19 Days Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Heritage Tour

ITINERARY

Day 1: Saigon | Welcome to Indochina!

International Flight:On your own arrangement or request a quote from our travel specialist. 

Meals: Dinner

Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to hotel and will assist with check in. He will give you a short tour briefing in the lobby to start your Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos tour and then you will have some leisure time.

Note: Feel free to let our guides know any of your questions, if you need assistance exchanging currency, or need help finding something. Our team is happy to assist in any way we can.

A unique dinner experience in Bonsai Cruise is the perfect way to soak up the activity of the Saigon River. Transfer to Saigon pier to take a 2-hour cruise on a traditional junk and enjoy a delightful evening dinner. You will be greeted by the captain and crew once you board the junk. Relax on the upper deck and enjoy the panoramic view of the city lights. Enjoy several traditional dishes they prepare, including rice flour pancakes Banh Xeo or pork pineapple skewers made on the BBQ grill for dinner. Performers will make you feel welcomed to Vietnam with a live traditional music show and dance during the meal.

Accommodation: Overnight in Saigon City

Day 2: Saigon | Mekong Delta Discovery: My Tho Island

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life.

You’ll transfer to the remote My Tho. The burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside.  First, you’ll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda which is decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens packed with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs.

Next, you’ll take a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations, and fishing villages.

After lunch, you’ll visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island.

Then enjoy seasonal fruit, honey tea, and delicious coconut candies all to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by locals. After the tour is finished, you’ll return to Saigon. The evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Overnight in Saigon City

Day 3: Saigon – Hue | Saigon Highlights | Fly to Hue

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, you will start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. The cathedral was constructed by French colonists during their settlement. Across the road, you will visit the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main tourist attractions in Saigon. Your 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. To finish the tour you’ll visit 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. Once the tour is completed, you’ll be escorted to your hotel.

Afternoon board a flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to hotel for check in. The evening is at your leisure.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hue

Day 4: Hue | Hue Imperial Citadel

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

Start the morning with a boat ride on the Perfume River, famed for its natural scenery and numerous flowers that cover its shores. Along the river, you’ll see Vietnamese daily life up close. Meanwhile, your boat will take you to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Then you’ll visit Tu Doc, a compound with the private royal residence and a tomb which also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Notably, archaeologists have attempted to find his body and vast treasures. Because the legends have held these are contained with it. However, these attempts have failed as the body was buried in an inconspicuous place in the large compound unknown to this day. You’ll then continue on to see the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern tomb with ornate decorations inside.

Your ventures will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant.

In the afternoon, you’ll press on to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You’ll be able to view it’s vast gardens and structure relics. Then you’ll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you’ll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Continue further inside and you’ll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off limits to the commoners and only could be entered by the highest officials in Vietnamese government and royalty.

Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you’ll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market so you can see local fruits and produce for sale.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hue

Day 5: Hue – Hoi An | Mountain Coastal Road Trip to Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast

Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of the hotel and then you’ll be escorted by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you’ll find numerous breath-taking scenes. In addition, feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you’ll continue to a summit. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as “Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean”. This is because billowing clouds are often rolling over the precipice. After you cross the summit, you’ll approach a steep and narrow descent where you’ll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.

As you reach the base, you’ll travel alongside the beaches of Danang. Here you can see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Continue to your hotel for check in. After check in, enjoy a relaxing massage at the resort.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6: Hoi An | My Son Holy Land Heritage & Hoi An Ancient Town at Dusk

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Today explore the My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam’s most important Cham site.

In the morning, transfer to My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lay the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You’ll enter the temples while your tour guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the site. Then return to the resort for leisure time.

In the afternoon, you’ll go to explore Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in it’s preserved state. You’ll start with visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s.

Then you’ll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China’s influence in the region. You’ll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You’ll also take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see it’s imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. Then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.

At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you’ve finished the tour, return to hotel.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An – Siem Reap | Relax on the Beach | Flight to Siem Reap

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Morning is at your leisure to enjoy the beaches. During the afternoon, take a flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to hotel for check in. Then the evening is at your leisure to take a stroll along the Siem Reap River or visit the nearby night markets.

Accommodation: Overnight tin Siem Reap

Day 8: Siem Reap | Explore the Ancient City of Angkor Thom

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

After breakfast, you’ll begin your explorations of the remains of an ancient civilization that once ruled much of Southeast Asia. Today, you’ll be visiting the ancient capital city of Angkor Thom. On your way to Angkor Thom, you’ll catch a glimpse of the front of Angkor Wat as you pass by the largest religious complex to ever exist.

However, we’ll be saving the best for last. Today you’ll see some other equally impressive structures. First on the agenda is Ta Prohm. Worn by time, rain, and overpowered by the jungle, this immaculate structure will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie set of a treasure hunt adventure. Your private tour guide will give you the history and stories passed through oral tradition.
Have lunch next to Srah Srang Ancient Pool. Your exploits will continue as you visit Banteay Kdei (“Citadel of Chambers”). You’ll also visit Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, the Royal Palace, 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 will give you many picturesque moments to keep your camera busy.

As the sun approaches the horizon, you’ll enjoy a sunset from the top of the pyramid-shaped temple of Pre Rup. After sunset, you’ll be taken back to your hotel for the evening.

Accommodation: Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 9: Siem Reap | Excursion on the Tonle Sap Lake

Meals: Breakfast , Dinner
In the morning, you’ll take a boat trip on the water of the Tonle Sap Lake to a floating village called Kampong Phluk. Kampong Phluk means, Harbor of the Tusks, due to its past trade in elephant ivory many years ago. Having 3,000 habitants residing in stilted houses, the most common profession is fishing. Return to the hotel and the afternoon is at leisure.

Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.

In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. where you will have a unique dinner experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.

Accommodation: Shinta Mani Club

Day 10: Siem Reap | Wonder of Asia: Angkor Wat Temple

Meals: Breakfast

Experience the temple relics in a way that will really let you feel like you’ve escaped the 20th century and traveled a thousand years back to a time when life was simple and nature was surreal.

After breakfast, you’ll go for a gondola ride through the moats of Angkor Thom to see the vast ruins of the Khmer Empire at its peak. Close your eyes and smell the sweet perfume of the romdoul flowers growing wild on the shore mixed with the scent of lotus flowers bobbing in the water.

Finally, be prepared today to enjoy one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Angkor Wat. At this point, you most probably have gotten glimpses of the towers over treetops and the gates in front in passing. But now you’ll finally get to satiate that curiosity that’s grown in the last few days.

Enter Angkor Wat and learn about the stories and amazing architecture that has stunned archaeologists leaving more questions than answers. Angkor Wat possesses some of the most intricate and longest stone carvings in the world. This complex is four times the size of the Vatican City making it the largest religious site in the world. Spend the morning adventuring through the many passages, levels, and exploring chambers that once housed many treasures of the ancient world. It will be an experience you won’t forget.

Accommodation: Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 11: Siem Reap – Luang Prabang | Flight to Luang Prabang

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, you can either relax at the hotel, explore the Old Market by tuk-tuk, or go to visit Wat Thmei where you can learn about the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge regime. Next, you’ll go to visit Artisans d’Angkor, a school of art dedicated to the preservation of traditional Khmer skills in silk-weaving, stone carving, wood carving, lacquering and painting. It is also an organization dedicated to promoting the education of individuals from impoverished backgrounds. Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Late afternoon, fly to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, be greeted by our guide and transfer to your hotel in Luang Prabang for check in.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 12: Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang Highlights

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

First, we visit the morning Phousi Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, a Hmong village, Ban Ou a Laoloum village and Ban Thapene, a Khmu village. This then takes us to the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang.

The afternoon starts with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which was the palace of the Laos Kings and hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We also have time to visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 13: Luang Prabang | Elephant Jungle Trek

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

In the morning, transfer to Elephant Village – an elephant sanctuary with a focus on rehabilitation and care of rescued elephants. Here you’ll meet the camp manager and receive a short briefing about the elephants. Throughout the day, you’ll take place in the following activities:

• Riding an elephant – you’ll have the opportunity to ride directly on the neck of an elephant
• Mahout Training – learn about the commands of how to communicate to the elephant
• Enjoy lunch at the outdoor garden restaurant
• Bathe your elephant – Go down to the nearby Nam Khan River to bath your elephant; perhaps the elephant will bathe you as well!

Then return to your hotel for leisure time.
Note: Elephant Village no longer uses Howdahs(Elephant Seats) due to the harm this can cause to the elephants. You will have the choice of riding the elephant’s neck or walking alongside the elephant depending on what you prefer.

Dining on the mighty Mekong is to being in Luang Prabang what walking over the Brooklyn Bridge is to being in New York. Essential. To ensure you don’t ‘miss the boat’, you’ll join the Nava Mekong, the foremost regular dinner cruise opportunity in the royal capital.

The cruise embarks daily at 5:30 pm and motors downstream to moor near a traditional village where traditional Lao dancers perform age-old sets that include interpretations of the royal ballet, rural life, folk tales and legends. The boat returns at 9 pm.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 14: Luang Prabang | Pak Ou Caves

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch

Embark on a morning cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside. Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where you may witness the process of making Laos rice wine and rice whiskey(Lao Lao). Then we’ll reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served nearby the caves. During lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to try a local dish called “Orlam” which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. On return, we disembark the boat to visit a traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Accommodation: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 15: Luang Prabang – Hanoi | Flight to Hanoi

Internal Flight: Included

Meals: Breakfast

Early morning participate in the Alms Giving Ceremony – a host of monks will solemnly pass the entrance of the hotel while you place sticky rice in their bowls. It is a humbling experience to provide food for monks who have dedicated their lives to studying and celibacy. Rest of the morning is at your leisure.

In the late afternoon, fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to hotel for check in. Rest of the evening is at leisure.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi City

Day 16: Hanoi | Hanoi Highlights

Meals: Breakfast

In the morning, you’ll be escorted to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you’ll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over the top.

Next, you’ll visit the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th-century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as a divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision.

You’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.

Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi City

Day 17: Hanoi – Halong Bay | Voyage to Halong Bay with Paradise Luxury Cruise

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and escorted to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient.

Your heavenly journey across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam’s most fascinating wonder.

As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard our luxury facilities in the stunning surroundings.

Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water.

While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you will attend the chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Defined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for lunch and dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

Note: Feel free to leave your larger luggage at the hotel reception and just bring a smaller bag for your convenience.

Accommodation: Overnight in Halong Bay Cruise

Day 18: Hanoi | Voyage to Halong Bay | Return to Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast , Lunch , Dinner

Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colorful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your Paradise Cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island before noon. Our guide will greet you on shore and you’ll transfer back to Hanoi.

The evening will start with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You’ll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood. After the show, you’ll enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Once you finish your dinner, you’ll be escorted to your hotel.

Accommodation: Overnight in Hanoi City

Day 19: Hanoi | Farewell!

International Flight:On your own arrangement or request a quote from our travel specialist. 

Meals: Breakfast

Today our guide will transfer you to the airport before your homeward flight and will bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

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