Discover the charm & beauty of Indochina

hanoi

Day 1: Welcome to Hanoi

Upon arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport, you will be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel in the Vietnamese capital. As you journey along, soak up the surrounding landscape and architectural sights: Hanoi's historical emphasis on the arts and learning stipulates that its buildings remain small, simple, and in harmony with nature.

Depending on your arrival time, you will have the afternoon free to explore at leisure. At 5.30pm, you'll be exclusively invited into the home of a local host, where you'll be welcomed with a cup of tea and stories of their family's history. Join them around the table for a home-cooked feast, prepared by the mothers, then follow this up with green tea and time to relax as you get to know each other better.

hanoi

Day 2: Explore Hanoi like a local

After breakfast, drive from your hotel to explore the iconic sights of Hanoi. First, you'll visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, the Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. You'll also wander around the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, and the Temple of Literature. Next up is the Hoa Lo Prison, a historical site in the city's French Quarter, before lunch.

In the afternoon, you'll visit the home of the last traditional mask-making artisan in Hanoi, whose entirely hand-made paper masks have been part of childhoods in the community for generations. Visiting their workshop will serve as a means to raise awareness around the preservation of this centuries-old art.

Lastly, you'll end the day on a high with a water puppet show - a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form, said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta.

hanoi

Day 3: Tour the heritage route south of Thang Long

After a morning at leisure, you'll embark on an afternoon of historical adventures through local villages. First you'll visit the Chuong Conical Hat village, known for its production of traditional non hats worn by generations of Vietnamese women. Continue your drive towards the village of Canh Hoach, known for its carefully-crafted, traditional bird cages, followed by the Quang Phu Cau village, famous for its century-old craft of making incense in deep shades of yellow and red. As you meander through these village roads, you'll glimpse at the day-to-day lives of residents and soak up fascinating worlds steeped in a strong heritage.

hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Day 4: Cruise the waters of Ha Long Bay

At 8.30am this morning, your driver will pick you up at your hotel for a departure to Ha Long Bay, arriving at the jetty for embarkation at around noon. Join your junk ship, where you'll be welcomed aboard before being served lunch as the vessel cruises towards the bay.

In the afternoon, soak up the scenery from various viewpoints: swim in a quiet cove, sunbathe on the ship's deck, and visit an interesting fishing village to interact with the locals. Come evening, savor dinner and sunset cocktails as the ship achors for the night amongst karst formations.

Ha Long Bay - Luang Prabang

Day 5: From Ha Long Bay to Luang Prabang

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi session on deck, and watch the sunrise cast vivid colors across the bay. Breakfast (or bunch on some boats) is served on board as the ship cruises slowly back towards the jetty, where you'll arrive around noon to disembark and transfer back to Hanoi. From there, you'll board a flight to Luang Prabang, to begin your exploration of Laos!

Touch down in Luang Prabang, where you'll be picked up on arrival and transferred to your hotel for check-in. You'll then get to spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxing after your travels.

Luang Prabang

Day 6: Dive into Laotian traditions & history

This morning, you'll have the option to wake up before dawn to participate in a traditional ceremony, offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks - a truly unforgettable experience (let your guide know in advance if you wish to partake in this ritual, and be sure to dress conservatively, covering your shoulders, chest and legs).

Then, tackle the 328 steps of Mount Phousi, to explore the gilded stupa and enjoy views over the city and Mekong River. Continue with a visit to Wat Mai, the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, and Wat Xiengthong, before boarding a Mekong river cruise. Enjoy panoramic views of the countryside, visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai to learn about the production of rice wine, and explore the Tham Ting and Tham Phoum caves. End with a visit to Ban Xang Khong, known for its silk hand-weaving and paper-making traditions.

Luang Prabang

Day 7: Learn about rural village life in Laos

After breakfast, you'll get to spend the morning on a community-based living rice farm, surrounded by mountains and rice paddies in the countryside. Experience the life of a local farmer by trying your hand at some of the activities, or simply view it all from the comfort of a traditional rice house balcony. You'll also tour handicraft workshops specialized in bamboo weaving, blacksmith work, and sugar cane processing, before visiting an organic garden where medicinal herbs are grown.

In the afternoon, take a private transfer to Kuang Si Waterfall, visiting a Hmong village along the way to learn about the fascinating lives of this ethnic minority group. The day's activities also include a tour of an Asian bear rescue center, and the chance to swim in the refreshing waters at the base of the waterfall. Finally, return to the city by late afternoon, to catch the sunset at Wat Phabath.

Luang Prabang - Siem Reap

Day 8: Journey to Siem Reap

After breakfast, spend the morning at leisure before checking out and departing Luang Prabang for Cambodia: at a suitable time, you'll head to the airport for a departure flight to Siem Reap, where on arrival, you'll be picked up and taken to your hotel to relax. Welcome to the third leg of your Indochina itinerary!

Siem Reap

Day 9: Discover the secrets of Angkor Wat

After breakfast, a memorable experience of Cambodia's most ancient sights awaits. Set out to the South Gate of Angkor Thom and visit the Bayon Temple, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, and Elephant and Leper King Terraces. Continue to Ta Promh, the jungle temple, and spend a while touring the sites of Thommanan, Chau Say Tevoda, and Ta Keo. Then, it's time for the highlight of the day: Angkor Wat itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its beauty and splendor.

After exploring to your heart's content, you'll continue to Bakheng Hill for unforgettable sunset panoramas, before returning to Siem Reap for a well-earned night's rest.

Siem Reap

Day 10: Get to know rural life in Cambodia

Departing after breakfast accompanied by your guide, you’ll spend the day traveling through a number of relatively untouched villages and learning about the day-to-day lives of the local people. This day out will be spent traveling by ox cart, a mode of transport still widely used in Cambodia, allowing you to travel at a gentle pace along narrow village roads.

In one of the villages, visit the rice plantation and see farmers busy at work; you may even join them for some hands-on farming experience. In another, you'll be welcomed by a local family to enjoy a home-made Khmer lunch in their home, with plenty of time to chat and get to know each other.

In the afternoon, you'll return to Siem Reap to visit the Angkor National Museum for your fill of local heritage, the unique APOPO Visitor Center, and the famous Killing Fields for insight into Cambodia's storied past.

Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: From Siem Reap to bustling Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast, enjoy a last glimpse of Cambodia as you pay a visit to a floating village, riding by traditional wooden boat on Tonle Sap Lake to experience the distinctive human occupations at its edges.

Then, you'll transfer back to the airport for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh City, returning to Vietnam for the last leg of your trip. There, you'll be picked up and transferred to your hotel, with time to then enjoy the night at leisure.

Ho Chi Minh City

Day 12: Explore like a local in Ho Chi Minh City

Today will be spent discovering Ho Chi Minh City like a local, exploring icons alongside lesser-known sites off the tourist trail. In the morning you'll take a half-day tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, which stretch out over 250km to the Cambodian border, for a feel of underground life during the Vietnam War.

Back in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, visit the FITO Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, followed by the city's Chinatown district. Spend a while getting lost amongst its buzzing markets and shops, and seek respite at the Cantonese Thien Hau Pagoda, before having the rest of the day to enjoy at your own pace.

Ho Chi Minh City - Vung Liem

Day 13: An authentic trip into the Mekong Delta

After breakfast, transfer to Coco Riverside Lodge, about three to four hours away in Trung Nghia. There you'll meet a representative and enjoy a welcome drink, before beginning an unforgettable cycling tour!

On two wheels, serenely explore quiet roads that lead you past a duck farm, green rice paddies, a sedge field, and small villages. Visit one of the many dragon or orange fruit orchards, tasting their fresh produce and relaxing as you enjoy the picturesque sunset. Then, you'll return to the lodge by bike, for a chance to unwind and freshen up.

In a neighboring home, spend the evening filled with traditional music and flavors, learning how to prepare Vietnamese pancakes, before returning to the lodge for dinner and a sound night's rest.

Vung Liem - Ho Chi Minh City - hoi an

Day 14: Journey to Hoi An

After breakfast, take the morning to visit the beautiful Cao Dai Temple and local coconut-processing factories along the river, where you can witness the manufacturing of rugs using coconut fibers. Back at the lodge, learn to harvest and weave coconut leaves, a key material in the construction of walls and roofs of local homes. Then, check out and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City, for your onward flight to Da Nang.

From the airport in Da Nang, you'll continue your transfer to Hoi An, where you'll check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

hoi an

Day 15: The ancient wonders of Hoi An

After a morning at leisure, you'll spend the afternoon on a walking tour of Hoi An, touring its Ancient Town for a taste of its storied history as a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish ships. Soak up the atmospheric sights including narrow lanes, old merchant houses, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation, and the colorful market brimming with local handicrafts.

Stop at a lantern-making workshop for a brief introduction and a chance to make your own lantern to bring back home with you. Then, you'll return to Hoi An's old town to explore further at your own leisurely pace.

hoi an

Day 16: Into the Vietnamese countryside

At 8.30am, depart Hoi An's center to spend a leisurely day cycling through the scenic countryside of Vietnam, far from the city's traffic and bustle. Cross the islands on the Song Thu river delta using local transport methods, including ferries and a floating bridge.

On this tour, you'll discover how wooden river boats are made, learn the secret of weaving colorful straw sleeping mats, try sailing in a basket boat, and much more. You'll spend the day enjoying firsthand contact with one of the region's residents, and will get to savor a traditional lunch in the home of a local family.

hoi an

Day 17: At leisure in Hoi An

After breakfast, your last full day in Hoi An can be spent entirely at your leisure! The day's itinerary is yours to make up and enjoy, so be sure to fill it with activities and sights you've not yet had the chance to explore.

hoi an

Day 18: Goodbye, Vietnam

After breakfast and depending on your flight schedule, spend some time at leisure, soaking up the last of Hoi An. Your driver will pick you up and transfer you to Da Nang International Airport, where your onward flight awaits. Safe travels!