The Spirit of Indochina – 22 Days

After breakfast, stroll Vientiane’s Parisian-like streets as coffee shops open. Visit Wat Sisaket, with thousands of Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo, housing the Emerald Buddha, and That Luang, Laos’ golden stupa. After lunch, drive 25 km to Buddha Park (Xieng Khuang), opened in the 1950s by a monk blending Hindu and Buddhist art. Explore over 200 statues, including a 120-foot reclining Buddha, showcasing intricate details of gods and demons. Return for dinner and relax. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, travel north by private vehicle to Luang Prabang, the ancient royal capital of the Lan Xang Kingdom. Arrive in the late afternoon, check into a hotel, and relax amid the city’s UNESCO-listed charm. Enjoy dinner featuring local specialties. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Rise early to witness the alms-giving ceremony, where locals offer rice and cookies to saffron-robed monks. After breakfast, visit Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th-century monastery with a low-sweeping roof and a “Tree of Life” mosaic. Explore the Royal Palace Museum’s royal artifacts, Wat Visoun’s stupa, and Wat Aham’s shrine. After lunch, visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ ethnic diversity. Climb 355 steps to Mount Phousi’s summit for a sunset view over the Mekong River and mountains. Enjoy dinner and relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to Luang Prabang airport for a flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, your guide and driver escort you to a hotel. Drive 35 km to Banteay Srei, a 10th-century temple with intricate pink sandstone carvings. Visit Banteay Samre, a well-preserved Khmer temple. Stop at the Akira Landmine Museum, founded by a former child soldier, for a sobering look at Cambodia’s history. In the dry season, observe palm sugar production. Watch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup, glowing orange over the temples. Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast, explore Ta Prohm, the “Tomb Raider Temple,” where jungle roots embrace ancient stones. Enter Angkor Thom’s Southern Gate, flanked by gods and demons, and visit the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace, and Terrace of the Leper King. Admire Bayon Temple’s 200 serene stone faces. After lunch (own account), relax near Sras Srang, the Royal Pool, with a Khmer feast and hammock time. In the afternoon, tour Angkor Wat, the Khmer Empire’s 12th-century masterpiece, with its iconic five towers. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Fly to Phnom Penh after breakfast. Check into a hotel, then tour the Royal Palace, a 19th-century Khmer architectural gem, and the Silver Pagoda, Cambodia’s most sacred temple. After lunch, visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former Khmer Rouge detention center, for a poignant look at history. Wander the vibrant Russian Market for souvenirs before returning to relax. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, board a speedboat along the Mekong River to Chau Doc, Vietnam. Sail past Phnom Penh’s skyline, transitioning to lush Vietnamese countryside. Arrive in Chau Doc, a culturally diverse town with bustling markets and warm hospitality. Check into a hotel and relax. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Visit Tay An Pagoda at Sam Mountain’s base, featuring Vietnamese design and elephant statues amid sandalwood scents. Climb or drive to the 690-foot summit for views over paddy fields. Explore rhinoceros and elephant statues near the peak. Enjoy lunch and dinner, soaking in Chau Doc’s charm. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Rise early to cruise Chau Doc’s floating market, alive with boats laden with tropical fruits, fish, and produce. Vendors in conical “non” hats sell goods, some cooking fresh fish in onboard woks. After the market, travel north by private vehicle to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), arriving in the evening. Check into a hotel and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Explore Saigon’s energetic blend of modern skyscrapers and colonial heritage. Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, a red-brick French colonial gem, and the nearby Saigon River for tranquil views. Tour the Reunification Palace and Central Post Office, showcasing French architectural influence. Enjoy lunch and dinner, savoring Vietnamese flavors, and relax in the bustling city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 124-mile subterranean network from the 1940s. Explore narrow passageways, hidden entrances, and trap doors, marveling at their wartime ingenuity. View an M-41 tank and maps of the network under a eucalyptus grove. Return to Saigon after lunch and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Fly to Danang after breakfast. Transfer to Hoi An, a 15th-century merchant town with Chinese lanterns and Japanese-influenced architecture. Visit Tan Ky House, blending Chinese and Japanese styles, and stroll along the serene Thu Bon River. Enjoy lunch and explore Hoi An’s culinary scene. Overnight in Hoi An.

Visit My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO-listed Champa temple complex with intricate god and animal statues. Feel the time-worn mystique of the ruins, reminiscent of Cambodia’s Khmer temples. Return to Hoi An after lunch, with time to explore its charming streets. Overnight in Hoi An.

Travel to Hue, passing the Marble Mountains and the glistening East Sea. Drive along Hai Van Pass, with emerald hills stretching into the distance. Arrive in Hue, the former Nguyen Dynasty capital, and visit a garden house like Lac Tinh, designed to harmonize with nature. Enjoy lunch and check into a hotel. Overnight in Hue.

Tour Hue’s Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO site, visiting To Mieu Temple Complex, Hien Lam Pavilion, and the Nine Dynastic Urns, adorned with dragon motifs. Explore the Perfume River and Thien Mu Pagoda, known for its seven-story tower. After lunch, visit royal tombs for a glimpse of imperial grandeur. Overnight in Hue.

Fly to Hanoi, Vietnam’s vibrant capital. Check into a hotel and explore the Old Quarter’s narrow streets, named for historic trades like silk and medicine. Admire French colonial tree-lined boulevards and the neoclassical Hanoi Opera House. Enjoy lunch and relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Discover Hanoi’s cultural landmarks: the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university; the One-Pillar Pagoda; Ba Dinh Square; and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Visit the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. End at Long Bien Bridge, a 100-year-old icon over the Red River, perfect for photos amid cornfields and floating houses. Return to relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and board a traditional Chinese junk for an overnight cruise. Sail among 1,600 limestone islands, reflecting in emerald waters. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board, with starry skies illuminating the night. Overnight on the cruise.

After breakfast, cruise to Vung Vieng fishing village by sampan. Meet friendly locals living in buoyed houses, with karsts as their backdrop. Return to the main boat, sail back to the harbor, and drive to Hanoi. Check into a hotel and relax. Overnight in Hanoi.

Enjoy a free day to explore Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter or relax by Hoan Kiem Lake, linked to Jade Island via the red Huc Bridge. Wander markets or unwind at a café, soaking in the city’s charm. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, watch Hanoi awaken with Tai Chi by West Lake and cyclists carrying flowers. Your driver transfers you to Noi Bai International Airport for your departure, leaving with lifelong memories of Indochina’s beauty.