Southeast Asia Family Adventure: Self-Launched Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand

Arrive into Tan Son Nhat International Airport and take a Grab taxi or the airport bus (Bus 109, ~£0.70) into the city centre. Check into your hotel in District 1, the backpacker hub — Pham Ngu Lao Street is full of great budget options. Spend your first evening wandering Ben Thanh Market, sampling street food from the surrounding stalls, and getting a feel for the city's electric energy. Try a bowl of bún bò Huế or bánh mì from a street vendor for dinner.

🚌Grab taxi from airport to city centre (~£4) or Airport Bus 109 (~£0.70)

🛏An An Hotel or similar budget hotel in District 1 (~£18-25/room/night)

• →Arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport — take Grab taxi (~£4) or Airport Bus 109 (~£0.70) to District 1
• →Check into guesthouse/hotel in Pham Ngu Lao area
• →Evening wander around Ben Thanh Market and surrounding street food stalls
• →Try local street food for dinner — budget ~£4-6 per person

Head out early to beat the heat and crowds at the Cu Chi Tunnels (~45km from the city). Book a half-day group tour via GetYourGuide or Klook (from ~£10pp including transport) — these depart from central HCMC every morning. You'll crawl through the legendary Viet Cong tunnel network, see underground kitchens and hospitals, and learn about the Vietnam War. Return to the city by early afternoon. Spend the free afternoon visiting the War Remnants Museum (£1.50 entry), Reunification Palace (£2), and Notre Dame Cathedral — all walkable from Pham Ngu Lao.

🚌Included in Cu Chi tour; walking for afternoon sights

🛏An An Hotel or similar budget hotel in District 1 (~£18-25/room/night)

• →Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels group tour via GetYourGuide/Klook (~£10pp including transport)
• →Crawl through the tunnel network and explore underground chambers
• →War Remnants Museum (~£1.50 entry)
• →Reunification Palace (~£2 entry)
• →Evening: Ben Thanh Night Market or Bui Vien Street

Book a one-day Mekong Delta tour via Klook or GetYourGuide (~£18-22pp) departing from HCMC — most include transport, boat rides, and the Cai Be floating market. Alternatively, take a public bus from HCMC's Mien Tay bus station to Vinh Long (~£2.50, 2hrs) and arrange a local boat tour independently (~£8-10). Visit the Cai Be floating market and take a dugout boat through fruit orchards. Arrange to stay overnight at a local island homestay-style guesthouse in Vinh Long — several family-run options are bookable on Booking.com or locally (~£15-20pp including dinner).

🚌Public bus from HCMC Mien Tay station to Vinh Long (~£2.50, 2hrs); local boats (~£8-10)

🛏Mekong Riverside homestay-style guesthouse near Vinh Long (~£15-20pp including dinner)

• →Cai Be floating market boat tour
• →Dugout canoe through fruit orchards and waterways
• →Visit local cottage industries along the river
• →Overnight homestay-style guesthouse on the island — dinner included

Wake early for a boat trip to Cai Rang floating market, one of the largest in the Delta — go before 8am for the best atmosphere. Arrange a local boat from your homestay (~£5-8pp). Then take a shared minibus or public bus from Can Tho to Chau Doc (~£3-4, ~3hrs). Check into your hotel near the riverside. Optional: hire a motorbike taxi (xe om) or tuk-tuk to Sam Mountain for panoramic views of the Delta and Cambodia (~£3-5 round trip). Chau Doc's Cham floating villages are also worth a visit by boat (~£4).

🚌Local boat to Cai Rang (~£5-8); shared minibus/bus to Chau Doc (~£3-4)

🛏Trung Nguyen Hotel or Murray Guesthouse, Chau Doc (~£12-18/room/night)

• →Early morning Cai Rang floating market by boat (~£5-8pp)
• →Bus/minibus from Can Tho to Chau Doc (~£3-4)
• →Optional trip up Sam Mountain for views (~£3-5 by xe om)
• →Visit Cham floating village by local boat (~£4)

Take the boat or shared minibus from Chau Doc to the Tinh Bien/Phnom Den land border crossing (~£5-8). Note: e-visas are not accepted at this crossing — get a visa on arrival (~£25-30, bring a passport photo and USD cash). Cross into Cambodia and take a shared taxi or minibus to Kampot (~£8-12 from the border, ~3hrs). Stop en route at La Plantation pepper farm in Kampot province — a short detour well worth it. Check into a guesthouse in Kampot's colonial riverside centre. Take a sunset walk along the Kampot River and consider an optional sunset river cruise (~£5-8).

🚌Boat/minibus Chau Doc to border (~£5-8); shared taxi/minibus border to Kampot (~£8-12)

🛏Blissful Guesthouse or Kampot Riverside Guesthouse (~£12-20/room/night)

• →Cross Tinh Bien/Phnom Den land border — visa on arrival (~£25-30 USD)
• →Stop at La Plantation pepper and kampot pepper farm
• →Check in to Kampot guesthouse
• →Orientation walk along Kampot River
• →Optional sunset river cruise (~£5-8pp)

Hire a tuk-tuk from Kampot to Kep (~£5-7 each way, 25 mins). Start with a short hike in Kep National Park for coastal views, then head down to the famous Kep Crab Market for fresh seafood (~£5-8 for a crab dish). Jump on a short boat to Koh Tonsai (Rabbit Island) — local boats depart regularly from the jetty near Kep (~£5-7 round trip). Spend the afternoon on the island's white-sand beach, swimming in warm water and relaxing. Return to Kampot by tuk-tuk before sunset.

🚌Tuk-tuk Kampot–Kep return (~£10-14); local boat to Koh Tonsai (~£5-7 return)

🛏Blissful Guesthouse or Kampot Riverside Guesthouse (~£12-20/room/night)

• →Tuk-tuk to Kep (~£5-7 each way)
• →Hike Kep National Park for coastal views
• →Fresh crab at Kep Crab Market (~£5-8)
• →Boat to Koh Tonsai (Rabbit Island) (~£5-7 return)
• →Beach, swimming and relaxing on Rabbit Island

Spend the morning exploring the rural countryside around Kep — hire bicycles from Kampot (~£2-3/day) or arrange a short tuk-tuk tour. Then board a shared minibus or bus from Kampot to Phnom Penh (~£5-8, ~3hrs). Arrive in the afternoon and check into a centrally located guesthouse near the riverfront. In the late afternoon, take a self-guided cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) tour of the city — negotiate with cyclo drivers near the riverfront (~£5-8pp for an hour). Finish with dinner at a Khmer restaurant along the riverfront.

🚌Shared minibus Kampot to Phnom Penh (~£5-8)

🛏Mad Monkey Hostel Phnom Penh or similar riverside guesthouse (~£15-22/room/night)

• →Morning: bicycle or tuk-tuk tour of rural Kep countryside
• →Shared minibus Kampot to Phnom Penh (~£5-8, ~3hrs)
• →Check into Phnom Penh riverside guesthouse
• →Sunset cyclo (bicycle rickshaw) tour of the city (~£5-8pp)
• →Dinner at riverfront Khmer restaurant (~£5-8pp)

Start the morning at the Royal Palace complex and Silver Pagoda (~£8 entry) — arrive early to beat the crowds. The Silver Pagoda houses stunning gold Buddhas, diamonds and precious stones. Head next to the National Museum (~£3 entry), set in a beautiful traditional Khmer building — kids can feed the fish in the courtyard pond. For those without young children, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21, ~£5 entry) and Choeung Ek Killing Fields (~£6 entry with audio guide) are sobering but important sites. Spend the evening at the bustling Russian Market for souvenirs and street food.

🚌Walking and tuk-tuk within city (~£2-4 per journey)

🛏Mad Monkey Hostel Phnom Penh or similar riverside guesthouse (~£15-22/room/night)

• →Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (~£8 entry) — book via GetYourGuide or pay at gate
• →National Museum of Cambodia (~£3 entry)
• →Optional: Tuol Sleng (S-21) Genocide Museum (~£5) — adults only
• →Optional: Choeung Ek Killing Fields (~£6 with audio guide)
• →Evening at Russian Market for food and souvenirs

Take an early morning air-conditioned bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (~£7-10, ~6-7hrs). Book via Giant Ibis or Mekong Express — both reputable and comfortable. Ask the bus to make a stop near Santuk Silk Farm (or arrange separately on a day trip), a community enterprise offering employment to rural families. Arrive in Siem Reap in the afternoon. Check into a guesthouse in the city. Purchase your Angkor Pass (1-day ~£30, 3-day ~£53) at the official ticket office before sunset. Head to Angkor Wat or Phnom Bakheng for a spectacular temple sunset.

🚌Air-conditioned bus Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (~£7-10); tuk-tuk to Angkor (~£5-8 return)

🛏Onederz Hostel Siem Reap or Babel Guesthouse (~£15-25/room/night)

• →Air-conditioned bus Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (~£7-10, Giant Ibis or Mekong Express recommended)
• →Optional stop at Santuk Silk Farm (community enterprise)
• →Check in to Siem Reap guesthouse
• →Purchase Angkor Pass at official ticket office (1-day £30, 3-day £53)
• →Sunset at Angkor Wat or Phnom Bakheng temple (~£30+ Angkor pass)

Hire a bicycle from your guesthouse or a local shop (~£2-4/day) and head out early to beat the heat and the crowds. The Angkor complex has flat, well-marked trails — cycle through backroads, along jungle paths, and around the moat of Angkor Thom (~18-20km total). Key stops: the Bayon (faces temple), Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants, and the jungle-draped Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider temple). If cycling isn't your thing, hire a remork (tuk-tuk) for the day (~£12-15). Finish the afternoon at Angkor Wat. In the evening, attend Phare, The Cambodian Circus — book tickets direct at phare.com.kh (~£13-30pp depending on seat). Absolutely unmissable.

🚌Bicycle hired locally (~£2-4); tuk-tuk alternative (~£12-15 for the day)

🛏Onederz Hostel Siem Reap or Babel Guesthouse (~£15-25/room/night)

• →Hire bicycle from guesthouse (~£2-4/day) for Angkor circuit
• →Cycle to Angkor Thom: Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of the Elephants
• →Ta Prohm jungle temple (Tomb Raider temple)
• →Angkor Wat — the centrepiece of the complex
• →Evening: Phare, The Cambodian Circus — book direct at phare.com.kh (~£13-30pp)

A free day to explore at your own pace. Options include: (1) Tonle Sap floating village tour — book a half-day boat trip via a local guesthouse or GetYourGuide (~£10-15pp); (2) Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) — an incredible wildlife sanctuary about 1hr from town with gibbons, monkeys and rare birds (~£8-10 entry, arrange transport with your guesthouse); (3) Flight of the Gibbon zip-line through the jungle canopy (~£70pp, book at treetopasia.com). Alternatively, visit Ta Prohm or Banteay Srei temple if you haven't already (Angkor pass required). The evening is perfect for exploring Siem Reap's Pub Street, night market and excellent local restaurants.

🚌Tuk-tuk to chosen attraction (~£5-15 depending on distance)

🛏Onederz Hostel Siem Reap or Babel Guesthouse (~£15-25/room/night)

• →Option A: Tonle Sap floating village half-day boat tour (~£10-15pp via GetYourGuide)
• →Option B: Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity wildlife sanctuary (~£8-10 entry)
• →Option C: Flight of the Gibbon jungle zip-line (~£70pp, book at treetopasia.com)
• →Option D: Banteay Srei or Ta Prohm temple visit (Angkor pass required)
• →Evening: Siem Reap night market, Pub Street and local restaurants

Book a budget flight from Siem Reap (REP) to Bangkok (BKK/DMK) — AirAsia and Bangkok Airways fly this route regularly (~£35-70pp booked in advance). The flight takes approximately 1hr 15min. Arrive at Don Mueang (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi (BKK) airport. Take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to the city centre (~£1.20) or a shared minibus from Don Mueang (~£3-5). Check into your hotel or guesthouse near Khao San Road or the riverside — both excellent bases. Spend the afternoon recovering from the journey and exploring the local area. Try a Thai street food dinner from one of Bangkok's legendary food stalls.

🚌Budget flight Siem Reap–Bangkok (~£35-70); Airport Rail Link (~£1.20) or minibus (~£3-5)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel near Khao San Road (~£18-28/room/night)

• →Budget flight Siem Reap to Bangkok (~£35-70pp, AirAsia or Bangkok Airways)
• →Airport Rail Link to city centre from Suvarnabhumi (~£1.20)
• →Check into guesthouse near Khao San Road or Chinatown
• →Evening street food exploration — Pad Thai, mango sticky rice and more

Spend the morning on a self-launched temple tour of Bangkok. Start at Wat Pho (~£4 entry) — home to the enormous 46-metre golden reclining Buddha and one of Thailand's oldest and largest temples. Walk or take a short tuk-tuk ride to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (~£12 entry) — arrive early to beat the heat and crowds. Take the Chao Phraya Express Boat (~£0.50-1 per stop) to explore the riverside, including Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn, ~£2) on the opposite bank. Afternoon free: explore Chinatown (Yaowarat) for incredible street food, or head to Chatuchak Weekend Market if visiting on a weekend. Book an evening food tour via GetYourGuide (~£25-35pp) for a brilliant introduction to Thai cuisine.

🚌BTS Skytrain, tuk-tuk and Chao Phraya river boat (~£5-10 total)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel near Khao San Road (~£18-28/room/night)

• →Wat Pho — Giant Reclining Buddha (~£4 entry, book via GetYourGuide or pay at gate)
• →Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (~£12 entry)
• →Chao Phraya Express Boat along the river (~£0.50-1 per stop)
• →Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) (~£2 entry)
• →Optional: Evening street food tour via GetYourGuide (~£25-35pp)
• →Chinatown (Yaowarat) for street food and atmosphere

Enjoy a final breakfast in Bangkok — try a traditional Thai breakfast at a local café (jok rice porridge or roti with condensed milk). If time allows before your flight, visit Lumphini Park for a peaceful morning stroll, browse the MBK shopping centre for last-minute gifts, or pick up fresh tropical fruit from a street cart. Head to your departure airport — allow plenty of time. Take the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai station to Suvarnabhumi (~£1.20, 30 mins), or a Grab taxi if flying from Don Mueang (~£6-10).

🚌Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi (~£1.20) or Grab taxi (~£6-10)

• →Final Thai breakfast at a local café — try jok (rice porridge) or roti with condensed milk
• →Optional: morning walk in Lumphini Park
• →Optional: MBK shopping centre for last-minute souvenirs
• →Transfer to airport — Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi (~£1.20) or Grab taxi to Don Mueang (~£6-10)