Experience the very best of Vietnam & Cambodia but with a difference. You’ll not only be on an adventure of a lifetime visiting insanely beautiful destinations, learning about a fascinating new culture and visiting world-famous heritage sites… but you’ll be making a difference and changing lives while you’re at it. 

From an overnight cruise in one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, sleeping in bamboo bungalows in the countryside & learning to cook like a local in Vietnam to exploring the world-renowned Angkor Wat temple complex, immersing yourself in a traditional homestay & getting up close to elephants at our ethical elephant project in Cambodia.

3 days in each country will be spent mucking in as a team on our giving back project, making a profound impact on local communities. We promise you 27 unforgettable days of fun, laughter, sweat and tears, all with a bunch of new travel friends for life. 

Tour Length: 27 Days

Avg Group Size: 12 - 16

Age Range: All Ages

No. of Activities: 24+

No. of Included Meals: 42

Xin Chao (Hello) Hanoi. This is it then, the starting point! We know that you'll be excited, nervous, apprehensive or all three… So to help ease you into life here in Vietnam, our experienced team of guides will collect you at the airport and transfer you to our first hotel. Relax, freshen up and meet your new travel family before we take you to one of our favourite spots for dinner. We may even stop off for a local beer or two on what’s known as… beer street. That should set you up well for this epic adventure.

We'll kick today off with an informative orientation so that you can get your bearings and find out about all the activities, rules of the road and what we have planned for you along the way. It’s time to head into town for a walking tour… we’ll visit local markets, the famous Hoan Kiem Lake, Bamboo street and take you down hidden alleyways that only the locals know their way around. Finish the day at a cultural water puppet show before we sit down for an included local buffet… YUM!

Goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the crazy capital and welcome to Vietnam's extraordinary Ha Long Bay. After jumping onboard our traditional junk boat, we'll cruise through the iconic emerald waters dotted with thousands of towering limestone cliffs. The afternoon will be spent kayaking, swimming and relaxing on the beach before the drinks get flowing for happy hour cocktails on the top deck for sunset… How does that sound? 

This morning will be all about the Tai Chi if you're an early bird. After breakfast hop on some row boats to explore the fishing villages and learn how the locals live on the water. Before we head back to the mainland we’ll help the crew prepare lunch with a spring roll making demonstration… time to get your hands messy. That afternoon we'll make our way to Ninh Binh, check into our unique bamboo bungalows and relax by the pool before indulging in a home made dinner that’s not to be missed.

Did you know that the Hollywood blockbuster King Kong was filmed here? Well, you do now and for good reason! This place is simply stunning… So let's grab a bicycle and get lost (not literally) in Vietnam’s beautiful countryside and rice fields. If you’re up for an adventure then let’s hike to the top of Dragon Laying Viewpoint and take another journey by row boats to discover rivers through caves. Chu Chu… that’s right, it’s time for the overnight train!

Welcome to Hue, the old capital of Vietnam and your home for next 4 nights. After checking in, freshening up and having a good breakfast after the overnight train, we’ll show you the best of this incredible city before we get stuck into out volunteer project the next day. Take a ride in a 3 wheeled rickshaw, explore the famous Imperial Citadel, visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda and cruise back to your hotel for sunset by dragon boat.

It's that time! It's time to give something back because that's what we do best! Working alongside one of the top NGOs in Hue, your three days on project will have you rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. Community development is something Way To Travel loves to support and such projects include: building toilets for families, building sustainable chicken farms and pens, and educating the community on how to provide food and a steady income for the future.

Making our way to the historic Hoi An today, we'll travel down the famous Hai Van Pass - a scenic, winding road with panoramic views. If the weather's kind to us, we'll stop at a secluded waterfall and a beautiful lagoon for lunch with a view. Arrive in our boutique hotel with a swimming pool only 5 minutes walk to the heart of Hoi An... the lantern town.

Start the day with a gentle cruise by boat to take you to the coconut kingdom. After paddling our way through the coconut groves in bamboo baskets we’ll take a short trip in electric cars to the Tra Qua Vegetable Village. It’s time for one of our highlights on the trip, as we take a traditional cooking class that will have you whipping up delicious Vietnamese food in no time. 

This is your day! The Hoi An old quarter is packed full of pretty yellow buildings, boutiques, tailor shops, and quaint little coffee shops for you to explore. We’ve got lots of options of things to do on your free day: Cycle down to An Bang beach, learn to make your own lantern or we can even arrange a trip to the world famous golden hand bridge in Da Nang. That evening we’ll all get together for a final group meal for those of you not joining us on the 5 Day Bolt On to the south.

That's it! It's time to say bye-bye to some of you on the shorter trip. For those lucky ones that have chosen to stay for something special we will wave goodbye to Hoi An together and take take a short flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh). The flight takes around 1 hour and before you know you’ll be checked in to your hotel right beside the famous Ben Thanh Markets. We’ll take you for a quick explore of District 1 and see what this vibrant city has to offer at night.

For those of you with an inner history-geek and let’s be honest, we all do! Today will see each of you guided through one of the most important pieces of Viet Cong infrastructure during the infamous US - Vietnamese War. Once a near impossible fortress to penetrate, the Cu Chi Tunnels are now open to tourists to see. This underground base-camp and transportation network is truly something not to be missed. After a busy day you’ll have no doubt built an appetite for thirst, so let’s go for a bite to eat and a few cold beers.  

Wave goodbye to the concrete jungle that is Saigon and say hello to the green rice fields, mangroves and stunning landscapes of the Mekong. Today is as local as it gets with our authentic homestay experience. You’ll be greeted by the heart warming local family who’ll have your lunch ready for when you arrive. Pick your own coconuts and learn to make traditional cakes before an experience you’ll never forget… fishing like a local! You may get a little dirty as you attempt to catch catfish with your bare hands. 

You’re time in the Mekong isn’t up yet. The last river cruise we promise… but this time we will be taking multiple stops to show you how the locals make a living in the area. A candy factory, a honey farm and a brick factory (much more interesting than it sounds) are just a few of the places we’ll check out. We’ll have to drag you away from paradise now to head back to Saigon for our last night where we’ve got a lovely included farewell dinner waiting for you.

That’s it, your time in Vietnam has come to an end and it's time to take the bus over the border into the Kingdom Of Wonder.

After much anticipation, surely it's time to "Choul Muoy!" to even more adventures on the second leg of your trip, in Cambodia.

Once you're settled into your room and had some rest, we'll head out for our first taste of local Cambodian cuisine in the Capital City, Phnom Penh.

Prepare yourself for a profound journey to the Killing Fields—a place that helps you understand Cambodia's recent tragic past. 

Here, amidst the solemn grounds, millions of lives were claimed during the Cambodian genocide. It's a sad start to a tour, but a place that needs to be explored nonetheless. It will help you to connect with the people you'll meet along the way.

The audio-guided tour will walk you through the same footsteps that many men, women and children took as their final journey.

S21 Prison matches the killing fields as a grim testament to the Khmer Rouge regime. This converted school was turned into a prison for unlawful interrogation, where only a handful managed to survive.

Visiting these sites will not be a light-hearted endeavour. However, this significant chapter of Cambodia's recent history shaped the tapestry of its modern culture, making it imperative for every visitor to experience. 

After this humbling experience, we have some time to reflect before reconvening for a shared meal along the bank of the Mekong River.

We're leaving the capital and making our onward journey to Chambok Village. This is where you’ll spend the night at a traditional Khmer homestay.

Accommodation is basic and rural, but this is an experience that very few visitors to Cambodia get to have.

Situated on the cusp of Kirirom National Park, it's around three hours southwest of Phnom Penh (depending on traffic, weather and if anyone has left something behind). It’s a far cry from the chaos of the city, offering a peaceful respite in the form of lush plateaus, cascading waterfalls and sweet-smelling pine forests. Kirirom is also home to a wide array of wildlife, including gibbons, leopards, deer, monkeys and birds.

This is a real opportunity to immerse yourself in the community and wander around this remote region. We have a whole section as to why we are supporting this community which will be shared later on.

Back to Phnom Penh, you may ask. Yes, as Phnom Penh is the epicentre for travel links, this is how we will make our way to Siem Reap. Cambodia is still a developing country, and direct roads are playing catch up too. But don't let that trouble you; we have a treat in store. Before that, though, you'll have a few hours to explore and sightsee in Phnom Penh. A few recommendations are; the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum or Russian Market. If that sounds like too much effort, you could always sip a drink at a riverside café and watch the world go by.

The evening brings with it a river cruise along the Mekong. It's free beer and soft drinks, so sit back, relax and enjoy your last evening in style.

That is it; we are saying goodbye to the capital for the last time.

The 6-hour journey to Siem Reap will depart at 8:45 am. It's comfortable, air-conditioned, and the bus usually has Wifi.

Once we arrive in Siem Reap, you'll have time to check in, unpack, freshen up and get used to your new surroundings. 

Later on, you'll meet one of our volunteer coordinators for an update on which project we'll be getting stuck into on our giving-back programme. Once all the official stuff is out the way, it's time to introduce you to PUB STREET! Yeah, that's right, a place of bustling bars, weird and wonderful food, and bright lights that put the Las Vegas strip to shame (well, almost)

We've got a welcome meal thrown in because why not? But let's not get too crazy, as you'll need to be in bed early for the big day tomorrow! It's Angkor Wat.

Rise and shine. This is the day most people come to Cambodia for.

It's an early start, but we promise it will be worth it. 

Angkor Wat is the world’s biggest religious monument. It's a vast 500-acre site, so we've got the tuk-tuks covered, but there will be a fair bit of walking, so make sure you pack your comfies. 

We’ll arrive at the UNESCO Heritage site just in time for sunrise. Get your cameras ready and your batteries charged; it's time for some real-life Tomb Raider vibes. It's a long day and with lots to explore, but your expert guide will fill you in with everything you need to know and the best spots to get those photos.

The afternoon is yours to explore Siem Reap; there are 101 places to eat, drink and explore, so fill your boots. There are a few night markets, or perhaps time to get those feet massaged after you get your 10,000 steps in.

Time to roll up your sleeves as you spend 4 days working on a community development project in Siem Reap. This is where you will contribute to building a stronger future for Cambodian communities (and get a little sweaty too).

One of the main issues Cambodia faces today is rural poverty within the country. Many people living in rural areas do not have access to clean water or sanitation and often live in housing that is in very poor condition. 

Our development projects are based on the outskirts of Siem Reap. You will be picked up every morning and transported to the project to start our work. Lunch and water will be provided every day, and you will be picked up each afternoon and taken back to your hotel for a rest and to freshen up. No one is pressured to work any harder than they wish. Cambodia is hot, and some may find it easy while others may not. Anything you can do will help, so don't panic.

Development projects vary and are based on the needs of the communities at the time of the tour. This means could be involved in one of several things, such as; helping construct toilet blocks for villagers or working alongside local builders to repair/build a house for a family in need. Perhaps a water pump needs to be installed, or the local village school may need some repairs and maintenance. Whatever it is, you'll be making a difference. For many, volunteering is the highlight of the trip.

After returning from the project each day, the time will be yours to try one of the many restaurants or bars Siem Reap has to offer. We love visiting the Phare Circus, stocking up on souvenirs at one of the night markets, or catching a traditional Khmer Apsara dance show. The options are endless, and you definitely won’t be stuck for things to do. Our team will be on hand 

should you need assistance organising anything.

Today will be ele-fun. You will be visiting an elephant project that provides a safe and comfortable home for retired, overworked elephants that have previously been used in tourism and logging. 

The project ensures they provide the elephants with access to plenty of space, vegetation and clean water, to give them as natural a habitat as possible. 

This project is new to Siem Reap, recently opening in March 2023. The organisation previously worked in Thailand but since the banning of elephants working at Angkor Wat temple they have recently expanded to Cambodia to continue their great work. We can’t guarantee how many elephants will be there at the time of our visit, because they are only just starting off, but we can guarantee this is a great way to help support and build the project up, so more elephants can be rescued. As of July 2023 there are 2 elephants enjoying their retirement. 

There is no riding elephants here, and there are no chains used. It goes without saying that the elephants’ well-being is the priority. You will get to spend some time with the elephants, bathing them and preparing their food!

You can expect to spend 2-3 hours at the project learning about elephant conservation in Cambodia, as well as getting hands on.

This is a truly unforgettable day and you will be one of the first groups to experience it. Not only that, your visit ensures these beautiful animals can continue to be cared for. What a way to finish hey?! Is it beer o’clock yet?

That's it; you've completed it. What a ride. It’s time to say goodbye to your travel family. Our guides will be around if you need any help with your onward travel plans. We know you’ll have had the most incredible time on this journey, safe travels!

$20 of every booking goes towards Gravity Water... who provide clean drinking water systems to schools in rural areas around the world, including Vietnam 💦

Jane at Way To Travel has been the national director of this incredible organization based out of America since 2018. 

By booking a trip with us you'll not only be directly changing lives with our giving back project, but you'll also be giving children access to clean water.