Vietnam & Cambodia Photo Tour Itinerary - October 10th to 25th, 2025

Day One: Day One/Two: Friday October 10th and Saturday October 11th, 2025: Coach pick up at RiverBend Club house travelling to Pearson International for a morning departure. We fly from Toronto to Hanoi via Cathy Pacific arriving into Hanoi at 1:05 p.m. the following day. We will meet our guide and driver at arrivals and tavel to our hotel for check-in. We will have some time to rest prior to a short visit to some of the surrounding regions prior to our dinner. For the next two nights we will be staying at the Hotel Silk Path in Hanoi. (D)

Day Three: Sunday October 12th, 2025: After breakfast, then a day of photographing and experiencing the culture of Hanoi. This is one if the coolest cities in Vietnam. This chaotic, colourful, motorbike-clogged, 1,000-year-old city is an interesting mix of east and west. Hanoi clings on tightly to its heritage which can be seen in the Old Quarter and the many historic buildings and monuments. There's centuries-old pagodas, picturesque lakes and parks, as well as museums and prominent colonial buildings. Although Hanoi is the modern day capital of Vietnam, it still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite us in on our photo walk portion of the tour.

Our first stop this morning will be to the Yen Phu flower market, a wholesale and retail market full of colour waiting to photographed. Then we will exploration of the vast Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. We will see the outside of the Presidential Palace and then stroll through the park to the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days in 1969. The house is preserved in the same condition as during his life. Then continue to the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda which was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954.

Today we will be having lunch at Koto Restaurant. KOTO stands for Know One, Teach One - learning should be passed on; knowledge is meant to be shared. This is the essential idea of KOTO’s Vietnamese-Australian founder, Jimmy Pham. In 1999, Mr Jimmy opened a hospitality training centre in Hanoi, giving at-risk and disadvantaged youth the opportunity to break the poverty cycle by forging a better future for themselves, their families and their communities. Great food, amazing experience.

This afternoon we will visit Hoan Kiem Lake, take an open electric car ride, visit the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple and the Rising Sun Bridge. Plenty of photo opportunities onour first day in Vietnam. Dinner at Pots and Pans restaurant. Overnight Hotel Silk Path. (B) (L) (D)

Day Four: Monday October 13th, 2025: Breakfast, check-out and depart for Halong Bay to embark on our 2 day Bhaya Classic Cruise. We will board our ship, settle into our cabins and attend a safety briefing. Welcome drinks while meeting the Cruise Manager and the crew. Try an assortment of Vietnamese dishes during a buffet lunch as the Bhaya Classic cruises towards the southeast of Halong bay, passing Trong Mai islet, Ngon Tay islet, Con Coc islet, Cua Van Floating Culture Centre. Kayak to Trinh Nu cave - one of the finest sunlight-filled cave in Halong Bay covering an area of 2,000m2 with stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Return to our boat, freshen up for the evening's activities. There will be a cooking and fruit carving demonstration on the sundeck great for photographs, this evening savour the delicious set-menu dinner in the ships dining room. Overnight on board. (B) (L) (D)

Day Five: Tuesday October 14th, 2025: We will begin our day with tea, coffee and pastries on deck will passing more beautiful scenery of Halong Bay.  Later this morning a visit to Sung Sot Cave, the largest cave inside Halong Bay with 10,000 square meters of space hold thousands of stalactites and stalagmites and are threaded by a 500-meter paved passageway. We will be transferring by tender from our ship to the island. Later this morning returning to the ship we'll have time to freshen up, leaving our luggage outside the cabin and sit down to a full breakfast as we sail back to the harbour. Mid day transfer to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport for our flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue we will travel to our hotel for some time to relax before dinner. Overnight at Eldora Hotel, Hue. (B) (D)

Day Six: Wednesday October 15th 2025: Breakfast, then board our private boat to sail down the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda and Imperial Tomb of Minh Mang. Outside the monastery is the site of a famous self-immolation by a monk. Thien Mu Pagoda will lure us in with its beauty, elegant architecture and gardens. Then we will travel back in time and bask in the beauty of the Nguyen dynasty. The 19th century Imperial Citadel is a city within a city. The striking Flag Tower and imposing Ngo Mon Gate lead into spacious courtyards, palaces, pavilions, reception halls and lotus ponds - providing a fascinating glimpse into court life. Many more colourful photo opportunities as we explore this region.

After lunch at the Y Thao Garden House, we will drive south from Hue along scenic mountain roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Highlights along the way include the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of North and South Vietnam; Lang Co, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the East Vietnam Sea; and the large coastal city of Danang.

This afternoon check into our hotel in Hoi An and have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner at Dao Tien Restaurant in Hoi An. Overnight Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort&Spa (B) (L) (D)

Day Seven: Thurday October 16th 2025: Breakfast, then we begin our photo walk. Hoi An is a picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Now, this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot.

We will visit the Japanese Covered Bridge - the first bridge on this site was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream. The bridge was provided with a roof so it could be used as a shelter from rain and sun. Visit the nearby Sa Huynh Museum, which contains exhibitions from the earliest period of Hoi An's history. Stroll to the Tran Family Chapel, a house for worshipping ancestors that was built about 200 years ago. A highlight of Hoi An is visit the local market, street upon street of colour and photo opportunities.

We will return to our hotel for some leisure time and lunch. This evening we will enjoy a local boat ride as we glide along the Thu Bon River. We will have our cameras with us as the sun setting over the beautiful Hoi An countryside will be beautiful. We will return to our resort for dinner. Overnight Le Pavillon Hoi An Luxury Resort & Spa (B) (D)

Day Eight: Friday October 17th 2025: Breakfast then travel to the airport for our morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City formally known as Saigon. We will have some time to settle in and relax today. This evening we board the traditional wooden barge and start cruising along the Saigon River. We will enjoy a dinner cruise while watching live entertainment and the passing scenery. Overnight Ramada Encore by Wyndham Saigon. Today flight to Ho Chi Minh City and our dinner onboard Bonsai cruise. (B) (D)

Day Nine: Saturday October 18th 2025: After breakfast we will travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre about a 100 km drive. We will first visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, which is a beautiful and well maintained sanctuary. The pagoda is located in My Phong Commune, which is three kilo meters from the city centre. It was built in 1849 by a Buddhist monk named Hue Dang using funds collected from practitioners. The religious site was seriously damaged by French colonists in 1861 and a severe storm in 1904. On both occasions, practitioners restored the pagoda to its original beauty.

As we continue on with todays journey we will travel by motor-boat to experience how locals make their living along the river bank like processing coconut, making coconut charcoal. Disembark and start cycling on the island roads to a farm that grows Suong Sam – a native plant in South East Asia which used mostly in local refreshments. Pick the leaves and learn how to make Suong Sam, a dessert jelly. Enjoy a typical Mekong delta lunch served at a villager’s house. The excursion is also including a chance to visit a family where traditional coconut brooms are still made before a sampan ride through a canal lined with water coconut palms to the main Mekong River.  We will continue on to Can Tho. (B) (L) (D)

Day Ten: Sunday October 19th 2025: Morning coffee then head out to a very unique market visit and photo experience. The Cai Rang Floating Market. The merchants have a great way of showing off their wares at the Cai Rang Floating Market. They simply hang a sample off the top of a long pole! We'll explore by boat which we board from our resort. We will get close up photos of the colourful boats piled high with seasonal vegetables and tropical fruits. And we can mingle among the merchants as they trade from boat to boat along the river.

Later this morning we will return to our resort for breakfast and check-out to begin our drive back to Ho Chin Minh City and check into our hotel. 

This evening we meet in our hotel lobby and travel via our motor coach to a local resturant for dinner. For the next two nights we will be staying at the Ramada Encore by Wyndham Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City. (B) (L) (D)

Day Eleven: Monday October 20th 2025: Good Morning Saigon "Rise and shine! We'll kick start our day with an early morning photo walk to soak in the sights and sounds of Saigon. We will start at the wet market to observe and photograph rural life of the locals. We will stroll through the park where Saigon’s bird lovers flock here on a daily basis to show off their prized birds and to listen to the singing. We'll see folk practising Tai Chi, jogging or playing badminton. In an old dim sum shop, we'll sit among the locals and sample the same breakfast they enjoy every day - an assortment of tasty dim sum with steamed dumplings, buns and rolls. Our afternoon continues with more of the sights of Ho Chi Minh City.

We will explore some of the different regions of the city, experiencing an insight into everyday life and a chance to interact with local people. As we visit Old Saigon. Colourful back alleyways lined with flower shops, another selling guitars, and even a shop that specializes in restoring vintage Vespa scooters. We will photograph and visit the famous Siagon post office and have opportunity to visit the Chinese Market ad stop for an iced coffee in a hidden cafe frequented by locals. 

We will have a little down time this afternoon before heading out to have dinner at a local restaurant called Hot Tuc. Overnight at Ramada Encore by Wyndham Saigon. (B) (L) (D)

Day Twelve: Tuesday October 21st 2025: Breakfast, check-out and transfer to Saigon airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Arriving in Siem Reap we will clear customs and visa procedures and then transfer to our hotel the Tara Angkor Hotel.

This afternoon our first visit to Angor Wat with our first stop being Prasat Kravan: the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls. Then on Tomassive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, Banteay Kdei is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 metres. Our final area to visit today is Srah Srang. Srah Srang is a basin east of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.

 This evening we will travel by Tuk Tuk for a dinner and dance performance at Angkor Village Hotel. After dinner return to our hotel Tara Angkor, for the next three nights. (B) (D)

Day Thirteen: Wednesday October 22nd 2025: Breakfast, this morning we will begin our day early with a sunrise visit and great opportunities to photograph the sunrise at Angkor Wat Temple. Angkor Wat is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu by King Suryavarman II, who reigned between 1131 and 1150. It was constructed over a period of 30 years and illustrates some of the most beautiful examples of Khmer and Hindu art. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. In 1992 the UNESCO World Heritage Committee declared the monument, and the whole city of Angkor, a World Heritage Site.

After spending time at Angkor Wat Temple we will vist Preah Khan, still within the national park. This a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towering enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 metres.

Our next stop is Banteay Srei. One of the most romantic temples in Angkor. Built from pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. We will return to our hotel for lunch and some afternoon time to relax as Angkor Wat can become to humid to explore in the afternoon, we will have some time around the resort this afternoon.

This evening around 7:00 p.m. we will depart for one of the most unique shows Phare circus. The show is inspired by real life experiences of its creators and performers. Pack you camera it will be a fun evening of laughter and entertainment. Returing to our hotel by Tuk Tuk after the show. Our second night at Tara Angkor Hotel. (B)

Day Fourteen: Thursday October 23rd 2025: Breakfast, and taking advantage of the cooler morning air return for our next photo shoot within the walls of Angkor Wat. The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor's most popular sights. We will enter by the monumental South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga, we will stop here for some time to photograph. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down from every angle.

We will then photograph at Prasat Kravan: the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls. Then on to the massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, Banteay Kdei is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 metres.

The will then visit Srah Srang, a basin east of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple. 

Not to far away is Ta Prohm, one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

The final location Ta Keo which was built by Jayavarman V who ruled from 968 to 1001, it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is 50 metres high and is surrounded by four lower towers.

We will return to our hotel around lunch time to relax, also a second opportunity for those wishing to explore some of Siem Reap and have lunch in the village. We will finish our experience by spending time in the Siem Reap market place it is kind of a New Orleans feel to the quarter. Late this afternoon a sunset cocktail cruise aboard Angkor Gondola. We will enjoy the sunset while enjoying cocktails and canapés on a traditional Khmer gondola, the means of water-borne transport for the ancient Khmer navigators.Our third night at Tara Angkor Hotel. (B)

Day Fifteen: Friday October 24th 2025: Breakfast, check-out and transfer to the airport for our flight to Bangkok departing at 9:50 a.m. arriving 10:55, connecting flight to Hong Kong departs at 2:00 a.m. (Optional Bangkok day activity)

Day Sixteen: Saturday October 25th 2025: We depart for home via Cathay Pacific at 10:15 a.m. arriving into Pearson International Airport at 2:23 p.m. After collecting our luggage we will sboard our motor coach service for our return drive to RiverBend in London. We should reach London approximately 5:00 p.m. 

Vietnam and Cambodia countries steeped with history and culture. The average temperature in Vietnam during October is 22 to 28 C with overnight lows of 14 to 18 C. This time of year an average of 18% chance of precipitation and a humidity of 38-48%.

Pre-tour Information Night:  As with all our tours, we will hold a information night approximately three weeks prior to departure. We will present the final itinerary, travel suggestions, what gear to pack, and hand out all related travel documents.  The pre-tour presentation is designed to give our guets all the information needed for our trek. This also allows a chance for you to meet your fellow travellers, and host. 

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Vietnam & Cambodia Registration Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy

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The cost of our Vietnam and Cambodia our departing from Toronto is $6,450.00 CAD per person based on double occupancy including airfare departing from Pearson International Toronto, plus air tax of $597.67 CAD plus HST $12.74. Single supplement available for an additional $1450.00 CAD.

A non-refundable deposit of $200.00 is due at the time of booking, with a second non-refundable deposit of $450.00 due January 2nd, 2025. The balance is due 60 days prior to our departure. We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as this tour takes us out of the country.

You may also choose to pay over 12 monthy payments through our Uplift finance program estimate -  $657 per month. You select 12 month payment option under the payment section during registration.

Photo Tour Trekkers and Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of October 25th, 2025.

Includes:

• Round trip motor coach to Pearson International Airport, Toronto
• Departures from London, and Woodstock other pick-ups available en route along the 401 corridor upon request
• Round Trip Airfare via Cathay Pacific, Toronto to Hanoi
• Internal Airfare - Flight Hanoi to Hue
• Internal Airfare - Flight Danang to Saigon
• Internal Airfare - Flight Saigon to Siem Reap
• Hotels and Halong Bay Cruise Line as laid out in itinerary
• Portage for one piece of luggage per person in/out of hotels, where applicable
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day, as laid out in the itinerary
• Meals as per itinerary
• 2 Nights Halong Bay Cruise and meals
• National Park fees and admissions to Angor Wat Cambodia
• All airport and hotel transfers
• Luxury air conditioned motor coach and all vehicle costs while on tour
• Phare Circus Cambodia
• Any local admissions, Boat ticket(s) according to itinerary
• Bottled water and cold towels provided
• Fuel Surcharge, Park Fees and taxes included
• Photo Workshops
• Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

Excludes:

• Items of a personal nature, laundry, phone calls, etc.
• Local guide tips and gratuities
• Current Port Taxes and eVisas for Vietnam and Cambodia
• Alcoholic beverages purchased on land or at the ships bar
• Personal Travel and Medical Insurance

** Schedule may vary according to weather

Tourcan Vacations recommends the purchase of travel and health insurance as our tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended. Please note your passport expiry date must be valid for 6 months past our return date of February 16th, 2023.

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