice paper and coconut candy factory visits
- →Local lunch included in most tours
~£45/person today · save ~£45/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Take a shared bus from Phạm Ngũ Lão Street (District 1) to Phnom Penh, Cambodia (~6–7 hrs including border crossing at Moc Bai/Bavet, ~£10–15 with Mekong Express or Giant Ibis). Obtain your Cambodia e-visa in advance (£28). Arrive in Phnom Penh by early evening and explore the riverside promenade.
- →Shared bus Ho Chi Minh City → Phnom Penh (~£12)
- →Vietnam/Cambodia border crossing (Moc Bai/Bavet)
- →Check into Phnom Penh hostel
- →Riverfront Promenade evening walk
- →Dinner at riverside restaurant
~£50/person today · save ~£49/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Phnom Penh – Genocide Memorials & Royal Palace
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
A deeply important and moving day. Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21 Prison) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields to understand Cambodia's tragic recent history under the Khmer Rouge. In the afternoon, visit the stunning Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. Audio guides available at both genocide sites — highly recommended.
- →Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum / S-21 Prison (~£5 + audio guide)
- →Choeung Ek Killing Fields (~£6 incl. audio guide)
- →Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda (~£6.50)
- →National Museum of Cambodia (~£5)
~£48/person today · save ~£47/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Take the Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (~6 hrs, ~£10–12) — the most comfortable and reliable option. Arrive in the afternoon, check into your hostel near Pub Street, and explore the vibrant night market and Angkor Night Market in the evening.
- →Bus Phnom Penh → Siem Reap (~£11 Giant Ibis)
- →Check into hostel near Old Market
- →Explore Pub Street and Night Market
- →Angkor Night Market
~£38/person today · save ~£38/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Angkor Wat Sunrise & Temple Complex
Siem Reap / Angkor, Cambodia
The highlight of the trip. Rise before dawn and hire a tuk-tuk (~£12–15/day for full Angkor circuit) to reach Angkor Wat for sunrise — one of the world's great travel experiences. Spend the day exploring Angkor Thom, the Bayon temple, and Ta Prohm (the 'Tomb Raider' temple overgrown with tree roots). A 1-day Angkor pass costs £32. Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen!
- →Angkor Wat sunrise
- →Angkor Thom & The Bayon
- →Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple)
- →Baphuon Temple
- →Terrace of the Elephants
~£68/person today · save ~£67/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Angkor Outlying Temples & Tonle Sap Lake
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Use your Angkor pass or upgrade to a 3-day pass (£55) to explore the outlying temples — Banteay Srei (the 'Citadel of Women', famous for intricate pink sandstone carvings) and Pre Rup. In the afternoon, arrange a tuk-tuk to Tonle Sap Lake to see the remarkable floating villages (~£8–12 boat trip). Sunset over the lake is spectacular.
- →Banteay Srei temple (~30km from Siem Reap)
- →Pre Rup and East Mebon temples
- →Tonle Sap floating village boat tour (~£10)
- →Sunset over Tonle Sap Lake
~£55/person today · save ~£54/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Siem Reap Free Day & Departure Prep
Siem Reap, Cambodia
A relaxed final full day. Visit the Artisans Angkor workshop (free entry) to see traditional Khmer crafts being made and pick up ethical souvenirs. Treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage (~£6–8/hr). Browse the Old Market (Psar Chas) for last-minute shopping. Enjoy a farewell dinner of Khmer amok curry at a local restaurant.
- →Artisans Angkor workshop (free)
- →Traditional Khmer massage (~£7)
- →Old Market (Psar Chas) shopping
- →Farewell dinner: Khmer amok curry
- →Pub Street for final night out
~£38/person today · save ~£38/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Depart Siem Reap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Check out and take a tuk-tuk to Siem Reap International Airport (~£5). Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours to grab a final Cambodian iced coffee (kafe tuk doh ko) and reflect on an incredible 18-day journey. Most travellers connect via Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore for onward international flights.
- →Final breakfast at local café
- →Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap Airport (~£5)
- →Depart Siem Reap
~£15/person today · save ~£15/person vs. Intrepid Travel
Questions
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~£737
estimated per person
+£74 seat fee
Pays for verified group access and unlocks messaging with confirmed members — split between the trip organiser and Travel Crew. If this departure doesn't run, you get platform credit, not a cash refund. See our disclaimer.
Departs
24 August 2026
Returns
10 September 2026
Group
0/8 joined
Spots left
8 spots
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