Jewel of Indochina Itinerary

16 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Saigon City

Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, you will be greeted by our representative. Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling metropolis with over 10 million people, offering a mix of traditional markets and modern establishments. Check in at your hotel and enjoy some rest. Overnight stay at the hotel in Saigon.

Day 2: Saigon Touring & Cu Chi Tunnels

Embark on a city tour to discover the highlights of Saigon. In the morning, explore the historic Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Visit the French colonial landmarks Notre Dame Cathedral and the Post Office. In the afternoon, drive to Cu Chi district, approximately 50 km northwest of Saigon. Watch a video presentation on the construction of the tunnels before entering the tunnels themselves. Spend around an hour navigating the intricate maze, gaining insight into the underground life during the war. Return to Ho Chi Minh City, where you have free time for leisure or shopping at the nearby Ben Thanh Market. Overnight stay at the hotel in Saigon.

Day 3: Mekong River Cruising in Style

Embark on a full-day trip starting at 7:30 am to Vinh Long province. Board a traditional boat for a five-hour river cruise through Vietnam’s productive agricultural area. Enjoy the scenic landscapes featuring coconut palms, sugar-cane groves, and fruit orchards. Cruise to the Cai Be floating market, where vibrant barges are laden with fruits and vegetables. Visit local home factories for rice paste making, rice pop corn, coco candies, and longans drying processing. Continue along the Mekong canals to Dong Hoa Hiep Island, passing by locals engaged in daily tasks and colorful Khmer pagodas. Stops can be made for specific visits or photos. Arrive at La Residence de Phu An resort for a welcome and Vietnamese culinary delights. Walk along a narrow canal to an air-conditioned vehicle for the return trip to Ho Chi Minh City. Spend the night at a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 4: Fly to Hoi An

Fly to Danang in the morning, followed by a transfer to Hoi An. Along the way, visit the Cham Museum, explore long sandy beaches, and pass by the Marble Mountains. Arrive in the charming Hoi An Ancient Town, also known as Faifo to early Western traders. This town is a well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and street plan showcase a unique blend of indigenous and foreign influences. Enjoy leisure time for the rest of the day. Overnight at a hotel in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An City Tour

Embark on a morning walking tour, beginning with a visit to the bustling fish and vegetable market. Proceed through the Old Quarters to explore landmarks such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, ancient Assembly Hall, and Phuc Kien Temple. Following this, take a river trip to enjoy the scenic views along the Thu Bon River, capturing the essence of Hoi An Ancient Town. The town comes to life in the evening when lanterns illuminate the streets. After the tour, you’ll have free time to explore or engage in souvenir shopping. Hoi An is renowned for its tailor shops, offering the opportunity to have custom-made clothing. Enjoy the evening at your leisure and spend the night in Hoi An.

Day 6: Day at Leisure

Enjoy a free and easy day in Hoi An City.

Day 7: Fly to Hanoi

Upon your arrival in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, you will be warmly welcomed by our tour guide. Hanoi is an elegant city situated on the banks of the Red River, with the serene Restored Sword Lake at its center. The Old Quarter, north of the lake, features bustling streets, each named after the trades that once took place there. The city underwent significant transformation during the French colonial period, with wide boulevards and grand colonial buildings now housing government departments and foreign embassies. Transfer to your hotel in the city center for a refreshing break. Spend the night at a hotel in Hanoi City.

Day 8: Hanoi City Tour

This full-day tour covers all of Hanoi’s key attractions. In the morning, we’ll start with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, exploring the historical presidential relics, followed by a trip to the nearby Temple of Literature. Next, we’ll head to Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake, a picturesque focal point of Hanoi that attracts both tourists and locals. In the afternoon, our tour takes us to the Museum of Ethnology, recognized as one of the best in the country, showcasing exhibits dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups.

Later, we’ll embark on a 1-hour cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarters, providing a glimpse into the daily lives of those residing in the city’s oldest sections. The day concludes with a visit to a traditional water puppetry show, offering a charming portrayal of typical activities in Vietnam’s rural areas. Spend the night at a hotel in Hanoi.

Day 9: Drive to Halong Bay

Embark on an exploration of the legendary Halong Bay after checking in at noon. Halong Bay is renowned for its breathtaking scenery, featuring around 3,000 limestone islands rising majestically from the clear and emerald waters. The cruise aboard a junk boat offers a fantastic perspective of this picturesque landscape. The limestone karst formations are adorned with grottoes, beaches, and stunning caves.

During the cruise, there will be opportunities for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and a visit to one of the many hidden grottoes nestled beneath towering cliffs. The night will be spent on the Junk Cruise, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Halong Bay.

Day 10: Halong Bay, Drive to Hanoi

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, visit beautiful limestone grotto then back to the boat for a final glimpse of the Halong Bay while cruising back to the dock. Transfer back to Hanoi City. Rest of time at your own leisure. Spend a night at hotel in Hanoi.

Day 11: Fly to Luang Prabang

Take a morning flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of the Lane Xang Kingdom, is known for its gleaming temple roofs, colonial architecture, and stunning mountain backdrop. The city retains a unique charm rarely found elsewhere in Asia. Spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 12: Luang Prabang Touring

The day commences with a visit to the Big Brother Mouse shop, where you can select books for the village visit. Afterward, we travel north by car along route 13 before taking an unpaved road to Ban Khia Luang village. There, we have ample time to visit the school, engage with the children, and watch them enjoy their new books. Exploring the rest of the village, witnessing traditional weaving, and visiting the local temple are also part of the experience. Lunch is served in the village, either as a western picnic or traditional Lao food like sticky rice and fresh vegetables cooked by the villagers.

Following lunch, we bid farewell to the village and drive to Ban Khoklin, passing through picturesque mountains and paddy fields. At Ban Khoklin, we board a private boat for a 30-minute journey down the Nam Ou River to Pak Ou Caves. These caves house thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, left by pilgrims. We then continue down the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang, arriving late afternoon. Spend the night in Luang Prabang.

Day 13: Fly to Siem Reap

Today, we’ll take a flight to Siem Reap, a charming riverside city located in Northwest Cambodia. Siem Reap is a major tourist hub, serving as the gateway to the iconic temples of Angkor. The most famous of these temples is Angkor Wat, meaning “Capital Temple,” constructed by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy some leisure time, perhaps exploring the Old Town. Spend the night at a hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 14: Siem Reap Angkor Temple Tour

Your private tour of Angkor Wat begins at the South Gate of Angkor Thom City. Explore the centerpiece of the ancient city, The Bayon. The Bayon is renowned for its decorative Khmer temple, and its distinctive features include the serene and massive stone faces that tower around the central peak. Your tour continues with visits to Baphuon temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, as well as the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of Leper Kings.

Enjoy lunch in front of Angkor Wat before entering this magnificent temple, easily the most famous and best-preserved structure within the complex. Spend most of the afternoon exploring the temple and watching the sunset over Angkor before heading back to Siem Reap. Spend the night at a hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Angkor Temple Touring

In the morning, your temple visits continue. You will explore Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei (surrounded by four concentric walls), Eastern Mebon, and the “Mountain Temple” of Pre Rup. In the afternoon, transfer to the archaeological site and continue your temple tour. Visit Ta Prohm, one of the most beautiful temples in the area. The Buddhist monastic complex of Ta Prohm is one of the largest sites at Angkor and has been left relatively untouched since its discovery, retaining much of its mystery. Then, visit Takeo, Thommanon, and Chau Say Tevoda temples. Spend the night in Siem Reap.

Day 16: Siem Reap Departure

You will be transferred to airport for flight home.