Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia Discovery 24 Days

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.

After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

Late afternoon, join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants.

Dinner will be served after that for you to share with the host family. This is the best chance for you to have first-hand experience of local life and culture.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

08:30 Guide and driver pick up at hotel

You will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. From there, we transfer Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, the collection of diverse Lao ethnic groups. We will stroll around to visit the center to understand more about the Lao diverse ethnic culture.

After that, we will join the seminars of “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”

This fascinating 60-minute presentation and question-and-answer session gives background on Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their culturalpractices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests have an opportunity to learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages, and are shown unique artefacts fromTAEC’s collection that are not accessible to the general public.

The seminars are led by one of the two TAEC Founder/Directors, either Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, a Luang Prabang-native who worked at the Luang Prabang National Museum for 10 years, and who has attended trainings and conferences in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Japan, and Brunei; or Tara Gujadhur, an American who has worked in Luang Prabang for over 10 years, with a background in anthropology and sustainable tourism development

Ẹnjoy ethnic Khmu lunch served at TAEC Café.

In the afternoon, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts.

Here, we will join the demonstration of the process of making the Saa paper, which is the special handmade paper of Lao people, made from mulberry tree. The demonstration will take about 01 hour, then you can try making some products from the paper such as lantern, handbag, or book. You can bring what you do back home as the souvenir.

If time permit, we can visit some traditional textile loom, and the nearby Ban Xienglek.

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Note: TAEC closes on Monday

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

08:30 Guide and driver pick up at hotel

We will transfer to Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center, which is set on the grounds of stunning tropical garden on the Mekong, it’s the perfect place to learn more about this unique Lao art.

First, we will join 2.5–hour hands-on workshop & learning experience, which is the great introduction to the world of Lao textiles where visitors get to try a bit of everything and dye their own scarf.

Here is the workshop structure:

- Meet the Silkworms – an explanation of the worms’ lives; some interesting facts regarding sericulture; Guests prepare mulberry leaves and feed the worms.

- Preparing Natural Dyes – a brief introduction to natural dyes; guests are invited to prepare two dye sources sourced from plants growing in the LCC gardens; guests dye white scarves in their chosen colours.

Refreshments Break: Fruit platters and Lao-style drinks

- Meet the Weavers – an introduction to the looms and the different weaving techniques.

Ikat Weaving Demonstration – guests are invited to try weaving and spinning on our demonstration looms.

Lunch will be served at the Silk Road Café.

In the afternoon, you have the option to join 01 of the following classes (not included in the price, extra charge as below):

Natural Dye Class

You will be taught the secrets of natural dye preparation and try mixing them yourself, with many of the ingredients coming from the surrounding gardens. By the end of the class you will have 3 dyed silk skeins to take home as souvenirs.

Weaving Class

One of the expert weavers will be your personal tutor to help you master the impressive art of weaving. As a novice you will select just two colours and create a placemat with a Lao motif. You can witness the Lao ladies weaving incredibly intricate patterns and truly appreciate their skill having tried yourself!

Hmong Batik Drawing Class

The Hmong Batik Class is an introduction to Hmong culture. Each student will create a wax resist, Hmong style design on hand loomed hemp. Due to time constraints it is not possible to complete the dye portion of the process. The natural hemp renders a beautiful finished piece.

Bamboo weaving class

Join the master bamboo weaver and learn about the many uses of bamboo in Laos. Half day class students will weave a placemat or traditional fan.

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

05:30 - 06:30 Guide and driver pick up at hotel

An early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.

After breakfast, we board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Chan. The village is renowned in the region for its pottery making. Admire a young man work the clay into a small bowl, and visit the underground kilns which are used to cook hundreds of jars at a time. These ancestral methods are transferred, from one generation to another and require patience and dexterity. Feel free to support them by buying a little figurine in order to support their handicraft (at own expenses).

We then walk to the nearby Chanthavinh Resort, where we will spend the night peaceful night in Luang Prabang

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Chanthavinh Resort

You are free to stroll around the resort and the nearby village, or just relax at the inviting pool before taking flight to Hanoi.

Tour guide and driver will pick you up at Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to the city center for hotel check-in.

Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge.

Free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Optional: We introduce two one-of-a-kind traditional performances which are found nowhere else than in Vietnam. You can choose one of below options:

- Water Puppet Show where puppets are performed on water stage with folk music, presenting ancient tales, folklores and daily life in Vietnamese countryside.

- Tu Phu (Four Palaces) Show - a very unique show about ritual of spirit practiced in the Vietnamese indigenous religion with music, colors and lively dance performance. The Four Palaces Shows take place on Thursday and Saturday every week.

If you're interested in the shows, please contact our travel consultants to book.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Half day Hanoi city tour (by car or by motorbike – upon client’s interest) - Routes can change subject to client’s interest.

8:00 Tour guide will pick you up at your hotel, start your city tour by taking photos and learn about the history of the Hanoi Old quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake as well as the Hanoi Opera House . Ride around the city, outside of the Old Quarter, where most tourists don’t visit. Take a number of short stops to take photos and the tour guide leader will take you on a foot tour to learn about the history of the sites including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature - the first university of Vietnam and is constructed to dedicate to Confucius. Enjoying a range of small Vietnamese snacks. Then ride around West Lake, pass some of the most exclusive real estate in Vietnam to find out lifestyle differences between center district and others. You will experience lunch at an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant. Around noon you will have the option for your Tour Guide to take you to any location in the Old Quarter or to your hotel.

Around 20:00 Meet at your hotel and transfer to Hanoi train station. Overnight train trip to Lao Cai in shared sleeping compartments (sharing with other passengers in 2 lower & 2 upper berths per compartment). Train departs at approximately 21:15 hrs.

Notes:

- Our tour guide will not accompany during the train trip

- Train schedule is subject to change.

- Private compartments on request at surcharge.

- Train journeys are part of a great local experience. Cabins are shared with other local passengers (unless private cabin is requested and all berths paid for - with supplement). Restrooms at either end of the carriages complete the local experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight on train

05:30 ~ 06:00 Arrive at Lao Cai Train Station. Pick up at the train station and transfer to Sapa by a tourist shared bus (1 hour to get to Sapa). Early check in upon arrival is possible upon room occupancy (Surcharge applicable). Relax for awhile to get ready for our full day tour.

Start the trip at around 9:00. Our guide takes you to visit two villages of the H’mong and Dzay People, called Lao Chai, Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai villages. You will start trekking from Lao Chai to Ta Van with the distance about 3km.

Lunch at a local family, it gives you a worth chance for you to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. When you finish the trekking trip at the end of the village, our bus will pick up you back to Sapa town (if you stay in the village you will trek 2km more to your homestay).

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Have breakfast at hotel (or at your homestay). Our guide takes you to visit Cat Cat village of Black H’mong people. You have a chance to visit a waterfall and the hydroelectric power station built by the French, see the life of local through their houses, their handicraft products. Back to Sapa town and have lunch on restaurant. You are free and easy to discover Sapa town on your own until 15:00.

Transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Arrive in Hanoi in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

8:00 am: Our driver and tour guide pick you up at your hotel then depart for Ninh Binh province. Ninh Binh is located south of the Northern Delta, between the Red River and Ma River. The old city of Ninh Binh is one of many famous historic sites in Vietnam. The provincial town of Ninh Binh as diverse landscapes because of its proximity to the mountains of Non Nuoc and Canh Dieu.

Arrive in Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, visit 2 Temples of 2 Kings (Dinh Bo Linh and Le Hoan

Then our driver will transfer you from Hoa Lu to Tam Coc Wharf to have lunch in a local restaurant in Tam Coc and enjoy famous specialties of Ancient Capital area.

In the afternoon, Take a 5 minute walk to the Tam Coc Wharf and start the 2 hour boat trip to visit 3 caves: Hang Ca (First Cave), Hang Hai (Second Cave) and Hang Ba (Third Cave). Each cave owns an unique scenery which will dazzle you as you get in.

Afterwards, Take up cycling for an hour to Bich Dong and sight see beautiful scenic pagodas, lush paddy fields, mountains, river and caves. Then get on bus and our driver will take you back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Halong Bay is listed by UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage and voted as a Wonder of Nature by the New7Wonders Foundation. You will have a night staying in this world famous bay.

Be ready for pick-up at your hotel lobby at 08:00. Halfway to Halong City we will have a stop at Hong Ngoc Humanitarian Centre. Apart from having clean western style toilet facilities we will be able to see local craftsmen at work and have time for relaxation.

11:30 - 12:00 Upon arrival at the pier, embark on the boat and set sail on a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay, taking in the spectacular scenery of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Lunch is served as you cruise by impressive rock formations with unusual names and shapes.

In the afternoon you will start to discover Halong Bay, listed as a World Heritage of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as “Dragon descending to the sea“. Depending on each cruise’s itinerary of the day, you may visit a beautiful cave, have some swimming at Titov or Soi Sim beach.

Our tour guide will not accompany aboard the cruise in Halong Bay. Resident English speaking guide on board is available.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: On-board an overnight cruise in Halong Bay

Wake up by the sounds of the sea. After breakfast, cruise will take tourists to explore the most stunning caves in Halong.

Boat starts cruising back to the harbor while brunch is served. We continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations.

When backing on shore we will then transfer by car to the airport in Hanoi to catch a flight to Hue. It will take about 1 hour 20 minutes on flight. Welcomed by our driver in Hue Airport then transfer by car to hotel in Hue

Check in hotel, free at leisure the rest of the day.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Hue was Vietnam's capital from 1802 to 1945 and this half day tour will give you Highlights of Hue in a short amount of time. The different tombs, citadel.. that reflect the city's rich history. Hue is best known for its imposing citadel and the ornate tombs of dynastic kings as one of Vietnam's former imperial capital. Spend your time with half day Glimpse of Hue with us.

08:00 – 08:15 Pick up at your hotel

Enjoy your wonderful day by taking a boat trip to visit the seven-storey Thien Mu Pagoda. Thien Mu pagoda is one of the most beautiful and ancient architectural structures of worshiping in Vietnam now.

Then visit Dong Ba market, the biggest and most significant market in Hue in particular and Central Viet Nam in general.

Continue your journey to discover the Imperial Citadel then make your way to the Hue Royal Antiques Museum to see a collection of ornaments.

Hue Royal Antiquities Museum where preserves royal treasures has a history with many changes. The main exhibition house of the present museum used to be a palace under Nguyen Dynasty, called Long An Palace. It was built in 1845 by Thieu Tri King, located on the north of Ngu Ha River. It was a type of “isolated palace” for the king.

12:00 - 12:30: Drop you off at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

In the morning you will get transfer by shuttle bus from Hue to Hoi An. Land transfer by shuttle bus or Private car with stop at some sightseeing on the way for short break (admission fee not included). Arrive at hotel in Hoi An, check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

After having breakfast in your hotel, your guide will take you on a stroll through the ancient town. Its friendly inhabitants, narrow streets, old houses, temples and wooden bridge still remain its ancient character.

The best way to discover Hoi An, however, is to simply wander. Little more than a maze of a few streets, there are temples, museums and preserved houses to visit; yet with some 850 buildings heritage-protected, the best feel for the town comes from the places which are free to all. As with everywhere in this country, the ‘real’ Vietnam is to be found in unexpected places, such as a back street or turning down an unexpected alley, or talking in broken English to the old lady who sells Chinese scrolls. In hidden nooks and crannies are art galleries, cafes, gastronomic gems, ceramics for sale, shops filled with lanterns and, of course, the silk for which the town is famed. There are woodworkers and carvers, artists at work, craft shops. Plus there are always cold drinks for sale, important no matter the time of year. In this part of Vietnam, it is either hot and dry, or hot and wet.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Free at leisure until being picked up and transferred to Danang Airport by our driver for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon. It takes about 1 hour 20 minutes to the Southern hub Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival at the airport, meet our driver. Transfer to hotel in Saigon. Check in and relax.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Gain an insight into the city’s development through a walking tour to the most significant landmarks including the Saigon Opera House, Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral and Saigon Central Post Office (all magnificent sights from the French colonial period). Your next stop will be the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

A visit to the Mekong Delta is so memorable because of the region’s diversity. Board on a long tail boat and experience the diversity of the Mekong waterways first hand as you explore fish farms and exotic fruit farms.Touring the orchards, paddy fields and swamplands of the Mekong Delta, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve stepped into the pages of a geography textbook. Many visitors spend a day or two in Can Tho, the delta’s biggest settlement, to take advantage of its decent hotels and restaurants and to recharge batteries before venturing out to the floating markets nearby.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

After Breakfast at hotel, take a motor boat to visit Cai Rang – the most fascinating floating market where we can see all trading activities on Mekong river. Do you mind to taste a bowl of “ hu tieu”- traditional rice noodle of Mekong delta person or try a small piece of durian which is the most addicted fruit to local people? A short stop to visit rice husking mill and walk around the village. See the beautiful scenery and daily activities of the locals. Disembark at Ninh Kieu and transfer back to HCMC after lunch in Can Tho.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Have leisure time before your departure. Transfer to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City for flight to Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel. Free time at leisure.

Evening, you will be taken to dinner at one of the best restaurants in town for authentic Cambodia food. Dinner at local restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast, visit to the Royal Palace (built by the French in 1866 on the site of the old town), and the Silver Pagoda (famous for its 5329 silver tiles, each weighing 1.125 kilograms.).You will then visit to Wat Phnom Temple, a small hill crowned by an active Wat (Pagoda) marks the legendary founding place of the Phnom Penh.

Afternoon (or late afternoon), you will be transferred to Phnom Penh airport for flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by your guide and transfer to hotel for check in.

Enjoy dinner at Angkor Village Theater, where you will experience delicious Cambodia Food while watching live Apsara Dance performance.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Today you will embark on an Elephant Ride from the South Gate of Angkor Thom into the jungle to see famous Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), Baphoun, the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King. You will also visit fabulous Ta Prohm (embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers).

Lunch at Madame Butterfly Restaurant.

Afternoon, visit famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat has been a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. Evening, you will visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a spectacular sunset view from Bakheng hill.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Visit to Banteay Srei Temple (10th century), regarded as the jewel in the crown of classical Khmer Art. Then continue your visit to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries, the southern example remarkably well preserved. On the way back stop at Pradark village, to see the villagers making sugar palm and handicrafts.If time permit, stop at Old Market, a lively outdoor market where you will find antiquities, silver and gold jewelry, gems, silk, kramas, stone and wood carvings, as well as T-Shirts, CDs and other souvenirs.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Transfer to Siem Reap airport for a short flight to Sihanoukville. Upon arrival, check in hotel and free time at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Sihanoukville

Nội dung

Breakfast at hotel,

Today you will be transferring on the road (no guide) to Phnom Penh Airport (driving distance 226km about 4.5 hours)for catching the flight to next destination.(Please arrange departure flight at evening time)

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA