Highlights of Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 3 weeks

After landing at Noi Bai International Airport, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel.

The day is free at leisure. You may choose to relax at the hotel after your flight or join optional activities to experience local culture.

Optional experiences include:

NOTE:

• Optional services can be arranged in advance through your travel consultant.
• Standard check-in time is 14:00. Early check-in is available upon request with an additional surcharge.

Morning/ Afternoon

You will be picked up at 8:00 - 8:30 to begin a half-day city tour of Hanoi. 

Visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university, established in the 11th century and dedicated to Confucian learning and traditional education.

Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, a distinctive Buddhist structure symbolising the lotus flower, an important cultural icon in Vietnam.

Proceed to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an important national landmark where President Ho Chi Minh is commemorated. The site is viewed from the outside when closed.

Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Hanoi, located on West Lake and recognised for its long historical heritage.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

After the tour, return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

NOTE: The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays, Fridays, and during maintenance periods from June to August.

Morning

08:00 - 08:30: Depart from Hanoi Old Quarter and travel to Halong Bay Cruise Port for your overnight cruise experience.

Arrive at the cruise lounge around 11:30 for check-in assistance and cabin allocation. Luggage will be tagged and transferred onboard.

At approximately 12:00, board the cruise vessel or transfer by tender. A welcome drink will be served, followed by lunch, while the cruise begins sailing through Halong Bay.

Afternoon

Enjoy free time onboard before participating in optional activities such as kayaking, swimming, cave visits, or village excursions, depending on the cruise itinerary.

Alternatively, relax onboard and make use of available facilities such as the spa or leisure areas.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy views of the sunset over Halong Bay. Optional onboard activities may include a cooking demonstration or Happy Hour (programme varies by cruise).

Evening

Dinner is served onboard, featuring a set menu with a selection of Asian and Western dishes.

After dinner, optional evening activities may include squid fishing, board games, or a movie screening.

NOTE:

• Onboard activities depend on the specific cruise programme and weather conditions. Please contact us for more details.
• No escort guide is provided during the cruise; onboard English-speaking staff will assist throughout the journey.

Morning

Begin the day with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by views of the sunrise over Halong Bay.

After breakfast, continue the cruise programme with time for sightseeing depending on the itinerary. Then return to the vessel to complete check-out and prepare luggage.

Enjoy brunch onboard as the cruise returns to the harbour. Upon arrival, meet your driver for a transfer to Noi Bai International Airport.

Afternoon

Take a domestic flight to Da Nang (approximately 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.

Check in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure to rest after the journey.

Morning/ Afternoon

Begin at Hoi An Market, a lively local market featuring fresh produce, street food stalls, and handicrafts.

Continue to the Fujian Assembly Hall, known for its traditional architecture, decorative gates, and cultural heritage elements reflecting the town’s Chinese community influence.

Visit Phung Hung Ancient House and Tan Ky Ancient House, well-preserved merchant residences that reflect Hoi An’s trading history and architectural evolution over centuries.

Explore the Museum of Folk Culture, housed in a historic merchant building, showcasing artefacts that represent daily life and traditional customs in the region.

Attend a short performance at the Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House, featuring music, dance, and cultural storytelling.

Stop at the Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic structure connecting different parts of the ancient trading town.

Finish the tour with free time to explore local handicraft shops, art galleries, and the surrounding old town streets.

Today is free at leisure in Hoi An. You may choose to relax at the hotel or explore the surrounding countryside and nearby cultural sites.

Recommended optional tours:

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Da Nang Airport for a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, meet your local driver at the airport and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

The remainder of the day is free at leisure to rest or explore the city independently.

Depart from your hotel at 08:00 for a half-day city tour exploring key landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City.

Visit the Reunification Palace, a historic building associated with Vietnam’s modern history and preserved interiors reflecting the mid-20th century period.

Continue to the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both notable examples of French colonial architecture.

Proceed to the War Remnants Museum, which presents documentary exhibits, photographs, and historical artefacts related to the Vietnam War.

End the tour at a local market, where you can explore daily trading activities and local goods.

After the sightseeing tour, return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

NOTE:

• Departure time (morning or afternoon) may vary depending on availability.
• Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is currently under renovation until 2027.

Afternoon

Guests interested in history may join a Cu Chi Tunnels Half-Day Tour (from USD $39 per person). The experience includes exploration of underground tunnel systems and optional shooting activities (additional cost). 

Morning

Start heading for the Mekong Delta and reach Cai Be. Let’s get on the sampan boat and admire the scenic life along the riverside. 

Your first stop will be a local factory where a family production makes a range of traditional products like coconut candy, rice paper, pop rice, wine, etc. Here, you can try a bite of these specialties. 

Continue discovering the next stop, the world of mangrove swamps and tropical fruits - Tan Phong Island is waiting for you. You will transfer to a longtail wooden boat and sail further into the mangrove forest. 

After disembarking, it’s time to sit back and relax with savory fruits and traditional performances - Don ca tai tu. This is a type of musical art and spiritual activity rooted in folk songs in South Vietnam.

Your lunch will be served with some local dishes, such as deep-fried elephant-ear fish.

Afternoon

You will be transferred to Can Tho in more than 2 hours. Get to your hotel and freely discover the city in the evening.

Morning

Depart from your hotel and transfer to the pier to board a traditional wooden boat for a visit to the Cai Rang floating market, one of the largest and most active floating markets in the Mekong Delta.

Observe local trading activities on the river, where goods such as fruits, vegetables, and daily necessities are exchanged directly from boats.

Continue the journey with a visit to a local noodle workshop to learn about traditional production methods. Seasonal tropical fruits will be served during the cruise, offering insight into the local river-based lifestyle.

Afternoon

After the visit, return to Ho Chi Minh City by road. A stop for lunch is arranged at a local rest area along the route before arriving back in the city. 

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Ho Chi Minh City. You may choose to enjoy a local coffee, shop for souvenirs, or rest at the hotel before departure.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your international flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the evening is free at leisure.

Morning

After breakfast, begin a full-day exploration of the Angkor Archaeological Park, the most significant cultural and historical site in Cambodia.

Start at Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire. Enter through the South Gate, featuring a stone causeway lined with figures representing the Hindu myth of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk.

Continue to Bayon Temple, known for its stone towers decorated with more than 200 smiling faces. Explore Phimeanakas Temple and the Royal Enclosure, once part of the royal residence complex.

Visit the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, both featuring detailed carvings that reflect the artistic traditions of the Khmer civilisation.

Afternoon

Continue to Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest religious monument in the world. The temple complex is known for its five central towers, extensive bas-reliefs, and symbolic architectural layout representing Mount Meru in Hindu cosmology.

After the visit, return to Siem Reap and transfer back to the hotel for leisure time.

After breakfast, depart on a scenic drive of approximately 35 kilometres northeast of Siem Reap to visit Banteay Srei, a temple widely regarded for its refined craftsmanship and detailed stone carvings.

Built in the 10th century, Banteay Srei is known for its pink sandstone architecture and finely preserved bas-reliefs, representing one of the most intricate examples of Khmer art and design.

On the return journey, stop at Pradark Village, a local community known for traditional palm sugar production. Observe local methods of production and gain insight into rural livelihoods and cultural practices.

Return to Siem Reap around midday and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Siem Reap. You may take time to rest at the hotel, pack, or visit nearby local markets for last-minute shopping.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport for your international flight to Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai Airport, meet your local driver and transfer to the hotel in the city centre. After check-in, the remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Today, experience Northern Thailand’s culinary culture through a half-day cooking class in Chiang Mai.

Transfer to the cooking school and receive an introduction to local herbs, spices, and fresh ingredients commonly used in Thai cuisine.

Under the guidance of a professional chef, prepare some traditional dishes such as Pad Thai (stir-fried noodles) and Mango Sticky Rice.

After the class, return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to relax or explore Chiang Mai independently.

Morning

Early in the morning, meet your guide and travel to the Karen Village (Mae Rim area), home to the long-neck Karen community known for their traditional cultural practices.

Continue to visit other hill tribes with elephant camps in the same area. Here, you can learn more about the ethnic lifestyle and culture, as well as their farming techniques.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Visit Wat Sri Suphan, a distinctive temple in Chiang Mai known for its detailed silver craftsmanship and Lanna-style design.

Continue to Craft Village at San Kamphaeng, a well-known centre for traditional handicrafts, including cotton weaving, silk production, and local artisan workshops.

After the visit, return to the hotel in Chiang Mai. The remainder of the evening is free at leisure.

This day is dedicated to travel and relaxation. Take a domestic flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok.

Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, meet your driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Compared with Chiang Mai, Bangkok offers a more dynamic urban atmosphere with lively street life, cultural sites, and modern city energy. The evening is free at leisure for independent exploration.

Morning

08:00: Begin the day with a visit to the Royal Grand Palace, the former royal residence and one of Bangkok’s most important cultural landmarks. The complex includes royal buildings, temples, museums, and ceremonial halls reflecting Thailand’s royal heritage.

Continue to Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), located within the Grand Palace grounds and regarded as one of the most sacred religious sites in Thailand.

Within walking distance, visit Wat Pho, known for the Reclining Buddha and recognised as a centre for traditional Thai massage. A short optional massage session can be arranged at your own expense.

Afternoon

After lunch, take a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River and explore the city’s canal network (klongs), offering views of riverside communities and traditional life.

Visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), a riverside landmark known for its distinctive central spire.

Continue to a local flower and vegetable market near the river, before paying a visit to the Golden Mountain, which will put an end to your city tour today. 

NOTE:

• Photography is permitted in the Royal Palace Grounds and in the compounds of the Emerald Buddha Temple, but not inside the buildings.
• Please don’t wear sleeveless, shorts, or sandals when visiting the Grand Palace and temples.
• The inner courts of the Grand Palace are closed on Sundays.

Morning

After breakfast, depart from your hotel between 08:00 and 08:30 for a full-day excursion to Ayutthaya, located approximately 80 km north of Bangkok.

En route, visit Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, a former summer residence of the Thai royal family featuring a mix of architectural styles and landscaped gardens.

Arrive in Ayutthaya around midday and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Begin exploring the historic city of Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO-listed site.

Visit Wat Mahathat, known for its partially ruined structures and the iconic Buddha head entwined in tree roots.

Continue to Wat Phra Mongkhon Bophit, home to one of Thailand’s largest bronze Buddha statues.

Proceed to Wat Phra Si Sanphet, once part of the royal palace complex and an important ceremonial site during the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Visit Wat Lokayasutharam, known for its large reclining Buddha statue.

Around 15:30, depart Ayutthaya and return to Bangkok. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

Today is a free day at leisure in Bangkok, offering time for independent exploration, shopping, or relaxation before the end of the journey.

You may choose to visit major shopping areas such as Siam, enjoy a cafe experience, or explore the city at your own pace. Alternatively, optional day tours are available for a deeper cultural experience.

Optional Tours:

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and some final free time in Bangkok, depending on your flight schedule.

At the designated time, your driver will transfer you to Bangkok Airport for your departure flight.