The Ultimate Adventure Through Vietnam and Cambodia

This was a full on tour with lots of activities, trips and cultural experiences. It’s definitely a wonderful way to visit Vietnam and Cambodia as you get to see and experience so much over the 2 weeks. Generally it was very well organised with all the arrangements appearing to come together like clockwork. Our Vietnamese guide, Kien, was exceptional and helped generate a really positive atmosphere with the group. Unfortunately, our Cambodian guide couldn’t match those standards but he did have an extremely hard act to follow. We still managed to enjoy the activities in Cambodia but it’s fair to say that they could have been so much better. The hotels were all of a high standard and were in good locations. It was a little disappointing that we spent no time at all in Ho Chi Min City. All in all it was a great trip with a great group of people.

Kien in Vietnam was awesome. Eleven out of ten at everything. Thing in Cambodia? 1/10 at best. Could hardly speak English, didn't explain anything, went ahead regardless. So I would rate the Vietnam part of the trip as awesome and the Cambodia part as absolutely terrible.

What a wonderful trip. The particular highlight was our guide for the Vietnam element Hao - I’d give him 7 stars if I could.

It is action packed but in a good way. The hotels are lovely. The food is amazing and there is so much of it.

Only a small thing but I particularly appreciated that filtered water was always available and often in big bottles that reduced the plastic waste.

One thing I’d add to the packing list is padded cycling shorts or even a gel saddle. The saddle for the Cambodia cycle was particularly brutal.

The description of the activities and the itinerary were spot on. But we did so much more 😀. We had a great bunch in our group a mix of ages which made the experience very enjoyable. We were always doing stuff but it was never too much. It was seam less on the whole and the inclusion of local community groups and locals in the activities meant that revenue went to benefit them. But there was a difference on this particular trip… a guide the anticipated all our needs, went beyond every day, kept us all safe, cared about his country and his community and was the catalyst that made the trip memorable… Hảo! You are a super ⭐️! 🙏…. Young our Cambodia guide also gets a mention for his knowledge and passion for his country and community.

What a fabulous experience! Can't have hoped for better. The tour guides were exceptional. They planned our trips with precision and ensured we experienced genuine Vietnamese and Cambodian local hospitality and gave us the opportunity to see amazing sights (whilst being tourists) without the crowds of tourists. We will be booking our next adventure with MBA.

I loved every second of the trip, it was a great intro to Vietnam and Cambodia and left me wanting more. Guides in both countries were fantastic I learnt a great deal from them. I highly recommend this adventure.

The idea of the trip is great. A look at the remote side of Vietnam. But it needs local guides that run the activities. Some great locations but due to the poor location of the hotels it cost to actually get in to experience the local flavour . So many evenings spent in hotels.

I had an amazing time, experiencing Vietnam and Cambodia. The majority of the holiday is based in Vietnam where we hiked, cycled and kayaked down the coast of Vietnam. The combination of physical activities and then learning the traditional methods of making sticky rice to coconut sweets made each day exciting and interesting. I did enjoy the time in Mekong Delta but I would have preferred to have spent a bit longer in Ho Chi Minh City. Our group was the perfect size for this type of trip, there were 7 of us. I will definitely be booking another trip with this company.

Really great group of people despite big range. Guiides were really nice, some language challenges with the Vietnamese one but that all added to the fun. Trekking, kayaking and cycling all added to the enjoyment of beautiful Vietnam and Cambodia. May be a good idea to shift flight time or change Mekong accommodation location and keep the Cu Chi tunnels as they were really interesting. Also a visit to the ancient Ho Chi Min city would have been a bonus. Other writes were great a I really enjoyed engaging with the locals when learning about their lives. Delicious food everywhere. Great trip thank you

This trip is action packed and filled with so much activity. It was a visual and cultural feast that kept on coming. Our guides Hao and Young were at the top of their game. Everything was impeccably organised and well communicated and above all they were super friendly and a lot of fun. Met wonderful travellers in our group - the holiday of a lifetime - thanks MBA X

I have recently finished the Ultimate Adventure and we had a great time. The guides through both Vietnam and Cambodia were excellent and very helpful. Everything was very well planned and I felt looked after through the whole trip. The included meals, in my opinion were also excellent.

The highlight for me was Cat Ba island. The hike and kayaking were epic. However the first hike was not easy so I think that should be noted as some people in our group did struggle.

The tour is very fast paced with not much down time, so that is something to be mindful off.

My only issue was the Mekong Delta. I was looking forward to this but found it a bit underwhelming. I would recommend it could be done as a day trip and then base the last part of Vietnam out of Ho Chi Minh City so that you get to experience the city.

Overall, I had a fantastic experience and I would recommend Much Better Adventures again

I'm so glad I signed up to this trip, it was everything I expected and more. In terms of activity level, I would say it was a little more challenging than 'easy' due to the heat and humidity, but it was just right for me personally. We had a small group of 5 but all got on very well and I'll definitely stay in touch with everyone in the future. Our guides in both Vietnam and Cambodia were excellent and thought of every little detail, really making sure everything was covered.

The best part for me was discovering more about the culture and the history of both countries from the people. All the family hosts were so hospitable and welcoming, and I learned so much about the culture.

The trip is packed with activities and we didn't get much down time at all so it might have been good to have maybe one half day, maybe in Hoi An (which was my favourite place), to explore a bit more. Otherwise I thought the itinerary was well planned and a good variety of activities.

I'll definitely be booking another trip with MBA in the future.

What an adventure! This trip was great! We definitely got a sense of how locals live, eat and work. The sites were amazing, from beautiful landscapes to an entire family of 4 on a motor bike, to rice drying out on the streets. The trip was certainly action packed. Which is a good and bad thing. We were constantly on the move, only staying 2 nights in one hotel, so you are basically living out of your suitcase. Packing with that in mind is key. All the hotels were very nice, clean, some nicer than others. In Cat Ba the locals took over the place since it is their holiday season. It was interesting to say the least. However, the beauty of Cat Ba is truly amazing which was one of my favorite things about the trip, along with the bike ride through the rice paddy fields, lantern town and the climb to the top of Mua Cave to see the dragon. This trip, however, is listed as easy but there are definitely times when the hiking is NOT easy. On day 5, in Cuc Phuong National Park, we were sent an email that said the hike was shortened to a gentle 5km, then lunch at the park headquarters, and spend more time at the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre to learn about their mission and meet some of the 150 primates under their care. That did not happen! The Rescue Center was first on the list that day. We avoided the crowds, which was great, however, we walked a great deal longer than 5km climbing many many many stairs. Not sure what happened here but sounds like the guide did not get the memo!! On day 2 hiking to the viewpoint at the top Ngu Lam Peak was also not easy, again a pretty steep incline. Other than that, the rest of the hiking, biking and kayaking were great. The temples in Cambodia were interesting, Ta Prohm was definitely the favorite for all of us. There were also many many many stairs visiting the temples but knowing where the end was made it a bit easier. The monk blessing was very cool! Both guides on the trip were very nice and well versed in the history and culture of the areas. The food was good, especially some of the local family foods were amazing. Definitely need long pants, enough bug stray and scarf for some of the jungle hikes.

in all the places we visited, drinks were not included in the restaurants or at local family gatherings. This is not listed anywhere and should definitely be planned for.

Totally Fabulous! This was my first experience of this kind of organised trip and it was fantastic and I would highly recommend it to anyone. All of the activities were easy. There were lots of steps on some of the hikes but nothing too onerous … the heat made it seem tougher though. The kayaking and the cycling were easy enough with all the cycling being flat. Kit wise, trail shoes worked fine for me. I took a 35 litre backpack but this was far too big as generally all you really need to carry hiking or cycling is water, sun lotion, mossie spray and some money. When planning how much cash to take, might also be worth bearing in mind that for Vietnam, where meals were included, the drinks were extra, so need to allow cash for that. All in all, this was a trip of a lifetime and I had the best time.

This was a fantastic trip that I’d happily recommend to anyone looking to experience Vietnam and Cambodia beyond the typical tourist route. The itinerary was well thought out, packed with varied activities, and gave a real insight into both countries’ culture, landscapes, and day-to-day life. What I particularly enjoyed were the cycling days. They were a real highlight – not just for the scenery, which was stunning, but also for the number of stops we made at small local homes and businesses. The food throughout the trip was excellent – fresh, flavourful and plentiful. It was nice to spend time away from the big cities. That said, if you want to explore Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City more fully, I’d recommend arriving early or staying a day or two after the trip finishes. The pace is fairly full-on – lots of early starts and active days – so I wouldn’t recommend it to someone expecting a relaxing beach break. There isn’t much downtime, though that’s part of what makes the trip so rewarding. All in all, this trip was a brilliant mix of activity, culture and adventure. A great way to see two beautiful and fascinating countries in one journey.

What an incredible trip! This was my first guided tour and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Despite the fact we chose the hottest month to explore Vietnam and Cambodia, this trip was still unforgettable and a great inspiration for future adventures. Our group of 10 was outstanding and an absolute treasure; I feel so lucky to have met these folks. Accommodations exceeded expectations, food was delicious, and our guides helped to make this trip unforgettable. While I booked this tour to experience Vietnam, ending in Cambodia was a great choice and I'm so glad we also got a glimpse into Cambodian culture! A few recommendations to future travelers to ensure this trip is a success:

• I used a roller bag as my primary luggage and was quite happy with this choice as I avoided having to carry a large bag during transfers
• Bring a sun hoodie or other similar, breathable, long sleeve clothing to maximize sun coverage while staying cool; despite the heat I also wore light weight, quick-drying trekking trousers many days
• Padded cycling shorts are helpful for the biking tours (bikes are not always the most comfortable)
• Bring and take electrolytes! Especially on the hotter / more active days
• The current itinerary does not spend much time in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City; I flew into Hanoi the night before the start of the trip and flew back to HCMC from Siem Reap before heading home to make sure I had a full experience of two of the biggest cities in Vietnam - would recommend if you can make the timing work!
• The current itinerary also does not spend much time in Hoi An; I went to the tailor the evening of our arrival and was able to have something made before the following evening, however I would caution that doing so might be a better experience if you have more time in Hoi An to account for multiple fittings
• The schedule is jam packed! While none of the activities are exceedingly strenuous, there is limited down time throughout; I found myself wanting a day off around the half-way point and sat out of the cycling activity in Mekong Delta to enjoy the resort and time to myself
• As mentioned in other reviews, laundry is available (and cheap) throughout so no need to overpack

Vietnam and Cambodia have been on my travel list for a long time and they did not disappoint! Two stunning countries with varying landscapes. I felt the trip had a good balance of cities and smaller, more rural settings; and I really enjoyed seeing how the local people live and work.

The people in both Vietnam and Cambodia were very welcoming and I felt safe as a solo female traveller in both places. Overall, I absolutely LOVED the food, especially in Vietnam. Some of our group had specific dietary requirements e. g. vegetarian, gluten free, and I believe they would say they did not find the choice was as good for them. The accommodation was generally excellent, clean with decent facilities and breakfasts.

The trip had a nice mix of active pursuits (e. g. hiking, biking) and cultural/societal elements (e. g. visiting a local farm, market). You need some level of fitness for this trip, while it is described as "easy", there are some activities which require an interest in outdoor activities, but they are doable. We did an 8km kayak one day, and a 14km cycle in hot conditions another, for instance.

Highlights for me were hectic Hanoi (try to come a day early as you don't get to see much on day 1 of the trip), Hoi An (gorgeous, energetic place where you can do lots of shopping and get tailor made clothing) and Siem Reap (great riverside food stalls and a large market). We also saw some lovely local homes/businesses and got to meet a lot of local people and see how they live. There was not much "downtime" on the trip. It's a pity we didn't spend any time in Ho Chi Min city.

We were a group of 10 from Ireland, UK, Australia and the US and everyone was very nice, we got on well.

A few things I think might help future travellers: you can do laundry everywhere which is turned around very quickly and is cheap, so no need to overpack! Bring food on the train for breakfast, the selection is not good. No problem sourcing safe drinking water on the trip. You need money to pay and tip in Dong in Vietnam, you can take it out when you get there or bring with you. Everything in Cambodia is advertised in USD and they widely accept both USD and Riel.

I have some minor feedback points on trip logistics, timing of activities etc. which I will feed back privately. However, on a group trip which needs to satisfy different tastes and expectations and covering a lot of ground, I thought it was done very well.

Thanks MBA!

Well, what a great trip. Full on and fun. We had a fabulous group of 14 and everyone was up for the adventure. We were efficiently met and guided by the knowledgeable and jolly Hao. Scrabbling up rocky jungle trails, peacefully paddling through paddy fields or rushing through the country in an overnight sleeper, Vietnam is simply beautiful. Then crossing into Cambodia we had a new enthusiastic guide - Kiss - who explained and showed us the truly amazing wonders of Siem Reap. Everywhere we went, the accommodation was lovely and the local people warm and welcoming and as for the food - vibrant, plentiful and delicious. I loved the whole trip.

I personally feel this trip is not quite on brand for reasons I will feed back privately. However, my trip was made by the wonderful people I shared my time with, all such wonderful team players, funny & kind.

This is a well organised trip with a variety of activities and helpful and knowledgeable guides. It is a great way to get a flavour of these lovely countries and to meet the warm and generous people

I wasn't sure what to expect from this trip since it's such a new offering from MBA. I really enjoyed it though and found the pace, activities, and accommodations to be great. Cambodia was a wonderful gem at the very end. An unexpected and delightful way to end the travels, it is an incredibly vibrant and beautiful destination!

I very much enjoyed this adventure. Extremely well organized with a good balance of physical activity, interesting cultural insights and surprisingly good hotels The tour guides in both Vietnam and Cambodia were excellent too.

We had a great time on this tour and thought it was really well planned with very good and knowledgeable guides. Positives: The activities were very well considered and took you away from typical tourist things. Of course you will still encounter tourists, but every effort was made to take us to places at less busy times etc so we could enjoy the activity. The Hotels are very nice and well located. I mostly enjoyed Hoi An city in Vietnam, and the cycling day in Cambodia where we visited a few home based businesses who made traditional food and crafts. The guides (Thong and Sim) were very historically knowledgeable and made the effort find the activities we wanted to do, for example, we were very keen in Hoi An to have an outfit tailored, so our Guide, Thong, took us to a tailor at an appropriate time so that we could have a fitting and finished article before we left. Similarly, we wanted to make our own lanterns so we were able to tag that on to the end of the day. Things to consider: The days are very full of activities. There isnt a great deal of time to relax outside of the group apart form some evenings. If you are looking for times to relax by the pool, this isn't the one for you. The activities would not be easy for someone with a lower level of physical fitness. This tour is labelled "Easy", and I would argue that it is not! We had a mixed group and everyone had average and above fitness levels and some things were still difficult for us, such as the hiking in the forest and the kayaking at Hoi An. Challenging but still possible - but it is worth noting. There are two full travel days to be aware of - the first between Hoi An and the Mekong delta. There is a flight plus a long drive so you wont arrive until the evening. The second is Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap. This is also a long drive and a flight where you don't arrive until the evening. The airport transfer will leave at a time to suit the majority of the group, so if like us, you have a later flight and everyone elses is earlier, you will need to arrange and pay for your own. This is a bit of a miss by MBA, because everything else was planned brilliantly - I would rather the transfer wasn't included rather than offering it and then not being able to have it. Tips: 1, If you don't have a duffel style backpacking suitcase, don't worry about it, a suitcase with wheels was fine and actually more practical for this holiday. 2, For Vietnam, you will need Vietnamese Dong currency rather than USD. Buy in advance or at ATM's which are everywhere! For Cambodia you will need USD, buy may receive small change in Cambodian Riel. 3, I suggest coming to Hanoi a day earlier to fully enjoy the city and recover from jet lag. We saw the Water puppet Theatre and the Prison before the tour started. 4, Sort your Cambodian visa before you leave. You will have an opportunity to print at one of the hotels in Vietnam and there is always wifi to complete your e-checkin. If you don't, you will need to queue at the airport. 5, We had good weather (in January), but the north of Vietnam can be chilly, especially on the evening, so still bring a fleece/jacket and long trousers. You will also need grippy walking shoes or boots. My partner used trail trainers and they were fine too. 6, Laundry services are available from Ninh Binh onward, so don't worry too much about bringing washing facilities.