Best of Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos

Itinerary Highlights

This two-week itinerary is the perfect introduction to one of the world’s most culturally vibrant regions, known for its complex history, rich traditions and incredible cuisine. Your exploration of Southeast Asia will focus on interactive experiences with local guides reflecting the nuances of each distinct region beyond the most notable touristic sites. Be ready to walk, observe and eat your way through this carefully crafted journey boasting unique activities and exceptional, authentic properties.

Beginning in Hanoi, explore the local and colonial influences that shaped this iconic northern Vietnamese city. From there embark on a luxurious cruise of Halong Bay, sailing through lesser traveled routes of the archipelago to the north of Cat Ba Island and Lan Ha Bay. Next head south to the scenic Mekong Delta, a region marked equally by vibrant culture and lush landscapes, before arriving to Ho Chi Minh City. Here in the city formerly known as Saigon you’ll explore the Cu Chi tunnels used during the war and immerse yourself in a walking food tour through the bustling metropolis’ best kept culinary secrets.

Depart Vietnam and arrive to neighboring Cambodia and discover this resilient country’s history as you visit lesser known villages and temples. You’ll then make your way to the world-famous Angkor Wat. Your final destination is mystical Laos where you’ll take tuk-tuk rides through Luang Prabang and cruise its lush waterways toward wildlife conservation centers.

Detailed Itinerary

Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam. Hanoi, one of Asia’s most enchanting cities, full of culture, history and the engaging contradictions of a rapidly developing and deeply traditional society. You are greeted by your guide and driver at Noi Bai International Airport for your transfer to the hotel.

We start this exhilarating evening at a rooftop bar, with views of the amazing St Joseph’s Cathedral and try a snack from a nearby street vendor before hopping on the back of our Vespas. We weave through narrow streets of the Old Quarter before arriving at a fascinating local joint located mere centimetres away from the railroad tracks, where we sample some infused rice wine and a snack. The next stop is gastronomical heaven as we taste the quintessential dish of Hanoi, before making our way along West Lake to taste another local specialty and learn art of wrap ‘n’ roll, Vietnamese style! The night ends Page 16 of 27 at a Jazz Club next to the Hanoi Opera House. A live band will wow you with a truly unique blend of styles, 1930’s jazz fused with traditional Vietnamese music. Come join us for a fun foodie experience you will never forget!

Overnight at Sofitel Metropole Hanoi (Dinner)

Get ready to see Hanoi as very few others do. This tour is the perfect blend of iconic cultural sites of Hanoi and offbeat districts to sample some genuine local life. Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby and off you'll go. After a short car transfer to the South of Hanoi through a busy urban area, we veer off the main road and enter a very special district. It suddenly feels like stepping back in time, into the 1960’s when Hanoi was a quaint capital populated mostly by modest workers. Wander around these narrow alleys covered in colorful market stalls, feel the incredible vibe and let the guide tell you the story of these unusual big yellow buildings. Enjoy a coffee break before transferring to the Temple of Literature. We visit the little gem of architecture and huge piece of History.

After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, continue to the garden of the Presidential Palace, where you can also see the one-pillar pagoda and the house on stilts where Ho Chi Minh lived. Back to hotel to refresh before taking the gastronomy adventure in the Old Quarter.

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is a bubbling gold mine for just about anything, but above all, food. Follow your guide on a walking tour, or pilgrimage of sorts, to some temples of Hanoian food. Discover different cuisines, experience various atmospheres and have fun! We start our walk from the northern edge of the Hoan Kiem Lake, where we have a Nom as a starter. A kind of local salad. We then stroll around the former Cau Go street market and reach a very narrow alley where we sample our second treat. Few people, even Hanoians, actually know about this well-kept secret of Hanoi’s gastronomy: a delicious fish-roll filled with pork and mushroom. We continue walking, along the way you will spot lots of street food stalls including one of  the most popular Pho noodle soup shops in the Old Quarter (often with quite a que in front), and stop for a refreshment break at a sidewalk bia hoi. Bia hoi is an institution of Hanoi, sort of local pub serving fresh beer from the keg to the glass. Sit for a little while and enjoy a beer as you watch the passers-by. The last stop is a rice wine tavern, also serving traditional ethnic dishes from the mountains of North Vietnam, an iconic name on the food scene in Hanoi.

Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Breakfast & Lunch)

Departure in the morning from Hanoi. We drive across the Red River delta and reach the coast a little before noon. We then embark on a beautifully crafted junk for an overnight cruise in the legendary seascape of Ha Long Bay.

Once on board, you are served a delicious seafood-based lunch, while the surrounding limestone outcrops make for a truly magical setting. In the afternoon, you’ll reach a less traveled area where you’ll indulge in pure relaxation. The program is not fixed and depends on the time of the year and weather, but there will be an opportunity to visit a cave as well as explore a floating village over the course of these two days. End the day on the sundeck as the sun sets on this magical seascape. This evening, you can enjoy an aperitif or attend a cooking demonstration before dinner. 

Overnight aboard the Au Co Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy the sunrise, the lapping waves, the fresh sea air, the gentle breeze, Tai Chi lessons on the sundeck or just some time at leisure. You’ll transfer to a day boat for the second day’s activities with kayaking and swimming on an islet. In the afternoon, you’ll return back to the main cruise to relax on the sun deck and enjoy happy hour. End the day with a spectacular set-menu gastronomic dinner.

Overnight aboard the Au Co Cruise (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

For those early birds, start the day with a proposed Tai Chi session, while tea and coffee are served as the sun rises and illuminates the surrounding seascape. You’ll then continue your exploration of the bay. Upon returning to the boat, check-out of your cabin and enjoy a light brunch while cruising back to the pier. Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi airport.

Upon arrival to the Can Tho Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Overnight at Azerai Hotel (Brunch)

As the morning sun peaks over the Hau River, you will venture on an early morning cruise to the Cai Rang floating markets, where local plantation farmers trade their freshly harvested produce. Discovering Can Tho, you will visit Ba Cong tropical fruit garden, explore native fruit trees and your local guide will share information about the various fruits of the Mekong Delta. Then travel by boat to a friendly family owned traditional noodle house. Following this excursion, you will take a car to visit organic cocoa farm, experience and taste his rich chocolate. On your way back to your Azerai home for cooking class, stop at Binh Thuy ancient house. This house was the location for the well-known film The Lover. 

Azerai’s Executive Chef and his Vietnamese Cuisine team will introduce you to the food culture of Vietnam. Chef will assist you to create a 3 course Vietnamese meal. You will be provided an introduction to create Chicken or Beef Pho - our famous Vietnamese noodle soup, preen mango salad with shrimp, and Vietnamese hand rolls. Once your creations are completed you can enjoy the dishes. 

In the afternoon, a cycling tour is another way to discover untouched peaceful villages, tropical orchards, small canals and countryside life. Bike like the locals and enjoy cycling through small tracks of the Mekong Delta. Cycling by “monkey bridges”, see the small canals and visit the organic cocoa farm where the guide will tell you interesting stories about cacao and how local ingredients make chocolate, wines and cosmetics by traditional techniques. 

Overnight at Azerai (Breakfast & Lunch)

Enjoy a leisurely morning at hotel. After a very early wake up yesterday, it’s much deserved! Explore the beautiful facilities of Azerai and a delicious breakfast on site. Later in the morning you’ll depart toward Saigon.

Arrival in Saigon is expected in the mid-afternoon. End of the day at with À Ố Show which is a new kind of art performance surpassing all the limits of previous art shows in Vietnam over the years. The audience is offered the opportunity to let their imagination run, set off by the visual creation and lighting of each performance.

Overnight at Park Hyatt Saigon (Breakfast)

Your guide will meet you at your hotel right after breakfast for an exploration of the less traveled trails of this fascinating city. Prepare to travel back in time as we first head to District 3, where we visit the oldest café in town which was opened in 1938. Enjoy a refreshment, before we immerse ourselves into some genuine Saigon popular culture. Walk through a massive street-market, gently elbow your way between conical hats and mobile street food sellers to exit at Chung Cu. Here you will find yourself in the heart of Saigon’s working-class, which remains mostly unchanged since the 1960’s. Marvel at the size of these old residential buildings as we walk through and into the Ho Thi Ky quarter. A place known for its spectacular flower market, and its maze of quiet narrow streets. A place also surprisingly famous for its Khmer delicacies since the 1990’s. Here you will be able to enjoy some of these traditional snacks. We continue deeper into District 10, a fantastic destination where every street corner holds a surprise and a chance to amaze you. Our urban adventure ends at one of the most famous street-food streets in the city, time for lunch!

Overnight at Park Hyatt Saigon (Breakfast & Lunch)

Enjoy a morning at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. 

Upon arrival to Siem Reap, you will be welcomed at the airport by your driver and guide who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center.  Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the evening at your own leisure, absorbing the delicious flavors of Siem Reap. 

Overnight at Phum Baitang (Breakfast)

Get ready to explore the temples of Angkor as very few others do. Ride pillion on the back of a scooter and embark on what is the most original and exciting way to dodge the crowds and enjoy Angkor. On this adventure, we visit the major highlights of Angkor Wat, the walled city of Angkor Thom, the Bayon and Ta Prohm (the “Tomb Raider” temple), as well as some lesser known gems. The most important temples are always busy nowadays; as such our tour focuses not only on the temples, but also on the amazing surrounding areas less frequented. We dodge the big buses by leaving the busy roads behind using hidden trails through the jungle, villages and rice fields. These villages and trails have existed since the time of the temples and it’s a unique experience that visitors on 4 wheels simply cannot recreate! We guarantee you will love the temples, however, it’s the ride on past ancient ruins, through the jungle and along ancient city walls that becomes the real highlight. 

A local lunch will be served en route. We will back at the hotel in the mid-afternoon, with the end of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Phum Baitang (Breakfast & Lunch)

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Siem Reap. Explore any of the city’s numerous markets, they are all well worth a visit and a photographic spectacle.  If you’re into crafts, do not miss the Made In Cambodia market, as well as some craftsmen workshops such as the Artisans d’Angkor. For delicious food and a break from the iconic fried noodles and num pang sandwiches that you’ll find in the street, we recommend visiting one of the social restaurants of Siem Reap. Our top suggested restaurant is Spoons Café with its beautiful bamboo structure and fine Cambodian cuisine. For those interested in learning more about the tragic history of Cambodia, we suggest a visit to the Cambodian Landmine Museum and Relief Centre. Engage in discussions with locals who are passionate about educating visitors about the past as well as the continued issues of landmines that many Cambodians still face today.

Overnight at Phum Baitang (Breakfast)

Following breakfast your guide and driver will escort you to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, Laos.

Welcome to Luang Prabang, a tranquil town with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop has been claimed by UNESCO to be “the best preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia”. You are greeted by your guide and driver at the airport for your transfer to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day on your own. 

Overnight at Amantaka (Breakfast)

Following breakfast hop aboard a gleaming vintage Tuk-tuk to venture in style around the old Luang Prabang town. First stop of this original sightseeing tour will be the Morning Market, where your guide will help you immerse in this joyful atmosphere and learn more about local products.  You'll then stop at the magnificent Wat Xiengthong  Temple with its roofs sweeping low to the ground,  representing classical Laotian architecture. We end our morning with the visit the former Royal Palace, now a National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and Spectacular artefacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum.

You’ll then enjoy a private lunch cruise to Kuang Si Falls in the afternoon.

Following the cruise you'll be taken back to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Overnight at Amantaka (Breakfast)

The day is free at leisure until your scheduled transfer to Luang Prabang International Airport for your departing flight.

• 16 nights accommodation

• Daily breakfast

• Additional meals as described

• Excursions with private guides

• Private transportation

• Traveller Made ® Member Agency benefits at participating hotels:

  • Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

  • Early check-in and late check out (subject to availability)

  • Bespoke welcome room amenities upon arrival

  • $100 property credit

  • **benefits vary by property; member properties in this itinerary are: Park Hyatt Saigon, Sofitel Metropole Hanoi, Phum Baitang & Amantaka

• Not included: international or internal flights, visas, gratuities, meals not described in proposal or items of a personal nature