Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, you will be greeted by our friendly tour guide and transferred directly to the hotel for check-in.

In the evening, the guide and coach will pick you up for dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Meal:Dinner 

Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh

Morning, your guide will pick you up at your hotel to start a half-day city tour, including the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the palace grounds. The Silver Pagoda is named for its floor, which is covered with 5,000 silver tiles. Inside, you’ll find treasures such as a solid gold Buddha encrusted with diamonds, weighing 90 kilograms, and a small 17th-century Buddha made of emerald and Baccarat crystal.

 

Afternoon, continue with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21), followed by the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, located approximately 15 km from the city. Here, you will learn about Cambodia’s tragic recent history. Finally, visit the Russian Market (Psah Tuol Thom Pong), a vibrant outdoor market offering antiques, silver and gold jewelry, gems, silk, kramas, carvings, T-shirts, CDs, and other souvenirs. Return to the hotel for dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from the hotel lobby and transfer you to Siem Reap, approximately 320 km away, with a travel time of about 5.5 hours.

 

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, visit the APOPO Visitor Center, where you’ll learn about humanitarian demining and see how rats are trained to detect landmines. The visit includes an informative experience about landmines, a live demonstration of HeroRATs working on a simulated minefield, and insights into Cambodia’s history of landmines and ongoing efforts to make the country safer. After the visit, check in at your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel, begin your visit to the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). Explore the South Gate, featuring large statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, and the Bayon Temple, known for its 54 towers adorned with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara. Continue to see the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

 

Next, visit Angkor Wat, the most famous temple in the Angkor Archaeological Park. Covering 81 hectares, it is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its five distinctive towers are depicted on the Cambodian flag, and the 12th-century temple is regarded as a prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture.

 

In the afternoon, visit Ta Prohm, renowned for its beauty and relatively untouched state, which adds to its mystique. If time and energy permit, stop by the Old Market for souvenirs. In the evening, enjoy dinner accompanied by an Apsara dance show.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy free time until your transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Laos. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, you will be met and transferred to check in at your hotel.

 

Located in northern Laos, Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural, historic, and architectural significance, as well as its harmonious blend of natural and built environments. There are no planned activities for today, so you may take this opportunity to stroll around and get your first impression of this ancient city.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

You will be picked up from your hotel by our English-speaking guide. Upon arrival at Elephant Village Camp, you’ll receive a warm welcome and a brief overview of the elephants. Get up close and personal during the elephant feeding session, and explore the camp’s various facilities, including the elephant hospital, museum, gallery, and dung paper making area. Experience the role of a Mahout and learn how they communicate with the elephants. Next, enjoy a traditional Lao long boat ride to the Tad Sae Waterfall, where you can relax or swim in the clear water-swimsuit recommended, as water levels vary with the season. After a buffet lunch at the Elephant Camp restaurant, complete with coffee/tea and drinking water (vegetarian options available), you will depart the camp.

 

In the afternoon, explore Luang Prabang’s ancient town, beginning with Wat Xiengthong, known for its elegant Laotian architecture. Continue to the Royal Palace Museum to glimpse Laos’ regal history through stunning artifacts and exhibits. Conclude your visit with a climb up the 329 steps to Phousi Hill for a breathtaking sunset view over the city and the Mekong River. The tour ends with a visit to the Night Market, where you can browse handmade textiles created by local and hilltribe artisans.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Wake up with the sunrise to experience the sacred Lao tradition of morning alms giving, a ritual dating back to the 14th century. Buddhist monks depart from various temples to collect their daily meal from the residents who sit quietly on the streets. After this, visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace, where locals barter goods such as rice, vegetables, fish, and chicken.

 

Following breakfast, transfer to Big Sister Mouse School before heading to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall. Here, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the pools or explore the surrounding forest trails. Spend the afternoon leisurely appreciating the serene beauty of the waterfall. Optionally, visit the Bear Rescue Centre at the foot of the fall to learn more about the conservation effort to the adorable wild Asiatic moon bears.

 

In the evening, take a flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, our guide will meet you. After a transfer of approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour to the city center, enjoy dinner and check into your hotel.

 

Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Overnight in Hanoi

Start your day with an hour-long cyclo ride through Hanoi’s French Quarter, immersing yourself in an area that captures the timelessness and nostalgia of Vietnam. Formed during the French colonial era, this quarter is laid out in a chessboard pattern, reflecting the influence of French architecture adapted to the Vietnamese climate. The juxtaposition of grand colonial structures and modest buildings offers a glimpse into Hanoi’s past.

 

Next, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex and Ba Dinh Square, a significant pilgrimage site for Vietnamese. Explore the simple stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his early revolutionary days, and visit the Ho Chi Minh Museum, which honors his life. See the Governor’s Residence, or Presidential Palace, a classic example of French colonial architecture that Ho Chi Minh chose to avoid in favor of a traditional Vietnamese stilt house. Also, admire the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique architectural structure resembling a lotus blossom.

 

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and built in 1070. Next, explore Chợ Hôm Market, known for its fabric and local produce, where you can experience Hanoi’s vibrant market culture. Afterward, head to Hanoi’s Train Street to witness trains passing close to tiny houses and enjoy a drink at a café while taking in the view. Capture some memorable photos and relax in the unique ambiance.

 

Late afternoon brings a traditional Water Puppet show, a distinctive Vietnamese art form featuring puppets performing on water to depict rural life and folk stories.

 

In the evening, embark on a night tour of Hanoi in a vintage jeep (30 – 40 minutes). Your guide will brief you before exploring the Old Quarter and French Quarter,  known for its historical charm and French-influenced architecture. Drive through boulevards, view the embassy area and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and pass by notable Hanoi landmarks, including the Catholic Church.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner at Biggest Buffet Restaurant in Hanoi

Overnight in Hanoi

Morning, pickup from your hotel for Halong Bay. Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina and embark on the cruise, enjoy welcome drinks, receive a brief orientation, and check into your room. Enjoy Vietnamese and international dishes while cruising past scenic highlights such as Incense Burner Islet, Dog Stone Islet, Fighting Cock Islet, and Three Coconuts Island.

 

Afternoon, visit a Pearl Farm and enjoy kayaking to get close to Halong Bay’s timeless beauty. Explore Sung Sot Cave, the largest limestone cave, known for its stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Wear appropriate footwear as the path can be wet. Dinner features traditional and fusion dishes prepared by talented chefs.

 

Evening activities include bar and spa time, squid fishing, watching a movie, playing cards or chess, or relaxing on the sundeck. Overnight on board.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Overnight on cruise

Morning, experience the bay at dawn with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, awakening your senses and refreshing yourself before breakfast. Enjoy coffee, tea, and pastries in the restaurant. Visit Titov Island, known for its sandy beach and stunning panoramic views from the top.

 

Return to the cruise ship to check out and settle your bill. Have brunch while cruising back, and relax on the sundeck or in the restaurant. Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina. Bid farewell and transfer back to Hanoi.

 

Arrive back in Hanoi and transfer to Sapa. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant upon arrival, check into your hotel, and spend the rest of the evening at leisure. The total duration of the transfer from Halong to Sapa is approximately 7.5 hours.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner

Overnight hotel in Sapa

Depart from Sapa town by car to Lao Chai village, traveling down the hill. Enjoy views of the Muong Hoa Valley, mountains, and rice terraces along the way. You may encounter people from various ethnic groups (H’mong, Zay, and Red Dao) and find stalls offering tea, fruits, and sweets. After turning off the main road onto a local path, arrive at the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai, where you can experience the daily life of the villagers.

 

Next, hike approximately 4 km to Ta Van village, known for its clusters of rural houses set amid terraced rice fields. The Giay ethnic minority people live here; this group is native only to the northern highlands of Vietnam.

 

Continue hiking for 3 km over hills and through a bamboo forest, with a stop at a waterfall for rest. Proceed to Giang Ta Chai village, home to the Red Dao ethnic minority. Explore the village and observe the daily life activities of its residents. You will be picked up and returned to Sapa by car.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight hotel in Sapa

In the morning, have breakfast at the homestay. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner. Then check in at your hotel and enjoy some free time at your leisure.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight hotel in Hue

In the morning, give your hand at a teaching English program, spending your meaningful time with children. In Vietnam, English skills are still developing, and with the country’s fast growth, English has become essential in education. You’ll be placed in schools around Hue, teaching students aged 6 to 11. With a poor teacher-student ratio and local teachers needing English proficiency, your guidance will be crucial. The program aims to create an English-speaking environment to boost students’ and teachers’ confidence. Volunteering for this project will offer you a rewarding and challenging experience. Your assistance will support young students in improving their English skills. Take pride and joy in doing this!

 

In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of Hue City, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945 and the last bastion of Vietnamese feudalism. The city’s charm is marked by its natural beauty and a wealth of historical relics. Begin with the Hue Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which covers 520 hectares and features a grand complex built in the early 1800s. It includes three enclosures separated by heavy ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Civic City) as the outer, Hoang Thanh (Royal City) as the middle, and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden City) as the inner.

 

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight hotel in Hue

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before checking out and boarding your private car for the journey to Hoi An. Travel over the Hai Van Pass, a scenic route offering breathtaking views of the South China Sea. Along the way, visit the Marble Mountains in Danang, named after the five traditional elements. These monoliths feature tunnels, caverns, and intricate Buddhist sanctuaries carved into the rock. A lunch stop (at your own expense) will be made at “China Beach,” a historic site known for its role during the Vietnam War.

 

In the late afternoon, explore Hoi An on a walking tour. Once a thriving maritime port between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its well-preserved architecture and cultural fusion. Visit the 400-year-old Covered Bridge with its Japanese temple, the Museum of Trade Ceramics housed in a wooden building from 1858, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, Ong Temple, and the bustling local market.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight hotel in Hoi An

In the morning, enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Your guide and driver will then pick you up for the transfer to Son My Memorial, a journey of approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Hoi An.

 

Upon arrival, visit the Son My Memorial, located at the site of the infamous My Lai Massacre, where over 500 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly, were killed by American soldiers. The route to Son My offers views of picturesque countryside, including rice paddies and vegetable gardens.

 

At the memorial, gain deeper insight into the tragedies of the Vietnam War. You will also have the opportunity to meet survivors who witnessed the massacre in 1968. This visit provides a meaningful chance to reflect on the resilience and hope for peace that the Vietnamese people embody.

 

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner 

Overnight hotel in Hoi An

In the morning, travel approximately 5 km southeast of Hoi An Old Town to Cam Thanh Village, renowned for its traditional coconut paintings and the unique water coconut forest ecosystem. This area offers a cultural space that attracts both domestic and international visitors for sightseeing and educational experiences.

 

In Cam Thanh Village, you will start by biking from Hoi An town. Your first stop will be a local family renowned for their rice paper-making tradition. As you cycle to Cam Thanh Village, enjoy scenic views of rice paddies and learn about the traditional rice production methods used by local farmers.

 

Explore the water coconut forest ecosystem and discover the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen and their communities. Experience traditional fishing techniques and learn how to paddle the distinctive Vietnamese bamboo basket boats through the serene, coconut-palm-lined waterways. Take a closer look at the coconut trees and engage in making souvenirs from water coconut leaves.

 

After your exploration, transfer to Da Nang for your departure flight.