15 Days – Treasures of Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos

Tour code: IV/13D-VC
Route: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Detla – Hanoi – Halong bay – Vientiane – Luang Prabang – Siem Reap – Phnom Penh
Tour style: Classic
Tour start in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh city) and end in Phnom Penh

Ho Chi Minh City is a sunny day underneath Notre Dame

DAY 1 : HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL

Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival at HCMC Airport, obtain your Vietnam visa ( with pre-approval letter) , and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside a local Guide of Asianway travel .
From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals: None
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 2: CU CHI TUNNEL – HALF DAY CITY TOUR

In the morning, you will take a half-day private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km, from Saigon to the Cambodian border, and was three levels deep. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving you a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like. Have lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House. You’ll visit colourful outdoor markets and bustling Dong Khoi Street, the city’s main upscale shopping boulevard with boutiques selling clothes and accessories designed by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high quality linens and house wares. Free at your leisure in the evening.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Bananas on a boat at Phong Dien, in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

DAY 3: FULL DAY MEKONG DELTA ( VINH LONG )

Morning, pick up at your hotel and transfer about 136km to Vinhlong, a riverside town located in the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a boat cruise to the Caibe floating market with sellers and buyers bargaining and exchanging goods from their boats, and then go to Hoa Binh Phuoc islet where the maze o shady creeks will surely fascinate you. You will have a chance to mingle with local peasants, learn the secrets of their bonsai gardening. Visit local homes where the families produce tiles and ceramics; drop into rice-paper mills and coconut-candy mills; and observe daily country life. A typical Vietnamese lunch at a local home will be arranged.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh

DAY 4: HO CHI MINH – HANOI / FLIGHT

Have breakfast at hotel and transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for flight to airport for domestic flight to Hanoi Capital.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, local guide welcome you and takes you to hotel for check in.
This afternoon, visit Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, for a quick escape from the busy streets. We’ll also see Vietnam’s first university, constructed in 1070 – it’s gardens and well-preserved architecture will offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past. Move to Ngoc Son Temple – the temple located on an island at north end of Hoan Kiem Lake connected to the mainland by The Huc (Rising Sun) bridge. We will wander along the busy streets, passing stores and street stands selling their wares. You may find some exciting things for yourself and relatives at streets here. Stop at Hang Quat Street, where we have chance to see and order the stamp maker. The walking tour will continue to the largest St. Joseph’s Cathedral which was built by the French in 1887.Finish the tour with a stop to enjoy a cup of coffee. (Coffee fees included in tour price).

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 5: HANOI – HALONG BAY / OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

After breakfast, travel by air-conditioned private through the Red River Delta to beautiful Ha Long Bay. The scenic drive will pass through some of the rural landscape before arriving to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. A Bay with more than 3000 islands, which time, wind and waves have sculptured into fantastic shapes.

Upon arrival, you will set out on a junk cruise on the bay while lunch is served. You will pass through the magical bay, where thousands of sculpted limestone islands rise from the waves like dragons’ teeth. After lunch, you will take a short trek to a nearby summit for a panoramic view of the bay, swimming on a quiet beach or sunbathing on the sundeck. In the late afternoon, you will visit an interesting fishing village with an opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. At sunset, you can kayak or simply take a bamboo row boat to discover a water tunnel with many coral reefs in a scenic lagoon. Back on board, you can enjoy watching the peaceful sunset and later unwind at a restaurant. You will stay overnight onboard.
Beautiful kayaking route from Titov beach to Luon Cave for those who book kayaking option (kayaking time after visit the Sung Sot cave).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight Stay on board in Halong Bay

Angeln In Halong Bay Vietnam

DAY 6: HALONG BAY – HANOI

Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, you will have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay. After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave (8 a.m. to 9 a.m.), swim and relax at Soi Sim beach. At 9:30 a.m., your boat cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You will continue cruising through the bay, along the way seeing more of the fascinating formations. Cabin check-out is at 11:45 am. The boat arrives at the harbor around noon.

Those who book kayaking trip start kayaking from Luon Cave toward islets in shape of Man’s head island, Tortoise island (kayaking time after breakfast). Lunch included.Drive back Hanoi by private vehicle and drop you at hotel in Hanoi.
Please note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships.

Meals: Breakfast and Brunch
Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Hue

Continue to visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon temple – a unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. The tour start with the visiting to the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Angkor Wat features the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which runs along the outer gallery walls and narrates stories from Hindu mythology. After that, visit Bakheng Temple and enjoy a romantic sun set view form Bakheng hill (if time permit).

Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square ( next to Hoan Kiem Lake )

DAY 7: HANOI CITY TOUR – VIENTIANE / AFTERNOON FLIGHT

Morning, our guide will meet you at hotel and start to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex with your private guide. Visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and granite mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state. See the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked and carry on to the Governor’s Residence, a fine example of Hanoi’s French architecture, followed by a stop at the One Pillar Pagoda to hear the legend of its construction.Continue the tour with Museum of Ethnology containing more than 10,000 objects, 15,000 black and white photos and hundreds of video tapes and cassettes which depict all aspects of life, activities, customs, and habits of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam. Transferred to Noi Bai airport for flight to Vientiane.
Upon arrival in Vientiane, local guide welcome you and takes you to hotel for check in.

Meals: Breakfast,
Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Vientiane.

DAY 8: VIENTIANE CITY TOUR & BUDDHA PARK

After breakfast, we transfer out to see the Buddha Park, a scattered enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, near the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe. Observing the spectacular view of over the Mekong River at sunset.
In the afternoon, we continue visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Enroute to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. In the evening, enjoy a Welcome dinner at local restaurant and then you can wander around the city and the night market to discover local life of Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane

Breakfast,
Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Vientiane

DAY 9: VIETIANE – LUANG PRABANG/ FLIGHT

In the morning transfer to Vientiane Airport to board Flight for Luang Prabang. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang Airport you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel
Later city tour begins with a visit to the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. We then head to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. A visit to Luang Prabang would be incomplete without ascending the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast,
Overnight Stay at the Hotel in Hoi An

DAY 10: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.
After breakfast, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, you will stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. You will arrive back in Luang Prabang in the late afternoon and continue by car to the outskirts of town to visit Ban Xangkhong , a village well-known for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Luang

DAY 11: LUANG PRABANG – SIEM REAP/ FLIGHT

Transferred to Luang Prabang Airport to board flight for Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap Airport you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Siem Reap

Bayon Temple, Siem Reap, Cambodia

DAY 12:SIEM REAP – ANGKOR THOM – TA PROHM

We embark on elephant ride from South Gate of Angkor Thom into jungle of archeological area to the famous Bayon temple – a unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphoun, the Terrace of Temple, Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.
We continue to visit the fabulous Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, Pre Rup, East Mebon, Krovan, Srah Srang, Banteay Kdei and Ta Keo.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Siem Reap

DAY 13: SIEM REAP – BANTEAY SREI – PHNOM PENH ( BY FLIGHT )

After breakfast visit Banteay Srei temple nearly everyone’s favorite site. The special charm of this temple lies in its compact size, remarkable state of preservation, and the excellence of it decorative carvings, visit Banteay Samre. We board on boat in Tonle Sap Lake . Here, enjoy a brief cruise past floating villages complete with schools, restaurants, hospitals, and visit the school of the “Les Artisans D’ Angkor”.
Transfer to Siem Reap Airport to board flight for Phnompenh. Upon arrival in Phnompenh Airport you are met and transferred to your pre booked Hotel

Breakfast
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Phnompenh

DAY 14: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR

Today you will visit the National Museum, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. Then, you will continue your visit to the riverfront, to get a view of the confluence of Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Next, you will visit Wat Phnom and Yeay Penh’s Statue (“Grand other Penh”), located southwest of the hills.
You will then stop for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon you will continue the tour with a visit to the Victory Monument, the symbol of Cambodian independence, regained from the French in 1953. Then, you will explore the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (aka “S21 Prison”) and the Cheung Ek Killing Field.

Meal: Breakfast
Overnight stay at the Hotel in Phnompenh

DAY 15 PHNOM PENH DEPARTURE

Today you are transferred to Phnom Penh Airport to board flight for next destination. End trips.

PRICE FROM IN USD PER PERSON

Date: Jan – Apr & Oct – Dec

Date: May – Sep

• Supplement for ticket

Ho Chi Minh (SGN) to Hanoi (HAN) by Vietnam Airline:                 US $ 154 per person
Hanoi (HAN)  to Vientiane ( VTE) by Laos Airline :                US $ 115 per person
Vientiane ( VTE) to Luang Prabang (LPQ) by Laos Airline                  US  $ 110 per person
Luang Prabang ( LPQ)  to Siem Reap ( REP) by Laos Airline          US  $ 198 per person
Siem Reap  ( REP ) to Phnom Penh ( PHN) by Angkor Air         US $ 115 per person

NOTE: Airfare and schedule are subject to modification without prior notice from the airline.

• Surcharge for Chinese new year: 

Surcharge for booking during Chinese New Year

• US$ 30/pax/day for FIT booking of 2 pax
• US$ 20/pax/day for FIT booking of 3 pax
• US$ 15/pax/day for booking from 4 – 9 pax
• US$ 10/pax/day for booking from 10 pax up

• Supplement charge  for Lunch or Dinner       (including food, guide, car and driver)
• US$ 12 for lunch  / US$ 15 for dinner  (Vietnamese food)
• US$ 16 for lunch & US$ 18 to US$ 30 for dinner  (Western food)

INCLUSIVE

• Accommodation with daily breakfast based on double sharing
• Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers
• One night overnight at Ha Long cruise
• Private boat for sightseeing in Mekong Delta
• Experienced English Speaking guide guide during all tours and transfers.
• Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
• Mineral water is available as complementary
• Vietnam visa approval letter on arrival as complementary
• Full 1 FOC base on sharing twin  room for group from 16 pax up

EXCLUSIVE

• International & domestic flight tickets
• Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
• Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary
• Visa stamping fee at the airport (25US$ in Vietnam & US$ 30 in Cambodia paid by cash at the airport)
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any) & Compulsory dinner for Xmas and New Year Eve: TBA

Sunshine World Operator Partner: IndochinaVibes Co., LTD
Address: No 11, 21 lane, Nguyen Huy Tuong Str, Thanh Xuan Dist, Hanoi , Vietnam
Tel: +84 2438583306

Enquiries: contact us at info@sunshineworld.co.uk