Two departures for 2027 — January and March
The resilience and strength of human beings can be tested in many ways, and the way certain people respond to testing times differs just as much. I have travelled through Vietnam and Cambodia ten times over the past decade, and even knowing the little I do about their history — the heartache and the tragedies so many of their people have suffered — I am still blown away by their welcoming and open-hearted acceptance of outsiders visiting their homeland.
Turmoil and upheaval dogged both countries for over a century, and between themselves, the Chinese, French, Japanese and of course the Americans, a stable and happy existence was certainly never a given.
So seeing how these spirited people have risen above such events and continue to thrive, with smiles a mile wide, while welcoming travellers like myself from all corners of the globe with friendship and feeling.
In 2027 I am running this journey twice — once in January and again in March — so if one doesn’t suit, the other might.
A small, personally hosted group on a tour that takes in a mix of some tourist standards and some special favourites of mine that are not always on the standard tourist track.
If you are a lover of the wanderlust and you are open to fun, adventure, culture, history and some of the most delicious healthy cuisine on the planet, then maybe you might like to join me?
Flying with Vietnam Airlines (who have always delivered) we will get a taste of over seven different locations. With our own personalised transport, we will explore with gusto and if my last trips are anything to go by, we will have a journey that will satisfy and excite.
Tour details
- Departures: January 2027 and March 2027
- Countries: Vietnam and Cambodia
- Airline: Vietnam Airlines
- Locations: over seven, with our own private transport
- Group size: small and personally hosted
- To secure a place: a 30% deposit
- Hosted by: Scotty McRae, The Travelling Guy
Here are some of the highlights for you to think about
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong
I have to be honest and say you won’t see me going for a dip in these waters anytime soon, but the fishing villages and stilt houses that line its banks contain many an interesting story or two. A highlight for me is an on-river jaunt in a hand rowed Sampan.
We will also take to the streets of Saigon on a form of transport known as a “Cyclo”, a three wheeled bicycle taxi that was introduced in the French period as a form of luxury transport, and is a really cool way to visit some of the iconic landmarks of the city.
Hoi An
Hoi An is definitely one of my favourite parts of Vietnam and of this trip. So much so that I added an extra day onto the tour here — a free day for you to really explore and get in amongst its welcoming locals.
While in Hoi An we will wander the pedestrian friendly streets wth ease while exploring Ancient Town. You will also take part in an absolute cracker of a half day gastronomical adventure: including a guided tour of Hoi An’s colourful central market, a boat trip on the Hoi An River, and then a three hour hands-on cooking class, where you will devour your creations at lunch. Hoi An is also home to some brilliant tailors and I can recommend the best for you.
Hanoi
The country’s capital, and what I like to describe as controlled chaos that doesn’t intimidate — it seems to draw you into its excitement and manoeuvring instead.
A highlight for me, and for you I believe, will be the walking foodie tour taking in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, which has an amazing history. Sometimes it’s difficult to find the local food stalls and mini restaurants tucked away in hidden alleys and sidewalks, and this night in town gives you a taste of the cuisine, the culture, the people and the language. Finishing off the night in “Beer Street” also has its bonuses!
Lan Ha Bay
Here we will be enthralled by the majestic, jaw-dropping landscape of towering karst outcrops and ever-present limestone cliffs, while we cruise the waterways on an overnight exploration of this amazing natural phenomenon.
And then Cambodia
Every time I land in Cambodia it feels familiar and easy. The heat hits first, heavy but alive. Then, as you make your way from the airport into the city centre, the vibe that makes Cambodia a must visit reveals itself again.
The smiles. The tuk-tuk drivers waving, the kids laughing in doorways, the street vendors already calling out. There’s an openness here that you feel instantly, and it pulls you in before you’ve even unpacked your bag.
I’ve explored a lot of countries, but Cambodia has a grip on me. Temples, villages and vibrant street life — and along with our stay in Vietnam, it completes the magic travel canvas.
When you come with me, I want you to feel that same spark. That mix of excitement, curiosity and belonging that makes travel unforgettable.
Come and see it for yourself
I could go on teasing you with more from the “land of the ascending dragon”, but I would rather show you first hand.
Groups are kept deliberately small and they do fill — Africa, Japan and Sri Lanka have all sold out. A 30% deposit secures your place on either the January or the March departure.
Enquire below and tell me which month suits you.
Already thinking about Cambodia on its own? Have a read of my Cambodia journey.