Indochina Culture Trip

Welcome to Hanoi, the first destination of your Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia tour itinerary! Hanoi is the second-largest city in Vietnam, with a population of over 8 million in 2025. The 1000-year culture and traditions in Hanoi have been fostered along the Red River Delta, with French colonial influences in architecture, including yellow-painted buildings, tree-lined roads, delectable gastronomy, and a vibrant lifestyle.

Upon your arrival, your driver and local tour guide will welcome you and transfer you from the airport to Hanoi City. Check into the hotel and have a relaxing time till rest of the day.

Start off the day with a visit to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi since the 6th century. Tran Quoc Pagoda has been repaired a few times and relocated once to a photogenic peninsula on the West Lake. Carry on to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh is housed; followed by the One-Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace, and the former accommodations of Ho Chi Minh, a great leader and former President of Vietnam. 

This afternoon, explore the Temple of Literature, renowned as Vietnam's first university, dating back to 1070. Besides the ancient courtyards, there are 82 stelae engraved with doctoral students’ names. Thereafter, take a glimpse of Hanoi’s corners and admire the French Quarter on a cyclo, passing iconic buildings like the Legend Metropole Hanoi, Hanoi Opera House, The State Bank, Saint Joseph Church, and finishing at Hoan Kiem Lake.

Afterward, you will enjoy the Water Puppet Show, which originated over a thousand years ago. Originating as a peasant hobby and later becoming royal entertainment, this traditional performance depicts the daily life and legends of Vietnamese farmers and is accompanied by lively, traditional music. In the evening, you will stroll around Hanoi Old Quarter, a unique place where 36 guilds of business are gathered.

Travel to Mai Chau, a valley situated 160km (99 miles) from Hanoi; you will pass along a meandering road set against a charming mountain backdrop. Mai Chau is a northern province of Vietnam where residing some of ethic tribles such as Thai, Muong, H'mong and Dao. Granted with a pleasant climate and picturesque scenes of houses on stilts set near the idyllic mountains, Mai Chau is a charming destination offering a pleasant atmosphere, trekking, cycling, and insight into the culture of Vietnamese minority groups.  Arriving in Mai Chau, you will have lunch at a local family in a Thai stilt house.

In the afternoon, have a pleasant trek and visit the neighboring villages of the White Thai ethnic group. You will stop along the way to admire the landscape, visit local houses, and learn about local weaving techniques and traditions. On the way back to the ecolodge, you also pass by the rice paddies and plantations.

After dinner at the ecolodge, you can enjoy the traditional performances and participate in local dancing, which takes place in the premises of the ecolodge.

This morning, you will leave Mai Chau for Ninh Binh, the former Hoa Lu Capital. Upon arriving in Ninh Binh, take a short visit to the historical Hoa Lu Temples, where the 10th-century Dinh and Le Kings are worshipped. Afterward, take a leisurely boat trip in Tam Coc, or Three Caves, set wonderfully along the Hoang Long River amid natural karst mountains for a picturesque view. The rest of the day will be at your own leisure in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll travel from Ninh Binh to Halong Bay in around a 3-hour drive. Then, board the overnight cruise venturing into the captivating bay of 1,969 islands and islets of karst mountains. While the boat sets sail toward Halong Bay's core area, you will have lunch and enjoy the picturesque scenes. In the afternoon, you can join outdoor expeditions in Halong Bay, such as hiking to the enormous Halong Bay Cave, going kayaking, etc. After a cozy dinner on the boat, have free chilling time and overnight on the Halong Bay cruise. 

Early in the morning, it’s optional to wake up for the sunrise on Halong Bay and practice Tai Chi on the top deck with the instructor. After breakfast, the cruise will sail to other parts of Halong Bay so you can take in the natural scenery. Disembark the cruise at noon, head back to Hanoi airport for a domestic flight to Hue. 

As the former capital of Vietnam, which was the last feudal dynasty of the country before the start of French colonial rule, Hue showcases significant aspects of Vietnamese culture. Upon arrival in Hue, you will meet your local tour guide and travel to your hotel in Hue City for check-in.

You will have a full day exploring the highlights of Hue today. Begin with a short visit to Dong Ba Market, Hue's oldest and largest market, which offers a wide range of local goods. Then, pay a visit to The Imperial Citadel, built in 1802 by Gia Long, the first Nguyen King, who moved the country’s capital from Hanoi to the center of Vietnam. This UNESCO site is one of the must-see spots in Hue, preserving Vietnamese royal etiquette. Next, travel to Phu Mong Village and have a walk passing the luxuriant countryside to the garden house Xuan Vien Tieu Cung. Greeted by the local family, you will have a cup of hot tea and enjoy some local and seasonal fruits.

After lunch, carry on to Thien Mu Pagoda, also known as the Heavenly Lady Pagoda, located on a hill facing the still Perfume River. Lastly, you will visit the tomb of King Tu Duc, a peaceful resting place designed by the king himself, featuring traditional Vietnamese art and architecture.

You will take an excursion to less-touristic places in Hue, including Thanh Tien paper flower village and the Sinh religious painting Village, to interact with locals and gain an in-depth understanding of Vietnamese culture. Embark on a local boat sailing 30 minutes upstream of the Perfume River to reach Tien Non floral village, where you will hop on your bicycle traveling through the pristine countryside toward Thanh Tien Village. This 400-year-old village is renowned for the traditional handicraft of making paper flowers. Meet up with the host to learn more about their craft and make the lotus paper flower with them. The cycling trails then lead to Sinh Village, where handicraft religious paintings are made on votive paper. The craftsman will share about the techniques used to create those paintings. After trying this traditional votive painting, you will return to the hotel in Hue by vehicle.

This afternoon, you will travel from Hue to Hoi An, passing by the isolated Lang Co Beach and the stunning Hai Van Pass, which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean. Check into your hotel in Hoi An and have leisure time till rest of the day.

In the morning, stroll through the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed in 1999. This atmospheric old town was originally the port for the spice trade and later became an international maritime port in the 16th century, receiving regular arrivals of Chinese, Japanese, and Western traders. You will find the attached two-floor houses painted yellow, Chinese shophouses, Fujian Communal Houses, the Japanese Bridge, etc. Hoi An Old Town market is a vibrant venue full of stalls with a colorful display of local products, and a chance to catch a glimpse of the Thu Bon River.

Thereupon, head to Tra Que Village in Hoi An for lunch and enjoy local delicacies. Before the dishes are served, a chef will teach you how to make the exquisite Banh Xeo, or sizzling pancake. After lunch, have some rest before walking around the host’s garden of diverse vegetables and herbs. From the garden, you can join the farming work and plant the vegetables. Farewell to the host, head back to the hotel to chill out, or stroll to the old town again and enjoy the streets at night.

At leisure until a good time, transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Siem Reap, the ancient capital of Cambodia, renowned for the Angkor Temples. Upon landing, you will meet your driver and local tour guide, then travel to the city center and check into your hotel.

This morning, travel to Angkor Archaeological Park, a vast stretch of jungle where jaw-dropping Angkor temples with unique, impressive architectures are surrounded by canals and reservoirs. Angkor temples were constructed between the 9th and 14th centuries. Visit the largest and iconic Angkor Wat, which covers almost one square mile. Walking from the aisle, passing moats and enclosure walls, you will see the outline of the main towers, with the tallest, at 65m (213 feet), in the center.

Not so far from Angkor Wat is Angkor Thom, which means big city, the capital of a complex with intriguing temples. Entering Angkor Thom, you will tour some temples, including the Bayon Temple with its 54 mysterious, smiling, 4-faced towers. You then find the ruins of the Baphuon Temple, dating to the 11th century, the Terraces of Elephants, and the Terraces of Leper Kings, where public occasions or royal announcements were held. Lastly, walk under the shadow of the jungle to reach Ta Prohm Temple, surrounded by giant tree roots. 

You will travel to Bong Thom Village, passing the countryside of Siem Reap, with lush palm gardens and fields. Upon arrival, you will mingle with the villagers and learn more about their daily lives, customs, and cultures. Learn how to grind rice and make rice noodles by hand; then prepare a bowl of noodle soup. Carry on, the villager introduces their traditional sticky bamboo rice and how to prepare the dish. Next, stop at some sugar palm stores and learn the local way of processing the sugar palm, as well as using palm leaves to make beautiful souvenirs. After lunch at the village, you will head toward Banteay Srei Temple and visit this unique red sandstone temple. Though it is a relatively small temple compared to other Angkor Temples, Banteay Srei impresses visitors with its elaborate carvings.

Back at your property to rest until late evening, you will enjoy the Phare Circus Show at Ponleu Selpak, an NGO since 1994. Their performers are the young and talented Cambodians. The thrilling show introduces an insight into the history, vibrancy and culture of Cambodia.

After breakfast, you will depart for Kompong Khleang Village, among 5 main floating villages on Tonle Sap Lake. Kompong Khleang is the farthest and least touristic offering authentic experiences. Depending on the season, the water level will vary, allowing you to see the floodplains, houses on stilts, etc. The boat trip through the village will showcase more of the local life.

This afternoon, you will fly to the next destination of your Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam itinerary - Luang Prabang, the ancient capital in Northern Laos, situated at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. This UNESCO atmospheric city is a patchwork of Laotian wooden houses blending with French colonial architecture.

Upon arrival, you will meet your local tour guide and travel to the hotel in Luang Prabang for check-in. The rest of the day will be free and easy.

Spend the day exploring the highlights of Luang Prabang and attending the traditional Baci ceremony in the late afternoon to learn more about Laotian culture. Start at Vat Mai, a tranquil 18th-century shrine with a distinctive 4-tiered roof. Walk for a while, and you will find the Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where precious Royal artifacts are on display. The original palace was built mainly of teak wood and was reconstructed in 1904 in a colonial style using bricks. Move on to the impressive Wat Xieng Thong complex, with holy shrines showing the finest of Lao traditional art. Lastly, you will walk up Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of Luang Prabang.

In the late afternoon, you will join a local family in Luang Prabang and receive a blessing at the Baci Ceremony. Baci, meaning “calling the soul,” is a ritual that plays an important role for local people, who call on the spirit to ward off sickness and disease. Each participant’s wrist is tied with white strings to preserve the luck.

In the morning, travel toward Kuang Si waterfalls, one of the most stunning places to visit in Luang Prabang. You will hike among the Hmong ethnic group at Ban Long Lao Kao before entering the waterfalls' terraces with crystal-clear emerald water. Returning to Luang Prabang town, make a lovely stop at Ock Pop Tok weaving center to discover the beauty of Laos traditional crafts. The guide at the center will introduce the different steps in making Laos silk, including weaving, dyeing, and more. The rest of the day is on your own to chill out at the accommodation, get a massage, or enjoy a coffee at a local café on the Mekong River bank.

Woke up early this morning to visit a local temple and observe the Tak Bath ceremony. The monks in saffron-orange robes will walk in a line around the town of Luang Prabang, where local people waiting on the sidewalk will offer food. Then, you can stroll to Luang Prabang central market, a lively market where you can find locally grown plants, vegetables and animals from the mountains, and various types of local produce. Afterward, return to your hotel for breakfast and rest at leisure.

At a good time, your driver and local guide will transfer you to Luang Prabang Airport for your departure flight.