Trails of Indochina (Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam) At a Glance

8:00 AM: Pick up and welcome at your hotel by Our guide, then drive to the Angkor temple complex.

In the morning, visit the antique capital of Angkor Thom (12th century): See the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk), Bayon temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara), the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and Ta Prohm. The latter is a beautiful jungle temple that has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery.

In the afternoon, 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. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. Your tour ends with a transfer back to your hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

You have a free day in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Today we will fly to Luang Prabang.

Check out the hotel driver will transfer you to the airport to catch a flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, the driver is ready to transfer you back hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Wake up early gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hillfor a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas. 

We then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. You can also see up close Asiatic bears at theBear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where you will have a short tour so you get information about Silk, about weaver, about the Women that work in the Centre.

Then transfer back to your hotel. Tour end

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

In this morning tour, we will visit these places:

1. Café Trứng (Egg Coffee) at Café Giảng on Yen Phu St.

It sounds a bit weird but the taste is amazing. Even if you are not a coffee-lover, it is still worth trying this creative mixing of coffee by Vietnamese people. While you enjoy your drink, we will talk about the day’s itinerary and destinations.

2. Long Bien Bridge/ Chuong Duong Bridge

Long Bien Bridge was the longest bridge in Asia when it was built from 1899 to 1902. Known as the oldest bridge in Hanoi that is still living and sharing the daily life with Hanoians silently. At this stop, while you can take some time to enjoy the view and take pictures, our tour guide will also introduce the history of the bridge as well as details about the life of locals from 2 sides of it.

After that, we will pass through the famous Chuong Duong Bridge - the four-lane, steel span bridge’s claim to fame is that it was the first sizeable bridge designed and built by Vietnamese workers, with no international assistance.

3. Nha Hat Lon (Hanoi Opera House)

Hanoi Opera House is a project built by the French government in the early years of the 20th century. While you’re enjoying the very famous Trang Tien’s Ice cream, we’ll tell you all about its unique structure with the outstanding values in terms of history, culture, architecture and art.

4. Ho Guom (Hoàn Kiếm Lake)

Located in the centre of Hanoi‘s historic district, Hoan Kiem Lake is a lovely, peaceful place with a fascinating history. In 1428, legend has it that Emperor Le Loi obtained a magical sword from the Dragon King to fight against Chinese oppressors. At this stop, we will have a chance to see “Ly Thai To Monument”. This is a cultural and architectural work which aims to honour King Ly Thai

To (974 – 1028). He is the first king who found Capital Citadel of Thang Long (Hanoi today).

5. Nha Tho Lon (St. Joseph's Cathedral)

Next stop, Saint Joseph Cathedral, located at 40 Nha Chung street, Hanoi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral with neo- gothic style, which was built about 120 years ago. Construction began in 1886, with the architectural style described as resembling Notre Dame de Paris. The church was one of the first structures built by the French colonial government in Indochina when it opened in December 1886.

6. Hoa Lo Prison

Hỏa Lò Prison was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. prisoners of war during the Vietnam War. The French called it Maison Central, a generic name for a colonial prison. Whatever its name, the notorious prison housed a century of torture within its walls.

7. Ho Tay (West Lake)

West Lake is known as Hanoi’s largest freshwater lake. It’s a huge body of water – it has a circumference of 17km – and there are plenty of historic places of interest, five-star hotels, stylish restaurants, cafes, and nightlife venues that are worth exploring along the shoreline.

The West Lake is bordered by several significant pagodas. Vietnam’s oldest pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda, was built in the 6th century and is located on an island in the middle of the West Lake.

8. Huu Tiep Lake and The B52

We will then have a quick visit to the B52 plane crash site. This is a remarkable victory of Vietnam soldiers during the Vietnam war. You will also get to visit a local market nearby to see daily activities of the Hanoians.

9. Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh, the most iconic and popular leader of Vietnam, known to his people as ‘Uncle Ho’. His body is preserved here in a glass case at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in central Hanoi. While you can take some time to see the attraction from outside and take pictures, our tour guide will fill you in with more stories about our Uncle Ho & the historical information.

10. Lunch at Old Street

The last stop to enjoy some delicious local Vietnamese food after a whole trip. After that, our driver will drop you off at your hotel in the old quarter.

Note: The above itinerary is subject to change, based on the day’s weather and traffic conditions.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

07:15 - 07:45 Pick up from hotels in Hanoi Old Quarter and head to Ninh Binh with comfortable A/C car Have a short break time and relax at a stopping point in Dong Van – Ha Nam province. Enjoy the fresh air at the middle of the giant rice fields.

Arrive in Tam Coc. Start our full day excursion by a small boat rowing by a local for about 2 hours. The reason Tam Coc is called Halong Bay on land is because this area consists of many limestone mountains with many different shape. Cruising through Ngo Dong river, you will have chance to take a lot of beautiful pictures with peaceful scenery of mountains, rice fields and temples all along the way. If you go on harvest season, you will have chance to see the golden rice carpet along the river banks.

After a wonderful adventure, you will head back to the main land to have lunch prepared by Vietnamese professional chef. The delicious cuisines are made from traditional, organic ingredients, obey strictly the Yin Yang balance of Asian culture. After lunch, you will have free time to do some optional activities like fishing, visiting local people, etc. (Depend on the itinerary on that day) Have free time to hop on a bicycle and go around beautiful villages, enjoy fresh air in the rural area and discover huge limestone mountains, etc.

Arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital – The ancient capital city of Vietnam one thousands year ago. With the guide’s description, you will understand more about Vietnamese history which is not popular to the world but still very interesting and worth knowing. Leave Ninh Binh and go back to Hanoi. Drop you off at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Halong Bay is listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage and voted as a Wonder of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation. You will have a night staying in this world-famous bay.

After breakfast in Hanoi, depart the capital for the 3hr 30mins drive to Halong Bay. Arrive in Halong City’s jetty (around noon) and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome onboard, lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some sightseeing, onboard activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on the vessel. 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

Accommodation: Overnight cruise in Halong Bay

Early risers can enjoy a memorable sunrise over the karst formations of Halong Bay. Breakfast will be served shortly thereafter.

Enjoy breakfast (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruise slowly through the magnificent rock formations back towards port. Arriving at the harbour, you will be picked up for transferring back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Relish the healthy breakfast on the last day of your journey. Have a leisure time or go shopping for souvenirs at local markets before transferring to the airport for your onward flight. 

Have a safe journey!