Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia

DAY 1:VIENTIANE:

Upon your arrival at Wattay International Airport, you are warmly welcomed by our local guide and we start visiting the major sights of the capital, including the oldest Sisaket with thousands of miniature of Budhha statues and the formar royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupas, we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxai which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe before doing shopping at Morning market/Lao textile then we head out to the Mekong riverside for the sunset. Have welcome dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay at hotel at Vientiane.

DAY 2: VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG:

After brk fst check out from hotel and proceed to Luang Prabang by road. It is 343 km. and takes around 5 hrs. drive. Check in hotel on arrival at Luang Prabang. Have dinner at local restaurant and night stay at hotel.

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG:

Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historictemples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Start the day at Wat Visoun (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddhas. Visit the nearby Wat Aham before continuing the Wat Xieng Thong, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold stenciled murals. From there, stroll down the main street of Luang Prabang. Stopping at some of the many temples that line its sides, including Wat Sibounheuang, Wat Si Moungkoun, Wat Sop and Wat Sene. Continue to the National Museum (Royal Palace), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. (Closed on Tuesdays). Afterwards, visit Wat Mai. Visit Mount Phousi for sunset. Climb the hillside stairs to the small temples atop Phou Si, the 100 m high hill which sits in the middle of the town, offering beautiful views over the temples and river. Overnight at Luang Prabang.

DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVES – HANOI:

Excursion by boat to the Pak Ou caves. Travel down the Mekong River to the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, home to the Pak Ou Caves. These extraordinary caves are filled with images of Budhha, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at Ban Xang Hai, a local village famous for productionof lao lao, the local rice wine whisky. Visit Bang Xang Khong, a village near Luang Prabang famous for its hand-woven cotton and silk, as well as production of the local Mulberry paper. Then transfer to the airport to take onwards flights to Hanoi. Picked up on arrival and transfer to the hotel to check-in. overnight stay at Hanoi hotel.

DAY5:HANOI – HALONG BAY – HANOI:

After brk fst the local guide will pick up you at the hotel and proceed to Halong Bay. We go through the scenic countryside. The wondours Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam’s impressive scenic sights. Heading out of the town we take a cruise on Halong Bay about 4 hrs. to explore the majestic Halong Bay – World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO in 1994. An area of immense beauty dotted with thousand of island rising from the sea. Explore Dau Go natural cave, Thien Cung grotto, dog island, Dinh Huong island… have seafood lunch on boat. Afternoon transfer to Hanoi. Diner at local restaurant. Overnight stay at Hanoi.

DAY 6:HANOI CITY TOUR – HO CHI MINH:

After brk fst at hotel, get on bus and drive to the historic complex of Ba Dinh. Visit Ba Dinh square, where the late president Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s Independence on 2nd September 1945, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and continue to the one pillar pagoda, the must see monument in Hanoi – it is an ancient Buddhist pagoda, built in the early 11th century in the reign of King Ly Thai Tong, all construction supported by only one pillar, resembling a Buddhist lotus. Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple. Visit Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature – the first imperial school in Vietnam) built in 1070 during the dynasty of king Ly. Visit a complex of the Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain temple), But tower (pen shaped tower), Dai Nghien(Ink stand), the Red - painted wooden the Huc bridge…….have a cyclo (pedicab) trip around with 36 streets of Hanoi old quarter. Enjoy the special Vietnam traditional water puppet show. Then transfer to the airport onward flight BL-798 (19h35 – 21h40) to Ho Chi Minh city. You are picked up on arrival and transfer to hotel for check in. Overnight stay at Ho Chi Minh city.

DAY 7: HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA – HO CHI MINH:

Brk fast at hotel and transfer to tourist boat station in My Tho. Cruising Tho. Cruising on Tien river and seeing four island, Dragon, Unicorn, tortoise, phoenix. Enjoy fresh coconut juice. Boat runs along fish farm for traveler to learn about local people how to feed fishes. Stop at Thoi Son temple, go walking around country lane and seeing orchards, enjoy tropical fruits, listen to traditional music. Boat will take you to come to Phoenix island, visit Coconut Monk temple, Crocodile farm, Ostrich……To sail up Tien River, boat you to Chua Canal, belong to Ben Tre province, take a rowing boat or small canal with beautiful scenery of countryside. To visit honey-bee farm, enjoy honey tea. After that ride a horse drawn carriages along country lane in Quoi Son village to seeing orchards and local people’s life. To Tan Thach village to visit Coconut Candy workshop, come back to boat and return to My Tho. Get in the car in about 15h00 to drive back to Ho Chi Minh city.

DAY 8: HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR – PHNOMPENH

After brk fst you will take half day Sai Gon city tour with Opera House, a three storied classical theatre built to entrain the French colonists (outdoor visit); the former hotel de Ville constructed for the French Bureaucrats of Indochina in 1901, now the People’s Committee building with no public access; the Notre Dame Cathedral, a stunningly massive red brick edifice with twin spires, a clear reminder that French one ruled that city (open only 3-4 pm everyday, otherwise just an outdoor visit); the Central Post Office influenced by Renaissance architecture; and the former presidential palace, headquarters of the Sai Gon government during the American war. Then we will visit the War Remnants Museum, which primarily contains exhibits relating to the American phase of the Vietnam War. Then transfer to the Moc Bai border gate Cambodia. Our tour guide and driver from Cambodia will take you at Bevet border gate and transfer to Phnom Penh. Have dinner at local restaurant and overnight stay at Phnom Penh hotel.

DAY 9: PHNOM PENH CITY TOUR – SIEM REAP:

Brk fst at hotel. This morning we visit to the national museum, also called Musee des Beaux-Arts. A French archaeologist and painter, Georges Groslier, designed it in Khmer style in 1917, we will visit the Royal Place. The palace was opened in 1870 under king Norodom, and now contains the Royal Residence, the Throne Hall, the Silver Pagoda, and other buildings. The Silver Pagoda (Wat Preah Keo Morokat) is one of the city’s most visited sites and offers a display of priceless Buddhist and historical objects. The pagoda draws its name with more than 5,000 silver tiles, which cover a floor in the temple. The building serves less as a functioning shrine, no monks currently reside here, than a repository of cultural treasures such as the famous Emerald Buddha and many other valuable statues. Then we visit the Toul Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek-both grime reminders of Combodia’s bloody past under Pol Pot.It is almost inconceivable to confront the nature of true evil here in this gentle land, but the Buddhist Memorial at Choeung Ek, commemorates the 1.7 million victims of the 1975-79 Pol Pot regime. This excursion may prove distressing for some. It is however, an important piece of this country’s historical and cultural puzzle. Transfer to Siem Reap by road trip. It is 320 km and takes around 5.5 hrs. drive. Check in hotel in arrival and have dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay at Siem Reap.

DAY 10: SIEM REAP – ANGKOR WAT TOUR:

Today we start with the most famous of all the temples on the plains of Angkor: Angkor Wat. Angkor wat is one of the world’s most stunning buildings. Angkor was the capital of Khmer that existed from 802to 1431. Its distinctive five towers are emblazoned on the Cambodian flag and the 12th century masterpiece is considered by art historians to be the prime example of classical Khmer art and architecture. Angkor Wat’s five towers symbolized Meru’s five peak – the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. After lunch, visit the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century). Visit Prasat Kravan with its unique brick sculptures and Ta Prohm. One of the area’s most beautiful temples, Ta Prohm has been relatively untouched since it was discovered and retains much of its mystery. Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it was abandoned and swallowed by the jungle, looking very much the ways most of the Angkor temples appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. The sightseeing tour of Angkor area we spend a full day exploring 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 the Angkor Wat.In the evening, we enjoy the beautiful sunset at Phnom Bakeng hill top. Overnight stop at Siem Reap.

DAY 11: SIEM REAP – TONLE SAP LAKE TOUR:

Brk fast at hotel. This morning, by car to pouk district about 15 km west of Siem Reap town you visit the silk farm, a fascinating farm/workshop where you can see the entire silk creation process including growing the food for the silk worms, breeding the worms, silk extraction and refinement, traditional kit dying pattern creation and looming. Retail silk and souvenir shop. On the way back, visit the Western Baray’s (Baray occidental) measuring 8 km by 2.3 km which provided water for the intensive cultivation of lands around Angkor. Afternoon visiting the floating village of Chong Khneas, located 13 km south of Siem Reap. Take a traditional wooden boat for a ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, the Great Lake of Combodia, one of the largest lake in Asia, where you can find schools, hospitals and restaurants and much more in the great lake of Tonle Sap. Return to the town for some shopping and dinner at local restaurant. Overnight stay at Siem Reap.

DAY 12: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE:

Brkfst at the hotel. You are free at your leisure for shopping until check out and transfer to the airport to take your departure flight back to your home. End of services.