Destination: Hanoi/Halong/Nha Trang/Ho Chi Minh City/Mekong Delta/Phnom Penh/Siem Reap/Luang Prabang/Vientiane

Whether you choose a sublimely restful beach escape, a cultural journey of discovery or a multi-centre itinerary combining the glories of Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia, enjoy a holiday with a difference and experience the amazing, beautiful countries of Indochina.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner, G=Guide

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D, G)

Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner at a colonial building. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry (an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture). Your overnight stay will be in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

A morning drive to Ha Long Bay, (one of the most spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Areas - the world’s largest marine ‘karst’ landscape). Travel by traditional-style boat to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Includes swimming, fishing, hill (not mountain) climbing for Bay overviews, exploring sea level caves in a small sampan, etc. All meals will be provided on board and your accommodation will be on the boat in a twin room with en suite toilet and shower.

Day 3: Halong/Hanoi (B, L, G)

Morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch and then return to Hanoi for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Hanoi/Nha Trang (B, G)

Noon flight to Nha Trang. On arrival, you’ll be picked up to visit Cham Ponaga Tower. Overnight in Nha Trang in a hotel which overlooks the sea.

Day 5: Nha Trang (B, L, G)

A whole day boat cruise to the Mun Island for snorkelling. Seafood lunch on boat, wine and fruit party at the Mot Island. Rowing bamboo-basket at a fishing village on the Mieu Island. Overnight in Nha Trang.

The boat trip is a ‘fun’ event. You’ll join a boat party of tourists, with a Vietnamese crew who act as guides, cooks, and musicians. Plenty of wine is included (Vietnamese - very good after the first few glasses), and you’ll be offered the local delicacy of ‘sea-urchin soup’ - definitely an acquired taste. The coral around Mun Island is good, provided you swim away from the area where the boats tie up.

You should get back to the land in time for a visit to the hot spring spa near the Cham tower in the town - you can wallow in mud, shower in spring water, and bathe in a large hot mineral water swimming pool set in beautiful gardens for just over $3 - amazing value! Please let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send a quotation for this arrangement.

Day 6: Nha Trang free (B)

Free day in Nha Trang for a beach break.

Nha Trang offers a sufficient variety of activities for a short break in the beach resort. You can have a boat trip to the islands for snorkelling, swimming, ‘water bar’ with Vietnamese wine, water sport. Diving facilities and service here is supposed to be the best in Vietnam. There are many restaurants along the beach offering good Vietnamese and international food. A ten minutes drive takes you to the hot spring spa - you can wallow in mud, shower in spring water, and bathe in a large hot mineral water swimming pool set in beautiful gardens for just over $3 - cheap at ten times the price!

Day 7: Nha Trang/Ho Chi Minh City (B, G)

After breakfast, you are free for relaxing untill transferring to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. The rest of day will be your own. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City tour (B, L, G)

After breakfast, you’ll start your city tour including the History Museum (special exhibition of the 5thC ‘Oc Eo’ civilisation), the Museum of War Remnants (very partial, but riveting, recollections of the ‘American War’: not for the squeamish), the huge Ben Thanh market (one of the liveliest areas of Ho Chi Minh City), the Jade Emperor Temple (superb effigies, remarkable carved panels of the descent to Hell and incongruous terrapin and tortoise sanctuaries) and a lacquer workshop. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh/Cao Lanh (B, L, G)

Morning drive to Cao Lanh. Near Cao Lanh, guests will board a boat to visit Rung Tram Forest - where there used to be a secret Viet Cong base during American War. After picnic lunch en route, guests continue the cruise to visit the White Stork Sanctuary. Drive to Tam Nong for an overnight stay.

Day 10: Cao Lanh/Chau Doc (B, L, G)

A Crack-of-dawn boat cruise to visit Tram Chim National Reserve (Bird Sanctuary). This Reserve is home of over 200 species of birds and particularly popular with the rare red-headed cranes. This tour is a very special option and can only done from February to June because the birds move to Cambodia during the other months. Drive to Chau Doc for overnight stay.

Day 11: Chau Doc (B, L, G)

After breakfast, guests will take a small sailling boat to visit floating house, Cham minorities villages and a mosque. Then guests will take a drive to the Sam Mountain. At the foot of the mountain, a visit to the Temple of Lady Chua Su can be arranged (At the end of fourth lunar month, around the middle of May, this temple holds an annual festival and is extremely packed with thousands Vietnamese tourists). Then guests will continue to head for the the summit of the mountain where they can enjoy a view over Cambodia. After lunch in town, guests can choose another option to visit the Bone Pagoda in Ba Chuc which is horrifying with skulls of Vietnamese killed by Khmer Rouge during 1975 and 1978. This “Blue” experience helps to fulfill the history painting of the Mekong Delta.

Day 12: Chau Doc/Phnom Penh (B, G)

After breakfast, guest will return to Ho Chi Minh City by car or hydrofoil. Alternatively, you can take a hydrofoil trip to Phnompenh. On arrival, the car will take you to the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 13: Phnom Penh (B, L, G)

After breakfast, start your tour in the same morning to Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum of Khmer Arts. In the afternoon, visit Choeung Ek Killing Field, Toul Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crime and renowned Wat Phnom. Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 14: Phnom Penh/Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast, take the 7:00 a.m. speed-boat trip to Siem Reap which takes about 5 hours ride. While on board, you will see the scenic scenery of the Cambodian rural life-style along the riverbank (optional by air). Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. After a short relaxation, carry on to tour the magnificent Angkor Wat Temple and see an impressive sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

Early morning, see the picturesque sunrise at Angkor Wat, before returning to the hotel for breakfast. In the same morning, tour to South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Terrace of Elephants and Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the Small Circuit to see Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Thommanon, and Chausay Tevoda. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 16: Siem Reap (B, L, G)

After breakfast at hotel, continue your sightseeing to the Grand Circuit to see Prasat Kravan, East Mebon, Pre Rup and Preah Kan. In the afternoon, visit an ethnic local village and take a scenic boat cruise on the Tonle Sap Lake to see the Floating Village. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 17: Siem Reap/Luang Prabang (B, G)

After breakfast at hotel, free at leisure until transfer to airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage town. Nestled in a stunning setting amid lush mountains, this sacred city of golden temples and saffron robed monks provides endless opportunities for sightseeing. Visit a number of Wats and some of this peaceful town’s main highlights.

Day 18: Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

This morning, enjoy a cruise on the Mekong River and visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Since the 16th century, local people have brought images of the Buddha to place in the caves - nowadays there are thousands to see. In the evening stroll through the night market to buy some local crafts and souvenirs.

Day 19: Luang Prabang (B, L, G)

Today you can choose from many optional activities. You may wish to embark on a bicycle ride through spectacular scenery, visit an elephant camp where you can ride one of these magnificent creatures through the jungle or swim in a jungle waterfall. Alternatively, you could enjoy a delicious cooking class or even a lesson in the art of silk dyeing.

Day 20: Luang Prabang/Vientiane (B, L, G)

You will be transferred to the airport for the short flight to Vientiane. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the capital’s main sights. In the evening, go for a stroll along the banks of the Mekong River and enjoy a drink as the sun sets.

Day 21: Depart Vientiane (B, G)

The day is at leisure until you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

US$ per person:

Our price includes:

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a twin or double room.

• Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned car as specified in the itinerary above

• Travel by private, air-conditioned car with an experienced, safe driver.

• Domestic flight in Vietnam: Hanoi-Nha Trang-Ho Chi Minh City with airport tax

• Domestic flight in Cambodia: Siem Reap-Phom Penh with airport tax.

• Domestic flight in Laos: Luang Prabang-Vientiane with airport tax.

• International flight tickets: Siem Reap-Luang Prabang with airport tax.

• Boat cruise as mentioned.

• The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary except leisure time

• Lunches and dinners, as specified, in the good local restaurants, picnics where suitable restaurants are not available and full board on the boat in Halong Bay

• Hydrofoil: Chau Doc-Phnom Penh

• Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the programme.

• Government tax

• Service charge

Our price does not include:

• Visas

• Other meals not mentioned.

• Drinks, gratuities, tips and personal expenses.

• Insurance.

Hotel list for Five Star standard:

• Hanoi: Melia Hotel (***** modern high-rise building in one of Hanoi’s leafy boulevards in the city centre) or similar

• Nha Trang: Sunrise Beach Resort (***** luxury hotel overlooking the bay) or similar

• Ho Chi Minh City: Renaissance Riverside hotel (***** the city's finest location) or similar

• Phnom Penh: Intercontinental Hotel (***** the centerpiece of a secure integrated commercial and retail complex overlooking a lush Khmer inspired garden, highly recognized levels of service) or similar

• Luang Prabang: La Residence Hotel (***** positioned atop a hill, with stunning mountain views) or similar

• Siem Reap: Angkor Palace Resort (***** first Cambodian-owned premier luxury five-star resort accommodation) or similar

• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (***** located right in the city centre, within walking distance) or similar

Hotel list for Four Star standard:

• Hanoi: Sunway Hotel (**** comfortable boutique hotel 15 minute’s walk from the city centre) or similar

• Nha Trang: Yasaka Hotel (**** located right on the beachside of Nha Trang Bay) or similar

• Ho Chi Minh City: Rex Hotel (**** located at the best of downtown Saigon, a luxury hotel heritage dating back to early 20th century) or similar

• Phnom Penh: Sunway Hotel (**** surrounded by prestigious locations and avenues) or similar

• Siem Reap: Tara Angkor Hotel (**** 5km to Angkor, short ride to the centre of town) or similar

• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (**** established in 1992 by Lao businessman Mr. Santi Inthavong in a royal residence) or similar

• Vientiane: Novotel hotel (**** ideal location for business trips and holidays) or similar

Hotel list for Three Star standard:

• Hanoi: Thang Long Opera hotel (*** city centre, walking distance to Hoan Kiem Lake) or similar

• Nha trang: Green Hotel (*** new high rise building with nice view and service) or similar

• Ho Chi Minh City: Elios Hotel (*** ideally located in the city centre) or similar

• Phnom Penh: Lux Riverside (*** ideally located in the heart of the vibrant and most touristic street) or similar.

• Siem Reap: Casa Angkor Hotel (*** conveniently location, 10 minutes drive to the world famous Angkor Temples) or similar.

• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel (*** combine modern international luxury with traditional Lao styles) or similar

• Vientiane: Inter City hotel (*** centrally located, facilitated with basic modern comforts) or similar

If, at the time of booking, any hotels or rooms in the list above are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.