20 Days Grand Indochina Travel Package

Hanoi is well known for its history, architecture, charm, tranquility, and cuisine. Our first visit was to the most well-respected sites, the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, which are essential pilgrimage points for many Vietnamese. The area surrounding the complex is a traffic-free zone filled with botanical gardens, monuments, memorials, and pagodas. It includes the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Then, visit the 11th-century Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s first university. From here, continue to Bun Cha Huong Lien, the famous local spot where President Barack Obama dined with Anthony Bourdain.

In the afternoon, we drive approximately 25 minutes to the Ethnology Museum. The museum provides an insightful glimpse into the country’s lengthy history, with more than 15,000 photos and 10,000 objects and artifacts depicting the lives, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam.

End your day by walking through the Hanoi Old Quarter. The streets of this district are bustling with scooters, bicycles, cyclos, and cars zipping around pedestrians. The best way to enjoy the charming colonial architecture is to wander with your guide at a leisurely pace. Be sure to stop for a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a local snack from one of the many tantalizing street vendors.

Your Vietnam beach vacation begins with a trip to Halong Bay, a collection of almost 2,000 islands and jungle-clad limestone pillars in the Tonkin Gulf. Called “Bay of Descending Dragons” in Vietnamese, the archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous travel destination.

Leave the hotel and head to Halong, passing through incredible scenery, including tranquil villages and buffalo on the fields.

Upon arrival, enjoy a welcome drink and a delicious freshly caught seafood lunch while sailing out of the bay, passing fantastic mountain shapes. Enjoy the seascape from the sundeck or even in your private cabin through a glass window. To enhance your experience, swim, go kayaking, and visit caves on the island. In the late afternoon, we take part in a Vietnamese cooking demonstration by the onboard chefs and enjoy a seafood feast for dinner as stars emerge behind the jungle-clad limestone pillars.

Spend the night onboard in an elegant cabin with handcrafted wooden interiors and air-conditioning. There is also an option for night fishing before an overnight stay aboard.

Rise early to catch the sunrise over Sung Sot Cave while participating in a Tai Chi class with the boat’s Tai Chi guru.

Enjoy a light breakfast while sitting on the upper deck, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the bay's emerald water. Then, explore Sung Sot Cave, swim, and relax. Return to the jetty while brunch is served as you pass through the bay, observing more fascinating rock formations.

Return to Hanoi with time to relax or grab a last-minute bargain before our late afternoon flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Today, we visit Hue's oldest 19th-century pagoda, Thien Mu (Heavenly Lady) Pagoda, famous for its Buddhist Center teachings.

Board our dragon boat from the base of the pagoda and cruise down the Perfume River, watching local fishermen as we pass the banks of Hue’s town.

Continue with a visit to the Hue Citadel, Vietnam’s former imperial capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you will discover the history of Vietnam during this period, the daily life of the royal family, and the typical architecture of this imperial construction.

Being the former royal capital, Hue's surrounding countryside contains several of the tombs of the former Nguyen Emperors, where you will get to see the Minh Mang Tomb.

Before returning to your hotel, stop at Dong Ba Market to do some shopping.

After a relaxing morning, we set out on our spectacular drive to Hoi An.

We pass through Lang Co fishing village, set within beautiful blue lagoons, before heading up and over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, where we stop at the highest point to take in the stunning scenery at 980 meters above sea level.

Upon arrival in Hoi An town, the historic and quaint nature of this UNESCO World Heritage Site is perfect for exploring.

The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure for you to enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this quaint ancient town or spend some time with the skillful tailors, treating yourself to tailor-made clothes, for which Hoi An is renowned.

After breakfast at the hotel, our tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to Bana Hills Station. You’ll have a chance to ride a modern cable car system, giving you a bird’s-eye view as you fly through the blue sky amidst the clouds and wind. You’ll visit some old French villas en route, the suspension bridge, Nui Chua, and the Mountain Peak (at the height of 1,487m). We will then enjoy lunch while taking in the spectacular views.

In the afternoon, walk to the mountain's summit at 1,487 meters, the highest point of Bana Mountain. Visit Bell Tower, Nghinh Phong Tower, and the Golden Hand Bridge, where you can take beautiful photos of the mountains and Danang City.

Today, we have the privilege of spending the day at a local family home in a small farming village just outside Hoi An town.

Biking from the hotel to Tra Que village, we will be welcomed by the family and enjoy a traditional herbal drink before setting out on a guided walk through the local farmland. We will learn about the village's history, observe the harvesting process, and discover the traditional uses of herbs and vegetables in cooking and Vietnamese medicine.

For those with a green thumb, you can join the farmers in preparing the land, seeding, watering, and picking the crops.

Afterward, rest, freshen up, and soak your feet in a traditional lemongrass and rose petal foot bath. Then, sit down for a delicious lunch of local delicacies made with fresh herbs and vegetables from the garden. The family will also show off their cooking skills with a creative demonstration.

I bid farewell to the family in the early afternoon and headed back to town.

The rest of the day is free for leisure.

After a relaxing morning, we take a flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you will be met by the tour guide and driver and transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Tonight is free at leisure to explore the bustling city of Saigon.

With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is a city that never sleeps.

This morning, we embark on a half-city tour with your guide, offering their insight into everyday life in Vietnam. Famous landmarks include the colonial-era government quarter, with its vibrant yellow French-style post office. Next, we’ll venture off the tourist track to experience the local life of bustling Saigon. Learn about Vietnamese and Chinese communities as we travel to Cho Lon, one of the world’s largest and oldest Chinatowns.

In the afternoon, we travel out of town to see the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, where thousands of Viet Cong soldiers lived during the Vietnam War. If comfortable with narrow spaces, you can enter a few of the tunnels and view exhibitions and videos of the tunnels in use.

In the evening, enjoy leisure time, head to a trendy restaurant or cocktail bar, or try street food near central Ben Thanh Market.

Today, we head to Cai Be floating market to explore the typical Vietnamese life of the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival at the Cai Be land market, we visited rice factories in An Cu Village and Dong Hoa Hiep to see the ancient houses. Then, we continued to the Cai Be floating market and handicraft workshop by boat. Afterward, we headed to Tan Phong Island for a rowing boat ride through the tiny canals. We passed through the Mekong Ecolodge for a short break, then explored the island by bicycle, engaging in local activities.

You will visit a local family to learn how to make jack leaves cakes, a specialty on this island. Participate in cake-making and enjoy them, then relax on hammocks under a 200-year-old milk fruit tree—experience crossing the Monkey Bridge, which is popular in Southwest Vietnam.

Say goodbye to the locals and learn how to knit water hyacinth, making a hat with their guidance. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

In the late afternoon, participate in a cooking class where you prepare your dinner. The local family will guide you through a creative cooking demonstration, and you'll enjoy the meal you've just prepared.

After breakfast, take a cycling walk through traditional villages with ancient houses, bonsai gardens, and fruit trees. Witness the process of making coconut candy, bang conical hats, and rice paper, reflecting the cultural lifestyle of the South-Western region.

Cycle back to Mekong Ecolodge for check-out and freshen up before returning to Saigon.

Transfer directly to the airport for a flight to Vientiane.

On arrival in Vientiane, you will be transferred to your hotel. If time permits, visit the famous night market for handmade textiles from local and hill tribe communities.

After breakfast, visit the oldest Wat Sisaket, a temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous That Luang Stupa, a sacred structure of Lao heritage, stop at the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s Arc de Triomphe. Continue to the Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside, created by a mysterious monk over 500 years ago. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Mekong River.

Later, transfer to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and relaxation.

After breakfast, take a short guided tour to visit the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, a masterpiece of Laotian architecture. Then, board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River for a scenic journey and a visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, where pilgrims place thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. En route, stop at Ban Xanghai village, which is known for producing rice wine. Upon returning to Luang Prabang, take a short drive to Ban SX Prabang.

An optional early start allows you to participate in the unique daily morning rituals of monks collecting alms from local residents. Afterward, visit the Phousi Market, where you can observe diverse offerings, including dried buffalo skin, local tea, and hill-tribe weavings.

After breakfast, visit the former Royal Palace (now a museum), which houses interesting artifacts. Then, visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun.

In the afternoon, visit local Lao ethnic minority villages, including Ban Ouay (Hmong village), Ban Ou (Laoloum village), and Ban Thapene (Khmu village). Continue to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall, where you can swim or walk along the forest trails. Return to Luang Prabang in the late evening to admire the sunset at Wat Thabath Tai.

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap Airport, you will be greeted by your local tour guide. Begin a city tour with a visit to the Preah Ang Chheck/Chhom temple and Angkor National Museum, where you can see ancient artifacts from across Cambodia. In the afternoon, head south of Siem Reap for a short cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia’s largest natural water body. Witness the floating villages, friendly children in small boats, and fishermen at work. End the day with a sunset view at Phnom Krom.

Beat the crowd early in the morning by 7 a.m.; visit the picturesque Ta Prohm, which nearly disappeared into the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree pushing between the temple's huge stone blocks in a sort of embrace evoke feelings that you may remember forever. Continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat, one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns delicate Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art.

Lunch is its account.

In the afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal City Angkor Thom & Bayon. Its 54-tower temple is an incredible sight. At first glance, it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another, and another one until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic, silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out from a primitive and remote time. Further, visit the complex's surroundings, including the Baphuon, Elephant Terrace, Lepper King Terrace, and Royal Place area.

In the morning, transfer out of Siem Reap town to a beautiful village in the countryside, where you will start to walk through the village houses and witness adorable and different activities from the locals in their daily lives. Examples include how the locals wash vehicles, sell gasoline in whiskey bottles, or the small shops selling food on the side of small streets.

On the way, you can take some fruits from the plants, enjoy a view of this beautiful area, and interact with the kind people in the village. Enjoy a 30-minute ox-cart ride through the rice paddies to reach one big local house to see how this family does daily work, such as making rice wine and handicraft works, while a family member offers you a fresh coconut and some homemade rice wine to taste.

Hop in your van to drive to the next destination, a floating community. Please arrive at the quay and embark on a motorized boat to visit the floating houses village, which offers an incredible natural phenomenon of making their lives from the lake in a respectful and meaningful way. This is a great chance to witness one of Cambodia and the world’s most impressive natural wonders. Drive back to Siem Reap. (Note: Floating community is recommended from September to February)

At your choice, kayaking is available on request on Tonle Sap Lake at an additional cost.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, meet and transfer to the city to visit the Royal Palace, built in 1866 by King Norodom, Silver Pagoda (so named because its floor is made up of 5,000 silver tiles) located within the Royal Palace compound, and Tuol Sleng Museum, a reminder of the Khmer Rouge regime.

After breakfast, enjoy free time at your leisure. When it is time for departure, our tour guide will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.