- 4.9/5 396 Latest reviews
- Destination: Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
- Duration: 18 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: In-Depth
About This Trip
From the colonial-era streets of Saigon to the enigmatic Angkor temples and the spiritual city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 18-day journey immerses you in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. In Vietnam, explore the key sights of Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Hoi An, cruise through the scenic Halong Bay, and experience life along the rustic Mekong Delta. Continue to Cambodia to visit Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace and uncover the ancient Khmer ruins of Siem Reap, including the magnificent Angkor Wat and the intricate Bayon Temple. In Laos, participate in the peaceful morning alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang, creating unforgettable memories.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 3
Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City: City Highlights Tour
Ben Tre: Mekong Delta with a Homemade Meal
4 - 8
Cambodia
Phnom Penh: Royal Palace, Killing Fields of Choeung EK
Kampong Thom: Kuhear Nokor Temple, Sambor Prei Kuk
Siem Reap: Angkor Thom, Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap Lake
9 - 11
Laos
Luang Prabang: Alms-Giving Ritual, Royal Palace, Kuang Si Waterfalls
12 - 18
Vietnam
Hanoi: City Highlights Tour with the Old Quarter
Halong Bay: 2-Day Cruise
Hoi An: Ancient Town Highlights
Da Nang: Leisure Time
Ho Chi Minh City: Departure
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City
Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, previously known as Saigon and the former capital of South Vietnam, you will be greeted by your guide at the airport. You will then be escorted to your hotel in a private vehicle, where you can unwind and enjoy a comfortable overnight stay.
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 2: Discovering Ho Chi Minh City
Explore the charm of Old Saigon on a full-day city highlights tour. Begin your morning with a leisurely walk through Chinatown, where you will visit the revered Thien Hau Temple and browse the bustling Binh Tay Market. In the afternoon, continue your journey with stops at notable French colonial landmarks, including the Reunification Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace), the historic Saigon Post Office, and City Hall. If you wish, you may also visit the War Remnants Museum for a moving and informative perspective on Vietnam’s recent past.
- B , L
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 3: Mekong Delta Excursion – Ben Tre
Travel to Ben Tre, a riverside town in the heart of the Mekong Delta, for a full-day exploration of the Mekong River region. Upon arrival, browse through a lively local market to discover popular regional products. Then board a boat to cruise along the mighty Mekong, taking in views of its vast waterways and the surrounding lush tropical scenery. Enjoy a relaxed walk through a nearby village before riding a tuk-tuk (motorized cart) to observe the traditional craft of making hand brooms from coconut leaves. End the morning by preparing authentic homemade local dishes. After lunch, bid farewell to Ben Tre and journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.
- B , L
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh
Spend your time at leisure until your scheduled transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, you will be met and taken to your hotel for check-in, where you can relax or enjoy an independent walk to explore the surroundings at your own pace.
- B
- Phnom Penh
- Day 5: Exploring Phnom Penh
Discover the key attractions of Cambodia’s capital, starting with the impressive Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, built in traditional Siamese style. Continue with a visit to the National Museum, celebrated for its rich collection of archaeological treasures, and Wat Phnom, the city’s oldest and most sacred temple. In the afternoon, gain a deeper understanding of Cambodia’s recent past at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. These solemn sites serve as powerful reminders of the tragic period during the 1970s under the Khmer Rouge regime.
- B , L
- Phnom Penh
- Day 6: Journey from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Depart in the morning for Kampong Thom on a scenic 2–3 hour drive through the central Skun District, with a stop at a local village famous for its unique fried spider specialty. In the afternoon, continue to visit the Kuk Nokor Temple within the pre-Angkorian Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, followed by the historic stone Spean Kompong Kdei Bridge, also known as the Dragon Bridge. Afterward, enjoy another 2–3 hour drive to Siem Reap, where you will check into your hotel and relax for the evening.
- B , L
- Siem Reap
- Day 7: Discovering the Temples of Siem Reap
Following breakfast at your hotel, travel to the South Gate of Angkor Thom to explore the Bayon Temple, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, continue to the magnificent Angkor Wat complex, where its five iconic towers symbolize the peaks of Mount Meru, the sacred dwelling of the gods in Hindu belief. Conclude the day by watching the sunset from Bakheng Hill or, alternatively, from the quieter Pre Rup Temple.
- B , L , D
- Siem Reap
- Day 8: Siem Reap Temple Exploration
An early morning visit to Angkor Wat is strongly advised to witness its stunning sunrise and to interact with the friendly monks and nuns. After breakfast, travel through the peaceful countryside to reach the Banteay Srei Temple, renowned for its pink sandstone carvings and often called the “jewel of Khmer art.” In the afternoon, explore Ta Prohm Temple, where massive tree roots and jungle growth merge dramatically with ancient stone structures, followed by a visit to Ta Keo Temple, featuring five sandstone towers arranged in a quincunx and constructed entirely during the Khmer era.
- B , L
- Siem Reap
- Day 9: Siem Reap to Luang Prabang
In the morning, visit a traditional Khmer village to admire the rural landscape and local-style homes, followed by a relaxing long-tail boat cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. During the journey, catch a glimpse of Kompong Phluk, a small lakeside community built on stilts. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and escorted to your hotel for check-in.
- B , L
- Luang Prabang
- Day 10: Cultural Highlights of Luang Prabang
Start your day with a cultural tour of Luang Prabang, visiting the Royal Palace Museum, the renowned Xieng Thong Temple, and Wat Sene, which was constructed using 100,000 stones from the Mekong River. Afterwards, embark on an upstream cruise to enjoy sweeping views of the peaceful countryside and explore the Pak Ou Caves, famous for housing hundreds of small wooden Buddha statues. Make a brief stop at Ban Xangkhong Village, celebrated for its traditional weaving and Saa paper production. In the afternoon, continue with visits to Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Aham, and Wat Mai, one of the city’s most ornately decorated monasteries.
- B , L
- Luang Prabang
- Day 11: Traditions and Nature in Luang Prabang
Rise early to observe the traditional alms-giving ceremony, during which monks walk barefoot through the streets to receive offerings. Afterwards, visit the local Morning Market before returning to your hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, travel to Ban Na Ouane Village, a small ethnic community where residents live in simple wooden homes. Continue on to the renowned Kuang Si Waterfalls, a serene and scenic spot ideal for swimming, with time to explore the surrounding forest paths. Return to the city later to enjoy a beautiful sunset view from the hillside Wat Phabath.
- B , L
- Luang Prabang
- Day 12: Luang Prabang to Hanoi
Spend the morning at your own pace before being privately transferred to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, you will be greeted and taken to your hotel for check-in, followed by free time to relax or explore during the evening.
- B , L
- Hanoi
- Day 13: Discovering Hanoi
Explore Vietnam’s rich heritage with visits to key landmarks including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (viewed from the outside), Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, the iconic One Pillar Pagoda dating back over a thousand years, and the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, delve into the country’s diverse cultures at the Museum of Ethnology, followed by an hour-long rickshaw ride through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. Enjoy a relaxed stroll around the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake, and conclude the day with a traditional Water Puppet Show for an authentic insight into Vietnamese cultural arts.
- B , L
- Hanoi
- Day 14: Hanoi to Halong Bay Cruise
Leave Hanoi in the morning for a scenic drive of approximately three hours to Halong Bay, where you will board an overnight cruise. Take in the stunning natural landscape, including a visit to the impressive Surprise Cave, stretching about 450 meters and regarded as one of the bay’s most captivating attractions, surrounded by dramatic limestone karst islands. Weather permitting, enjoy a variety of activities such as kayaking, swimming, and other leisure pursuits on the bay.
- B , L , D
- Halong Bay
- Day 15: Halong Bay to Da Nang via Hanoi
Start your morning with an optional Tai Chi session on the sundeck before continuing the peaceful cruise until brunch. After disembarkation, meet your guide and driver at the pier and transfer back to Hanoi for your onward flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the remainder of the evening relaxing at your own pace.
- B
- Da Nang
- Day 16: Hoi An Ancient Town Excursion
Travel less than an hour this morning to reach Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its well-preserved Ancient Town. Explore the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic footbridge topped with a temple and originally constructed by Japanese traders in the late 16th century. Continue to visit the Chinese Assembly Hall and the former homes of Vietnamese merchants. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace before returning to Da Nang.
- B
- Da Nang
- Day 17: Leisure Day in Da Nang
Today is reserved for your personal enjoyment and relaxation in Da Nang. It is highly recommended to spend time at My Khe Beach, celebrated as one of the world’s most stunning beaches, for a leisurely and rejuvenating experience.
- B
- Da Nang
- Day 18: Departure from Da Nang via Ho Chi Minh City
- B
Quick Question
CONTACT A TRAVEL EXPERT
1-to-1 Service | Reply within 24hrs | Expert's Advice
