13 Days Private Tour to Cambodia, Angkor Wat and Vietnam

Angkor Wat is only one part of this 13-day private journey through Cambodia and Vietnam. You also see the Khmer capital of Phnom Penh, float through Halong Bay, walk Hoi An’s old lanes, cruise the Perfume River, and finish with the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mekong Delta. It is a big route, but the private format keeps it manageable.

I like the door-to-door handling, especially the airport pickups, private cars, included flights, and local guides in each destination. I also like the hotel mix, from the Golden Temple Hotel in Siem Reap to Azerai La Residence Hue and Mai House Saigon.

The tradeoff is pace. You change cities often, take four flights, and spend some days moving before sightseeing begins. At $4,360 per person, this is a premium package, so it makes the most sense if you value comfort, planning, and personal service over a slower, independent trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Angkor gets two full sightseeing days: You visit Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, Banteay Srei, and Preah Khan.
• Private guides and drivers throughout: Only your own group participates, with English-speaking guides and air-conditioned vehicles.
• Several major journeys are already arranged: Flights connect Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Hanoi, Danang, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City.
• The hotel standard is high: Boutique and upscale properties include Golden Temple, La Siesta, Azerai La Residence, and Mai House.
• The program mixes difficult history with daily life: Tuol Sleng and Choeung Ek are serious visits, while river cruises, village stops, markets, and a water puppet show add lighter moments.
• Meals are only partly covered: Breakfast is included daily, along with six lunches and dinner, but most drinks, other meals, tips, insurance, and personal spending are extra.

Phnom Penh begins with Cambodia’s royal and painful past

Your trip starts with airport pickup at Phnom Penh International Airport. After baggage collection, immigration, customs, and the Cambodian visa process, you meet the local team and transfer into the city. The first day is mainly an arrival day, though the schedule allows up to 16 hours for arrival and settling in.

Day two gives you a clear introduction to Phnom Penh. The Royal Palace, built in 1866 under King Norodom, presents Cambodia’s monarchy through pagoda-style buildings and formal gardens. The Silver Pagoda is the highlight, with its polished floor and religious treasures.

The National Museum follows. Built in 1917, it focuses on Khmer art and sculpture. I find this stop especially useful before Angkor because it gives you a visual vocabulary for the temple carvings you will see later.

Wat Phnom is a shorter visit, but it explains the city’s name and offers a change of pace. The pagoda dates to 1373 and was built to house Buddhist relics said to have washed ashore from the river.

The afternoon turns solemn. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum occupies the former S-21 prison, a school taken over by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. Choeung Ek, commonly called the Killing Fields, lies about 16 kilometers south of Phnom Penh and records the fate of people detained at S-21 and elsewhere.

These are not casual sightseeing stops. Give yourself emotional space, listen carefully to the guide, and avoid treating them as quick photo opportunities. The included Khmer lunch provides a needed pause before the afternoon visits.

That evening, you fly from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. The listed flight departs at 6:15 p.m. and arrives at 7:10 p.m., with an approximate flight time of 50 minutes. This flight saves a long road transfer and gets you close to the temples quickly.

Two days at Angkor make the $4,360 package worthwhile

Siem Reap is the center of the tour, and the temple program is its strongest section. The first day begins at Angkor Thom’s South Gate, leading into the huge walled capital built in the 12th century.

Bayon is the essential stop. Its towers carry serene carved faces, and the tight spaces make the temple feel personal despite its scale. Your guide can help separate the many rulers, religious symbols, and architectural phases that otherwise blur together.

Baphuon, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King follow. Each stop is fairly brief, usually 30 minutes, so the day keeps moving. That helps you see more, but it does not allow long, quiet study at every monument.

Ta Prohm is given 90 minutes, which is welcome. Its galleries, courtyards, and stonework partly overtaken by tree roots create the most atmospheric setting at Angkor. The temple was built by Jayavarman VII as a monastery connected with his mother.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you spend three hours at Angkor Wat. That is the right amount of time for the main galleries, bas-reliefs, towers, and guardian figures. Wear clothing that covers shoulders and knees, use the supplied drinking water, and expect heat, uneven stone, and plenty of walking.

The second temple day reaches Banteay Srei, about two hours of sightseeing. Its pink sandstone carvings are smaller and finer than those at Angkor Wat, with delicate scenes dedicated to Shiva. The longer drive is worth it for the different scale and color.

Preah Khan then gives you another Jayavarman VII monument. It resembles Ta Prohm in layout but is in better condition, making it easier to understand the original plan. The name means Sacred Sword.

After lunch, the program shifts from stone temples to rural Cambodia. At Kampong Phluk, you explore the Tonle Sap area, then take an ox-cart ride through villages and rice fields. A fresh coconut with a local family is included. This is one of the more grounded parts of the tour, though conditions around floating villages can vary with water levels and season.

You fly from Siem Reap to Hanoi at 6:20 p.m., arriving at 8:10 p.m. The listed flight time is about one hour and 50 minutes. Since this is a private trip, airport transfers and local assistance matter here. You do not have to figure out a new airport, driver, and hotel connection on your own after a full day.

Hanoi packs imperial, colonial, and local life into one day

Hanoi sightseeing begins with the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square. The area is an important pilgrimage site for Vietnamese people, and the visit introduces modern Vietnam’s national story.

The Temple of Literature offers a quieter setting. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, it also housed Vietnam’s first national university. Its courtyards and stone stelae provide a calmer counterpoint to Hanoi’s traffic.

The Vietnam Museum of Ethnology is useful if you want more than city landmarks. Its displays cover Vietnam’s many cultural groups through objects, photographs, and reconstructed buildings. One hour is enough for an introduction, but not for a detailed museum visit.

The afternoon adds French colonial Hanoi with the Opera House, then Hoa Lo Prison, once known to American prisoners as the Hanoi Hilton. The prison visit needs context because the Vietnamese and American narratives are presented through different historical lenses.

Tran Quoc Pagoda sits beside West Lake, linked by a bridge. The setting gives you a break from the central streets. Later, a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter brings you close to the narrow lanes and shop houses known as the 36 Streets.

The day ends with a Thang Long water puppet performance. This traditional art uses water as a stage and draws on rural life and folklore. It is short, easy to fit into the schedule, and a good evening activity after a full day on foot.

Halong Bay adds one proper night on the water

On day six, you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay and board the Dragon Legend Cruise for one night. This is an important design choice. A day trip would leave you rushing to and from the bay, while an overnight stay lets you wake up among the limestone islands.

The schedule allows about 20 hours on the cruise. The next morning begins with tea or coffee and views across the bay, followed by breakfast in the open air. You then visit Vung Vieng fishing village by rustic rowboat and pass through the waterways with local people.

The cruise is included, as is the cabin listed as a Deluxe Cabin or similar. Ask your operator to confirm the exact boat and cabin category before paying, since the phrase or similar allows substitutions.

After returning from Halong Bay, you fly from Hanoi to Danang at 5:35 p.m., arriving at 6:50 p.m. A guide meets you at the airport and takes you to Hoi An. This is another long day, but the flight prevents a much longer overland transfer.

Hoi An gives you the tour’s most pleasant walking time

Hoi An is a welcome change after Hanoi and Halong Bay. Once a major trading port on the Thu Bon River from the 15th through the 19th centuries, its old center is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Japanese Covered Bridge is the natural starting point. You also visit the Phung Hung Old House, built more than 100 years ago, and the Fukien Assembly Hall, a fine example of Chinese architectural influence.

Tan Ky House is particularly useful because it remains a small family home rather than a grand public monument. Its five-generation layout shows how a merchant household used the narrow urban buildings of old Hoi An.

A riverboat ride on the Thu Bon gives you a different view of the town and includes a boat-building village. After lunch, you have free time. Use it for a slow walk, a coffee, market browsing, or simply a rest at the hotel. The open time is valuable because the guided program has been tightly packed so far.

That evening, the Hoi An Memories Show adds a large-scale performance about the city’s culture and past. It runs for about two hours. Some people will appreciate the spectacle, while others may prefer another free evening, so this is one included activity where personal taste matters.

You spend two nights at La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa or a similar property, with a Deluxe Balcony room listed. That gives you a more comfortable base than changing hotels every night.

Hue connects royal tombs with river scenery

The transfer toward Hue brings you from Hoi An to the former imperial capital. Day nine focuses on the tombs of the Nguyen emperors before entering the Imperial City.

The Tomb of Tu Duc has a peaceful setting and was designed as more than a burial place. It functioned as a retreat during the emperor’s lifetime. Khai Dinh’s tomb is more ornate, mixing Western and Eastern design, with elaborate interior decoration.

The Hue Imperial City is the main event. You explore the Citadel by private pedal-powered cyclo, seeing the area that once held official imperial buildings and the Forbidden Purple City. Two hours gives you a solid visit, though restoration work and past damage mean you should not expect every structure to be intact.

The next morning brings Thien Mu Pagoda, the seven-story octagonal tower beside the Perfume River. A boat cruise adds a quiet hour and a half, with views of the river traffic and Hue’s calm setting.

Minh Mang’s royal tomb lies among pine-covered hills by the river. Its ordered courtyards and gardens make it one of the most graceful tomb complexes on the route. After lunch, you fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, departing at 1:45 p.m. and arriving at 3:15 p.m.

The listed hotel is Azerai La Residence Hue, with a Superior River View room or similar. This is one of the more appealing hotel placements because the property’s river position matches the slower mood of Hue.

Ho Chi Minh City ends with war, trade, and the Mekong

Day eleven is full. The Cu Chi Tunnels come first, at the Ben Duoc battlefield memorial site northwest of the city. You explore tunnels and chambers reaching three levels underground. The visit is physically more demanding than a normal museum, and anyone uncomfortable with confined spaces should keep that in mind.

Back in the city, the Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office show the French colonial imprint. The cathedral may have access limits depending on restoration, but the area remains a useful pair of landmarks.

The Reunification Palace explains the end of the Vietnam War from the former South Vietnamese government’s center. You then visit the War Remnants Museum, which presents a strongly Vietnamese view of the war and its human cost. I recommend leaving time to process both this museum and the Cu Chi visit rather than treating them as routine stops.

Ben Thanh Market offers souvenirs and local shopping, followed by Ho Chi Minh Square near City Hall, the Rex Hotel, and restaurants. These final city stops are less structured and give you room to watch everyday activity.

Day twelve moves south toward the Mekong Delta. At My Tho, you see the river system that supports much of southern Vietnam. At Cai Be, the Cai Be Princess Sampan begins a leisurely cruise, with cold towels and a drink on arrival.

The cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant, a colonial-style villa in a tropical garden beside the river. Lunch is included there. This is a polished finish rather than a rough rural excursion, so you get comfort and scenery, but not an extended stay in the delta.

On day thirteen, a transfer from Mai House Saigon Hotel to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport is included. The program advises allowing three hours for airport formalities.

What the price includes, and what it does not

At $4,360 per person, this is not a budget tour. The value comes from combining upscale hotels, private vehicles, licensed English-speaking guides, entrance fees, specified cruises, breakfasts, six lunches, one dinner, taxes, service charges, bottled water, and the four listed flights.

The hotels are a major part of the package. You receive one night at iRoHa Garden Hotel in Phnom Penh, two nights at Golden Temple Hotel in Siem Reap, two nights at La Siesta in Hanoi, one night on Dragon Legend Cruise, two nights at La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa, one night at Azerai La Residence Hue, and three nights at Mai House Saigon.

The strongest praise of the service centers on punctual airport pickups, clear coordination, professional drivers, and regular contact. Mr Ann is specifically associated with organizing and monitoring trips, which may be reassuring if you want one person overseeing several local teams.

You still pay separately for most dinners, drinks, personal expenses, insurance, and tips. Ask for a clear tipping guideline before departure. Also confirm room substitutions, exact flight baggage terms, and the visa arrangements for both countries.

The private format is especially valuable for couples, families, and small groups who want flexibility without managing six hotel changes and multiple airports. Group discounts are available, but no amount is specified.

Is this Cambodia and Vietnam tour right for you?

Book it if you want to see the major highlights in one trip and prefer a professional team to handle transfers, flights, guides, and hotels. It suits first-time visitors who want comfort and context, as well as older couples who would rather avoid arranging every connection themselves.

Think twice if you want long stays in each city, much free time, or a low-cost trip. Phnom Penh’s difficult history, the early starts, repeated flights, and full sightseeing days require energy.

The best reason to choose this package is its range. In less than two weeks, you move from Khmer temples and genocide memorials to Vietnamese imperial sites, river villages, war history, markets, and two major water journeys. The main weakness is that the schedule leaves little room to linger.

Cancellation terms are strict close to departure: six full days or more before the start allows a full refund, two to six days allows 50 percent, and less than two days brings no refund. Plan carefully before booking.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 days, beginning in Phnom Penh and ending in Ho Chi Minh City.

Where does the tour start?

The starting point is Pochentong Airport in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Airport pickup is offered.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in Ho Chi Minh City, also called Saigon. A transfer from Mai House Saigon Hotel to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport is included.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates. Private transportation, local guides, and drivers are provided throughout the program.

Which flights are included?

The package includes flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Siem Reap to Hanoi, Hanoi to Danang, and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City.

Which meals are included?

Daily breakfast is included. The package also includes six lunches and one dinner. Other meals, drinks, and personal expenses are not included.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees for the listed attractions are included, including Angkor sites, Phnom Penh museums, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Hue monuments, and Ho Chi Minh City landmarks.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the experience starts. Cancellation two to six full days in advance receives a 50 percent refund. Cancellation less than two full days before the start is nonrefundable.