Like A Local In Vietnam Cambodia Laos 14 Days

On the Angkor area sightseeing tour, we spend a full day exploring the wondrous ancient ruins with the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King and the largest as well as the most complete temple of Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was constructed in the 12th century and covers an area of about 210 hectares. We stroll around this massive edifice, seeing the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel. Heading out of town, we make our way by travelling on a newly paved road to the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei temple. Along the way, we make a stopover at the Preah Dark village, and we follow these with a visit to the Banteay Samre Temple, adorned with impressive reliefs depicting scenes of Vishnu as well as Krishna legends. Afternoon, The jungle-covered Ta Prohm temple (where Jolina Joli filmed The Tomb Raiders) is an incredible sight. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers that embrace themselves in the stone foundations of the structure, giving the impression that the powerful forces of nature are reclaiming man's creation. We explore this masterpiece as well as some of the surrounding temples, including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon, and Chau Say Tevado. The grand circuit with Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, and East Mebon will also be visited this afternoon. Overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning, we will enjoy a boat ride (private boat and guide) on the Tonle Sap Lake. This is the largest permanent freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and flows into the Tonle Sap River, joining the Mekong in Phnom Penh. We will see a fishermen's "floating village" with floating schools, a floating police station, etc. It is the same as a big village floating on the lake, and the "village" moves from place to place following water levels and currents. Transfer to Siem Reap Airport for flight departure to Saigon. Pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel check-in. Overnight in Saigon.  

With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps. Despite its modernity, Saigon maintains a strong link to the past, and our walking tour takes in some of the city’s most historic landmarks. Transfer to Dong Khoi Street downtown to visit some of the beautiful French colonial-era buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century. Appreciate the splendidly restored exteriors of the Saigon Opera House and the Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed from materials imported from France (entrance is only permitted when no services are being performed). Then, head across the square to the Central Post Office, completed in 1891. A short drive away is the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the elegant City Hall (the former Hotel de Ville), which is one of Saigon’s most stunning colonial monuments, especially when floodlit at night. Experience Saigon’s famed street coffee culture while your guide provides insights into daily life in Saigon. Afternoon visit to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. We then drive to Chinatown to visit the beautiful Thien Hau Pagoda, built by the Cantonese community in the early 19th century to honour the Goddess of the Sea. Take time to make a wish, write it on a small card, and attach it to one of the incense coils according to local customs. Continue your visit to Ben Thanh market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Depart for the 1.5-hour drive from Saigon to Ben Tre, located in the Mekong River Delta, swapping the city scenes with the lush rice paddies and fruit farms. At the dock, embark on a fascinating motorboat excursion, passing stilt houses, fish farms and scenes of country life. Arrive at Turtle Island and taste freshly harvested coconut milk and fruit while interacting with a local farming family. Take a tour of a family-run coconut candy workshop that uses Ben Tre's famous coconuts. Explore the Delta's many canals from a rowing sampan and enjoy countryside hospitality while sipping a cup of honey tea and watching a traditional folk song performance. A local lunch will be served in the town of My Tho before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Da Nang – Hoi An. In the afternoon, we continue to visit Hoi An Ancient town. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An, known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese and Spanish ships, amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognised for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights, including the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate wood carvings; and the colourful market with stalls brimming with local specialities including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

My Son Sanctuary – a remnant of a long-lost civilization that disappeared in Vietnam. If you visit Hoi An, you should not miss My Son; there will be a lot of interesting things in this unexplained secret land waiting for you. If you do not have much time on your journey, My Son Sanctuary's half-day private tour is a perfect suggestion for you. Let’s see! 07.00: We will pick you up at the hotel and depart to My Son Sanctuary and transfer about 1 hour for this 40km long road My Son – “the spirit and art valley” is a symbol for a brilliant period of Champa kingdom. Since 1999, My Son has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage 8:30: Arrive at My Son, a special electric car will pick you up at the main gate and take you to the place where was chosen to build Champa Royal Temple Tower, the nearly 1000 years with many ancient towers hidden in a discreet valley. The place where the most exquisite focus of ancient Champa culture is is considered to be the Holy Land. There, you will hear the stone bricks tell about the dancing gods, about the gods of worship in the Champa culture, and so many secrets that until now still have no explanation, and maybe you will be the first to decode them. You will know about Yoni and Linga. Why are Yoni and Linga chosen by the ancient Champa as mascots? And what makes that difference? All will be revealed on this trip. In particular, an interesting highlight that attracts many people to this place is the splendid and flexible Shiva dance, which tells you about the golden age of the Champa dynasty.  After visiting and listening to the tour guide talk about the mysteries here, you will be back at the main gate of My Son Sanctuary by a special electric car, and the vehicle will take you back to the hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.

Breakfast at a hotel. Today, you will enjoy a tour of Hanoi.

Morning: In the morning, take a half-day trip to the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. At the complex, visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the colonial Presidential Palace, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Visit the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honour Confucius, sages, and outstanding Vietnamese scholars. 

Afternoon: Continue the tour to the Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son Temple, which are located on an islet in the lake. Hoan Kiem Lake is the centre point of Hanoi and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species. Its name “Returned Sword” comes from a legend of a sacred sword being lent to an ancient Vietnamese King by a holy turtle from the lake and later returned to the turtle. Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by private car for Ha Long Bay tour through the extensive landscapes of the Red River Delta.  Arrival at Ha Long Bay around noon. You’ll be warmly welcomed by Cruises receptionists at the International Tuan Chau harbor. Enjoy lunch in the restaurant. Check in to rest in the room or get on the cruise's roof to relax, savor the scenery, and hunt for beautiful photos of Lan Ha Bay. In the afternoon, you will begin to participate in activities on board, explore caves, and swim; you can enjoy the view or relax in the jacuzzi and enjoy afternoon tea. Have dinner and activities on the cruise in the evening, such as enjoying cocktails at the bar or night squid fishing. Overnight on cruise. 

After breakfast, we visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we can also see Asiatic bears up close at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall. Arriving back in town, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. Transfer back to Luang Prabang, we ascend 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 selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang Tip: If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).