LAOS - CAMBODIA - VIETNAM Daily Departure Tour

LAOS - CAMBODIA - VIETNAM Daily Departure Tour

Tracing through prominent landmarks of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, touching the historical and cultural lines of the three Indochina countries.
- Wander along the ancient town of Luang Prabang
- Explore the world heritage site Angkor – one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia.
- Learn about Vietnamese War by visiting the real site of Cu Chi Tunnels system, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels.
- Discover the water world of Mekong Delta
- 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 - the last Imperial Capital of Vietnam, learn about the culture and culinary deversity through the unique Foodie tour.
- Contemplate the beauty of Ha Long Bay – One of the world’s new seven wonders with an overnight cruise excursion, explore the caves, enjoy the beach and kayaking.

Itinerary

Day 1: LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL

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

Please note: Hotel check-in time is from 14.00.

Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight in Luang Prabang.

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.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: LUANG PRABANG – LEISURE DAY

Stop At: Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang 06000 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.

OPTIONAL: Visit Khoang Si Waterfall

Pick up at hotel.

Transfer by private vehicle to Khoang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority groups-Ban Ouay Village, Ban Ou village and Ban Thapene Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khoang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.

Transfer back to hotel in Luang Prabang.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 4: LUANG PRABANG – SIEM REAP

Stop At: 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.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Siem Reap.


Day 5: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR TOURS

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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Siem Reap.


Day 6: SIEM REAP – BUS TO PHNOM PENH

Stop At: Phnom Penh's Night Market, Sisowath Quay, Street 1 Wat Phnom Commune, Daun Penh District, 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 is not included.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 7: PHNOM PENH – CITY TOUR

Stop At: Silver Pagoda, 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.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 8: PHNOM PENH – BUS TO SAIGON

Stop At: Saigon Square Shopping Mall, 81 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe, Quan 1, Ho Chi Minh City 70000 Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel.

Free until transferring to bus station for your departure to the next destination.

Upon arrival, transfer from Bus station to the center of Saigon then check-in at hotel. At leisure to relax in the rest of the day.

Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 9: SAIGON – CITY TOUR - CUCHI TUNNEL

Stop At: Central Post Office, 125 Hai Ba Trung, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City 70000 Vietnam
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.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Saigon.

Day 10: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – SAIGON

Stop At: Vinh Trang Temple, Nguyen Trung Truc, My Tho Vietnam
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.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Saigon.

Day 11: SAIGON – DANANG – HOIAN ANCIENT TOWN

Stop At: Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
Moring transfer to airport for your onwards 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 Hoian, 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.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 12: HOIAN – TRA QUE COOKING DEMONSTRATION - HOIAN

Stop At: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Ha Commune, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
Depart from your hotel and ride bicycle in 30 minutes 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 cycling back to your hotel. Time at leisure in the afternoon for strolling around in the town to shop the silk products, souvenirs, or get your clothes made within one day or just relax at beach.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 13: HOIAN – MYSON SANCTUARY – HOIAN – HUE

Stop At: My Son Sanctuary, Duy Phu Commune, Duy Xuyen District Vietnam
Breakfast at hotel, we will then depart from Hoian to My Son Sanctuary, where you can discover the hidden treasure of the Cham culture that once rightfully developed in the location of present Central Vietnam. Thanks to the mystery and construction secrets of the Cham towers hereby, My Son had been also designated by UNESCO as one of the five World Heritages in Vietnam. It is a huge religious complex with over 70 towers and temples of different architectures.

Drive back to Hoi An for your onward bus transfer to Hue. The bus leaves at 15:00pm.

Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 14: HUE CITY TOUR – STREET FOOD - HANOI – BY FLIGHT

Stop At: Hue Imperial City (The Citadel), Hue 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 to board the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, picked up and transferred to check in at a central hotel.

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 15: HANOI CITY TOUR

Stop At: Hanoi Train Street, Trần Phú, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 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 Ha Noi, this is pottery village with a half- millenary historic development.

Back to your hotel in Hanoi later on to relax.

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

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight in Hanoi.

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, head East for more than 2 hours to Halong Bay, the pride of the Gulf of Tonkin, a Natural World Heritage as designated by UNESCO in 1994 and 2006. The road will pass by the Red River delta with green paddyfields and rural villages, where hard-work farmers are busy with their farming jobs, ploughing buffaloes or planting seedling. Upon arrival in Halong, check in the overnight cruise to discover the magnificent beauty of this “Descending-dragon” bay, created by thousands odd-shaped limestone rocks and karst grottoes. After a lunch on board, we can visit the Grottos, stop for swimming or kayaking, passing floating houses and approach islets to enjoy their beauty in close distance. Back to the cruise, enjoy cooking demonstration before having dinner. Evening attend activities on the boat or relax at your own leisure.

Please note the program may be little varied upon the cruise you choose.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner: Dinner on board
Accommodation included: Overnight on the cruise.

Day 17: HALONG BAY – HANOI

Stop At: Halong Bay Vietnam
You should wake up early to enjoy the dawn on the sea in the early morning. The Vietnamese call the "East Sea" by a point-oriented name "Eastern Sea", so you may guess how miraculous seeing the sunrise over the islets of the Bay. After breakfast our boat will continue to cruise in marvelous areas, where almost each islet has its own name, adopting its shape or reminiscent like Sail Island, Fisherman’s head rock, Butterfly rock or Turtle islet etc. Check out your room and have brunch on board while the cruise coming back the pier. Disembark from the cruise, transfer overland to Hanoi. Check in hotel. Your time at leisure.
Duration: 5 hours

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

Day 18: HANOI DEPARTURE

Stop At: Hanoi Train Street, Trần Phú, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, 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.

Please note: Hotel check-out time is around 12.00.

Duration: 4 hours

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