Itinerary
- Day 1
Vientiane
You'll arrive at Vientiane airport where your guide will pick you up for the drive to your hotel. Check-in starts at 2 pm, so the afternoon and evening are yours to use however you'd like. The city has tree-lined streets, interesting temples, and colorful markets where French-colonial buildings sit alongside Asian spiritual sites. If you feel like getting out, you can walk around the elegant neighborhoods or grab a drink on Fa Ngum Street and watch the Mekong River.
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Optional Activities
- Stroll along tree-lined boulevards
- Explore temples and colorful markets
- Enjoy a sundowner on Fa Ngum Street by the Mekong
- Day 2
Vientiane to Luang Prabang
Start early with a city tour covering Patuxai (a triumphal arch inspired by Paris) and That Luang, Laos's most important shrine with its golden stupa. After that, head to the train station for a modern express train to Luang Prabang, about 2 hours away. Once you arrive, you'll climb the 300 steps up Phousi Hill for views across this UNESCO World Heritage city, plus visit the small 200-year-old stupa temple at the top. Later that evening, the night market opens up where you can look for souvenirs and try street food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Patuxai triumphal arch
- Visit That Luang shrine with golden stupa
- Train to Luang Prabang
- Climb Phousi Hill and visit summit stupa temple
Optional Activities
- Explore night market in central Luang Prabang
- Sample street food at night market
Landmarks Patuxai That Luang Phousi Hill 
- Day 3
Luang Prabang
Set your alarm for around 6 am to see the monks' alms round, a daily ritual where monks collect offerings and get blessings. Head to the market to pick up fruit, then come back for breakfast. Later you'll take a boat up the Mekong River toward limestone cliffs, then switch to the Nam Ou River heading to Pak Ou Caves, which have countless Buddha statues inside. Stop in Ban Xang Hai village to learn how they make Lao-Lao rice liquor. In the afternoon, check out the National Museum in the old Royal Palace with Lao and French art, then see Wat Xieng Thong, a monastery known for its detailed mosaics and gold murals.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Watch monks' alms round (tak bat)
- Visit morning market
- Boat trip on Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves
- Stop in Ban Xang Hai village
- Visit National Museum (Royal Palace)
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong monastery
Landmarks Pak Ou Caves Ban Xang Hai National Museum (Royal Palace) Wat Xieng Thong 
- Day 4
Luang Prabang to Hanoi
After breakfast and checkout, you'll visit a small farming village to see how locals live day to day. Then drive to Kuangsi Waterfall and take a short rainforest walk to see the waterfall's tiered limestone pools. Bring your swimsuit because you can swim in the clear water. There's an optional bear rescue center if you're interested. Grab lunch at a local spot, then head to Luang Prabang airport for an early evening flight to Hanoi. Your transfer will take you to your hotel in Vietnam's capital.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit small village and farming community
- Visit Kuangsi Waterfall
- Short rainforest walk to waterfall
Optional Activities
- Swim in limestone pools
- Visit bear rescue center
Landmarks Kuangsi Waterfall - Day 5
Hanoi
Spend the day exploring Hanoi's key sites starting with the Temple of Literature and the One Pillar Pagoda. You'll drive through areas with French colonial architecture before walking the Old Town with its famous 36 narrow alleyways, each traditionally tied to a different trade. Walk around to see colonial buildings mixed in with bustling shops and street traders. Head over to Hoan Kiem Lake and pop into Ngoc Son Temple to get a feel for this lively city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Temple of Literature
- Visit One Pillar Pagoda
- Walk through old town with 36 narrow alleyways
- Stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake
- Visit Ngoc Son Temple
Landmarks Temple of Literature One Pillar Pagoda Hoan Kiem Lake Ngoc Son Temple - Day 6
Hanoi to Halong Bay
Leave Hanoi around 8:30 am and drive toward Halong Bay. On the way, you'll see farmers working rice paddies with traditional tools. When you arrive, board your junk boat to explore islands around the bay. Visit a few of the bay's islands, then settle in for dinner aboard your cruise ship.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board)
Included Activities
- Journey to Halong Bay with rice field observation
- Island exploration in Halong Bay
- Dinner on board
Landmarks Halong Bay - Day 7
Halong Bay to Hoi An
Wake up early to catch the scenery of Halong Bay after breakfast. The day continues exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site with its over 3,000 limestone cliffs and grottos rising from the sea, shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Get off the boat at Tuan Chau Pier in the morning, then transfer to Hanoi airport. Fly to Danang and continue on to Hoi An. Check in at your hotel for a 2-night stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Early morning exploration of Halong Bay
- Disembark at Tuan Chau Pier
- Flight from Hanoi to Danang to Hoi An
Landmarks Halong Bay Tuan Chau Pier 
- Day 8
Hoi An
Walk around Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with lots of character. The old town has narrow alleyways and historic trading houses to check out. Visit the covered Japanese Bridge and see how Chinese influences shaped the city. You can take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River for a different perspective. The rest of the day is open, so grab a traditional Vietnamese coffee at one of the nice cafes and soak in the colorful atmosphere at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Explore old town with narrow alleyways
- Visit historic trading houses
- Visit covered Japanese Bridge
- Boat trip on Thu Bon River
Optional Activities
- Enjoy traditional Vietnamese coffee at local cafés
Landmarks Hoi An Old Town Japanese Bridge Thu Bon River - Day 9
Hoi An to Hue
Drive to Hue in the morning, heading over the Hai Van Pass on a route that winds through mountains with great views, past clear lagoons and quiet villages. Once there, visit the royal tomb of Emperor Minh Mang. Head to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue's landmarks, and take a boat back to the city. See the Imperial Palace, modeled after Beijing's Forbidden City, to learn about Vietnam's history and the emperors who ruled from here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Scenic drive over Hai Van Pass to Hue
- Visit royal tomb of Emperor Minh Mang
- Visit Thien Mu Pagoda
- Boat trip back from pagoda to Hue
- Visit Imperial Palace
Landmarks Hai Van Pass Royal Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang Thien Mu Pagoda Imperial Palace 
- Day 10
Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
Have an early breakfast, then drive to Hue airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After landing, visit the Cu Chi tunnel system, an extensive underground network built by hand during the Vietnam War. Explore this historic complex and learn about its role in the war. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then head to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City to check in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Flight to Ho Chi Minh City
- Visit Cu Chi tunnel system
Landmarks Cu Chi Tunnels - Day 11
Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho
Check out Ho Chi Minh City in the morning, starting with the lively Chinatown and Thien Hau Pagoda. Look at Notre Dame Cathedral from outside and stop for photos at the Presidential Palace. In the afternoon, drive to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta. Check in at your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Visit Chinatown
- Visit Thien Hau Pagoda
- Photo stop at Presidential Palace
- Drive to Can Tho in Mekong Delta
Optional Activities
- View Notre Dame Cathedral from outside
Landmarks Chinatown (Cholon) Thien Hau Pagoda Notre Dame Cathedral Presidential Palace - Day 12
Can Tho to Chau Doc
Get up early and take a motorboat to Cai Rang floating market. You'll see boats trading goods and produce all around you in a colorful, busy scene. Visit a local orchard, then catch a bus to Chau Doc. Switch to a boat there to see a fish farm and explore a Cham village. Settle in at your hotel for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Motorboat to Cai Rang floating market
- Visit local orchard
- Bus to Chau Doc
- Visit fish farm
- Visit Cham village
Landmarks Cai Rang Floating Market Cham Village 
- Day 13
Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
Board the Daily Cruiser Express or Blue Cruiser around 7 am for a boat journey to Phnom Penh, approximately 4.5 hours. You'll handle immigration at the Cambodian border near Vinh Xuong before arriving in Phnom Penh around midday. Your tour guide will meet you at the international port. After that, explore the city on a guided tour hitting the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, and Wat Phnom temple, which the city is named after. Check in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Boat to Phnom Penh (Daily Cruiser Express or Blue Cruiser)
- City tour of Phnom Penh
- Visit National Museum
- Visit Silver Pagoda
- Visit Wat Phnom temple
Landmarks National Museum Silver Pagoda Wat Phnom - Day 14
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Take a 6-hour bus ride from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Check in at your hotel when you arrive. In the afternoon, enjoy a quiet boat trip on the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake, to experience rural life and the local atmosphere. You're staying 3 nights here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel
Included Activities
- Bus to Siem Reap (approximately 6 hours)
- Boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake
Landmarks Tonle Sap Lake - Day 15
Angkor Region
In the morning, head to Banteay Srei temple from the late 10th century. Stop at a local village where families make palm sugar to see their traditional methods. Move on to Banteay Samre from the 12th century, a structured temple with a central sanctuary, four wings, a large hall, and two libraries. In the afternoon, visit Angkor Wat, the centerpiece of your trip. Built in the 12th century, it's the most impressive of all the Khmer temples.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Banteay Srei temple
- Stop at local village for palm sugar production
- Visit Banteay Samre temple
- Visit Angkor Wat
Landmarks Banteay Srei Banteay Samre Angkor Wat 
- Day 16
Angkor Complex
If you're up for an early start, take a tuk tuk to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat's peaks. Then explore Angkor Thom, the royal city, and visit Bayon Temple with its winding corridors, steep stairs, and over 200 carved stone faces with smiling expressions. In the afternoon, see Ta Prohm, the jungle temple where plants and vines wrap around the stone structures. Many people find this one the most fascinating of all Angkor's temples. Stop in more rural areas for a short blessing ceremony with local monks.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sunrise viewing at Angkor temples by tuk tuk
- Explore Angkor Thom
- Visit Bayon Temple
- Visit Ta Prohm jungle temple
- Blessing ceremony with local monks
Landmarks Angkor Thom Bayon Temple Ta Prohm - Day 17
Siem Reap Departure
Head to the airport for your connecting flight or onward journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
