Indochina Highlights

Embark on a comprehensive full-day tour, accompanied by a private guide, and immerse yourself in the historical and cultural splendors of Hanoi. Your journey commences at Ba Dinh Square, where you will behold the majestic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the solemn resting place of the revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, whose preserved body lies within (please note the mausoleum is closed on Mondays, Fridays, and during October and November).

Proceed to explore Hanoi's traditional stilt houses, which exemplify an architectural style designed to enhance ventilation and offer protection from flooding in the city's historic districts. Following this, admire the One-Pillar Pagoda, an architectural marvel originally constructed in 1049. Renowned for its unique lotus-shaped design, this pagoda symbolizes devotion and resilience.

Next, you will visit West Lake (Tay Ho), a serene retreat offering a stark contrast to the vibrant city center. Enjoy the tranquil environment, complemented by the presence of embassies, and trendy cafés, and locals engaged in their morning exercises. Continue to the ancient Tran Quoc Pagoda, situated on a tranquil peninsula and regarded as one of Hanoi's oldest pagodas.

After a delightful local lunch, journey to the esteemed Temple of Literature (Van Mieu), Vietnam's first university, historically reserved for princes and mandarins. Subsequently, meander through the historic Old Quarter and the charming environs of Sword Lake. Pause to visit the picturesque Ngoc Son Temple, which gracefully occupies an island within the lake.

Experience the rich cultural heritage and serene beauty of Hanoi's landmarks on this unforgettable journey. Conclude your day with a one-hour cycle tour through the Old Quarter, exploring its ancient streets that reflect traditional trades. Finish the tour with a captivating traditional Vietnamese water puppet show at the Thang Long Opera Theatre.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel

Our car and driver will pick you up at your hotel for a transfer to Ha Long Bay, located approximately 160 km away, or a 2.5-hour drive. Along the way, you'll pass through the picturesque rural landscapes of the Red River Delta, offering numerous opportunities to photograph Vietnamese farmers at work in their rice paddies. Feel free to make stops to take in and appreciate the local scenery.

Arrive at the jetty in Ha Long City around noon, where you’ll complete check-in procedures. Once onboard, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious lunch as the boat sets sail towards the bay.

In the afternoon, you can take part in visits and activities based on your boat’s itinerary, or simply relax and unwind on deck. As the day winds down, the boat will anchor for the night amidst the stunning karst formations. Dinner will be served onboard.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Stay overnight on Ha Long Bay Cruise

Start your day early with coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries served in the dining room. For those interested, a 30-minute tai chi session will follow on the sundeck.

As you continue cruising through the bay, you'll have the opportunity to explore more secluded spots where you can swim or kayak. A light lunch will be served around midday.

After lunch, you'll head to Hanoi airport for your flight to Danang.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, you will be warmly greeted by our guide and driver. Transfer to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Stay overnight in Hoi An

Spend a full day discovering the charm of Hoi An, beginning with a lantern-making workshop, where you’ll create your own colorful silk lantern—a symbol of Hoi An. Then enjoy a guided walk through its Ancient Town, where you’ll visit highlights like the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and vibrant local markets. After a traditional lunch featuring local specialities, head to Trà Quế Vegetable Village to learn about organic farming methods still used by local families. End the day with a peaceful stroll along the lantern-lit riverfront as the town glows under hundreds of lights.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hoi An

We will begin with a 30-minute boat ride to Kim Bong Carpentry Village, a traditional craft village in Hoi An established in the 15th century by settlers from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh. Here, you’ll explore the shipbuilding area where skilled craftsmen still build wooden fishing boats using age-old techniques. You'll also visit a carpentry workshop to see artisans handcrafting furniture and intricate wood sculptures.

Next, we continue by boat to Thanh Ha Pottery Village, home to over 500 years of ceramic tradition. Watch local potters shape vases, pots, and kettles by hand, preserving methods passed down through generations. We’ll also stop at Thanh Ha Terra Cotta Park, where iconic landmarks like the Taj Mahal, Sydney Opera House, and the Pyramids of Giza are beautifully recreated in clay by village artisans.

Our final stop is Trà Quế Vegetable Village, a peaceful farming community known for its fragrant herbs and organic gardening. Using seaweed from the nearby river as natural fertilizer, locals grow some of the region’s freshest produce. Here, you can observe traditional farming techniques and experience the village’s calm rural charm.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel

Morning, transfer to Hue via the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass), renowned for its breathtaking panoramic views. As you ascend the pass, marvel at the dramatic coastline, where the road clings to the mountainside, offering stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean and the lush landscape below.

Upon arrival in Hue, embark on a full-day exploration of this former Imperial Capital, which served as the heart of Vietnamese feudalism from 1802 to 1945. Begin your visit at the Hue Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This grand complex, spanning 520 hectares, was constructed in the early 1800s and is enclosed by three massive ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) on the outer layer, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) in the middle, and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) at the core.

Afternoon, continue your tour with a visit to Khai Dinh Tomb, the resting place of Vietnam’s penultimate king. This tomb stands out for its opulent design and distinct European architectural influences, blended with traditional Asian elements. Next, explore Tu Duc Tomb, a masterpiece of Nguyen Dynasty architecture set amidst a tranquil pine forest. This final resting place of the 4th emperor of the Nguyen family is renowned for its elegance and historical significance.

Conclude your day with a visit to Dong Ba Market, the city’s bustling traditional commercial center, where you can shop for local goods and souvenirs.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hue

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. The flight duration is about 2 hours.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you’ll be warmly greeted by our guide and driver. You’ll then be transferred to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, a journey of about 45 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning, take a half-day tour to the Cu Chi Tunnels, 75 km Northwest of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, which were once a major underground hideout and resistance base of Viet Cong forces during the two wars against the French and later on Americans. The tunnels, entirely hand-dug, formed a highly intricate network of interlinked multilevel passageways at times stretched as far as the Cambodian border and totaling over 120 km in length. Its complexity was beyond imagination, containing meeting rooms, kitchens, wells, clinics, schools, depots, trenches and emergency exits all aimed for guerrilla warfare. The tunnels were deep and strong enough to withstand destructive bombings and self-contained enough to outlast prolonged sieges. Back to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.

Afternoon, continue the tour to visit Reunification Palace, the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam; Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, a neo-Roman cathedral built over 130 years ago by the colonial French with materials entirely imported from Marseilles. Call in the Saigon Central Post Office, a fine colonial building which was designed and built in the early 20th Century by the famous French architect Gustave Eiffel. Move on to Cho Lon or the city’s Chinatown, where you will visit the Jade Emperor Temple (Phuoc Hai), a rare Taoist structure in Vietnam built in 1909 in dedication to the Lord of Heaven.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning, be picked up from your hotel and transferred approximately 136 km to Vinh Long, a charming riverside town in the heart of the Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Embark on a boat cruise to explore the vibrant Cai Be floating market, where colorful boats are laden with goods and vendors engage in lively bargaining. As you navigate through the intricate network of shaded canals, you'll reach Hoa Binh Phuoc Island, a haven of picturesque landscapes featuring winding canals, lush greenery, and tranquil rural villages.

On the island, visit local farmers' homes to interact with welcoming hosts and gain insights into their traditional crafts, including bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production, and the making of rice paper and coconut candy. Afternoon, continue your journey by car for about 40 km to Can Tho, where you'll have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore or relax.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Can Tho

Morning, we depart Ninh Kieu wharf by shuttle-boat, where you can see bustling activities along Can Tho’s riverbanks. Particularly, you may know how local people go fishing with plenty of fish traps and how they transport passengers as well as products by the waterway. When we approach the Cai Rang floating market, the selling activities have reappeared in the past using a traditional “offering pole” to exchange consumer goods hanging on the pole for Mekong fruit and vegetables with local sellers. In order to understand more about lifestyle over here, keep on going into the small creeks called Rach Nho, in which the Southern countryside can be seen clearly before cruising back to Ninh Kieu Wharf.

Then transfer to Chau Doc. Visit Sam Mountain. Climb or take the cable car to enjoy panoramic views and visit cultural sites like Ba Chua Xu Temple, Cave Pagoda, and Tay An Pagoda.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Chau Doc

Today you will travel from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh by speedboat for a scenic and efficient journey along the Mekong River. Depart early in the morning to enjoy the peaceful river views as you glide toward the Vietnam-Cambodia border, where you’ll complete customs and immigration formalities. After the brief stop, continue cruising through beautiful waterways before arriving at Phnom Penh’s bustling riverside pier by midday or early afternoon. From there, you can easily transfer to your hotel or begin exploring the vibrant city and its famous landmarks.

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport, greeted by our driver and transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Afternoon, visit to the Royal Palace, which serves as the residence of the King, a venue for court ceremony and as a symbol of the Kingdom. Inside the Palace grounds, street sounds are silenced by the high walls and the royal buildings. Attached to the Palace compound, Wat Preah Keo Morokat (Silver Pagoda) is unique amongst pagodas; it is so named for its 5000 silver tiles floor. Continue to visit the National Museum, a distinctive red building with beautiful Khmer architecture was built since 1917 and contains more than 5000 art objects made of sandstone, bronze, silver, copper, wood and others. The last stop at Wat Phnom Temple, a small hill crowned by an active Wat (Pagoda), marks the legendary founding place of Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Phnom Penh

After breakfast, transfer to Battambang. It takes around 5 hours to drive the distance of 291 kilometers. Along the way, you will visit Oudong, which was the royal capital between 1618 and 1866, before the capital was moved to 

In Phnom Penh, several temples and stupas cover three hills. These huge stupas can be seen from miles away and contain the remains of several Khmer kings, including King Monivong (1927-1941) and King Ang Duong (1845-1859). The walk up the hill over 500 steps provides excellent exercise, especially with the countryside view.

Next, you will stop at Kampong Chhnang, visiting Pottery Village to see the different aspects of pottery-making and to also experience the production of traditional rice wine.

Continue the road to Battambang, you will transfer to start your Bamboo Train ride, a fun experience and also a great opportunity to see the countryside. It’s like a childhood dream come true. (The best time for experience is Sunrise or Sunset). After that, arrive in Battambang and be dropped off at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Battambang

Upon arrival at Battambang, continue straight to visit Phnom Banon, the 11th-century mountaintop Angkorian ruin of Phnom Banan is the best preserved of the Khmer temples around Battambang. As you approach, you will see the distinctive five towers pointing skyward, like a smaller version of Angkor Wat. At the base of the mountain, you are faced with a steep laterite staircase flanked by Nagas. After climbing the 350+ steps, you are treated to a wonderfully peaceful setting. The temple was built by Udayadityavarman II, son of Suryavarman I. After visiting Phnom Banon, you may take a picnic lunch (local food) near the temple (at your expense).

After lunch, continue to visit Wat Sangker Slaket Pagoda, the former residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. Next, visit the village along the Sangker River, stop at a village in the countryside that produces rice paper.

After the visit, transfer to Siem Reap. You will expect to arrive late evening for your drop off at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel, and visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12 century): the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, and the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor, Angkor Wat, the temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag, and the 12th-century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

Afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. After the visit, Ta Prohm if time and energy permitted, visit Old Market for some souvenirs for friends and families.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Siem Reap

After breakfast, visit the temple of Banteay Srei (women's castle), which is considered a classic pearl in the crown of Khmer art. Then continue to visit Banteay Samre, established in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple consisting of two four-winged libraries a hall before and after example of very good southern accompanied reservations.

In the afternoon, you will take a Boat Trip to the Tonle Sap, about 16 km from the southeastern city of Siem Reap. Here is a good choice for you to visit the floating village. This is a relatively small village, providing a good insight into the Tonle Sap village lifestyle. The village is almost entirely in fishing and related activities. If time permits, before returning to the hotel, we will stop at Old Market. You will find artifacts, gold and silver jewelry, precious stones, silk, stone, and wood carvings, as well as shirts, CDs, and other memorabilia. Then, back to the Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel, free until the time to transfer to Siem Reap Airport to take a departure flight.

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel (early check-in upon availability)

Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.

There is no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for the first impression of this ancient city. 

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, you will first visit the Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. 

Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. 

Next, we will visit Heuan Chan, a 19th-century aristocratic mansion that offers a glimpse into Lao culture through traditional ceremonies, textiles, and family life. This restored mansion stands as a testament to Lao heritage, featuring enriching exhibitions and a documentary on Laos' customs. After the visit, we'll have the opportunity to taste authentic Lao coffee or tea, providing a true taste of Laos.

Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day.

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill-tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning almsgiving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meals from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetables, to fish, or chicken.

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.

Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong. This beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang

We then transfer out to the train station to take the speed train to Vientiane (2 hours) 

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Luang Prabang

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power.

After that, drive to Buddha Park, which is around 45 minutes away. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues.

Returning to town, visit COPE, an association working to help landmine victims. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam War and the lasting impact of unexploded ordinances (UXO) in the area, and the efforts underway to clear them.

Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthathirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire.

Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxay, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue to the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828.

Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

End your tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls. 

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Vientiane

Begin your journey by heading to the serene Xing Xu Island, situated just beyond Vientiane. Upon reaching Ban Kaolieu, embark on a boat ride to the island, where you'll share the experience with local residents.

Upon your island arrival, take a leisurely stroll to a revered temple, renowned among locals for seeking auspicious numbers, often used for purchasing lottery tickets. Feel free to try your luck if you wish.

Afterwards, explore the quaint village, home to approximately 200 inhabitants who tend to livestock, including pigs and goats.

Continue your adventure by hopping on a tuk-tuk or a local tractor to tour the island, immersing yourself in a genuine sense of exploration.

Savor a delectable lunch at one of the island's local restaurants, relishing the authentic flavors of the region.

Following your meal, take ample time to relax and relish the picturesque surroundings before boarding the boat back to the mainland. Finally, your journey concludes with a comfortable transfer back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Vientiane

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight

Meals: Breakfast