Great Rail Journeys
Grand Tour of Southeast Asia
Escorted 19-day rail and cruise journey through Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
19 daysfrom $6,297
35% rail
Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour
Grand Tour of Vietnam & Cambodia
Escorted 19-day rail journey from Hanoi through Vietnam to Angkor Wat
Great Rail Journeys' Grand Tour of Vietnam and Cambodia is a 19-day escorted journey that departs from London Heathrow and concludes at Angkor Thom in Cambodia. Over nearly three weeks, travellers stay in 4 and 5-star hotels while visiting major cities, ancient temples, and river landscapes. The itinerary opens in Hanoi with cyclo tours of the Old Quarter, moves to an overnight luxury junk cruise in Ha Long Bay, and includes two overnight journeys on the Reunification Express in private Violette cabins. From there, days explore Hue's Imperial Citadel, Hoi An's 400-year-old architecture with a lantern-making workshop, Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels, and the floating Mekong Delta. The tour crosses into Cambodia by river boat to Phnom Penh, visits the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and devotes a full day to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom with a traditional Apsara dance show dinner. A UK Tour Manager accompanies throughout, while built-in free days in Hoi An, Can Tho, and Siem Reap allow independent exploration. The blend of guided cultural tours, rail journeys, river cruises, and hotel time suits couples and repeat rail travellers seeking premium comfort with structured itineraries.
What to know before you look closer
- Group size reaches up to 40 travellers; this is not an intimate tour
- The single supplement (GBP 5,699) is significantly higher than half the double rate, adding substantially for solo travellers
- Several days are free time in hotels or cities with independent exploration; not every hour is guided
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: In flight
Overnight flight to Vietnam
Meet the Tour Manager and travelling group at London Heathrow airport for an overnight flight to Hanoi.
- Day 2overnight: Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam's bustling capital
Arrive in Vietnam, transfer to five-star hotel in central Hanoi. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the Old Quarter in cyclos, journeying along lively streets dotted with temples. First group dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Brunch, Dinner
- Day 3overnight: Hanoi
Exploring the captivating culture of Hanoi
Visit Ba Dinh Square and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Lunch at a local restaurant, then a three-hour city tour including the Confucian Temple of Literature and a local coffee shop. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 4overnight: Ha Long Bay (aboard junk boat)
Experiencing a night cruise on UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay
Coach transfer to Ha Long Bay for an overnight cruise on a luxury junk boat. Lunch on board, visit Cat Ba Island with option of a stroll or gentle bike ride to Viet Hai village. Dinner and overnight aboard the boat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 5railovernight: Reunification Express (overnight train)
Sunrise on Ha Long Bay and boarding the overnight sleeper train
Early risers enjoy sunrise and tai chi. Visit Trinh Nu cave with optional kayaking. Coach back to Hanoi for a traditional water puppet show. Board the Reunification Express overnight train to Hue in Violette cabins.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 6overnight: Hue
Royal city of Hue
Arrive in Hue, early check-in at five-star hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7railovernight: Hoi An
Reunification Express to Da Nang and Hoi An
Morning visit to Dong Ba market. Board the Reunification Express in Violette carriages to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An. Check in to five-star hotel on the riverbank for three nights.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 8overnight: Hoi An
Exploring enchanting Hoi An
Guided tour of Hoi An including Tan Ky Old House and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Traditional lunch at a local restaurant. Hands-on lantern-making workshop. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 9overnight: Hoi An
Day at leisure in Hoi An
Full free day to explore Hoi An independently. Options include the Cantonese Assembly Hall, Trang coconut village basket boat trip, Central Market street food, and the Night Market.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 10overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Onwards to old Saigon
Transfer to Da Nang airport for internal flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Transfer to centrally located French colonial-style hotel built in 1930. Remainder of day at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 11overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City and the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels
Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels underground complex. Optional entry into the tunnels. Lunch at a local restaurant. Afternoon guided sightseeing tour including the Central Post Office and Independence Palace. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 12overnight: Can Tho
Observing daily life on the Mekong
Travel to Cai Be to learn about Mekong Delta life, including coconut sweet production and a rowing-boat excursion. Lunch in Vinh Long. Transfer to five-star hotel on the edge of Can Tho.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 13overnight: Can Tho
Embracing delta life in Can Tho
Free day to relax at the hotel or explore Can Tho independently. Options include Buddhist Ong Temple, Munirensay Khmer pagoda, and the Ninh Kieu pedestrian bridge.
Meals: Breakfast
- Day 14railovernight: Phnom Penh
Along the Mekong to Cambodia
Early visit to Cai Rang floating market. Return to hotel for breakfast, then coach to Cao Lanh. Board an express boat up the Mekong into Cambodia, crossing the border by river to Phnom Penh. Check in to hotel, dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 15overnight: Phnom Penh
Exploring historic Phnom Penh
Full-day guided tour including the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21). Lunch at a local restaurant. Free evening to explore.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 16overnight: Siem Reap
Overland to mystical Siem Reap
Coach journey through Cambodia, stopping at Skuon market and lunch in Kampong Thom. Arrive in Siem Reap in late afternoon. Check in to luxurious five-star hotel. Free evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 17overnight: Siem Reap
The spectacular lost temples of Angkor Wat
Full-day guided tour of Angkor Wat by tuk tuk. Visit Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat. Buddhist monk blessing at a pagoda. Dinner with traditional Apsara dance show.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 18overnight: In flight / Ho Chi Minh City
Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
Free time for last-minute shopping at Siem Reap's riverside markets or relaxing by the pool. Lunch at the hotel. Transfer to Siem Reap airport for connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Day 19
Homeward bound
Board a flight from Ho Chi Minh City to London Heathrow, arriving back in the UK in the morning.
The moments this trip is built around
- Day 4Overnight cruise on a luxury junk boat in UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay with optional kayaking
- Day 5Board the Reunification Express in Violette private cabins for an overnight journey from Hanoi to Hue
- Day 8Lantern-making workshop in the 400-year-old town of Hoi An
- Day 14Cross the border from Vietnam into Cambodia aboard an express boat on the Mekong River
- Day 17Full-day guided tour of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, including a Buddhist monk blessing and Apsara dance show dinner
Included
- Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
- 14 nights' 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
- 1 night in double occupancy Violette cabin aboard the Reunification Express
- 1-night cruise onboard a luxury junk boat in Ha Long Bay
- Violette class rail travel
- All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
- Flights from London Heathrow to Hanoi
- Flights from Siem Reap to London Heathrow via Ho Chi Minh City
- All internal flights
- Breakfast each day
- 10 lunches
- 6 dinners
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
Questions travellers ask
- Is train travel included in the price?
- Yes. The package includes two overnight journeys on the Reunification Express in Violette private cabins, plus all other rail, coach, and internal flight transfers.
- Is this tour escorted?
- Yes. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London Heathrow through the end of the tour.
- What trains are used?
- The Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue and Hue to Da Nang, travelling in Violette class private air-conditioned soft sleeper cabins.
- What hotels are included?
- The itinerary features 4 and 5-star properties: Hotel Melia (Hanoi), luxury junk boat (Ha Long Bay), Indochine Palace (Hue), Hotel Royal Hoi An Danang (Hoi An), Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Victoria Resort (Can Tho), Courtyard by Marriott (Phnom Penh), and Angkor Miracle Resort & Spa (Siem Reap).
- How much walking is involved?
- Days include city sightseeing tours on foot, cyclo rides, and guided temple visits. Several days offer free time for independent exploration. Optional activities include kayaking in Ha Long Bay and entry into the Cu Chi Tunnels.
- What meals are included?
- Breakfast is provided daily. The package includes 10 lunches and 6 dinners, with additional meals on free days at your own expense.
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