The Indochina Essentials: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand

After breakfast at the hotel, your day will begin by exploring the capital city of Hanoi is often referred to as the ‘Paris of the Orient’.

Today you will enjoy a guided tour of this historic city full of charming lakes, parks, and shaded boulevards. Your first stop will be the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the father of modern-day Vietnam is buried. Visit sites including the Ho Chi Minh Stilt House, Presidential Palace, and One Pillar Pagoda. Then drive to the Temple of Literature, which was built in the 10th century under the Ly Dynasty and greatly influenced by Confucianism.

Afterwards, enjoy an introductory walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Hanoi’s Old Quarter has long been a favourite destination for both locals and tourists alike, as it embraces the true beauty of the city. As you navigate its quaint and narrow streets, see how the buzz of modern life revolves around the ancient architecture. There are many souvenir stores, so you will have plenty of opportunities for shopping.

In the afternoon return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure.

This morning you will travel to Ninh Binh to visit Tam Coc. The 2-hour long drive will take you through picturesque green fields and villages.

On the way, stop in Hoa Lu, an ancient capital of Vietnam from the 11th century. Here you will visit the temple of Dinh & Le Dynasties and learn about the history of Vietnam during its war with China.

Continue to Tam Coc where you will enjoy lunch with views of rice paddy fields before taking a Sampan (traditional canoe) ride on the beautiful waters of Tam Coc. As the vessel gently slices through the water you will notice the enormous limestone karsts jutting out from the green rice fields, giving rise to the area’s nickname ‘Halong on Land’.

Later, transfer to the Bich Dong Pagoda, one of the major landmarks in the region.

This morning enjoy a bicycle tour through the beautiful rice fields to Mua Cave. Mua Caves is regarded as one the most photogenic sites in the whole Ninh Binh province, located around seven kilometres from from Ninh Binh Legend Hotel. The actual cave is located at the foot of the mountain, but the real heart stopping attraction is at the top of the mountain. To reach it, you have to climb 500 very steep and uneven stone steps, but it is absolutely worth it in order to get one of the most stunning views you will ever see. The two viewpoints provide a panoramic view of Tam Coc, Trang An and Ninh Binh.

In the afternoon visit Nham Valley. First, explore the Mermaid Cave with stunning stalagmites and stalactites that are over 1 million years old. Afterwards, visit the orchard garden, Three Ladies Cave and Vai Gioi Cave.Next, take a leisurely boat ride to see thousands of birds gathering at the bird park, including cranes, phoenix, stork, bittern, and some rare breeds listed in the Red Book that might be extinct in the near future.

This morning, depart to Halong Bay where you will board a junk boat for an overnight cruise through thousands of towering limestone islands and the emerald waters of UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Halong Bay.

Enjoy a seafood lunch before taking part in some afternoon activities such as swimming, relaxing on a remote beach, climbing to the top of a lookout for an amazing panoramic view or take a ride on a rowing boat into a secluded bay. Also, cruise further into the bay to visit a pearl farm. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks.

Please note: Due to cruising conditions, itineraries may change without prior notice.

Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, take part in an optional Tai Chi lesson or sit on the upper deck and relax while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.

Enjoy brunch on board, followed by a relaxing trip back into port, where you will disembark and transfer to Hanoi airport (approximately two and a half hours) for your flight to Da Nang Airport.

Upon arrival, transfer to Hoi An and check into your accommodation.

After breakfast, ride a bicycle to Hoi An’s colourful central market. Here you will have the opportunity to interact with the local vendors and learn about the ingredients that will be used in the cooking lesson later, so make sure your camera is handy. Cycle onwards to Tra Que vegetable village where you can enjoy a nice refreshing welcome drink before walking through the vegetable gardens where local farmers work on their fields using the traditional methods they have been using for hundreds of years – no electrical machinery here.

Continue to a nearby restaurant where a local chef will help you learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food including Tra Que Vegetable Salad, Tam Huu (spring onion rolls), Banh Xeo (Vietnamese pancake) & Hoi An fresh spring rolls. Finish off with a delicious meal of traditional dishes you have prepared yourself!

Later this afternoon, head out with your local guide on an insightful walking tour to discover the charms of this ancient trading port on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Stroll the narrow-cobbled streets, observe the buildings influenced by early European traders, visit a local family chapel, the centre of ancestor worship, and step inside a Chinese-style pagoda before crossing the Japanese Covered Bridge. The first bridge in Hoi An, it was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese Quarter across the stream. Wander through the Fukien Association Temple and Chua Ong Temple before discovering treasures inside the Ceramic Museum.

This morning transfer back to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and head to the Cu Chi Tunnels (approximately one hour) for a half day tour of this fascinating area.

The Cu Chi Tunnels were constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the country’s long fight for independence. The network of tunnels that make up this underground city include living rooms, kitchens, hospitals, weapons factories, storage facilities and a command centre. The tunnel system was an excellent way for the Vietcong to move around the countryside undetected by foreign troops and was at one stage home to around 10,000 people.

After exploring these tunnels along with nearby remains of American tanks and numerous bomb craters drive back to Ho Chi Minh City arriving in the mid-afternoon.

Enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure or get dropped off at the War Remnants Museum to explore on your own before making your own way back to the hotel.

Today is free at leisure to explore Ho Chi Minh City.

Early this morning you will be picked up at the hotel to begin your journey to Phnom Penh, Cambodia by way of a tourist bus (not a private group service). Stop at the Vietnam/Cambodia Moc Bai Bavet border for visa processing (visa cost not included) and then continue onwards to Phnom Penh. This journey can take anywhere between 6 to 8 hours depending on the visa processing times on the border.

On arrival, be welcomed by the tour guide and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to spend relaxing or exploring Phnom Penh.

After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel to explore the capital city with a bustling Central Market, the Independence Monument, Wat Ounalom.

Enjoy a set lunch at a local restaurant then continue to the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the notorious ‘Killing Fields’ of Choeung Ek, gaining deep insight into the painful rule of the Khmer Rouge.

Afterwards you will visit the Royal Palace and the sacred Silver Pagoda, which is well known for its 5000-silver tiled floor. Upon completion of the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Today you will enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Angkor Wat, exploring the wondrous ancient ruins of the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

The Terrace of the Leper King, the largest and most complete of the Angkor Wat temples, is an architectural masterpiece that was constructed in the 12th century. You will also visit the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm, where enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers have embraced the stone foundations.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Please note:
• During the visit of the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat Temple visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees (no shorts, miniskirts, or short trousers).
• Children under twelve years old are not allowed to climb up this tower.

Enjoy today at leisure.

Following breakfast, depart to Battambang, a town influenced by its French colonial history. After checking into the hotel enjoy a drive along the picturesque Sangker River to the Wat Slaket Pagoda, the former residence of the provincial Buddhist patriarch. Continue onwards to Ek Phnom Temple which is an 11th century Angkorian-era ruin built as a Hindu temple. The temple consists of prasats on a platform with some well-preserved carvings.

The river road drive to Ek Phnom from Battambang passes through small villages and rice paddies and is a beautiful countryside drive. Continue onwards to a local market where Prahoc, the Cambodian fish paste is made and where locals cook steam-sticky rice in bamboo. Finish the day at your hotel where you may enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, visit a bamboo train village with a unique experience of riding on this unique train. Then continue to the first grape farm in the country and taste the local grape wine and whisky.

Next, continue onwards to visit Phnom Banan Temple and return to town for lunch.

After lunch, visit Phnom Sampeau Mountain, steeped in legend, and topped by Wat Sampeou and a group of caves used as ‘killing caves’ by the Khmer Rouge, which you’ll spend the afternoon exploring.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before heading towards the Cambodia-Thailand border at the Pailin province.

After crossing the border, you will be transferred to a public ferry that will take you to Koh Chang Island on a journey of approximately 45 minutes.

On arrival in Koh Chang, you will be transferred to your accommodation where you will the next 3 days at leisure.

Enjoy a day at leisure exploring this beautiful island.

Enjoy a day at leisure exploring this beautiful island.

Today you will transfer via ferry and coach to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.

Upon arrival check into your hotel where you may enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Breakfast, depart from hotel, and drive about one hour south of Bangkok to Samut Songkhram followed by the first stop of the day at MaeKlong Railway Market and witness the incredible speed of the vendors as they quickly pack their stalls right before 08:30 a.m. when the train approaches. After that, visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and stroll around the floating marketplace bustling with boats and vendors selling delicious delights.

After lunch, return to Bangkok and proceed to visit Wat Pho also known as The Reclining Buddha temple because the temple complex houses the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including a 46 meters long reclining Buddha. Before having lunch we will visit The Grand Palace where there is also the Temple of Emerald Buddha inside the palace complex. From there, the trip continues to Chao Phraya where you’ll embark on a ferry ride across the river to visit Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn).

Late in the evening you’ll be taken to a pier where you will check-in for a dinner cruise onboard the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise. Spend the night on the cruise enjoying a variety of Thai, and International Cuisine with live entertainment along the Chao Phraya River. After dinner, return to the hotel and take a rest for the next day’s program.

Upon checking out from the hotel in Bangkok, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport for your departure flight.