23 Days Grand Indochina Tour Of Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos

Notes: 
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Monday & Friday. 
- Museums are closed on Monday. 
- If you want to have a private 2 person cabin on the train, the extra charge is 60 US$ Per Person for the round trip.
- If you are difficult to sleep on the night train, it is recommended to take the 5-6 hour high quality tourist bus or tourist mini-van from Hanoi to Sapa in the morning next day (from 6:45am to 13:00) and spend this night at hotel in Hanoi instead. 

The train arrives around 6am. We will pick you up at Lao Cai railway station and transfer you up to the town of Sapa which takes approx one hour. Have breakfast at local restaurant. 

Morning: start trekking to Cat Cat village, the village of Black H’Mong hill tribe. The village is on the slope of the hill and easy walking, rice and corn are grown here. Cat Cat villagepossesses many imposing waterfalls and also is home to the water hydropower construction built under French rule.
Return to the hotel in Sapa by car at noon and have lunch. 
After lunch, check in hotel. 
Afternoon, you are free to explore the town and local market in town, or climb up Ham Rong mountain for a great view on your own. Stay overnight in hotel.

Option 1: Visit Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages 
(this option is the original program and goes with current shown price)

Transfer to Y Ling Ho village where we start trekking down to Lao Chai village of Black H’mong ethnic people. Here we will discover their daily life and how they make traditional clothes, handicraft, indigo... We will visit the biggest valley which provides the best view for golden rice terrace fields in Vietnam. After Lao Chai, we walk to Ta Van village of Dzay people. It is a small group of ethnic people in Vietnam with a rich culture and beautiful houses located on rice paddy fields. Return to Sapa by car.

Option 2: Visit Fansipang Mount by cable car
(Surcharge for this option is 35 USD Per Person)

The  car pick you up at hotel and go to Fansipan Cable Car Station and spend 20 minutes with cable car to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Reach the altitute of 2800 meters, you have a good time to see the view and take photos, visit pagoda the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan - the Roof of Indochina. (Spend about 1,5 hours for hiking and taking photos).
Come back to Fansipan Cable Car Station and return to Sapa town. 

Late afternoon, our driver will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train.

Upon arrival in Hue around 8am, you will be met by your guide for the hotel transfer and have breakfast.
Today, we take the sightseeing in Hue to the Ancient Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces and temples built by the Nguyen from early 19th Century for which Hue was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage and the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum which is dedicated to Vietnam's imperial past and arts of that era
Then, you will embark on a drive to Hue’s countryside to reach the Emperor Tu Duc’s tomb, one of the most beautiful royal architectures of Nguyen dynasty.
Visit to the Incense making village, Thien Mu pagoda and enjoy the leisure boat trip on the scenic Perfume River. Overnight at hotel in Hue.

After breakfast, you will have a four hour drive over the scenic Hai Van pass along the coast to the small & beautiful ancient town of Hoi An, by the bank of Thu Bon River. You will have a short stop in Lang Co beach and visit Cham Sculpture museum and Marble Mountain in Danang before continue the drive to Hoian.
In the afternoon, you will have a guided tour to see the interesting sights of this ancient city. Some hundreds years ago, this town thrived o­n trading with the Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. You will visit a historical Old House, Japanese Covered Bridge, Old Temple and Silk Factory. Overnight in Hoian

Morning, take a discovery trip to Myson, 40km from Hoian, for admiring great architectural and art works of the Cham people & the Towers. Having a brief understanding of the history, culture for which Myson was recognized the World Cultural Heritage.
After the visit to Myson, drive directly to the train station in Danang city for the early afternoon train to Nhatrang. It will be a great experience to see the spectacular view of the coastal lines, countryside and the local life of the centre Vietnam from the train windows.
Arrive in Nhatrang at around 21.30pm; you will be met by the guide at the train station for the transfer to the hotel and for the check-in. Overnight in Nhatrang.

Nha Trang has o­ne of the most popular beaches in all of Vietnam, with clear turquoise water and a backdrop of mountains. The coconut palms provide shelter along most of the 6 km beachfront. Enjoy your free time on the beach. Overnight in Nhatrang.

You will have one day boat trip. Start from your hotel to Cau Da port in the morning. Embarking & cruising to the islands. Many sea species of Nha Trang/Khanh Hoa province make a small ocean world there. Mun Island is the best island for snorkeling where you can see lots of lives colorful corals and fish. You will also be able to see caves in which the sea swallows make their nests from the boat. Then relaxing, swimming & doing water sports or other activities at Mot Island, Tranh Beach Island or on a small island calling “Mini beach”. Taking a fresh lunch at the island.
Return to the hotel in at about 16.00. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Monring, transfer to Nha Trang airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, we will have the city sightseeing, visit Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of Saigon's government quarter, is of neo- Romanesque architecture with two high square tower and iron spires. The Central Post Office is French-style and City Hall, known as "Hotel de Ville," is typical of the French architecture that would be seen in any village in France. Visit the War Remnants Museum, featuring collections of weapons and photographs from the two Indochina wars. Our last stop is Ben Thanh market, the biggest whole sales market in Saigon. Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, we will depart the city and enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields to My Tho in the Mekong Delta.
On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea.
Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village. 
Towards the end of the day we arrive in Can Tho where we stay at the hotel by the Mekong River.

Take a leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to Cai Rang floating markets, which are the liveliest in the whole religion.

Have you ever tasted Vietnamese vermicelli soup? Well, now go and see how it is made. Visit the orchard garden. Stop for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc, continue the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. Back to the Town, hotel check in. Overnight in Chau Doc.

After breakfast, you will board the speed boat to Phnom Penh at 7:00am. Visa formalities take about 45 minutes at the border and Cambodian visas can be issued at the border. Continue by river to Phnom Penh. Meet our guide and transfer to your hotel on arrival at noon. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm.

Later in afternoon, we begin our discovery of Phnom Penh in the thriving old market areas and then zip around the modernising parts of the city, visiting the exotic Central Markets where gems, silks and statues entice. End your afternoon with the visit of the Wat Phnom Temple, Phnom Penh's namesake, from where you can enjoy views over the tree-lined avenues of Phnom Penh during sunset. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Continue our Phnom Penh discovery with the visit to the Victory Monument, and the National Museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917. The museum contains a collection of Khmer art - notably sculptures - throughout the ages. Visit the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda. Located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. The treasures found inside include a solid gold Buddha encrusted and weighing 90kilograms and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha.
Afternoon, we transfer you to the airport for a 50 minute flight to Siem Reap. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

In the morning, visit the most famous of all the temples on the plain of Angkor: Angkor Wat. The temple complex covers 81 hectares and is comparable in size to the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat's five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond.
Afternoon, Visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate with its huge statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephants Terrace, the Terrace of the LeperKing and Bayon Temple (unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara), until sunset. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Morning, visit a floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. Chong Kneas will be appropriate place for visitors who want to break from temples. The floating village has everything that a normal village on land has with schools, hospitals, restaurants, shops and floating crocodile farms. 

Afternoon, transfer to Phnom Penh airport for the flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. On arrival in Luang Prabang, you are met and transferred to the hotel.
Evening, you are free to explore the Night Bazaar, where you can find lovely collections of handmade textiles produced by local communities from the region surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, transfer to the pier to board a traditional long boat for a cruise on the Mekong river. On the way, visit villages located on the riverbank including Ban Xang Hai and learn how local rice whisky is made. Continue on to Pak Ou, visit Tham Ting and Tham Theung caves with their Lao style Buddhist sculptures assembled over the centuries by local people. On the way back, visit the village of Ban Xang Khong, the village of homemade Saa Paper.
In the afternoon, visit Wat Mai and walk along the streets to Wat Xieng Thong, located on the bank of the Mekong River. It is one of the most elegant and best-preserved examples of 16th century Luang Prabang temple architecture.

Take a walk up Phu Si hill and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful view overlooking Luang Prabang and the Mekong river. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Optional activities: Wake up early in the morning (05h30) and observe monks leaving their pagodas and walking barefoot along the streets in the long lines collecting alms. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spirituality of the Lao people. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, visit National Museum which used to be the Royal Palace (official name "Haw Kham"), built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Various statues of Buddha, monarchs, as well as wonderful murals of traditional Lao scenes still remain. After that, drive through beautiful rice fields, hills and villages to Kuang Si Waterfalls (1 hour drive). On the way, stop to visit a small ethnic minority village to learn more about their culture and daily life. Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfalls, relax or possibly walk up to the top of the waterfall for a nice view and enjoy the beautiful landscape and fresh water in which you can swim during the summer. Return to Luang Prabang in late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang. 

Have breakfast at hotel.
Late morning, transfer to the train station for the fast train to Vientiane. On arrival in Vientiane, you are met and transferred to the hotel.

Then, we start visiting the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Hor Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, take a trip by road to outskirts of Vientiane, following the road along the bank of Mekong river to visit the Buddha park of Xieng Khuan, the park (28km East of Vientiane), containing a combination of hundred status of Hindu divinities and Buddha. We drive pass villages on the bank of Mekong through beautiful views of vegetable garden, tobacco plantation ... etc. Its nice makes photo stops and see rural life of local people. We also have a nice view of the Mekong Friendship Bridge as the border between Laos and Thailand. Return to Vientiane.

We will go shopping at Morning market of Vientiane and see what you will find. Recommended items are Lao textiles, hill-tribe Art, crafts and antiques. Overnight in Vientiane.