Saigon to Bangkok Self-Launched: 10 Days Through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
10 days · Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
On The Go Tours charges £1,690
No-markup version: ~£615 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
This self-launched version of On The Go Tours' popular Saigon to Bangkok route covers the same incredible highlights — Mekong Delta boat trips, the Cu Chi Tunnels, Phnom Penh's sobering history, the temples of Angkor, and Bangkok's golden palaces — at a fraction of the guided tour price. You'll swap the group coach for local buses, shared minivans and budget flights, and trade 4-star hotels for well-rated guesthouses and hostels. Everything is bookable independently via GetYourGuide, Klook, or direct with local operators. All costs are approximate estimates per person.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and take a Grab (ride-hailing app) or airport bus 109 into the city for around £1-2. Check into a hostel or guesthouse in the Bui Vien or District 1 area. Spend the afternoon settling in and exploring the buzzing streets. Head to the Reunification Palace independently — entry is around £2 — and wander the surrounding park area. In the evening, grab street food on Bui Vien Walking Street.
🚌Airport bus 109 or Grab app from airport to city centre — ~£1-2
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse in District 1 (e.g. The Common Room Project or similar) — ~£10-15/night
- →Arrive and check in to hostel in District 1
- →Self-guided visit to Reunification Palace (~£2 entry)
- →Evening street food explore on Bui Vien Walking Street
Mekong Delta: Cai Be & Can Tho
Cai Be & Can Tho, Vietnam
Join a budget day trip or overnight tour from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, bookable via GetYourGuide or local operators from ~£25-35. The tour includes a sampan boat along the Mekong River, a visit to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, home factories producing local sweets, and a traditional lunch in a wooden house. Continue to Can Tho for the night. Book via GetYourGuide or directly with Mekong Delta tour agencies on De Tham Street.
🚌Shared minivan from Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Be/Can Tho included in day tour — ~£25-35 total for the tour
🛏Budget guesthouse in Can Tho (e.g. Mekong Homestay or similar) — ~£10-14/night
- →Sampan boat trip along the Mekong River
- →Visit to home factories to sample local sweets and coconut candy
- →Traditional lunch on Dong Hoa Hiep Island
- →Visit Cai Be Church from the river
- →Overnight in Can Tho
Can Tho Floating Market & Back to Saigon
Can Tho & Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Wake early (5-6am) for a local boat trip to the Cai Rang Floating Market — hire a boat at the riverside for ~£3-5. Return to your guesthouse for breakfast, then take a shared minibus back to Ho Chi Minh City (~£4-6, bookable via guesthouse). Back in the city, spend the afternoon on a self-guided walking tour: Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office are free to view from outside, and the War Remnants Museum entry is ~£2. Book via Klook or GetYourGuide if you'd prefer a guided city walking tour (~£10).
🚌Local boat at Can Tho riverside (~£4); shared minibus Can Tho to HCMC (~£5)
🛏Hostel/guesthouse in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City — ~£10-15/night
- →Early morning boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market (~£4)
- →Shared minibus back to Ho Chi Minh City (~£5)
- →Self-guided visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office
- →War Remnants Museum visit (~£2 entry)
- →Evening free in Saigon
Cu Chi Tunnels & Overland to Phnom Penh
Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Start the day with an early morning trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels via a half-day tour from Ho Chi Minh City (~£12-18, bookable on GetYourGuide or Klook). You'll get a guided tour of the tunnels, crawl through a tunnel section, and can optionally fire weapons at the range (extra cost). After returning to the city by midday, board an international bus to Phnom Penh — operators like Mekong Express or Giant Ibis run this route (~£10-14, ~6-7 hours including border crossing). Arrive Phnom Penh evening.
🚌Shared minivan to Cu Chi (~£5 return); international bus HCMC to Phnom Penh with Mekong Express or Giant Ibis (~£12)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near Riverside, Phnom Penh (e.g. Onederz Hostel or Mad Monkey) — ~£10-15/night
- →Cu Chi Tunnels half-day guided tour from HCMC (~£15 via GetYourGuide/Klook)
- →Crawl through tunnel section
- →Optional: weapons firing at range (extra ~£5-10)
- →Overland bus to Phnom Penh via Moc Bai/Bavet border (~£12)
Phnom Penh: History & Palaces
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Spend the day exploring Phnom Penh's key sites independently or with a local tuk-tuk driver (negotiate a half-day or full-day rate of ~£8-12). Visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (entry ~£8 combined), then the National Museum of Fine Arts (~£3). In the afternoon, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21) (~£6) and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek (~£6) — these are deeply moving and important sites. Hire a tuk-tuk for the day to cover all sites comfortably. Evening free to explore Riverside or the Night Market.
🚌Tuk-tuk for the full day negotiated locally (~£10-12)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse near Riverside, Phnom Penh — ~£10-15/night
- →Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda visit (~£8 entry)
- →National Museum of Fine Arts (~£3 entry)
- →Tuol Sleng Prison (S-21) Genocide Museum (~£6 entry)
- →Killing Fields at Choeung Ek (~£6 entry)
- →Evening stroll along Riverside Promenade
Fly to Siem Reap & Angkor Thom
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Take an early morning flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap with Cambodia Angkor Air or a budget carrier (~£40-60, book in advance via Skyscanner or direct). Alternatively, take the express bus with Giant Ibis (~£10, ~6 hours) if you want to save money. Check into your guesthouse near Pub Street or the Old Market. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Thom: the Bayon Temple, Baphuon, Terraces of the Elephants and the Leper King. Purchase a 3-day Angkor pass (~£52) to cover today and tomorrow. In the evening, book tickets to the Phare Cambodian Circus — a brilliant local social enterprise (~£15-30 depending on seating, book via pharecircus.com).
🚌Budget flight Phnom Penh–Siem Reap (~£50) or Giant Ibis bus (~£10); local tuk-tuk for temples (~£12-15/day)
🛏Guesthouse or budget hotel near Pub Street, Siem Reap (e.g. Mad Monkey or Onederz) — ~£10-18/night
- →Morning flight Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (~£50) or Giant Ibis bus (~£10)
- →Purchase 3-day Angkor Archaeological Park pass (~£52)
- →Guided or self-guided tour of Angkor Thom: Bayon, Baphuon, Terraces of the Elephants & Leper King
- →Ta Prohm Temple (tree-root jungle temple)
- →Evening Phare Cambodian Circus performance (~£20)
Angkor Wat Sunrise, Banteay Srei & Tonle Sap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Wake up before dawn and arrange a tuk-tuk to Angkor Wat for sunrise (~£3-4 extra, depart 4:30am) — use your 3-day pass. After sunrise and a thorough explore of Angkor Wat, visit Banteay Srei temple (the 'Citadel of Women', ~30km away — factor this into your tuk-tuk negotiation). In the afternoon, head to Kampong Phluk floating village on Tonle Sap Lake for a boat tour (~£8-12 for a shared boat, bookable via GetYourGuide or local operators at the lake). This is also a great spot to participate in voluntary tree-planting or eco-tourism initiatives run by local NGOs.
🚌Tuk-tuk full day including Banteay Srei and Tonle Sap (~£18-22 negotiated)
🛏Guesthouse near Pub Street, Siem Reap — ~£10-18/night
- →Sunrise visit to Angkor Wat (pre-dawn tuk-tuk, ~4:30am)
- →Full guided or self-guided exploration of Angkor Wat
- →Visit Banteay Srei temple (~30km from Siem Reap)
- →Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake to Kampong Phluk floating village (~£10)
- →Optional: ask guesthouse about local tree-planting or eco-volunteer initiatives
Fly Siem Reap to Bangkok
Siem Reap to Bangkok, Thailand
Check out and head to Siem Reap International Airport (REP) for a direct flight to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) — book in advance with AirAsia, Bangkok Airways or similar (~£50-80). Arrive Bangkok afternoon/evening. Take the BTS Skytrain or Airport Rail Link into the city (~£1.50) — much cheaper than a taxi. Check into a hostel in Khao San Road, Banglamphu, or Silom area. Spend the evening exploring Khao San Road and sampling street food.
🚌Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap airport (~£3); flight to Bangkok (~£60); Airport Rail Link to city (~£1.50)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse near Khao San Road or Silom (e.g. Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark) — ~£12-18/night
- →Morning checkout and transfer to Siem Reap airport
- →Flight to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (~£60 with AirAsia/Bangkok Airways)
- →Airport Rail Link to city centre (~£1.50)
- →Check in to Bangkok hostel
- →Evening explore of Khao San Road area
Bangkok: Grand Palace, Wat Pho & Canals
Bangkok, Thailand
Head out early to beat the crowds at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) — entry ~£13. From there, take a tuk-tuk (negotiate ~£2-3 for the short ride) to Wat Pho to see the giant Reclining Buddha and, if you fancy, book a traditional Thai massage at the renowned Wat Pho massage school (~£7-10). Then walk down to the Chao Phraya River and hire a longtail boat for a canal tour (~£8-12 for a shared boat or ~£20-25 for a private hour-long tour). In the morning, stop at the Pak Klong Talat Flower Market near Memorial Bridge for a riot of colour and scent. Evening free — explore the Chatuchak Night Market (weekends) or rooftop bars in Silom.
🚌BTS Skytrain/river ferry for getting around (~£3); tuk-tuk to Wat Pho (~£2); longtail boat (~£10)
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse near Khao San Road or Silom — ~£12-18/night
- →Early visit to Pak Klong Talat (Bangkok Flower Market) — free entry
- →Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (~£13 entry)
- →Tuk-tuk ride to Wat Pho (~£2-3)
- →Wat Pho visit and optional traditional Thai massage (~£8)
- →Longtail boat tour of Bangkok's canals (~£10 shared)
Final Day in Bangkok & Departure
Bangkok, Thailand
Your final morning in Bangkok — use it to visit any sites you missed, pick up souvenirs at MBK Centre or Chatuchak Market, or simply relax over a coffee in a rooftop café. Head to the airport via the Airport Rail Link from Phaya Thai Station (~£1.50, ~30 mins). Consider a late checkout or left-luggage option at your hostel. Depart Bangkok onward to your next destination.
🚌Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi from Phaya Thai (~£1.50)
🛏N/A (departure day)
- →Free morning: explore Chatuchak Market or revisit a favourite spot
- →Optional: visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) from the Chao Phraya river ferry (~£0.50 ferry + £1 entry)
- →Souvenir shopping at MBK or Chatuchak
- →Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi Airport (~£1.50)
Self-launched vs. On The Go Tours
| This itinerary (self-launched) | On The Go Tours | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£615 | £1,690 |
| Duration | 10 days | 10 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,075 per person (64%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more On The Go Tours-style trips? Check them out here.~£615
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Saigon to Bangkok Self-Launched: 10 Days Through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £615 per person for 10 days in Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with On The Go Tours?+
Yes — On The Go Tours charges around £1,690 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £615 — a saving of roughly £1,075 (64%) per person.
How long is the Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok trip?+
This itinerary runs 10 days, covering 10 day-by-day stops through Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, backpacker, budget trip through Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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