Magical Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia - 11 Days

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital! On arrival, our driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. Free at leisure to unwind from the long-haul flights.

Meals: N/A.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Today, join us on a full day tour exploring the charming Hanoi Capital. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. Follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. The sightseeing also includes the outlying Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

Afterwards we drive back to the town center and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the Hanoi Old Quarter where local people still trade in old ways. Pay a visit to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple then conclude the day by enjoying Water Puppet Show – the art form originated in the villages of the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam in the 11th century.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

After breakfast, check out hotel and set out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay.

In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to the pier.

Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by local guide and driven to the hotel for check in. Profoundly influenced by the French, unquestionably earns the title of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, this exquisite town in Laos is not to be missed under any circumstances. 

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodations: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

Take a morning cruise along the Mekong River, about two hours upstream from the centre of Luang Prabang, and discover the numerous Buddha images at Pak Ou Caves. Pak Ou (mouth of the Ou river) includes the Tham Ting (lower cave) and the Tham Theung (upper cave) are caves overlooking the founder name Mekong River. They are a group of caves on the right side of the Mekong River. It is then only a short distance from the caves to the village of Ban Xang Hai. We’ll stop here to learn about LauLao (Lao whisky) and LauHai (Lao wine). On the way returning the old town, we stop to visit Ban Xangkhong where the Lue peoples of this village are noted in particular for their arts and crafts.

In the afternoon, we explore the town with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, representative of classic Laotian architecture. Continue our trip to Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang. Later that day, we adjourn to the Phousi hill to enjoy the marvelous panoramic views of the town at sunset.

In the evening, enjoy your free time at the Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

* Optional tour with surcharge: For the early risers, we suggest you should take the fantastic opportunity to watch or participate in the unique daily morning ritual, where hundreds of saffron-clad monks walk in procession collecting offerings of sticky rice from devout residents along the roadsides.

After breakfast, start your day with the visit to the local morning market named Phosi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings such as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weaving. Soak in the history of Luang Prabang at the Palace Museum which houses an eclectic collection, including statues, mosaic covered walls, French mirrors, and a piece of moon rock given to “the people of Laos” by President Nixon. There’ll be time for independent exploration afterwards.

Spend the afternoon on exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang’s most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuang Si. Trek through jungle parklands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located nearby. Established in 2003, the centre has rescued numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. Here, you will help-out with the bears’ midday scatter feed.

Afterwards, stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where cascading tiers plummet down into azure pools. Relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where beautiful views and pools await, which are perfect for swimming. 
Transfer back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, check out hotel then transfer to Luang Prabang airport for flight to Siem Reap. Meet up with your local guide at Siem Reap Airport and drive to the hotel for check in and enjoy a short break for your refreshment.

This afternoon, hop on a tuk tuk to the South Gate of Angkor Thom where you will be strongly impressed with its magic old doors and artifacts. Embark on an Angkor gondola, a replica of a traditional Khmer boat also known as Kongkear, which is propelled with a wooden paddle by an experienced oarsman. Glide gently along the Southern Angkor Thom’s moat while admiring the sunset over Angkor Archaeological Park.

Once you reach the southwest corner of the Ancient City, disembark near one of the four temples called Prasat Chrung and hike with your guide to the ruined building, constructed in the late 12th century. Walk under the shade of trees on a 2-mile (3-km) walkway to the top of the gate, where a sunset viewpoint awaits. During your visit, learn about the four small sandstone temples, which were dedicated to a bodhisattva and designed in the style of Prasat Bayon, the magnificent temple at the center of Angkor Thom. Stay late and then transfer back to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Rise up early for a transfer by tuk tuk to the magnificent Angkor Wat where you will see “the spiritual Temple reflex on the water” at dawn- the haunting, cooler and less crowded moment. As the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat where the Hindu God Vishnu is dedicated was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Then, transfer back to your hotel for breakfast and relax.

The unique Angkor Temples are truly impressive. However, Cambodia has more to offer. It is worth taking a closer look at the city of Siem Reap, its surrounding area and its people. This afternoon, drive to Kam Pem. Walk through this lovely village to see rural Khmer life. Experience an ox cart ride before a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see floating villages and get a taste of life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture. One of the most productive bodies of fresh water in the world, Tonle Sap was classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997. Stay until sunset followed by a transfer back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, travel into the Archeology Park to explore the wonders left by a highly complex civilization that controlled the greater part of Southeast Asia for four centuries. Drive through the local villages to the intricately carved and well preserved Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre Temples. The beautiful temple of Banteay Srei was built in 967 AD by Jayavarman V’s guru, it showcases the most exquisite, deep and complex carvings in all Khmer architecture. 

En route back, you will visit the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm, a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries. The temple became more famous after Tomb Raider was filmed there. Enter the Great City of Angkor Thom through its North Gate and traverse to admire Baphoun and Phimeanakas temples, Terraces of Elephant and Leper King, and especially the mysterious smiling Bayon.

Later, transfer through the West Gate back to the hotel. Spend the rest of day at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the flight to Saigon, Vietnam’s modern metropolis. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War. Known as the “Iron Triangle” during the war of the 60’s, the story of Cu Chi is one of struggle, determination against all odds, and eventual victory. Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam’s military history.

Later, we drive to the downtown of Saigon, check in hotel for overnight accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.

Saigon, Vietnam’s largest city, is a vibrant, modern metropolis, converging East and West. After breakfast at the hotel, spend the morning on a guided tour of this captivating city, visiting the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
Take the afternoon transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

Goodbye & Safe Travels!

Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.