Self-Launched Vietnam & Cambodia Heritage Trails: Hanoi to Siem Reap in 14 Days

Fly into Noi Bai International Airport. Take the public bus 86 from the airport to the city centre (~£1.50) or a metered taxi (~£7–9). Check into a hostel or budget hotel in the Old Quarter — the historic heart of Hanoi. Spend the afternoon exploring the 36 streets of the Old Quarter at your own pace. In the evening, grab a bia hoi (street beer) at Bia Hoi Corner and sample bun cha or pho at a local street stall.

🚌Bus 86 from Noi Bai Airport to Old Quarter (~£1.50) or metered taxi (~£7–9)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or similar Old Quarter budget hotel (£12–18/night)

• →Arrive at Noi Bai International Airport — take Bus 86 to the Old Quarter (~£1.50)
• →Check in to a hostel or budget hotel in the Old Quarter (e.g. Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or Old Quarter View Hanoi)
• →Self-guided stroll through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter
• →Evening street food at Bia Hoi Corner — try bun cha or pho (~£3–5)

Join a full-day group day trip from Hanoi to the Ba Vi countryside, bookable via GetYourGuide or local tour desks in the Old Quarter (~£25–35/person). Visit a tea plantation, take part in a Vietnamese cooking class in a village, cycle through rice paddies and meet local Muong ethnic minority communities. Return to your Hanoi accommodation in the evening.

🚌Day tour minibus from/to Hanoi (included in day tour price)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or similar Old Quarter budget hotel (£12–18/night)

• →Book a Ba Vi countryside group day tour via GetYourGuide or a local Old Quarter tour desk (~£25–35pp)
• →Visit tea plantation — tea-leaf picking and traditional production demo
• →Vietnamese cooking class at a local village — cook and eat your own lunch
• →Village walk and cycling through rice paddies
• →Visit to conical hat and tofu production workshop
• →Herbal foot soak using Muong ethnic minority recipes
• →Return transfer to Hanoi included in day tour

Take a shared shuttle or book a seat on a tourist minibus from Hanoi to Pu Luong (~£12–18, bookable via local operators or Ba Be travel agencies). The journey takes around 4 hours. Check in to an eco-lodge or guesthouse in the reserve. Spend the afternoon on leisurely walks through the nature reserve, crossing suspension bridges, visiting Pu Luong village and its iconic water wheels, and ending with a bamboo rafting session at Chieu Lau dam.

🚌Shared tourist minibus Hanoi → Pu Luong (~£12–18, ~4 hours)

🛏Pu Luong Eco Garden or similar eco-guesthouse/homestay (£15–22/night)

• →Shared tourist minibus from Hanoi to Pu Luong (~£12–18, book via Old Quarter travel desks)
• →Check in to Pu Luong Eco Garden or a similar eco-guesthouse (£15–22/night)
• →Afternoon walk through Pu Luong Nature Reserve and suspension bridge crossing
• →Visit Pu Luong village and traditional water wheels
• →2.5km trek through rice terraces and villages
• →Bamboo rafting at Chieu Lau dam (~£5–8, can be arranged at accommodation)

Hire a local Easy Rider guide for the day to explore the remote villages of Pu Luong by motorbike (~£20–30, arranageable through your guesthouse or local operators in Pu Luong village). Ride to Kho Muong village, through Bang village and jungle, explore Bat Cave (the largest cave in Pu Luong), and stop for lunch by a waterfall. Swim in crystal-clear streams before returning to your eco-lodge for dinner.

🚌Easy Rider motorbike tour (included in day tour cost, ~£20–30pp)

🛏Pu Luong Eco Garden or similar eco-guesthouse/homestay (£15–22/night)

• →Book an Easy Rider motorbike day tour through your guesthouse (~£20–30pp)
• →Ride to Kho Muong village through jungle trails
• →Explore Bat Cave — the largest cave in Pu Luong
• →Ride through Bang village and rural lanes to Hieu village
• →Lunch by waterfall (~£3–5)
• →Swimming in crystal-clear natural pools
• →Village exploration and return to eco-lodge by motorbike

Morning stroll through Don village and its terraced rice fields, visiting Uoi hamlet and descending to Lan Village to watch traditional brocade weaving. Optionally rent a bicycle from your guesthouse to loop around Lan Village (~£2–3). After lunch at a local eatery, board your return shared minibus to Hanoi (~£12–18). Evening free to rest or explore Hanoi's night markets.

🚌Shared tourist minibus Pu Luong → Hanoi (~£12–18, ~4 hours)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel or similar Old Quarter budget hotel (£12–18/night)

• →Morning walk through Don village and terraced rice fields
• →Visit Uoi hamlet and Lan Village
• →Watch traditional brocade sewing and chat with local weavers
• →Optional bicycle hire around Lan Village (~£2–3 from guesthouse)
• →Lunch at local restaurant (~£3–5)
• →Shared tourist minibus back to Hanoi (~£12–18)

Book a 2-day/1-night Halong Bay cruise independently — budget group cruises start from £60–80pp and include return transfer from Hanoi, all meals, kayaking and cave exploration. Book via GetYourGuide, Klook, or directly with operators like Bhaya or Indochina Junk. Depart Hanoi mid-morning by tourist bus (included). Board the cruise, enjoy a seafood lunch on deck, kayak into hidden lagoons, explore karst caves, and watch the sunset over the bay.

🚌Tourist bus Hanoi → Halong Bay included in cruise price

🛏Shared cabin on budget group cruise — e.g. Bhaya Classic Cruise or similar (included in cruise price ~£65–85pp)

• →Book a 2D/1N budget group Halong Bay cruise via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£65–85pp all-inclusive)
• →Tourist bus transfer Hanoi → Halong Bay included in cruise package
• →Board cruise and set sail through limestone karsts
• →Seafood lunch on deck
• →Kayaking or swimming in hidden coves
• →Guided exploration of karst caves with stalagmites and stalactites
• →Sunset on sundeck and dinner on board

Wake early for sunrise over the bay. Join a Tai Chi class on deck, then explore one final limestone cave before brunch and sailing back to port. The cruise drops you back in Hanoi by early afternoon. Head to Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport for a short domestic flight to Hue (~£25–45 on VietJet, Bamboo or Vietnam Airlines, book in advance). Taxi or Grab to your guesthouse in Hue city centre.

🚌Cruise return bus to Hanoi (included); domestic flight HAN→HUI (~£25–45); Grab to hotel (~£5–7)

🛏Cherish Hue Hotel or similar budget hotel/guesthouse in Hue (£12–18/night)

• →Sunrise viewing from cruise deck
• →Tai Chi class on sundeck
• →Final limestone cave exploration
• →Brunch on board as cruise sails back to port
• →Tourist bus transfer back to Hanoi (included in cruise)
• →Domestic flight Hanoi (HAN) → Hue (HUI) — book on VietJet or Bamboo (~£25–45)
• →Grab or taxi from Phu Bai Airport to Hue city centre (~£5–7)

Hue's landmarks are all highly walkable or reachable by hired bicycle or xe om (motorbike taxi). Book a morning dragon boat trip on the Perfume River via a local guesthouse or at the riverfront (~£4–6pp), stopping at Thien Mu Pagoda. Explore the Imperial Citadel and Royal Antiquities Museum independently (entry ~£6 combined). Hire a bicycle (~£2–3/day) or xe om to visit Khai Dinh's Tomb, Minh Mang's Tomb, the conical hat village of Phuoc Yen, and the incense-stick village of Thuy Xuan in the afternoon.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2–3/day) or xe om for tomb visits (~£5–8 round trip)

🛏Cherish Hue Hotel or similar budget hotel/guesthouse in Hue (£12–18/night)

• →Dragon boat trip on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda (~£4–6, book at riverfront)
• →Self-guided exploration of the Imperial Citadel and Royal Antiquities Museum (~£6 entry)
• →Dong Ba Market visit — try banh mi or bun bo Hue (~£2–3)
• →Vietnamese lunch at local restaurant (~£3–5)
• →Hire bicycle (~£2–3/day) or xe om to Khai Dinh's Tomb and Minh Mang's Tomb (~£3 entry each)
• →Visit the conical hat village of Phuoc Yen and incense-stick village of Thuy Xuan (free)

Rise early for a sunrise experience at An Truyen lagoon village — book a local morning tour (£10–15pp) including a sampan boat ride on the lagoon and a family farm visit for a traditional fishing lesson. Return to Hue for a local breakfast at the market. Then take the Hue → Hoi An tourist shuttle (£5–8, direct, ~3 hours) which crosses the iconic Hai Van Pass — sit on the left for sea views. Arrive in Hoi An and check in to the Ancient Town area.

🚌Tourist shuttle bus Hue → Hoi An via Hai Van Pass (~£5–8, ~3 hours)

🛏Kim An Hotel or similar budget guesthouse near Hoi An Ancient Town (£12–18/night)

• →Early morning lagoon tour at An Truyen village — book via guesthouse or GetYourGuide (~£10–15pp)
• →Motor sampan boat ride for sunrise over the lagoon
• →Traditional fishing lesson with a local family
• →Local breakfast at lagoon market — tea/coffee and bánh mì (~£2–3)
• →Hue → Hoi An tourist shuttle bus via Hai Van Pass (~£5–8, ~3 hours — book at your guesthouse or Sinh Tourist)
• →Check in to budget guesthouse near Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An's Ancient Town is one of the most walkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Asia. Buy a combined Ancient Town ticket (~£5) which grants entry to five heritage sites including the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Ancestral House, Chua Ong Pagoda and Jinshang Temple. Join a free walking tour in the morning via a local hostel, or explore independently using a free map from the tourist office. Rent a bicycle (~£2/day) to ride out to An Bang beach in the afternoon. Eat at the famous Banh Mi Phuong or try White Rose dumplings at a local restaurant.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2/day) — ideal for exploring Hoi An and surrounds

🛏Kim An Hotel or similar budget guesthouse near Hoi An Ancient Town (£12–18/night)

• →Buy Ancient Town combined entry ticket (~£5) — covers Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Jinshang Temple, Chua Ong Pagoda
• →Self-guided walk through the Ancient Town using a free map from the tourist office
• →Lunch at a local restaurant — try White Rose dumplings or Cao Lau (~£3–5)
• →Rent a bicycle (~£2/day) and ride to An Bang beach for the afternoon
• →Evening: Hoi An night market and lantern boat ride on the Thu Bon River (~£1–2)

Take a Grab or local taxi from Hoi An to Da Nang International Airport (~£8–12, ~45 mins). Fly from Da Nang (DAD) to Siem Reap (REP) — typically with a connection via Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok (~£60–100 with AirAsia, Vietnam Airlines or Bangkok Airways, book in advance). On arrival in Siem Reap, purchase your Cambodia e-visa in advance (£30) or on arrival. Take a tuk-tuk from the airport to your guesthouse (~£4–6). Spend the evening on Pub Street or exploring the Old Market area.

🚌Grab to Da Nang Airport (~£8–12); flight DAD→REP (~£60–100); tuk-tuk to guesthouse (~£4–6)

🛏Hari Residence or similar budget guesthouse in Siem Reap (£12–18/night)

• →Grab/taxi from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport (~£8–12, ~45 mins)
• →Fly Da Nang (DAD) → Siem Reap (REP), typically via HCMC or Bangkok (~£60–100, book in advance)
• →Cambodia e-visa required — apply online in advance at evisa.gov.kh (~£30)
• →Tuk-tuk from Siem Reap Airport to guesthouse (~£4–6)
• →Evening stroll around Pub Street and Old Market area
• →Optional: book Angkor Wat sunrise tuk-tuk for Day 12 (~£10–12 for full-day tuk-tuk hire)

Purchase a 1-day Angkor Pass (~£37) from the official Angkor Enterprise ticket office. Hire a tuk-tuk for the day (~£12–15) — your driver will know the route and timing well. Visit the Grand Circuit and Small Circuit: South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King, then the iconic Angkor Wat complex itself. Finish at Ta Prohm, the jungle temple where tree roots engulf ancient stones. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.

🚌Tuk-tuk day hire for Angkor circuit (~£12–15)

🛏Hari Residence or similar budget guesthouse in Siem Reap (£12–18/night)

• →Purchase 1-day Angkor Pass at the official ticket office (~£37)
• →Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day (~£12–15, ask your guesthouse to arrange)
• →South Gate of Angkor Thom — Bayon Temple (face towers) — Royal Enclosure — Phimeanakas
• →Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King
• →Angkor Wat — explore galleries, columns, pavilions, courtyards and ponds
• →Ta Prohm jungle temple — tree roots over ancient ruins
• →Breakfast and lunch at local noodle stalls near the temples (~£3–5)

Book a half-day Tonle Sap Lake and village experience via GetYourGuide or Klook (~£15–20pp), or hire your guesthouse tuk-tuk driver for the day (~£12–15). Visit Chrieve village for an oxcart ride and home garden visits, then drive to the floating village of Chong Khneas for a traditional wooden boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake. In the afternoon, visit Chantiers Ecoles (Les Artisans d'Angkor) — a free-entry workshop in Siem Reap town where you can watch stone carving and wood sculpting by local artisans. Browse the gift shop to support the social enterprise.

🚌Tuk-tuk day hire (~£12–15)

🛏Hari Residence or similar budget guesthouse in Siem Reap (£12–18/night)

• →Tuk-tuk hire for the day (~£12–15) or book Tonle Sap tour via GetYourGuide (~£15–20pp)
• →Chrieve village visit — oxcart ride, home garden tour, seasonal fruit tasting
• →Drive to Chong Khneas floating village on Tonle Sap Lake
• →Traditional wooden boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake (~£5–8)
• →Visit Chantiers Ecoles - Les Artisans d'Angkor (free entry) — watch stone carving and wood sculpting
• →Evening at leisure — Siem Reap night market or Phare Circus (~£12–15, book via Klook)

Final morning in Siem Reap. Enjoy a local breakfast at the Old Market (Psar Chas) — try nom banh chok (Khmer noodles) or fresh fruit (~£2–3). Browse the market stalls for handmade souvenirs — silk scarves, Angkor-motif carvings, and Cambodian spices all make great gifts. Take a tuk-tuk to Siem Reap International Airport (~£4–6) for your departure flight. Safe travels!

🚌Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap International Airport (~£4–6)

🛏Check out — no accommodation required

• →Local breakfast at Old Market (Psar Chas) — nom banh chok or fresh fruit (~£2–3)
• →Last-minute souvenir shopping at Old Market or Angkor Night Market
• →Tuk-tuk to Siem Reap International Airport (~£4–6)