18 Days Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Highlights Tour

Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi!

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour

Meals: B

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick up at your hotel, start the tour to beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. This Pagoda is full of amazing Buddhist symbolism that visitors can learn more about.

Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived on and off from 1958 to 1969.

The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leave the pagoda for the Temple of Literature, which is the first college of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you need to choose one of the city’s museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive back to admire Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple before taking cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore in Hanoi.

Optional:
Later afternoon, you can watch a Water puppet show for one hour. It is a unique traditional performance of Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 Full Day Halong Bay Cruise

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Around noon, your Halong Bay Cruise starts from Tuan Chau Island, the gateway of Halong Bay.

In the afternoon, explore the treasures spread across the Halong Bay, covering some stunning caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water.

While onboard, you can enjoy the services of Spa and Massage. Another highlight of the cruise is the innovative and varied cuisine offered in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages. You can watch the chef's cooking demonstration and try to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Overnight in Halong Bay Cruise.

Day 4 Return to Hanoi | Flight to Luang Prabang

Flight: International flight include and arranged by Indochina Tour

Meals: B

Wake up to experience Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and then continue cruising the beautiful Halong Bay. The breakfast buffet will be served in the dining room. After a visit to a limestone grotto, you will then disembark the cruise in Halong City around noon.

Later, your guide will transfer you to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to hotel in Luang Prabang for check in.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 5 Boat Trip to Pak Ou Caves | Kuang Si Waterfall

Meals: B

Your memorable trip will start from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accept the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then, visit the Royal Palace Museum to learn some history of Laos. Continue to you will embark on a private boat for a 2 hours boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. During the boat trip, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River and see the daily fishing life of local people in the riverside.

Then, go to visit the Pak Ou Cave which locates by the Mekong River. Here, you will discover a number of gold lacquered Buddha statues in the cave.

After that, you can have an excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 6 Luang Prabang City Tour | Flight to Siem Reap

Flight: International flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement

Meal: B

Your full day city tour begins after breakfast, you will visit the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts; See the city's oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground and representing classical Laotian architecture; Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the afternoon, head to visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Later, return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Finally climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

In the end, transfer to airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at airport and escort to hotel for check in.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 7 Angkor Thom Ancient Capital Day Tour

Meals: B

After breakfast, begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, visit the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure is hidden under a canopy will leave you feeling as if you’d stepped into an adventure movie set.

Then, visit Banteay Kdei ("Citadel of Chambers”). Continue on to the Victory Gate, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, and Baphuon and Bayon. Bayon sets itself apart with its almost 200 smiling faces, sure to make you feel welcomed on your second day to the Kingdom of Wonders. With its winding tunnels, chambers, and daring climbs, Bayon offers many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

In the late afternoon, you may enjoy an amazing sunset view from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8 Visit Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei

Meals: B

Today, you will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. Entering Angkor Wat and to view its amazing architecture and history. Angkor Wat possesses some of the longest and most intricate stone carvings. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. You are able to spend the morning exploring through the many chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world.

In the afternoon, continue on to the remote temple of Banteay Srei: set deep in the jungle. The Citadel of Women, Banteay Srei was carved from red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to elaborate decorative wall carvings, which are well preserved to this day. The buildings themselves are miniature in scale in comparison to the other colossal temples around Siem Reap, unusually so when measured by the standards of Angkorian construction. This temple is considered the jewel of Khmer art.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 9 Tonle Sap Lake, Kompong Phluk | Flight to Phnom Penh

Flight: Domestic flight include and arranged by Indochina Tour

Meals: B

In the morning, a half day excursion to the biggest Southeast Asia’s largest fresh water lake - Tonle Sap Lake. You’ll take a boat trip to enjoy the beautiful lake views and mangrove forests. Spend rest of the morning at Kompong Phluk, the largest village on the lake, to discover the fascinating daily lifestyle of the local people who live on the water.

Take a short rest until transfer to airport for flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort you to hotel for check in.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 10 Phnom Penh City Tour

Meals: B

Start the day with a Tuk-tuk ride to visit the Silver Pagoda which is decorated with about 5000 silver tiles on the floor and the Royal Palace where the Khmer royal family lives. After that, tour the National Museum where you can see a large collection of Khmer history, arts and architecture.

In the afternoon, head straight to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum to delve into the sad past of Khmer people. Accompanied by the knowledgeable guide, you will see the exhibitions in the museum and then pay a visit to Choueng Ek Memorial, a pagoda constructed out of over 8000 human skulls excavated from the Killing Fields.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 11 Flight to Saigon | Visit Cu Chi Tunnels

Flight: International flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement

Meals: B

This morning you will transfer to airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and escort to your hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, you will be escorted to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12 Full Day Saigon Highlights Tour

Meals: B

Today, you will see the highlights of Saigon and learn the history of these iconic landmarks.

Start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, discover its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia.

Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main attractions in the city. Visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam’s President during the war.

The next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market.

Finish today's journey with a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise Pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Saigon's finest.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13 Drive to Vinh Long and Can Tho

Meals: B / L

In the morning, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer about 136km to Vinh Long, a riverside town located in the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise to the Cai Be floating market with sellers and buyers bargaining and exchanging goods from their boats, and then go to Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet where the maze o shady creeks will surely fascinate you. You will have a chance to mingle with local peasants, learn the secrets of their bonsai gardening. You will pay a visit to local homes where the families produce tiles and ceramics, drop into rice-paper kiln and coconut-candy kiln, and observe daily country life.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Can Tho and check-in hotel. In the evening, wandering around the night market will be recommended for you.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 14 Half Day Can Tho | Drive Back to Saigon

Meals: B

Rise early in the morning for breakfast at your hotel where your private guide and driver will meet you to escort you to the pier of Can Tho for an adventure on the river. Your motorboat and captain will greet you and help you onboard. You'll be taken to the largest floating market in Can Tho where local farmers bring their bulk products for sale.

After that, you'll drive back to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 15 Flight to Danang

Meals: B

Today, you will take the flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at airport and escort to the hotel at Hoi An for check in.

The rest of the day is free at your own leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 16 Full Day My Son Heritage, Hoi An Ancient Town

Meals: B

In the morning, travel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lies the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden for living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Enter the temples to hear all about the history and stories of the Cham people and this holy site.

In the afternoon, continue on to the Ancient Capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th-century port town in its preserved state. The town is a perfect mixture of ancient architecture, houses, and temples as well as modern western restaurants and cafes. The historic sites you will visit are the Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses.

Later, take a boat trip along the Huai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village and see how local people work on their crafts. In the evening, the town became so romantic when the lights come on and you see colorful lanterns everywhere especially the flower lanterns floating on the river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 17 Relaxing on the Beach at Hoi An

Meals: B

Today, you'll have a day at leisure to enjoy Hoi An Beach, you can relax in the sunshine and sunbathe on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 18 Farewell from Da Nang

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, you can enjoy your free time to explore this city until transfer to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service End.