13 Days Discover the Gems of Indochina

Day 1

Arrive at Hanoi / Noi Bai International Airport by flight ... (Please kindly advise us of the arrival flight). Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi for check in (Check–in time is 14:00 hrs; early check–in is at surcharge). Rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi

Meals included:

None

Day 2

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Starting at 8:30 AM, our tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. Begin by visiting the Tran Quoc Pagoda, a serene site nestled along the shores of West Lake. From there, transfer to the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you'll explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the revered final resting place of Uncle Ho (President Ho Chi Minh), and his stilt house, where he lived between 1958 and 1969. Move on to the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda, an architectural gem in the middle of a square lake. The journey continues to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first college dedicated to Confucian principles.

In the afternoon, choose one of the city's museums for further exploration, including options like the History Museum, Ethnology Museum, or the historically significant Hoa Lo Prison, once famously known as the "Hanoi Hilton." Return to the downtown area for a break by Hoan Kiem Lake. Wrap up the day with a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, renowned as the 36 streets. This lively district is home to countless small businesses and shops, providing ample opportunities for exploration and capturing memorable photographs.

Accommodation at hotel in Hanoi

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Day 3

Breakfast at your hotel.

Morning departure for Ha Long Bay, we will go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights.

11:30 – 12:00: The crew members of  Lotus D’Orient cruise will welcome you at our waiting lough No.28 A, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh.

12:00 – 12:30: Get on Tender Boat to Lotus D’orient  Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Complete check-in procedure.

13:00 – 13:15: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong bay - Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

15:00 – 15:30: Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands.

Immerse yourself in the emerald, green water of the bay or enjoy the cool atmosphere on Lotus D’Orient sundeck.

17:30 –18:30: Joining us for Cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of the cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enjoy Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

19:00: Dinner is served at the restaurant. After dinner, you can join the squid fishing program at the main deck or relax on the sundeck and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge)....

Overnight on cruise 

Note: the itinerary of Halong will be changed based on which cruise you choose and depending on the weather without prior notice.

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel  

Lunch and Dinner on Cruise

6:00-6:30: Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon. 

6:15 -7:00: Have breakfast. Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

7:00:  You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere Tender boat. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam by car transfer. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

9:30: Back to Gia Luan Habor by bus transfer, then our tender boat drops you off to the main boat, you can have a quick showing packing your luggages and check carefully all the belongings before checking out your cabin.

10:00: Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check-out procedure. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the cruise is returning to the harbour.

11:00: You take the Tender boat back to Tuan Chau port. Return to Hanoi

Disembark from the cruise and transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Danang.

Upon arrival at the airport in Danang, meet our local tour guide and transfer to the hotel in Danang.

The rest of the day is for free time.

Accommodation at a hotel in Danang

Meals included:

Breakfast/Brunch on Cruise

Day 5

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Start 8:00 AM: A local tour guide will meet you at your hotel, check your bike and as a group begin the cycle through the local market to buy some spices and vegetables for the cooking class. Continue cycling for an hour through rice fields and peaceful villages that display the areca gardens. After this, you arrive in Tra Que vegetable village where you will take a pleasant walk through the garden and learn the different types of culinary herbs and vegetables which will be used in the cooking class. Meet your chef at the restaurant and learn the recipes; how to prepare and cook Banh Xeo – a Vietnamese pancake, famous Vietnamese spring rolls, and Tam Huu salad. You will be able to enjoy your lunch with the food you make and have time to relax before beginning your cycle back to the hotel, where the tour ends.

14:00 PM You will be taken from the hotel to Hoi An ancient town. Hoi An was the center of national trade in the 16th century so you can admire the diversity of ancient streets and homes. Stroll around the unique and magnificent cobblestone alleys and have a glimpse of the Chinese houses that have existed for the hundreds of years

During the leisurely tour, You will have a wonderful opportunity to view historic homes constructed in French, European, Japanese, and Chinese architectural styles. When it comes to Hoi An, you should definitely visit the 100-year-old Japanese Bridge, the Phuc Kien Hall, and the local fish market, among other amazing locations. You may also drop in a store that specializes in custom clothing to purchase your preferred items.

17:30 PM: The rest of the day is your own leisure. You can keep discovering the ancient town on your own or come back to the hotel for relaxation.

Accommodation at a hotel in Danang

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at Cooking Class

Day 6

Breakfast at the hotel.

8:00 AM: Pick up at your hotel in Da Nang and head out to Ba Na Hills.

Take the Cable Car to Ba Na hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet hills, Linh Ung pagoda, The Old Villas of French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden, etc. Experience hill climbing train (first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), flower garden Le Jardin D’amour and Linh Ung Pagoda.

You should not miss walking on the Golden Bridge amid the foggy hills of the mountain and enjoy the gorgeous view of Da Nang City.

Have lunch at a restaurant in Ba Na hills.

In the afternoon, you are free to explore the French village or joining games in Fantasy Park – the third biggest indoor games zone in Vietnam with series of interesting games: 4 – 5D film, skiver, The death race, dinosaur park… (2 hours).

Please note: Entrance fees to Debay Ancient Wine Cellar, Wax Museum, cotton animal game and carnival skill at Fantasy Park are not included in my quotation, joining them will be at your own account.   

15:00 PM: Return to Da Nang city.

Continue to transfer to Danang International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Suggested flight: VN139 DAD – SGN 18:15 - 20:00

Upon arrival at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, meet our local tour guide and transfer to the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodation at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Lunch at a restaurant in Ba Na Hills

Day 7

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Morning drive to Cu Chi Tunnels – the network of over 200 km of tunnels became legendary when they played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens.  

After a short introduction video showing how the tunnels were constructed, you will have a chance to crawl into a short section of the tunnels to feel the oppressive narrowness and heat inside. 

Back to Ho Chi Minh city, and start 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 Notre Dame Cathedral (view from outside only), built between 1877 and 1883 and colonial-styled Central Post Office, one of the city’s major landmarks. 

Shopping at Ben Thanh market, then back to hotel and take rest. 

Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 8

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

At 8:00, leave your hotel and head to My Tho, where you'll see vibrant countryside scenes and picturesque rice fields along the way. When you arrive, hop on a boat for a Mekong River tour, stopping at villages (islets) to discover local life. Visit a coconut candy workshop, learn how it's made, then stroll through the village and take a horse-drawn carriage ride to try fresh honey and seasonal fruits while enjoying traditional folk music.

Next, take an adventurous boat ride through palm-fringed creeks to Turtle Island, a beautiful natural spot. Have a tasty traditional lunch with a specialty of the Mekong Delta – Deep fried elephant ear fish and other local dishes.

In the afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City. If you're interested, make a stop to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a stunning ancient pagoda in the Mekong Delta.

Back to your hotel in Saigon.

Accommodation at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 9

Breakfast will be at hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel then catch your flight to Siem Reap. Arrive Siem Reap transfer to hotel for check in.

In the afternoon, we will visit Les Artisans D’ Angkor and see their stone and wood

carving workshops where the artisans are taught to use traditional Khmer techniques. In line with its mission to produce fine Arts & Crafts objects, Artisans d’Angkor has set up a silver plated workshop in order to demonstrate this know-how and encourage the revival of this Cambodian heritage. Wood and stone carving, The art of stone carving goes back to the glorious epoch of the Khmer empire and its monumental onstructions that gave rise to the Angkor temples. Like the work of craftsmen from previous centuries, stone carving is done on sandstone. Artisans d’Angkor mainly uses andstone from Siem Reap province. Next visit the Old Market where you can see the fresh local produce being sold as well as browse the souvenir stalls.

Accommodation at hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 10

Breakfast will be at hotel.

In the morning, we will visit the South Gate (with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk) the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century) and visit Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara),the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King and visit the fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees. Ta Prohm (pronunciation: prasat taprohm) is the modern name of the temple at Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries and originally called Rajavihara. Located approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray, it was founded by the Khmer King Jayavarman VII as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.

Unlike most Angkorian temples, Ta Prohm is in much the same condition in which it was found: the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings have made it one of Angkor's most popular temples with visitors.

UNESCO inscribed Ta Prohm on the World Heritage List in 1992. Today, it is one of the

most visited complexes in Cambodia’s Angkor region. The conservation and restoration of Ta Prohm is a partnership project of the Archaeological Survey of India and the APSARA (Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap).

In the afternoon, Wat Thmei (New Wat) The wat contains a unique glass-walled stupa

containing the bones of victims of the Khmer Rouge. Some of the bones were recovered from a nearby well while others are the remains of soldiers who died on a nearby battlefield. 500m west of the road to Angkor about 1.5km north of town. Then continue to visit the 7th world heritage, Angkor Wat a unique and stunning blend of spirituality and symmetry, an enduring example of man's devotion to his Gods. It is the largest and undoubtedly the most breath taking of the monuments of Angkor and it is widely believed that it is the largest religious structure in the world until sunset.

Accommodation at hotel in Siem Reap.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 11

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Catch the flight to Luang Prabang.

Sabaidee! Welcome to Luang Prabang, a tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be “the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia”.

You are greeted by your guide and driver at the airport for your transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at your own leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 12

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Optional: We have the possibility this morning to wake up very early to go witness the Tak Bat ceremony, when the monks process along the streets of the town to receive the daily alms from locals. Surcharge applied.

Start with the Morning Market, where you will see diverse and unusual offerings such as: dried buffalo skin, local tea, live chickens, vegetables and local hill-tribe weavings. Right in front of the morning market, Wat Mai – the largest and most richly decorated temple in town. The monastery served as a temple for the royal family and is the residence of the Pra Sangkharat, the highest Laotian Buddhist dignitary. Some steps away, we’ll pay a visit to The National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, showcases many treasures of Laos' royal past and features the Prabang, the sacred Buddha image for which Luang Prabang was named. End our morning at Wat Xieng Thong, the largest and most splendid temple of Luang Prabang royal city, best known for its impressive Tree of Life mural depicting the Buddhist story.

Afternoon: you will go by boat to Pak Ou Caves, enjoy splendid natural scenery along the way and observing local fishermen and daily activities along the river. Pak Ou Caves, locally called Tam Ting, are filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues. The caves are noted for their miniature Buddha sculptures. Hundreds of wooden Buddhist figures take many different positions, including meditation, teaching, peace, rain and reclining (nirvana).

On the way back, you will also have opportunity to visit the local riverside villages of Ban Xanghai, a popular stop-over producing some special varieties of Laolao, the local rice wine. Second stop at Ban Xang Khong, known for its handmade paper and weaving craft

On the bright day, you’ll have chance to enjoy the marvellous sunset while cruising down along the mighty Mekong.

Evening, enjoy Luang Prabang night maket, offering a lovely variety of handmade textiles crafted by local and hill-tribe people, along with street food, knick-knacks and friendly banter.

Dinner at your own arrangement.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 13

Breakfast at your hotel

Travel south of town to the famous Kuangsi Waterfall; the turquoise color of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. Depending on the season the water level varies and you can be swimming in the beautiful pools. While there, you also will have the opportunity to visit the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation center that rescues animals from the wildlife trade.

On the way back, visit the Ock Pop Tock weaving centre, run by an organization that offers local weavers the chance to earn a decent income with their weaving skills.

Head to Luang Prabang Airport for flight to next destination.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

13 Days Discover the Gems of Indochina

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