THE BEST OF INDOCHINA 18 days ( Daily Departure)

THE BEST OF INDOCHINA 18 days ( Daily Departure)

Distinctive journey into Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, to uncover the different charms of the Legendary Indochina. Explore the ancient town of Luang Prabang - the best preserved city in South East Asia, the world heritage site Angkor. Discover the water world of Mekong Delta that moves to the rhythms of the mighty Mekong, where boats, houses and markets float upon the innumerable rivers, canals and streams that criss-cross the landscape like arteries.Learn why Vietnamese can claim their independent over American troops by one of the most fascinating example: Cu Chi tunnels with its’ an immense network of connecting underground tunnels. Strolling along the narrow street at Hoi An ancient town - an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Explore Hue culture through our unique Foodie tour

A leisure cruise in Ha Long Bay – one of the world’s new seven wonders where its’ 1,600 islands and islets.

Itinerary

Day 1: LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL

Pass By: Luang Prabang Airport, Laos
Welcome to Luang Prabang International Airport!!!

Upon your arrival, you will be met our driver and transfer to hotel for check in and relax after a long haul flight. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal: Nil

Please note: Hotel check in time is from 14.00.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Villa Chitdara/ Santi resort & spa/ Luang Prabang View

Day 2: LUANG PRABANG – FULL DAY CITY TOUR

Stop At: Royal Palace Museum, Haw kham, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos
Breakfast at hotel.

Your full day city tour begins with visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple and the magnificent Wat Xieng thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Today, we also visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before we head out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek before we return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic view of the city at sunset and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Villa Chitdara/ Santi resort & spa/ Luang Prabang View

Day 3: LUANG PRABANG – LEISURE DAY

Stop At: Luang Prabang Night Market, Sisavangvong Rd, Alley Behind Lao National Tourism Office, Luang Prabang 0600 Laos
Breakfast at hotel.

Today is your leisure time to explore the charm of historical center with easy access to the night market, royal palace and historical temples & buildings.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meal: Breakfast at hotel
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Villa Chitdara/ Santi resort & spa/ Luang Prabang View

Day 4: LUANG PRABANG – SIEM REAP

Pass By: Siem Reap International Airport, NR6, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia
Breakfast at hotel.

At leisure till your transfer to airport for onwards flights to Siem Reap. Upon your arrival, the driver transfer you to the hotel for check in and refresh. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Cheathata Angkor Hotel (3 star)/ Memoir D Angkor (4 star)/ Tara Angkor (4 star)/ Angkor Palace Resort (5 star)

Day 5: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR EXPLOSION

Stop At: Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap 17259 Cambodia
Breakfast at hotel.

Morning you will visit with your professional guide, the "Great City" of Angkor Thom, visits include the famous Bayon Temple, Phimeanakas Temple within the Royal Palace enclosure, Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King and Ta Phrom Temple.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Afternoon dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Vat temple. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. With many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards and ponds full of water, carved low-reliefs about Ramayana Story and day-to-day life at the time of Angkor's construction. At the end of afternoon, we enjoy sunset view on the top of Bakheng mountain temple. Drop off at hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Cheathata Angkor Hotel (3 star)/ Memoir D Angkor (4 star)/ Tara Angkor (4 star)/ Angkor Palace Resort (5 star)

Day 6: SIEM REAP – BUS TO PHNOM PENH

Pass By: Bus Stop, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Breakfast at hotel.

Free for your own leisure until transfer take a public bus to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at Phnom Penh, you will be picked up by our driver only and transferred to your hotel reserved. Dinner not included.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Cardamom Hotel (3 star)/ Sunway Hotel (4 star)/ La Rose Suite (5 star)/ Palace Gate hotel (5 star)

Day 7: PHNOM PENH – CITY TOUR

Stop At: Royal Palace, Sothearos between Street 240 & 184, Phnom Penh Cambodia
Breakfast at hotel.

We start to visit the private quarters of the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda the most sacred shrine in the country. We visit both structures as well as the legendary temple of Wat Phnom which recites the history of Phnom Penh’s name. We then continue to the National Museum, dedicated exclusively to Khmer art and sculpture. The majority of the exhibits are from the Angkor period (9th to 15th Century), but some date from as early as the 4th Century.

Afternoon Discover the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, it was formerly Tuol Svay Pray High School before it was turned into an interrogation, torture and execution centre by the Khmer Rouge regime. Also known as S-21 Prison, an estimated 17,000 Cambodians entered this notorious venue but only seven managed to survive following the end of the regime. Free shopping at central market. Drop off at hotel.

Lunch and dinner at your own arrangement for more flexibility. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Cardamom Hotel (3 star)/ Sunway Hotel (4 star)/ La Rose Suite (5 star)/ Palace Gate hotel (5 star)

Day 8: PHNOM PENH – BUS TO SAIGON

Pass By: Liberty Hotel Saigon Parkview, 265 Phạm Ngũ Lão, Phường Phạm Ngũ Lão, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel.

Free for your own leisure until transfer to the bus station for your onward trip in Vietnam.

Upon arrival in Saigon, transfer to your hotel in Saigon center then check-in. At leisure to relax in the rest of the day. Overnight in Saigon.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Liberty Parkview (3 star)/ Aristo Saigon Hotel (4 star)/ Grand Saigon (4 star)

Day 9: SAIGON – CITY TOUR - CUCHI TUNNEL

Stop At: Independence Palace, 135 Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Hồ Chí Minh 700000, Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel.

We start the city tour at the Reunification Palace, the witness of the fierce Vietnam War ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall of official receptions. Nearby the Palace are the colonial-styled Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks. Our last stop this morning will be War Remnants Museum. Lunch will be served at local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we drive overland to Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese guerrillas to protect the region against the American attacks during the Vietnam War. We can even crawl a part inside the tunnel, visit their infirmary, kitchen.... to discover how people had survived hereby, back to your hotel later on. Overnight in Saigon.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at local restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Liberty Parkview (3 star)/ Aristo Saigon Hotel (4 star)/ Grand Saigon (4 star)

Day 10: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON

Stop At: Bến Tre, An Thạnh, Thuận An, Binh Duong, Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel.

This morning, we leave Saigon for My Tho, in the heart of Mekong delta with visit to the beautiful Vinh Trang pagoda on the way. Upon arrival, we will take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit& honey tea to the sound of "Southern Vietnamese folk music", performed by locals.

Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. Overnight in Saigon.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel, lunch at local restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Liberty Parkview (3 star)/ Aristo Saigon Hotel (4 star)/ Grand Saigon (4 star)

Day 11: SAIGON – DANANG – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN

Stop At: Japanese Covered Bridge, Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam 564010, Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel.

Moring transfer to airport for your onward flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, picked up from Da Nang airport to your hotel in Hoi An to drop off luggage.

Together with our guide in Hoi An, we’ll walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, visit ancient houses and Trading Houses, pagodas and stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where we may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day. Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Lotus Hoi An (3 star)/ RoseMary Boutique Hotel (4 star)/ Palm Garden resort (5 star)/ Allegro Hoi An (5 star)

Day 12: HOIAN – TRA QUE VILLAGE – HOIAN

Stop At: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Ha Commune, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
Depart from your hotel by bicycle in 30 minutes or Motor taxi/ Car (optional surcharge) to Tra Que herb village. Take a short stroll around the vegetable garden and listen to the history of the village. Then join gardening activities in preparing the land, fertilizing with seaweed, raking the ground, sowing, watering, picking vegetables... Enjoy foot soak before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Join cooking with ‘Tam Huu’ spring roll, ‘Banh xeo’ - a local pancake of people in Viet Nam middle region ... After your morning excursions and lunch, you learn how to harvest and wrap the vegetables. Bid farewell to your host family before cycle back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at Tra Que vegetable village.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Lotus Hoi An (3 star)/ RoseMary Boutique Hotel (4 star)/ Palm Garden resort (5 star)/ Allegro Hoi An (5 star)

Day 13: HOIAN AT LEISURE – OVERLAND TO HUE

Stop At: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
There will be nothing better than a day at leisure in the ancient town of Hoian to refresh yourself and chill out your recent impression of your visits in Vietnam.

At leisure till drive back to Hoi An for your onward bus transfer to Hue.

Overnight in Hue.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

Optional tour:

BANA HILLS – GOLDEN BRIDGE (Full day)

Program:

Pick up from your hotel in Hoi An then transfer to Bana Hills Station.

Let’s ride on a modern system of cable cars helps you get a bird's-eye view, very miraculous and attractive while enjoying a feeling of flying in the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind. You will visit some old French villas en route, as well as the suspension bridge, Nui Chua & the Mountain Peak (at the height of 1 ,487m). Visit golden bridge, held up by two enormous stone-colored hands. The bridge opened in June 2018, is 150 meters long and 1,400 meters above sea level, with views across the green mountains cape. We will then enjoy lunch whilst taking in the spectacular views.

In the afternoon, visit Vong Nguyet villa where we will visit the wine cellar, Linh Ung Pagoda, Sakyamuni Buddha's monument and Ba Na by night. Back to Da Nang center for your onward trip to Hue.

Services Included: English speaking guide, Bus transfer, Round trip Cable car, Entrance fee to mentioned visiting point (1 time), 01 lunch at local restaurant, Water during transfer,

Services not included: Tips for local staffs, Personal expenses not mentioned above.

Rate: USD 65/pax (applicable to booking from 2 pax)
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hue.

Day 14: HUE CITY TOUR – STREET FOOD – HANOI

Stop At: Imperial City, Thành phố Huế, Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam
Being recognized by UNESCO as the 1st Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. This morning, we will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City. Move on to the colorful Dong Ba market where you can see many of ingredients for making Hue local food, and explore the local business life.

The best way to explore local culture is through its unique cuisine. Around noon time, we shall embark on a special street food tour to discover the other side of Hue. Our journey start from Sticky rice dumplings on a fried dumpling (Ram It) or Filtered tapioca dumplings (Banh Loc) to the well-known Hue beef vermicelli soup (Bun Bo Hue). The street food tour finish at a small restaurant serve Sweet soup (Che), a scrumptious local delicacy made of tapioca and various local ingredients. Or, if sweet soup is not your style, a Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk awaits.

Heading straight to Phu Bai airport or your onward flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival, pick up from the airport to your hotel in center area. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch at local restaurant.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Rosaleen hotel (3 star)/ Moonlight hotel (4 star)/ Indochine Palace Hotel (5 star)

Day 15: HANOI CITY TOUR

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, 2 Hung Vuong Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi 100000 Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel

It is your day to visit the Capital of Vietnam today. Let's start from the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his simple house-on-stilts and the One-Pillar pagoda near Ba Dinh Square, where the most solemn ceremonies of Hanoi take place. Go on to Tran Quoc pagoda and the Temple of Literature, the very first high school of Vietnam Scholars.

After lunch at local restaurant, we will visit Hoan Kiem Lake - the heart and soul of Hanoi.

If today is not Monday, move on to Museum of Ethnology. This superb museum showcases the depth of Vietnamese cultural diversity with an astounding collection of 15,000 artifacts gathered from throughout Vietnam. Maps, displays and dioramas are labeled in Vietnamese, French and English. Displays portray a typical village market, the making of comical hats and a Tay shamanic ceremony; videos show the real thing. You can also check out a traditional Black Thai house reconstructed in the museum. There's also a Centre for research and conservation where scientists from all over the world study traditional Vietnamese cultures.

If today is Monday, depart for Bat Trang ceramic village which is about 20 km away from Hanoi, this is pottery village with a half- millenary historic development.

Back to your hotel in Hanoi later on to relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel. Lunch at local restaurant.

Please note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes on Monday and Friday, late September to November for annual maintenance.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Rosaleen hotel (3 star)/ Moonlight hotel (4 star)/ Indochine Palace Hotel (5 star)

Day 16: HANOI – HALONG BAY OVERNIGHT CRUISE

Stop At: Halong Bay Vietnam
If you wish to see how the Hanoi people rise and shine in the morning, wake up early and run to a lake close by your hotel, you can join an exciting scene of hundreds of locals, passionately attentive in their morning exercises of Tai Chi quan, jogging, martial arts, classical dance and so on. After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO since 1994 and 2006, and check-in our overnight boat. Enjoy a trip on Halong with stops to visit caves or to swim and enjoy the sunset on the sea. Dinner with fresh seafood. Overnight onboard.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel, Lunch and dinner on board.

Please note: The program may change due to the weather without notice.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Adamas hotel (3 star)/ Thang Long Opera hotel/ May de Ville Old quarter (4 star)/ Sheraton Hanoi/ Melia Hanoi (5 star)

Day 17: HALONG BAY – HANOI

Stop At: Halong Bay Vietnam
Morning, wake up with a taichi-quan exercises guided by the crew before having breakfast whilst your boat goes on between Halong islets. Return to the Wharf to be back to Hanoi by shuttle bus at midday. Arrive in the city around 3-4pm. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Breakfast and brunch on board.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast and brunch on board
Accommodation included: Rosaleen hotel (3 star)/ Moonlight hotel (4 star)/ Indochine Palace Hotel (5 star)

Day 18: HANOI DEPARTURE

Pass By: Noi Bai International Airport, Phú Minh, Sóc Sơn, Hà Nội, Vietnam
After breakfast, free at leisure for relax or shopping (your own arrangement) before transferring to the airport for your onwards flight back home. End of service.

Meal: Breakfast at hotel

Please note: Hotel check-out time is around 12.00

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast at hotel
No accommodation included on this day.