Indochina Comprehensive Journey

Morning, start a full-day city tour beginning with the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which contains a rich collection of audio-visual documentation and more than 15,000 artifacts, including life-size traditional houses depicting all aspects of life, culture, customs and beliefs of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars.

Afternoon, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. Explore Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the rural-style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Move on to one of the following museums of choice, namely Hoa Lo Museum, which is the leftover of the French Central Prison built in 1896 to detain Vietnamese political prisoners. Afterwards, visit Hoan Kiem Lake or “Returned Sword Lake”, which originated from a legend of a sacred sword. On an islet in the lake, there is Ngoc Son Temple, which is accessible by a classically red-painted wooden bridge. Touring through the Old Quarter, famous for its ancient streets representing traditional trades from the past by cyclo and enjoying a local coffee.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hanoi

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Halong by private car.

Be welcomed onboard, and lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day, the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board.

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

Enjoy the fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Ha Long in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards port. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Arrive in Hanoi in the afternoon.

Transfer to the airport for a flight to Danang. 

Upon arrival in Danang, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and transferred to Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfasts, Brunch
Stay overnight in Hoi An

Morning, meet our guide at your hotel and discover the charm of Hoi An as a renowned World Heritage Site. Once a bustling maritime commercial port of Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a peaceful town of exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions. The town exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside world, including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Highlights for sightseeing include the town’s iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small temple attached to one side as a prominent example of Japanese architecture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics which is an elegant Vietnamese-style wooden house built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House typifying an ancient Chinese merchant residence and Ong Temple built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general whose character stands for loyalty, bravery and justice.

Then take a cycling trip to a lantern-making family for a half-day visit. The lantern, brought by the Chinese and Japanese merchants when they came to Hoi An to trade and settle in the late 14th century, is the iconic symbol of this town. Traditional lantern crafting has lasted for over 400 years to today. Observing and learning how to make lanterns traditionally under the guidance of friendly and skilful hosts is really exciting and enjoyable. You will have a chance to practice all making steps, including whittling bamboo into splints and bending them into a frame, cutting fabric to size and glueing it to the frame to complete a lantern. You can take your own lanterns as souvenirs to remember this beautiful and tranquil land.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hoi An

Meet our guide at your hotel and start cycling to Tra Que village, which is located 3 km away from the center of Hoi An. Tra Que is well-known as the only freshest and cleanest vegetable supplier of Hoi An local foods. What makes vegetables here so special is that no chemicals or toxins are used in the plant-growing process to guarantee the best quality. Explore the vegetable garden, learn about the local produce grown there and hear the history of Tra Que.

Assist the farmers as they work in the garden. Depending on the time of year, this may include tilling the land, fertilising the garden with seaweed or picking ripe vegetables. Throughout the experience, learn more about their daily lives and the rich culture that exists in the Vietnamese countryside.

Then transfer by our air-conditioned car about 10 minutes to Kim Bong village, where carpentry has been practised since the 16th Century. Located on the riverbank, which is convenient for transporting rafts, shipbuilding, and launching, Kim Bong Carpentry Village also offer its products on several merchant ships to many countries around the world. Kim Bong craftsmen made a vital contribution to the recent restoration of historic buildings after Hoi An was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. Moreover, they have been encouraged and rewarded by UNESCO for their preservation efforts. Visit the village craft centre and workshops, which showcase craft items and the painstaking process by which they are produced, using specialist tools and techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. The workshops today make hand-crafted furniture and sculptures as well as a range of tempting souvenirs, some of which are exported a field from Europe and North America.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hoi An

Morning, our guide will pick you up at your hotel for a full-day tour of Hue City, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam for the 1802-1945 period and the last refuge of Vietnamese feudalism. Begin with Hue Citadel, a well-known UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site which is a 520 hectares fortress-like grand complex built in the early 1800s and featuring three enclosures separated by heavy ramparts namely Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) as the outer, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) as the middle and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) as the inner. Next, move on to Khai Dinh Tomb, the burial site of Vietnam’s second-to-last king, and the most elaborate compared to other kings’ tombs. The tomb shows a vivid European influence in architecture despite its Asian style. 

Afternoon, take a dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to enjoy the open view of the river and the beautiful landscape along the banks. On the way, drop a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point with its origin dating back to 1601. Then transfer by car to Minh Mang Tomb, where the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty was buried. Last, stop for shopping at Dong Ba market, which is the city's traditional commercial center.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Hue

After your time in Hoi An, we'll arrange a car transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, our representative will greet you and assist with your onward transfer to the city center.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning, take a half-day tour to 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 totalling 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.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning, pick up at your hotel to transfer about 136 km to Vinh Long, a riverside town in the vast Mekong Delta, the world’s largest delta. Take a boat cruise to the lively Cai Be floating market, where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods from their boats. Proceed through a fascinating maze of shady canals to Hoa Binh Phuoc Island. The beautiful landscape of zigzag canals, lush vegetation, peaceful villages and activities of rural life will make you a delightful sight. There on the island, visit some local farmers’ homes, interact with warm-hearted hosts and learn about their trades of bonsai gardening, tile and ceramic production and rice paper and coconut candy making. 

Afternoon, transfer by car about 40 km to Can Tho, then free at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Can Tho

Morning, depart Ninh Kieu Wharf by shuttle bus, then embark on a boat cruise to the Cai Rang floating market where sellers and buyers bargain and exchange goods from their boats. Located on the Can Tho River, this is the biggest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Like other floating markets in the region, it was initially established to meet the trading needs of local people while the road traffic system was still in its infancy. Today, even if the road traffic network has developed significantly, the Cai Rang floating market still plays an important part in local life and culture. To understand more about the lifestyle here, keep on going into the small creek called Rach Nho, in which the Southern countryside can be seen clearly before cruising back to Ninh Kieu Wharf.

After the tour, transfer to Chau Doc

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay overnight in Chau Doc

After breakfast, transfer to the port to take the speedboat to Phnom Penh. After 4 hours, arrive in Phnom Penh, meet our guide & driver, then transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Afternoon, visit to the Royal Palace, which serves as the residence of the King, a venue for court ceremonies 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 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 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, and 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 examples 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 jewellery, 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 flight to Luang Prabang.

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 are no activities planned for today, so you may stroll around for a first impression of this ancient city. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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 Vientiane

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, the lasting impact of unexploded ordnance (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 flight to Bangkok.

Upon arrival in Bangkok, our tour guide will pick you up for hotel check-in.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Bangkok

Depart from your hotel and head to Rattanakosin Island, the historic heart of Bangkok.

Visit Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha, which is situated in Bangkok’s Chinatown. The highlight of this temple is a massive golden Buddha statue, which is the world’s largest solid gold statue, weighing over five tons. Visitors can explore the temple grounds and learn about the history of the Golden Buddha.

Continue the tour to visit Chinatown. The bustling business area of Chinatown is especially known for its gold jewellery shops. Chinatown in Bangkok is centred around Yaowarat Road. It’s a vibrant, colorful area with its bustling street markets, gold shops, Chinese restaurants, shrines, temples, old shophouses, Chinese language neon signs and a maze of narrow alleyways. The area has kept its cultural identity intact and thankfully avoided commercial redevelopment. Examples of well-preserved colonial-style architecture are abundant.

Visit Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha), founded in the 16th century, the oldest and biggest temple with the largest number of pagodas (95 in all) in the city. Wat Pho was the first open university in Thailand, which offered courses in several branches of knowledge like literature, astrology, medicine and massage. It’s well known for its huge Reclining Buddha, 46 m. long and 15 m. high. Set sail on a private long-tail boat, venturing along the Chao Phraya River and into the heart of the Thonburi area’s intricate canals. Witness the traditional lifestyle of riverside communities, marvel at the architectural splendor of stilt houses, and see the daily bustle of local markets from the water. Highlights include the Grand Palace, the Temple of Dawn, and other significant landmarks, offering a glimpse into Bangkok’s rich history and cultural heritage.

Continue your exploration with a sightseeing drive along Ratchadumnoen Rd, affectionately known as the Royal Way. This route is dotted with significant sites, including the City Pillar Shrine, National Museum, Democracy Monument, and the Anantasamakhom Palace, offering a panoramic view of Bangkok’s historical and cultural landmarks.

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Bangkok

Morning: Visit the famous Damnoen Saduak floating market.

This most interesting half-day tour takes you to the rural yet world-famous floating market of Damnern Saduak, situated around 100 kilometers west of Bangkok. It is generally known as the Klong Ton Khem Floating Market or Damnern Saduak Floating Market. Damnern Saduak has officially three floating markets. A narrow canal flanked by food stalls and souvenir shops forms the principal market at Ton Kem. Photographers at Ton Kem will get their best shots from the bridge, which crosses over the canal, and from the produce shed on the right. Nowadays, the market is bustling with activity from very early in the morning until about 11.00 am. For those who want to buy some memorabilia here, be mindful that you bargain!

Meals: Breakfast
Stay overnight in Bangkok

Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel, take you to the airport for the departure flight. 

Meals: Breakfast