Discover Amazing Indochina - 19 days

Tour Brief

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Lao Cai.
Day 3: Lao Cai – Coc Ly/ Sin Cheng/ Can Cau/ Bac Ha Market – Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa – Visit hill tribe villages – Night train to Hanoi.
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on the cruise.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue.
Day 7: Hue City Tour.
Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian.
Day 9: Hoian Walking Tour.
Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Fly to Saigon.
Day 11: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Chau Doc.
Day 12: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh by speedboat.
Day 13: Phnom Penh – Fly to Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples.
Day 15: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Fly to Bangkok.
Day 16: Bangkok City Tour.
Day 17: Bangkok – Floating Market – Rose Garden.
Day 18: Bangkok – Ayutthaya Historical Park.
Day 19: Bangkok Departure.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival.
Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your Travel Vietnam driver and guide will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai Airport and take you to your hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, enjoy an orientation walk, visiting Hanoi’s main attractions: the Opera House, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening, savor a welcome dinner of authentic Vietnamese food at one of Hanoi’s finest restaurants.
Meals: Dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour – Night train to Lao Cai.
Today you have a full day to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Ho Chi Minh Complex (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and stilt house), the nearby One Pillar Pagoda; the Presidential Palace; the Temple of Literature; the Quan Thanh Temple, the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & West Lake; and one of the city's museums (a choice between the History Museum and the Ethnology Museum). In the evening enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Performance – a unique Vietnamese Art form hailing from Southeast Asia’s wet-rice culture – before heading to the train station to catch your night train to Laocai.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: on train (in 4 soft berths cabin with A/C).
Day 3: Lao Cai – Coc Ly/ Sin Cheng/ Can Cau/ Bac Ha Market – Sapa.
Your train arrives at the Laocai station in the early morning. Laocai is a charming hilltop town near the Chinese border. Explore downtown and have breakfast at a local noodle house. After breakfast your driver and guide will take you to one of the local markets (Coc Ly on Tue/ Sin Cheng on Wed/ Can Cau on Sat and Bac Ha on Sun). Wander through the stalls packed with hand-crafted goods peddled by the various hill tribe peoples who come here to buy and sell their wares. In the afternoon, continue on your way to Sapa: Northwest Vietnam’s premier travel destination, famous for its breathtaking views of cloud-woven mountaintops and gaping valleys.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa.
Day 4: Sapa – Visit hill tribe villages – Night train to Hanoi.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before setting out on a full day’s trek to explore Sapa’s cultural diversity and haunting natural beauty. Take a guided hike through yawning valleys decorated with terraced rice fields and pass through remote hill tribe villages. You have three trekking options to choose from: Soft trek (~ 3 km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~ 12km). Trekking is an excellent way to explore the daily life and familiarize yourself with the cultures of the H’mong, Dzao and Dzay people who populate the region. Have lunch at a hill tribe village then drive back to Laocai to catch your return night train to Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: on train (in 4 soft berths cabin with A/C).
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Overnight on the cruise.
Arrive at Hanoi train station in very early morning. You will check in a local hotel (near train station) to take break and have breakfast before setting out on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation: on cruise.
Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue.
Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for your in-country flight to Hue. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel.
Meals: Brunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.
Day 7: Hue City Tour.
Spend an entire day touring the Vietnam’s former ancient capital. Start the day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, home to the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City – once the Emperor's private residence. The Imperial City was created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Imperial Enclosure houses many palaces and temples within its walls. In the afternoon, continue on your tour stopping at the Imperial Museum, Tu Hieu Pagoda and vibrant Dong Ba riverside market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue.
Day 8: Hue – Danang – Hoian.
Spend the morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the ornate Minh Mang's tomb. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant before starting on your drive to Hoian. Pass over the 500m-high Hai Van pass and stop en route in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum and handicraft villages at the foot of Marble Mountain. Arrive in the sleepy riverside town, Hoian, in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the rest of the evening free at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.
Day 9: Hoian Walking Tour.
Enjoy time for relaxation as you immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this sleepy riverside town. From the 16th to 18th centuries Hoian was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders, who came to trade in the high quality silk still produced in the region. Today, Hoian is a relaxing resort popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, skilled tailors and numerous cafes. Take a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to shop, exploring the town or relaxing on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian.
Day 10: Hoian – Danang – Fly to Saigon.
Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon. Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choosing then set out on a guided city tour. The rest of this afternoon you will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the City Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Day 11: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Cai Be – Vinh Long – Chau Doc.
Today you leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the Mekong’s calm waters on a rustic row boat to visit an island in the middle of the river delta. Spend time exploring the small islands and rural way of life. Your driver will be waiting for you on the other side of the river to take you to Chau Doc – a small town near border of Cambodia. Check in at your hotel then spend the late afternoon on an orientation walk around the small town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc.
Day 12: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh by speedboat.
After breakfast, check-out the hotel then travel by speedboat up the Mekong to Cambodia’s capital: Phnom Penh. The total trip takes about four and a half hours (including visa formalities). Visas are easily obtained at the border between Vietnam and Cambodia and cost (including the processing fee). Your guide will meet you at the dock in Phnom Penh and take you to the hotel. Despite its recent turbulent history, Phnom Penh’s wide tree-lined boulevards and faded colonial mansions hold an undeniable charm. After lunch at a downtown restaurant, visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek. A visit to these sights provides a deep insight into the painful bloody rule of the Khmer Rouge.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 13: Phnom Penh – Fly to Siem Reap.
After breakfast, take a leisurely tour to visit National Museum, the Royal Palace – home to the royal family, and Silver Pagoda. Then your driver will transfer you to the airport to take a short flight to Siem Reap, the gateway into the ancient Angkor temples.
In the late afternoon, stare in wonder at the intricate carvings of Angkor Wat and then ride a balloon for an aerial view of the temple and its surroundings. Soar over the skies and admire the picturesque Cambodian countryside with its rice fields and villages, the highlight of your sightseeing in Angkor!
Optional: In the afternoon head to the Happy Ranch Horse Farm (located 10min outside of the city center) and take a trail ride through Siem Reap’s serene countryside. Horse cart rides are also available as an alternative option.
* You can also choose to take a speedboat up the Mekong from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap (best time to travel by river ferry is from September to December).*
* We do not recommend a drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap as it is a long journey (6 to 7 hours) and road condition.*
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples.
Enjoy an entire day devoted to the mystical and ancient Angkor Temples. After an early breakfast at the hotel, you set out to Angkor Thom’s imposing South Gate, topped with the four serenely smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. Next, visit Bayon temple, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Leaving Angkor Thom by the North Gate, you travel to Preah Khan (Sacred Sword), one of Angkor’s largest temples, constructed in the 12th century by Jayavarman VII. After a delicious lunch of traditional Khmer food, head to the mystical, jungle-entwined Ta Prohm temple and then on to the most famous Khmer temple: Angkor Wat. Constructed as a Hindu monument, later dedicated to Buddha, Angkor Wat is the largest temple and finest example of Angkorian art and architect.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Fly to Bangkok.
Immerse yourself in the rich culture surrounding Siem Reap on a boat tour along Tonle Sap Lake. After breakfast at the hotel, take a short walk through a tranquil Siem Reap neighborhood to learn about the local way of life before driving to Tonle Sap Lake to board a local boat for a cruise through the floating villages. Return to Siem Reap for lunch then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Bangkok. Your driver and guide will welcome you at the airport and take you to the hotel for check in. Rest of the day, free and relax.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.

Day 16: Bangkok City Tour.
After breakfast at the hotel, your guide will pick you up and take you to a Harbor on Chao Phraya River to get on a boat to explore the traditional Thai klongs (canals) and see the still-active waterborne life of the Nonthaburi residents. Then, visit Wat Arun which is known as Temple of Dawn – one of the best well-known sites in Bangkok. It is best seen from the opposite side of the river. After visiting this Wat, you head to the Grand Palace which is the official Palace of The King Of Siam since 1782 made up of numerous buildings, halls, pavilions set around open lawns, gardens and courtyards. It is located on the bank of Chao Phraya River. Inside the Grand Palace complex is Wat Phra Kaeo or Temple of the Emerald Buddha – the most beautiful and sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. The following visit is Wat Pho – the temple of reclining Buddha. The temple has a long list of credits: The oldest and largest temple in Bangkok, the longest reclining Buddha and the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, the first public education institution.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.
Day 17: Bangkok – Floating Market – Rose Garden.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will leave Bangkok for Damnoen floating market which is about 110km West of Bangkok. On the way you will visit a farmhouse and watch local people making sugar from coconuts. Once you arrive in Damnoen floating market you will be impressed by various boats with different shapes and sizes used by locals to carry their goods. You will embark on a long tail boat to explore this colorful floating market to see how the people here are living, selling and buying goods. Continue to Samphran Crocodile farm for lunch. This farm has more than 10,000 crocodiles. A great show between man and crocodile will be performed here. Following lunch is a visit to Sampran Riverside (formerly Rose Garden) country resort including the Thai village and enjoy the world-renowned Thai Village Cultural Show with traditional music, folk dance as well as a chance to see an Elephant show. Then back to Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.
Day 18: Bangkok – Ayutthaya Historical Park.
This morning, leave Bangkok for Ayutthaya – 80 kilometers North Of Bangkok. The first stop is the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace also known as Summer Palace located 18km from Ayutthaya on the bank of Chao Phraya River. Arrive in Ayutthaya – the ancient capital for over 400 years. You will visit Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit which has one of the largest bronze Buddha images in Thailand. The next visit is Wat Phra Si Sanphet located in grand palace compound used as a residential palace. This is the biggest temple in Ayutthaya. Then you will visit Wat Maha That – an over 600 year old temple and Wat Na Phra Mane. Wat Na Phra Mane is still in good condition and was used as the Burmese military headquarters during the war. Inside this temple, you will see the sparkle Golden Buddha with the three thousand-year-old Buddhas carved from green stone which are extremely valuable national relics.
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok.
Day 19: Bangkok Departure.
Have breakfast at hotel then enjoy a free morning before driving to the airport to catch your departure flight home.
Bon Voyage!
Meals: Breakfast.
Accommodation: N/A.