Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos tour 19 days

Experience a 19-day Highlights Indochina tour that encompasses the very best of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Travel south through Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, before crossing into Cambodia to discover the majestic Angkor Wat complex and the capital Phnom Penh. The trip ends in magical Laos with stays in laid-back Vientiane and Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of this former French colony.

Destination:

Ba Be National Park - A wild treasure home to one of the biggest natural freshwater lakes in Asia
Ban Gioc Waterfall - Fourth largest waterfall in the world offering a breathtaking sight
Siem Reap - Temples of Angkor - Getaway to the majestic Temples of Angkor and epicentre of chic Cambodia
Can Tho - Epicentre of the Mekong Delta and base to nearby floating markets
Chau Doc - Multiple-cultured city on the river route between Cambodia and Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City - Vibrant heart of Southern Vietnam formerly known as Saigon
Hanoi - Bustling capital city of Northern Vietnam
Hoi An - Captivating multi-cultured town known for its crafts and undeniable charms
Luang Prabang - UNESCO-protected gem rich with temples and Indochinese villas

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Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
- Welcome to Hanoi – Vietnam’s bustling colonial capital. Your driver will meet you outside the baggage claim of Noi Bai airport and take you to your hotel in the city center.
  
  Be relaxed and self-explore Hanoi city. Hanoi is over 1000 years old and is currently the capital of Vietnam, as well as the commercial, political, and cultural heart of the country.
Day 2: Hanoi Day Tour (B/L/D)
- Discover the story of Hanoi by exploring the top sites besides the labyrinthine Old Quarter. Our tour guide will take you to the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum — the resting place of Vietnam’s founding president. In addition, you'll also visit some historical places such as the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, an 11th-century archaeological site, and the famous Temple of Literature.
  
  At the end of the afternoon, you will enjoy the beautiful sunset on Long Bien bridge, which was partially bombed during the Vietnam War, then we will take a breezy cyclo ride through the Old Quarter’s 36 streets, finishing up with a coffee in a local café. You will be able to enjoy the streets of Hanoi at night freely, and get ready for the trip to Ba Be tomorrow morning.
Day 3: Hanoi – Ba Be National Park (B, L, D)
- Our tour guide will pick you up by car at your hotel in Hanoi at about 7:30 AM to transfer you to Bac Kan. We will start by driving in the direction of Ba Be National Park for about 4 hours. You will be welcomed by Mr. Loc, a friendly host of Mr. Linh’s Homestay and enjoy your lunch after checking in your room.
  In the afternoon, start your boat trip around Ba Be Lake with our local guide. Ba Be Lake was recently recognized by UNESCO as the third Ramsar site in Vietnam - an important wetland of the world. The lake bed is made up of limestone with millions of crags and crevasses that are ideal for a large variety of marine life - there are over a hundred species of freshwater fish in the lakes. The boat will take you to visit the missable spots on Ba Be Lake such as Widow island, Cam village, and An Ma temple. After that, you take a short hike on the trail to the panorama views of the animal observation huts ranger station and to the harbor. Moreover, you will have a chance to kayak amidst the mystery sunset of the late afternoon before getting back to your homestay and enjoying your night with a BBQ dinner.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ba Be Lake, Widow island, Cam village, An Ma temple, and hiking a 3-5km walk.
Day 4: Ba Be National Park - Ban Gioc Waterfall (B, L, D)
- After breakfast at Mr.Linh’s Homestay, you will depart for Quang Uyen. a district inhabited primarily by Nung ethnic minority communities. Due to their isolation and the remote nature of the district, their centuries-old traditions and culture remain recognizably distinct from other minorities in Vietnam. This remoteness and traditional simplicity are what make Quang Uyen so appealing, and you will stop at a local restaurant to enjoy your lunch.
  In the early afternoon, continue to drive to venture deep underground into the magical Nguom Ngao Cave, for a very different, but no less impressive natural wonder. The cave stretches for 2,144 meters underground and is brimming with incredible stalactites and stalagmites. And, your highlight of the tour is that we take you to one of the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam: Ban Gioc Waterfall. This breath-taking 300-meter wide waterfall sits right on the border between China and Vietnam, amidst a beautiful mountainous landscape. While you’re here you can spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the water splashes on your face, practically sitting at the very edge of Vietnam, so close to China that you can actually touch it.
  
  Rounding out the day, you will then travel to Quang Uyen where you will have dinner and stay overnight at Nung’s house.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ban Gioc waterfall, Nguom Ngao cave, Frontier Vietnam - China, ethnic villages, and a 3-5km walk.
Day 5: Ban Gioc waterfall – Lang Son - Hanoi (B, L, D)
- After breakfast we’ll kick the final day of the tour by continuing your trip into the pass to Dong Dang, stopping to visit Mother’s Temple and Dong Khe – an important historical site where The Battle of Dong Khe was fought during the First Indochina War. In fact, this was the very first battle of the Indochina Wars, and the fighting here took place through September and October 1950, ending in a resounding victory for the Viet Minh.
  Transferring you to Lang Son for Lunch then we will start by driving in the direction of the Chinese border for about 3 hours, before stopping at Chi Lang Pass - a 20-km-long gorge created from a narrow valley between two mountains.
  This place occupies an important position in Vietnamese history, being the place of many victories against various Chinese invasions over the centuries and millennia, as far back as 981AD. As such it bears the reputation of Vietnam’s strongest citadel and bastion. Here you will have roughly an hour to walk around and explore the area around the Quy Mon Quan Gate, which translates as “The Gate of Monsters”, named for the many invasion forces that would spill through the pass over the course of history only to be beaten back by stalwart Vietnamese defenders.
  
  Highlights and activities: Chi Lang pass, Quy Mon Quan gate, Dong Khe battle site, ethnic villages, and a 3-5km walk.
Day 6: Hanoi – Transfer to Halong Bay (B, L, D)
- Early in the morning, our driver will take you back to Hanoi for breakfast and prepare for the next 4-hour journey to Ha Long Bay.
  Ha Long Bay is one of the most famous spots in Vietnam, which has been recognized many times by UNESCO as a natural heritage of the world with thousands of magnificent and lively islands. You will admire the wonderful beauty of the limestone mountains with traditional wooden junk. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore sea caves and secluded bays by kayak.
  After the island tour, the guide will take you to visit the fishing village to learn about the daily activities of local people such as farming and catching seafood. Afterward, you'll enjoy a dinner full of fresh seafood from the local fish farm before retiring to your cabin for the night.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay
Day 7: Cruise Halong Bay – Transfer to Hanoi – Evening flight to Danang, Hoi An (B, L, D)
- You'll wake up with amazing bay views all around. There are many options for you to relax in the early morning such as watching the sunrise over the bay, taking a dip in the cool water to start a new day full of energy or practicing tai chi to improve your health.
  After breakfast, your guide will accompany you to Sung Sot cave with a wonderful limestone system that has been created over time. Pay attention to the large Buddha statue and the image of the mother and baby frogs gathered warmly on the rock, both of which are skillfully created paintings by nature.
  After that, you will be guided back to the main harbor to return to Hanoi, preparing for your flight to Da Nang - the most livable city in Vietnam. From Da Nang, it only takes us 30 minutes to drive to the artistic Hoi An ancient town.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ha Noi, Sung Sot Cave, Da Nang, Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An day tour (B, L, D)
- With the colorful boats bobbing in the harbor, Hoi An has a charm and style all of its own. From the 1980s to the present, Ancient Town Hoi An has attracted visitors from all over the world thanks to its stunning natural scenery, stunning beaches, and cultural fusion of Chinese, Vietnamese, and Japanese architecture and culinary specialties. This UNESCO-listed site was a fishing village in the 15th century, but now is renowned for its tailors, galleries boutiques and of course its cuisine!
  Our guide will take you on a walking tour to explore this beautiful, poetic old town. You will visit Chua Ong Pagoda, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and take a stroll through the popular site that is enjoyed by many visitors and takes photos, this is a 17th-century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. This bridge is also featured on the VND 20,000 bill of Vietnam.
  Since practically everything in the town has been preserved by the locals, you can sense the wealth, commotion, and excitement of this place in the past from the current image of the town. All living links to Hoi An’s ancient past.
  
  Highlights and activities: Hoi An, Chua Ong Pagoda, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.
Day 9: Flight to Ho Chi Minh City (B, L, D)
- Your driver will take you to Da Nang airport for a flight to the biggest bustling city in Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City. Let your guide help you discover the story of Saigon from the days of French colonial rule to the years of resistance against the US and to the present day when the city became the largest economic center in Vietnam - this is one city with a tale to tell!!
  You will see all the main sights that have a lot of meaning for Saigon including the Reunification Palace, the Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral. At the end of the day, you'll be taking a speedboat ride down the river to see Ho Chi Minh City from a completely different perspective.
  You will soon fall in love with the fun, bustling city as well as its nightlife and friendly local people.
  
  Highlights and activities: Ho Chi Minh City, Reunification Palace, the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and a speed boat trip.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi tunnels day tour (B, L, D)
- You will get a new and special experience when traveling by speedboat from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground city for Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War. In the tunnel, your guide will help you discover how the Viet Cong survived underground and see various man traps, bomb craters and other remnants of the war. It will be an unprecedented and memorable experience.
  Have you ever tasted dishes made from crickets? Join us on a visit to a farm and taste this unusual local specialty!
  
  Highlights and activities: A speedboat trip to Cu Chi Tunnels, Cricket Farm.
Day 11: Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B, L, D)
- Swap the hustle of Ho Chi Minh for the tranquility of the Mekong Delta on a hassle-free day trip. You will see the small home-based factories producing candy and oil from coconuts perched on the river banks as you meander by boat through rivers and small creeks.
  Then you will have a chance to take part in a cooking demonstration and learn how to make the perfect spring roll before sitting down to feast on a three-course lunch aboard Le Jarai, a beautifully restored teak rice barge.
  At the end of the day, you will return to the pier for the driver to take you to Can Tho, the economic hub of the delta.
  
  Highlights and activities: A boat trip to Mekong Delta, Joining a cooking class.
Day 12: Can Tho – Chau Doc (B, L, D)
- Get up early and travel by boat to the township of Cai Rang to see the hustle and bustle of a floating market. Watch as vendors hawk their wares from boats teeming with produce and buy a coffee from one of the floating cafes. Then, drive approximately three hours to the township of Chau Doc, a colorful and sleepy town near the Vietnam-Cambodia border.
  This afternoon drive approximately 20kms from Chau Doc to Tra Su Forest and travel by sampan through endless waterways flanked by mangroves and lush greenery. This eco reserve spans 850 hectares and is an ecological haven for fauna and flora, with more than 100 species of water birds and colonies of bats. The best time to visit Tra Su is from September to November when the water is high, although it is accessible all year round.
  On the way to the forest, you will visit a small village of ethnic Khmer, where you will learn about the importance of Buddhism in the community and have the opportunity to chat with monks at the local monastery.
  
  Highlights and activities: Cai Rang Floating Market, Chau Doc, Tra Su Forest, ethnic Khmer village.
Day 13: Chau Doc (B, L, D)
- The Mekong Delta is a land of winding waterways, lush paddy fields and floating markets where life is governed by the ebb and flow of Vietnam’s most iconic river. Let's wake up early and cruise aboard a small boat to Chau Doc’s famous floating market which draws traders and farmers from the surrounding countryside, fruits, vegetables and fish are bought and sold en mass. Continue past the floating fish farms on your way to a local Cham Village, where you will hear the story of one of Vietnam’s most fascinating peoples. After return to your boat and continue cruising towards the iconic Sam Mountain, passing along the fascinating Vinh Te Canal built from 1819 to 1823 by Emperors Gia Long and Minh Mang from the Nguyen Dynasty. Arrive at the banks of Sam Mountain and visit two of the iconic temples that draw pilgrims from miles around. Finish with lunch at the beautiful Nui Sam Lodge, with spectacular panoramic views of the countryside below.
  The lush green paddy fields of Chau Doc are the perfect place to escape modern life and discover the authentic Mekong Delta at its very best. Cycle out along quiet dirt tracks, through villages where life has changed little over the decades and through fields busy with busy farmers and water buffalo. Stop for a picnic and recharge over a glass of traditional ice tea or coffee before getting back on the saddle and continuing your journey. Stop along the way for a chat with locals and see the beautiful landscapes of South Vietnam. Return to your hotel and overnight in Chau Doc.
  
  Highlights and activities: Chau Doc Floating Market, Cham Village, Sam Mountain, Vinh Te Canal, cycling.
Day 14: Chau Doc – Flight to Siem Reap (B, L, D)
- It will be a long day with a 6.5-hour car ride back to Ho Chi Minh City. There will be stops on the way so you can have a snack and rest. By late afternoon, you will arrive at the airport and prepare for your flight to Siem Reap. In just over an hour, you have arrived in Cambodia. Get ready for a wander through the town's old market with its maze of streets filled with shops, galleries, cafes and small bars. It’s the place to be after dark!
  
  Highlights and activities: Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples (B, L, D)
- The next day, your guide will take you to explore the amazing temples of Angkor. The three most brilliant temples in Angkor are Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a super masterpiece of Khmer art, considered the greatest religious architecture of mankind ever since. You will feel amazed when looking at Angkor Wat, the smiling faces of Bayon and the tree entwined Ta Prohm. You’ll also see the Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King, the pyramid-shaped Phimeanakas, and watch the sunset over the ancient ruins. All the main highlight temples are covered so you won't miss a thing!
  
  Highlights and activities: Angkor temples.
Day 16: Siem Reap – Flight to Luang Prabang (B, L, D)
- Today embark on an authentic rural Cambodia tour to learn about life in a typical village. Meet friendly locals and discover traditional village customs and cultures. Depending on the time of year, they may be planting rice, weaving thatch coverings for their roofs, harvesting vegetables, or doing other similar tasks. For a truly immersive experience, lend a hand and join the locals in these activities! After that, we will bid farewell to Cambodia and fly to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed town of Luang Prabang, with its golden temples with glittering spires.
  
  Highlights and activities: Cambodia rural village, Luang Prabang.
Day 17: Luang Prabang (B, L, D)
- Explore the temples of Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai the spiritual hub of Luang Prabang with their sweeping roofs and gilded facades. Visit the National Museum that was once the former Royal Palace to view the relics from Laos’ royalist past. Then head out of town to the Kuang Si waterfall, where the cool turquoise pools have a magical appearance and visit the Sun Bear refuge center to say hello to the furry residents. Pop into the Living Crafts Centre, where artisans are keeping traditional crafts alive and arrive back in Luang Prabang later in the afternoon.
  
  Highlights and activities: Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Mai temple, Kuang Si waterfall, Living Crafts Center.
Day 18: Luang Prabang (B, L, D)
- Cruise the tea-colored waters of the Mekong River to reach Pak Ou caves. The caves are home to hundreds of statues of Buddha, big and small, that have been left by devotees. You’ll be amazed to see how many are crammed in! Along the way, you will stop at a riverside village to see weavers working on ancient looms.
  
  Highlights and activities: Mekong River, Pak Ou caves.
Day 19: Luang Prabang - Departure (B, L, D)
- This morning rises early to watch the procession of monks walking silently down the street to collect their daily alms or shop for last-minute souvenirs before transferring to the airport for your onward flight.
  
  Highlights and activities: Luang Prabang.

Tour price includes:
•    Complimentary arrangement for Visa Approval Letter – single entry Vietnam.
•    Transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle as per program.
•    English speaking guide as per program.
•    Lunch (L) & Dinners as mentioned (L/D).
•    Visit fees for all sightseeing as mentioned on the program.
•    Accommodation in sharing double room including breakfasts at hotels as mentioned.

Tour price excludes:
•   Stamping fee for visa to Vietnam.
•   Meals not mentioned.
•   International flight and taxes.
•   Domestic air tickets and domestic a/p taxes.
•   Other personal expenses: drinks, souvenir, etc…

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Kerry D

Wrote a review 2 - 2024

24 day Adventure tour of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia

Review of: Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos tour 19 days

A fabulous tour. The super friendly and efficient office staff, guides and drivers meant we relaxed and enjoyed every minute. Visiting remote communities, homestays and comfortable hotels, absorbing history, culture, food and adventures in every country we visited.

Date of experience: 2 2023

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Vietnam - Cambodia - Laos tour 19 days

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