The Self-Launched Ultimate Adventure Through Vietnam and Cambodia

Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN). Take the 86 Airport Bus directly to Hoan Kiem / Old Quarter for around £1.50 — runs every 30 minutes and takes about 50 minutes. Check into your hostel near the Old Quarter, then stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple in the evening. Grab your welcome-to-Vietnam dinner at a street-side pho joint — budget around £2–3 for a bowl.

🚌Bus 86 from Noi Bai Airport to Old Quarter (~£1.50)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or similar Old Quarter hostel (dorm £8–12/night, private £18–25/night)

• →Hoan Kiem Lake evening walk
• →Ngoc Son Temple visit (entrance ~£0.80)
• →Street food dinner in the Old Quarter

Book a self-guided or small-group cycling day trip to Co Loa Citadel and the rural villages around Hanoi via GetYourGuide or Klook (budget ~£18–25pp including bike hire). You'll pedal past rice paddies, lotus ponds and ancient temples. In the evening, join a Hanoi street food walking tour through the Old Quarter via GetYourGuide (~£20pp) — sample banh cuon, banh mi and pho, stop for a Bia Hoi (fresh beer, ~£0.40 a glass), and finish with ice cream by Hoan Kiem Lake.

🚌Bike hire included in cycling tour; taxi/Grab app for evening (~£1–2)

🛏Hanoi Old Quarter hostel (as Day 1)

• →Cycling tour to Co Loa Citadel (~£18–25 via GetYourGuide/Klook)
• →Hanoi Old Quarter street food tour (~£20 via GetYourGuide)
• →Bia Hoi stop on Ta Hien Street

Take a morning Hung Thanh or Hoang Long bus from Hanoi's My Dinh station to Cat Hai (departs ~07:30, ~£8, ~3.5hrs), then a short ferry across to Cat Ba Town (~£1). Head straight to Cat Ba National Park and hike the forest trail up to Ngu Lam Peak viewpoint — entrance fee around £3, trail takes 2 hours return. Keep eyes peeled for langur monkeys. Afternoon: free time to swim or explore Cat Ba Town beach.

🚌Hanoi to Cat Hai bus (~£8) + ferry to Cat Ba (~£1)

🛏Cat Ba Sea View Hostel or Noble House (dorm £8–12/night)

• →Bus and ferry journey from Hanoi to Cat Ba
• →Cat Ba National Park hike to Ngu Lam Peak (entrance ~£3)
• →Evening swim or beach stroll in Cat Ba Town

Book a full-day Lan Ha Bay boat and kayaking tour directly at the Cat Ba Town pier or via GetYourGuide (~£25–35pp). Tours depart around 08:00 from Ben Beo Harbour and include a cruise among the limestone karsts, 2–3 hours of kayaking through caves and lagoons to Van Boi Beach, and lunch on board. This is one of the best-value experiences in all of Vietnam — far less crowded than Ha Long Bay. Return to Cat Ba Town by late afternoon.

🚌Boat tour departs from Ben Beo Harbour (included in tour price)

🛏Cat Ba hostel (as Day 3)

• →Full-day Lan Ha Bay boat and kayak tour (~£25–35 via pier or GetYourGuide)
• →Kayaking through limestone caves and lagoons
• →Snorkelling stop at Van Boi Beach
• →Lunch on the boat (usually included)

Take the morning ferry and connecting bus back from Cat Ba to Hanoi (~£9 total), then hop on a Hoang Long bus or open-tour bus from Hanoi to Ninh Binh (~£5, 2hrs). Check into your guesthouse, grab a Vietnamese lunch (~£2–3), then rent a bicycle from your hostel or a local shop (~£2/day) and cycle the flat paths around Tam Coc. Book a traditional Sampan rowing boat ride through the caves and rice paddies (~£4–5, 1.5hrs) at the Tam Coc dock.

🚌Cat Ba to Hanoi ferry + bus (~£9); Hanoi to Ninh Binh bus (~£5); bicycle hire (~£2)

🛏Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel or Tam Coc Garden Homestay (dorm £8–12/night)

• →Bus and ferry return from Cat Ba to Hanoi
• →Hanoi to Ninh Binh by bus (~£5)
• →Bicycle hire and cycling around Tam Coc (~£2)
• →Sampan rowing boat through Tam Coc caves (~£4–5)

Rise before dawn and cycle or take a Grab to Mua Cave (entrance ~£3). Climb the 486 steep stone steps for a stunning sunrise panorama over Trang An's UNESCO-listed rice fields and rivers — arrive by 05:30 to beat the crowds. Back for breakfast, then cycle out to Van Long Nature Reserve (~8km, flat) for a 1-hour rowing boat trip through the wetlands (~£3). Return and rest before your evening train. Book the Reunification Express SE3 or SE7 sleeper train from Ninh Binh (or Hanoi) to Da Nang online via 12go.asia or baolau.vn (~£15–22 for a 4-berth soft sleeper). Train departs around 21:00–22:00.

🚌Bicycle or Grab to Mua Cave; Reunification Express sleeper train Ninh Binh/Hanoi to Da Nang (~£15–22 via 12go.asia)

🛏Overnight sleeper train (4-berth soft sleeper bunk ~£15–22)

• →Sunrise hike at Mua Cave / Hang Mua (entrance ~£3)
• →Rowing boat at Van Long Nature Reserve (~£3)
• →Overnight Reunification Express sleeper train to Da Nang (~£15–22)

Arrive Da Nang Station around 11:30. Take a local yellow bus (No. 1) or a Grab taxi to Hoi An (~£1.50–3 by bus, ~£6–8 by Grab, 45 mins). Check in and freshen up. In the afternoon, book a sunset kayaking tour along the coconut palm-lined Thu Bon River to Hoi An's Old Town (~£15–20 via GetYourGuide or local operators like Hoi An Eco Tour). Paddle into golden-hour light as the lanterns flicker on — magical. Stop for a ca phe (Vietnamese coffee) at a riverside cafe.

🚌Da Nang Station to Hoi An by bus No.1 (~£1.50) or Grab (~£6–8)

🛏Hoi An Backpackers Hostel or Tribee Rều Hostel (dorm £8–12/night)

• →Da Nang to Hoi An by bus or Grab (~£1.50–8)
• →Sunset kayak tour along Thu Bon River to Hoi An Old Town (~£15–20)
• →Evening stroll through Hoi An lantern-lit Old Town

Rent a bicycle from your hostel (~£2/day) and self-launch a morning ride across Cam Kim Bridge to the far bank of the Thu Bon River. Explore an ancestral house (~£1.50 entry), ride past rice fields and bamboo groves, and visit the sedge mat weaving village at Kim Bong. Pedal to Tra Que Vegetable Village for a hands-on cooking and herb-harvesting experience (~£12–15 via GetYourGuide). Lunch using fresh-picked produce is typically included. Treat yourself to a foot massage back in town (~£5–8, 1hr). Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Old Town (entry ticket ~£4) or head to An Bang Beach (free, ~4km by bike).

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2/day)

🛏Hoi An hostel (as Day 7)

• →Self-guided cycling tour across Cam Kim Bridge and Thu Bon villages (~£2 bike hire)
• →Tra Que Village cooking and herb experience (~£12–15 via GetYourGuide)
• →Hoi An Old Town exploration (entry ticket ~£4)
• →Foot massage (~£5–8)
• →Optional: An Bang Beach

Take an early Grab (~£6–8) to Da Nang Airport (DAD). Book a budget domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) with VietJet or Bamboo Airways in advance (~£25–45). On arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, take bus 109 to the city centre (~£1) or a Grab. Then book a Mekong Delta day-tour-with-overnight from a local Ho Chi Minh City travel agent or GetYourGuide (~£30–40pp) that includes a boat to a riverside guesthouse near Cai Be, a countryside walk past fruit orchards, local market visit, and a simple dinner. Alternatively, take a public bus from Ho Chi Minh's Mien Tay terminal to Vinh Long (~£3) and arrange a homestay independently.

🚌Grab to Da Nang Airport (~£6–8); Budget flight Da Nang–Ho Chi Minh (~£25–45); Bus from HCMC to Mekong Delta (~£3–5); local boat (included in tour)

🛏Mekong Delta riverside guesthouse/homestay (~£12–18/night)

• →Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City budget flight (~£25–45, VietJet/Bamboo)
• →Airport to city centre by bus 109 (~£1)
• →Mekong Delta boat cruise and countryside walk
• →Local market visit near Cai Be
• →Cooking demonstration and dinner at riverside lodge

Borrow or hire a bicycle from your guesthouse (~£2) and pedal the flat, shaded paths of Tan Phong Island at your own pace. Watch locals craft rice paper for spring rolls, weave water hyacinth into baskets and hats, and sew coconut leaves for rooftops. There's no rush — the Mekong moves slowly and that's the point. Return for a late lunch at the guesthouse (often included in homestay price). Spend the afternoon by the river or at the guesthouse pool if available.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2)

🛏Mekong Delta riverside guesthouse/homestay (as Day 9)

• →Self-guided cycling on Tan Phong Island (~£2 bike hire)
• →Rice paper making demonstration
• →Coconut leaf and water hyacinth craft workshops
• →Afternoon at leisure by the river

Head by local minivan or bus back to Ho Chi Minh City (~£5–8, ~3hrs). Book a budget flight from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Siem Reap (REP) with Cambodia Angkor Air or AirAsia in advance (~£40–70). Note: ensure your Cambodia e-Visa is arranged in advance at evisa.gov.kh (~£25). On arrival at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, take a tuk-tuk to your guesthouse in the city (~£5–8). Freshen up and stroll Pub Street or the Night Market for dinner.

🚌Minivan to HCMC (~£5–8); Budget flight HCMC to Siem Reap (~£40–70); Airport tuk-tuk (~£5–8)

🛏Mad Monkey Siem Reap or Onederz Hostel (dorm £8–12/night)

• →Minivan from Mekong Delta to Ho Chi Minh City (~£5–8)
• →Budget flight Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (~£40–70)
• →Cambodia e-Visa arranged in advance (~£25 via evisa.gov.kh)
• →Evening explore of Siem Reap Night Market or Pub Street

Arrange a tuk-tuk or shared minivan from Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen National Park (~40km, ~£10–15 return via guesthouse or tuk-tuk driver). Park entrance fee is ~£20 for foreigners. Hike jungle trails to the River of 1,000 Lingas (sacred sandstone carvings in the riverbed), the reclining Buddha monastery on the hilltop, and the impressive 20m Kulen Waterfall — a local favourite for a refreshing swim. Pack a picnic lunch from the market or buy from stalls at the park. This is one of Cambodia's most rewarding but under-visited natural attractions.

🚌Tuk-tuk or shared minivan Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen return (~£10–15)

🛏Siem Reap hostel (as Day 11)

• →Phnom Kulen National Park hike (entrance ~£20)
• →River of 1,000 Lingas trail
• →Reclining Buddha monastery visit
• →Kulen Waterfall swim
• →Jungle wildlife spotting (macaques common)

Start the morning with a monk blessing ceremony at a local pagoda — arrange through your hostel or book a small-group experience via GetYourGuide (~£10–15). Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered). Then hire a bicycle from your hostel (~£2–3/day) and pedal to Preah Dak market for a local breakfast of Nom Bahn Chok (rice noodles with curry, ~£1). Continue cycling to the lesser-visited temples of Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei (note: a 3-day Angkor Pass at ~£48 covers all Angkor temples — buy at the ticket office). Banteay Srei's intricate pink sandstone carvings are extraordinary. Book a Cambodian cooking class in Siem Reap for the afternoon (~£20–25 via GetYourGuide).

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2–3); tuk-tuk to outer temples if needed (~£8–10)

🛏Siem Reap hostel (as Day 11)

• →Monk blessing ceremony (~£10–15 via GetYourGuide or hostel)
• →Bicycle hire and cycling to Preah Dak market (~£2–3)
• →Nom Bahn Chok breakfast (~£1)
• →Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei temple visit (3-day Angkor Pass ~£48)
• →Cambodian cooking class (~£20–25 via GetYourGuide)

Set your alarm for 04:30. Hire a tuk-tuk for the full day (~£18–22) and head to Angkor Wat for sunrise — arrive by 05:15 to find your spot by the reflecting pool as the sky turns pink and gold behind the towers. Use your 3-day Angkor Pass (bought yesterday). Spend the morning exploring Angkor Wat's vast moat and inner galleries, then walk to Angkor Thom through the South Gate (the face towers are breathtaking up close). Visit the Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace, and the Royal Palace area. Stop at a local stall for a picnic lunch (~£3–4). Afternoon: Ta Prohm (the 'Tomb Raider' temple, where tree roots engulf ancient stonework) and finish back at Bayon for late-afternoon light on the 200 stone faces. Walk or cycle the flat paths between temples — it's very manageable.

🚌Full-day tuk-tuk hire (~£18–22)

🛏Siem Reap hostel (as Day 11)

• →Sunrise at Angkor Wat (3-day Angkor Pass ~£48, buy Day 13)
• →Angkor Thom and South Gate exploration
• →Bayon Temple — 200 carved stone faces
• →Elephant Terrace and Royal Palace
• →Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple)
• →Picnic lunch near Srah Srang Baray (~£3–4)

Enjoy a leisurely final breakfast at a cafe near the Old Market — try a Cambodian iced coffee and some fresh fruit. Pack up and arrange a tuk-tuk to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) for your flight home (~£5–8). If you have time before your flight, browse the Old Market (Psar Chas) for souvenirs — silk scarves, Angkor-print items and Kampot pepper are great picks.

🚌Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (~£5–8)

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final breakfast at Old Market cafe (~£3–5)
• →Old Market (Psar Chas) souvenir shopping
• →Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap Angkor Airport (~£5–8)