Epic Indochina Odyssey: Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos 20 days

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. 

For whom are interested in exploring Hanoi's capital culture, here are some highly recommended options:

Hanoi Arrival

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.

Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes on Monday and Friday and renovates inside from June to August every year. During the renovation, visitors can't join the tour ceremony but still take pictures outside and visit the surrounding area. 

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. 

Visit One Pillar Pagoda, One Of Vietnam’s Most Iconic Temples

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 noon, 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 skills in Vietnamese cuisine with the chef or sip on cocktails on the top deck

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.

Kayaking In The Crystal Water In Halong Bay

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 

Our driver transfer you directly to the Hanoi airport for the flight to Da Nang.

Evening

Landing at Da Nang airport, our transfer pick you up to Hoi An for check-in and bask after a long day. 

Explore Some Magnificent Caves In Halong Bay

Morning / Afternoon

A peaceful morning in Hoi An starts with a full breakfast at your hotel

Around 8:00 / 13:00: Please be ready at the lobby, and our guide will pick you up for a walking tour through antique alleys and streets. Cross several old houses, witness how historical elements of the town merge with modernity and see the daily lives of local people along Thu Bon River. 

• Stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of this ancient town that you should not miss, and listen to the story of the bridge’s architectural changes over many years of history.
• The next stop is Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese, worship of Chinese who settled in Hoi An in the 17th century from Fujian in China.

Then let’s go shopping at a handicraft store, where the creation of most notable souvenirs in town is entirely handmade, and buy some of them to bring back to your hometown.

Return to your hotel, say goodbye to our guide, and chill out in your free time. 

Wander Around Hoi An Ancient Town To See The Colorful City

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. 

Admire The One Of A Kind Design Of My Son Sanctuary

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.

The Vibrancy Of Ho Chi Minh City

Morning

Delight breakfast in rare Ho Chi Minh’s fresh morning 

8:00: 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: Notre Dame Cathedral is closing for renovation; visitors can stand outside and take photos

Visit A Historical Site, Reunification Palace

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.

Discover The Uniqueness Of Local Life In Mekong Delta

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. 

8:00: 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 boating trip, we visit Binh Thuy Temple, a 135-year ancient Binh Thuy house, and Tra Uoi village to watch the craftsman making and knitting bamboo baskets and fishing nets.

Afternoon

Take a rest and recharge with lunch. 

When your energy refreshes, we discover a crocodile farm in Long Xuyen City and take a boat trip to a unique floating market where locals grow fish underneath the houses. The boat crosses through the river, lead we stroll to the land-based Cham village, and the impressive houses on stilts and Signs in Arabic on the walls appear in front of your sight. Also, you will learn how to make handmade scarves and sarongs in a cotton and silk mixture in some weaving co-operatives. 

Our last stop is the Muslim temple and the Arabic class for children. Let’s forget busy life and freely play with children to broaden fascinating new cultures and local life. 

Evening 

Check in at the hotel in Chau Doc and bask body and mind after an energetic day. 

The Dynamic And Bustling Morning In Cai Rang Floating Market

Morning 

Relish the last breakfast in Southern, Vietnam, and check out your room.

After the Vietnam road trip, you will head to the boat station and take the speedboat to the Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When you arrive at Cambodia’s station, our guide will greet you to the hotel for check-in; the rest of the time is yours. 

Wat Phnom The Only Hill In Town With Sacred Sites

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 free time to have lunch at local venues and return to the hotel for check-out before 12:00. 

Afternoon

A transfer will transfer you directly to Mekong Bus station for departure to Siem Reap. When you arrive at Borei Seang Nam station in Siem Reap, a new guide is introduced and picks you up at the station, then takes you to the hotel in the city center for refreshments. Please have well break to prepare for your much-anticipated visit to Angkor tomorrow.

Head To The Antique Capital Of Angkor Thom

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. 

Siem Reap is a worthy place to take advantage of this free day to hunt for more hidden areas that suit your travel needs. Here are some suggested options if you need ideas for your itinerary, from boating and challenging zipline to enjoying the sunset on a quad you wish also.

Have An Unforgettable Moment Together Experiencing The Zipline

Morning 

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, our local guide will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in.

Take the rest of the day to relax and recover from your journey in preparation for tomorrow’s excursion. Alternatively, you may choose to begin exploring this charming ancient city at your own pace in the evening.

Morning

After breakfast, begin your day with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 during the French colonial period for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Next, embark on a leisurely cruise upstream along the Mekong River, where you’ll enjoy picturesque views of the peaceful countryside. The journey leads to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves - two sacred caverns filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues in various shapes and sizes, placed by generations of devoted pilgrims.

On the way back, stop at Ban Xanghai village to learn about traditional rice wine production and sample some of the local specialties.

Afternoon

Returning to Luang Prabang, continue your cultural exploration with a visit to the ancient Wat Sene and the stunning Wat Xiengthong. The latter is a masterpiece of Lao architecture, with its gracefully sloping two-tiered roof and intricate mosaics, including the iconic ‘tree of life’ glass mural on its rear facade.

Later in the day, visit Heuan Chan Heritage House, a beautifully restored 19th-century aristocratic residence offering deep insight into Lao traditions, family life, and ceremonial practices. Enjoy local exhibitions and relax with a cup of authentic Lao tea or coffee in its peaceful garden setting.

In the late afternoon, head to Wat Prabath to witness the serene beauty of the sunset over the city. Conclude your day with a stroll through the vibrant Night Market, where you’ll find an array of handmade textiles and crafts created by local artisans and hilltribe communities.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Rise early to take part in one of Laos’ most revered traditions - the daily morning alms-giving ceremony, a spiritual ritual that dates back to the 14th century. Over 200 saffron-robed monks silently collect their daily food offerings from locals lining the quiet streets of Luang Prabang.

Afterward, explore the morning market near the former Royal Palace, where vendors sell fresh produce, local delicacies, handmade crafts, and traditional textiles - offering you a vivid glimpse into everyday Lao life.

Return to the hotel for breakfast, then head to Phousi Hill, climbing 329 steps to reach the summit. From here, enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers.

Next, visit the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center (TAEC) for an insightful 60-minute session titled "Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos." This interactive experience includes authentic photos, artifacts, and Q&A that shed light on the country’s ethnic communities, their traditions, and livelihoods.

Afterward, drive out to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfalls, the largest in the region. Admire the cascading turquoise pools, which tumble down a three-tiered drop of 50 meters. You’ll have time to swim or simply soak in the natural beauty.

Before leaving, consider a brief stop at the Bear Rescue Center, home to dozens of Asiatic black bears saved from illegal wildlife trafficking.

On the return to Luang Prabang, visit the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center, peacefully set along the Mekong River. Here, local artisans preserve ancient weaving traditions and craft exquisite fabrics. Enjoy a complimentary audio tour that offers insight into the cultural role of textiles in Lao society.

Arrive back at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Morning

Around 09:00, begin your day with a scenic drive from Luang Prabang to a peaceful village nestled along the riverbanks. On the way, stop by a lively local market to handpick fresh ingredients that will be used during your stay - a perfect introduction to Lao food culture.

Upon arrival in the village area, cross the river by local ferry or pirogue, where you’ll be warmly welcomed by your host family. Settle in and enjoy a traditional Lao lunch prepared with the ingredients you helped select.

Afternoon

After lunch, take a moment to relax and unwind in the tranquil rural setting. Then, immerse yourself in authentic village life - visit the local school, meet skilled artisans, and observe traditional weaving. You can even have a beautifully handcrafted custom dress made!

Later in the afternoon, refresh yourself with a dip in the river or a shower in your host’s home. As the evening sets in, join your host, Kham, in preparing a delicious home-cooked dinner - or sit back and relax with a Beer Lao/ a local drink while exchanging stories with your hosts.

From 07:00 - 09:00, gather around for a cozy traditional Lao dinner shared with the family. After the meal, enjoy a fun and friendly card game with your hosts, who are known for their impressive skills - so prepare for some lively competition!

Morning

Around 05:00 - 06:00, begin your day early by preparing sticky rice for the traditional monk’s offering, followed by a meaningful alms-giving ceremony at a local temple. After a hearty breakfast, join your host Kham and her uncle for a hands-on fishing experience on the Ou River, learning age-old Lao techniques.

Continue your morning with a scenic hike to the rice fields, gaining insight into the daily life of rural farmers and stopping at family-run organic gardens along the way. Enjoy a delicious farewell lunch with your host family, then take time to explore the village at your own pace or shop for locally made souvenirs.

Afternoon

Later, cross the river by local boat and begin your return journey to Luang Prabang. You will arrive at your hotel at roughly 17:00, marking the end of your authentic and enriching homestay experience.

Freely unwind during the last moments in Luang Prabang with breakfast and check out. Our driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. It's been a pleasure for BestPrice Travel to accompany you through this long journey. We hope you collect fully treasured memories on this trip, and see you next time!