A 24-day tour of Vietnam and Cambodia is certain to be enough time to fully appreciate the essence of both countries.

Journey to the capital of Hanoi to see its many charms including the historic Old Quarter before moving on to Halong Bay and central regions like Hoi An and discover the wonders of this UNESCO listed town. From Ho Chi Minh City in the south it is possible to explore this lively city and then to see the majestic region of the Mekong. The process of arriving in Cambodia is a relatively short distance from the south of Vietnam. On arriving in Siem Reap you are certain to be awestruck by the fascinating Angkor Wat and other nearby ancient temples and ruins.

Northern Vietnam

Hanoi
Hanoi is Vietnam's ancient capital city and a very likely starting point on the 24-day tour itinerary. The city is filled with old buildings with an oriental style, as well as motorbikes and local markets. A city tour is a great way to appreciate the capital. A cyclo tour can easily include the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Vietnam History Museum, Temple of Literature, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Also, a traditional water puppet show is certain to appeal to the family-oriented holidays.

Halong Bay
A visit to the picturesque Halong Bay is a must-see place of interest on the Vietnam holiday. It is best experienced on an overnight cruise on board a traditional wooden junk-style boat. Beyond passing the 1,500 plus limestone islet in the bay area, there are plenty of activities to enjoy such as swimming and exploring the caves by kayak, as well as eating a fresh seafood lunch.

Central Vietnam
After starting the Vietnam tour in the north of the country it is time to fly onto several of the most popular central regions.

Hue
Hue is one of the first places to visit with its ancient Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City. Also, a boat trip on the Perfume River gives a perfect opportunity to see many of the attractions along the riverbank, such as the Minh Mang King Tomb and Thien Mu Pagoda. A great place to stop for a bit of shopping is the Dong Ba Market.

Hoi An
The ancient town is Hoi An is very beautiful and gives plenty of opportunities to take great photographic memories. A trip up the Hai Van Pass with its stunning views is certain to appeal to the adventurous travellers on the Indochina tours.

Other nearby attractions include the My Son sanctuary and Tra Que village which is a place to visit for a traditional cooking class to learn how to prepare and cook local Vietnamese food.

Southern Vietnam

Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a well established resort town in the south of the country. It is a great place for leisure activities such as swimming and snorkelling tours. A visit to the Tri Nguyen Aquarium is certain to appeal to the entire family, while Mun Island is a perfect destination for snorkelling with plenty of colourful fish and corals. Plus, there are plenty of caves to explore with several used by sea swallows for nesting.

Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is a lively and bustling city with plenty of things to see that range from the old to modern. A typical city tour is likely to take in places like the Ben Thanh market, Old Post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, War Remnant Museum, and Reunification Palace.

Mekong Delta
Beyond taking a tour of the maze of canals on a traditional sampan and an early morning visit to the floating markets, many travellers will appreciate staying in a local Mekong homestay which makes it possible to learn about the daily life of the local people. Also, there are several orchards in the area to visit which gives the opportunity to pick fresh fruits to enjoy, while helping with traditional fishing activities is also possible.

Also, a bike tour of the Mekong makes it possible to pass through small villages to discover some of the local industries. For instance, it is possible to watch as rice-paper is made, see the techniques used to knit a banana hammock using fruit's leaves, or even attempt to make local food like a jack-fruit leaf cake.

While in the Mekong region, it is worth visiting one of the local cities such as Can Tho which is the biggest in the region. Staying overnight in this city gives easy access to the Cai Rang floating market, which is well-known for selling agricultural products and fruits. The market has literally hundreds of boats packed with goods for sale.

Phu Quoc Island
A short stay on Phu Quoc Island is perfect for the travellers on the Vietnam luxury tours looking for a time of rest and relaxation. In addition to the palm-lined beaches, there is the Phu Quoc National Park, which is great to visit for its wildlife, tropical jungle and hiking trails. After a short stay on the island, travellers will return to the mainland before the transfer to Cambodia.

Phnom Penh
A wonderful way to arrive in Cambodia is by speedboat from Chau Doc in the south of Vietnam. The journey time is in the region of 4 hours and is certain to give the most unique travel experience.

Once in Phnom Penh a full-day city tour is likely to include the Tuol Sleng Museum, Silver Pagoda and Royal Place. Also, a cyclo tour is a great way to get around this city to appreciate more of its history. There is plenty to see when it comes to building styles that have a mix of French-colonial and Khmer architecture.

Siem Reap
Arriving in Siem Reap gives access to the Angkor temples which is certain to be a highlight for many tourists. The intricately carved Angkor Wat is the most famous and impressive of all temples in the vast park complex. But, there are also plenty of surrounding temples to see such as Angkor Thom and Bayon, which are mysterious and great to explore.