In-Depth Tour of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Ho Chi Minh City

  Hello and welcome! On arrival at Ho Chi Minh City in the enchanting nation of Vietnam, you will be met at the airport and then transferred to your hotel. Have a good rest! Our journey begins tomorrow.

  Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City

  To start the day, take a stroll to the Chinese-style Thien Hau Temple and the Binh Tay Market in Chinatown, before exploring some notable city landmarks - the War Remnants Museum, the Reunification Palace (the former Presidential Palace), Tan Dinh Church, the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the Continental Hotels, the Opera House and the City Hall.

  B L Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City

  This morning, set out for the remarkable Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex tunnel network which dates back to the Vietnam War period. After that, proceed to the colorful Cao Dai Temple of Caodaism, and watch the noon ceremony there. Built in 1933, the temple features a unique architectural style, immersed in tradition. Then the rest of the day is free for you at your leisure.

  B L Ho Chi Minh City

• Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Can Tho

  Today, take a boat trip into the Mekong Delta to My Tho on the Tien River. En route, you will encounter My Tho Fish Market and Four Islands. After that, continue to Mr. Muoi Hai's House by cart and taste authentic honey tea there. Then proceed to a sampan wooden boat cruise on the mighty Mekong River and finally arrive at Can Tho. Once you arrive, you can check in at the hotel and take a rest.

  B L Can Tho

• Day 5: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh

  In the morning, you will cruise along the famous Mekong River into the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market, which offers various fruits and vegetables; you can also visit the lush orchards and taste the delicious tropical fruits there, which are highly recommended! In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City for the flight to Phnom Penh. Once you arrive, check in at the hotel and take a rest or have a stroll around at your leisure.

  B L Phnom Penh

• Day 6: Phnom Penh

  The highlights of your day in the Cambodian capital consist of the majestic Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda in Siamese style, the National Museum, which is renowned for its great archaeological value, and Wat Phnom which is the oldest shrine of the city. In the afternoon, take an insight into the country's dark recent history at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the notorious Killing Fields of Choeung EK. These two somber places remind visitors of the darkest time in Cambodia's history during the 1970s when the Khmer Rouge Regime was in control of the country.

  B L Phnom Penh

• Day 7: Phnom Penh - Kampong Thom - Siem Reap

  In the morning, leave for Kampong Thom on a two-hour drive and stop off at the central Skun district, dropping by a local village on the way if you are brave enough to taste the famous fried spiders! In the afternoon, proceed to Kuhear Nokor Temple, the pre-Angkorian temple complex of Sambor Prei Kuk, and the ancient stone bridge of Spean Kompong Kdei (Dragon Bridge). Once you arrive at Siem Reap, you can check in to your hotel and have a rest.

  B L Siem Reap

• Day 8: Siem Reap

  This morning, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom where you will see the Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace, and the Leper King Terrace. This will be followed by an afternoon trip to the spectacular Angkor Wat complex where the five domineering towers represent the five peaks of Mount Meru, home of the gods and sacred core of the Hindu universe. After that, enjoy the radiant setting sun at the top of the Bakheng Temple. In the evening, watch a traditional Apsara Dinner Show at Angkor Village.

  B L D Siem Reap

• Day 9: Siem Reap

  In the early morning, it is highly recommended to go to Angkor Wat to watch the breathtaking sunrise and enjoy chatting with the amicable monks and nuns at a pagoda. After breakfast, proceed through the tranquil countryside to the pink sandstone Banteay Srei Temple, the "jewel of Khmer art". In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm Temple where you can see the temple stones and the lush forest vegetation intertwine, and the Ta Keo Temple, which has five sanctuary towers arranged in a quincunx built entirely of sandstone by the Khmer civilization.

  B L Siem Reap

• Day 10: Siem Reap - Luang Prabang

  In the morning, enjoy a long-tail boat trip on the beautiful Tonle Sap Lake and take a glimpse of Kompong Phluk, a small village lying by the lake. Along the way, you will see the remarkable high stilt houses and the people living in them. In the afternoon, check out from the hotel and fly to Luang Prabang in neighboring Laos.

  B L Luang Prabang

• Day 11: Luang Prabang

  Get up early and watch the traditional morning alms-giving ritual in which monks walk across the city barefoot and collect alms. After that, proceed to the Morning Market and come back to the hotel to have breakfast. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Then you can enjoy the sunset at the summit of Mount Phousi and take a stroll at Phousi Night Market.

  B L Luang Prabang

• Day 12: Luang Prabang

  Today, take a cruise on the marvelous Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave which encompass hundreds of centuries-old Buddha relics. Then, proceed to Ban Xang Hai, famous for its rice wine, and Ban Xang Khong, a village known for making and selling silk and Saa Paper products known for generations.

  B L Luang Prabang

• Day 13: Luang Prabang

  This morning, take a closer look at the majestic Asian elephants at the Elephant Village (Join-in Tour). You can feed elephants, visit its elephant hospital, museum, gallery as well as dung paper making facility. After that, ride a traditional Lao long boat to the Tad Sae Waterfall for relaxing and swimming.

  After lunch, transfer back to your hotel and take the afternoon at leisure.

  B L Luang Prabang

• Day 14: Luang Prabang - Hanoi

  After breakfast, head to the famous Kuang Si Waterfalls, a picturesque and tranquil place that is perfect to swim in. You can also take some time to walk along the nearby forest trails. Enjoy lunch and then fly to Hanoi. Once you arrived, you will be transferred to your hotel by your tour guide. Have a rest at the hotel after check-in or you can explore the surroundings at your leisure.

  B L Hanoi

• Day 15: Hanoi

  After breakfast, visit the famous Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), the Presidential Palace, the remarkable Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. Spend the afternoon touring the Museum of Ethnology, before going on a rickshaw ride on the streets of the Old Quarter. After that, head to the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and watch the spectacular Water Puppet Show.

  B L Hanoi

• Day 16: Hanoi - Halong Bay

  Today, cruise through beautiful Halong Bay and check out its 450-meter-long Surprise Cave, the most charming in the area, among the tropical karst islands that are scattered around the bay. Allowing for good weather, you can also engage in activities such as kayaking, swimming, diving, etc.

  B L D Halong Bay

• Day 17: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue

  In the early morning, attend a Tai Chi class on the sundeck. Then continue the relaxing cruise up to lunch time. After the cruise, your guide and driver will wait for you at the pier and you will take the 4-hour drive back to Hanoi where you will then take the flight departing at nightfall to Hue, the Imperial City. Once you arrive, check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure.

  B Hue

• Day 18: Hue

  Today, you will visit the amazing Minh Mang Tomb and then get on a boat on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda which is the best-preserved religious monument in Hue. After that, visit the UNESCO listed Imperial Citadel where you can enjoy the beautiful architecture and gardens, and the Forbidden Purple City. At the end of the day, take a walk around Dong Ba Market.

  B L Hue

• Day 19: Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An

  In the morning, you will depart for the city of Hoi An. Tour the spectacular Hai Van Pass, and enjoy an amazing panoramic view at the top of the Pass. Visit the pristine Non Nuoc Beach and the unique Cham Museum in Da Nang before heading to the Marble Mountain. Once you arrive at Hoi An, you can check in to the hotel and the rest of the day is free for you to relax.

  B L Hoi An

• Day 20: Hoi An

  Tour the historic city of Hoi An, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its past by walking down the curious history-steeped lanes and alleys. Appreciate the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and the old Vietnamese merchants' house. In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the Hoai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village which is renowned for its many beautiful miniature clay buildings.

  B L Hoi An

• Day 21: Hoi An - Da Nang - Ho Chi Minh City, Departure

  In the morning, depart to Da Nang airport and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, where you can then board your return flight.

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