Embark upon a seventeen-night journey through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, starting in Hanoi with its rich historical and cultural heritage, navigating the mystical Ha Long Bay, exploring the enchanting Hue and Hoy An, and soaking up the vibrant energy of Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. In Cambodia, we'll discover Phnom Penh and marvel at the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap. Last stop is Laos, where we'll experience the serenity of Luang Prabang with its golden temples, the impressive Kuang Si Falls, and the Pak Ou Caves. This itinerary gives an amazing insight into the history, nature and vibrant culture of Indochina.
The classic Indochina Tour
Indochina, 20 Days · Tour including cruise
A once-in-a-lifetime experience
Cruise
Departure date:Departures from April 2025 till October 2025
Departures from:Dublin, Shannon, Donegal, Cork
Travel details
City of origin - Hanoi
Departure with destination Hanoi. Night on board.
Hanoi
Arrival in Hanoi. Transfer to hotel. Rooms are available from 2. 00 pm. In the afternoon, we'll meet our guide at a bia hoi, a local type of bar and the perfect place to enjoy a traditional beer. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.
Hanoi
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. In the morning, we'll join a walking adventure. We'll tour the city to find out what it has to offer, such as tree-lined avenues and street markets. We'll also walk along the train tracks and visit a tea house to taste some lotus tea. The morning visit ends at the Temple of Literature. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll get to see a different part of the city that is said to be the most photogenic. We'll do this on foot, passing by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and strolling along Phan Dinh Phung Street. We'll then arrive at the busy Dong Xuan market. Finally, an electric buggy will take us around the Old Quarter and to Hoan Kiem Lake. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Hanoi – Halong Bay
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast. Departure by road to Ha Long. Arrival and transfer to our cruise ship. We'll then set sail around the famous Ha Long Bay while enjoying a buffet lunch on board. From the boat we'll get to see characteristic places such as Trong Mai, Ngon Tay, and Con Coc. We'll also have the opportunity to kayak over to Trinh Nu Cave and its private beach. The cruise will then continue with activities on the boat. Dinner and night on board.
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue
Includes
Breakfast
Before breakfast, we'll be able to join a tai chi session. Breakfast. In the morning, we'll explore Sung Sot Cave. Back on the boat, a brunch buffet will be waiting for us. Arrival at the port and return to dry land. Transfer to Hanoi Airport to take a domestic flight to Hue. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Hue – Hoi An
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Morning visit to the Purple Forbidden City, the former residence of the emperors and an example of the feudal and royal past. We'll continue with a rickshaw ride through the streets surrounding the Imperial City. Later, we'll arrive at the nearby Kim Long, an old village where bureaucrats used to live. At lunchtime, we can try the classic Banh Hue, a traditional kind of dumpling. We'll enjoy lunch in the garden of a local family's house. Departure by road for Hoi An on a journey of around three hours that crosses the Hai Van Pass, rewarding us with spectacular views. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Hoi An
Includes
Breakfast
Breakfast. In the morning, we'll take a stroll through the old quarter. We'll arrive at the market and meet the chef who'll be giving us a cooking class. He'll give us information about the herbs, spices and flavours of Vietnamese cuisine. Leaving the market, we'll take a boat to a small farm on an island in the Thu Bon River. The cooking class will take place there. During the class, we'll also get to prepare our own lunch. Return journey to the hotel by boat. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.
Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City
Includes
Breakfast
Breakfast. Transfer to Danang Airport to take a domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, our luggage will be taken to the hotel while we enjoy a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, where we'll see sights such as the Post Office, the Continental Hotel, and the Opera House. The walk finishes at the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Day spent visiting the Mekong Delta. In the morning, we'll set off by road to a less crowded part of the Delta, on a journey of about two and a half hours. We'll explore the Delta on a private boat. We'll get to meet local people, learn about their customs, and see what life in the area is like. We'll also visit a local factory and head over to a small island. Lunch at a local house. Afterwards, we'll visit a honey farm before continuing on bicycle. We'll stop at a local gelatine farm and hop aboard a sampan boat for a trip into the mangrove swamp. After reuniting with our driver, we'll head back to Ho Chi Minh City. Return to hotel. Accommodation. Note: the content of this day will depend on the time required for each activity, which may change from day to day, so the order may vary.
Ho Chi Minh City – Phnom Penh
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Today we'll venture into the maze-like streets of the city's District 3, where we'll visit the oldest cafeteria in Saigon, opened in 1938. Afterwards, we'll pass through a street market on our way to Chung Cu. This area is still pretty much the same as it was in the 1960s. We'll reach the Ho Thi Ky neighbourhood, famous for its flower market and winding streets, and then District 10. Our walk ends at one of the city's best-known street food streets, where we'll have lunch. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Phnom Penh, in Cambodia. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Phnom Penh
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast. In the morning we'll visit the Royal Palace, one of the city's symbols and built in 1866 by Preah Bat Norodom, grandfather of the current king. We'll see various rooms and buildings, including the Throne Hall and the Silver Pagoda, also known as the Emerald Buddha Pagoda. Onward journey to the National Museum, home to a huge collection of Khmer art. The morning ends with a visit to Wat Phnom. Legend has it that the first pagoda on the site was built in 1373 to house four Buddha statues discovered by a woman named Penh. Today it's a place of worship. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll take part in a traditional cooking class. Dinner will consist of the dishes made during the class. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Time at leisure to continue exploring the city. Shortly before noon, transfer to the station, where we'll take a public bus to Siem Reap. The journey will take approximately six hours. On arrival, we'll meet up with our rep and take a transfer to the hotel. Accommodation.
Siem Reap
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. We'll spend the morning exploring Khmer temples from the early Angkor period. These include the ninth- and tenth-century Roluos Complex, which includes the temples of Phrea Ko, Bakong and Lolei. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll visit the last capital of the Khmer Empire, Angkor Thom, built in the twelfth century and thought to have been abandoned in the sixteenth century. Here we'll get to see the South Gate, the Bayon Temple, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Onward to Ta Prohm, a temple that looks like it has been swallowed up by the jungle. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Siem Reap
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. On the second day in Siem Reap, we'll start by visiting the temples of Banteay Srei and Banteay Samre, to the north of the city. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll visit the most important temple of all, Angkor Wat. This is the largest religious monument in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The twelfth-century complex spans more than eighty-one hectares. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Siem Reap – Luang Prabang
Includes
Breakfast
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to take a flight to Luang Prabang, in Laos. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free. Accommodation.
Luang Prabang
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Today, we'll explore the city by tuk-tuk. We'll start off at the local market and continue to the National Museum, which was formerly the Royal Palace. Afterwards, we'll climb Wat Phousi Hill for some great views of the city and then head to Wat Xieng Thong, a fine representation of classic Lao architecture. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll head to Ban Chan, a pottery village on the other side of the Mekong. On the way back to the hotel, we'll stop at Wat Phrabat Tai to admire the sunset. Accommodation.
Luang Prabang - Pak Ou - Luang Prabang
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Transfer to the port to take a boat to the Pak Ou Caves. On the way, we'll visit the hamlet of Xang Hai, where rice alcohol is produced. Arrival and tour of the caves, which are home to thousands of Buddha images. Brunch onboard. On the way back to Luang Prabang, we'll visit the village of Ban Phanom, belonging to the Lue ethnic minority. Then we'll head to a local house, where the Baci ceremony will take place. Return to hotel. Accommodation.
Luang Prabang – Kuang Si – Luang Prabang
Includes
Breakfast
Lunch
Breakfast. Morning visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre and the Ock Pop Tok Centre, both dedicated to preserving the local culture. Afterwards, departure by road to the Kuang Si Falls, stopping en route in Ban Na Ouan, a village of the Hmong ethnic minority. Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we'll head to the waterfalls and their natural blue pools, where we'll get to enjoy a refreshing dip. Journey into Luang Prabang. Accommodation.
Luang Prabang - City of origin
Includes
Breakfast
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.
City of origin
Arrival. End of the trip and our services.
Your trip includes
Return flight.
Internal flights.
Overnight stay in the listed hotels, or similar.
Transfers according to the itinerary.
Transport in vehicles appropriate to the size of the group.
Regular tours mentioned in the itinerary not stated as optional.
English-speaking local guides.
Cruise around Ha Long Bay.
Diet: 17 breakfasts, 12 lunches, 2 dinners.
Your trip doesn't include
Electronic Visa to enter in Cambodia.
Visa to enter in Laos.
Any other service not previously mentioned as included.
Insolvency protection.
Expected Hotels (or similar)
In this section you will find a selection of hotels according to the category specified in the itinerary.
Flight
Overnight stay on board.
Important remarks
- Triple rooms in Vietnam are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Vietnam.
- Depending on the return flight, the trip may be one day longer.
- To reconfirm services at the destination, please send us your passport details within 24 hours of booking.
- Triple rooms in Asia are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Check-in time at the hotel on the day of arrival depends on each establishment, but in no case will it be before 3:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.
- Groups might be multilingual.
- The cruise itinerary around Halong Bay will depend on the ship confirmed in each case.
- Triple rooms in Cambodia are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Cambodia.
- Triple rooms in Laos are generally rooms with twin beds or a double, in which a folding bed is installed to accommodate the third person. Due to the inconvenience this causes, we advise against using this option as far the possible.
- Please check with your international vaccination centre about the recommended healthcare measures in Laos.
- The order of the itinerary may be altered for logistical reasons, without prior notice, but no scheduled trips will be cancelled (except in the case that adverse weather conditions prevent its realisation).
- A credit card is considered a guarantee, so sometimes you will need one for check-in at hotels.
- Prices are calculated based on admission fees to the sights as of the date of publication. If there is an increase in these prices, you will be promptly informed.
- If you are a person with reduced mobility, please contact us to confirm the suitability of the trip.
- Consult the necessary documentation to enter the destinations visited and for transit in the countries where air stopovers are made.