Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia: A Tailor-Made Journey to Southeast Asia

You’ll be met by your private driver at the Hanoi airport and escorted to your hotel in the heart of the old quarter. This evening, consider taking a short walk from your hotel to Hoan Kiem Lake, which is beautifully lit up after dark. (B)

This morning you will join a local blogger for a fascinating street food tour of Hanoi's eateries. After a plentiful brunch, your tour continues to some of the city's major sites, including Ho Chi Minh's stilt home; the Temple of Literature (the first university in Hanoi); and perhaps the Fine Arts Museum, which has a wonderful collection of art and sculpture. (B,L)

After breakfast, transfer to Haiphong with a private driver and guide. Arrive around midday, and board your traditional Vietnamese junk boat for a cruise on the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Glide among thousands of karst islets and mountains in the lesser-known Lan Ha section of the bay, and enjoy dinner on board while watching the sunset over the water. (B,L,D)

Rise early to view the sunrise over the bay before disembarking and driving to Hanoi airport for your onward flight to Luang Prabang.  Upon arrival you’ll be met by your local guide and taken to your hotel, enjoying an overview of the city en route. The rest of the day, you are free to relax or explore Luang Prabang’s leafy neighborhoods at your leisure. Tonight, we recommend wandering through the night market for a fascinating introduction to Laotian craft and culture.

Set out with your local guide on a tour of this lovely World Heritage-listed city. Visit some of its many stunning temples, including Wat Xieng Thong, and stroll past historic buildings that recall France’s long colonial presence. Visit the TEAC Centre to learn about the many ethnic minorities living today in Laos. Later, take a tuk tuk with your guide to a small village known for its skilled artisans and the pottery they produce. Visit with local ceramicists, watching them ply their craft, and if you wish, learn local techniques to make your own pot, which will be fired and delivered to your hotel the next day. (B)

Rise early to witness the morning alms, a sacred Laotian tradition where monks pass by collecting food and other items from townspeople.  Then head to gorgeous Kuang Si Falls with your guide, where you can enjoy a picnic breakfast and take a swim in the pale turquoise waters. Spend the afternoon at one of the city’s best-loved restaurants, where you’ll learn to prepare and cook traditional Laotian dishes. (B)

After a free morning to go for a swim at your hotel pool or take a last walk through the market, transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Siem Reap, gateway to the temples of Angkor. On arrival, your driver and guide will escort you to your boutique hotel on the outskirts of town. (B)

Get an early start today to explore the evocative ruins of Ta Prohm. Engulfed by jungle vegetation, these temples are exceptionally mystically in the morning mists, when the site is still uncrowded. Continue to Angkor Wat to explore its wondrous temples and cultural significance with your private guide. (B)

Visit a traditional village with your guide today to learn about rural life in Cambodia and local efforts to protect its unique environment. Then set off on a boat ride on the Tonle Sap. Walk or bike through community farms, and relax in a hammock after a picnic lunch overlooking the rice fields. Return to Siem Reap for the evening. (B,L)

Head to the airport for your flight to the World Heritage site of Hoi An. Upon arrival, settle into your boutique-style resort just steps from the Old Town. (B)

Explore the historic trading post of Hoi An with your private guide, walking past 16th-century buildings and learning about the city’s international influences. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.  You may wish to stroll the charming old town at your own pace, watching daily life along the waterfront. Or enjoy the chance to relax on the beach. Be sure to try some of the town’s excellent restaurants for a taste of central Vietnam’s unique cuisine. (B)

Take a drive into the mountains to the temples of My Son, the political and religious capital of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Dating back to the 4th century, these Hindu temples—many now picturesquely reclaimed by the surrounded jungle—offer insights into Cham culture. Return to Hoi An this afternoon to enjoy time at leisure. (B)

Fly south today to Vietnam’s commercial capital, Ho Chi Minh City, otherwise known as Saigon. This evening, embark on a fascinating discovery of Saigon on the back of a Vespa.  Touring with a small group, you’ll sample delicious street food, enjoy local music, and experience the city from the viewpoint of your experienced local guide. (B,D)

Today, you'll board a speedboat on the Saigon River for an excursion trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This hidden network of Viet Cong tunnels, bunkers, and field hospitals was initially dug during the French-Indochina wars and later expanded during subsequent conflicts, becoming a persistent challenge for the Saigon regime. During your visit, you'll watch original film footage from that era and have the opportunity to explore enlarged sections of the tunnels, experiencing firsthand what life was like for the VC soldiers.

Your private driver drops you off at the airport today for your journey home. (B)