Great Indochina Loop Tour – 16 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane (D)
Upon arrival in Vientiane, we will be transferred to our hotel. This afternoon there will be a city tour around Vientiane. Although it is a capital city, Vientiane has the feel of a small provincial town. The wide boulevards are almost devoid of traffic and with its many temples; the city retains the feel of another age. Our tour includes visits to the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum, and the main market. Overnight at hotel in Vientiane.

That Luang Stupa

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B, L)
This morning we transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight to Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of ancient temples. We embark on a tour of this enthralling town visiting Wat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery. We will also visit the fine temples of Vat May, Vat Vixoun, and Vat That Luang. Later in the day, we go up to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the excellent views of the town and a great sunset.

Golden outer wall of Wat Xieng Thong

Day 3: Luang Prabang (B, L)
Today we take a trip to the Royal Palace Museum. The palace built in 1904 is relatively new by Luang Prabang standards and is a mix of traditional Lao and colonial French design. Afterwards, we visit the morning market and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Free at our leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang Royal Palace Museum

Day 4: Luang Prabang – Hanoi (B, D)
Leaving Laos we continue to travel to Vietnam by airplane, upon our arrival we will be picked up and transfer to Hanoi city central where’s our hotel location. Tonight we will have dinner at one of the fine restaurants in town.

Day 5: Halong Bay day trip (B, L)
We depart for Halong Bay in the morning when we get there; we take a private junk to visit the majestic Halong Bay. The 5 hours boat journey will take us around the secluded bay (now is listed in the World Heritage site). Passing the Dog islet, Cockfighting islet, Tuttle islet then we will stop to visit Thien Cung ( Heavenly cave ). Seafood lunch will be served on the boat. Disembark we will transfer back to Hanoi.

Scenic view of Halong Bay

Day 6: Hanoi City tour (B, L)
A full day explores the charming colonial city of Hanoi, we start our morning by visiting Ho Chi Minh Complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Presidential Palace, his House on stilt, One Pillar Pagoda. After that we visit Hanoi Hilton (the prison that keeps the American pilots when their aircraft were brought down during the war) then we continue to the Temple of Literature. The afternoon we have one hour on the Cyclo (the pedal rickshaw) to see the Old Quarter. Tonight we will enjoy the unique water puppet show in the theater.

One Pillar Pagoda

Notes:
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum opening time: Open from Tuesday to Thursday and weekends from 8 am to 11 pm. Closed on Mondays and Fridays. The mausoleum is closed for two months of the year, usually October and November, when Ho Chi Minh’s body is maintenance by Russian expert.

Day 7: Hanoi – Fly to Danang transfer to Hue via Hai Van tunnel (B, L)
Morning free at leisure until we transfer to the airport for an hour flight to Danang, then we continue to Hue. Along the way, we will stop at Lang Co beach. Arriving in Hue we can look forward to exploring the superb sights of the city. In the afternoon we visit the Citadel, the Imperial City and Dong Ba market.

Vegetable stalls in Dong Ba market

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (B)
This morning we make our way down to the Perfume River. We pause at the best-loved architecture pagoda in Hue, Thien Mu pagoda (The Heavenly Lady pagoda). After that, we continue to go to the elaborate Tu Duc Tomb. In the afternoon we go to Hoi An along the Highway 1A. We stop over at Hai Van Pass, My Khe beach, and Marble Mountain. Overnight in Hoi An.

Tu Duc King Tomb

Day 9: Hoi An (B)
Hoi An is a quaint riverside town popular among tourists for its charming architecture, souvenir and tailor shops, and café. Some of the lovely buildings in the narrow streets have changed a little over some hundred years. It now listed as World Heritage site. In the morning today, we enjoy the walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Old town visit Fu Kien Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky house, the Japanese Cover Bridge, Hoi An Museum, and the handcrafts workshops.

Hoi An Ancient Town

Day 10: Hoi An – Da Nang – Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel (B, L)
Transfer in the morning for the early flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, we will be picked up and transfer to our hotel. After check in we leave Ho Chi Minh City for the legendary Cu Chi Tunnel, which was dug and used by Viet Cong during the second Indochina war. It is likely that guide was once soldier here and their insight will help us to understand the tragic part of Vietnamese history. Some part of the tunnel has been dug out bigger for accommodate foreigners- more than a touch of irony here! It is also the chance for us to try some shots of the AK47, the rifle that uses by Viet Cong during the war. We return Ho Chi Minh City in the early afternoon. We tour around the city to visit the highlight of Ho Chi Minh City including Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants.

Discover the tunnel of Cu Chi

Day 11Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta (B, L)
After breakfast, we leave Ho Chi Minh City behind and head to Vietnam’s rice basket of Mekong Delta. We will pass through idyllic, rural scenes until we arrive at My Tho, a peaceful town on the bank of the Mekong River, where we will visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda. After that we take a boat ride on the Mekong river, visit local homes and orchards, a coconut candy workshop, a honeybee farm, take a sampan ride on palm-shaded creeks, try a taste of seasonal fruit and honey tea and enjoy a performance of traditional Southern singing. We return to Ho Chi Minh City around 5 pm.

Coconut candy workshop in Mekong Delta

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap (B, L)
Today we transfer to the Ho Chi Minh City airport for our flight to Siem Reap (Cambodia). Upon our arrival in Siem Reap, we will be greeted by our guide and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon we will head out for the majestic temples of Angkor, visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat Temple

Day 13: Siem Reap (B, D)
An early start to watch the sunrise at Angkor Wat followed by a tour of the temples including the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas. Afternoon tour visits Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei, Ta Keo, Chau Say Tevoda, Thammanon and Ta Prohm Temple. Then we go back to hot air balloon station where we can ride a stable hot air balloon for a truly memorable sunset look over one of the Wonder of the World, Angkor Wat. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Ancient Ta Prohm Temple

Day 14: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh (B)
Early morning drive to Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre. This afternoon we visit the local market before transferring to the airport for a flight to Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Banteay Srei Temple

Day 15: Enjoy Phnom Penh (B)
The city tour includes the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom. Afternoon visit the Russian market, the infamous Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes and Cheung Ek, better known as the Killing Fields. And followed by a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh

Day 16: Departure (B)
Free time until transfer to the airport for our flight home.