UNCOVERED VIETNAM – LAOS – CAMBODIA TOUR

* BRIEF ITINERARY: 

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

Day 2: Hanoi sightseeing tours

Day 3: Hanoi- Halong Bay, Overnight on board the junk

Day 4: Halong- Hanoi- Flight to Luang Prabang

Day 5: Luang Prabang city tour

Day 6: Luang Prabang sightseeing tours

Day 7: Luang Prabang- Flight to Siem Reap- Floating Village visit

Day 8: Siem Reap sightseeing tours

Day 9: Siem Reap sightseeing tours

Day 10: Siem Reap- Flight to Saigon- Cu Chi excursion

Day 11: Saigon sightseeing tours

Day 12: Departure.

DAY 1: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: HANOI ARRIVAL 

On arrival at Hanoi airport, you are met by our guide and driven to hotel for check-in and tour briefing.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Today we spend a full day exploring the charming Hanoi City. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam.

The sightseeing also includes the outlying Ethnology Museum, dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. Afterwards we drive back to the town center and enjoy a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter where people still trade in old ways. Pay a visit to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple then go to the famous water puppet theatre for a fantastic performance of the art form unique to Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 3: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: HANOI- HALONG BAY (B, L, D)

Heading out of town we drive towards Halong Bay, truly one of Vietnam‘s most scenic impressive sights. On arrival, we are welcomed onboard a traditional junk. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a two-day cruise around Halong Bay. Along the way we enjoy a huge lunch served on board and admire the picturesque scenery of islands. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. We will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to Sung Sot cave, one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. The remainder of the day is for your own pleasure; observing the bay, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Overnight onboard the junk.

DAY 4: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: HALONG BAY- HANOI- LUANG PRABANG (BRUNCH)

The sailing junks navigating past over 3,000 limestone islands and outcrops jutting out of the clear and emerald water of the bay make for a marvelous scene. We have an option to get up early to observe the splendid landscape and see the fishermen on a morning catch. The huge breakfast is a perfect way to start our relaxing day. We weave our way past Man Head and Tortoise rocks. These imposing islets are aptly named by their distinctive shapes. We cruise through Bai Tu Long and arrange our luggage to disembark at noon. We drive back to Hanoi, straight to the airport for the flight QV 314 @ 18:50-19:50 to Luang Prabang. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to the hotel for overnight.

DAY 5: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B)

Early rise to take the fantastic opportunity to watch or participate in the unique daily morning ritual, where hundreds of saffron-clad monks walk in procession collecting offerings of sticky rice from devout residents along the roadsides.

After breakfast, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We also visit Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek where local people produce traditional textiles and jute paper. Return to town and tour the most outstanding temples: Wat Visoun with the watermelon-shaped roof, Wat Xiengthong with the sweeping roofs, Wat Sene boasting the most dazzling facade of all Luang Prabang temples, Wat Aham – the “Monastery of the blossomed Heart”, and Wat Mai – the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in town. We then challenge the steps up Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view. Take a leisurely walk through the vibrant Night Market at the foot of Mount Phosi to see a lovely array of handicrafts.

Overnight in Luong Prabang.

DAY 6: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

After breakfast, we go to Phosi Market to see a dazzling array of local produces including dried buffalo skin, saltpeter, livestock, hill-tribe clothing, and so on. Continue to the villages of Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, and Ban Thapene and get acquainted with the Hmong, Lowland Laotian, and Khmu ethnic minority people. Visit the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall that offers a chance to cool off in the turquoise pools. En route back to town we call at Ban Phanom village to visit skilled hand-weaving women. Soak in the history of Luang Prabang at the Palace Museum which houses an eclectic collection, including statues, mosaic-covered walls, French mirrors, and a piece of moon rock given to “the people of Laos” by President Nixon. There’ll be time for independent exploration afterward.

Overnight in Luong Prabang

DAY 7: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: LUANG PRABANG- SIEM REAP, CAMBODIA (B, D)

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to take the flight QV 513 @ 10:40-14:10 to Siem Reap. Meet up with your local guide at Siem Reap airport and drive straight to Pour Krom. Walk through this lovely village to see rural Khmer life. Experience an ox cart ride before a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake to see floating villages and get a taste of life ruled by monsoonal rains and water-based agriculture. One of the most productive bodies of fresh water in the world, Tonle Sap was classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1997. This evening we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with Apsara dance show. Free time afterward allows a good walk along the lively Pub Street and the lucky Night Market.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 8: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B)

Wake up early and we take breakfast boxes with and travel into Angkor Wat to explore the wonder left by a highly complex civilization that controlled the greater part of Southeast Asia for four centuries. Dawn is the haunting, cooler and less crowded moment to see “the spiritual temple reflex on the water”. As the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat where the Hindu God Vishnu is dedicated was constructed by Suryavarman II who reigned Cambodia from 1113 to 1152. The plan of the pyramidal conception of the temple combined with spaces, alleys, and ditches is an ancient masterpiece of architectural design and construction. Then, transfer back to your hotel for breakfast and relax.

In the afternoon, transfer to explore the famous Angkor Thom, first with its South Gate which is best known for its majestic doors and artifacts. Then, you will visit the monumental temple of Bayon, the heart of Angkor Thom. The huge enigmatic stone faces of Bayon have become some of the most iconic and recognizable features associated with the ancient Khmer Kingdom and its architecture. Next, move to the Elephant Terrace, Terrace of the Leper King and Takeo “Jewel of Crystal”, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and was erected at the end of the 10th century.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 9: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: SIEM REAP SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B)

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to fabulous Ta Prohm Temple, a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty with its giant trees that have grown there for centuries. Then, further exploration of the Banteay Kdei temple, the unique Buddhist Temple in Angkor and also known as “Citadel of Monks’ cells”.

This afternoon, perhaps you may take part in a trip to Silk Farm village, which offers you a huge chance to learn how the amazing silk products are made. Or alternatively, you can pay a visit at Angkor National Museum. It does an excellent job of presenting the mixture of written materials describing the exhibits, the rental audio, and the short films interspersed throughout the galleries… By visiting this museum, you will review all what I have seen so far.

O/N at Siem Reap.

DAY 10: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: SIEM REAP- SAIGON (B)

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the flight VN 3818 @ 10:10-11:30 to Saigon, Vietnam. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War. Known as the “Iron Triangle” during the war of the 60’s, the story of Cu Chi is one of struggle, determination against all odds, and eventual victory. Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam’s military history. Later, we drive 50 km to the downtown of Saigon for overnight accommodation.

DAY 11: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: SAIGON SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B)

Following breakfast we’ll be touring some major sights in the very centre, taking in the Reunification Palace and the War Remnant Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Sai Gon Post Office, the City Municipal Hall, and Ben Thanh Market where everything is for sales.

DAY 12: Vietnam Laos Cambodia Tour to Hanoi, Halong, Luang Prabang, Siemreap: SAIGON DEPARTURE (B)

End of service.

INCLUDING:

• Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation in hotels (Twin / Double shared room)
• Meals as indicated: B = breakfast, L = lunch & D = Dinner
• Regional English or French speaking guide
• Entrance fee to indicated sights
• Boat trip in Halong Bay, Tonle Sap Lake, Luong Prabang
• Water puppet Show
• Pure bottled water & wipes
• Visa Approval Letter to Vietnam

EXCLUDING:
International flights in / out such as Hanoi- Luong Prabang / Luong Prabang- Siem Reap / Siem Reap- Saigon, Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room, personal expenses, insurance,…