UNESCO Sites Discovery: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam 26 Days

Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, meet and then transfer direct to hotel. Remain of the day is free and overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: NA

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at hotel, first visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Also, visit to Ta Prohm Temple, one of the area’s most beautiful temples. The temple of Ta Prohm was once used as a location in the famous Hollywood film Tomb Raider.

Afternoon, continue to seeing the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Buffet Dinner and enjoy Khmer Traditional Dance Show at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Wake up to a fresh coffee and wholesome breakfast, we drive to visit the famous Banteay Srei Temple (Citadel of Women), 35 km from town. On the way back stop at Pradark Village, where you will see the villagers making palm sugar, handicraft for selling to tourist. It’s a nice chance for you to see the local people living at the country side with their struggling for daily life. Continue to visit Banteay Samre Temple and the small circuit, visit the unique brick sculptures of Prasat Kravan, as well Takeo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda. Lunch at local restaurant.

Evening, transfer to Siem Reap Airport for a short flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival Phnom Penh Airport, meet with local guide and driver and transfer to check in your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast at hotel, visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace of Cambodia is a complex of buildings although it is generally understood to be the royal abode of the King of Cambodia. Then continue to visit the National Museum. This is one of Phnom Penh's true architectural gems. It house more than 14,000 items; the World’s largest collection of Khmer Art, including sculptures, ceramics, bronzes, and ethnographic objects dating from prehistoric times to periods before, during and after the Khmer Empire. Lunch at local restaurant.

Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for a connect flight to Vientiane. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

08:30: Guide and driver pick up at hotel.

We leave the capital early for our journey northbound; we will see some breathtaking scenery enroute as we pass through spectacular countryside towards the mountainous region. Along the way, we visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. We may also make a short photo stop at Hin Heup bridge, and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua. We reach our destination Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. Its stunning scenery with limestone outcrops remains unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism.

In the afternoon, we start our board through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area.

Transfer back to town, we will enjoy the leisurely boat along the Namsong River while admiring the sun setting behind the mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

In the morning, we will first stroll around the town to visit the local market to catch a glimpse of everyday life in a typical Lao rural area.

After breakfast, we transfer to visit the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders. We transfer to visit Ban Phathau, a very pleasant village where we can explore the different local lifestyles.

We then start our expedition on the new road to Luang Prabang, that is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The roads are well paved along the way for a smooth journey; we pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages, we take a few photo stops at some small hill tribe village enroute. Each hill tribe village in Laos has a different feel, some are more prosperous than others but all have plenty of life. We also have chance to admire the panoramic view over the surrounding area at the peak of more than 2000m. Before reaching Luang Prabang, we will make a short stop to visit the local school at Ban Nasala.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

On arrival back in the city, we will visit magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. Afterwards, we will visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. From there, we will transfer to visit Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the really peaceful place to catch the last beauty of the day. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best way to experience the taste of local life

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for 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 waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals

We will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 APR – 30 JUN; 01-14 SEP, & 01 JAN every year), whose mission is to create a research centre studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration then transfer to the airport to take flight to Hanoi.

Meet your tour guide on arrival at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to hotel in the city center and check-in. (Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge.)

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Optional: We introduce two one-of-a-kind traditional performances which are found nowhere else than in Vietnam. You can choose one of below options:

- Water Puppet Show where puppets are performed on water stage with folk music, presenting ancient tales, folklores and daily life in Vietnamese countryside.

- Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show - a very unique show about ritual of spirit practiced in the Vietnamese indigenous religion with music, colors and lively dance performance. The Four Palaces Shows take place on Thursday and Saturday every week.

If you're interested in the shows, please contact our travel consultants to book.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Half day Hanoi city tour (by car or by motorbike – upon client’s interest) - Routes can change subject to client’s interest

Begin the first day of the trip with a tour of Hanoi. Depart from the hotel at 08:30 for a visit to Vietnam’s first university: the Temple of Literature. Founded in 1076, Quoc Tu Giam was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite.

Continue with a visit to the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Nearby is the mausoleum of the historic father figure of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, and his modest house on stilts. (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov)

Wrap up the morning with a visit to the picturesque West Lake and its sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. From here transfer (or stroll along the lakeside) 700 meters to the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh dedicated to Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.

You will experience lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant. Around noon you will have the option for your Tour Guide to take you to any location in the Old Quarter or to your hotel. Free time at leisure for rest of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

In the morning, pickup at your hotel and head to Mai Chau by van with a short break along the way.

Mid day, arrive in Mai Chau, enjoy welcome drink. Then enjoy traditional lunch in village (vegetarian available).

In the afternoon, bicycle ride with your tour guide, see farmers working in fields, locals weaving scarves and visit surrounding peaceful villages. Then you will have free time for bicycling, walking, shopping

Late afternoon, return to the accommodation. Enjoy the outdoor BBQ party in the garden and watch the Thai’s traditional dance and drink the traditional liquor “ruou can”. Overnight in the communal stilt house or Valley View Bungalow

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Communal stilt house or Valley View Bungalow in Mai Chau

Activities: Leave Hanoi for Mai Chau town. In the afternoon, follow tour guide ride bicycle around the villages and meet friendly Thai people.

After breakfast, go with local tour guide to visit more remote rural villages Na Meo and Na Mo villages to understand more about their culture and customs. Mid day, back to the home stay for lunch and check-out. Free time for shopping and relaxing.

15:00 – 15:30 Say goodbye to the family to get on the bus to drive back to Hanoi (3.5 ~ 4 hours drive). Arrive in Hanoi, drop you off at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Activities: In the morning, follow tour guide walk to remote rural villages Na Meo and Na Mo villages. In the afternoon, transfer back to Hanoi.

From 07:45 – 08:00 Pick-up at your hotel and depart for Halong city. It takes about 3,5 hours to drive from Hanoi to Halong. On arrival at Halong city, you will board your cruise boat and you are warmly welcomed by professional and friendly crew. Check into cabin.

Enjoy specially prepared lunch while cruising towards thousands of amazing limestone islands emerging from emerald water, passing by Stone Dog islet, floating fishing village, incense burner islet, fighting chicken islet... In the afternoon, enjoy fun time kayaking and swimming.

Enjoy dinner on board then choose your own way to relax after dinner, watching movies, listening to Vietnamese traditional music. Besides, board games, squid fishing available for entertainment during the night time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on board in Halong Bay

Activities: Depart for Halong Bay. Embark on a cruise and set sail into the magical bay. Depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you may visit a beautiful cave, swim or relax on beach, kayak... Overnight on cruise.

Wake up by the sounds of the sea. After breakfast, cruise will take tourists to explore the most stunning caves in Halong.

At around boat starts cruising back to the harbor while brunch is served. We continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations.

Back on shore we will then transfer back to hotel in Ha Noi

Spend leisure time to relax or discover Ha Noi on your own, our tour guide will pick you up then transfer you to the railway station to catch night train to Dong Hoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight on train

Activities: Continue cruising to explore the most stunning caves in Halong and have the brunch on board. Disembark then back to Hanoi. Taking night train to Dong Hoi

Arrive at Dong Hoi Train Station in early morning. Pick up at the train station and drive heading to Phong Nha with a stop at a local restaurant for breakfast. You will explore impressive caves in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Tour guide will bring you into depths of Vietnamese jungle where the lost world of ancient rock configurations can be found dripping from the ceilings. This is truly a unique chance to enjoy the real wilderness of Vietnam. After 25 minutes on boat, visitors will arrive at Phong Nha Cave, take a couple hours to see the cave. This cave is called as water cave, is famous for its rock formation which has been given names such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit Paradise cave – the cave was labeled as one of most beautiful caves in the world and is the longest dry cave in Asia. With naturally primitive features, Paradise Cave looks like a landscape painting, making it very attractive to visitors.

After exploring Paradise Cave, drive to hotel in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Hoi

Tour tour guide and driver will meet you at your hotel in Dong Hoi, drive to Vinh Moc Tunnel approximately 2.5 hours away. Your guide will recommend stops along the way to see a small church showing the signs of mortar attack in the area and visit former US Bases. You will go through the DMZ, where some of the bloodiest battles were fought during the Vietnam/American War, you will walk cross the Ben Hai River on Hien Luong Bridge that used to demarcate the division between North and South Vietnam (1954-1975).

You will visit the museums containing photographs and memorials of the war before taking a fascinating tour of the Vinh Moc Tunnels. Your guide will take you into the tunnels and explore the complex; you will walk past huge bomb craters, amazing fighting trench and even venture into the tunnels and explore the tiny living rooms, food and weapon storage and school that villagers would have survived on.

Ending trip transfer to Hue

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Located in Central Vietnam, Hue was the former capital of the last Dynasty of Vietnam and has an elegant setting on the banks of the Huong Giang or Perfume River surrounded by lush green hills. Founded as a Royal city in 1687, this small and quiet city is known for the magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen dynasty. The city has preserved its cultural heritage including music, the arts and many other traditions and is probably the best place in Vietnam to get a sense of the past and imperial court life.

Tombs and pagodas lie everywhere in and around Hue. Start to explore Hue by a visit to Thien Mu pagoda, then you will visit ONE of the three most beautiful mausoleums around Hue:

• Minh Mang Royal Tomb
• Tu Duc Royal Tomb
• Khai Dinh Royal Tomb

Situated near the eastern corner of the Citadel where the Dong Ba Canal merges with the Perfume River is one of the largest markets in Hue province called the Dong Ba Market where you can see, smell, and taste the freshness of the produce. It is truly amazing.

Optional Activities

• Hue - Imperial citadel - VND150,000

Afternoon: free at leisure

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Activities: Explore Tombs and pagodas lie everywhere in and around Hue. The city has preserved its cultural heritage including music, the arts and many other traditions and is probably the best place in Vietnam to get a sense of the past and imperial court life.

Pick up at hotel in Hue, then transfer to Hotel in Hoi An for check-in. Land transfer by shuttle bus or Private car with stop at some sightseeing on the way for short break (admission fee not included). Spend leisure time to relax.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

In the morning, pick up at your hotel in Hoi An. Drive to My Son Sanctuary, a collection of Champa ruins nestled amongst the mountains in a geological basin of the Quang Nam province (45km west of Hoi An town). Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, My Son is the cultural highlight of central Vietnam and well worth the hour's drive from town. Follow tour guide exploring the groups of temples, you will learn more about history of the Champa Kingdom. On the way back, stop to visit to the Sa Huynh Champa Culture Museum in Tra Kieu. Around noon, return to your hotel. Free in the afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Optional: We introduce some ways to explore the beauty of Hoi An. You can choose one of below options:

Option 1: Discover My Son Holly Land Half day: My Son Sanctuary - a collection of Champa ruins nestled amongst the mountains in a geological basin of the Quang Nam province.

Price from $ US50/ person

Option 2: Life as a Farmer in Cam Thanh village: Join the farmers in preparing and fertilizing the land. Get to know the villagers’ daily working routines, like raking the ground, sowing, watering and picking greens and many more gardening activities.

Price from $ US70/ person

Option 3: Hoi An Vespa Tour

Price from $ US80/ person

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Transfer to the Da Nang airport to take a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our driver will wait and transfer you to the hotel in the center of city.

Check-in hotel and free at leisure to relax.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Activities: Transfer to Da Nang airport for flight to Hanoi.

Ho Chi Minh City – former name Saigon is Vietnam’s largest city. During 300 years history, under the name of Saigon, it was the capital of French colony of Cochinchina and later of the independent republic of South Vietnam.

We visit the following places of interest:

- The Reunification Palace, used to be residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. In 30 April 1975, when North Vietnam soldiers set foot inside this building with red flag on hand, the whole world knew that Vietnam war ended.

- War Remnants Museum with many photographs are from both Vietnam and US sources; US military vehicle like tanks, jet, booms are displayed outside.

- Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office, 02 most famous and oldest of classical French colonial architecture constructions were built more than 100 years ago.

- Local market with a wide selection of goods ranging from shoes to beautiful silk Ao Dais.

Our tour finishes around 12:00 pm, then the car will transport you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Activities: gain an insight into the city’s development through a city tour to the most significant landmarks.

A visit to the Mekong Delta is so memorable because of the region’s diversity. Board on a long tail boat and experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways first hand as you explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms.Touring the orchards, paddy fields and swamplands of the Mekong Delta, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into the pages of a geography textbook. Many visitors spend a day or two in Can Tho, the delta’s biggest settlement, to take advantage of its decent hotels and restaurants and to recharge batteries before venturing out to the floating markets nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Activities: Starting from Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong delta explore tour begins with a short drive south, leaving the city behind and entering the rural landscapes of the Mekong Delta. Passing motorbikes piled high with goods, large water buffalos working in the fields and school children cycling to school, you will be entertained by the endlessly entertaining scenery.

After Breakfast at hotel, take a motor boat to visit Cai Rang – the most fascinating floating market where we can see all trading activities on Mekong river. Do you mind to taste a bowl of “ hu tieu”- traditional rice noodle of Mekong delta person or try a small piece of durian which is the most addicted fruit to local people? A short stop to visit rice husking mill and walk around the village. See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Disembark at Ninh Kieu and transfer back to HCMC after lunch in Can Tho.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Activities: Early wake up with a “should not be missed” floating market in Can Tho. Travel along the Mekong and the natural network of canals by motor boat and sampan under the shadows of water coconut trees. Taste seasonal fruits right from the orchard, meet friendly locals, and visit the region’s lively floating markets. After lunch, back to Ho Chi Minh.

Formerly known as Saigon, todays Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrating economic centre of the South. Over the past few centuries, Saigon was called the “Pearl of the Far East” and was an important trading centre for Chinese, Japanese and Western merchants who travelled along the Saigon River.

Optional: We introduce some ways to explore the beauty of Ho Chi Minh City. You can choose one of below options:

Option 1: Dinner Cruise on Saigon River: Spend romantic evening time to enjoy a special dinner on boat while the cruise setting sail on the Saigon River. Traditional music and dance performance is a worth-to-wait part of the night making everything even more memorable. Relax yourself among the amazingly beautiful views and scenery of Saigon nightlife.

Price from $ US33/ person

Option 2: Cu Chi Tunnels & Cooking Class Full day: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels - have a unique experience about underground life during the war time. Visit Ho Chi Minh Agricultural Villages, work in the garden like a real farmer, pick organic ingredients from the garden for your cooking class. Hand on cooking class, enjoy great healthy cooking tips and leave with nice certificate, recipes, souvenirs

Price from $ US74/ person

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

After breakfast, free until transferring to the airport for boarding home sweet home or next destination. End of your.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA