This tour felt like a crash course in Southeast Asia, but in a good way. I wasn’t sure how much ground we could realistically cover in just over a week but this trip proved you don’t need a month to experience something meaningful. Everything was well-organized. What stood out most to me was how different Vietnam and Cambodia felt, even though they’re neighbors.
Hanoi was buzzing with life..scooters zipping by, food stalls everywhere, and this mix of modern and old that was fascinating to watch. Our guide helped us navigate the chaos in a way that made it feel approachable rather than overwhelming. Then, just when things felt fast-paced we got a breather on the Ha Long Bay cruise. Being out on the water was peaceful, the views were unreal.
In Cambodia, Angkor Wat was the big draw, and yes, it was absolutely worth it. But what I didn’t expect was how much I enjoyed the in-between moments.
And while there’s always a lot of walking on these kinds of trips, the pace felt doable, even for those of us who aren’t exactly as young as me (53 :p)
Would I do it again? Definitely. The trip left me feeling like I got a true taste of two cultures.