UNESCO Sites Uncovered: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam 26 days

Morning

Arrive at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer directly to the hotel in the city center. Check-in and stay overnight in Siem Reap. The time for check-in is 14:00, if you require an early check-in with a surcharge, please contact your travel consultant 

Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap.

Morning 

8:00: Meet our guide after your energy is well-prepared with breakfast and head to the Angkor Temple complex

• First, we visit Ta Prohm Temple, only one temple embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers to have attractive photos in your travel album. 
• Head to the antique capital of Angkor Thom, starting from the South Gate with its giant statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk.
• Explore the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Contemplate the World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat, the most famous temple on the plain of Angkor, you will learn about the authentic ancient Khmer architecture through 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. 

Conquer the peak of Phnom Bakheng mountain to catch the charming dusk when the sun starts going down. 

Evening 

End of the journey to discover Angkor, we savor a deluxe dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at a restaurant. 

Angkor Thom, famous for its series of stone-carved colossal human faces

Morning

Drive to the famous Banteay Srei Temple (Citadel of Women). Back from the temple and stop at Pradark Village to explore how villagers make palm sugar and handicrafts

Continue to visit Banteay Samre Temple, the small circuit, and the unique sculptures of Prasat Kravan, Takeo, Thommanon, and Chau Say Tevoda

Have lunch at a local restaurant

Afternoon

Transfer to Siem Reap Airport for a short flight to Phnom Penh. Arrival and meet your local guide and head to your hotel to check in—overnight in Phnom Penh

Morning 

Try breakfast in the early morning at your hotel

8:00: Please gather with our guide at the hotel lobby for Phnom Penh city discovery today to have an overview of Cambodia and Angkor beauty

• Please stop by the Independence Monument to see an Ankorian-style miniature architecture built in 1958, commemorating the great merits of those who sacrificed and devoted themselves to regaining independence and sovereignty for Cambodia. 
• The next stop is Cambodia's Royal Palace in the heart of Cambodia's capital, a unique symbol of the Cambodia Royal in colorful Khmer style. Also, in the palace's South, the impressive Silver Pagoda contains Buddha statues made of diamonds, emeralds, gold, and silver. All these populations will create a morning full of surprises with magnificent works of Khmer culture.
• Walk into National Museum, home of the oldest Khmer art, religious and archaeological collection in the world, including half a million specimens from the 4th to 13th centuries.
• And let’s climb 27 meters high to reach Wat Phnom. Not only see statues of lions and Naga gods, the mythical snakes of Hinduism and Buddhism around the pagoda, but you also can capture fabulous views of the city from above

After this morning's city wandering, you will have lunch at a local restaurant and return to the hotel for check-out before 12:00. 

Transfer to Phnom Penh airport for a flight to Vientiane. Arrive at the airport and meet and transfer to check in at the hotel.

Morning

8.30: Pick you up at the hotel to get Northbound to see some breathtaking scenery en route and visit the busy and colorful market of KM52, where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions

Pass Hin Heup bridge and Ban Tha Heua, reach Vang Vieng

Afternoon

Start our board through paddy field areas to Tham Phoukham caves to see the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern and explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyles.

Transfer back to town and enjoy the leisurely boat along the Namsong River while admiring the sun setting behind the mountains.

The Namsong River

Morning

Get around the town to visit the local market to see the typical life of Laos rural area. Transfer to the cave of Tham Jang, which was used in the early 19th century in defense against the Chinese invaders

Visit Ban Patau, a peaceful village, and explore the different local lifestyles. Start our expedition on the new road to Luang Prabang and pass some stunning landscape scenery with a mixture of steep terraced fields and hill villages

Afternoon

Have a chance to admire the panoramic view over the surrounding area at the peak of more than 200. Make a short trip to visit the local school at Ban Masala, then reach Luang Prabang

Morning and Afternoon

After breakfast, you will first visit the Royal Palace Museum. Embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves

• Stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine
• Visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics

Travel to the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures and admire the sunset at Wat Prabath

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people

Mekong River

Morning

Visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. 

• Ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River.
• Explore Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun)

Transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfall, which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area.

Afternoon

Take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers and stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 APR – 30 JUN; 01-14 SEP, & 01 JAN every year) then return to Luang Prabang

Visit Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center. This beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners, and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour

Morning

Free to get around Luang Prabang, then transfer to the airport to take a Hanoi flight.

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, and a BestPrice Travel guide will welcome you at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal Gate) and take you to your hotel by a 45-minute drive. The time for check-in is 14:00; if you require early check-in with a surcharge, please contact your travel consultant. After processing check-in, the rest is your leisure time.

Morning

Have breakfast at your hotel and prepare for a sightseeing day in Hanoi's capital.

8:00: Our guide will meet you at the lobby and start taking visit top-rated historical Hanoi landmarks on the car or motorbike up to your interest. 

• Drop in Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam symbolizes Confucianism during the Ly Dynasty and is the birthplace of many outstanding individuals in Vietnam across many generations.
• Continue to Ba Dinh Square, where you can admire Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and listen to our guide’s narration about a significant historical event in Vietnam, the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on this square.
• Stroll along poetic Thanh Nien road and pop in the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Here, take lots of photos as the architecture and beautiful setting of the temple in the middle of West Lake will make you fall in love.

Afternoon 

Rest and have a tasty lunch at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. Then walk back to your hotel to refresh and be ready to explore Hanoi by night on yours. 

Morning

Pick you up at your hotel and head to Mai Chau by van. Arrive at midday, and enjoy the traditional lunch in the village (vegetarian available)

Afternoon 

Join the bicycle ride with your tour guide around the village to see how life here goes on and immerse in the peacefulness. Go cycling, walking, or shopping on your own 

Return to your place for an outdoor BBQ party and Thai ethnic traditional dance show. Have a chance to try one of the famous local specialties called “ruou can” — overnight in the communal stilt house or valley view bungalow

Morning

Go with a local tour guide to visit more remote rural villages Na Meo and Na Mo villages, to understand more about their culture and customs. Back to the homestay for lunch and check-out

Afternoon

Free time for shopping and relaxing. And 15:00-15:30 Say goodbye to the family to get on the bus to drive back to Hanoi (3.5 ~ 4 hours drive)

Arrive in Hanoi, drop you off at your hotel

Na Meo Village

Morning 

8:00 - 8:30: A luxury limousine will pick you up at your hotel after fulfilling breakfast at World Heritage Site Halong Bay. You can relax for 2,5 hours on transfer before starting the trip. We will have a stop halfway.

Upon arrival at the cruise’s waiting lounge in Halong, you will be warmly greeted by cruise staff and do check in quickly. Transfer to a speedboat to get the cruise, and the cruise manager will give you some exciting bay stories during this time. 

Embark cruise at 12:15, and receive a friendly welcome smile from the captain and cruise crew with a welcome drink. Please check in your room, and a delicious lunch is ready at the restaurant. 

Enjoy lunch while admiring thousands of limestones and islets on the sparkling green water. 

Afternoon

When your energy is in full charge, engage in water activities that bring you closer to the bay's natural beauty. Depending on each cruise itinerary, you will conquer the island's peak, caving and kayaking through islets and caves. 

Return to the cruise, have a short rest and try your cooking skill Vietnam cuisine with the chef or sip on cocktails while waiting for charming dusk down in Happy hour, “Buy 01 get 01 drink,” at 17:00 - 17:30 

Evening

A deluxe dinner is served at the restaurant.

This night on the cruise is more vibrant, with activities like squid fishing, watching movies, battle wits with board games, and night bars. 

Morning

6:00: Early birds who want to improve their health can practice Tai Chi Class or just feel the fresh air from your room. Then a light breakfast is prepared enough to recharge to continue the excursion. 

Discover more spots to understand the lifestyle in the fishing village or chill out and swim under the water. Back to the cruise and refresh with the last complete brunch. Please process the check out at 10:00 - 10:30 while cruising towards the pier.

Transfer to a speedboat to get to the pier, say goodbye to the captain and cruise crew, and arrive at the port around 11:15.

Afternoon

Back to Hanoi on a luxury limousine. It is your free time until transfers you to Hanoi train station for a Dong Hoi overnight train.

Morning

Arrive in Dong Hoi in the early morning and meet our driver at the train station. Then head straight to Phong Nha, there will be a stop at a local restaurant for breakfast.

Reach the Phong Nha - Ke Bang attraction complex and deep into the Vietnamese jungle. This is truly a unique chance to enjoy the real wilderness of Vietnam. After a 25-minute boat trip, arrive at Phong Nha Cave. Take your time exploring and admiring the beauty of the cave.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Take an excursion to Paradise Cave, one of the most beautiful caves in the world and the longest dry cave in Asia, and back to the hotel in town.

Phong Nha Cave

Morning

Pick you up at your hotel in Dong Hoi, and take you to Vinh Moc Tunnel. Stop along the way to see a small church showing the signs of a mortar attack in the area and visit former US Bases 

• Go through the DMZ, where some of the bloodiest battles were fought during the Vietnam/American War
• Walk across the Ben Hai River on Hien Luong Bridge which used to demarcate the division between North and South Vietnam (1954-1975)

Afternoon

Arrive at the fascinating Vinh Moc Tunnels and join the tour. Take into the tunnels and explore the complex, walk past huge bomb craters and an amazing fighting trench.

Venture into the tunnels and explore the tiny living rooms, food and weapon storage, and school that villagers would have survived on.

End trip and transfer to Hue

Morning

8:00: Join a half-day tour to Thien Mu Pagoda, which lies on a hill overlooking the picturesque Perfume River.

• Visit Imperial Citadel, the former capital of Vietnam, during the Nguyen dynasty.
• Go shopping at Dong Ba Market, the largest commercial center in Hue.

Finish your breakfast and process check out at the hotel to take 

8:00: Transfer to Hoi An via Cloudy Pass by shuttle bus or private car. On the way, we will stop at some spots for sightseeing as Hai Van Gate, the lonely pine tree, and turtle rock (there can be a bit of a surcharge).

Arrive at Hoi An Ancient to check in at the hotel.

Morning

7:00: Drive to My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also a collection of Champa ruins nestled amongst the mountains in  Quang Nam province

Follow a tour guide exploring the groups of temples and learn more about the history of the Champa Kingdom. Stop to visit the Sa Huynh Champa Culture Museum in Tra Kieu

Return to your hotel

After breakfast is free for travelers to see Hoi An from their own experience, if it has yet to have an idea for your expedition, there are several packages to learn deeply about Hoi An culture and lifestyle. 

Morning 

After full recharge with breakfast, please process check out your room, and our driver will transfer you to Da Nang Airport to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 

When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh, our transfer will take you to the hotel for check-in and refreshments, ready to uncover the dynamic city on your own. Besides, you may learn more about life in South Vietnam through the ages or find a special dinner under shimmering lights when you join these optional.

Morning

Delight breakfast in rare Ho Chi Minh’s fresh morning 

08:00: Get ready at the lobby, and our guide will spend the day with you visiting the city with many historical landmarks recounting the history of the Pearl of the Far East once.

• The first stop on our trip is Reunification Palace, formerly the official residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam, which shows the period of French colonialism through the architecture of the building you will admire
• Set off on War Remnants Museum, the oldest museum in the city containing precious artifacts about the brutality of the Vietnam War.
• Get to Saigon Central Post Office and Notre Dame Cathedral, with the French colonial architecture listed as the most iconic and oldest buildings in this bustling city.
• Keep your soul peaceful and pray in Jade Emperor Pagoda, a historic Chinese temple with brightly colored decorative designs.

Wander at a local market, where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping from sandals to a beautiful silk Ao Dai, and consider purchasing a souvenir there. Return to your hotel around 12:30 and say goodbye to the guide after an exciting morning.

NOTE: The Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation until 2027.

Morning 

Please process check out the room at the hotel after breakfast. 

8:00: Our driver and guide will meet you and start traveling to Cai Be in less than two hours. Coming to Cai Be dry market, you will witness local people's trade and may purchase local products. Then we board a wooden boat, sail to Mekong Delta, and get lost in fascinating surroundings. On the way drifting along the canal, we drop by a local family factory and watch the production of several local products, including coconut candy, rice paper, pop rice, jackfruit wine, banana wine, and souvenirs. Moreover, you will learn how to make products and buy some to take home. 

On a sampan, we continue to head to Tan Phong Island and relish Don Ca Tai Tu, a traditional Southern Vietnam music genre, try tropical fruits, and listen to locals share their culture.   

Afternoon

Have lunch at a local restaurant called Mr. Vo's ancient house and be served renowned dishes, elephant ear fish, also known as fried giant gourami, a specialty in the Mekong Delta.

Ending the first day of the authentic Mekong Delta exploration, drive to the hotel in Can Tho by car to check in and relax. And you can taste varied local dishes at the night market for yourself this night.

Morning 

Please wake up early to finish breakfast and check out the hotel. We will say goodbye to Can Tho and get to Cai Rang floating market in the early morning. 

08:00: We arrive at Cai Rang, where seeing the bustling trade life along the riverbanks and how locals transfer passengers and goods by the waterway. You will be surprised by how locals hang products on a pole to advertise. 

After the tour, you will back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Cai Rang Floating Market

Day 25: Ho Chi Minh City Freeday 

Fulfill your breakfast at the hotel, and you will have Ho Chi Minh discovery on your own when the dawn rises. Here are some suggestive options that you should consider in your plan

Enjoy the last meal in Ho Chi Minh; after that is your free time. Please check out before 12:00, and our driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Hope you have had a great time with BestPrice Travel in recent days, and see you on the next trips!