Indochina Past & Present – 21 Days

Today, we explore Hanoi as we head to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his stilt house and then, visit One Pillar Pagoda nearby. Optionally, opt to visit one of the following museums: Women’s Museum, Museum of History or Army Museum. Lunch at a traditional restaurant before dropping by the Temple of Literature (Confucius Temple), the first National University of Vietnam as well as Hoa Lo prison, “the true hell on the earth” during the Vietnam war. Later, tale a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, enter Ngoc Son Temple and then, get into a traditional water puppet show which is a particular type of art in the rural north of Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi.

Get up early and we take a drive to Mai Chau which is a stunning mountainous district, for a wonderful homestay trip ahead. We may drop in the local market in Hoa Binh to strive for the original savor of Vietnamese coffee and get yourselves several impressive photos. Upon arrival, check into the homestay, then relax at leisure. The half-day is to discover some ethnic villages, bump into the locals, observe their daily activities. Later, enjoy a cozy dinner with the host Overnight in Mai Chau.

This morning, we come over another renowned ethnic village – Buoc Village, where a lot of White Thai people living in. You will have an opportunity to admire paddy fields, stilt houses, en route. Head to a local family, witness how they work and learn about their typical customs as well as enjoy a traditionally cooked lunch. Back to Hanoi and relax at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

Today’s itinerary includes a boat tour around Halong Bay. Lunch with seafood onboard and relax. The rest of the day is to voyage the manifold small, yet impressive islands with different shapes. Then, explore some caves and then enjoy a kayak or go swimming in the cool and freshwater if you want. Dinner onboard. Your schedule may change a little based on cruise ships. Overnight on board.

Get up early and enjoy Tai Chi exercise on the sun deck. After that, also enjoy the beautiful scenery and welcome the very first rays of sunshine and then, have a delicious breakfast on the deck. Relax at leisure and lunch on board. Later, in the afternoon, we drop over the main harbor and then, back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, pay a visit to the Ancient Pottery Village of Phu Lang. Afterward, catch a late flight to from Noi Bai Airport to Hue, check into the hotel and relax at leisure. Overnight to Hue.

Our day will begin with an adventure Dong Ba Market, a renowned local market for foreigners, displaying a variety of products. Also, head to the Imperial Palace that has the same structure as the Forbidden City of China. The site has been recognized as a World Cultural Heritage for its historical value. Afterward, traverse to the suburb to witness several of the most infamous royal tombs of kings in feudal history consisting of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh. Having a Buddhist vegetarian lunch at a monastery where we will converse veggie with the nuns there and also have the opportunity to get the knowledge about Buddhism. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip along the Huong River (Perfume River) and then, come over Thien Mu pagoda. Come back to the hotel the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Hue.

Today we depart to the ancient town, Hoi An. Via Hai Van Pass, we can get into the breathtaking scenery of the sea. En route, we also stop to encounter My Khe Beach and Marble Mountain so as to watch old pagodas. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Hoi An.

This morning, enjoy breakfast and we stroll around small corners of the town, drop by Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky house, as well as the Japanese Covered Bridge. We then have lunch and go on the boat to visit Thanh Ha village where offers an opportunity to learn how they create pottery. In the evening, optionally choose to relax or take part in a cooking class to learn several local foods. Overnight in Hoi An.

Today, you can freely reveal Hoi An your way. Feel free to ask your tour guide where to entertain.

This morning, we are far Hoi An taking the flight to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) from International Da Nang airport. The first stop is Cu Chi Tunnel, a very complicated system of tunnels built in the Vietnam war. We also watch a short video introducing the Tunnel. Also, many of the traps and weapons in the war are illustrated for visitors. Later, we drive to Ho Chi Minh City and check into the hotel and have a tasty lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, head to the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral as well as the General Post Office. Our final stop will be Ben Thanh Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

The first stop today is the Mekong Delta, the rice bowl of Vietnam. We also head to Ben Tre Town and take a cruise along Ben Tre River, dig into the daily life of the locals. We observe the process of making bricks, sleeping mats and products made from coconut. Then, take a motor cart which will bring us past spacious fresh vegetable gardens. This is the most magnificent thing about the trip. Lunch at a local restaurant, then traverse to the journey. Time to say goodbye to Ben Tre. We explore the stunning city – Can Tho, called the capital city of Mekong Delta. Check into the hotel and the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Can Tho.

Breakfast is well served then we hire a local boat to investigate Cai Rang Floating Market. Next, take a walk into nearby villages in order to learn the way the local people produce rice paper mills as well as rice noodles. One of the most exhilarating things to do in southwestern is trying to pass Monkey Bridge which is a typical kind of bridge here, made from small and thin trees. If you are the first-timers, your heart will not stop pounding while crossing. In addition, you can opt to ride a bicycle, spinning throughout the tranquility and watch the quiet but stunning vistas. Then, we proceed to Chau Doc, another interesting site. Check-in the hotel and relax at leisure. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Breakfast and we come to the wharf and have a trip lasting roughly 5 hours to start the journey to explore the gorgeous country, Cambodia. in the afternoon, we reach in the capital Phnom Penh, check into the hotel and then, get into a memorable lunch at a special restaurant cooked by adorable kids who used to be poor street ones. After lunch, we spin around the city and head to the National Museum of Khmer art, where a huge number of spectacular artworks in every period of Cambodia history can be found. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival, check into the hotel in Siem Reap and the rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Siem Reap

Today, we explore the famous Angkor complex. The order can be flexible, depend on what your interest is, as long as you feel comfortable. Begin with the ancient city, Angkor Thom. Explore every corner of this place, from Bayon which is a structure with 54 towers that feathers countless lively faces carved on it, the Terrace of Elephants as well as Terrace of Leper Kings. Back to the hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon, we go over to a superb Ta Prohm. which is considered as a brother of famous Angkor Wat due to the same structure. Otherwise, because located deep in the forest and is covered by layers of trees, not too many travelers come here. Besides, the special is manifold scenes of the blockbuster “Tomb Raider” that were shot. When the sun merely fades away, we traverse to Pre Rup and get into the stunning owl-light. Overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning, wake up early to marvel at the majestic dawn moment from Angkor Wat. After that, we step on Banteay Srei Temple built with the largest number of pink sandstones compared to any temple in the Angkor complex. We then drop in Tonle Sap as well as take a boat to get an excursion of this Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon, head to the Roluos Temple Complex from where you can admire several masterpieces which are leftovers of a glory period of the Khmer Empire such as Preah Ko. Bakong, and Lolei. Later, relax at leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap

Breakfast and morning at leisure. Later, take a flight to Luang Prabang – Laos. Luang Prabang has been considered the religious center of the whole country for hundreds of years. Also, this ancient city is recognized as a World Heritage by UNESCO for its unique value. Once you’ve settled in the hotel, relax at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today, we head to the National Museum and the bygone Royal Palace which is a place displaying the renowned Prabang Buddha as well as a diversity of gifts from foreign dignitaries. Next, we dwell in Wat Visoun – the living witness of the invasion of Black Flags from southern China. Besides, Watermelon Stupa with its special shape is an exhilarating thing to visit when coming here. Some other places are Wat Aham in which was set the altar of Luang Prabang and Wat That was kept the skeleton of King Sisavang Vong. Later, we enjoy an excursion along Mekong River which is well-planned to explore mystic Pak Ou Caves standing on the side of a dramatically stunning rock cliff. After that, call on Ban Xanghai, where is prevalent with traditional rice. On the way coming back to Luang Prabang, drop-in Ban Xangkhong which is very well-known for the tradition of papercraft & silk weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

We visit Kuang Si Waterfall which is a gorgeous 3-layer waterfall located 29 kilometers to the south of the city. This is the most famous natural destination in Luang Prabang. Tourists visiting this place usually fond of a jump into the freshwater, cool off the body as well as the soul and enjoy the stunning natural wonder. Lunch is served right close to the fall. After that, we turn back to the city. On the way, coming back, we may come by Ban Na Oune, a serene village of Hmong people, and Tha Pane village where the Khmu people living in. We end the day with a climb to Mount Phousi where tourists can marvel at the marvelous scenery of the gloaming. The remainder of the time is for unwinding. Overnight in Luang Prabang.  

Time to say goodbye. Breakfast and relax at leisure until getting escorted to the hotel. The trip ends, hope you enjoyed it.  If you are going to enjoy other multi country Asia tour packages, don’t forget us.