Indochina gastronomy Journey 18 days

Welcome to Hanoi, the first destination in your Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos tour packages. Hanoi is a city with a history of over a thousand years, showing its precious values in the country's culture, history, economy, and, of course, gastronomy, which have been accumulated over a long period of time. 

Upon arriving at Hanoi's airport, you are welcomed by your tour guide and transferred to the hotel in the city center. Check in and relax on your own till the rest of the day.

You will get to know the city by visiting Hanoi's highlighted attractions. Your first stop is Tran Quoc Pagoda, located at a special location on a serene peninsula by the city’s West Lake. Its construction dates back to the 6th century, making Tran Quoc one of the most ancient pagodas in Hanoi. Then, take a leisurely walk along Thanh Nien Street, one of the most beautiful streets in Hanoi, to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. You can observe Hanoi up close, with nice views of the lakes, the heavy motorbike traffic, and some French colonial buildings. Arriving at Ba Dinh Square, you will see the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and catch sight of the Presidential Palace from the front. Get onto Chua Mot Cot road; you will find a nice pagoda set on water, resembling a lotus flower, called the One Pillar Pagoda. 

After lunch, you will visit the Temple of Literature, renowned as Vietnam's first university since 1070, and the Confucius Temple in Hanoi. Though the premises of this educational sanctuary were reduced, the temple, protected by surrounding walls, still preserves studious spirits, cultural architecture, and inspiring relics. This makes the Temple of Literature one of the most significant cultural places for Vietnamese students. Next, get to the heart of Hanoi with Hoan Kiem Lake of verdant green water and trees. From there, you will take a traditional cyclo ride to see the other side of Hanoi, with colonial-era buildings like the Hanoi Opera House, the Metropole Legend Hotel, the State Bank, and Trang Tien Bridge.

When the sun goes down, nightlife begins, and you will delve into the Hanoi street food walking tour. Hanoi Old Quarter is the best place to experience the nightlife, local food, and drink. Afterward, you return to the hotel for relaxation.

At around 9 am, you will meet a local chef and take a cooking class at a traditional Hanoian house. Before your cooking class, you will head to the local wet market in Hanoi and buy fresh vegetables and other ingredients. Vietnamese housewives go to the market daily to buy freshly picked vegetables and some foods that are only tasty for a day, like tofu, fresh rice noodles, glutinous cake, etc. After you have all the necessary items, you will go to the Hanoian house and have traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared for lunch. 

Farewell, the chef. You return to the city center, stopping at a local cafe, which offers stunning views of the street, the city's pottery mosaic wall, and the antique Long Bien Bridge.You can walk down to the bridge and might see the Vietnamese train running through the Long Bien Bridge, returning to the station. Afterward, get back to your hotel and have free time on your own till rest of the day.

This morning, you will leave Hanoi for a Halong Bay overnight cruise, one of the must-do things in Vietnam. Arriving at Halong Bay at noon, you will get on the cruise and set sail toward the fantasy bay with a thousand limestone islands emerging on the emerald water. The boat floats pleasantly on a windy and picturesque bay for your chilling moment. Have lunch of traditional and seafood dishes on a boat. 
This afternoon, you will be transferred to some of the islands to explore the dry cave in Halong Bay, go kayaking in calm waters, and get closer to nature. Return the boat for the sunset party on the top deck with drinks and fruits prepared for you. The cozy dinner will be served at the restaurant on the boat. The rest of the day will be free and easy.

Every morning, a Tai Chi class with gentle stretching is available on the top deck for in-house guests. Tai Chi is an oriental practice that involves the body in constant, light motion, which is perfect when done on a quiet, fresh morning in Ha Long Bay.

After your breakfast on the boat, the cruise will stop near other islands for you to explore Halong Bay with a hike up and cast a panoramic overview of the area, as well as go swimming. Lately, the boat will set sail toward the mainland. Reach the harbor at noon, then farewell the crew and drive to Hanoi's airport for a 1-hour-15-minute flight to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam. Your tour guide in Hue is ready to welcome and escort you to the hotel for check-in. Have a free and easy time till the rest of the day. 

Begin your day tour of Hue with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, which showcases the typical architecture and rituals of the Nguyen Dynasty from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century. The Citadel is protected by water moats and high walls, with only 10 entrances from 4 directions. As the war caused some damage, the Citadel is not totally intact in its gorgeous period; however, meandering around is alluring. Afterward, you will reach Tha Om garden restaurant, an elegant, garden-like house built according to perfect geomantic principles. You will learn traditional tea etiquette in this antique house, then enjoy a delightful lunch of Hue cuisine. 

This afternoon, you will visit Thien Mu Pagoda, located next to the tranquil Perfume River. This ancient pagoda sits atop pine-clad hills, with a quiet ambiance. From the outside, you will find the Phuoc Duyen tower, 21m (827 inches) tall, with seven stories, each displaying a Buddha statue. Then, you will pay a visit to Tu Duc Tomb, which is the resting place of King Tu Duc, who has special talents and interests in literature. The design of his tomb is so scenic on the hill, with a pavilion over a lotus lake for wine drinking and reading poems. Return to your hotel, and you will have leisure time on your own.

You will have free time to chill on your own this morning. After check-out at noon, you will enjoy a unique dining experience with our host, Mrs. Nhu Huy, as she shares her recipe for "Rice with Salt". As a gastronomy artisan, she will tell the stories of how the dishes were invented and explain the taste combinations for the best flavors. This shall be a memorable experience of your Vietnam culinary tour packages. Afterward, you will farewell Mrs. Nhu Huy and travel from Hue to Hoi An in a roughly 3-hour drive. On the way, you can have breaks and enjoy the landscape of Lang Co Beach and Hai Van Pass. You will arrive in Hoi An, check into the hotel, and then have a free and easy time.

Today, you will have an interesting full-day tour exploring Hoi An. Begin with a walking tour in Hoi An Ancient Town, where you can see old houses whose architecture is influenced by foreign styles such as Japanese, Chinese, and French. The ancient quarter with yellow-painted houses decorated with drooping flower trusses over the eaves. As Hoi An Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, most of the houses have become museums and showcases for travelers to visit and gain insight into how life was years ago. You will ramble through the alleys and visit local temples of different religious assemblies, a pottery museum, a silk-weaving museum, local shops selling beautiful silk and leather, and a bunch of stunning cafes. 

Leaving Hoi An Ancient Town tour, you will head to countryside of Hoi An withing 20 minutes drive o reach Tra Que Village where locals plant and supply aromatic herbs. Your hospitable host will welcome you to their vegetable plantation. You also experience and learn local planting methods. Return to our host's house, and you will continue making Vietnamese Sizzling cake, which requires many herbs and vegetables. The freshness of herbs, along with the sweet sauce, will balance the fried cake. You will have sizzling cake and local dishes for lunch. After lunch, you can rest on hammocks and enjoy a foot massage. Say goodbye to the host; you will return to the hotel later. Tonight, it's optional to visit the ancient town of Hoi An again, as it is more colorful with lantern decorations and entertainment. 

This morning, you will have a transfer to Da Nang Airport and take a domestic flight to the next city in southern Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City. Upon landing, you will see your tour guide and head to the hotel in the city center. 

This afternoon, you will take a half-day city tour of Ho Chi Minh City, a renowned, vibrant, and developed city in Vietnam. You will pay a visit to the most iconic attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, including the Central Post Office, the Notre-Dame Cathedral, Reunification Palace, Ben Thanh market, and then the Dong Khoi walking street. Each spot will reveal interesting stories and histories to deepen your understanding of Vietnamese culture, people, and history. 

For dinner, you will have a splendid meal at Noir Restaurant, featuring delicious dishes and a special dining experience called "Dining in the dark". It's a dining journey to awaken your senses to the flavors. 

In the morning, you will depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the highlights of southern Vietnam. To get away from heavy traffic, you will travel to Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat, offering amazing experiences on the Sai Gon River.

You will be transferred from your hotel to Bach Dang Pier in Ho Chi Minh City and board the Cu Chi Tunnels speedboat on a join-in basis. The Cu Chi tunnels are a historical relic of the deep-down tunnel system, totaling 200km (124 miles). The Viet Minh resistance force dug these tunnels during the Indochina War; later, the Viet Cong troops extended them. You will find it fully functional, with accommodations such as a kitchen, a weapons depot, a meeting room, a clinic, etc. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City by speedboat and then transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.

You will check out of the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City this morning and take a 55-minute flight to Phnom Penh, the next destination in the Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos tour package. Upon your arrival at the airport, you will see your local tour guide and travel to the hotel in Phnom Penh for check-in.

Phnom Penh is the most populous city in Cambodia, with a population of 1,57 million people. From the 1920s to the 1970s, when the country was under French colonial rule, Phnom Penh was called the Pearl of Asia, as it was considered the most charming French-built city. This afternoon, you will experience a local tuk-tuk and get around this dynamic city, and glimpse the city at first glance, as well as local life. You are specially escorted by Mr. Nara, who has a passion for introducing Cambodian cuisine. Throughout the journey of the Phnom Penh Street Food tour, you will get to know and learn more about indigenous gastronomy.

You will have a full-day tour exploring Phnom Penh today, including all the highlighted attractions. Begin with the splendid Royal Palace. Its construction lasted from 1866 to 1870, representing typical Khmer architecture with protective walls, a throne hall where religious and royal ceremonies are celebrated, the Emerald Buddha Temple, the Silver Pagoda, and many other structures with impressive decorative carvings, towers, and stupas. Afterward, you will visit the elegant National Museum, which displays Khmer arts in all aspects, such as sculpture and pottery.

Carry on your Phnom Penh day trip, you will visit Toul Sleng a secondary school turned into prison by the Khmer Rouge that is renown as S21. Visiting this Security Prison. Lastly, you will reach Wat Phnom, located on peaceful Phnom Penh's hill at 27m (88 feet) high. Walking through the stairs guarded by the lion and naga, you will reach a quiet and sacred area of the temple. 

After breakfast, you will have some time to relax and prepare for check-out. At a good time, kick off your energetic day with a cycling trip to Silk Island in Phnom Penh. Traverse to the pier to cross the Mekong River, and you will reach the cycling starting point on Diamond Island. Exploring through the local villages, you will find the second river, where you will take a ferry to Koh Oknha Tei, a tranquil island. Discover the narrow paths, Buddhist pagoda, farm plantations on this island till a bridge leading to Koh Dach or the Silk Island of Phnom Penh City. Visit the local houses and learn about their traditional ways of silk weaving, as well as get to know the famous Krama, a Cambodian scarf.

Return to Phnom Penh city center. Rest, then travel to the airport for the flight to Siem Reap. Upon your arrival, you are welcomed by your tour guide, and travel from Siem Reap airport to the city center for check-in. Have a free & easy time till the rest of the day.

In the morning, leave the busy Siem Reap behind, and you will journey to the world of Angkorian temples. Among the must-see Angkor Temples, Bayon is the first stop, as it is located at the center of Angkor Thom, which means "big city." As an intriguing edifice with 54 massive towers emerging in a circle, the Bayon temple is renowned for its smiling faces carved on each tower's 4 sides. Continue the jungle exploration, and you will walk toward the Baphuon temple, built in the 11th century. Getting a bit out of the lush jungle, you then spot the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants, where the square was for royal announcements or public ceremonies.

Enjoy lunch at Mie Café, set in the lush garden, serving delectable Khmer cuisine.

Afternoon, visit the most well-known and the largest temple, Angkor Wat. Far from the axis leading to the central towers, you’ll realize how huge the place is. Walking around or under the corridors, you can find artistic sculptures of Khmer culture and religion. The last temple is Ta Prohm, which appeared in the movie “Tom Raider” with the famous scenes of Angela Jolie. From the parking area, you will walk under the jungle trees to enter the Ta Prohm temple, surrounded by tropical nature.

Spend this morning in a local village to gain insight into the rural lifestyle in Siem Reap and further engage with local culture. During the journey, you will learn how to make rice noodles the traditional way for a local breakfast. Additionally, you will see local handicrafts, enjoy delicious snacks, and stop by sugar palm stalls to observe how the villagers process this fruit and its juice. Afterward, travel back to Siem Reap city, stopping to visit the enchanting Banteay Srei Temple, renowned as the Citadel of Women. This is among the smallest Angkor Temples, but it showcases the unique red-and-pink stone hue as well as the finest carvings. This afternoon, you will head to Siem Reap Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.

Welcome to Luang Prabang ancient town situating at the confluence of 2 rivers Mekong and Nam Khan. Renowned as a spiritual city of 33 gilded temples, saffron-clad monks, Colonial-style villas, and fusion gastronomy, Luang Prabang is a beguiling and unique city to enjoy and nourish your spirit. Upon your arrival, your tour guide will welcome you and take you to the hotel in Luang Prabang for your check-in. Have free time till the rest of the day to get revived.

This morning, meet with the chef at Tamarind Restaurant, who will escort you to the local central market by tuk tuk. The market in Luang Prabang is modestly nestled in narrow streets, where colorful vegetables, meats, fish, wild animals, household goods, etc., are on display on the ground. After finishing shopping, you will head to the cooking venue and learn about Laos' inspiring gastronomy. The chef will show how to prepare each dish and which is the traditional way of flavor combination. After cooking, you will enjoy lunch of your own creation.

In the afternoon, you will explore the best attractions of Luang Prabang. Beginning with the Royal Palace, built in 1904 and home to King Sisavang Vong. The king statue is still presented outside the museum. The Royal Palace in Luang Prabang is now the National Museum, housing precious items that formerly belonged to the Royal family. Also, you can admire the statue of Prhabang Buddha and a large array of statuettes in the premises. Afterward, have a leisurely walk to reach the Wat Xieng Thong, the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang. Laos' finest arts are well showcased in this temple, along with a complex of sacred shrines and temples. Lastly, you will take a 328-step hike to Phousi Mount for a panoramic view of Luang Prabang.

Early this morning, you will meet your tour guide and take a tuk-tuk to the local temple for a holy observance of the traditional Tak Bath ceremony. The local residents prepare devoted food and wait for the monks in saffron robes passing by. You then have a short stroll along the local market before heading back to the hotel for breakfast.

At a good time, you will travel to the Kuangsi Waterfalls, which is a must-see attraction of Luang Prabang. Just pass through the main entrance, and you will catch a sight of a rescue center housing moon bears, an endangered species. There are 23 native, protected bears in this sanctuary. Keep walking along for a while, and you will find the mesmerizing giant Kuangsi Waterfalls tumbling down many tiers, creating pools of turquoise water. You can come down and have a refreshing swim or follow the trails to admire the charming waterfalls. Afterward, head back to your hotel in Luang Prabang. Balance of the day is on your own account to do shopping, enjoy a local drink at a café looking over the Mekong River, stroll to the Luang Prabang night market, and so on.

It's the last day of your trip plan in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos today. You will have a free and easy time at the hotel until the appointed time. You will meet up with your local guide and travel to Luang Prabang Airport for your flight to your next destination.