14 Days Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia Tour

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, and you’ll be welcomed by our guide and transferred to your hotel in the city to check-in. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, Visit lush rice paddies and fruit farms instead of city scenes. Depart from Ho Chi Minh City for a scenic drive to My Tho, known as the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Arrive at the waterfront pier and hop on an enjoyable motorboat excursion, take in the Delta scenery, houses built on stilts, and local fish farms along the way. Trade boat for bicycle and enjoy a relaxing ride over easy, level terrain as you travel through narrow village lanes lined with fruit orchards and customary cottages observing the rural life that remains in many ways similar to how it was lived far back in history. Notice that the local children keep saying “Xin Chao” (hello) to their new friends along your cycling journey. You will have the chance to see a family-run business where they make coconut candy directly in front of the pier. Take a chance to taste local tea with honey, and sample fruits while chatting with local people to get a glimpse of the lifestyle and traditional customs in the Mekong Delta. Here you can also choose to ride on a horse-drawn cart through the lush surroundings of the fruit farms. Cap off the excursion with a memorable cruise by a rowing sampan that will take you along the narrow canals past lush orchards and sleepy villages. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Notes: • Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.00) • Cycling distance: 5-7 km, depending on your physical ability and length you desire • The exploration can be done on foot (500-700 meters) or by horse cart in case you don’t want to ride a bike

Explore the city's top attractions with your guide; War Remnants Museum, with photos and artifacts from the past, Independence Palace, the former residence of the Indochina Governor-General and later of the President of the Republic of Southern, Notre Dame Cathedral, a red-brick structure with twin spires modeled after the original in Paris, Central Post Office, designed by Gustav Eiffel before he built the Eiffel Tower. Unwind in a coffee shop that was once used as a haven and weapon chamber by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Opt to wander along the many tantalizing shops of Dong Khoi Street, once known as Rue Catinat, the boulevard where the high society gathered and shopped in colonial times. Finalize your visit to the bustling Ben Thanh Market to enjoy shopping. Then head to the airport to take a flight from Ho Chi Minh to Danang City, from where we drive 45 minutes further to the little charming city of Hoian. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast

The Ancient Town of Hoi An, which flourished as a port from the 15th to the 19th centuries, is remarkably preserved, making the city a must-visit. This historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its old tile-roofed shops, shady pagodas, and colorful community halls. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, known for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and local cuisine. Make your way through historic merchant and community houses, ancient pagodas, and traditional places of worship with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese cultures, you will hear the clattering of sewing machines and observe the day-to-day activities that are taking place. Meals: Breakfast Notes: • Tour duration: Half day (08.30-12.30 or 13.30-17.30) • Walking distance: 2-3km, easy on the flat terrain • The Hoi An entrance ticket allows 24-hour access to 5 sightseeing spots, including merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, museums, pagodas, and assembly halls. It also grants you access to Hoi An Ancient Town for the duration of your stay in Hoi An. Please keep the ticket with you at all times if you visit Hoi An independently later in the evening or on another day. In the afternoon, we get ready for a countryside discovery that offers an up-close look at the rural life of Hoi An’s outskirts. Hop on your bicycle and set off for an easy bike ride through picturesque villages, passing by rice paddies and vegetable farms. Along the way, you might see cows or buffalos working on rice fields with farmers or lazily relaxing under the shade. Engage in a friendly conversation with the local villagers to understand their daily lives and way of living. Evening is your free time to explore Hoian’s night market. Stay overnight in Hoi An. Notes: • Tour duration: Half day (14.00-17.00) • Cycling distance: 5-7km, on flat terrain, depending on your physical condition or the length you desire

Today, gain a truly immersive culinary experience by taking part in a hands-on cookery course at Red Bridge Cooking School, which is one of the highlights of the gastronomy scene in Hoi An Meet with your local chef and tour Hoi An’s colorful market where you will have a chance to interact with the local vendors and purchase some of the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Watch the buying and selling rituals of a Vietnamese market before boarding the local boat for a leisure cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Get your camera ready as the cruise offers glimpses of the local river life. Explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden before learning how to prepare the ingredients and put together the tasty dishes under the guidance of your skillful chef. Enjoy the food that you have prepared and then drive back to Danang airport for another domestic flight to Hanoi Capital city. Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This entire day is devoted to visiting Hanoi’s most famous landmarks: the impressive Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Uncle Ho's final resting place, his simple stilt house to gain insight into his pure and noble way of life, and the One Pillar Pagoda, which was built in 1049 out of wood on top of a stone pillar and resembles a lotus blossom. Retrace the city’s history by paying a quick visit to a nearby historical lake with a B-52 relic and listening to an untold story at a witness’s home to learn how the locals recovered from the war. Two of the greatest pleasures of visiting Ha Noi are exploring its markets and sampling its legendary street food. Through this experience, you will discover the typical and authentic activity of Hanoians which is eating in the streets. We take a leisure walk in the Old Quarter and get inside the most charming area of the city to find out how the locals make a living and their local lifestyle. Personalized as a meal with appetizers, main course, and desserts, the culinary journey takes you to popular food stalls to get a unique glimpse into daily life in this lovely city and discover some unforgettable cultural and historical attractions along with interesting and tasty street food. Heading off the Beer corner to try a cold glass of Bia Hoi (local draft beer) and watch the local life moving around. This is a great place to conclude a great experience today. Overnight in Hanoi City. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Notes: • Tour duration: 7.5-8 hours (08.30-17.00) • Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is CLOSED on Mondays, Fridays, and all afternoons.

Pick up by your local guide, and depart your Hotel for two hours and a half transfer to Ha Long Bay – UNESCO World Natural Heritage – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rise from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, get a welcome drink on board before your check-in. Have Lunch with fresh seafood served while the boat is cruising through many stone islets, floating villages, and small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village, talk, and meet local villagers before your swim, or get some free time on your own on the sundeck. Dinner is served on board. Overnight on board in Ha Long Bay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Note: • The Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice in case of adverse weather alerts or any emergency. • Use an in-house English-speaking tour guide on the boat, and include a private tour guide on the bus

Start the day with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck for early risers, then your breakfast is served while the boat continues cruising around Ha Long Bay. The cruise would lead you through many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, and so on. Follow your boat staff to explore one of the most magnificent caves, then return to your boat to cruise towards the wharf. Your vehicle is ready awaiting your disembarkation at approximately 1030 for direct transfer from Ha Long to Airport in Ha Noi for An international flight to Luang Prabang City, Laos. Meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang City.

Today, get ready to tour some of the highlights of this incredibly magnificent town. Start the exploration with a visit to the Royal Palace featuring a combination of the French beaux-art styles and traditional Laos architecture. The palace is now turned into a National Museum boating the precious collections of the Royal artifacts. Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples. Considered a significant religious symbol of the Buddhist architecture, Wat Xieng Thong is a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring the traditional Lao style. Wat Aham signifies The Monastery of the Blossoming Heart and is widely known as the “watermelon stupa” because of its distinctive rounded shape. Wat Vitsoun, the most ancient temple of Luang Prabang, was built with simple architecture and housed the Prabang Buddhas' ancient statues and steles. Laos is home to a diverse array of ethnic traditions, which are presented in an intriguing way by the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (TAEC). Explore the museum's displays, which include ritual and religious objects, jewelry, handicrafts, traditional clothes and fabrics, and household utensils. Proceed to a Mekong Riverfront social enterprise in Laos to gain an understanding of the country's handicrafts and textiles. Explore the workshop, which is encircled by a lush, lovely garden, to watch the craftspeople in action, discover more about silkworms, and get a quick rundown of the many natural dying techniques that use the organic flora from the garden that is farmed on-site. Speak with committed local weavers who will share their enthusiasm for preserving this age-old craft with you. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast Notes: • Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.30) • The National Museum closes on every Tuesday • Please dress appropriately for visits to religious sites. Shoulders, chest, and legs should be covered OPTIONAL: Private Home-Hosted Dinner 30$ per person to discover the culture and lifestyle of a country, there is nothing more interesting than visiting a local family. Spend some time sharing cultures, join family activities, and have a meal with the host. Take this opportunity to learn from the family how to make and eat traditional sticky rice and other delicious dishes. Savor a simple yet tasty dinner of Lao specialties prepared by the family members. Later, bid farewell to your new friends and return to your hotel. Notes: • Tour duration: 2.5-3 hours (18.00-21.00), including 45-60 minutes for the Baci ceremony and 1.5 hours for home-hosted dinner • Capacity: 25pax

Land of a Million Elephants (Lane Xang) refers to the time when Laos had a large population of wild elephants. Take a short trip today to the outskirts of Luang Prabang to spend time with elephants in their natural habitat, learn about their fascinating history and behavior, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Meet with the camp staff and have a short briefing about the elephant conservation project of the center. Tour the elephant camp with a stop at an elephant hospital, museum, and dung paper-making facility to gain an insight into their history and behavior, and create cherished lifelong memories of the time spent with these amazing animals. After learning how elephants are taken care of, receive some basic mahout training, and learn how to command and control elephants using the local language. Walk with the elephants to the nearby Tad Sae Waterfall, passing through the diverse jungle landscape of the exclusive Trail of Falls. Swimming in the refreshing turquoise waters is possible (subject to water level, the fall gets dry from December to July). Enjoy the freshly prepared picnic box lunch while soaking in the beautiful scenery of the thick jungle and waterfall. This afternoon, board the traditional long-tail boat for cruising back to the headquarters of the Elephant Camp. The boat trip along the Nam Khan River offers the chance to take in the peaceful river life and observe the daily activities of local fishermen. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Notes: • Duration: Full day (08.00-17.00)

After breakfast, you will have a free morning to relax or explore the city in your own space or you join our optional half-day excursion. In the afternoon, we’ll head to the airport for an afternoon flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Meet on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap. Meals: Breakfast OPTIONAL: Discover Pak Ou Caves By Local Boat for 80$ per person Get onboard a traditional long-tail boat for cruising gently on the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou Caves. Upon arrival, start exploring the magical cave systems: the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues, silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop, and the upper cave is a 7- 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees. You will find Buddhas in every position, every era of life, and every size line the cave walls and understand a sacred religious practice that speaks to the devotion and commitment of Laotians to Buddhism. On the way back to Luang Prabang, stop at Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek which specializes in silk weaving and Saa Paper (paper made from the bark of the Saa Tree). Notes: Tour duration: Half day (08.00-12.30)

Known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Angkor complex is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia as it contains the outstanding remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th Century. Today, set off to encounter the beautiful temples which are considered Angkor’s jewels. Transfer from your hotel to Ta Prohm, perhaps most popularly known as The Tomb Raider temple. Built-in the late 12th and early 13th Centuries as a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII, this beautiful temple is the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings. Explore the ancient Angkor Thom, founded by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th Century. Get inside the reinforced city of Angkor Thom to admire the mysterious Bayon temple, crowned with a large number of serene faces sculpted on its towers. Also, take this chance to learn more about the intricate carvings of the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Your exploration continues as you enter the gate of Angkor Wat, a vast temple complex originally constructed in the early 12th Century by King Suryavarman II. Originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu for the Khmer Empire, it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. We finish by experiencing sunset over the rice fields from the royal crematorium of Pre Rup, a classic view of the Cambodian countryside. Overnight in Siem Reap. Meals: Breakfast Notes: • Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.30) • Accessibility: 4 seats, 7 seats. 16 seats, 25-seat vehicle only

The charming town of Siem Reap is defined by the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO-listed site, and Tonle Sap Lake where life is simple and slow with people living on the water, close to nature. Today, drive 20-25 minutes South of Siem Reap along scenic roads to the floating village of Chong Kneas on the great Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Embark on a local wooden boat and set out on a relaxing and insightful cruise exploring the floating villages where more than a thousand families live and make their living. Observe the floating schools, markets, police stations, and the traditional way of living. For the residents of the village, life on the water is the greatest traditional culture that should be preserved before the rapid development of modern society. Discover more about the uncivilized period of Khmer Rouge control in Cambodia (from 1975 to 1979) by embarking on a unique historical trip. Speak with a local Khmer in his secluded village to get firsthand stories of life both before and after the Pol Pot years. The general message is a strong belief in the joy and liberty that the local people have for their life in the country, despite the fact that there are some heartwarming personal stories and situations that are difficult to imagine. Overnight in Siem Reap Meals: Breakfast Notes: • Tour duration: Half day (08.00-13.00) including 1 hour-boat trip • The best time to visit Tonle Sap Lake is between August to March, outside of this period the level of water can be low • Accessibility: all vehicle type

Breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Be ready at the hotel lobby 2.5 hours before your departure flight.