Indochina Like A Local: Cambodia, Vietnam & Laos 22 days

Afternoon

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport, where your guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the city center.

Complete check-in and enjoy free time to relax or begin exploring Siem Reap at your own pace before the evening program.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner accompanied by an Apsara Dance performance, showcasing traditional Khmer culture.

After dinner, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Morning

Start at Ta Prohm Temple, famously known as the “Tomb Raider” temple, where ancient ruins are intertwined with massive tree roots.

Continue exploring the Grand Circuit, including important temples such as Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, and Preah Khan, each reflecting the grandeur of the Khmer Empire.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant after the morning sightseeing.

Afternoon

Visit the iconic Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and a symbol of Cambodia, known for its five distinctive towers and intricate carvings.

Return to your hotel for relaxation and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Enjoy a free morning in Siem Reap to relax or explore independently. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Phnom Penh.

Arrive in Phnom Penh and transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

Morning

Explore Phnom Penh’s highlights, starting with the Royal Palace Complex, a stunning example of Khmer architecture and royal heritage. 

Continue to the Silver Pagoda, which displays plenty of Buddha statues decorated and made with diamond, emerald, gold, and silver

Take a visit to Independence Monument and National Museum. The tour stops at Wat Phnom, the only hill in town with sacred sites

Afternoon

Transfer to the boat station and board a speedboat to Vietnam, crossing the border into Chau Doc.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy an overnight stay in Chau Doc.

Morning

After breakfast, board your Mekong River Cruise, receive a warm welcome from the crew, and settle into your cabin.

Enjoy lunch on board as the cruise begins its journey through the waterways and canals of the Mekong Delta.

Afternoon

Relax on the sundeck or in the lounge while watching the lush vegetation, riverside landscapes, and everyday life along the Mekong River.

Depending on the cruise programme, join an excursion to explore local villages, orchards, rice fields, or traditional craft activities. You may also have the opportunity to sample local products and observe how people live and work along the river.

Return to the cruise and enjoy some leisure time on board. Take in the peaceful scenery as the sun sets over the Mekong waterways.

NOTE: The cruise itinerary, activities, and boarding /disembarkation points may vary depending on the Mekong River Cruise you choose. Please contact our sales consultants for the latest programme.

Morning

Wake up early and enjoy breakfast or morning refreshments on board while the cruise continues through the peaceful waterways of the Mekong Delta.

After breakfast, check out of the cruise and join the morning shore excursion, depending on the cruise programme. Explore small canals by sampan, walk or cycle through local villages, visit riverside communities, and experience the relaxed pace of life in the Mekong Delta.

Afternoon

Disembark at the designated pier and transfer by shuttle bus or private vehicle to Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and check in at your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

NOTE: The activities, route, and disembarkation point may vary depending on the Mekong River Cruise you choose. Please contact our sales consultants for the latest cruise programme.

Join a guided sightseeing tour to discover the historical and cultural highlights of Ho Chi Minh City.

Begin in Cholon (Chinatown) and Ben Thanh Market, where you can observe local daily life and browse a wide variety of local products and street food. Continue to Thien Hau Pagoda, one of the city's oldest Chinese temples, recognised for its traditional architecture and intricate decorative details.

Visit Notre Dame Cathedral (currently under renovation), a landmark built during the French colonial period, before continuing to the nearby Central Post Office, an architectural landmark designed by Gustav Eiffel.

The tour concludes with visits to the Independence Palace (formerly the Presidential Palace), an important historical site associated with the reunification of Vietnam, and the War Remnants Museum, which provides insight into the history and impact of the Vietnam War.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. 

Head to the enchanting town of Hoi An, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Arrive in Hoi An and complete check-in at your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and stay overnight in Hoi An.

Morning

Ride a bicycle along picturesque country roads outside Hoi An. Our destination is a local farm in Tra Que Vegetable Village.

Take a short tour around the vegetable gardens, and learn more about the local produce and farming techniques. Join local farmers in preparing and fertilizing the soil using traditional methods. Enjoy a fresh lunch prepared in the village.

Afternoon

Cycle back to Hoi An and enjoy free time for the rest of the day. Relax or explore the Ancient Town at your own pace.

Morning

Travel from Hoi An to Hue by private car or shuttle bus. Upon arrival, begin a unique street food tour by cyclo, exploring the city’s culinary heritage.

Taste local specialties while learning about the history and cultural significance behind each dish from your guide.

Morning

Start the day with a city tour of Hue and travel to key historical sites.

Enjoy a boat trip along the Perfume River, followed by a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, known for its ancient architecture and peaceful riverside setting.

Continue to Hue Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its historic structures and learn about Vietnam’s imperial history.

Stop at a local market to browse souvenirs and sample regional cuisine.

Afternoon

Free time for relaxation until transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hanoi in the evening. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and stay overnight in the city. 

Morning

08:00: Pick-up from the hotel for a city tour by motorbike (sites viewed from outside).

Visit key landmarks in Hanoi, including the Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi Opera House, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple of Literature, and West Lake. Learn about their historical and cultural significance.

Pass through central districts and residential areas to observe differences in urban lifestyle. Enjoy lunch at a local Vietnamese restaurant.

Afternoon

Free time for the rest of the day at leisure. 

Morning

After breakfast, you are picked up at your hotel and head to Mai Chau

Arrive in Mai Chau at mid-day, enjoy a welcome drink, then have a traditional lunch in the village (vegetarian available)

Afternoon

Begin a cycling tour through surrounding villages and observe local farming activities and traditional weaving practices (at your own expense).

Return to the accommodation in the evening and enjoy a garden BBQ dinner. Experience a traditional dance performance and try local rice wine.

Overnight stay in a communal stilt house or valley-view bungalow.

Morning

Join a guided visit to remote villages such as Na Meo and Na Mo. Learn about local customs, daily life, and traditional practices.

Return to the accommodation for lunch and check out.

Afternoon

Free time for relaxation or shopping. Around 15:00–15:30, depart by shuttle bus to Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in the city.

Morning

Depart Hanoi between 08:00–08:30 and travel to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone formations. Arrive around midday and board an overnight cruise. Receive a welcome drink and safety briefing from the crew.

Enjoy lunch onboard featuring fresh seafood while cruising through the bay.

Afternoon

Join optional cruise activities such as visiting caves, kayaking, or swimming, depending on the itinerary. Return to the vessel for dinner. Evening activities may include squid fishing and onboard leisure programs.

Overnight stay on the cruise in Halong Bay.

NOTE: The cruise program may vary depending on the specific cruise you choose.

Morning

Begin the day early with sunrise over Halong Bay, where limestone formations emerge through the morning mist.

Join a gentle Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast as the cruise moves slowly through calm waters surrounded by dramatic karst landscapes.

Continue with the final excursion depending on the vessel itinerary, which may include Trung Trang Cave, Sung Sot Cave, or Viet Hai Village. Each location offers a different perspective of the bay’s geological and cultural setting.

Brunch is served on board while the cruise returns to the harbour. Upon arrival, transfer back to Hanoi and check in at the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Morning

Enjoy free time in Hanoi before departure. Standard check-out is at 12:00, with late check-out available on request depending on availability.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Afternoon

Begin exploring Vientiane with a visit to Wat Sisaket, known for its cloister walls filled with thousands of small Buddha statues, creating a quiet and reflective atmosphere.

Continue to Wat Prakeo, a former royal temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha and still reflects traces of its historical importance.

Proceed to That Luang Stupa, a golden monument considered a national symbol. On the way, stop briefly at Patuxay Monument, offering a view of Vientiane’s central boulevards.

In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by traditional dance and music performances.

Morning

After breakfast, you will leave the capital to travel to Vang Vieng. You will pass through spectacular countryside, visit the busy and colorful market of KM52 

Stop at some places to take photos, including Hin Heup Bridge and the fish market in Ban Tha Heua.

Arriving in Vang Vieng, you can enjoy stunning scenery with limestone outcrops that remain unspoiled, despite recent developments with the advent of tourism

Afternoon

Visit Tham Phoukham Cave, set within a forested limestone formation. The cave interior features natural chambers, while nearby turquoise pools offer a calm swimming area surrounded by nature.

Continue exploring nearby villages, where daily life revolves around farming, weaving, and traditional crafts. This offers a close look at rural community routines.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a slow boat ride along the Nam Song River, with reflections of limestone cliffs shifting in colour as the sun sets behind the mountains.

Begin the day with a visit to a local market where rural trade and daily exchange take place early in the morning. Continue to Tham Jang Cave, a historic site once used for shelter and protection, located beneath limestone cliffs with views over the valley.

Proceed to Ban Phathau village, where traditional lifestyles remain closely connected to agriculture and craftsmanship. Observe daily activities and interact with the local community.

Travel onward to Luang Prabang along scenic mountain roads. The route passes terraced fields, forested hills, and small villages, with viewpoints offering wide panoramic landscapes.

Make a stop at a school in Ban Nasala, providing insight into rural education in the region. Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer to the hotel.

Morning

After breakfast, begin exploring Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed town known for its preserved architecture and spiritual atmosphere.

Visit the Royal Palace Museum, formerly the residence of the royal family, reflecting a blend of traditional Lao design and colonial influence.

Continue with a cruise along the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, a sacred site filled with thousands of Buddha statues placed over centuries inside limestone chambers.

Stop at Ban Xanghai village, known for traditional rice wine production, then continue to Wat Xiengthong, one of the most important temples in the city with intricate architectural details.

Afternoon

In the late afternoon, visit Wat Prabath, where sunset light creates a calm atmosphere across the river landscape.

End the day at the night market, where handmade textiles, crafts, and local products are displayed along the main street.

Morning

Begin early with participation in the almsgiving ceremony, a quiet morning ritual where monks walk through the streets collecting offerings.

Continue to the morning market near the former Royal Palace, where local vendors sell fresh produce, herbs, and daily essentials.

Return to the hotel and optionally climb Phousi Hill, offering a panoramic view over Luang Prabang, the Mekong River, and surrounding mountains.

Visit Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in the city, known for its simple yet historically significant structure.

Travel to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where multi-tiered turquoise pools flow through forested surroundings. Designated areas allow swimming in natural cool waters.

Visit the nearby Bear Rescue Centre, which supports wildlife conservation and rehabilitation.

Afternoon

Continue to Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre to observe traditional weaving and textile production techniques.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Morning

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before being transferred to the airport to take the departure flight. Hope your trip brings you many happy memories!