Vietnam to Thailand, small group holiday
Highlights
Ho Chi Minh City | Ben Thanh Market | Phnom Penh | Killing Fields | Homestay near Sambor Prei Kuk | Aranyaprathet | Siem Reap | Angkor Wat | BangkokDescription of Vietnam to Thailand, small group holiday
Travelling across Southeast Asia on a Vietnam and Thailand tour takes you from the hustle of Ho Chi Minh City and continues westwards to Bangkok via Cambodia’s most impressive sites, including Siem Reap, Battambang and, of course, the ruined citadel of Angkor Wat.Travelling overland on a Vietnam and Thailand holiday really gives you a chance to understand how one country’s landscapes and cultural customs slip into the next with the sobering past of both Vietnam and Cambodia adding to the intrigue of exploring in Southeast Asia.
As this nine day Vietnam and Thailand holiday features numerous chances to meet local people and tuck into freshly cooked street food there’s every chance that you’ll get a true taste of life in Indochina with one night in Bangkok to look forward to before you finally head for home.
Homestay visits and some local bus journeys make this small group Vietnam and Thailand tour ideal for budget-conscious travellers with plenty of optional activities to help you experience this corner of Indochina at a pace that suits your mind, body and bank balance.
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
01273 823 700 Calling from outside the UK? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
Small group adventure
What is a small group adventure?It's a great way to travel! Whether you are travelling on your own, with a partner or with friends, a small group trip is a fantastic way to see the world. You'll travel on a fixed itinerary that has been designed to help you discover the best of region. From the known highlights, the hidden gems that you won't find in the guidebooks.
Itineraries run on set departure dates, accompanied every step of the way by an English speaking local group leader. You chose the itinerary and the date that suits you best and you book on.
Why travel on a small group adventure?
Small groups allow us to explore where larger tour groups can't. Our maximum group size of 16 travellers allows us to use local transport to get from A to B, to visit rural villages, spend time with the locals and even stay at a local home overnight, and it allows us to give our travellers genuine, real life experiences of the countries we are visiting; what you'll be doing and how you'll travel depends entirely on your chosen itinerary.
Is an adventure right for me?
The word adventure means something different to everyone, and our range of trips reflects that. Whether you want to explore local markets, visit out of the way temples and meet local people or go on an early morning safari drive searching for the 'big five', we'll have a trip for you. If you are looking for a physical challenge such trekking the Kokoda Track or summiting Kilimanjaro, we can help with that too.
So what can I expect on this trip?
This is a classic style of small group adventure. You'll find your trip combines a good mix of included activities and free time, with some meals included as per your itinerary. We don't want you to feel chaperoned, it's your holiday not ours. Your group leader will be on hand to assist with organising anything you might wish to do in your free time, but how you spend it is up to you. Anything listed as included in your itinerary will be included in trip price; whereas anything listed as optional will be at an additional cost should you wish to take part.
These trips are great value, including things that you would struggle to organise independently, such as a night at a homestay in a remote village, or local guides around a remote place of interest. Transport will be a combination of private vehicle and public transport, whichever is the most appropriate for the route we are travelling; this might include train, plane, camel, tuk tuk, bicycle, boat…
On a majority of these trips you'll stay in 2-3 star accommodation, locally owned and reflective of the region you are travelling through. All solo travellers will be automatically roomed on a twin share basis with another group member of the same sex, unless you opt to pay for your own room at time of booking. There are no compulsory single supplements for solo travellers willing to share. Single rooms aren't available on camping trips, and you will be expected to help out with camp tasks such as setting up and breaking down your camp.
Can I book my flights with you?
Yes! We are a fully ATOL bonded tour operator meaning that we can book flights from the UK as part of your holiday package. Just ask us for a quote including flights when you make your enquiry.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your holiday will help support conservation and local people.

We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when travelling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment. For example on trips like this one through Cambodia where dress standards are conservative, particularly outside of the major cities, we recommend that our travellers (both male and female) wear loose, lightweight clothing so as not to offend, particularly when visiting religious sites.
Travelling through remote areas of Vietnam, Cambodia and on into Thailand, the Cambodian Traveller itinerary has been designed to pass through these regions as considerately as possible, while maximising the experience of our group. We use local transport where ever possible, from the public bus that takes us from HCMC to Phnom Penh, to the cyclos we use to explore the city; there’s even the opportunity to leap on the famous bamboo train in Battambang. Throughout, we stay in small, locally owned hotels reflective of the local flavour.
The Impacts of this Trip
All produce used throughout the trip is sourced locally en route. We eat at local restaurants, encourage our travellers to only purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team (including the group leader) from the local communities that we travel through. All these elements combine to not only give a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but also put valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
Across the three countries visited on this holiday, our foundation actively supports 12 different projects and causes. These include The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (Vietnam), working to some of the most vulnerable children in centre and north of the country to get them into vocational education and out of poverty; the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (Cambodia),a programme focussed on education and training to raise awareness of conservation issues, and Baan Unrak (Thailand). Translated as House of Happiness, this is an orphanage and community relief centre for children and destitute woman,


We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when travelling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment. For example on trips like this one through Cambodia where dress standards are conservative, particularly outside of the major cities, we recommend that our travellers (both male and female) wear loose, lightweight clothing so as not to offend, particularly when visiting religious sites.
Travelling through remote areas of Vietnam, Cambodia and on into Thailand, the Cambodian Traveller itinerary has been designed to pass through these regions as considerately as possible, while maximising the experience of our group. We use local transport where ever possible, from the public bus that takes us from HCMC to Phnom Penh, to the cyclos we use to explore the city; there’s even the opportunity to leap on the famous bamboo train in Battambang. Throughout, we stay in small, locally owned hotels reflective of the local flavour.

The Impacts of this Trip
All produce used throughout the trip is sourced locally en route. We eat at local restaurants, encourage our travellers to only purchase souvenirs from local artisans and recruit our on the ground team (including the group leader) from the local communities that we travel through. All these elements combine to not only give a fantastic insight into the country and a snap shot of day to day life, but also put valuable financial resources back into the local economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.
As company our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 10 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002, from health care, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and in environmental and wildlife protection. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
Across the three countries visited on this holiday, our foundation actively supports 12 different projects and causes. These include The Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (Vietnam), working to some of the most vulnerable children in centre and north of the country to get them into vocational education and out of poverty; the Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (Cambodia),a programme focussed on education and training to raise awareness of conservation issues, and Baan Unrak (Thailand). Translated as House of Happiness, this is an orphanage and community relief centre for children and destitute woman,

3 Reviews of Vietnam to Thailand, small group holiday
Reviewed on 16 Jan 2018 by Andrew Heggie
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The temples in Angkor Wat. Spectacular.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Make sure you have mosquito spray. Outside of the rainy season there’s not so many and so that one bite is infuriating.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Benefitted local businesses. Saw the Chinese and Korean groups that don’t use local guides and locally owned/operated restaurants - this doesn’t keep revenue in the country to help them develop.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good.
Reviewed on 05 Apr 2016 by Caroline Hamilton
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
This trip was packed full of adventure. Every day welcomed a memorable experience. I personally loved riding the bamboo train at Battambang - lots of laughter, a few beers and a wonderful sunset.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. There is pretty strict dress code at a number of the Cambodian sites so remember to pack clothes that cover your shoulders / knees + shoes with covered toes.
2. Definitely opt for the local home dinner at Battambang - it was
delicious.
3. tag a day or two onto your stay and explore HCMC + Bangkok too.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, the holiday provider have great outreach values and practice what they preach.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
This tour far exceeded my expectations and packed full to the brim. The holiday company were really professional, helpful and organised and our local guide was brilliant. Accommodation was very good, clean and comfortable. I would have no
hesitation booking another trip with themd.
Reviewed on 26 Jun 2013 by Terry Basilico
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the tour has been exciting.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Arrival in Saigon without any city visit is not so useful and could be avoided.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
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