Vietnam and Cambodia tours

One of the best tours in Cambodia is to see Angkor Wat by air. The cheapest option is from the gondola of a tethered helium balloon located between the airport and Angkor Wat. Weather permitting the balloon ascends to around 120m around thirty times a day, carrying up to thirty passengers at a time, offering a bird’s-eye view of Angkor Wat and nearby temples. Helicopter trips around the Angkor Wat area are run by Helistar Cambodia and Helicopters Cambodia. The latter can also arrange longer flights to Beng Mealea, Koh Ker, Preah Vihear and Banteay Chhmar. MyFly runs flights in a two-seater plane.

Koh Kong Island is a must-see while you’re in Cambodia. A few companies, restaurants and guesthouses offer excursions to waterfalls upstream or the beaches on Koh Kong island. Guided treks and multi-day adventures into the Cardamoms are also easily arranged.

For a taste of riverside life next to the magical Mekong, head to Kratie. Tours can be arranged through most guesthouses and hotels in Kratie. A dolphin-watching trip to Kampie is available and you should also be able to include a visit to Phnom Sambok as part of the same trip. Combined visits to the dolphins, Sambor and Phnom Sambok cost around $15 by moto and around $20 by tuk-tuk. Perfect half-day trips (morning and afternoon) kayaking 6km downriver past river islands and - when water levels aren’t too high - through beautiful stretches of flooded Mekong River forest before finishing with a visit to the dolphins at Kampie (a quieter and more eco-friendly alternative to the tour boats). Trips start from $25/person, depending on group size, and include entrance to the dolphin pool at Kampie. Looking for Cambodia holiday packages? We’ve got lots of brilliant options for you to have a look through!

After your tours of Cambodia, head to neighbouring Vietnam for more adventure. Start your tour in the Mekong Delta area. In Vietnam the main roads can get clogged with traffic, so it’s a great idea to get your own pair of wheels - in this way you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself in the languid life of the region. Motorbikes and bicycles can be rented at pretty much every major town in this area, and once you’ve got one you’ll soon be out in the fields and rivulets. Phu Quoc Island is perhaps the most enjoyable place for a motorbike ride, while for bicycles you can’t beat the area between Chau Doc and the Cambodian border. Dedicated two-wheel tours are available - try Sinhbalo Adventure Travel, Vespa Adventures or Vietnam Backroads. Searching for Vietnam holiday packages? We’ve got you covered!

Ringed by water and besieged by boats and tumbledown stilt houses, the island that forms the heart of the town of Vinh Long has the feel of a medieval fortress. The cheapest and simplest way to cruise the river is to hop on the An Binh ferry on Phan Boi Chau, and cross the Co Chien River to reach An Binh Island. However, most people fork out for a day or half-day boat trip to take in the colourful tapestry of everyday delta life, organized through Cuu Long Tourist, or through local boatmen on the lookout for customers near the tourist jetty. These tours often include the option of overnighting in a homestay in a totally rural environment, though some have started to resemble guesthouses as they’ve increased in popularity, with visitors put up in custom-built bamboo huts separated from the family home.

The food in Vietnam is one of the best reasons to visit the country. From hearty pho (soup) to banh mi, a baguette sandwich filled with greens and a choice of fillings, what’s not to like? There’s no better way to get to know the country than by booking onto a cooking tour. The choice of Vietnamese cooking classes in Hoi An can be overwhelming. The quality and price varies, but most will teach you how to make local specialities, and often a visit to the market to learn about local produce and pick up ingredients is included. Red Bridge Cooking Class ferries “students'' on a 4km boat cruise down the river to its hideaway school. They teach small groups here and the full-day course is particularly worthwhile. If you’d prefer to stay in the old town, they run a popular evening class at Hai Café.