3 Kingdoms of Indochina

Today is spent exploring the charming capital of Hanoi. Explore the hustle and bustle of the streets in the famous Old Quarter before visiting other highlights of the city. In this tour, you will visit the Presidential Palace, admire the great structure of the One Pillar Pagoda and visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the body of the grand Ho Chi Minh President is rested. Continue onto the imperial citadel which embodies the regional political power for million years and the Temple of Literature which is famous for being the first university of Vietnam. In the afternoon, go for a look at the iconic Long Bien Bridge – a fascinating structure built by the French between 1899 and 1902. Then, enjoy a leisurely cyclo ride around the streets of the Old Quarter before stopping at a café for a cup of coffee. Meals on your own. In the evening, our guide will pick you up the Hanoi Station for an overnight train to Lao Cai - Sapa. The shared cabin of 4 soft sleepers on the overnight train.

This morning, you will arrive early in Lao Cai station. Meet your local guide and then have breakfast at a local restaurant. After that, we will drive 30km to your hotel in Sapa town. Have a short rest and then start your journey by heading north of Sapa town to the village of O Quy Ho surrounded by the sleepy valleys of mountains. The winding valley nestles in the shadow of the highest peak of Indochina – Fanxipan Mountain. You will explore the region with a beautiful trek on fewer tourist routes, passing by oolong tea farms. Once reaching the rice terraces, trek gently down the valley with the grazing buffalos and working farmers en route. While walking along the stone paths, you will be introduced the ethnic group of Black H’mong and their unique culture, lifestyle, and languages as well. Stop to visit an authentic Black H’Mong house to get a true insight into this fascinating ethnic minority. Have lunch at a local restaurant. In the early afternoon, head back to Sapa town. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, our guide will pick you up from your hotel for a walk south of Sapa to the beautiful village of Cat Cat. The winding valleys surrounding the village of Y Linh Ho offer some of the most beautiful scenery of the region. Following this route, you will explore one of the untouched areas in Sapa. Trek along a gentle incline, you will pass by the green paddy fields and a deep river gorge and reach the river bank. Take a short rest to stretch your legs and see local children fishing on the river. After that, venture into the villages of terraces of the Black H’mong. Take your time to explore the village at your own pace and enjoy the great views of the region. Stop at a local restaurant for lunch in a beautiful setting before continuing your trek to the village of Lao Chai.

After a short rest with a cup of tea, you will learn the impressive art of Batik painting. This is an important part of H’mong traditional culture making its beautiful textiles famous around the world. Due to the impact of modernization, this traditional art is now only practiced by the skillful villagers. Try your hands with this fascinating art with the help of a local expert and create your own work. This is one of a good way to contribute to the development of this amazing art form.

After a great experience, make your way to Ta Van village where our driver awaits to take you back to the hotel in Sapa. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Today is at your leisure to relax in the cool air of the mountain or explore the region on your own. You could visit a local market to buy some beautiful handicrafts or climb to the top of Ham Rong Mountain for the panoramic views of Sapa. In the evening, transfer to Lao Cai station for an overnight train back to Hanoi. Meals on your own.

This early morning, you will arrive back in Hanoi station. After a short rest and breakfast at a local hotel, continue a four-hour drive to the dreamy land of Halong Bay. Once arrival, board a small tender boat to get our beautiful junk boat to explore the hidden charm of the bay. In the afternoon, you have some time to explore the bay and caves with a kayak tour. You also visit a local fish farm before having a fabulous dinner with fresh seafood. Tonight is spent onboard in the beautiful setting of the bay.

Wake up early this morning to enjoy the best of the bay at sunrise. Take a Tai Chi session in the tranquil atmosphere of the bay before enjoying breakfast. After breakfast, you will explore the stunning Surprise Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in the bay. Take your time to delve into the amazing limestone formations before transferring back to the harbor and drive to Hanoi airport where you will take a short flight to3 Kingdoms of Indochina. Once arrived at the airport, keep driving for around 30 minutes to your hotel in Hoian. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Hoian was once served as the national trading center in the 16th century. It is also home to the diversity of ancient streets and houses. Especially, a visit to the century-year-old Chinese houses in the cobblestone streets is an experience you should not miss. Strolling around the town, you will see the fascinating ancient houses built in the Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures. You will be taken to some of the most beautiful attractions of the town including Chua Ong Pagoda, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls and Japanese Covered Bridge. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, you will be transferred without the guide to Danang Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival, meet your local guide and drive to your hotel in city center for check-in. Room is at your disposal at 1.30pm.

In the afternoon, you will explore in depth this fascinating city with its key sites. You will visit the Reunification Palace, the Central Post Office with its stunning architecture designed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel. Take a few steps to the Notre Dame Cathedral – an impressive landmark of the city. It is also a favored place for Vietnamese couples to take their wedding photos. Your beautiful exploration ends with a trip on boat along the Sai Gon River where you can see unchanged lifestyle. Head back to the hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, take a speedboat tour to the stunning Cu Chi Tunnels - a great place to explore the history of Vietnam. There gives you a unique and wonderful chance to use real guns and bullets at riffle range as well as even creep into the Cu Chi Tunnels to understand the historic harsh life of Vietcong guerrillas. After this fascinating exploration, pay a visit to a farm and try an unusual local specialty. 

Back to your hotel around 2pm and free at your leisure. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, you will board a small boat for a beautiful tour around the unique waterways of Mekong Delta. A cruise on a small boat will take you through the small canals and waterways to visit a small homemade coconut processing factory. Here you will learn the way coconuts are turned into other products. Once on board, take part in our cooking class to learn about Vietnamese cuisine before having a fabulous lunch with regional specialties. Head back to the pier and drive to Can Tho. Dinner on your own. Overnight in Can Tho.

Try to wake up early this morning for a boat trip to Cai Rang town where you can explore the colorful and bustling floating market of Cai Rang. You will be amazed by the huge number of small boats gathering to sell different types of local produce. Enjoy coffee from one of the floating café. After the visit, take 3 hour drive to the port town of Chau Doc – a sleepy town situated near the Vietnam-Cambodia border.

In the afternoon, drive from Chau Doc to Tra Su Forest. As reaching the forest, you embark on a sampan and cruise through the small waterways filled with lush mangroves. Spanning on the area of 850 hectares with over 100 species of birds, this eco-reserve is an ideal place to explore the magical fauna and flora. Along the way to the forest, make a stop for a visit to a small Khmer village where you can learn about the local religion and interact with monks at a local monastery. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Fertilized by the mighty Mekong River, the Mekong Delta features winding waterways, green paddy fields and fascinating floating markets. This early morning, board a small boat to visit the famous floating market of Chau Doc. You can observe the bustling atmosphere of the region with numerous small boats filled with different kinds of tropical fruits and vegetables. The boat then takes you through the floating fish farms to a local Cham Village where you can learn more the interesting culture of the region. Head back to the boat and cruise towards the beautiful Sam Mountain along the spectacular Vinh Te Canal. Once at the banks of Sam Mountain, you will explore two famous temples before having lunch at the beautiful Nui Sam Lodge in the stunning views of the countryside below.

If you wish to escape the hustle of the modern life, an excursion to the lush rice fields of Chau Doc is a great way to explore the authentic life of the Mekong Delta. Hop on your bike and cycle along the dirty village paths through small villages and fields with farmers at work. Make a stop for a picnic breakfast and a refreshment with a glass of ice tea or coffee. Then, hop back on your bike and continue your journey. En- route, stop for a small talk with friendly locals and take in the breathtaking views of Southern Vietnam. Transfer back to your hotel to relax. Meals on your own. Overnight in Chau Doc.

This morning, take a long drive for about 6.5 hours to Ho Chi Minh city. On the way back, make a stop for refreshment. In the late afternoon, you will reach the airport for a flight to Siem Reap. Spend this evening strolling round the old market of the town and along the lanes lined with shops, café and small bars. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Enjoy your exploration today with a visit to the exceptional Angkor Wat - the largest and most beautiful Temple in Angkor Archaeological Site. This place is considered the soul and the symbol of Cambodia recognized as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Make your way to the nearby Bayon Temple - the National Temple of Jayavarman located in the center of Angkor Thom. Take a stroll around the structure to admire its magnificent ancient sculptures.

Your next stop is the ancient monastery of Ta Prohm. Built in 1186, the temples were once home of thousand of people including Khmer people. Then, due to the collapse of Khmer Empire, the temple now is abandoned and covered by tropical forests. This ancient temple makes you feel like you are dating back to centuries ago. You’ll also visit the Terrace of the Elephants and Leper King, the pyramid-shaped Phimeanakas before enjoying great sunset over the ancient ruins.

Back to your hotel at the end of the day. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, head out to visit a rural village to learn more about the rural life of the locals and their daily activities. Later, say goodbye to Cambodia and transfer to the airport for a flight to the laid back town of Luang Prabang – the Heritage Site. On arrival, meet our local guide and be transferred to your hotel in the town center for check-in. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, you will explore the ancient city on the left bank of the Mekong River. During your exploration of this religious capital city, you will visit some of the best known temples including Vat Xieng Thong- a significant monastery of Lao which holds the spirit of religion and traditional art, Vat Mai temple - featuring a five sided roof surmounted by three parasols. Proceed to the National Museum to get a close look at the ancient artifacts from the past of Laos.

After exploring the city, head out of the town to visit Kuang Si Waterfall - the biggest in the Luang Prabang area. It is one of Luang Prabang’s most popular tourist attractions thanks to its breathtaking cascades of water. Afterwards, make your way to the nearby Sunbear Refuge where these endangered creatures are protected. Stop to visit the Living Crafts Centre where you can learn about the traditional craft and meet the weavers. In the late afternoon, head back to Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

This morning, board the boat for a cruise along the Mekong River. The cruise will take you to the revered Pak Ou Caves. This cave is a popular destination that holds historic and cultural values. Exploring the cave, you will be amazed by the thousands of Buddha statues in different sizes and shapes. Along the way, make a stop to visit a riverside village to explore the traditional weaving technique used to make beautiful Lao textiles.

Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

For early risers, take the chance to witness the unique sight of alms giving taking place from the break of dawn on the town’s streets. If you wish, you could also shop for some souvenirs before being transferred to the airport for your departure flight. Meals on your own. Room is at your disposal until noon time. END OF SERVICES.