We took a similar 21-day trip in 2018 plus a one-on-one 5-day side trip up to the Sapa region NW of Hanoi. We found the mountain tribes of Hmong, Tay and Daoa are very culturally interesting and the food, the sights, sounds and smells are fascinating.
The rest of the trip was with an 8-person guided tour with a host trip guide and local regional guides for each region.
In the north you’ll probably see the Hanoi Hilton and get to see some water puppet shows in Hanoi. Near Hanoi you can take a cruise in Ha Long Bay, try squid fishing and see people that live on the water most of their lives.
In Hue’ we found things were more laid-back with lots of entertainment opportunities featuring the many styles of vietnamese dancing, they are all entertaining.
In the south Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) is historically interesting and there’s lots of opportunities to see the remnants and reminders of the war there. To the south of Saigon you’ll probably take a trip to the Mekong Delta and cruise the river and see some villages and lifestyles of the river people.
We found Cambodia just as fascinating as Vietnam and quite different in many ways. We took in Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Preah Khan, Banteay Srei temple sites, a Khamer Dance school and the floating villages on Ton Le Sap Lake. All were something we’ll remember all the rest of our lives.
All in all, the sights were breathtaking, the food delicious and the people fantastic.