SOUTHERN VIETNAM & CAMBODIA – September 2027 – Escorted by Glenn Jarvis
Amazing experiences – Luxury accommodation – Delicious cuisine – Escorted – Maximum 12 travellers
Our escorted journeys are the result of tweaking the normal experiences found on mainstream tours. With the input from our partners in Vietnam, Luxperia together with Glenn’s experieience of escorting our Travellers Hut journeys always taking careful note of the reactions of our clients as they travel around Vietnam – Ensures our journeys feature the best and most loved experiences and with carefully selected hotels – our journeys are like no other tours available.
Our journey in Septemper 2027 features Saigon, Can Tho, 2 night Sampan Cruise and Chau Doc in Vietnam along with Phnom Penh and the temples of Angkor at Siem Reap in Cambodia.
JOURNEY COST: from $ 9486 per person tiwn share – Single supplement $ 2688
All costs as of 24 April 2026 and subject to change due to curency fluctuations.
The flight costs will be listed separately, we are waiting for the release of the flights for September 2027. You can select to fly Economy, Premium economy, Business class or a combination on your flights with Vietnam Airways. The flight back to Sydney is overnight.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Experience Vietnam and Cambodia away from the tourist trail as much as possible.
Day 1 -27 September 2027 – Arrival Sagion – Roof top dinner
Arrival to Sai Gon and the VIP fast track service will help us through immigration as Saigon Airport. Vietnam double entry visa will be included. We collect our luggage and meet with our English-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel for check in.
After check in at the hotel we will have time to freshen up, we will meet at the La Siesta rooftop for dinner canapes. Time for dinner will be advised when we check in.
Overnight in Sai Gon
Meals: Dinner canapes
Accommodation: La Siesta Premium// Deluxe room
Day 2 – 28 September – Vespa tour – AO show – Dinner Rose Villa
At 08:00am, start the Vespa tour “The Insider’s Saigon” (private basis). End time at 12:00pm.
‘Discover the hidden gems of Saigon’
Experience the excitement of modern-day Ho Chi Minh City riding pillion on our vintage Vespas. Get off the crowded tourist trail to visit some fascinating places and sites
Description:Starting the ride in the busy city streets to a Cafe in central Saigon where we enjoy the morning coffee with the bird lovers before visiting the famous and thought invoking Burning Monk Memorial Statue. Our adventurous mix of historic landmarks and hidden treasures continues as we soak up the local culture at a fresh flower market. We zoom through Saigon traffic on the back of our comfortable Vespas to the captivating Chinese district, passing a traditional medicine street with traditional medical herb shops, an ancient Buddhist temple and a hidden Chinese pagoda. Our final ride takes us into the heart of Saigon to see some classic city landmarks. Firstly, see the French architectural influences of the famous Saigon Post Office and beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only), before we end with a short history lesson outside the striking Independence Palace. Let our local guides show you their city, their Saigon.
Free time at leisure in the afternoon.
At around 17.30 we will be collected from the hotel to enjoy the “A O” show bamboo acrobatshow at the Opera house (Ooh! Class). Timed to start at 18.00
After the show at around 7.20 we will transfer to district to across the Saigon river to very “whimsical” Rose villa for our welcome to Vietnam Dinner.
Overnight in Sai Gon
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Dinner
Accommodation: La Siesta Premium// Deluxe room
Day 3 – 29 September 2027 – Saigon – Can Tho – Riverside Dinner
We Breakfast and check out at around 10.00 am for our transfer with our tour guide and driver to Can Tho. We will stop a Le Longanier restaurant for our lunch.
Travel on to Can Tho, check in at your hotel and free at ease at around 5.30 we will take a walk by the riverside into downtown Can Tho and have dinner at a restaurant by the river.
Overnight in Can Tho.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel / Lunch at a French style villa / Dinner at riverside restaurant
Accommodation: Victoria Can tho // Deluxe room
Day 4 – 30 September 2027 – Day excursion to Tra Vinh
Breakfast at the hotel then at around 8.30 we will begin our day tour of Tra Vinh.
Welcome guests at Bà Om Pond and then take a Tuk-tukfor a Khmer village sightseeing tour. Explore painted walls depicting Khmer culture and daily life in South Vietnam along the village streets.
Visit the Sơn Hương family to admire Khmer performance art, including hats and crowns from Tuồng and Dù Kê performances. Explore traditional Khmer musical instruments like the Ngũ âm during wedding parties.
Visit Ms. Thone’s family for bamboo basket weaving and Mr. Sang’s family to witness the making of Cớm Dẹp (Roasted glutinous rice), a Khmer traditional food for worship during the full moon (10th lunar October).
Explore Tra Vinh’s oldest Buddhist Monastery and delve into the newly revealed Oc Eo Archaeology dating back to the 1st-7th centuries AD.
Explore after the explooration of the BA Om Pond area we head back to Can Tho City.
Overnight in Can Tho. Dinner not included tonight, you can either have dinner at the hotel or back into the downtown area.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Lunch on tour
Accommodation: Victoria Cantho // Deluxe room
Day 5 – 01 October 2027 – Mekong River Song Xanh Sampan
At around 10.00 and the Song Xanh sampans will berth at the wharf or our hotel to begin our two-night cruise “Deep in the Delta” to border city of Chau Doc
DAY 1 – CAN THO – VINH LONG – SA DEC
The crew welcomes you on board the Song Xanh sampans with chilled towels and a refreshing drink as the boat begins its leisurely cruise on the river. Observe the endless boat traffic and the quiet but constant activity along the banks. We will then cross the Hau River passing by quaint villages to visit a family who makes delicate tofu skin, a food product made from boiling soy milk with a plethora of uses. Lunch is served on board. while cruising toward Vinh Long along a narrow canal teeming with life. Stop for a visit to a clay pot factory.
Arriving at Sa Dec, step ashore and stroll to the outdoor market. Visit the historic house of the real-life character in the acclaimed novel and film ‘’The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. A candlelit dinner awaits at this dramatic house before settling down for your first night on the river near Sa Dec.
Overnight on board near to Sa Dec
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Lunch & Dinner on board
Accommodation: Song Xanh sampan // private boats with A/C at night
Day 6 – 02 October 2027 – Mekong River Song Xanh Sampan continues
DAY 2 – SA DEC – LONG XUYEN – PHU TAN
Breakfast is served on board while you cruise towards Long Xuyen along a narrow canal. and stop for a visit to a Cao Dai temple. Lunch is served on board.
After enjoying lunch on board, arrive in Long Xuyen to visit Tiger islet (Cu Lao Ong Ho), a small islet that was once of the home of Vietnam’s second president – Ton Duc Thang. Return to the boat for dinner and resume your cruise towards Chau Doc.
Overnight on board near Chau Doc.
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch & Dinner on board
Accommodation: Song Xanh sampan // private boats with A/C at night
Day 7 – 03 October 2027 – Mekong River Song Xanh Sampan – Chau Doc
DAY 3 – PHU TAN – CHAU DOC
Breakfast is served on board while our sampan cruises towards Chau Doc. Close to the border with Cambodia, Chau Doc is the gateway to Phnom Penh. Known throughout Vietnam for its Pagodas and temples, Chau Doc is also famous for the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary, a superb eucalyptus mangrove. Disembark at Victoria Chau Doc Hotel private pier at approximately 10:00 am.
Note: Actual itinerary may vary depending upon river tide, arrival time or other conditions.
When we arrive at Chau Doc, we will take some small boats to visit the fish farms and Cham village on Mekong River close to Chau Doc town.
Check in the hotel and free at leisure.
At around 17.30 we will meet, maybe for a pre-diner drink as the day comes to a close, and the dinner in the turret at hotel overlooking the surrounding rice fields.
Overnight in Chau Doc
Meals: Breakfast on board; Dinner at the hotel
Accommodation: Victoria Nui Sam Lodge // Deluxe
Day 8 – 04 October 2027 – Visit Tra Su Forest
Breakfast and free day to rest and relax until…
At 15:00 we will take an excursion to Tra Su forest for a visit by around the reserve by small boat.
Tra Su forest: The forest gets its name from the cajuput (paperbark) trees that dominate the landscape. These trees grow in the swampy, flooded environment of the forest, their white trunks and green foliage creating a picturesque setting. The forest is interlaced with a network of narrow canals filled with vibrant green duckweed, giving the water a unique and almost otherworldly appearance. The dense canopy of trees forms a peaceful and shaded environment, ideal for exploring by boat.
Trà Su Forest is home to over 70 bird species, including herons, storks, egrets, and kingfishers. The tranquil environment makes it a haven for birdwatchers. As you drift through the forest, you’ll likely spot many of these birds perched on branches or wading through the water.
Trà Su Cajuput Forest is an important wetland ecosystem in the Mekong Delta, helping to preserve biodiversity and acting as a buffer against flooding. The forest is particularly crucial during the rainy season when the Mekong River overflows its banks.
Back to the hotel, no dinner included tonight so you can select your own meal, Vietnamese or you might decide something with a more western feel !
Overnight in Chau Doc
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: Victoria Nui Sam Lodge // Deluxe
Day 9 – 05 October 2027 – Speed boat Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
An early breakfast today to check out at 7.15 for our transfer back into Chau Doc to board the Victoria speed boat to Phnom Penh (08:00 – 12:00).
During our journey we will stop at the border firstly to depart from Vietnam then travel a short distance to complete the visa formalities for Cambodia Included.
Arrival by speedboat at Phnom Penh’s port and greet by our guide and tour driver will transfer you to the hotel for check in.
The city once was referred to as the “Pearl of Asia.” Nowadays Phnom Penh is a bustling capital and home to over two million people. The city is in a constant state of transformation as it has been recently discovered by foreign investors, giving the city a more and more modern outlook.
In the afternoon, our guide will pick up you from hotel for searching sightseeing around Phnom Penh, start to hop up on a motor-remork (Cambodia tuk tuk). We head to the local vibrant markets to see people selling their produce from their farm, Our food-loving local guide will uncover hidden local street food treasures to taste with a recommendation of local snacks. Our next stop is for dinner at Bopha Phnom Penh Restaurant where we look over the Tonle Sap Lake with a drink before returning to hotel.
Note: 1 Tuk tuk can accommodate 4 persons.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Dinner including one drink + one glass of cocktail per person
Accommodation: KVL Phnom Penh // Executive River view room
Day 10 – 06 October 2027 – Tuk Tuk to Silk Island and Royal Palace
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take our coach and then Tuk Tuk to Silk Island, we’ll make our way to the ferry departure point and start our adventure. We’ll cross the river by ferry boat, making our way towards the north of Phnom Penh and the Silk Islands. On the islands, we’ll drive through orchards and market gardens, enjoying the peaceful farmland and learning about the lives of the people who call the Silk Islands home.
Along the way, we’ll visit to see some interesting cultural stops as we check out traditional village industries and get a better sense of authentic Cambodian life on these islands. A delicious lunch at local homestay of authentic regional Khmer food is included in the tour along with fresh fruit and some.
After lunch, take the ferry back from the islands and visit Wat Phnom, which is considered to be the birthplace of the city of Phnom Penh. Also, the near Old Quarters is an interesting visit with the Post Office being the center of attention. Continue to The Royal Palace which was built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town.
The main building on the compound is the Throne Room. It was built in 1917 in the traditional Khmer style and has a tiered roof and a 59-meter tower, which is influenced by Angkor Thom’s Bayon Temple. On the compounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda stands out in its own distinctive way. The Pagoda’s steps are of Italian marble. On the inside the floor is comprised of more than 5000 silver tiles, which together weigh nearly 6 tons. The pagoda houses a magnificent 17th century Emerald Buddha statue and a 90kg gold Buddha studded with 9584 diamonds. (4person/Tuk tuk)
The dinner tonight is served at KVL sky bar where we have an over view of the river for our dinner of the hotel.
Overnight in Phnom Penh
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Lunch at Bonnivoit homestay (one drink/person), Dinner at KVL Sky Bar (one drink/person)
Accommodation: KVL Phnom Penh // Executive River view room
Day 11 – 07 October 2027 – Phnom Penh . Beng Mealea Temple – Siem Reap
An early breakfast at the hotel and leave around 7.30 am for our transfer to Kandal Techo Airport (KTI) for the flight to Siem Reap. Arrive in Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) collect our luggage be met by our Siem reap and driver.
We will visit Beng Mealea, temple which was built between the late 11th and the first half of the 12th century and is one of the largest ensembles in the Angkor region. The temple is regarded to as a standalone masterpiece situated 40km east of the main temples of Angkor along the ancient road that connected the Angkor Kingdom with Prasat Bakan. It is assumed that King Suryavarman II ordered the construction of Beng Mealea, maybe even as a prototype of its larger brother; Angkor Wat, but no actual prove can be found in its depictions. The ruins of Beng Mealea are overgrown with vegetation, allowing a real “wilderness experience.” In recent years a wooden pathway has been constructed throughout the temple to allow people to observe the beauty of the temple in ease.
We have lunch at Romdul II Khmer style restaurant and then lunch transfer to Siem Reap city for your overnight stay at Sala Lodges.
We will have time to settle in and get to know our home for the next 4 nights. At around 17.30 we will meet for our dinner at Sala Lodges.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Lunch at Romdul II (one drink/person) / dinner at Sala Lodge (House wine, beer, soft drinks and coffee or tea)
Accommodation: Sala Lodge // Suite Lodge one bedroom
Day 12 – 08 October 2027 – Angkor Temples
Today an early star as we rise before the sun come up and enjoy a marvellous experience in sunrise at Angkor Wat, cloud permitting! Angkor Watdating back to the first half of the 12th century. King Suryavarman II constructed this magnificent masterpiece and built it to become the largest religious monument in the world. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, reliefs and sculptures make it one of the finest in the world. This temple is an expression of Khmer art at its highest point of development. It took in its entirety roughly 30 years to construct Angkor Wat.
Enjoy your breakfast in a Khmer house that was once the residence of a French anthropologist. Today, this traditional wooden house built on stilts also serves as a relaxing and cultural stage. The house was built in 1996 according to traditional construction codes contained in old manuscripts.
From here you will visit the Angkor Thom complex, which is the former capital of the Khmer Empire,Angkor Thom, translates to“Great City”.Under the reign of King Jayavarman VII the city was established as the capital in the late 12th century. The city covers an area of 9km² in which numerous breath-taking monuments were built. The city itself is accessible through gates at the northern, southern, western and eastern end. We see the centerpiece of the city, the Bayon temple is most distinctive features are the 216 serene stone faces that seemingly face all directions. The Baphuon and Phimeanakas are structures built in the 11th and 10th century respectively and both were built in the pyramid style.
Transfer back to the hotel for the afternoon break and enjoy the swimming at the hotel.
An early dinner this evening at SPOONS Café and Restaurant. A full-service restaurant, student training facility, and multi-purpose space serving authentic and creative Cambodian cuisine. The restaurant enables students to practice their learnings in a hands-on practical setting. 100% of the restaurant profits are used to support SPOONS Cambodia Organization and its students.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast at Khmer House, Dinner at Spoon Cafe (one drink/person)
Accommodation: Sala Lodge // Suite Lodge one bedroom
Day 13 – 09 October 2027 – Kampong Phluk Tonle Sap Lake – Roluos Temple Group
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart at round 9.am to take the approximately drive 1hour drive to by countryside road to see the local life on Tonle Sap Lake. Close with the port, visit Rolous Market where you can see the local people selling their seasonal products and if you are interested, you can taste it and make the interaction with local villager by assisting from the guide.
Continue afterwards and board the wooden boat to Kampong Phluck, which is a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to a variety of wildlife. During the dry season when the water levels are low, the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their 6-meter stilts. At this time of year many of the villagers move out onto the lake and build temporary stilted houses. In the wet season when water level rises again, the villagers move back to their permanent houses on the floodplain, the stilts now hidden under the water. Enjoy a canoe boat trip through the village and its mangroves and learn more about this exceptional way of life.
On the way back visit, Roluos temple group is the province oldest temple site. It was once the seat of the Hariharalaya, the first capital of the ancient Khmer Empire. Roluos’ three main features are Preah Ko, Lolei and Bakong.Bakong and Preah Ko were constructed by King Indravarman I where Lolei was constructed by King Yasovarman I. All three structures however, date back to the late 9th century and represent the beginning of the classical period of Khmer civilization. Transfer back to the hotel and enjoy the facilities or take a tuk tuk into town to maybe walk around the old market and as dinner is own arrangements tonight you might like to have dinner in town before making your way back to the hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: Sala Lodge // Suite Lodge one bedroom
Day 14 – 10 October 2027 – Banteay Srei – Ta Prohm – Taste of Siem Reap by tuk tuk
After breakfast at the hotel this morning, we will leave, time to be advised, to visit one of the jewels in the Angkor area, Banteay Srei, which dates back to the late 10th century. The enchanting temple is nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its remarkable state of preservation, small size and excellence of decoration. It was built by a Brahmin of royal descent who was a spiritual teacher to Jayavarman V, which is unique as this makes Banteay Srei the only major temple built by a non-King. A special feature of the exquisite decoration was the use of hard pink sandstone.
On the way back visit to see a family noodle maker, making a famous and popular Khmer noodle called “Num Banh Chok” Khmer noodles is a Cambodian dish that is typically served for breakfast or consumed as an afternoon snack. These fermented rice noodles are hand-made in stone or wooden mills, then topped with fish gravy and raw vegetables such as banana blossom, cucumbers, and water lily stems, along with a variety of fresh herbs such as mint and basil. Our local guide will explain to you the process of making Khmer noodles, this traditional noodle can be eaten with Khmer soup (Samlor Khmer) or curry soup (Samlor Kary).
We then travel to Ta Prohm, which is considered to be the most photographed temple within the Angkor complex. Constructed in the Bayon style between the late 12th and early 13th century, Ta Prohm was left pretty much untouched by archaeologists. The trees that grow out of the ruins allow for a mysterious feeling filled with photogenic opportunities. King Jayavarman VII constructed the temple as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university and it is estimated that close to 80.000 people resided at the temple.
This evening at 06:00pm we will be picked up by a fleet of Tuk Tuks to explore the Fine Dinning Siem Reap Food Tour. You will receive 1 drink at each location, starter at Mahob, main course at The Sugar Palm and dessert at Malis.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Dine around Tuk Tuk
Accommodation: Sala Lodge // Suite Lodge one bedroom
Day 15 – 11 October – Siem Reap – Saigon
After breakfast at the hotel we have the morning and into the afternoon free until our guide and driver take us to Siem Reap International Airport (SAI) for your departure flight to Saigon.
When we arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, we will again have VIP assistance through immigration collect our luggage and meet our guide for the transfer back to the very familiar La Siesta hotel.
We will transfer from the hotel at around 7.30 for dinner at Pot au Pho after dinner we transfer back to the hotel
Overnight in Sai Gon
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Accommodation: La Siesta Premium // Deluxe room
Day 16 – 12 October 2027 – Hoa Tuc Cooking Class – Mystic night
We have breakfast at the hotel and at around 7.30 we will be collected to begin our cooking class morning at Market visit (from 7:50am till 9:00am).
Follow our Chef through the vibrant Tan Dinh market to purchase a selection of ingredients for your cooking lesson. At 9:00 am our Chef will bring you back to our cooking class.
Hands-on cooking class from 09:00 till 12:00
Take place around our large cooking station to follow our Chef step by step with your own material and ingredients for a good understanding of cooking techniques.
You will discover Vietnamese kitchenware to cook and enjoy a tasty 3 courses meal.
We have time to relax at the hotel this afternoon and at around 17.30 we will be taken to an old apartment block for the 18:00 Mystic night show (magic show).
At around 19.30 our night of wonder continues as we transfer to the Noi restaurant and have our dining in the dark experience. We looked after by underprivileged staff trained by a local non-profit organization. The experience begins in our pitch-black dining room where you will be guided and served by blind or visually impaired staff who have been specially trained to assist and reassure sighted guests who are in complete darkness.
Transfer your trust to these skilled guides as they lead us to experience a new way of sensing the environment around you. After a few moments of adjustment, the darkness will kill off any shyness or trepidation and bring about an open-minded atmosphere. After dinner we will go back into the light to see the menu we had for our dinner and see how many courses we had right. Then back to the hotel for our last evening in Vietnam.
Overnight in Sai Gon
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel; Lunch; Dinner
Accommodation: La Siesta Premium // Deluxe room
Day 17 – 13 October 2027 – Coffee Experience and Saigon Departure
A leisurely breakfast this morning, at around 9.45 we are transferred to our final Vietnam experience at La Caph coffee.
La Caph Vietnamese Coffee workshop (Join-In basis) (10:00-11:30)
We learn the Techniques & Secrets behind the famed Vietnamese Egg coffee
‘Phin Coffee & Egg Cream’ – savor the magic brewed by our La Caph Microfilter Phin Brewer with La Caph Phin Blend, topped with a creamy, fluffy egg custard sweetened by our La Caph Raw Coffee Blossom Honey!
Experience a sweet symphony with our Vietnamese cocoa-coated cashews – perfectly complement the rich, bitter and sweet notes dancing in your cup of coffee.
Back to the hotel and free on your own this afternoon. Late check out until around 16.45 and at 17:00 we transfer to the for our flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast at the hotel
Contact Glenn at The Travellers Hut for details on our Exclusive Vietnam Journeys
Telephone: (02) 43 63 1699
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