Southern Vietnam & Phnom Penh with beach holiday on Koh Rong Samloem

Today, you'll fly from your selected airport to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, with connecting flights along the way.

You'll land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll go through immigration and collect your luggage. Your guide will be waiting outside the arrivals hall, beyond the exit doors. They will be wearing a TourCompass uniform and holding a TourCompass sign, making them easy to find.

From here, you will be driven to your hotel in the heart of District 1. Ho Chi Minh City is still often referred to as Saigon in everyday conversation, and central District 1 forms the city’s historic and cultural heart.

Your first encounter with Vietnam’s largest city may feel a little overwhelming. Ho Chi Minh City is home to around 10 million people – and almost as many scooters and motorbikes. Yet, in the middle of the hectic traffic, you will discover a modern and fascinating city developing at remarkable speed. This is clearly reflected in the cityscape, where glass-fronted skyscrapers stand alongside elegant French colonial buildings.

After checking in at the hotel, the rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps you will feel like relaxing by the pool with a drink? Or how about a Vietnamese iced coffee at one of the city’s countless cafés? Ho Chi Minh City has a strong coffee culture, with everything from trendy coffee shops to small local cafés with plastic chairs and coffee brewed using the traditional Vietnamese drip method.

If you are curious about the city’s food scene, explore the streets around Districts 1 and 3. Here, you will find everything from pho and cơm tấm, the popular Vietnamese dish made with broken rice, to crispy bánh xèo pancakes and banh mi.

Today, an exciting half-day city tour of Ho Chi Minh City awaits.

Your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel, and from here you’ll be driven to the elegant Dong Khoi Street, one of Saigon’s most iconic boulevards. The street runs through the heart of the old colonial quarter, where French architecture, fashion boutiques, art galleries, and charming cafés sit side by side. It is steeped in atmosphere and history and has played a central role in the city’s story, from the heyday of the colonial era and the unrest of wartime to today’s vibrant metropolis.

You’ll pass the Saigon Opera House, an architectural masterpiece dating from 1901 and a living symbol of the city’s cultural heritage. Having served as a shelter and later housed the lower house of the South Vietnamese parliament, the opera house has had a remarkable history.

Next, you’ll visit the Old Post Office, designed by the world-famous French engineer Gustave Eiffel. With its beautiful arches, elegant ironwork, and historic atmosphere, the building bears witness to the French influence on Ho Chi Minh City.

Directly opposite the Old Post Office stands the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1863 and 1880. With its distinctive red bricks and soaring spires, the cathedral is an impressive relic of the French colonial era.

When you stand facing the church, you’ll have a grey building behind you. Some may recognise it as the “Pittman Apartments” at 22 Gia Long Street, featured in the famous photograph taken on 29 April 1975 by Dutch photographer Hubert van Es during the fall of Saigon. This was where a helicopter landed on the roof – a scene that many mistakenly believed took place at the American Embassy. Your guide will tell you the dramatic story of the evacuation and the hidden role the building played during the final hours of the war.

The tour then continues to the historic Reunification Palace, where the Vietnam War – or the American War, as the Vietnamese call it – officially came to an end. On 30 April 1975, a North Vietnamese tank crashed through the palace gates, bringing an end to a bloody conflict that claimed the lives of around 58,000 Americans and as many as 3 million Vietnamese people. Here, you’ll see, among other things, war rooms, reception halls, and the president’s office.

The tour will continue to the War Remnants Museum, where you’ll gain a moving insight into Vietnam’s recent history. The exhibitions portray the harsh realities of war and the human consequences it has left behind.

Your next stop is one of Ho Chi Minh City’s lesser-known sites, which few travellers discover for themselves: the Saigon Commandos Museum. Here, you’ll gain a rare insight into everyday life during the war, told through the stories of the people who operated in secret in the heart of the city.

The museum is housed in a modest 1963 building which, at first glance, looks like an ordinary home. But behind the façade lies a former secret base for the Saigon Commandos, who fought against the South Vietnamese government and American forces. The base was run by Tran Van Lai, a communist resistance fighter who led a double life as a contractor and furniture maker, carrying out work for the Independence Palace, among others. In secret, he helped the Saigon Commandos conceal weapons and support their operations.

At the museum, a guide will show you around and tell you about the site’s history and what life was like as part of the Saigon Commandos. Through original artefacts, historical photographs, and hidden passageways, you’ll come close to an everyday life shaped by careful planning, risky operations and the constant danger of being discovered. To round off your visit, you can enjoy a drink in the museum café, where you’ll have the chance to sample the special “butter beer”.

You’ll then be driven back to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Today, you can explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace.

The city has many faces, and you'll have the whole day to discover the sides that interest you most, whether that’s history, creative urban life, or local flavours.

If you want to experience the city’s modern pulse, visit Café Apartment, located directly on Nguyen Hue Promenade, the city’s broad pedestrian street. Café Apartment is a former apartment block that now houses small independent coffee shops, design boutiques, and creative workshops. Each floor has its own charm, offering a local introduction to the youthful side of Ho Chi Minh City.

You could also cross the river to District 2, a rapidly developing neighbourhood where modern architecture, green spaces, and creative cafés shape the cityscape. Here, you’ll find peaceful surroundings alongside a mix of international restaurants, speciality shops, and small galleries. The trendy Thao Dien area is particularly popular, with a relaxed atmosphere that attracts both locals and travellers.

Around dusk, take a stroll along Nguyen Hue Promenade, surrounded by flowers, fountains, and atmospheric architecture. This is where you can experience the city’s distinctive urban life, as locals gather alongside street performers, dancers, and young families in a charming whirl of activity. The atmosphere is relaxed yet lively, reaching its peak around the city’s illuminated town hall.

A wonderful way to round off the day is to admire Ho Chi Minh City’s impressive skyline from the top of one of the city’s skyscrapers, such as Bitexco Financial Tower or Landmark 81. From here, you can watch a sea of city lights spread out before you as the sun sets and the city truly comes alive.

Today, you'll leave Ho Chi Minh City and head for the Mekong Delta.

After around two hours, you'll arrive in the town of Cai Be and at the local boat terminal. Here, you can buy something to drink or pick up a few souvenirs while you wait to board a smaller boat, which will take you out to the Bassac Cruise.

Around midday, you'll board the Bassac, a classic wooden boat that will be your home for the next 24 hours. You will be welcomed with a drink and introduced to the boat and its crew before settling into your cabin.

Soon, you'll begin cruising through the Mekong Delta, as the Bassac heads towards Cho Lach along the Tien Giang River. Lunch is served on board and consists of a variety of local dishes, including rice, vegetables, meat, and prawns, followed by fresh fruit for dessert. As you eat, you can sit back and watch life unfold along the river.

Later, the Bassac enters the Cho Lach Canal, where there is plenty of activity on the water. Small and large boats make their way through the canal, while markets, churches, and houses along the banks offer fascinating glimpses into everyday life in the Mekong Delta.

There is also plenty of time simply to enjoy the cruise. Find a spot on the sun deck with a good book, sit back, and watch the landscape glide gently past as the Bassac travels deeper into the delta.

In the middle of the afternoon, the boat will dock and you'll go ashore to experience life away from the river. On board, you will be asked whether you would like to explore the area on foot or by bicycle. The cycle tour is approximately 7 kilometres long, while the walking tour is somewhat shorter.

Whichever you choose, you will get close to everyday life in the Mekong Delta. The tour follows small roads through the lush landscape, taking you past green fields, plantations, farmland, and local homes. Along the way, you'll meet local people, while children smile, wave, and shout “hello” as you pass. Palm trees, fruit trees, and other lush vegetation grow all around you, offering a constant stream of new impressions.

After the tour, you'll be offered a small refreshment of fresh fruit from the area. Depending on the season, you may taste coconut, jackfruit, mango, and pineapple, among other fruits, before returning to the Bassac.

Back on board, you can once again find a spot on deck and enjoy the magical sunset over the Mekong Delta as the last light of the day is reflected in the water.

Dinner will then be served, and the Bassac continues along the Mang Thit River. Later, the boat drops anchor near Tra On, where you'll spend the night on board.

The day starts early. At 6 am, the Bassac continues sailing towards Can Tho as the morning light slowly breaks over the river. You can get up early and enjoy the peaceful morning hours from the deck, or stay in your cabin a little longer.

Breakfast is served from 7 am as the Bassac approaches Can Tho.

At around 8 am, you'll say goodbye to the Bassac and board a smaller local boat. From here, you'll continue to Cai Rang, known for its floating market. The river was once filled with hundreds of trading boats, but as roads and land-based transport have developed, the market has become smaller. However, trading still takes place from the boats, and your visit offers an interesting insight into an old trading tradition that has been an important part of life in the Mekong Delta for generations.

You'll then continue to a small local workshop, where you can see how traditional baskets are made from bamboo. The tour will end at Ninh Kieu Pier in Can Tho in the middle of the morning.

Your driver will be waiting here to take you to your hotel in Chau Doc. The drive takes approximately 3.5–4 hours and will take you through the Mekong Delta’s flat, green landscape, with rice fields, small villages, and glimpses of life along the rivers and canals. Upon arrival in Chau Doc, you check in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, another of the Mekong Delta’s exciting natural experiences awaits as you head towards Tra Su Forest. 

On the way, you'll visit a small Khmer village, where you'll gain an insight into the local culture and the importance of Buddhism to the community. You also visit the local monastery, where you will have the opportunity to meet and talk to some of the monks.

You'll then continue to Tra Su, an 850-hectare nature reserve with a rich variety of wildlife and plant life. More than 100 different species of waterfowl live in the area, which is also home to colonies of bats.

One of the day’s truly special experiences awaits as you board a small sampan and are taken through the narrow waterways of the forest. The boat glides quietly through the green landscape, surrounded by dense vegetation, while you keep an eye out for birds and other wildlife around you. 

After your visit, you'll return to Chau Doc, where the rest of the evening will be yours to enjoy at your own leisure.

After breakfast, you'll check out of the hotel and be driven to the boat terminal in Chau Doc. Here, you'll board a speedboat that will take you all the way to Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh.

The boat departs from Chau Doc at 7.30 am, and around 6.5 hours of sailing lie ahead. Along the way, you can sit back and enjoy the views along the river as small villages, lush landscapes, and local boats pass by.

During the tour, you’ll cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia, with the necessary border formalities completed along the way. You can read more about this in our Practical Information section under “Passports and visas”. 

You'll arrive in Phnom Penh at around 2 pm. At the boat terminal, your guide will be waiting for you with a TourCompass sign displaying your name. From here, you'll be driven to your hotel and can check in.

The rest of the day will be yours to spend as you wish. Perhaps you fancy a relaxing afternoon by the hotel pool, or maybe you’re already eager to head out and get your first impressions of Cambodia’s lively capital.

Today’s full-day sightseeing tour promises an exciting and moving experience, bringing you closer to Cambodia’s culture and history, as well as one of the darkest periods in the country’s past.

After breakfast, the day will begin with a visit to Phnom Penh’s impressive Royal Palace. With its distinctive roofs and beautiful buildings, it is situated close to the Tonle Sap River. The palace remains the official residence of the King of Cambodia, and during your visit you will see, among other things, the Throne Hall and the famous Silver Pagoda. The pagoda takes its name from its floor, which is covered with more than 5,000 silver tiles.

From here, you'll continue to Wat Phnom, which stands on a small, green hill in the heart of the city. The temple is closely linked to the story of Phnom Penh’s foundation and remains an important religious site where locals come to pray and make offerings.

The next visit of the day will take you to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S-21. The buildings originally housed a school, but after the Khmer Rouge seized power in 1975, the site was converted into Security Prison 21. Thousands of people were detained, interrogated, and tortured here under Pol Pot’s regime. Today, the site serves as a museum and memorial, offering a powerful insight into the crimes committed under the Khmer Rouge.

Please be aware that a visit to Tuol Sleng can be emotionally challenging, and some of the photographs on display are graphic.

Approximately 15 km outside Phnom Penh, the tour then continues to Choeung Ek, one of the sites now known as the Killing Fields. More than 17,000 men, women, and children are believed to have been executed here, and traces of the mass graves can still be seen in the landscape. A memorial stupa stands at the centre of the site, serving as a powerful memorial to the victims of the Khmer Rouge regime.

After a day of striking contrasts and much to reflect on, you will be driven back to your hotel.

Today, you'll have Phnom Penh all to yourself and can spend the day exactly as you please.

Perhaps you’ll start the day with a stroll along the promenade beside the Mekong River, taking in the city life along the waterfront. From here, you can continue through the city streets, browsing small shops, cafés, and restaurants, or visit the National Museum to learn more about Cambodia’s history and culture.

You can also explore the distinctive Central Market, Phsar Thmey, where the grand art deco building is home to a wealth of stalls selling everything from clothes and jewellery to souvenirs and local specialities.

If you’d like to experience even more of Phnom Penh and its surroundings, you can choose to add one of our optional tours.

Today, you’ll say goodbye to city life in Phnom Penh and set course for Cambodia’s coast. From here, you’ll continue to the island of Koh Rong Samloem, where your tour’s concluding beach holiday awaits.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel and driven to the coastal town of Sihanoukville. The drive takes approximately three hours. From here, you’ll take a speedboat to Koh Rong Samloem, located in the Gulf of Thailand off Cambodia’s south-western coast. The speedboat journey from Sihanoukville to Koh Rong Samloem takes between 40 and 60 minutes.

When you step ashore on Koh Rong Samloem, the surroundings change dramatically. Light sandy beaches, turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and lush jungle await. The pace is completely different from Phnom Penh, and the coming days are set aside for relaxing on the beach.

After checking in at the hotel, you’ll have the rest of the day at your leisure. Settle in, take your first dip in the pool, or find a spot on the beach and enjoy having nowhere you need to be.

If you’re up early, you can watch the beautiful sunrise. Otherwise, there’s no need to set an alarm. The days are yours to spend relaxing, swimming, and feeling the sand between your toes.

Find your favourite spot on the beach, take a stroll along the water, or settle down in the shade with a good book. There’s plenty of time simply to enjoy island life.

If you feel like being active, the resort also offers a range of activities, including jungle hikes and kayaking. You can also take a day trip island hopping to the larger neighbouring island of Koh Rong.

Beneath the surface, a colourful underwater world awaits, with tropical fish and coral reefs to discover on a snorkelling or diving trip.

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to this beautiful corner of Cambodia. You’ll take the speedboat back to Sihanoukville, where a driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in Phnom Penh.

Here, you can enjoy your final evening and do any last-minute shopping before your journey home tomorrow.

Today, it’s time to say goodbye to Cambodia. 

You will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the airport, where you will fly back to Europe with connecting flights along the way.

You'll arrive at your selected airport with many wonderful experiences and impressions from your tour through southern Vietnam and Cambodia.