Jan
min : 14°C
max : 19°C
We Love —
- Vietnam’s cities and towns offer a spectrum of contrasting delights from French-colonial houses to Chinese temples; chaotic markets to designer boutiques; and flavourful street food to high-end restaurants.
- Experience the rolling mountains, remote villages and tribal crafts of peaceful Laos.
- Our members can extend their stay with a trip to Cambodia & explore a wealth of historical sites, stunning scenery & ancient temples.
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Itinerary —
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Upon arrival, you will be met by your driver & transferred to your hotel where you can unwind after your long flight.
Overnight in Hanoi with breakfast included.
Spend the day exploring Vietnam’s capital city. Start your day at 9am with a visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum then continue to the Temple of Literature which was constructed in 1070 under Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty, it was the first to honour Confucius & now celebrates the doctorates & high ranking scholars of Vietnam.
Next, you will experience Hanoi's famously enticing street cuisine on foot, the ideal way to explore the local cuisine. This tour will start in the old quarter which considered to be one of the most charming areas in the city. Don’t forget to try a glass of Bia Hoi, local draught beer.
Next, you will hop on traditional bicycle rickshaws and explore the city at a slower pace, perfect for taking photos of Hanoi's French Colonial houses while your driver weaves through the busy streets, dodging speeding motorbikes and rolling past French colonial houses.
End the day at a local café by the Joseph Church and enjoy a cup of ‘Tra Chanh’ – green tea with lemon.
Overnight in Hanoi with breakfast included.
After breakfast, you will travel 2 hours to Ninh Binh, starting your journey with a 3-hour cruise along a stream in Trang An area, gliding through 5 grottos with beautiful stalactites (from 70 to 320m length). The Trang An Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and it's not hard to see why!
Return to the boat quay then proceed to Tam Coc area for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, continue by bicycle to Bich Dong (approx. 2km away). Climb up the Ngu Nhac Son (Buddha’s Palm Mountain) which is a vantage point for some breathtaking views. Finally, visit Hoa Lu - Vietnam’s former capital – and explore the remains of Dinh & Le Kings’ Temples.
Overnight in Ninh Binh with breakfast included. Lunch in a local restaurant is also included.
After breakfast, you will depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty (approx. travel time: 4 hours 25 minutes). Travel through the rich farmlands of the Delta of Red River and spectacular rice fields dotted with water buffalo on your way to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed aboard with a drink before check into your cabin. Spend the rest of the day sailing past many rocky islets, caves, floating villages and beaches. Fresh seafood will be served at lunch, afterwards, explore a beautiful cave by kayak or rowing boat. Enjoy the sunset on the bay. Later on, the boat moves to a quiet area to dock for your overnight stay. Traditional Vietnamese food will be served for dinner.
Overnight on board with breakfast, lunch & dinner included. There will also be a local guide.
This itinerary is subjected to weather conditions and boat availability.
Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Luang Prabang
Cruise through emerald waters with thousands of limestone islands dotted throughout as you enjoy some cakes served with tea & coffee. This is followed by brunch on board. Disembark at around 11am and drive to Hanoi airport for your flight to Luang Prabang in Laos (approx. travel time: 3 hours 40 minutes).
Landing in Luang Prabang, you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquillity and charm of this town combined with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most inspiring places to visit in Laos.
Overnight in Luang Prabang with breakfast included.
After breakfast, you will board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which will give you a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves which is crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes.
Return to the town by noon for lunch (at your own expense). In the afternoon, visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign.
Continue your city tour with a trip to the impressive stupa of Wat Mai and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong which has roofs which sweep low to the ground and represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple.
Afterwards, you will climb up to the top of Phousi Mount and explore a sacred, gilded stupa, culminating with a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, you will explore a Street Night Bazaar, a great opportunity to buy textiles by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang with breakfast included.
Early risers can partake in a special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms: as the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people.
Afterwards, there will be a visit to a local food market. Return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, drive through Luang Prabang's countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls (approx. travel time: 50 minutes). Your route follows the Mekong River and is a scenic one, passing dramatically changing landscapes which consists of rice fields, hills and traditional villages. Today is an excellent opportunity for you to learn about the traditions and culture of an ethnic minority at a village whose culture has remained unchanged for centuries.
Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfalls, relax and enjoy the magnificent natural surroundings. The water tumbles down and cascades gently into several cool, clear pools where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. The adventurous may choose to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track but the stunning views are definitely worth it. You can also visit a rescue centre for sunbears, an endangered species. Return to Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang with breakfast included.
Travel from Luang Prabang to Nong Kiau at 8am. This route will take approx. 3-hours by car with beautiful mountain and forest scenery to keep you occupied. Explore the local cuisine with lunch upon arrival to Nhong Kiau (at your own expense).
Take a boat trip along Nam Ou River and see how local people collect river weed along the river, however, the river's most striking feature is its beautiful green colour. There are also hundreds of water buffalos and pigs spread out along the river, relaxing on the cool sand of river banks. Disembark at Muong Ngoi, a small village nestled between mountains and walk around the village with your guide. This will be followed by a visit to a cave. Return to Nong Kiau.
Overnight in Nong Kiau with breakfast included.
Day 9: Nong Kiau - Luang Prabang
After breakfast, you leave Nongk Haiw and return to Luang Prabang. On the way, visit the caves of Tham Pha Thok which served as a hiding place during the Vietnam War, then visit Ban Nayang Neud and Nayang Tai village of the Lu ethnic group who are known for their famous weavings and tobaccos. Lunch will be at your own expense. After lunch, visit Ban Xang Hai village where the rice wine is distilled. This will be followed by a visit to the weaving and textile villages of Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek.
Overnight in Luang Prabang with breakfast included.
Day 10: Free Time in Luang Prabang
Spend the day exploring this peaceful town further.
Overnight in Luang Prabang with breakfast included.
Day 11: Flight Home / Departure for Cambodia
If you have chosen a 10-night tour you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.
If you have chosen a 13-night tour you will be transferred to Cambodia to continue your tour (please see below for details).
13 Night Tour
Day 12: Angkor Temple Complex
After breakfast, explore one of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will visit from the West Gate of Angkor Thom – which is largely undiscovered by mass tourism. Next is the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). See the South Gate, Bayon Temple - which is unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara - followed by Baphuon Temple which lies just to the north of Bayon - a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru. The Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, The Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King are all must-see sights you will visit.
Observe sunset over Angkor temples before returning to your hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap with breakfast included.
Day 13: Angkor Wat & Tonle Sap Lake
Leave your hotel early and enjoy sunrise over Angkor Wat, returning to your hotel for breakfast.
In the afternoon, visit Tonle Sap Great Lake and visit a floating fishing village.
Overnight in Siem Reap with breakfast included.
The boat ride on the Tonle Sap is not recommended during the dry season (March to July) due to the lack of water. During this period, this tour can be replaced by the visit of the Siem Reap countryside which inclides a Tuk-Tuk ride to explore one of the local villages where you can see the daily activities of the locals.
Day 14: Flight Home
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in time for your flight home.
Your Hotels —
Our members can choose between Superior or Luxury accommodation throughout.
The below stays are on bed & breakfast basis unless otherwise stated in the itinerary, you will be accommodated in Standard Rooms throughout.
All rooms sleep up to
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
or
3 Adults
Please note that is the following hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Superior Category
Hanoi: 2 nights at Thien Thai Hotel
Ninh Binh: 1 night at Ninh Hidden Charm Hotel
Ha Long Bay: 1 night onboard Huong Hai Sealife Cruise
Luang Prabang: 3 nights at Sada Luang Prabang Hotel
Nong Kiau: 2 nights at Mandara Ou Resort
Siem Reap: 3 nights at Tara Angkor Hotel (13-night itineraries only)
Luxury Category
Hanoi: 2 nights at Nikko Hotel
Ninh Binh: 1 night at Emeralda Resort
Ha Long Bay: 1 night onboard Indochina Sails Cruise
Luang Prabang: 3 nights at Mekong Riverview Hotel
Nong Kiau: 2 nights at Mandara Ou Resort
Siem Reap: 3 nights at Angkor Palace Ho13-night itineraries only)
Your Journey —
Flights: Our members can choose between Economy or Business Class seats.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Private transfers are included throughout the tour.
