Classic Indochina Self-Launched: Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia in 17 Days
17 days · Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia
Legend Travel Group charges £2,300
No-markup version: ~£1,058 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched version of Legend Travel Group's 17-day Classic Indochina tour, covering Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Hoi An, My Son, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. You book your own budget guesthouses/hostels, use local buses, trains, sleeper buses and cheap regional flights instead of private transfers, and join day tours or self-guided visits instead of a fixed guided group. All costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Land at Tan Son Nhat Airport and take a Grab or the yellow 109 airport bus (~£1) into District 1. Check into a hostel or budget hotel near Bui Vien or Pham Ngu Lao. Spend the afternoon wandering the Ben Thanh Market area and the riverside; grab a banh mi and a ca phe sua da for dinner. Organise a local SIM (Viettel/Vietnamobile, ~£4 for data).
🚌Airport bus 109 or Grab (~£1-3)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, District 1 (e.g. Pham Ngu Lao/Bui Vien area)
- →Ben Thanh Market
- →Pham Ngu Lao backpacker area
- →Riverside walk
Ho Chi Minh City highlights & Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Do the classic city walk yourself in the morning: Notre Dame Cathedral (exterior), the Central Post Office, and the Reunification Palace (entry ~£2). In the afternoon, join a shared half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour booked via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15-18 including transport) — the same experience as the tour's guided excursion, but with a different small group.
🚌Walk + shared minivan tour to Cu Chi (~£15 tour)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, District 1
- →Notre Dame Cathedral
- →Central Post Office
- →Reunification Palace
- →Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour
Mekong Delta day trip to My Tho
My Tho / Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Book a small-group Mekong Delta day trip from District 1 (~£20-25 via Klook/GetYourGuide) covering the boat ride on the Mekong, Vinh Trang Pagoda, coconut candy and bee farm islands. Alternatively take local bus 119 to My Tho (~£2) and arrange a boat at the pier. Return to HCMC in the evening.
🚌Shared minivan tour or local bus to My Tho
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, District 1
- →Mekong River boat trip
- →Vinh Trang Pagoda
- →Coconut candy & bee farm islands
Fly to Da Nang & transfer to Hoi An
Hoi An, Vietnam
Book a cheap VietJet/Vietnam Airlines flight HCMC to Da Nang (~£30-45 booked ahead) or take the Reunification Express train (~£20-30, 17+ hrs overnight). From Da Nang airport take a Grab or local bus to Hoi An (~£5 Grab, ~£1 bus). Settle into a riverside guesthouse and explore the lantern-lit Ancient Town in the evening (Ancient Town ticket ~£4).
🚌Domestic flight HCMC–Da Nang (~£35) + Grab to Hoi An (~£5)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Hoi An Ancient Town area
- →Hoi An Ancient Town evening walk
- →Lantern boats on Thu Bon River
Hoi An countryside & Kim Bong carpentry village
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hire a bicycle (~£2/day) and cycle to Cam Kim Island via the bridge, visiting Kim Bong carpentry village where families still build wooden boats. Then hit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Sa Huynh Museum and the Fujian Assembly Hall (covered by the Ancient Town ticket). Optional: a £12 cooking class or a £3 boat ride on the Thu Bon River.
🚌Bicycle hire (~£2)
🛏Budget guesthouse/hostel in Hoi An
- →Kim Bong carpentry village
- →Japanese Covered Bridge
- →Sa Huynh Museum
- →Fujian Assembly Hall
- →Thu Bon River boat trip
My Son Sanctuary & sleeper train to Hanoi
My Son / Hoi An / Hanoi
Join an early shared My Son Sanctuary sunrise tour booked via Klook/GetYourGuide (~£15-18, includes entry and transport) — the Cham red-brick towers without the crowd. Return to Hoi An for lunch, then take a Grab to Da Nang station (~£6) and board the Reunification Express sleeper to Hanoi (~£28-35 for a soft sleeper). Arrive Hanoi next morning.
🚌Shared tour minivan + Grab to Da Nang station + Reunification Express sleeper (~£30)
🛏Overnight sleeper train (soft sleeper berth)
- →My Son Sanctuary UNESCO site
- →Cham tower exploration
- →Reunification Express sleeper train
Hanoi's classic sights self-guided
Hanoi, Vietnam
Walk the compact Ho Chi Minh Quarter: Tran Quoc Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and One Pillar Pagoda (free, closed Mon/Fri), the Temple of Literature (~£1), the Museum of Ethnology (~£2) and Hoa Lo Prison (~£1). Lunch on bun cha at a street stall (~£2) and finish the day with a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter.
🚌Walking + occasional Grab (~£3)
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Hanoi Old Quarter
- →Tran Quoc Pagoda
- →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & complex
- →One Pillar Pagoda
- →Temple of Literature
- →Museum of Ethnology
- →Hoa Lo Prison
Halong Bay overnight cruise
Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay, Vietnam
Book a budget 2-day/1-night Halong or Lan Ha Bay cruise through Klook or a Hanoi Old Quarter travel agent (~£80-110 including transfers, all meals and kayaking). Shared minivan pickup from your hotel, junk-style boat, cave visit, swimming and sunset on the top deck. Cheaper than the operator's upgrade, same scenery.
🚌Shared minivan from Hanoi (~3.5 hrs each way) + cruise boat
🛏Overnight on a budget junk boat in Halong/Lan Ha Bay
- →Halong Bay cruise
- →Cave visit
- →Swimming & kayaking
- →Sunset on deck
Return to Hanoi, Old Quarter evening
Hanoi, Vietnam
Sunrise on the bay, a floating fishing village visit, then a shared transfer back to Hanoi (~4 hrs, included in the cruise). Check back into your Old Quarter hotel, then spend the evening eating street food (banh cuon, bun cha, egg coffee) and browsing the night market (weekends).
🚌Shared minivan included in cruise
🛏Budget hotel/hostel in Hanoi Old Quarter
- →Sunrise on Halong Bay
- →Floating fishing village
- →Hanoi Old Quarter street food
Fly Hanoi to Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang, Laos
Take a cheap morning flight Hanoi to Luang Prabang with Lao Airlines or VietJet (~£70-95 booked ahead — there is no land route worth attempting in a day). Check into a riverside guesthouse. Sleepy afternoon: coffee at a Mekong-side café, a walk up Mount Phousi for sunset (~£1.50) and dinner at the night market.
🚌Flight Hanoi–Luang Prabang (~£80) + tuk-tuk from airport (~£3)
🛏Riverside guesthouse in Luang Prabang old town
- →Mount Phousi sunset
- →Mekong riverside walk
- →Luang Prabang night market
Luang Prabang temples, Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si
Luang Prabang, Laos
Optional 05:30 morning alms-giving (buy sticky rice ~£1, keep a respectful distance). After breakfast visit Wat Xieng Thong (~£2) and Phosi Market, then take a shared tuk-tuk to Kuang Si Waterfall (~£4 shared or £20 return charter) and swim in the turquoise pools. Alternatively take a slow boat to the Pak Ou Caves (~£12 return) with a stop at Ban Xanghai whisky village. Sunset at Wat Phabath.
🚌Shared tuk-tuk / songthaew (~£5-20)
🛏Riverside guesthouse in Luang Prabang
- →Morning alms-giving
- →Wat Xieng Thong
- →Phosi Market
- →Kuang Si Waterfall
- →Pak Ou Caves option
- →Wat Phabath sunset
Slow bus to Vientiane
Vientiane, Laos
Take the day bus Luang Prabang to Vientiane (~£15, 10-11 hrs, leaves ~07:00) or a faster minivan (~£20, 8 hrs). Alternatively fly VIP ($70-100). On arrival, check into a guesthouse and walk the Patuxay Monument and Mekong riverside for sunset — the full national museum, Wat Sisaket and That Luang are easy to fit in tomorrow morning if you'd rather rest.
🚌Day bus/minivan Luang Prabang–Vientiane (~£15-20)
🛏Budget guesthouse in central Vientiane
- →Bus journey
- →Patuxay Monument
- →Mekong riverside sunset
Vientiane sights & fly to Phnom Penh
Vientiane / Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Morning: Wat Sisaket and Haw Phra Kaew (~£1 each), That Luang Stupa (~£1), Patuxay and the COPE visitor centre. Afternoon flight Vientiane to Phnom Penh (~£75-110 booked ahead) or a long land route via Pakse — book the flight. Evening tuk-tuk to your guesthouse and dinner by the riverside.
🚌Tuk-tuk in Vientiane (~£4) + flight to Phnom Penh (~£90)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Phnom Penh riverside/Sisowath area
- →Wat Sisaket
- →Haw Phra Kaew
- →That Luang Stupa
- →COPE visitor centre
Phnom Penh: Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng & Choeung Ek
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (~£8), the National Museum (~£4) and Independence Monument, then spend the afternoon at Tuol Sleng (S-21) Prison (~£4) and optionally the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek (~£4, tuk-tuk ~£8). Finish with a sunset walk along the riverfront and Wat Phnom (~£1).
🚌Tuk-tuk around town (~£8)
🛏Budget guesthouse in Phnom Penh
- →Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
- →National Museum
- →Independence Monument
- →Tuol Sleng Prison
- →Choeung Ek Killing Fields
- →Wat Phnom
Bus to Siem Reap & Angkor Thom
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Take the Giant Ibis or Mekong Express bus Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (~£13, 6 hrs, departs early). On arrival buy your Angkor pass for the following days (~£28 for 3-day, or £23 for 1-day). Late afternoon: cycle or tuk-tuk to Angkor Thom's South Gate, Bayon's giant faces, the Terrace of the Elephants and Phimeanakas, with sunset from a temple terrace (tuk-tuk ~£12 for the afternoon).
🚌Bus Phnom Penh–Siem Reap (~£13) + tuk-tuk (~£12)
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse in Siem Reap
- →Angkor Thom & South Gate
- →Bayon Temple
- →Terrace of the Elephants
- →Phimeanakas
- →Sunset from a temple
Angkor Wat sunrise & the outer temples
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hire a tuk-tuk for the day (~£18 shared for sunrise-to-noon, ~£25 full day) to catch sunrise at Angkor Wat, walk the bas-relief galleries, then visit Ta Prohm (jungle temple), Banteay Srei (pink sandstone, ~£20 extra tuk-tuk), Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. Lunch from a roadside stall near the site. Early night — Angkor starts at 5am.
🚌Tuk-tuk full day (~£20)
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse in Siem Reap
- →Angkor Wat sunrise
- →Apsara carvings & bas-reliefs
- →Ta Prohm
- →Banteay Srei
- →Takeo, Thommanon & Chau Say Tevoda
Siem Reap departure
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast, then either a final wander around the Old Market and Pub Street area or a short trip to the Tonle Sap floating villages. Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap International Airport (~£6) for your onward flight.
🚌Tuk-tuk to airport (~£6)
🛏—
- →Old Market shopping
- →Optional Tonle Sap floating village
Self-launched vs. Legend Travel Group
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Legend Travel Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,058 | £2,300 |
| Duration | 17 days | 17 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,242 per person (54%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Legend Travel Group-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,058
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Classic Indochina Self-Launched: Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia in 17 Days cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,058 per person for 17 days in Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Legend Travel Group?+
Yes — Legend Travel Group charges around £2,300 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,058 — a saving of roughly £1,242 (54%) per person.
How long is the Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia trip?+
This itinerary runs 17 days, covering 17 day-by-day stops through Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, adventure, budget trip through Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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