Day tour – Laos & Cambodia and Vietnam 20 days

Tour Program

Summary itinerary

Detailed itinerary:

 Day 1: Welcome to Luang Prabang – explore the city

Arrive to the airport in Luang Prabang, you will be met and transferred to hotel.

Then visit the impression of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai

We climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as have a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset.

From there, we explore the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the local people and hill tribes surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

 Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou caves – Luang Prabang (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual.

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which famous for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang

 Day 3: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

Catch the morning flight to Vientiane. Here, see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

We watch the sunset by Mekong River side and spend the evening here absorbing the city’s nightlife. Overnight in Vientiane

 Day 4: Vientiane – Ha Noi (Meal: Breakfast)

Leisure in the morning until transfer to the airport for boarding the flight to Ha Noi. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ha Noi

 Day 5: A full day for Ha Noi city – night train to Lao Cai (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

8.00am – 8.30am, we will pick you up at your hotel, we take you to Tran Quoc pagoda and then Ho Chi Minh complex with Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, his simple stilt house where he lived and worked and the museum dedicated to his memory.

A short drive to The Temple of Literature – the first university in Vietnam dating back to the 11^th century to admire the beautiful construction and learn about Royal court and Vietnamese talents.

Have lunch in the local restaurant.

Short time to relax before driving ahead to Vietnam Museum of Ethnology where you can get over view information about ethnic groups overview information about ethnic groups over Vietnam through the well organized display both in indoor and outdoor exhibition.

Back to down town for refreshment by Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son temple. Watching water puppet show in the late afternoon.

Take a short rest then transfers to the train station for the night train to Lao Cai. You will sleep on soft sleeper with air conditioner.

 Day 6: Sapa – Lao chai Village – Ta Van Village (Meals : breakfast, lunch)

Arrival to Lao Cai station around 5.30am, meeting our tour guide and driver then transfer to Sapa for breakfast and take  shower

Start trekking to Muong Hoa valley to visit 3 villages of the H’mong and the Dzay (Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van). Lunch on the way

Overnight optional:

Optional 1:  Overnight at homestay inTa Van village.  You will have opportunity to experience their daily life, work and original custom.

Optional 2: Return to Sapa town. Overnight at hotel in Sapa

 Day 7: Sapa trekking – Lao  Cai – night train to Ha Noi (Meals: breakfast, lunch)

Optional 1: Ta Van Village – Giang Ta Chai Village – Sapa

Breakfast at the homestay, then take the road to Giang Ta Chai village to see the Red Dzao people via a network of paths through terraces and bamboo forests. Visit a picturesque waterfall and a suspension bridge.

Enjoy a picnic lunch and cross the river to visit an H’mong village on the mountainside. Return to Sapa by jeep. Visit an ancient stone circle.

Optional 2: Cat Cat and Shin Chai village

Have breakfast at hotel. Trekking around 12 km to visit two villages of the Black H’mong (Catcat and SinChai). Enjoy a picnic lunch by a waterfall and see the hydroelectric power station established by the French.

 Return to Sapa by car.

Transfer to Lao Cai Station for the night train to Hanoi. You will sleep on soft sleeper with air conditioner.

 Day 8: Return Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, dinner)

Arrive to the train station in Ha Noi, pick up and transfer to a mini hotel for take a short rest and having breakfast.

7.45am – 8.15am: Pick up at your hotel in Ha Noi by bus. After that we leave Hanoi for a 3.5 hour to reach Halong Bay.

12.00 – 12.30: At Tuan Chau International Marina, a tender boat will take you to our Cruiser. A refreshing welcome drink is served and you can check into your cabin.

13.00: A delicious set menu lunch is served in the restaurant while you can enjoy the amazing scenery. Cruise amongst the hundreds of islands. You will pass by Duck and Thumb islets to go to Bright cave area – (the border between Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay)

14:45 : Stop at Luon cave for kayaking (A bamboo boat will be arranged for the elderly or people who cannot kayak) to visit the small cave and beautiful lagoons. Kayaking provides the opportunity to explore the beautiful lagoons and get closer to the island.

16:20 : Boat will take you to Titop Island for you to enjoy the beach and swimming, or you can climb up to the top to get an overview of a corner of the bay.

17.00: As the sun sets over the bay, we head back to our cruise and relax. Coffee, tea and fruits will be available on the sundeck or you can order your favorite drink while our boat cruises to the night’s anchorage area.

19.00: Dinner will be served with local seafood. After dinner you may choose to enjoy  drinks from the bar or top deck or experience squid fishing before retiring. Overnight on cruise.

 Day 9: Ha Long Bay – Ha Noi – Hue (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

7.00am – 7.45am: Enjoy the morning view of the beautiful landscape with a cup of coffee or tea. Have breakfast in the fresh air.

8.00am – 9.00am: You will visit the impressive Cave of Halong Bay – Surprising Cave (Sửng Sốt) with your tour guide, a truly awesome and amazing cave to experience.

10.00am: Check out of your cabin and begins cruising back to the harbor. Experience more views of Halong Bay such as Fighting Cocks Island (Symbol of Halong Bay), Incense Burner and Stone Dogs Islands.

10.30am: A cooking demonstration onboard shows you how to make authentic Vietnamese Spring rolls. You will learn about the recipes and techniques that create this popular dish of Vietnamese people.

11.00am: Lunch is served on board during cruising towards the harbor.

11.45am: Travel by tender boat back to Tuan Chau International Marina where you then board the bus for your return journey to Hanoi.

Transfer to Noi Bai airport for taking a flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

 Day 10: Hue city (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

Our guide pick up you at your hotel in city center and take you to the boat pier for making a dragon boat trip to visit Thien Mu pagoda, one of the oldest religious buildings in Hue and Vietnam. Next, you on on visiting Imperial Citadel where is the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty. Especially you will have chance to visit Hue Royal Antiques Museum – A collection of ornaments from the Nguyen dynasty. After that, stop to visit at Dong Ba  Market – most famous market in Hue to discover daily life and get more experience about local people here. Have lunch at the restaurant.

Afternoon is the time for exploration of Royal Mausoleum of Nguyen’s Kings. You have chance to visit two of six tombs still remain as original architecture. Khai Dinh tomb is a blend of Western and Eastern architecture while Minh Mang tomb is impressed by the majesty and symmetry of the architectural constructions. Stop on the way to see conical hats village and incense stick making village. Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.

 Day 11: Hue – Lang Co beach – Hoi An – Tra Que village (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

Today, we depart to Hoi An via Da Nang. Over Hai Van Pass – to enjoy the wonderful panorama from the top of the Pass. On the way, visit the Marble mountain, the Cham museum and Lang Co Beach.

Arrive in Tra Que Vegetable Village you can experience the living and working of local farmers at this organic vegetable and herb garden. Your learn how to prepare soil, grow vegetable, water to get fresh vegetables as you see at the garden from previous tourists.

You have 15 minutes foot massage by herb to fresh yourself. Overnight in Hoi  An.

 Day 12: A full day exploring Hoi An ancient town and My Son Holy Land (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

At 8.00am, pick up at your place in Hoi An and depart to My Son Holy land to learn more of Cham Pa culture and tower. Here is the chance for you to enjoy traditional music show. The driver takes you back Hoi An and make a boat trip along Thu Bon river to visit Thanh Ha ceramic village. You have chance to try to make a product under the guidance of workshop owner. The boat takes you back Hoi An ancient town.

Having lunch at a restaurant in Hoi An

This afternoon you will make a walking around old streets to discover the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town including Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Sa Huynh Museum, old houses and the local market… Hoi An is an ideal for shopping and making tailor with reasonable price. 

The tour ends at your place around 17.00

 Day 13: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnels (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

Take a morning flight to  Ho Chi Minh city. Meeting your tour guide and driver on arrival. Transfer to Cu Chi tunnels, an underground network of tunnels constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation, etc. and were used as a military base for the Vietcong during the American war.  Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

 Day 14: Ho Chi Minh city (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

At 08.30am, meeting our tour guide and driver at your hotel to start a full day sightseeing around Ho Chi Minh city.

Stopping at the 30 – 40 park, taking a walking tour to visit the Independence Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of the war in April 1975

Then seeing some of French colonial structures including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Central Post Office.

Continue your sightseeing to Jade Emperor Pagoda which was built in the first years of XX decades. At here, you can see many of Statues of wooden Deity that is always mentioned in Vietnamese’s tales stories.

Having lunch at Ngon Restaurant. A famous restaurant well – known with hundred tasty Vietnamese cuisines

After short rest, continue your tour to China town where most of residents are Chinese who have been stay at this area for years.

Visit colorful Binh Tay market where most of goods are wholesales. Wandering to outside the market, you will have chance to see many business streets that just sell a similar product throughout on a street.

Then return to the city center, visit War Remnants Museum. Here you can image the War in the past through the photos, helicopters, tanks…

The last place in our Ho Chi Minh city sightseeing is Ben Thanh market where anything and everything is for sale.

Return to your hotel. The tour ends at 16.00. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

 Day 15: Ho Chi Minh city – Mekong Delta – overnight in Can Tho (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

07.00am, pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city and depart for Vinh Long.  Stopping to take photos in Tien Giang town and overlooking the picturesque flat rice fields.

Arriving to Cai Be district, getting on motorized boat along Tien River, visit the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels.

Wandering into the small villages to visit the orchard and fruit plantation.

Cruising to Vinh Long through the small canals to explore the charms of the Mekong Delta. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy, rice paper, rice wine and crispy rice popcorn are made.

Arrive in An Binh village. Enjoy a lunch of fresh river food served in the heart of the garden.

Getting on hand –rowed sampan a long canals where you can immerse yourself in nature.

Return to the dock and proceed to Can Tho. After two hours driving, we arrive to Can Tho.

Leisure in the evening. Overnight in Can Tho.

Optional: Overnight at homestay in Can Tho (Meal: dinner)

Arrive to Can Tho city. Transfer to a village in Cai Rang district by motorize boat, you will meet a friendly local farmer’s house where you will stay the night at their house. In the late afternoon, wandering around the village to see orchard garden or chatting with local people to experience the rural lifestyle of the Mekong Delta resident. 

Having dinner with family and enjoy some of kind traditional local cuisines. Overnight at farmer’s house.

 Day 16: Cai Rang floating market – Tra Su sanctuary bird – Chau Doc (Meals: Breakfast, lunch)

Have breakfast at the hotel. At 06.30am, boarding on a motorized boat to Cai Rang floating market. In the way, you can see many bustling activities along Can Tho riverbanks. You have chance to know how local people go fishing and transport passengers as well as product by the waterway.

Approaching Cai Rang floating market, you can reappear the selling activities in the past by using a traditional “offering pole” for exchanging consumer goods.

The tourist will visit the local rice-noble factory and learn about the traditional method for producing the rice-noble.

To understand more about lifestyle over there, you keep going into some small creeks, you will fell the pure atmosphere and enjoy the Southern countryside.

Visiting Ba Cong garden where you can enjoy some special seasonal fruits.

9:45: Cruising back to Ninh Kieu Wharf.

Visit Can Tho market and Binh Thuy ancient house village.

Then proceed to Chau Doc and visit Tra Su sanctuary bird which is renowned for not only its almost-untouched natural beauty but also its sanctuary of flora and fauna. Take a boat trip into the forest, you will immediately feel like you are harmonizing with nature because of all of the impressive pictures of cajuputs, the fragrance of the flowers and the music-like noise of birds, insects and animals making people relaxed and comfortable. From the observation post, you can overlook the forest with an area of nearly 900 ha, home of many birds and animals, including some rare ones.

Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight in Chau Doc

 Day 17: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (Meal: Breakfast) 

After breakfast. At 07.15am, transfer to the ferry for boarding the speed boat to PhnomPenh.

Arrive in Phnom Penh around 12.30pm at the Sisowath tourist dock. You will be met by our local guide and driver transferred to your hotel. Then we start the city tour that includes the visit to the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, National Museum and Wat Phnom. Overnight in Phnom Penh

 Day 18:  Phnom Penh – Sieam Reap – Angkor Wat – Angkor temples (Meal: Breakfast)

The following destination of our trip will be Siem Reap via a short morning flight from Phnom Penh.

 Upon arrival to Siem Reap, we set off on a short drive to the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Day 19:  A full day exploring Angkor Complex (Meal: Breakfast)

Today, we continue exploring the wondrous Angkor Complex with the jungle covered temple of Ta Prohm.

We visit this masterpiece and some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologists’ division.

We see various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon and Pre Rup.

We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. Overnight in Siem Reap.

 Day 20:  Cruising Tonle Sap Lake – departure (Meal: Breakfast)

We visit the famous Tonle Sap Lake on a boat trip out. The traditional boat navigates along a small river towards the gigantesque lake, giving us a chance to explore floating village, local life style, friendly children in small boats and fishermen pulling in morning.

Transfer to the airport in Siem Reap. End service.

Tour price includes: 

• Air conditioned transport transfer & sightseeing as per program
• Domestic flight : Luang Prabang – Vientiane
• International flight Vientiane – Ha Noi
• Train ticket: Ha Noi – Lao Cai – Ha Noi
• Domestic flights: Ha Noi – Hue  & Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh
• Express boat ticket: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
• Domestic flight: Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
• English speaking tour guide
• Cruise for sightseeing in Ha Long Bay
• Boat trip for sightseeing in Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta, Tonle Sap Lake,
• Hand – rowed sampan in Mekong Delta
• All entrance fees
• Meals as indicated in the tour program
• One night on cruise in Ha Long Bay
• Nice and clean hotel accommodation base on two people share a room
• Nice and safe accommodation for homestay optional in Mekong Delta

Tour price excludes:

International flight to Laos and from Cambodia

• Visa for Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Option, additional, person activates during free time.
• Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program
• Excess luggage charges

Booking