Self-Launched 20-Day Vietnam to Cambodia: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City & Angkor Wat
20 days · Vietnam & Cambodia
The Dragon Trip charges £1,400
No-markup version: ~£843 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched backpacker route through Vietnam and Cambodia hitting the same highlights as The Dragon Trip's guided tour — Hanoi's Old Quarter, an overnight Ha Long Bay cruise, the caves of Phong Nha, Hoi An, Saigon, Phnom Penh's Killing Fields, the beaches of Koh Rong Sanloem, and sunrise at Angkor Wat — but booked independently. You'll use sleeper buses, trains, cheap domestic flights and ferries instead of private group transport, stay in the same style of hostels, and book activities direct via GetYourGuide/Klook or on the ground. Ideal for gap-year and backpacker travellers comfortable with a fast pace and 18-45 hostel dorms. Costs are approximate per-person estimates.
Day-by-day
Arrive Hanoi & Old Quarter welcome
Hanoi, Vietnam
Land at Noi Bai Airport and take the public bus 86 or a Grab (~£5-7) into the Old Quarter. Check into a dorm hostel near Hoan Kiem Lake. Spend the evening wandering the Old Quarter's 36 streets, grab a bia hoi (fresh beer ~£0.30) and a bowl of bun cha or pho. No group dinner needed — join a free walking tour or a hostel meet-up instead.
🚌Airport bus 86 (~£1) or Grab (~£5-7)
🛏Central Backpackers Hanoi or Hanoi Old Quarter Hostel (dorm ~£6-9)
- →Old Quarter orientation walk
- →Hoan Kiem Lake at night
- →Street food dinner (bun cha / pho)
Hanoi history & Hoan Kiem Lake
Hanoi, Vietnam
Walk to Hoa Lo Prison (the 'Hanoi Hilton') — entry ~£1.50. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (~£1) on the red bridge. In the evening catch a Thang Long Water Puppet Show (~£3-4) and eat at the Old Quarter night market. Book your Ha Long Bay cruise tonight for the following day.
🚌On foot
🛏Central Backpackers Hanoi or Hanoi Old Quarter Hostel (dorm ~£6-9)
- →Hoa Lo Prison visit
- →Hoan Kiem Lake & Ngoc Son Temple
- →Water Puppet Show
- →Old Quarter Night Market
Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Get picked up by shuttle from your Hanoi hostel (~3.5-4 hrs) for a 2-day/1-night budget cruise through the limestone karsts of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay. Includes lunch, dinner and a cabin berth. Swim off the boat, do a sunset kayak and watch the bay light up at dusk. Book via Klook or GetYourGuide (from ~£65-90 for the overnight cruise incl. transport and meals).
🚌Shuttle bus from Hanoi (incl. in cruise)
🛏Budget cruise cabin (incl. in cruise price)
- →Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
- →Swimming & kayaking
- →Sunset on the bay
Cruise, then sleeper to Phong Nha
Ha Long Bay to Phong Nha, Vietnam
Morning kayaking and a hearty lunch on the cruise before returning to Hanoi. That evening take an overnight sleeper bus or the Reunification Express train south toward Dong Hoi/Phong Nha (~10-12 hrs). Sleeper bus tickets ~£14-18.
🚌Sleeper bus Hanoi to Phong Nha (~£14-18)
🛏Overnight sleeper bus
- →Morning kayak on Ha Long Bay
- →Lunch on board
- →Overnight transport south
Phong Nha village cycling
Phong Nha, Vietnam
Arrive early and check into a Phong Nha hostel. Hire a bicycle (~£2/day) and cycle to Bong Lai Village through rice paddies and karst scenery. Stop at the famous 'Pub With Cold Beer' for a cold one and a farm-to-table chicken lunch. Evening volleyball at the hostel and a relaxed night out in Phong Nha.
🚌Bicycle hire (~£2)
🛏Central Backpackers Phong Nha or Phong Nha Farmstay (dorm ~£6-8)
- →Cycle to Bong Lai Village
- →Pub With Cold Beer
- →Hostel volleyball & nightlife
Phong Nha Ke Bang caves
Phong Nha, Vietnam
Full-day caving adventure in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. Book the Paradise Cave half-day tour (~£18-22) and/or the Dark Cave experience with ziplining, swimming, mud baths and SUP boarding (~£20-25). Alternatively organise direct at your hostel. That night, board another sleeper bus south to Hoi An (~10-12 hrs).
🚌Sleeper bus Phong Nha to Hoi An (~£15-20)
🛏Overnight sleeper bus
- →Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park
- →Paradise Cave
- →Dark Cave zipline, mud bath & SUP
Arrive Hoi An & Ancient Town
Hoi An, Vietnam
Arrive in Hoi An and check into a hostel near the Ancient Town. Buy the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket (~£5) which covers the Japanese Bridge, old merchant houses and assembly halls. Wander the lantern-lit streets at dusk, then take a coconut basket boat ride through the water coconut palms (~£4). Group-free dinner at a riverside restaurant.
🚌On foot
🛏Riverside Hoi An / Dolphins Hostel & Bar (dorm ~£6-9)
- →Hoi An Ancient Town ticket
- →Japanese Covered Bridge
- →Coconut basket boat ride
- →Lantern-lit evening stroll
Hoi An free day — beach or Ba Na Hills
Hoi An, Vietnam
Choose your adventure: hire a bicycle and ride to An Bang or Cua Dai beach (~£2), or take a Ba Na Hills day tour from Hoi An (~£35-45 incl. Golden Bridge and cable car, book on Klook/GetYourGuide). In the evening, see the Hoi An Memories Show (~£15-25).
🚌Bicycle (~£2) or shared tour bus
🛏Riverside Hoi An / Dolphins Hostel & Bar (dorm ~£6-9)
- →An Bang beach bike ride
- →Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge (optional)
- →Hoi An Memories Show (optional)
Lantern-making, fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Morning traditional lantern-making workshop in Hoi An (~£6-8). Then take a short transfer to Da Nang Airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City (flights from ~£30-45 with VietJet/Bamboo if booked ahead). Check into a District 1 hostel; evening rooftop bar and Bui Vien walking street.
🚌Taxi to Da Nang airport (~£10 shared) + domestic flight (~£30-45)
🛏Long Hostel or The Common Room Saigon (dorm ~£7-10)
- →Traditional lantern-making workshop
- →Flight to Saigon
- →Bui Vien walking street
Saigon city orientation
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Do a self-guided walking loop of the city centre: Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh Market and the War Remnants Museum (~£1.50). Lunch at a local com tam spot (~£2). Evening street-food crawl through District 4 or the Cho Lon (Chinatown) area.
🚌Grab motorbike (~£1-2 per ride)
🛏Long Hostel or The Common Room Saigon (dorm ~£7-10)
- →Notre Dame Cathedral & Central Post Office
- →War Remnants Museum
- →Ben Thanh Market
- →District 4 street-food crawl
Cu Chi Tunnels & karaoke
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour visiting the Ben Duoc or Ben Dinh sites (~£12-18 incl. transport, book on Klook/GetYourGuide). Back in the city, try a Vietnamese coffee workshop (~£10) or simply spend the evening at a private-room karaoke bar in District 1 (~£8 split), exactly as the tour includes.
🚌Tour bus (incl.) + Grab in city
🛏Long Hostel or The Common Room Saigon (dorm ~£7-10)
- →Cu Chi Tunnels tour
- →Vietnamese coffee workshop (optional)
- →Private karaoke room
Cross into Cambodia — Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Take a morning bus from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh via the Moc Bai/Bavet border (~6 hrs, ~£12-18 with Giant Ibis or Mekong Express). Complete the Cambodian e-visa in advance (~£30). Afternoon city orientation walk along the riverside and Sisowath Quay; evening explore Bassac Lane bars.
🚌Bus HCMC to Phnom Penh (~£12-18)
🛏Pooltop Phnom Penh Hostel (dorm ~£6-9)
- →Bus to Phnom Penh via Moc Bai border
- →Riverside orientation walk
- →Bassac Lane bar hop
S21 & the Killing Fields
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21, ~£5) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek (~£6) — combine with a tuk-tuk charter for the day (~£12 split) or a small-group tour (~£15). In the evening, take a sunset cruise on the Tonle Sap (~£8) and explore the Phnom Penh Night Market.
🚌Tuk-tuk charter (~£12 split)
🛏Pooltop Phnom Penh Hostel (dorm ~£6-9)
- →S21 Prison
- →Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
- →Sunset cruise on the Tonle River
- →Phnom Penh Night Market
To the islands — Koh Rong Sanloem
Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia
Morning bus or shared minivan from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville (~5-6 hrs, ~£10-14). Board the afternoon ferry to Koh Rong Sanloem (~45 min-1 hr, ~£10-12 with Speed Ferry Cambodia or GTVC). Check into a beach hostel (dorm or bungalow ~£8-15). Evening swim with bioluminescent plankton off the beach (free) and dinner at a beach bar.
🚌Bus (~£10-14) + ferry (~£10-12)
🛏Sunset Hostel on Koh Rong Sanloem (dorm ~£8-15)
- →Bus to Sihanoukville
- →Ferry to Koh Rong Sanloem
- →Bioluminescent plankton swim
Trek to Clearwater Bay & snorkelling
Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia
Join a guided trek through the jungle to Clearwater Bay (~2-3 hrs, ~£8-12 incl. picnic lunch) — one of the island's best beaches. Snorkel coral reefs in the afternoon; gear hire ~£5. Back at the hostel, join the seasonal beach BBQ or a bonfire/pub quiz night.
🚌On foot / local boat for transfers
🛏Sunset Hostel on Koh Rong Sanloem (dorm ~£8-15)
- →Trek to Clearwater Bay
- →Picnic beach lunch
- →Coral reef snorkelling
- →Beach bonfire / pub quiz
Beach day & sleeper bus to Siem Reap
Koh Rong Sanloem to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Morning swim or an optional kayak trip to neighbouring bays (~£4-6), or yoga as a sunrise extra. Enjoy a beachside BBQ lunch (~£5). Mid-afternoon take the ferry back to Sihanoukville (~£10-12) and board the overnight sleeper bus to Siem Reap via Phnom Penh (~£20-25).
🚌Ferry (~£10-12) + sleeper bus to Siem Reap (~£20-25)
🛏Overnight sleeper bus
- →Morning kayaking (optional)
- →Beachside BBQ lunch
- →Ferry to Sihanoukville
- →Overnight sleeper bus to Siem Reap
Arrive Siem Reap — city & temple blessing
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Arrive early and check into Lub D Siem Reap (or similar dorm ~£8-12). Free morning to nap. Afternoon city orientation: Royal Gardens, Wat Preah Prom Rath temple, and the Made in Cambodia night market. Optionally book a spa session or the Phare Cambodian Circus in the evening (~£15).
🚌Tuk-tuk (~£5/day)
🛏Lub D Siem Reap or Siem Reap hostel (dorm ~£8-12)
- →Royal Gardens
- →Wat Preah Prom Rath blessing
- →Made in Cambodia market
- →Phare Circus (optional)
Sunrise at Angkor Wat & temple tour
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hire a tuk-tuk driver for a full-day Angkor circuit (~£18-22/day incl. driver, split it with a hostel friend). Sunrise at Angkor Wat, then Ta Prohm (the 'Tomb Raider' temple), Bayon with its giant faces and Angkor Thom. An Angkor 1-day pass costs US$37 (~£29). Back for street food and a Cambodian delicacy tasting.
🚌Shared tuk-tuk (~£9-11 each) + Angkor pass (~£29)
🛏Lub D Siem Reap or Siem Reap hostel (dorm ~£8-12)
- →Sunrise at Angkor Wat
- →Ta Prohm
- →Bayon & Angkor Thom
- →Cambodian street-food tasting
Countryside cycling & lotus fields
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Half-day countryside cycle tour through the lotus fields, a duck farm and rice-cultivation villages, with local palm wine tasting (~£12-18 incl. bike and guide, book locally or on GetYourGuide). Optional Cambodia Wake Park watersports in the afternoon (~£12). Farewell dinner in Siem Reap at a Khmer restaurant.
🚌Bicycle (incl. in tour)
🛏Lub D Siem Reap or Siem Reap hostel (dorm ~£8-12)
- →Lotus Fields cycling tour
- →Duck farm & rice cultivation
- →Palm wine tasting
- →Farewell dinner
Depart Siem Reap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Check out and fly home or continue your travels. Siem Reap International Airport is 20 minutes away by tuk-tuk (~£4). If time allows, an optional Apopo Hero Rats tour before your flight. Book onward or return flights in advance — from Siem Reap to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City from ~£70-120 one way.
🚌Tuk-tuk to airport (~£4)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Apopo Hero Rats tour (optional)
- →Departure
Self-launched vs. The Dragon Trip
| This itinerary (self-launched) | The Dragon Trip | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£843 | £1,400 |
| Duration | 20 days | 20 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £557 per person (40%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more The Dragon Trip-style trips? Check them out here.~£843
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 Self-Launched 20-Day Vietnam to Cambodia: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City & Angkor Wat cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £843 per person for 20 days in Vietnam & Cambodia. 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 The Dragon Trip?+
Yes — The Dragon Trip charges around £1,400 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £843 — a saving of roughly £557 (40%) per person.
How long is the Vietnam & Cambodia trip?+
This itinerary runs 20 days, covering 20 day-by-day stops through Vietnam & Cambodia.
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 backpacker, gap-year, budget trip through Vietnam & Cambodia, 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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