Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
Highlights
Bangkok | Siem Reap | Angkor Wat | Kampong Thom | Phnom Penh | Ho Chi Minh CityDescription of Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
This carefully crafted itinerary takes you through three countries in nine days, travelling between Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City. We spend a couple of days in some of the most magnificent sites along the way, so that you don’t feel too rushed, and that despite being only ten days, you feel as if you have experienced some truly memorable aspects of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.Starting in Bangkok, you have a day to explore this crazy capital which you can do in a number of ways: on foot, tuk tuk, river boat or indeed on its famous Skytrain. From here we take a long ten hour bus journey to Siem Riep, over the border in Cambodia, and gateway to Angkor Wat. We spend a day and a half exploring this great ancient temple complex and UNESCO site. This also leaves you time to experience some of the natural wonders in the region, ziplining through a rainforest or taking a boat around the floating villages on Tonle Sap lake. It is at this stage of the holiday that we also spend a night in a wonderful local homestay. Budget or basic for some. Beautiful for others. And for us, it is wonderfully authentic Cambodia.
To learn about Cambodia’s history, we spend two days in Phnom Penh where, as well as visiting the nearby Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, we also take time to take in contemporary life in this wonderful city. A place of bustling markets, French colonial architecture and tuk tuks flying in every direction.
We travel through rural Vietnam to our final stop in the city, Ho Chi Minh, previously known as Saigon. Some people want to shop here at the famous Ben Thanh Market, others just want to sit with some superb street food, sip the iconic Bia hoi beer and watch this microcosm of Asian life go on all around them. There are of course, many cultural and historic sites to visit too, such as the Taoist temples, the Reunification Palace and very moving War Remnants Museum.
Travelling by private and public bus, be prepared for some long journeys on this trip. But, believe us, they will be worth it.
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.

As a company, our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. We run and support a variety of projects globally, from healthcare, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and environmental and wildlife protection. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 11 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.
The Impacts of this Trip
Traversing three countries and many different communities, it is important for travellers to learn as much as possible in advance about the many cultural differences so that we can travel respecting these differences and minimising any negative impacts. Your group leader and the local guides we use along the way will help to break down barriers in your interactions with local people.
The ruins of Angkor are protected under UNESCO World Heritage listing and as such, part of the money received from entrance tickets contributes to the amazing site’s conservation. Your local guide will also give you plenty of guidance on what is appropriate when visiting the ruins and you will have the chance to interact with many of the local kids.
This trip includes lunch at Friends – a restaurant and training school set up for less fortunate kids, helping them to gain some practical skills.
Travellers will have the option of visiting the land mine museum in Siem Reap and any donations are gratefully accepted. Also in Siem Reap, there is a local children’s hospital where the local kids put on a show on some nights. All money and blood donations are for the hospital and provide free services for children from the area. At the end of our journey, travellers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages, which are distributed to appropriate local charities.


As a company, our responsibilities don’t stop when our tours end. We run and support a variety of projects globally, from healthcare, education, human rights, child welfare, sustainable development and environmental and wildlife protection. Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 11 years; a not-for-profit fund that has distributed over AU$3 million to more than 70 non-government organisations since 2002. Donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar.

The Impacts of this Trip
Traversing three countries and many different communities, it is important for travellers to learn as much as possible in advance about the many cultural differences so that we can travel respecting these differences and minimising any negative impacts. Your group leader and the local guides we use along the way will help to break down barriers in your interactions with local people.
The ruins of Angkor are protected under UNESCO World Heritage listing and as such, part of the money received from entrance tickets contributes to the amazing site’s conservation. Your local guide will also give you plenty of guidance on what is appropriate when visiting the ruins and you will have the chance to interact with many of the local kids.
This trip includes lunch at Friends – a restaurant and training school set up for less fortunate kids, helping them to gain some practical skills.
Travellers will have the option of visiting the land mine museum in Siem Reap and any donations are gratefully accepted. Also in Siem Reap, there is a local children’s hospital where the local kids put on a show on some nights. All money and blood donations are for the hospital and provide free services for children from the area. At the end of our journey, travellers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages, which are distributed to appropriate local charities.

6 Reviews of Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
In depth story review
Reviewed on 01 Mar 2020 by Kate Boye
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The whole experience was great. Fantastic group, excellent tour leader and loads of amazing scenery.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes went to visit several local villages to see the local way of life. Intrepid are always good with this aspect.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Reviewed on 15 Aug 2018 by Sharon Achtsam
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Great trip seeing three countries and an excellent guide throughout. The Angkor complex was great fun.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Arrive in Bangkok a day or two early so you can see the sights and make the most of it. Also be prepared for the fact that hygiene facilities such as public
restrooms will not always be western style. Once you know this, you can get on with enjoying your trip.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. It was great to see how the money given to the homestay is reinvested in the community not just the one family and how it is expanding the aspirations of
the children. Our guide was also able to recommend NGO's such as restaurants which we could frequent and they would be reinvesting back into the
community.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great holiday, lots of fun.
Reviewed on 26 Dec 2017 by Sally Godden
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I loved going out onto the lake, Tonle Sap, and seeing the fishing communities in their floating villages, and also the cooking course I did in Siem Reap, which included shopping for our ingredients with the chef in the local market.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Check out the visa situation very carefully in Vietnam. I was led to believe that a visa wasn't needed because I was only in Vietnam for 3 days, but when I tried to fly back there from Bangkok, I was not allowed on the plane without a visa which they charged me 150 US dollars for, and gave me a whole load of stress.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
A great experience - especially appreciated our tour guide, Konpak, who was brilliant, and so helpful. The accommodation was also excellent - of a much higher standard than I expected.
Reviewed on 26 Mar 2016 by Cristi Combe
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Traveling through the countryside of Cambodia and the Homestay.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring toilet paper and moist towlettes, or purchase them immediately on arrival; most toilets don't offer t.p. or soap. Bring electrolyte tablets, Immodium, and a hat (it really helps to keep you cool!).
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
My vacation directly benefited the family we stayed with on our Homestay. By default it helped the businesses we used, i.e. the hotels, restaurants and stores we stopped at.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I was very pleased with my vacation. It was non-stop activity, but our guide made sure it was worry-free.
Reviewed on 15 May 2013 by Elodie Maria Sube
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Angkor Wat!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent!
Reviewed on 12 Nov 2012 by Ian Young
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sunrise at Angkor Wat
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for long trips on the road. I loved it but others may not.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes I did on the whole. Although I would have liked more evidence that the silk farm we visited was really benefitting the local population. Others felt the same.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Superb! Guide was excellent and itinerary was perfect. Take advantage of the free time you get to sleep because you do a lot in the trip! Sunrise at Angkor Wat will take your breath away!
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