Discover Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
- Tour code
VNMKHMTHAADV01
- Start
Hanoi
- End
Phuket
- Min. age
16 years old
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Explorer
- Trip pace
Active
- Language
English
Three countries in twelve days, linked by short flights so the time goes on the ground. You start in Hanoi with its lakes, temples and Old Quarter, spend a night on a cruise among the limestone towers of Ha Long Bay, then fly to Siem Reap for two full days at the temples of Angkor.
Thailand finishes the journey: the Grand Palace and Wat Pho in Bangkok, a canoe trip through the caves and mangroves of Phang Nga Bay, and a day touring Phuket's temples, viewpoints and beaches.
This is a group journey as much as a sightseeing one: you travel from Hanoi to Phuket with the same small group, sharing three countries, new places and the kind of friendships that last beyond the trip.
Expect fellow travelers from the Caribbean and North America, a strong sense of camaraderie, and a program that gives you time to explore as well as connect. It's more than a trip; it's a shared experience from the first day to the last.
Why This Journey
This route strings together three of Southeast Asia's great sights, Ha Long Bay, Angkor and Phang Nga Bay, with the capitals of Vietnam and Thailand in between, and keeps the group together from the first welcome dinner to the last morning in Phuket.
It's designed for travelers who want to see a lot of the region in one go and share it with a like-minded group, with guided touring on the big days and free afternoons and evenings to explore at your own pace.
Where You'll Stay
Hanoi (2 nights): Le Jardin Hotel & Spa. Ha Long Bay (1 night): on board the Indochine Cruise, in a cabin with private bathroom. Siem Reap (3 nights): Borei Angkor Resort & Spa. Bangkok (2 nights): Riva Surya Bangkok, on the Chao Phraya River in the old town. Phuket (3 nights): The Pavilions Phuket, in the hills above the north-west coast. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Prices are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into Hanoi, Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), and out of Phuket International Airport (HKT); arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Discover Southeast Asia's temples, markets, cities and UNESCO World Heritage sites
Sail among Ha Long Bay's limestone islands and hop between Phang Nga Bay's islets
Ride a cyclo in Hanoi, watch Apsara dancers in Cambodia and dine Thai-style in Bangkok
What's included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Accommodations in double rooms
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
One farewell group activity when possible
Max 16 travellers per group
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required; proof of cover must be provided)
- Visas for Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand where required
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks at the Bangkok sky bar and personal expenses
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Arrive in Vietnam's capital and transfer to your hotel. The afternoon is free; a first walk through the busy streets nearby is a good way to shake off the flight.
In the evening the group meets for a welcome dinner in a local Hanoi restaurant.
Today you'll see the city's key sights: the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university, and Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake.
Lunch is at a neighborhood restaurant. Afterward, ride a cyclo through the lanes of the Old Quarter, then catch a water puppet show, a Vietnamese art form performed on a pool of water.
Head to Ha Long Bay, UNESCO-listed for its green water and limestone towers, and board your cruise.
Settle into a cabin with its own bathroom, then enjoy the scenery, cultural activities and freshly cooked meals on board as the boat moves between the karsts.
Wake early to watch the sun come up over the karsts, then have brunch before the boat returns to the pier.
You then head back to Hanoi for a flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. After check-in, the evening is free.
Start at the walled city of Angkor Thom, where the Bayon's many stone faces smile down at you, then continue to the Royal Enclosure and the Elephant Terrace.
After lunch you visit Angkor Wat itself, then climb to the hilltop temple of Phnom Bakheng as the sun goes down. Dinner tonight comes with a show of classical Apsara dance.
Today's temple circuit begins at Banteay Srei, famous for its fine pink-sandstone carvings, followed by Banteay Samre.
Later you work through a string of smaller sites (Ta Keo, Banteay Kdei, the Srah Srang reservoir and Prasat Kravan) and end at Ta Prohm, where giant tree roots have wrapped themselves around the ruins.
Fly from Siem Reap to Bangkok and spend the day as you like.
Tonight, take a river taxi along the Chao Phraya to a sky bar with views over the lit-up river (drinks at own expense).
Your touring today takes in the Grand Palace with its Emerald Buddha temple, plus Wat Pho, home of the great reclining Buddha, and Wat Traimit. Cover shoulders and knees for the temples.
The afternoon is free for shopping or exploring. In the evening, sit down to a five-course Thai dinner with a cultural performance.
After breakfast, fly to Phuket, check in, and spend the rest of the day as you please before the island touring begins.
A full day out in Phang Nga Bay. You'll reach Koh Tapu, better known as James Bond Island, early, before the crowds, then paddle a canoe through mangroves and caves at Lod Nai Cave, with limestone cliffs rising from clear water all around.
Tour the best of Phuket: Wat Chalong, the hilltop Big Buddha, the old town's colorful shophouses and the lookout at Cape Promthep, plus beach stops at Karon and Freedom Beach.
A half-day tour takes in Wat Charoen Samanakij temple and the island's aquarium, and then your departure transfer takes you to Phuket International Airport (HKT) for your flight home.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
Riva Surya Bangkok
A 68-room riverside hotel on Phra Athit Road in the old quarter of Bangkok, with the Chao Phraya River on one side and the cafés and bars of Banglamphu on the other. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the express-boat piers are close by, and Wat Arun sits a short boat ride downriver.
A riverside pool, a café and a riverside bar give the group an easy place to regroup after a long flight.
Rooms are 32 m² (344 ft²), with a king bed or twin beds.
Hotel website
Le Jardin Hotel & Spa
A charming boutique hotel located in a quiet corner of Hanoi, Le Jardin Hotel & Spa offers a peaceful escape from the city’s bustle. Guests can enjoy comfortable rooms, personalized service, and relaxing spa facilities. Its convenient location provides easy access to Hanoi’s historic sites, lakes, and vibrant Old Quarter.
Indochine Cruise
An overnight cruise through the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay and neighbouring Lan Ha Bay, near Cat Ba Island, in northern Vietnam.
Cabins have private bathrooms, meals are cooked on board, and the itinerary includes cultural activities and an early start to watch the sunrise over the bay.
Borei Angkor Resort & Spa
A resort inspired by traditional Khmer architecture on National Road 6 in Siem Reap, a short drive from the town centre and the road to the Angkor temples.
It has a pool and pool bar, a spa and several restaurants, and stages Apsara dance performances in its own performance house. Deluxe rooms are 40 m² (431 ft²), with a double bed or twin beds.
Hotel website
The Pavilions Phuket
A hillside retreat above Layan and Bang Tao on Phuket's quieter north-west coast, with suites and pool villas set among tropical gardens and views out to the Andaman Sea.
It is a calm base for touring days: a shuttle runs down to the beach and nearby shops, and the resort has a restaurant and a spa to come back to. Tropical View Suites are 81 m² (872 ft²), with a separate lounge.
Hotel websiteRooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and fly out of Phuket International Airport (HKT).
Proposed accommodation is Le Jardin Hotel & Spa in Hanoi (2 nights), the Indochine Cruise in Ha Long Bay (1 night), Borei Angkor Resort & Spa in Siem Reap (3 nights), Riva Surya Bangkok (2 nights) and The Pavilions Phuket (3 nights), or similar, subject to confirmation.
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
The trip includes 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners, including the welcome dinner in Hanoi, meals on the Ha Long Bay cruise, the Apsara dinner show in Siem Reap and the Thai dinner with a cultural performance in Bangkok. Other meals are at your own cost.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
Would you like to learn more or customise our Discover Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand trip?
Have questions about accommodations, accessibility, group preferences, or dietary needs? Complete the form below and our team will get back to you shortly.
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