Itinerary
- Day 1
Vientiane
You'll arrive in Vientiane and can head straight to your accommodation or, if you get in early, spend some time at Pha That Luang stupa and grab a Beerlao while watching the sunset over the river. Your tour leader meets you at 6pm for a welcome meeting, and there's an optional group dinner if you're interested.
Optional Activities
- Visit Pha That Luang Buddhist stupa
- Enjoy sunset drinks by the Mekong River
- Dinner with fellow travelers
Landmarks/POIs Pha That Luang - Day 2
Vientiane
Start with a morning tour hitting Victory Gate, That Luang stupa, and Wat Sisaket temple around the city. After lunch, the afternoon's free so you can check out Buddha Park, the COPE Museum, or just relax at your hotel. Later, head to the night markets along the Mekong River in the evening when things get lively.
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Vientiane
- Visit Victory Gate
- Visit That Luang stupa
- Visit Wat Sisaket temple
Optional Activities
- Visit Buddha Park (approximately 30 minutes from city)
- Visit COPE Museum
- Explore Mekong River night markets
Landmarks/POIs Victory Gate That Luang stupa Wat Sisaket Buddha Park COPE Museum - Day 3
Vientiane to Vang Vieng
Board the Boten-Vientiane Railway in the morning for a 2-hour ride to Vang Vieng. Once you arrive, the afternoon is open for wandering around town. Later, settle by the riverbank to watch the sunset and see locals floating down the Nam Song River.
Included Activities
- Train journey on Boten-Vientiane Railway to Vang Vieng
Optional Activities
- Riverbank sunset stroll
Landmarks/POIs Nam Song River - Day 4
Vang Vieng
The full day is yours to fill. Vang Vieng sits surrounded by rice paddies and limestone cliffs, so you can pick from activities ranging from easy walks to more intense adventures depending on what you're into.
Optional Activities
- Guided walk past rice paddies to nearby minority villages
- Visit underground cave network
- Kayaking along Nam Song River
Landmarks/POIs Nam Song River - Day 5
Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang
Head to the train station for another 2-hour journey, this time through mountains via newly constructed tunnels heading to Luang Prabang. This UNESCO World Heritage town sits in a valley where the Khan and Mekong rivers meet. If you're up for it in the evening, climb Mount Phousi's 328 steps to catch the sunset from the top.
Included Activities
- Train journey through mountains to Luang Prabang
Optional Activities
- Climb Mount Phousi for sunset views
Landmarks/POIs Mount Phousi Mekong River Khan River - Day 6
Luang Prabang
Start with a walking tour of main temples, including Wat Xieng Thong with its distinctive red and gold designs. You'll also visit Wat Sen and the Royal Palace Museum. In the afternoon, take a traditional long-tail boat up the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, then climb limestone cliffs to a sacred shrine holding thousands of Buddha images. The rest of the afternoon's free.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Luang Prabang temples
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong
- Visit Wat Sen
- Visit Royal Palace Museum
- Traditional long-tail boat journey up Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves
Landmarks/POIs Wat Xieng Thong Wat Sen Royal Palace Museum Pak Ou Caves - Day 7
Luang Prabang
This morning starts early to watch the alms-giving ceremony with monks at dawn. Then drive 45 minutes through forested hills and ethnic villages to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where limestone cascades flow into turquoise pools. Later, consider an optional bike trip to Ban Phanom village about 6 km away, meeting locals and learning about rural life before ending with a cold Beer Lao.
Included Activities
- Witness alms-giving ceremony
- Visit Kuang Si Waterfalls
Optional Activities
- Afternoon bicycle trip to Ban Phanom village
Landmarks/POIs Kuang Si Waterfalls Ban Phanom Nam Khan River - Day 8
Luang Prabang to Hanoi
You have the morning to explore more of Luang Prabang on your own. After lunch, fly to Hanoi. Once you land, head into the Old Quarter's bustling streets where narrow 'tube' shops line the roads and street vendors sell noodles, snacks, and stir-fries.
Included Activities
- Flight to Hanoi
Optional Activities
- Walk through Old Quarter streets and markets
Landmarks/POIs Old Quarter - Day 9
Hanoi
After breakfast, a guided tour takes you through main Hanoi sights like the One-Pillar Pagoda and Presidential Palace, including Ho Chi Minh's simple teak stilt house where he lived instead of the palace. In the afternoon, get a map and explore the Old Quarter's lanes solo, where each street specializes in different crafts, and sample street food from vendors.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Hanoi main sights
- Visit One-Pillar Pagoda
- Visit Presidential Palace
- Self-guided exploration of Old Quarter
Landmarks/POIs One-Pillar Pagoda Presidential Palace Old Quarter - Day 10
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Your morning is free to check out Hanoi's museums or Ho Chi Minh's austere mausoleum if you'd like. Later, drive towards Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin, where thousands of jagged limestone islands rise from jade green waters, a seascape with roots in local legend.
Optional Activities
- Visit Hanoi museums
- Visit Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 11
Halong Bay to Hue (overnight train)
Cruise around Halong Bay's islands in the morning, stopping at grottos beneath cliffs and possibly beaches, watching a mix of tourist boats, traditional junks, and wooden sampans pass by. Seafood lunch happens on board. Back at the hotel you'll freshen up, then board the overnight Reunification Express train to Hue in soft-sleeper cabins.
- Meals
- Lunch (Seafood lunch on board cruise boat)
Included Activities
- Scenic cruise among Halong Bay islands
- Visit grotto
- Seafood lunch on board
- Overnight train journey to Hue on Reunification Express
Landmarks/POIs Halong Bay - Day 12
Hue
You'll arrive in Hue this morning. The city's a quiet cultural and religious center split by the Perfume River. In the afternoon, take a boat trip along the river to the serene Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's oldest temple and the city's symbol.
Included Activities
- Boat trip along Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda
Landmarks/POIs Perfume River Thien Mu Pagoda - Day 13
Hue
Visit the Imperial Citadel in the morning, built by the Nguyen dynasty on the Perfume River's left bank. You'll see outer walls and the west wing still standing from the palace's former glory before 1968 Tet Offensive damage. The rest of the day's free to explore the Emperor's Tombs in the surrounding area.
Included Activities
- Visit Imperial Citadel
Optional Activities
- Explore Tombs of the Emperors
Landmarks/POIs Imperial Citadel - Day 14
Hue to Hoi An
Drive over Hai Van Pass with its mix of rural charm and sweeping sea views, passing thatched houses and rice paddies. Then explore the five Marble Mountains representing water, wood, fire, metal, and earth, each with Buddhist sanctuaries carved into natural grottoes. Stop briefly at My Khe Beach before driving to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Hoi An.
Included Activities
- Drive over Hai Van Pass
- Explore Marble Mountains
- Visit My Khe Beach
Landmarks/POIs Hai Van Pass Marble Mountains My Khe Beach - Day 15
Hoi An
You have the full day to explore at your own pace. This historic merchant town keeps its medieval charm with well-preserved old buildings. Walk across the Japanese Bridge, visit Chinese temples and meeting halls, browse shops and bars, get clothes tailored, or just sit in a riverside café watching life go by.
Optional Activities
- Visit Japanese Bridge
- Visit Chinese temples and meeting halls
- Shopping, dining and riverside cafes
- Excursion to My Lai village massacre memorial
Landmarks/POIs Japanese Bridge Hoi An Old Town - Day 16
Hoi An
Head out in the morning to My Son, one of Vietnam's holiest Cham sites. The slow drive takes you through wooded hills to the impressive temple complex. Back in Hoi An for the afternoon, you can try a cooking class, lantern-making workshop, visit a beach, or take a boat trip on the river.
Included Activities
- Excursion to My Son Cham temple site
Optional Activities
- Cooking class at Hoi An restaurant
- Lantern-making workshop
- Beach visit
- Boat trip on river
Landmarks/POIs My Son - Day 17
Hoi An to Mekong Delta (Ben Tre)
Very early start to catch a flight to Saigon from Danang Airport. After landing in Ho Chi Minh City, drive south to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta surrounded by fertile land and coconut palms. Use a local ferry to reach a nearby village, explore by trishaw, then board sampans for a narrow canal cruise off the main river. Lunch at a local house, some free time to look around, then return by boat to your guesthouse.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch at local house in Ben Tre)
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Local ferry to nearby village
- Trishaw tour of village
- Sampan cruise along canals
- Lunch at local house
Landmarks/POIs Mekong River Ben Tre - Day 18
Mekong Delta
Spend more time in the Mekong Delta's canals, possibly meeting locals and seeing how coconut processing works. You can walk or bike along the canals if you like. Later, drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Included Activities
- Mekong Delta canal exploration
Optional Activities
- Walk along canal
- Cycle along canal
Landmarks/POIs Mekong River - Day 19
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Walk around central Old Saigon (District 1) in the morning, passing Notre Dame Cathedral, the GPO building, and old French Colonial hotels like The Rex. Visit Independence Palace and the War Remnants Museum. The afternoon's free for more exploring, maybe checking out the huge Ben Thanh market.
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Saigon
- Visit Notre Dame Cathedral
- Visit GPO building
- Visit Independence Palace (Reunification Hall)
- Visit War Remnants Museum
Optional Activities
- Visit Ben Thanh market
Landmarks/POIs Notre Dame Cathedral GPO building The Rex Hotel Independence Palace (Reunification Hall) War Remnants Museum Ben Thanh Market - Day 20
Ho Chi Minh City to Cambodia (Phnom Penh)
Take a short drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, the underground command base used during the 1968 Tet Offensive. If you're interested, there's an option to crawl through a specially adapted tunnel section to experience the tight conditions soldiers lived in. Then continue into Cambodia with border processing at Moc Bai and Bavet, reaching Phnom Penh after a 5 to 6 hour drive.
Included Activities
- Visit Cu Chi Tunnels
Optional Activities
- Crawl through adapted tunnel section
Landmarks/POIs Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 21
Phnom Penh
With a local guide, visit the National Museum to see Angkor carvings and lintels, the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom temple. In the afternoon, visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, the former high school used by the Khmer Rouge, and the Killing Fields at Choeung Ek with its glass stupa containing human skulls.
Included Activities
- Guided visit to National Museum
- Visit Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda
- Visit Wat Phnom
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Visit Killing Fields of Choeung Ek
Landmarks/POIs National Museum Royal Palace Silver Pagoda Wat Phnom Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum Killing Fields of Choeung Ek - Day 22
Phnom Penh
Optional day trips sit close to Phnom Penh. Silk Island is a short boat ride where locals make handicrafts and you can learn about silk weaving. Chiso Mountain (380m/1247ft) sits about 62km/38.5 miles south with 11th-century temple ruins and paddy field views. Oudong's about an hour north with historic temples and stupas. Each takes half a day and can be combined.
Optional Activities
- Silk Island (Koh Dach) boat journey and silk weaving tour
- Chiso Mountain and 11th-century Khmer temple ruins
- Oudong historic temples and stupas
Landmarks/POIs Silk Island (Koh Dach) Chiso Mountain Oudong - Day 23
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Early start driving through rural Cambodia's vast rice fields and stilted villages. After lunch, you'll reach Tonle Sap Lake and board a charter boat for a leisurely cruise through a floating village with stilt houses, floating markets, and different types of boats.
Included Activities
- Drive to Siem Reap through rural Cambodia
- Tonle Sap Lake charter boat cruise through floating village
Landmarks/POIs Tonle Sap Lake - Day 24
Angkor
Visit the Rolous temples and Banteay Srei. Continue to East Mebon and Pre Rup temple, timing things to catch the sunset. You'll explore the magnificent carved stone temples, sculptures, and bas-reliefs of Angkor complex spread over 155 square kilometers, built between the 9th and 13th centuries.
Included Activities
- Visit Rolous group temples
- Visit Banteay Srei
- Visit East Mebon
- Visit Pre Rup temple
Landmarks/POIs Rolous group temples Banteay Srei East Mebon Pre Rup temple - Day 25
Angkor
Continue with temples built by King Jayavarman VII. See the fortified city of Angkor Thom enclosed by square walls with five monumental gates. Inside, explore The Bayon with its maze of corridors and gothic-style towers, then visit the Terrace of Elephants, Leper King, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, and Preah Khan.
Included Activities
- Visit Angkor Thom fortified city
- Visit The Bayon
- Visit Terrace of Elephants
- Visit Leper King
- Visit Baphuon
- Visit Phimeanakas
- Visit Preah Khan
Landmarks/POIs Angkor Thom The Bayon Terrace of Elephants Leper King Baphuon Phimeanakas Preah Khan - Day 26
Angkor
Your final Angkor day covers the second capital temples like Prasat Kravan, Banteay Kdei, and Takeo. The atmospheric Ta Prohm temple, half-consumed by jungle and famous from Tomb Raider, appeals to many visitors. Save Angkor Wat, the most iconic sight, for last, staying until sunset on your adventure's final night.
Included Activities
- Visit Prasat Kravan
- Visit Banteay Kdei
- Visit Takeo
- Visit Ta Prohm temple
- Visit Angkor Wat for sunset
Landmarks/POIs Prasat Kravan Banteay Kdei Takeo Ta Prohm Angkor Wat - Day 27
Siem Reap
Your trip ends after breakfast. Depart Siem Reap at any time that works for your flight, with luggage storage available at the hotel if you need it. If you have time before leaving, browse the old market for last-minute souvenirs or visit the APOPO Museum.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Browse old market for last-minute bargains
- Visit APOPO Museum
Landmarks/POIs APOPO Museum
