Grand tour of Indochina: Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

Xin Chao, welcome to Vietnam!

On arrival at Danang international airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel in Hoian ancient town. 

Once checked in, the rest of the day is yours to settle in...

This morning, you will go on a  guided walking tour around Hoi An ancient town.

You will visit:

•Japanese covered bridge

• Chinese Assembly Hall

• a local merchant’s house, one of the interesting museums of the city and

• the local market

• craftsman will tell us about the tradition of lanterns

• Tra Que village, cooking demonstration shows you how to make ‘tam huu’ (spring rolls), and Banh xeo (pancake), both local specialty of Central Vietnam.  You then enjoy your simple but delicious lunch right at this place before heading back to the hotel.

This morning's adventure, you cycle out to the local Vietnamese countryside. (Duration: 8:30 – 12:30).

Your guide will be waiting for you at the hotel with bicycles.  You cycle to Duy Vinh Commune - the village is famous for its sedge mattress weaving.  You will visit a local family for a closer look at their traditional weaving loom.

Next, you will cross the river in a traditional boat, continuing on your bicycles to the  Cam Thanh Village.   Here you are awarded with a relaxing foot bath and a home-cooked lunch with a local family.   After lunch, you will be transferred back to the hotel by taxi or electrical cart. 

Rest of the day at leisure.

This morning, you will travel northward to Hue- the Imperial City.

En-route, stop at Son Tra Peninsula, a beautiful peninsula with long, white sandy beaches, picturesque landscapes and primeval forests.

Arrive in Hue city in the early afternoon.

This evening's dinner will be your introduction to fine imperial cuisine of Hue.  Enjoy a special banquet with traditional Nguyen Royal Cuisine.

This morning, visit the Imperial Citadel  –a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage, where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945.

After the tour,  board a traditional dragon boat to cruise upstream on the peaceful Perfume River (Huong River) to the Royal Tomb of King Minh Mang. 

After lunch, take a cyclo tour to explore the ancient town. Riding through the city's cobbled stone streets is an authentic way to discover the hidden charm of Hue.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Morning at leisure to either explore the city further, shop around or enjoy the hotel facilities, before being transferred to the airport on time for your flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, wander around the hotel located in the heart of the old city, which is one of the cultural and historical centers of the city.

Embark on a sightseeing tour of Hanoi and visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which successfully presents the recognition of Vietnam as a multi-ethnic country and promotes socio-cultural diversity. Continue to the serene Temple of Literature constructed in 11th century to honor academics, before enjoying your lunch with one of Hanoi's local delicacy Cha Ca, an iconic fish recipe marinated in turmeric.

After lunch, continue your tour of Hanoi with the visit of Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam.

Today you will leave by private vehicle to Lan Ha Bay, the lesser-known, but no less beautiful, neighbour of Ha Long Bay.

After arriving at the cruise’s meeting point on Tuan Chau Island, you will be transferred to Indochina Cruise.

Enjoy a buffet lunch on board.

 Visit Viet Hai Village on Cat Ba Island.  Take a stroll around the idyllic enclave and see the fabulously rustic homes of the locals, before cycling onto village paths and lush greenery for which Cat Ba Island is known.

 Indochina Cruise will anchor overnight and you can watch the sunset over the Bay. Enjoy a cooking demonstration led by the head Chef. 

 Set menu dinner will be served. 

Start your second day with a relaxing Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises, followed by breakfast.

 After your breakfast; it’s time to get ready for another exciting day exploring Lan Ha Bay. You will be transferred to the Indochine Cruise day boat, a spacious and comfortable cruise with a lounge, dining area and sundeck. The boat will sail over to Van Boi floating village; one of the few remaining floating communes in the Bay. The more adventurous can also opt to kayak.

After your morning excursion, re-energize yourself with a fresh and delicious lunch in the restaurant.

 Depending on the tide and weather condition, you might be taken to visit a beautiful naturally formed cave on Cat Ba Island or relax on one of the untouched beaches of the Three Peaches islets in the Bay.

 Back to the cruise and relax onboard as you sail to the overnight anchorage.

 Set menu dinner will be served. 

 Start the day afresh with Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea and pastries.

 You will visit the popular Dark and Bright grotto (also known as Bat Cave),  one of the most beautiful tunnels in the area. You will explore the cave by bamboo boats rowed by locals or you can opt to kayak on your own instead.

Back on board to freshen-up, before your breakfast is served at the restaurant. 

 After disembarking from the Indochine Cruise, you will be transferred back to Hanoi.

After some relaxing time at your hotel, embark on a foodie walking tour around Hanoi’s charming Old Quarter.  You will explore the winding streets and lively markets which are teeming with food stalls and unique eateries. 

Today, you leave behind bustling Hanoi, driving towards the peaceful mountainous area of Mai Chau, home to green mountain ranges, rice terraces and ethnic villages.

Stop at Mai Hich village for a local lunch. 

You will visit the remote rural villages of Thai ethnic and learn about their culture & lifestyle.  A walk along the stream through cornfields and rice paddies leaves you feeling totally immersed into nature. The afternoon finishes up with a gentle float down the  Xia River.

 Check-in at your eco-lodge and rest of the day at leisure.

This morning you will wake up by the sound of nature. 

Your visits today: 

• Pa Co, a village of Hmong people, known for their needlework and indigo dyeing.

• traditional Sunday Market (if visited on a Sunday) 

• Hang Kia Valley,  observe the local daily life of the ethnic communities

Enjoy a delicious local lunch and return to the resort in the afternoon.

After a relaxing morning, you will be transferred to Hanoi airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Welcome to Laos, “Sabaidi”!

After going through the customs at Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to the  hotel.

Evening at leisure.

Today you will explore Luang Prabang,  a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which was the capital of the first kingdom of Laos. Luang Prabang is a highly spiritual city with a high density of temples.

Your visits included:

• Royal Palace Museum

• Wat Xiengthong, one of Laos most beautiful and richly decorated temples. 

• Wat Mai or “New Temple”, the largest and most splendidly decorated temple of Luang Prabang. Take this opportunity to join chanting with the local monks while visiting inside this temple.

In the evening you are invited to a local family home for a traditional Baci ceremonial blessing.  After that, enjoy an authentic home-cooked Laotian meal, over conversation with your hosts to learn more about their daily life.

Awake at sunrise to experience the Alms Giving Ceremony,  an experience that should not be missed while in Luang Prabang. Every morning during the sunrise, people line on the streets in order to offer alms to the Buddhist monks. Leaning from a legend which said that when people offer alms to the monks, their family’s member from the “other life” also could receive some. 

On the way back, stop at a local morning market, where you will find interesting and authentic food. If you wish,  taste some of the snacks that locals have for breakfast every day.

After breakfast at the hotel,  you will take a scenic cruise up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves and Ban Xang Hai. On the way back, stop at a local elephant conservation camp.  Here, you'll have the opportunity to interact with the elephants while practicing conservation respectfully.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your short flight to beautiful southern Laos. 

On arrival in Pakse,  transfer to your eco-friendly resort located alongside the Mekong River.

This afternoon's excursion will be to the ancient ruins of Wat Phou,  situated on the terrace of Kao Mountain. 

Today's excursion is to Bolaven Plateau,  with its rich volcanic soils and cool climate, the Bolaven Plateau produces some of the world’s finest Arabica coffee.   You'll get a look at their local coffee production and sample fresh Lao coffee.

Next stop is at a stunning waterfall,  where you can cool off in the clear water, and perhaps take a walk to visit a nearby village. 

Lunch is served at a local restaurant.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise with a cocktail on the sandy beach of Turtle Island in the middle of the Mekong River.

Morning excursion to The Mekong’s 4,000 Islands region,  Drive two hours to dock for a short boat to Khone Island.  You will visit the old French railway, the French colonial house and walk across the bridge that links Khone and Det Islands.  If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins.

On the way back to the resort, visit the Khone PhaPheng waterfalls, the “Niagara of the East”.

Morning at leisure at the resort, before the transfer to the airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Welcome to Cambodia!

On arrival at Siem Reap, you are met and transferred to your hotel.

This evening,  you will enjoy a show at the famous Phare The Cambodian Circus. 

This morning,  enjoy a fun tuk-tuk ride to  Angkor Wat site.  

Visits to:

• Angkor Thom

• Bayon

• Ba Phoun

• Elephant Terrace

• Leper King Terrace

• Ta Prom Temple

Afternoon at leisure.

Once the day cools and the light softens, you will drive to the Banteay Srei,  often referred to as the “jewel of Khmer art”.

This morning you will witness sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Transfer back to the hotel for breakfast and a leisurely morning. 

In the afternoon, visit Mr. Theam, a true Cambodian artist with over a decade of experience as the artistic director of Artisans d’Angkor.   A personalized tour is offered around the exhibition and workshop, an opportunity to learn more about the traditional Khmer art and how it has revived over the years.

Evening at leisure.

Today you will be transferred to the international airport for your flight home.