Majestic Indochina Odyssey – 26 Days

Begin your adventure with a motorbike tour through Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant streets. Visit the iconic Central Post Office and Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, architectural gems reflecting the city’s colonial past. Explore the War Remnants Museum, offering a poignant look at Vietnam’s history. Continue to the Reunification Palace, a historic landmark where a Vietnamese Army tank crashed through the gates in 1975, marking the end of the war. In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the bustling Binh Tay Market in Cholon, the city’s lively Chinatown, and visit the revered Thien Hau Pagoda. Return to your hotel for a restful evening. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Travel to Tay Ninh to visit the vibrant Cao Dai Temple, a unique blend of architectural styles and spiritual traditions. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground network used by Vietnamese soldiers during the war. Explore the tunnels’ fascinating history and ingenious design before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a relaxing evening. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Journey to the lush Mekong Delta, cruising along the Co Chien River with views of the scenic My Thuan Bridge. Visit Dinh Tan Hoa, a 150-year-old traditional house, and observe local brick-making along the Tien River. Continue to Sa Dec, the filming location of The Lover, where you’ll explore its vibrant market and charming century-old houses and Chinese temples. Travel to Can Tho, check into your homestay, and enjoy a free evening to unwind. Overnight in Can Tho.

Start with a boat trip to the lively Cai Rang and Phong Dien Floating Markets, where locals trade goods from their boats. Visit nearby villages to witness the traditional production of rice paper and noodles, and test your balance crossing the iconic Monkey Bridge. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to Hoi An, check into your hotel, and relax. Overnight in Hoi An.

Embark on a bike tour through Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed old town, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, historic Old Merchant Houses, and vibrant China Assembly Halls. Explore narrow streets lined with wooden-roofed homes, lantern shops, and local boutiques, and pick up unique souvenirs. In the afternoon, join a 4-hour street food walking tour, sampling Hoi An’s renowned cuisine while discovering hidden gems and local haunts. Overnight in Hoi An.

Venture to My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing the architectural brilliance of the ancient Cham civilization. Explore the intricate temple ruins and capture their timeless beauty. Return to Hoi An for a free afternoon to relax or wander the vibrant night market. Overnight in Hoi An.

Depart Hoi An for Hue, stopping in Danang to visit the Cham Museum, home to an impressive collection of Cham sculptures. Admire the scenic Marble Mountains and China Beach, and cross the stunning Hai Van Pass and Lang Co Beach en route to Hue. Check into your hotel and enjoy lunch before exploring the Imperial Citadel. End the day with a serene boat ride along the Perfume River, visiting Thien Mu Pagoda at twilight. Overnight in Hue.

Discover Hue’s royal heritage with visits to the ornate Khai Dinh and Tu Duc Tombs, and take in panoramic views from Vong Canh Hill. Learn about the craft of conical hat-making at a local workshop. Enjoy a simple lunch at a Buddhist monastery before flying to Hanoi. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Start your day with a morning jog around Hoan Kiem Lake, observing locals practicing their daily exercises. Savor a bowl of iconic pho for breakfast and learn about Vietnamese coffee culture at a traditional café. Shop for specialties at Hom Market before visiting Ba Dinh Square, where Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence. Explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his private residence, and the Ho Chi Minh Museum. Continue to the historic One Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature. After a delicious lunch, visit Hoa Lo Prison, known as the “Hanoi Hilton,” and wander the charming Hanoi Old Quarter, sampling street foods like bun cha and nem cuon. Explore St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Nha Tho Street, and Bach Ma Temple before boarding an overnight train to Lao Cai (4-berth soft sleeper with A/C). Overnight on the train.

Arrive in Lao Cai and transfer to Sapa, a former French hill station nestled at 1,500 meters. After breakfast, visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages, engaging with ethnic minority communities and admiring stunning mountain views. Return to Sapa for lunch and a relaxing afternoon. Overnight in Sapa.

Visit one of Sapa’s vibrant markets (e.g., Cao Son on Wednesday, Bac Ha on Sunday, Can Cau on Saturday, or Coc Ly on Tuesday), where locals trade colorful goods and specialties. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before driving back to Hanoi for a free evening. Overnight in Hanoi.

Travel to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. Board a cruise at Vinashin Tourist Harbor and sail through the pristine Bai Tu Long Bay. Explore the hidden Co Cave, relax on Hon Co Island’s white sandy beach, or swim in the emerald waters. Enjoy a kayaking adventure in the Cong Do area and participate in a spring roll-making demonstration with the onboard chef. Savor a seafood dinner and engage in evening activities like movie night or squid fishing. Overnight on the cruise.

Greet the dawn with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck and enjoy breakfast before visiting Vung Vieng fishing village. Savor brunch as you cruise back to the harbor, then transfer to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Optionally rise early (5:40 AM) to witness the sacred Alms Giving Ceremony, where monks collect offerings. Visit the bustling Morning Market to browse local specialties. After breakfast, explore Wat Visounarat, the Royal Palace Museum, and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. Visit Ban Ouay Village to meet Lao minority groups, then head to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall for a swim or forest walk, stopping at the Bear Rescue Center. Climb Mount Phousi for a sunset view and explore the vibrant Night Market. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Cruise along the Mekong River to the mystical Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gilded Buddha statues. Stop at Ban Xanghai Village to learn about rice wine distillation and visit Wat Loungkhoun. On the return, explore Ban Phanom, a weaving village known for its handcrafted textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Transfer to the Elephant Village Camp for a briefing and a 1-km bareback elephant ride. Trek 4 km through diverse landscapes to Ban Huay Fai, a Khmu village, and continue 1.5 km to a scenic viewpoint. Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest, then trek 3 km to Ban Suan Dala, a village blending Lao, Hmong, and Khmu cultures. Return to the camp via a traditional longboat on the Nam Khan River, observing local fishing methods. Transfer back to Luang Prabang for a free evening. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Drive along Route 13 to Vang Vieng, passing through stunning mountain landscapes and hill tribe villages. Enjoy lunch at 1,300 meters above sea level, surrounded by endless peaks. Arrive in Vang Vieng, check into your hotel, and take a relaxing boat trip along the Nam Song River. Visit Tham Jang Cave, a historic site used as a defense against invaders in the 19th century. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Visit the Blue Lagoon for a refreshing swim or relaxation in bamboo huts. Drive to Viengsamay, a Khmu village, for a kayaking introduction, then paddle down the Nam Song River to Tham None (Sleeping Cave), a historic shelter from the Second Indochina War. Return to Vang Vieng by kayak, catching the sunset. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Drive 4 hours to Vientiane, Laos’ charming capital blending Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Soviet influences. Visit Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple with thousands of Buddha statues, and Wat Phra Keo, former home of the Emerald Buddha. Explore the iconic That Luang Stupa and snap photos at the Patuxay Monument. Visit the COPE Center, supporting UXO survivors, and spend the evening enjoying the Mekong River waterfront and Night Market. Overnight in Vientiane.

Morning visit to the whimsical Buddha Park, filled with unique sculptures. Transfer to the airport for a flight to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Explore Phnom Penh’s highlights, starting with the opulent Royal Palace and the sacred Silver Pagoda. Visit the National Museum, showcasing Khmer art, and delve into Cambodia’s tragic history at the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, a former Khmer Rouge detention center. Reflect on the resilience of the Cambodian people before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Travel to Kampong Thom to explore Sambor Prei Kuk, the 6th-century capital of Chenla, featuring early Cambodian architecture. Visit the historic Naga Bridge at Kompong Kdei. In the afternoon, fly to Siem Reap, check into your hotel, and enjoy a free evening. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Journey to Angkor Thom, exploring the South Gate, Bayon Temple with its enigmatic smiling faces, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument, marveling at its intricate carvings and grand architecture. End the day with a breathtaking sunset at Pre Rup Temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Spend the morning at the Cambodian Cultural Villages, featuring a wax museum, miniature replicas, traditional dance shows, and exhibits of historic sites like Oudong and Kompong Kdey Bridge. In the afternoon, cruise Tonle Sap Lake to Kompong Phhluk, a stilted village, observing local life, Buddhist temples, and natural beauty. Visit Les Artisans d’Angkor, a school of fine arts, before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Enjoy a leisurely morning before transferring to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight, carrying unforgettable memories of this majestic Indochina journey.