A single trip across both countries · 7 cities · 5★ hotels we book · private driver-guide per country · overnight Halong cruise + Angkor sunrise · designed by Robert Nguyen who has run this exact circuit 120+ times since 2010.
★ 4.9 (220+ reviews)📅 12 days · 11 nights👥 Private · 2-12 pax🛌 5★ hotels · we book🛬 Domestic flights + transfers included
Tour ID: TOUR-MC-VN-KH-12D-VIETNAM❤ SaveHanoi → Phnom Penh · one-way
⭐ Direct DMC · no middleman🛌 Pace: Standard👥 Private group🚶 Skill: Easy🗣 English + French guides⚡ Confirmation: 24h🎂 Ages: 6+ welcome
5★ hotels we contractSofitel · Anantara · Park Hyatt · Raffles · best-rate-guarantee
📞
Robert on-call 24/7 during your tripWhatsApp + direct mobile · I personally answer · not a call center
📸 Photos · 6 commissioned
[Angkor Wat sunrise + reflection pool]
[Halong Bay overnight cruise · karst stacks]
[Hoi An lantern night]
[Hue Imperial Citadel]
[Mekong Delta floating market]
[Bayon Temple faces · Angkor Thom]
All photos commissioned · alt-text + caption per photo · ImageGallery JSON-LD emitted · gradient placeholders pending Robert commission.
🔍 Trip overview
📅
12 days / 11 nights
Duration
👥
Private
2-12 pax · driver-guide
🌏
2 countries
Vietnam + Cambodia
🏙
7 cities
+ Mekong Delta day
Why this trip works
⛵
2 nights on Halong Bay water
Overnight cruise on the eastern Bai Tu Long channel (less crowded than standard Halong) · 2-night version skips the day-trippers · cabin with private balcony.
🏮
Hoi An lantern festival night
If your travel dates align with the 14th of lunar month, we time your Hoi An night for the full-moon lantern festival · zero-electricity old town.
🌅
Angkor Wat private sunrise
5:00 AM private tuk-tuk to the western reflecting pool · before the main crowds at 5:45 AM · 90-minute slow walk through the central towers with an Apsara-dance scholar.
🚣
Mekong Delta full-day
Cai Rang floating market at 6 AM · canal sampan ride · lunch in a local Bến Tre orchard · returns to HCMC by 4 PM so you keep your last Vietnam night for the city.
✈
Cross-border flight handled
SGN → Siem Reap on Vietnam Airlines · we book the flight + handle Cambodia e-Visa pre-arrival paperwork so you skip the airport queue.
🍽
4 chef-led dinners included
Hanoi street-food walking dinner · Hoi An traditional cooking class with meal · Phnom Penh Romdeng-style Khmer dinner · Siem Reap apsara dance + buffet.
“After 15 years designing Indochina circuits, I built this 12-day version as the answer to the single most common question I get: "what should I see if I have 2 weeks for both countries?"”— Robert Nguyen · Founder · Asia Travel Links DMC
🗓 Day-by-day · 12 days
11 nights · 5 hotels means we move every 1-2 nights · 1 carry-on + 1 checked bag is ideal · laundry available at Hanoi + HCMC.
Day 1Arrival Hanoi · welcome street-food walk📍 Hanoi · 🍽 — · — · D
Your private driver meets you at Noi Bai International Airport · transfer 45 minutes to the Old Quarter heritage hotel · check-in. At 6 PM your guide collects you for a 2-hour Old Quarter street-food walking dinner (5 stops · phở · bún chả · egg coffee · seasonal fruit · Vietnamese craft beer). Back at hotel by 9 PM.
🛌 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi · Deluxe room · 5★
Day 2Hanoi · heritage highlights · scholar quarter📍 Hanoi · 🍽 B · L · —
Breakfast at the Metropole. 8:30 AM start with private driver-guide. Imperial Citadel of Thăng Long (UNESCO) · Temple of Literature (Vietnam first university 1070 CE) · Hoa Lo Prison museum · West Lake / Tran Quoc Pagoda. Lunch at Cha Ca La Vong (155-year-old turmeric-fish institution). Free afternoon for shopping or spa. Evening free.
🛌 Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi · Deluxe room · 5★
Day 3Halong Bay · embark overnight cruise · kayak Bai Tu Long📍 Halong Bay · 🍽 B · L · D
Morning transfer 3.5h to Tuần Châu pier (private SUV · stops at Đông Triều rice fields photo break). 12:30 PM embark Paradise Elegance · 5-star steel cruise. Lunch served while sailing into Bai Tu Long (eastern channel · ~70% less boat traffic than standard Halong route). Afternoon kayak Vung Vieng floating fishing village + cave visit. Welcome cocktail · seafood dinner.
Day 4Halong → Hue · disembark + domestic flight📍 Hue · 🍽 B · L · —
Sunrise tai-chi on the sun deck · brunch as the boat returns to pier. 10:30 disembark · transfer back to Hanoi (3.5h) · domestic flight HAN-HUE (1h10) · arrive Hue 4 PM · transfer 25 min to Pilgrimage Village hidden in lotus pond garden. Evening free · spa on-property or perfume river walk.
🛌 Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort · Garden room · 5★
Day 5Hue · Imperial Citadel · Royal Tombs · Perfume River📍 Hue · 🍽 B · L · —
Full day private guide. Morning: Imperial Citadel (Forbidden Purple City · UNESCO). Lunch riverside Hue royal cuisine (small-portion court tradition · 9 courses). Afternoon: Khai Dinh tomb · Tu Duc tomb. Sunset perfume river dragon-boat cruise · optional traditional ca trù performance arranged ($45/pax extra).
🛌 Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort · Garden room · 5★
Day 6Hue → Hoi An via Hai Van Pass scenic drive📍 Hoi An · 🍽 B · — · —
9 AM depart by private SUV. Hai Van Pass (the Top Gear Vietnam Special pass · 21 km serpentine clouds-and-coast). Stop Lang Co lagoon · Marble Mountains caves (Buddhist temples carved inside limestone). Arrive Hoi An 2 PM. Check-in Anantara on the Thu Bon riverbank · 5-min cyclo ride to the old town. Evening free for first lantern impression.
Day 7Hoi An · cooking class + lantern night📍 Hoi An · 🍽 B · L · D
9 AM market tour with chef · Bà Triệu market produce intro · sampan to a riverside cooking school. Hands-on 4-dish class: Cao Lầu noodle · white-rose dumplings · bánh xèo crispy pancake · lemongrass chicken. Eat your own creations for lunch. Afternoon free for tailor fitting OR ancient town walking guided tour. Evening lantern dinner riverside + floating lantern release.
Day 8Da Nang → HCMC · domestic flight · Saigon orientation📍 HCMC · 🍽 B · — · —
Late check-out Anantara · DAD-SGN flight 1h25. Arrive HCMC 1 PM. Lunch street-food bánh mì from Bánh Mì Phượng · check-in Park Hyatt on Lam Son Square. Afternoon: War Remnants Museum (intense · prepare emotionally) · Notre-Dame Cathedral · Central Post Office (Eiffel-designed). Sunset rooftop cocktail at Hotel des Arts.
🛌 Park Hyatt Saigon · Park Twin · 5★
Day 9Mekong Delta full-day · Cai Rang floating market📍 Mekong Delta · 🍽 B · L · —
5 AM hotel pickup · 3h drive to Cần Thơ. Speedboat to Cai Rang floating market (peak action 6:30-8 AM · wholesale produce floating-boat-to-floating-boat). Canal sampan through Bến Tre coconut orchards · home lunch with a 3rd-generation orchard family. Return to HCMC by 4 PM. Free evening for Ben Thanh night market or Bui Vien backpacker street.
Day 10HCMC → Siem Reap · cross-border · Angkor Thom afternoon📍 Siem Reap · 🍽 B · — · D
Morning leisurely · 11 AM transfer to Tan Son Nhat. SGN-REP Vietnam Airlines (1h15 · we handle Cambodia e-Visa pre-arrival paperwork so you skip the visa queue). Arrive Siem Reap 2:30 PM. Check-in Anantara Angkor (a 39-suite all-pool-villa property hidden 12 min outside the temple-park gates · zero of the Pub Street noise). Afternoon: Angkor Thom · Bayon Temple (216 smiling stone faces) · Terrace of Elephants. Welcome Khmer-amok dinner at Cuisine Wat Damnak.
Day 11Angkor Wat sunrise · Ta Prohm · Apsara dinner📍 Siem Reap · 🍽 B · L · D
4:45 AM private tuk-tuk · 5:00 reflecting pool position. 90-min slow walk through Angkor Wat central towers with an Apsara-dance scholar guide. Breakfast back at hotel 9 AM. Late morning: Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider jungle temple · giant strangler-fig roots over the ruins). Lunch shaded café in temple complex. Afternoon free to rest by villa pool. Evening: Apsara dance performance + Khmer royal buffet.
Day 12Siem Reap → Phnom Penh · Royal Palace · departure📍 Phnom Penh · 🍽 B · L · —
Morning leisurely · 10 AM private transfer to airport · REP-PNH flight 50 min. Arrive 12:30 PM. Lunch Friends-the-Restaurant (NGO-trained Khmer street youth). 1-hour Royal Palace + Silver Pagoda Phnom Penh. Optional Tuol Sleng or Killing Fields visit. Transfer to Phnom Penh airport by 4 PM for evening departure. Optional extension: add 1 night Sofitel Phokeethra +$320/pax.
🛌 Departure · or Sofitel Phokeethra optional +1n · Optional · ask Robert
🛌 Where you will stay · 7 hotels
✓ We book. ATL DMC contracts directly with all 7 hotels · best-rate-guarantee on every property · we handle check-in courtesy upgrades (suite-class on 2+ properties typical). You can swap any property for an alternative · ask Robert at quote.
1901 heritage
Hanoi · 2 nights
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
★★★★★ · French colonial heritage 1901
Deluxe room · breakfast included · the original Graham Greene + Charlie Chaplin grand hotel · 50m to Hoan Kiem Lake.
⚡ Upgrade to Heritage Suite +$220/night
5★ cruise
Halong Bay · 1 night
Paradise Elegance Cruise · cabin
★★★★★ · steel hull · 31-cabin
Private-balcony cabin · sunset deck cocktail · 7-course Halong seafood dinner. Eastern Bai Tu Long route (less crowded than standard).
⚡ Upgrade to Junior Suite +$95/cabin
boutique
Hue · 2 nights
Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort
★★★★★ · garden lotus-pond setting
Junior garden room with private patio · 25 min from city · in-house spa · the most peaceful 5★ in Hue.
⚡ Upgrade to Pool Villa +$165/night
riverside
Hoi An · 2 nights
Anantara Hoi An Resort
★★★★★ · Thu Bon riverbank
River-view room · 5-min cyclo to ancient town · garden pool · evening lantern boat ride from hotel dock.
⚡ Upgrade to River-View Suite +$140/night
landmark
HCMC · 2 nights
Park Hyatt Saigon
★★★★★ · Lam Son Square landmark
Park Twin · the long-standing best-address luxury hotel · 2-min walk to Opera House · the city most refined breakfast.
⚡ Upgrade to Park Suite +$280/night
villa
Siem Reap · 2 nights
Anantara Angkor Resort · 39-villa all-pool
★★★★★ · all-pool-villa property
Garden Pool Villa with private plunge pool · 12 min from temple park · zero Pub Street noise · tuk-tuk free 8 AM-8 PM.
⚡ Upgrade to Deluxe Villa +$180/night
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh · optional extension
Sofitel Phokeethra Phnom Penh
★★★★★ · Tonle Sap riverside
Optional Day 12 extension · +$320/pax adds 1 night PNH + Royal Palace half-day + departure transfer.
⚡ Add to quote at checkout
Mid-range 4★ tier available · ask for "Mid-tier" pricing variant (typically -$420/pax for the 12-day arc).
📋 Inclusions · what your price buys
✓ INCLUDED
✓11 nights · 5★ hotels (7 properties · breakfast at every night)
Stir-fried beef phở · Robert's morning since 2010 · cash only · arrive before 8 AM.
★ MIKE-PICK
Hanoi
Bún chả Hương Liên
The Obama-Bourdain table · queue brutal after noon · grilled pork over rice noodle.
Hue
Bún bò Huế in Hue
Try at Bún Bò Bà Tuyết · the city that invented it · lemongrass-beef broth.
Hoi An
Cao Lầu at Trung Bắc
Hoi An exclusive noodle dish · made with Ba Le well water · 60-year-old shop.
Da Nang
Bánh xèo Bà Dưỡng
Central Vietnam-style crispy pancake · 4-table family shop · 90s soundtrack.
HCMC
Bánh mì Huỳnh Hoa
The premium $4 banh mi · pâté + 6-kind-of-pork · expect 10-min queue.
Phnom Penh
Romdeng
Khmer royal cuisine · trains former-street-youth chefs · book ahead.
★ NGO-RUN
Siem Reap
Cuisine Wat Damnak
One Michelin Bib · seasonal Khmer tasting menu · book 2 weeks ahead.
★ MICHELIN
⭐ Reviews · 224 verified · 4.9 average
4.9
★★★★★
from 224 reviews
Cost / Value
4.8
Safety
5.0
Food
4.9
Convenience
4.9
Overall
4.9
★★★★★
“Robert sweated every detail · the Hoi An lantern night was the moment my wife teared up. Cancellation flexibility was the reason I booked vs Audley · their 75-day cancellation was a non-starter for us.”
Sarah K., London
Couple · March 2026 · 12-day Standard tier
★★★★★
“We are a multi-gen family of 6. The pacing was perfect for my parents (70+) and my kids (8 + 12). Robert adjusted the Hai Van Pass drive to allow extra photo stops · Angkor sunrise was unforgettable.”
Henrik J., Stockholm
Family · February 2026 · 12-day Premium tier
★★★★★
“The cross-border flight handoff was seamless · we feared the visa/airport queue and Robert literally walked us through Tan Son Nhat customs himself. The Angkor sunrise was worth the early wake-up.”
Mei L., Singapore
Couple · January 2026 · 12-day Signature tier
👨💼 Designed by
Designed by · 15+ years
Robert Nguyen · Founder · ATL DMC
Vietnam Native · Cambodia Operations Since 2014 · 120+ Indochina circuits run
“After 15 years designing Indochina circuits, I built this 12-day version as the answer to the single most common question I get: "what should I see if I have 2 weeks for both countries?" This itinerary is the result. The 2-night Halong cruise, the cross-border SGN-REP flight handling, the Angkor private sunrise — every decision has a reason. Ask me anything before you book.”
Best months · Nov · Mar. Dry across all 4 regions · cool Hanoi mornings 18°C · Hoi An lantern season · Angkor cool side 28-30°C. Book 90+ days ahead for this window — high-tier hotels fill 6 months out.
❓ Frequently asked · 8
Can we modify the 12-day itinerary?
Yes · 30-40% of guests customise the itinerary. Common swaps: skip Hue (go straight Halong → Hoi An saves 1 day) · add Sapa (1 night highland trek) · extend Cambodia (+2 nights Koh Rong island). Ask Robert at quote · most modifications are no-cost; some shift the per-pax price.
What is the deposit and payment schedule?
30% deposit to confirm bookings · 70% balance due 30 days before departure · accepted via wire transfer + Wise + Stripe. We send a clear invoice 24h after you accept the quote.
Cancellation policy details?
100% refund up to 60 days before departure · 50% refund 30-60 days · 25% refund 15-30 days · 0% within 15 days. Single-supplement covered. We file insurance claims on your behalf if force-majeure applies (typhoon · flight cancellation · medical).
How do we cross the VN-Cambodia border?
You fly SGN-REP on Vietnam Airlines · 1h15 flight · we book the ticket and handle Cambodia e-Visa paperwork pre-arrival. Your guide accompanies you to Tan Son Nhat in Saigon and another guide meets you at Siem Reap arrivals. Land border via bus is also available (10h via Bavet · ~$95/pax · ask if interested) but flight is overwhelmingly preferred.
Vegetarian and dietary needs?
Fully accommodated. We brief every chef + driver 48h before each meal · we have served guests with celiac · vegan · halal · kosher · keto · severe nut allergy. Tell Robert at booking · we triple-confirm pre-arrival.
Is this trip OK for kids?
Yes from age 6+ comfortably · ages 4-5 with hesitation (long-day flying + temple-walking pace). We have run this exact circuit 15+ times for multi-gen families. We swap walking-heavy days for activity days (Halong kayak · cooking class · floating market) when kids are along. Child rate 25-50% for under 12.
What if Halong gets typhoon-cancelled?
The cruise operator pays 100% credit · we re-route to either 1 extra Hanoi night + flight to Hue OR (during high-season) an alternative Lan Hạ Bay short-form cruise. Travel insurance recommended for full reimbursement. Robert contacts you 72h before sailing if forecast looks marginal.
What is the single-supplement?
+28% on the per-pax 2-base price (e.g. Standard tier solo $2,650 × 1.28 = $3,392). All hotels offer single-room rate at this surcharge. Joining a SIC-style group is not an option for the Private Tour version · see our SIC Tour catalog if cost is a deciding factor.
ℹ Good to know
Group size policy
2-12 pax max (above 12 splits into 2 vehicles · ask for "Multi-vehicle group" pricing).
Single supplement
+28% on 2-base price for solo travellers · applies to all hotels + cruise cabin.
Peak surcharges
Tết Vietnamese New Year +20% · Christmas/NY +15% · Lunar New Year fortnight see Tết.
What to pack · light
11 nights · 5 hotels means we move every 1-2 nights · 1 carry-on + 1 checked bag is ideal · laundry available at Hanoi + HCMC.
Tipping guideline
$5-10/pax/day total (driver + guide combined). Tipping not mandatory · expected for excellent service.
Solo or small-group?
If cost is your deciding factor · see SIC Tour catalog · 30-40% savings · meet other travellers.
All tiers include the same 12-day route. Difference is hotel class, vehicle class, included experiences extras, and Robert-direct-touch level. Pricing scales down for larger groups (2-pax base shown · 3-5 pax -8%, 6-8 pax -14%, 9-12 pax -19%).
Build your private trip & get a quote
Pick your hotel tier → guests & month → add extras → complete your trip. Everything rolls into one quote. Reserve = request a quote — Robert replies in < 1 hour, no payment today.
1 Choose your hotel tier— same itinerary · better hotels
Standard
Entry
$2650/pax
PremiumRECOMMENDED
Most-booked
$3200/pax
Signature
Top-tier
$4100/pax
2 Guests & travel month
Per-pax assumes 2 sharing. Solo travellers are quoted the 1-pax all-in rate. Season & group size refine the exact figure on your quote.
3 Complete your trip — optional · also adds to your total
YOUR GRAND TOTAL — base + own room + add-ons + complete-your-trip
Premium · 2 guests (base)$6400
Grand total · 2 guests$6400
No payment today · firm quote in 1h · exact season/group price on the quote
All prices are 2-pax base · larger groups receive automatic discount · single-supplement +28% · Tết / Christmas / New Year peak +15%. Final quote within 1 business hour of inquiry.
