Exploring Indochina in style 16 Days

Exploring Indochina in Style encompasses the three countries that once made up French
Indochine. This tour enables you to experience and understand the diversity of the culture,
people, geography and history of the three countries. Explore together, these countries
create a tour rich in experience and memories.

BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Hanoi Arrival
Day 2: Full day Hanoi city tour (B)
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L)
Day 4: Hanoi – Hue (B)
Day 5: Hue – Quang Binh (B)
Day 6: Phong Nha Cave & Ke Bang National Park (B/L)
Day 7: Hue – Hoian (B)
Day 8: Hoian – Myson – Danang- Saigon (B)
Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh city tour (B)
Day 10: Mekong Delta (B/L)
Day 11: Saigon – Siem Reap (B)
Day 12: Temple of Angkor (B)
Day 13: Siem Reap - Vientiane (B)
Day 14: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)
Day 15: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)
Day 16: Luang Prabang Departure (B)

FULL ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

You are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi. The rest of day is free at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Full day Hanoi city tour (B)

Breakfast at hotel.
Today, we commence our exploration of Hanoi by visiting the Ho Chi Minh complex, starting at the
President’s Mausoleum. We continue to his humble “house on stilts”, see the French colonial Presidential
Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda.
Afterwards we visit the Temple of Literature - one of the most interesting shrines in Hanoi, called “Le
Pagoda des Corbeaux” by the French, because of the huge flocks of crows gathering in the mango trees
near the entrance. Built in 1070, the complex consists of five courtyards dedicated to Confucius and the
pursuit of Confucian thought and behavior. It is here that Vietnam’s first university was founded.
After lunch (by guest’s account), we go to the Museum of Ethnology, which is an excellent museum
containing the ethnic costumes of the various minorities of VN, as well as relics, tools and even full size
replicas of their homes and buildings.
We head to the downtown and enjoy a Cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Here many tiny streets join
to sell a huge diversity of products. In the old days, each street bore the name of the product sold –
“Shoe street”, “Noodle street” and the like. Today, the streets sometimes sell a variety of items, but
often the names are accurate. The Old Quarter also houses some of the most interesting art galleries
and fashion houses.
Leaving the cyclo, you will walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a famous Water Puppet
show.
Free evening at leisure and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Hanoi
Note: Ho Chi Minh complex closes on Monday, Friday and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes in every
afternoon. All Museums in Hanoi closes on Monday.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi (B/L)

This morning, we leave Hanoi for 3-hour drive to the Halong Bay, a natural wonder with thousands of
islands rising out of the water, creating a unique and beautiful landscape.
On arrival Halong city we get in boat for a fantastic cruise through Ha Long Bay (approx. four hours).
We will enjoy lunch with fresh sea food while having a cool drink before leave the boat to see the
Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood cave, one of the highlights of the Bay. Return Hanoi in the late
afternoon.
Overnight in Hanoi

Day 4: Hanoi – Hue (B)

A short flight in the morning will bring you to Hue, the last Imperial City of Vietnam. You will be met at
the airport and transfer to your hotel.
In the afternoon we begin to see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century
for the Emperors under Nguyen Dynasty. We then drive outskirts of Hue to the impressive tomb of King
Khai Dinh.
Overnight in Hue

Day 5: Hue – Quang Binh (B)

In the morning, we travel by boat along the Perfume River. We stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the
best known religious sites. Here we can see the 21-meter high octagonal tower, a famous symbol of
Hue. Continue tour by boat to Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, built in the 1840s. The Emperor’s tomb
complex consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavillons…) designed on a symmetric axis.
In the afternoon, we drive about 100km from Hue, an area of 5-km trip set along the two sides of Ben
Hai River. It was bombed into a desolate wasteland, riddled with land mines and surrounded by barbed
wire during the war. Nowadays bomb damage and craters are still evident in paddies, beside the railway
tracks and beside the roads and bridge in the area. Here we also see the famous Hien Luong Bridge,
which was first built by French sappers in 1950s and then served as border gates to the both sides.
Overnight in Quang Binh

Day 6: Phong Nha Cave & Ke Bang National Park (B/L)

We take 45 minutes from the hotel to Phong Nha cave & Ke Bang National Park. The Park is one of the
world’s two largest limestone regions. In comparison with 41 other world heritage sites which have
karst, Phong Nha has dissimilar geomorphic, geologic and biotic conditions. The karsts of Phong Nha
can be traced back to Palaeozoic 400 millions years ago. This makes Phong Nha is the oldest major
karst in Asia. The area has numerous grottoes and caves. Vietnamese and British scientists have so far
surveyed a total of 20 caves with a total length of 70km. Of these surveyed caves, 17 were in the
Phong Nha area and three in the Ke Bang area.
Following the narrow underground river, we explore the most impressive Phong Nha cave, from which
the name to the whole system. The Cave is famous for its rock formation which has been given names
such as the “Lion”, the “Fairy Caves”, the “Royal Court”, and the “Buddha”. Afterwards, we drive to Da
Nhay Beach for a lunch. Drive back to Hue in the late afternoon.
Overnight in Hue

Day 7: Hue – Hoian (B)

This morning we travel by road over spectacular Hai Van pass to Hoi An ancient town.
On arrival, we will enjoy a walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter
visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Halls, the 200-year old Tam Ky ancestral house, the
Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful local markets.
The rest of day is free to relax or hire a bicycle to ride to the nearby beach.
Overnight in Hoian.

Day 8: Hoian – Myson – Danang- Saigon (B)

Take a haft day excursion to My Son sanctuary. It was the site of religious ceremony of kings of the
Champa dynasty, and was also a burial place of Champa royals and national heroes. The My Son temple
complex is one of the foremost temple complexes of Hinduism in South East Asia and is the foremost
heritage site of this nature in Vietnam.
Afternoon, we transfer to Danang airport to fly to Saigon. On arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Day 9: Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh city tour (B)

This morning, we leave Ho Chi Minh city to Cu Chi tunnels, an incredible underground system covering
nearly 250km, was shelter to over 16,000 communist guerillas during the war. Come back the City at
noon for lunch (by guest’s account).
We spend the rest of the day to explore city’s grand boulevards, passing famous sites such as the Re-
Unification Palace, the Old Saigon Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral and end of the day for
shopping at Ben Thanh market.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh
Day 10: Mekong Delta (B/ L)
After breakfast we travel out of Ho Chi Minh city and spend full day floating through waterways on an
exploration of the lush Mekong Delta region. Upon arrival Cai Be province, we take a boat ride visit a
local orchard and the Cai Be floating market, an interesting style of market in the Mekong Delta.
Everyday, the boats filled with fruits, vegetables and other local products anchor along the banks of the
River, waiting for traders and customers. Here we can see local people being selling, buying, and
exchanging goods from their boats.
Leave Cai Be, we will see the coconut candy, rise crispy cake, rice paper making workshop… continue to
visit the local house and strolling on the village paths. For lunch, the local people will serve you the local
delicacy - an Elephant’s-Ear fish. After that you walk around the village to sea local's daily activities if
you wish. We will visit Vinh Long local market before return to Saigon in late afternoon.
Free evening at leisure and dinner on your own.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 11: Saigon – Siem Reap (B)

In the morning we take a flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Complex. The temples of Angkor
represent 600 years of Khmer civilization (802-1432). On arrival, you will be met at the airport and
transferred to your hotel in Siem Reap.
In the afternoon we enter the South Gate of Angkor Thom Temple and marvel the wonders of the eerie
Bayon, the terrace of Elephants and terrace of Leper King. Enjoy the sunset view from Phnom Bakheng.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 12: Temple of Angkor (B)

Today we visit the famous Angkor Wat, built for king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his
state temple and capital city. The largest and best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to
have remained a significant religious centre—first Hindu, then Buddhist—since its foundation.
After lunch (by guests’ accounts) we visit Preah Khan Temple, built in the 12th century for King
Jayavarman VII. Then spend about half hour journey to reach Banteay Srey, one of the most unusual
temples of Angkor, Cambodia. It lies 20 km due north of the main group. It is built largely of red
sandstone, which is covered with elaborate and deeply carved decoration.
Overnight in Siem Reap

Day 13: Siem Reap - Vientiane (B)

Morning we take a flight to Vientiane, Capital of Laos. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your
centrally located hotel.
After a short rest, we start to visit the major sights of the capital including Wat Sisaket, the oldest
temple in town dating back to 1828. We will also visit Haw Pha Kaew, the former Royal temple of Laos
Monarchy, now converted into a museum and Pha That Luang, the most important national monument
in Laos and the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From there, we explore
the Central Market.
Overnight in Vientiane

Day 14: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

The morning we visit the National Museum (Revolutionary Museum) where we see varied antique items
and legend of Laos’s history fighters and leaders from the ancient times to new revolution period. We
then board a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in
Southeast Asia.
On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transfer you to hotel. We then walk through the streets of
Luang Prabang to visit lively street night market.
Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 15: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)

Today we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Continue to
the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents the
classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then take a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River
to Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and
sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On
return, we overland local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan, continue seeing the royal temple at
Wat Longkhoun, which once belongs to royal family patronage and near by Sackarine Caves. We cross
to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.
Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 16: Luang Prabang Departure (B)
You are free at leisure until transfer to airport for departure flight.

Trip concludes./.

PRICE INCLUSIONS
• All land transportation by private air conditioned vehicle
• Tour arrival and departure airport transfers
• 15 night’s hotel accommodation on a twin-share basic
• 15 Breakfasts (B), 3 Lunches (L) as shown in the itinerary
• 05 regional flight (economy class): Hanoi – Hue, Danang – Saigon, Saigon – Siem Reap, Siem Reap –
Vientiane, Vientiane – Luang Prabang
• Local English speaking guides
• Private boat trips on Halong Bay, Perfume River, Phong Nha, Mekong Delta and Pak Ou
• All entrance fee as mention in the itinerary
• Mineral water

PRICE EXCLUSIONS
• International airfare and airport tax in & out Vietnam/ Cambodia/ Laos
• Drinks and other meals do not indicate in the program
• Visa to Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos, if any
• Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, shopping...)
• Tipping/ Gratuities
• Any additional expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as natural calamities (typhoon,
floods), flight delays, rescheduling or cancellations, any accidents, medical evacuations, riots, strikes
etc.

HOTELS OFFERED

In Hanoi:
Deluxe: Melia Hanoi Hotel/ Sheraton Hanoi Hotel/ InterContinental Hanoi Westlake/ Sofitel Plaza Hanoi
Hotel or similar
Superior: Zephyr Hotel/ Sunway Hanoi Hotel / Fortuna Hotel/ Serenade Hotel or similar
Standard: Maison D’Hanoi/ Jasper Hotel/Majestic Salute Hotel/ Galaxy Hotel/ Hoa Binh Palace Hotel/
Rosaliza Hotel or similar
Economy: Hong Ngoc Hotel / Gia Bao Hotel / Flower Hotel or similar

In Hue:
Deluxe: La Residence Hotel & Spa/ Imperial Hotel/ Pilgrimage Village Resort or similar
Superior: Saigon Morin Hotel/ Huong Giang Hotel or similar
Standard: Green Hotel/ Park view Hotel/ Festival Hotel/ Asia Hotel or similar
Economy: Duy Tan hotel/ Hoa Hong Hotel or similar

In Quang Binh:
Deluxe: Sun Spa Resort or similar
Superior: Saigon Quang Binh or similar
Standard: Cosevco Nhat Le Hotel or similar
Economy: Phong Nha Hotel or similar

In Hoian:
Deluxe: Victoria Hoi An Resort/ Palm Garden Resort/ Golden Sand Resort/ Life Heritage Resort or similar
Superior: Hoian Beach Resort/ Hoian Riverside resort/ Hoian Trails Resort or similar
Standard: Ancient House Resort/ Hoi an Hotel or similar
Economy: Thuy Duong 3 Hotel/ Vinh Hung 2 Hotel/ Hoai Thanh Hotel or similar

In Ho Chi Minh City:

Deluxe: New World Hotel/ Caravelle Hotel/ Renaissance Riverside Hotel/ Legend Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel
or similar
Superior: Rex Hotel/ Kim Do Hotel/ Continental Hotel/ Park Royal Saigon Hotel/ Windsor Plaza Hotel or
similar
Standard: Bongsen 1 Hotel/ Palace Hotel/Vien Dong Hotel/ Metropole Hotel/ May Hotel/ Thang Long-
Oscar/ Tan My Dinh II Hotel/ Le Duy Hotel or similar
Economy: Empress Hotel/ Chancery Hotel/ Saigon Hotel/ Elios Hotel or similar

In Siem Reap:
Deluxe: Sokha Angkor Hotel/Angkor Palace Resort & Spa or similar
Superior: Tara Angkor Hotel/ Empress Angkor Hotel /Apsara Holiday Hotel / Apsara Angkor Hotel/ Borei
Angkor Hotel or similar
Standard: Casa Angkor Hotel/ Royal Empire Hotel /Lotus Angkor Hotel/Angkor Holiday Hotel/ Angkor
Land Hotel or similar
Economy: Angkor Riverside Hotel / Angkor ST Hotel/ Angkor Davy or similar

In Vientiane:
Deluxe: Lao Plaza Hotel or similar
Superior: Novotel Hotel or similar
Standard: Inter City Hotel/ Beau Rivage Hotel or similar
Economy: Day Inn Hotel/ B & P Hotel

In Luang Prabang:
Deluxe: The Grand Hotel or similar
Superior: Villa Santi Hotel or similar
Standard: Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel or similar
Economy: Sanakeo Hotel or similar

NOTES:
* This Private Journey will depart on your desired date
* All flights & hotels are subject to availability

For further information, please visit our website: http://www.indochinaguides.com or email us at

info@indochinaguides.com

Indochina Guides
Hotline: +(84) 975 271 567
Email: info@indochinaguides.com
Website: http://www.indochinaguides.com