A 15-day Journey Through the Heart of Southeast Asia

Your Indochina adventure begins upon your arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). A private driver will greet you at the airport, holding a sign with your name, and escort you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. After settling in, you can either explore Saigon at your own pace or unwind at the hotel and recover from your journey, preparing for the exciting days ahead.

Overnight in Saigon

Kick start your day with a hearty breakfast and set out for the day's trip to Mekong Delta. Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby (7:15-7:30 AM), and you will be transferred to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, board a sampan boat and cruise down the river around Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, and walk around the country lanes and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by locals.

Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies.

Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta.

If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. After the tour, you will be transferred back to your accommodation in Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Saigon

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive. Upon arrival, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed, and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime.

Then, spend your time exploring the remaining area and tunnel systems, which include the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. There are also many hidden trap doors and maze-like tunnels built for security purposes.

Round off your tour with special tea and cassava (guerrilla food) and return to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Saigon

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh before your private driver escorts you to the airport to catch a flight to Hanoi. When you arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, a driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. The rest of the day you are free to relax or explore the city on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel then our experienced English-speaking guide will escort you on a trip to Ba Vi, a countryside located on the outskirt of Hanoi.

Arrive at Ri village, enjoy a welcome drink and snacks and meet your first host - Mr. Duoc, who is a Vietnam War veteran and tea-farm owner. Listen to the stories of Mr. Duoc's life during the war while enjoying a drink and then visit his tea plantation. You will learn how to pick the best tea leaves to make the most wonderful beverage in Vietnam. Learn more about the tea production process at his small workshop, where most of the work is manual.

Then take a short drive to Moc village, where you will meet your next host Mrs. Chin, who will teach you how to cook local Vietnamese dishes. Later enjoy the meal that you prepared in a beautiful tropical garden.

Have a short break after lunch, and join Mrs. Chin for a walk around the village. You will visit some local families to understand the rural lifestyle and learn how tofu, conical hats, and other local products are made. Then take a cycling trip through beautiful paddy fields.

Wrap up your countryside tour by soaking your water in a warm herb-infused water, a traditional concoction of the Muong ethnic minority. It will relax you and your feet.

Then your driver will take you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by our cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Ha Long Bay, across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see.

On arrival in Ha Long, you will board a cruise ship and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck while exploring the bay.

The cruise will stop at a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming. Here, you can explore the karst grottoes more closely. In the evening, return to the ship for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities on board the cruise.

Overnight on cruise in Ha Long

Rise early and participate in Tai Chi lesson or enjoy a hearty breakfast as the cruise returns to the port. On the way back, stop at a limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. Following the cave tour, sail back to the harbor and return to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

Relish the remaining moment in Hanoi before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take a flight to Vientiane (Laos).

On arrival at the Vientiane Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. If time permits, you will get to tour around major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. You will also visit Lao national icon, That Luang Stupa, and stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph.

Overnight in Vientiane

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for your journey to Vang Vieng. We leave the capital early in the morning. You will see some breathtaking sceneries en route as we pass through spectacular countryside toward the mountainous region.

Along the way, we will also visit the busy and colorful market of Thalat, where various hill tribes come to trade goods and buy provisions. The next stop of our trip is Vang Xang, famous for its archeological site dating back to the 11th century. We reach our final destination Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River.

Overnight in Vang Vieng

This morning, we will take a visit to Tham Jang Cave and Blue Lagoon, free at leisure to attend zipline, or swimming at Blue Lagoon (zipline fee paid by your own).

Afternoon, take speed train to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang, transfer to hotel for checking in and stay overnight.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Have breakfast at the hotel and meet your guide in the hotel lobby. Today, we will visit Phousi Market, where you will see a big diversity of local specialties such as dried buffalo skin, local tea, and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables, and hill-tribe weavings.

Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups such as Hmong village Ban Na Oune, Laoloum village Ban Ou, and Khmu village Ban Thapene.

After exploring the villages, we will take you to the beautiful Khuang Si Waterfall, where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. We then return to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Start your day with a delicious breakfast before completing your hotel check-out. Your private driver will then transfer you to Luang Prabang Airport for your flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel, where you can settle in and relax.

Overnight in Bangkok

After breakfast at your hotel, embark on a journey through Bangkok’s rich cultural heritage, from vibrant temples to magnificent palaces and awe-inspiring Buddha images. Begin in Chinatown with a visit to Wat Traimit, home to one of the world’s largest solid gold Buddha statues, weighing 5.5 tons.

Next, explore Wat Pho, renowned for the 45-meter reclining Buddha and recognized as the birthplace of traditional Thai massage.

Continue to the Royal Grand Palace, Thailand’s most iconic landmark. Marvel at its ornate halls, including the Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House, and witness the famed Emerald Buddha, the country’s most sacred Buddha image.

After an enriching day of sightseeing, you’ll be transferred back to your hotel, with the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day at your own pace in Bangkok. Whether you wish to shop at bustling markets, explore hidden cafés, or simply relax by the pool, the day is yours to unwind and soak in the vibrant energy of the city.

Overnight in Bangkok

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Indochina. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home.

Trip Ends.