Indochina Past & Present – 21 Days

Explore Hanoi’s landmarks: visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Choose one museum: Women’s Museum, Museum of History, or Army Museum. After lunch at a traditional restaurant, tour the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, and Hoa Lo Prison, a stark relic of the Vietnam War. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, visit Ngoc Son Temple, and enjoy a traditional water puppet show, a unique northern Vietnamese art form. Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart early for Mai Chau, a picturesque mountainous district (3–4 hours). Stop at a local market in Hoa Binh to sip Vietnamese coffee and photograph stunning landscapes. Check into a traditional homestay, rest, and explore ethnic villages, interacting with locals and observing their daily life. Enjoy a cozy dinner prepared by your host. Overnight in Mai Chau.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit Buoc Village, home to the White Thai ethnic group. Wander through paddy fields and stilt houses, visit a local family to learn about their customs, and enjoy a traditionally prepared lunch. Return to Hanoi (3–4 hours) and relax at your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel to Halong Bay (2.5–3 hours) and board a luxury cruise. Savor a seafood lunch while sailing past dramatic limestone islands. Explore caves, kayak, or swim in emerald waters. Dinner is served onboard (itinerary may vary by cruise). Overnight on the cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy Halong Bay’s morning splendor with breakfast on the deck, soaking in sunrise views. Disembark at the main harbor and return to Hanoi, stopping at Phu Lang Ancient Pottery Village en route. Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for a late flight to Hue. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Begin at Dong Ba Market, a bustling hub of local goods. Visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site modeled after Beijing’s Forbidden City. Journey to the suburbs to explore the royal tombs of Minh Mang, Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh, showcasing Nguyen Dynasty grandeur. Enjoy a Buddhist vegetarian lunch at a monastery, engaging with nuns about Buddhism. Cruise the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest temple. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart Hue for Hoi An (3–4 hours) via the scenic Hai Van Pass, with views of the coastline. Stop at My Khe Beach and Marble Mountains, home to ancient pagodas. Check into your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy free time to explore the lantern-lit town. Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge. After lunch, cruise to Thanh Ha Pottery Village to observe traditional pottery-making. Optionally join an evening cooking class (own expense) or relax. Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Hoi An, exploring markets, beaches, or tailoring shops, or relaxing at your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.
Meals: Breakfast

Transfer to Danang International Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network from the Vietnam War, with an introductory video and displays of wartime traps. After lunch at a local restaurant, tour the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, Notre-Dame Basilica, and Central Post Office. In the evening, explore Ben Thanh Night Market for shopping. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Journey to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta (2 hours). Cruise the Ben Tre River, observing local life and visiting workshops crafting bricks, sleeping mats, and coconut products. Ride a motor cart through vegetable gardens and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to Can Tho, the Mekong Delta’s hub, and check into your hotel. Explore the city’s night scene at your leisure. Overnight in Can Tho.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Board a boat to explore Cai Rang Floating Market, the Mekong Delta’s largest, where locals trade from colorful boats. Walk through nearby villages to see rice paper and noodle production. Cross the iconic Monkey Bridge, a thrilling bamboo structure. Optionally cycle through serene countryside. Drive to Chau Doc (3 hours), check into your hotel, and relax. Overnight in Chau Doc.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, board a speedboat for a 5-hour journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Arrive in the afternoon, check into your hotel, and enjoy lunch at a unique restaurant staffed by former street children, showcasing their culinary skills. Visit the National Museum of Khmer Art, housing Cambodia’s finest artifacts, and the Silver Pagoda, famed for its silver-tiled floor. Free time to explore the city. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Phnom Penh’s airport for a flight to Siem Reap. Check into your hotel and spend the day at leisure, relaxing or exploring the vibrant city. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast

Explore the Angkor Complex (order flexible based on preference). Begin at Angkor Thom, entering via the South Gate, and visit the Bayon Temple with its 54 towers adorned with over 200 smiling faces. See the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. After lunch at your hotel, visit Ta Prohm, a jungle-entwined temple featured in Tomb Raider. Conclude at Pre Rup for a stunning sunset view. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast

Rise early for a magical sunrise at Angkor Wat. Visit Banteay Srei, the “Citadel of Women,” renowned for its intricate pink sandstone carvings. Cruise Tonle Sap Lake to explore a floating village, observing its unique lifestyle. After lunch at your hotel, tour the Roluos Temple Complex, including Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei, relics of the Khmer Empire’s early glory. Relax in the evening. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to Siem Reap Airport for an afternoon flight to Luang Prabang, Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and spiritual heart of the country. Check into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure, exploring the serene town. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, showcasing the Prabang Buddha and diplomatic gifts. Explore Wat Visoun, rebuilt after the Black Flag invasion, with its unique Watermelon Stupa, and Wat Aham, home to Luang Prabang’s spirit altar. See Wat That, housing King Sisavang Vong’s remains. After lunch, cruise the Mekong River to the mystical Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xanghai, known for rice wine, and Ban Xangkhong, famous for paper crafts and silk weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit a local morning market to browse souvenirs. Journey to Kuang Si Waterfall, a stunning three-tiered cascade 29 km south of Luang Prabang. Swim in the turquoise pools or relax amid nature. Lunch is served near the falls. En route back, visit Ban Na Oune, a Hmong village, and Tha Pane, a Khmu village. Climb Mount Phousi for a panoramic sunset view of the city. Relax in the evening. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to Luang Prabang International Airport for your departure flight, concluding this unforgettable Indochina journey.
Meals: Breakfast