Hanoi to Bangkok via Cambodia: Self-Launched Travel Pass
21 days · Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand
Bamba Travel charges £1,390
No-markup version: ~£865 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, backpacker-priced version of Bamba Travel's 21-day Hanoi–Bangkok travel pass. You cover the exact same route — Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Dalat, Saigon, the Mekong Delta, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Bangkok — but book each leg yourself: sleeper trains and open-tour buses instead of a private vehicle, hostel dorms or budget guesthouses instead of the operator's shared rooms, and GetYourGuide/Klook or locally-booked excursions instead of pre-arranged guided days. Costs below are rough per-person estimates for one traveller in a dorm or budget twin, eating local, and taking public transport; actual prices swing with season and how much you splurge.
Day-by-day
Arrive Hanoi & Old Quarter food/cooking intro
Hanoi, Vietnam
Land in Hanoi, check into a hostel dorm in the Old Quarter (Hanoi has excellent backpacker hostels around £7–10/night). Spend the afternoon orienting yourself around Hoan Kiem Lake, then join a small-group Hanoi cooking class with market tour — bookable on GetYourGuide or Klook for roughly £20–25, or a cheaper street-food walking tour (~£15). Evening: bia hoi on Ta Hien corner for under £1 a glass.
🚌Airport bus #86 from Noi Bai to city centre, ~£1.20
🛏Old Quarter hostel dorm, ~£9
- →Hoan Kiem Lake walk
- →Hanoi cooking class with market tour (GetYourGuide/Klook, ~£22)
- →Ta Hien street beer night
Halong Bay overnight cruise (day 1)
Halong Bay / Lan Ha Bay
Book a budget 2-day/1-night Halong or Lan Ha Bay cruise directly with a Hanoi hostel or via Klook — the party-boat version the operator uses is widely sold, but a quieter Lan Ha Bay option often costs the same (~£55–75 including transfers, meals, kayaking). Shuttle bus pickup from Old Quarter around 8am, board by midday, kayak and swim in the afternoon, sunset on deck, then dinner and live music/DJ if you pick the party boat.
🚌Shuttle bus Hanoi–Halong, included in cruise booking
🛏Cruise cabin (shared twin), included in cruise price
- →Halong/Lan Ha Bay boat cruise
- →Kayaking and swimming
- →Sunset deck party
- →Cave visit
Halong Bay morning & back to Hanoi
Hanoi, Vietnam
Early breakfast on the boat, morning kayaking or a cave stop, then shuttle back to Hanoi arriving late afternoon. Grab a night train ticket for tomorrow's run south and spend the evening around the Old Quarter with a bowl of bun cha (~£2).
🚌Shuttle back to Hanoi (included); book Reunification Express tickets for tomorrow
🛏Old Quarter hostel dorm, ~£9
- →Morning bay sightseeing
- →Old Quarter evening wander
Hanoi to Hue by Reunification Express
Hue, Vietnam
Day train or overnight sleeper south on the Reunification Express — the soft-sleeper (4-berth) is around £25–32 and the daytime leg through the Hai Van Pass is one of Southeast Asia's great rail journeys. Book on the official Vietnam Railways site or via a local agent 1–2 days ahead. Arrive Hue, walk the Perfume River promenade and eat bun bo Hue for dinner.
🚌Reunification Express train Hanoi–Hue, soft sleeper ~£28
🛏Hue guesthouse/hostel dorm, ~£8
- →Scenic rail journey
- →Perfume River evening walk
Hue Imperial City & Perfume River day
Hue, Vietnam
Self-guided day hitting the same sights: hire a bicycle or Grab to the Imperial Citadel (~£5 entry), then a dragon boat across the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda (~£4 return, negotiate at the dock). In the afternoon hire a motorbike driver or book a small-group countryside tour (~£18) covering the Minh Mang and Khai Dinh tombs, plus a conical-hat/incense-making village stop. Dong Ba Market for lunch.
🚌Dragon boat £4 + bicycle/Grab ~£4
🛏Hue guesthouse/hostel dorm, ~£8
- →Imperial Citadel
- →Thien Mu Pagoda
- →Minh Mang & Khai Dinh tombs
- →Incense village workshop
- →Dong Ba Market
Hue to Hoi An over the Hai Van Pass
Hoi An, Vietnam
Take the local open-tour bus or a shared limousine van Hue–Hoi An (~£8–12, 3–4 hours). Motorbike enthusiasts can do the Hai Van Pass by Easy Rider (~£25) instead. Arrive Hoi An, check into a guesthouse in the old town fringe (~£9 dorm / £16 private), and get a tailoring quote or just wander the lantern-lit streets after dark (old town entry ticket £5).
🚌Open-tour bus/limousine van Hue–Hoi An, ~£10
🛏Hoi An guesthouse, ~£10
- →Hai Van Pass views
- →Hoi An Ancient Town at night
- →Lantern boat ride ~£1.50
Cam Kim Island bicycle day
Hoi An, Vietnam
Rent a bicycle (~£1.50/day) and take the bridge over to Cam Kim Island — free to explore. Visit Kim Bong carpentry village, watch mat-weaving families and fishing-boat builders, and stop for a cheap local lunch on the island (~£3). This is the exact day the operator runs, entirely DIY-able. Optional afternoon: £10 cooking class or £6 pottery/ Lantern-making workshop.
🚌Bicycle hire £1.50; local ferry £0.30
🛏Hoi An guesthouse, ~£10
- →Cam Kim Island cycle
- →Kim Bong carpentry village
- →Mat-weaving demonstration
- →Thu Bon River stops
Hoi An to Nha Trang
Nha Trang, Vietnam
The long hop south — either the overnight sleeper bus (~£14, 12 hours) or day train Da Nang–Nha Trang (~£15–20). Sleeper bus saves a night's accommodation. Arrive Nha Trang and settle into a beach-area hostel (~£8/night) near the seafront.
🚌Overnight sleeper bus Hoi An–Nha Trang, ~£14
🛏Nha Trang hostel dorm, ~£8 (or on bus)
- →Nha Trang beachfront evening
Nha Trang island boat & snorkelling trip
Nha Trang, Vietnam
Book a Mun Island snorkelling/boat day locally or via Klook (~£20–25, includes lunch, snorkel gear, Mot Island floating bar and Tam Island beach stop). Cheaper than the operator's version and identical in content — water sports at Tam Island are extra if you want them. Evening: seafood at the night market (~£5).
🚌Boat trip included; walk/Grab to pier ~£2
🛏Nha Trang hostel dorm, ~£8
- →Mun Island snorkelling
- →Mot Island floating bar
- →Tam Island beach
- →Fishing village visit
Nha Trang to Dalat by mountain bus
Dalat, Vietnam
Take the local bus Nha Trang–Dalat (~£7, 4 hours) — a twisty, scenic climb into the highlands. Dalat is cool at night, so a jumper helps. Check into a budget hotel or hostel (~£9), then explore the night market and Xuan Huong Lake on foot.
🚌Local bus Nha Trang–Dalat, ~£7
🛏Dalat hostel/budget hotel, ~£9
- →Dalat night market
- →Xuan Huong Lake walk
Dalat countryside motorcycle loop
Dalat, Vietnam
Hire an Easy Rider guide for a full countryside loop (~£20–25 for the day, two-up if you like) covering Truc Lam Monastery, Paradise Lake, Elephant Waterfall, Linh An Pagoda, a K'ho minority village, vegetable and coffee farms and a silk factory — the exact itinerary the operator runs, bookable through any Dalat hostel or Easy Rider office. Lunch at a local com ga stall (~£3).
🚌Easy Rider motorbike tour, ~£22
🛏Dalat hostel/budget hotel, ~£9
- →Truc Lam Monastery
- →Paradise Lake
- →Elephant Waterfall
- →Linh An Pagoda
- →K'ho village & farms
- →Silk factory
Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Morning sleeper bus Dalat–Saigon (~£9, 7–8 hours) or fly if you're short on time (VietJet ~£30). Arrive District 1, check into a backpackers' hostel on Pham Ngu Lao (~£8), and take an evening stroll through the city — Ben Thanh night market and a cold beer on Bui Vien.
🚌Sleeper bus Dalat–HCMC, ~£9
🛏Pham Ngu Lao hostel dorm, ~£8
- →Bui Vien walking street
- →Ben Thanh night market
Saigon street food by scooter
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Book a scooter street-food tour on Klook or GetYourGuide (~£25–30, 4 hours, 6 tasting stops) — includes Ho Thi Ky flower market, District 10 Chinatown, Xom Chieu market and the Thich Quang Duc monument, with a local driver. Afternoon free; War Remnants Museum entry £2 if you want more history.
🚌Scooter tour included; Grab ~£2
🛏Pham Ngu Lao hostel dorm, ~£8
- →Scooter street food tour
- →Ho Thi Ky flower market
- →Chinatown District 10
- →Thich Quang Duc monument
Mekong Delta day & overnight in Can Tho
Ben Tre & Can Tho, Vietnam
Book a small-group Mekong Delta tour from Saigon ending in Can Tho (~£28–35 including Vinh Trang pagoda, boat through Ben Tre coconut canals, honey wine, coconut candy workshop and a local lunch). Alternatively DIY with local buses via My Tho for ~£12 but you'll lose the boat access. Overnight in a Can Tho budget guesthouse (~£9).
🚌Small-group tour bus, included ~£30
🛏Can Tho guesthouse, ~£9
- →Vinh Trang Pagoda
- →Ben Tre coconut boat tour
- →Honey wine & traditional music
- →Coconut candy workshop
Cai Rang floating market & back to Saigon
Can Tho / Ho Chi Minh City
Up at 5:30am for a small sampan to Cai Rang floating market (~£7 for a private boat, split with other travellers) — the best time is sunrise. Add a noodle-making and rice-husking stop on the way back, then take the local bus Can Tho–Saigon (~£7, 4 hours). Back in a Pham Ngu Lao hostel for the night.
🚌Sampan £7 + bus Can Tho–Saigon £7
🛏Pham Ngu Lao hostel dorm, ~£8
- →Cai Rang floating market
- →Noodle-making shop
- →Rice husking mill
- →Fruit gardens
Saigon to Phnom Penh overland
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Take the direct Saigon–Phnom Penh bus (Giant Ibis or Mekong Express, ~£14–18, 6 hours including the Bavet/Moc Bai border crossing — bring your e-visa or $30 cash for visa on arrival). Arrive Phnom Penh, check into a riverside hostel (~£7), and watch sunset from the FCC rooftop area.
🚌Giant Ibis bus Saigon–Phnom Penh, ~£16
🛏Phnom Penh riverside hostel dorm, ~£7
- →Riverside sunset
- →Night market
Tuol Sleng & Killing Fields
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
A sombre but essential day. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) entry ~£4 with the audio guide (£2.50), then a tuk-tuk (~£7 return, shareable) out to the Choeung Ek Killing Fields (~£4 entry, audio included). Take your time; it's heavy. Afternoon: Royal Palace (~£8) or just recover at a café on Street 240.
🚌Tuk-tuk to Killing Fields & back ~£7
🛏Phnom Penh riverside hostel dorm, ~£7
- →Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- →Choeung Ek Killing Fields
- →Royal Palace (optional)
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bus or shared minivan Phnom Penh–Siem Reap (~£9–12, 6 hours) — Giant Ibis, Virak Buntham and Larryta all run it. Arrive Siem Reap, check into a hostel near Pub Street (~£7), buy your Angkor pass (1-day £29 / 3-day £52) from the official Angkor Enterprise website, and plan your sunrise start.
🚌Minivan Phnom Penh–Siem Reap, ~£11
🛏Siem Reap hostel dorm, ~£7
- →Angkor pass purchase
- →Pub Street & night market
Angkor temples small circuit
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Hire a tuk-tuk driver for the day (~£15–18, split with hostel mates) and hit the classic circuit: Angkor Wat at sunrise, then Angkor Thom with Bayon's face towers, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King, Baphuon, and Ta Prohm to finish. A licensed guide is optional (~£35 extra); the tuk-tuk drivers know the route well. Lunch at a local stall by Ta Prohm (~£4).
🚌Tuk-tuk day hire ~£16 (shared)
🛏Siem Reap hostel dorm, ~£7
- →Angkor Wat sunrise
- →Bayon & Angkor Thom
- →Baphuon
- →Ta Prohm
Siem Reap to Bangkok overland
Bangkok, Thailand
A long but very doable travel day: shared minivan or bus Siem Reap–Poipet (~£8, 3 hours), walk through the border, then the local bus or third-class train from Aranyaprathet to Bangkok (~£3–5, 5–6 hours). Arrive Bangkok's Mo Chit or Hua Lamphong, then take the BTS/MRT to your Khao San or Silom hostel (~£0.80). Total under £15 — the operator books essentially the same route.
🚌Minivan + border bus/train + BTS, ~£15 total
🛏Khao San/budget hostel dorm, ~£9
- →Border crossing at Poipet
- →Khao San Road evening
Bangkok bike explorer & departure
Bangkok, Thailand
Book the Bangkok Green Bike / Bangkok Bike Explorer half-day tour on GetYourGuide or Klook (~£25–30) — it covers the elevated green pathways of Bang Krachao, a longtail boat crossing of the Chao Phraya and street-cycling through old neighbourhoods, with water and snacks included. Finish with a massage (~£7) and pad thai before your onward flight.
🚌BTS/MRT ~£1.50; bike tour transport included
🛏Hostel dorm if you're staying on, ~£9
- →Bangkok bike tour
- →Chao Phraya longtail boat
- →Bang Krachao green pathways
- →Thai massage
Self-launched vs. Bamba Travel
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Bamba Travel | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£865 | £1,390 |
| Duration | 21 days | 21 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £525 per person (38%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Bamba Travel-style trips? Check them out here.~£865
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 Hanoi to Bangkok via Cambodia: Self-Launched Travel Pass cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £865 per person for 21 days in Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand. 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 Bamba Travel?+
Yes — Bamba Travel charges around £1,390 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £865 — a saving of roughly £525 (38%) per person.
How long is the Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand trip?+
This itinerary runs 21 days, covering 21 day-by-day stops through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand.
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 adventure, culture, backpacker trip through Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand, 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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