Splendors and Richness of Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia in 22 days

From Hanoi, travel to the Trang An – a UNESCO World Heritage site of both cultural and natural significance.

• Visit Hoa Lu, the site of the country’s first capital, which covered almost three sq km.
• Board a sampan and navigate Trang An River where limestone towers rise above rice fields.
• Bike towards Bich Dong Pagoda where you may access the pagoda by climbing the stairs carved into rock walls.
• If timing allows, continue biking through the countryside to the Thai Vi temple in Tam Coc.
• Acquaint yourself with your homestay host and settle yourself into their daily routine.

Highlight experience:Overnight in a homestay in Tam Coc

Transfer to the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site, Halong Bay.

• Your cruise will navigate to Bai Tu Long Bay, a well-selected route away from the main tourist circuit. Get ready to experience the bay’s treasures and enjoy your time away from the crowd on a traditional wooden boat.
• Adventure within the fantastically formed Thien Canh Son Cave and be fascinated by the formations of the bay.
• Participate in kayaking, swimming or relax on the white sand beach of Hon Co Island.
• Taste skillfully prepared local seafood and settle into your cabin while the boat anchors for the night.

Highlight experience: Escape the crowd and relax in the Bai Tu Long Bay

For the final day in the bay, you will adventure through activities that will stick to your memories:

• Delight in breakfast with an astonishingly enchanting view under the morning sun
• Help the local people replace the soft float by plastic float to protect the environment in Halong Bay
• Visit the Vung Vieng fishing and pearl farm via a rustic row-boat
• Dive and dip into the refreshing bay
• Indulge in lunch and appreciate the local ingredients used to craft the dish
• Return to the port in the early afternoon to travel back to Hanoi

Highlight experience: Breakfast in breathtaking surroundings

Begin the journey by unraveling Vietnamese culture, history, and religion in the capital of Vietnam with Hanoi’s highlights:

• Ho Chi Minh complex which includes the mausoleum for the nation’s hero-Ho Chi Minh, his modest former residence, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda
• The Temple of Literature, a fine example of traditional Vietnamese architecture founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong, and dedicated to Confucius to honor literary scholars. Vietnam’s first university was also established here in 1076
• The museum of your choice either the National Fine Arts Museum, the Ethnology Museum, or the Vietnamese Women Museum
• A ride of exploration through the lively ‘Old Quarter’ (over 1000 years old) by traditional cyclo

Settle into an evening flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide at the airport and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Highlight experience: Food tour in the Old Quarter
 

Uncover the ancient religious capital of Laos, and be surprised by its serenity and spirituality by tuk tuk:

• Experience unforgettable moments by attending the procession of barefoot monks, who silently collect alms, dressed in their saffron robes, as they walk the streets of the city to collect their food
• Marvel at the Wat Xieng Thong, is the center of a small religious complex, considered the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang because of its elegant roof down to the bunk ground  and the temple of Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, it houses numerous gold statues of Buddha
• Meander through the That Makmo, stone stupa and Vat Aham, a major shrines in the city dedicated to the ancestors of Laos
• Explore the National Museum (former Royal Palace) which displays a collection of personal artifacts of the royal family and the temple of Wat Mai, Buddhist temple, the largest and most richly decorated temples of Luang Prabang was the residence of a Buddhist patriarch before 1975
• Stroll into the market before Darat to climb Mount Phousi where you will discover a panoramic view of the ancient royal capital and the Mekong River at sunset
• Attend an outstanding Baci ceremony and traditional dance show
  

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

Highlight experience: Discover Wat Xieng Thong

Explore a lively riverside scenery, set on the banks of the Mekong River on boarding a traditional wooden boat.

• Visit two sacred caves of Pak Ou Cave of Tham Ting Cave Tham Phoum. Highly venerated caves in Laos and housing thousands of statues. The caves offer a magnificent view over the Mekong, which in this place mixes its waters with those dark, transparent Nam Ou river
• Visit villages that produce silk products on traditional looms and the village Ban Xang Hai where Lao-lao being distilled

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Highlight experience: Getting the silk village in Laos

Departure to the beautiful waterfall Khuang Sy to discover stunning nature and meet ethnic people in their traditional house made of bamboo, wood and palm leaves:

• En route, visit minority villages such as H’mong village of Ban Thinkeo and Khmu village of Ban Thapaene.
  Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong where traditional product also called Saa paper made from mulberry leaves.
• Swim in a natural pools nested in the lush tropical vegetation at Khuang Sy waterfall
• See Ock Pop Tok Textile and meet the owner, he will explain his Cooperation in projects with small villages with regard to the rearing of silkworms, the silk production, weaving, dyes. Laos silk: SILK WILD 100% scale

Highlight experience:Overnight in Luang Prabang

• Enjoy free time to stroll street of the ancient town.
• Settle into an evening flight from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide at the airport and be transferred to your arranged accommodation.
• Overnight in Siem Reap

Highlight experience: Free time on both countries

An early start as we head to the hill of Phnom Bakheng to see the sunrise. Later, arriving in Angkor Wat, you’ll rove among the ruins of the world’s most famous Hindu temple complex.

• Visit the three-tiered Baphuon (a temple in honour of another Hindu deity, Shiva) with its spectacular layered structure.
• See the Terrace of the Leper King with its beautiful carvings of gods, nagas, and dancers.
• Marvel at the Royal Enclosure and its small temple, Phimeanakas. These ruins are particularly significant as they date from the 10th century
• Attend either an outstanding Apsara dance show or an old-style leather puppet show

Overnight in Siem Reap

Highlight experience: Explore the ancient temples of Angkor Wat

Drive an hour away from Angkor Wat, uncovering restored temples.

• Be dazzled by Banteay Srei, a Hindu temple dating back to the 10th century. Called “the citadel of women”, its stone has a marvellous pink hue and is very well preserved.
• Come face to face with the meticulously restored enclosed temple of Banteay Samre, complete with carvings of lions and nagas.

Later, we head to meet the Roluos Group, with its three main temples, dedicated to Shiva.

• Visualise the first Angkorian capital city, by gazing at the remains of Bakong Temple, which was the city’s focal point for worship and rituals.
• Prepare to be dumbfounded by incredibly intricate sandstone carvings at Temple Lolei.
• Witness the beginnings of Khmer architecture in the 9th century temple of Preah Ko.

Overnight in Siem Reap

Highlight experience: Learn about Buddhist and Hindu culture and the Rolous group

Finding yourself surrounded by a completely aquatic landscape, see how everyday life is transformed by its proximity to, and dependence on water.

• Cruise past floating villages and note the bamboo houses on stilts, specially designed to avoid flooding.
• Try your hand at fishing using local techniques!
• Witness the production of fine Cambodian silk, from silkworm to finished product!
• Learn about traditional Khmer handicrafts at Chantiers Ecoles, a vocational training centre for young people.
• Stroll through the old market in Siem Reap, then enjoy a relaxing Khmer massage.

Settle into an evening flight from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to your arranged accommodation

Highlight experience: Cambodian cultural exchange experiences

• Enter a world of visual wonder, starting with the National Museum of Fine Arts’ sculpture collection, before heading to the resplendent Royal Palace, admiring its striking Khmer architecture. Then, take a moment to survey the serene Silver Pagoda and its magnificent Emerald Buddha.
• Next, meander through the Central Market, famous for its Art Deco architecture. Later, explore Wat Phnom, the oldest of temple the city, and see the statue of Madam Penh, the capital’s name sake.

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Highlight experience: Make the most of your first full day in the country and view some of the city’s most fascinating sites.

Welcome the day and the opportunity to adventure the capital of Cambodia for another day:

• Visit the Museum of Genocidal Crime which was first a high school, then a prison under the Khmer Rouge reign, and now a museum to commemorate the thousands of people lost during the regime
• Visit the Choeng Ek Killing Field where thousands of Cambodian people were murdered by the brutal Khmer Rouge

After the morning tour, leave for Vietnam by boat where border customs requirements will be required while on board and cruise for approximately 4 hrs.

When the boat docks at Chau Doc a Hanoi Voyages guide will be there to meet and help you with your transfer to your accommodation.

Overnight in Chau Doc

Highlight experience: Learn about Cambodia’s brutal history

• Upon awaking in the mountain morning fresh air, begin to explore the surrounding regions.
• Sam Mountain is a famous place of pilgrimage for the Vietnamese and is home to many temples under the influence of Chinese, Cham, and Khmer cultures.
• Embark on a jungle journey through the Tra Su Cajuput Forest via a sampan cruising among vibrantly green water.
• Journey to Can Tho to wander around the buzzing city.

Overnight in Can Tho

Highlight experience: Discover Mekong Delta regions

• Board a local sampan and travel on the water for a visit to the colorful and vibrant Cai Rang floating market and Ba Cong fruit orchard
• Visit the 100 year old Binh Thuy Ancient House to appreciate the historic workmanship and architecture
• Admire the lush vegetation and active life of the local people along the riverbanks
• Close the Mekong Delta trip by wandering Can Tho’s bright market
• On the return journey to Saigon visit either the Vinh Trang Pagoda or Cao Dai Temple

Overnight in Saigon

Highlight experience:Wake up in Can Tho, the largest town and trading center in the Mekong Delta, and retreat to the hidden tributaries brimming with discoveries:

• Saigon (currently Ho Chi Minh city) varies from the rest of Vietnam due to its modern flair. Various cultures mesh together to create a colorful city with foreign influences.
• Built by the Cantonese congregation, Thien Hau Temple and the Binh Tay Market both reside in the Cholon district, which is presently the largest community of Chinese
• The War Remnants Museum houses a history of locals’ perspectives of the American/Vietnam War
• The old Presidential Palace is where victory was declared after years of fighting and is preserved as found with vehicles still in the garages
• The Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Saigon Post Office are both magnificent displays of French architecture
• Witness the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, and scramble through part of an unbelievably complex system of tunnels built by the Vietnamese resistance fighters

Overnight in Saigon

Highlight experience: Explore Saigon’s bustling city life and historical buildings

Settle into a morning flight from Saigon to Hue. Arrive and be welcomed by our guide and be transferred to the city center to discover Vietnam’s former capital, built by the Nguyen Dynasty.

The cultural and geographical center of Vietnam, Hue has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the ancient relics, historical monuments, and fine continuation of imperial traditions.

• Stroll through the Imperial Citadel, and imagine the brilliance of bygone days.
• Visit Thanh Tien village – a village that has been crafting paper flowers for 400 years.
• Experience a conical hat and incense-making village, a real microcosm of Vietnam as a whole!
• Peer into the magnificent mausoleum of Khai Dinh, the final emperor’s resting place.
• Admire the graceful garden-style homes at An Hien.

Overnight in Hue

Highlight experience: Visit Hue Imperial Citadel and learn about Vietnam’s history

After breakfast, a transfer from your hotel to Toa Kham wharf for a cruise on the legendary Perfume River.

• Buy fresh ingredients for the cooking class at Dong Ba in the packed open-air market.
• Embark on a traditional dragon boat heading for Thien Mu pagoda – the symbol of Hue city.

Continue cruising the picturesque Perfume River, surrounded by rural scenery, before reaching Thuy Bieu Village:

• Go for an adventurous amble or bicycle ride to visit the garden-house styled homes, ancestral temple, and the village
• Prepare traditional Hue cuisine carefully with the chef and tuck into your “achievement” afterward
• Relax by dipping your feet in medicinal herb water – a traditional therapeutic practice – and unwind with an excellent massage by a visually-impaired masseuse

Overnight in Hue

Highlight experience: Cooking Hue’s delicious traditional cuisine

Take a drive to Hoian via the Hai Van Pass, known as “the pass in the clouds”, which offers spectacular views. Take in the “living museum” that is the riverside port town of Hoian – a UNESCO World Heritage site in its entirety:

• Stroll through the delightful trading port and see the remaining centuries-old buildings in Hoian.

• Scuttle down Hoian’s narrow alleys, passing charming homes with wooden balconies, fascinating architectural features, beautiful temples, and the famous covered Japanese Bridge.

• Visit a lantern factory where you can try your hand at making your own lanterns!

• Discover the historic port area of the city, lit up at dusk by hundreds of beautifully colored lanterns that create spectacular photo opportunities.

Overnight in Hoian

Highlight experience: Explore Hoian Ancient Town’s beautiful architecture and authentic vibe

• Enjoy free time to wander the Hoian ancient town or leisurely lounge on the An Bang beach

• Overnight in Hoian

• Enjoy free time to wander the Hoian ancient town or leisurely lounge on the An Bang beach

• Relaxed and rejuvenated, you will fly to Hanoi for your departure flight