Best of Indochina 24 Days

Including Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (Outside visiting as it’s closed for annual maintenance). Nearby is the famous One Pillar Pagoda built of wood on a single stone pillar designed as a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity.

Vietnamese name is Quoc Tu Giam – The Vietnam’s first University, which was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius, his followers and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education. 

A valuable centre for the exhibition and the preservation of cultural heritages of the 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

Enjoy the cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life and peruse items fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines.

A small village in the north of Vietnam, is famous for ceramic and pottery products of high quality. Take a tour around the village to see the artisans at work and you have chance to witness the process of molding and carving clay pots, dishes and vases. Sit down and have your hands-on experience of making your own ceramics as presents to bring home.

Trek through Y Linh Ho to the Black H’mong village of Lao Chai. Spend some time exploring the village and learning about the local lifestyle. 

Continue your walk through picturesque rice terraces to the Zay village of Ta Van, the only village in the Sapa area inhabited by the Dzay people. Take time to explore the village and its unique culture.

Visit the 100-meter Silver Waterfall, formed from the Lo Sui Tong mountain, and take in breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes. Continue to Heaven Gate for panoramic views of the Hoang Lien Son mountains.

Take a cable car ride to the rooftop of Indochina, Mount Fanxipan, located in the northern mountains of Vietnam. Experience breathtaking views of rice terraces and traditional ethnic villages, and challenge yourself with a hike up 600 stone stairs to the peak, surrounded by the lush foothills of the Himalayas.

Arrive at Tuan Chau Marina Halong city, you will enjoy a warm welcome from our cruise staff in the waiting lounge and complete the check-in procedure.

Take an exciting journey to discover the beauty of Ha Long Bay. Along the way, you can enjoy the view of some of the most beautiful spots in Ha Long and admire the grandeur of the Bay with thousands of limestone islands while having your lunch at our luxurious restaurant on board.

Visit Titop Island and hike to the top for stunning views of Ha Long Bay, or have a fun swim in the clear blue water. In Luon cave area, you will participate in kayaking or rafting here around the thousand-year-old rock formations.

Enjoy relaxing moments while sipping a cup of traditional Vietnamese tea or coffee on the sundeck amid wonderful scenery and beautiful sunset. Or participate in to make delicious traditional Vietnamese floating rice cake by our chef and then enjoy the floating rice cake made on your own.

Enjoy a romantic dinner outdoors (if the weather is favorable) or restaurant. Then relax for a peaceful view of the Bay at night on the deck or join our evening activities such as squid fishing.

Awaken your senses with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a light, energizing breakfast.

Step into the magical world of Sung Sot Cave, where dramatic stalactites and stalagmites create an otherworldly atmosphere. Walking through steep stone steps, visitors can have the feeling of climbing the mountain and experience the excitement of stepping into the sky.

Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland. 

Visiting the Hoi An Market is an exciting experience. As the largest traditional market, you may expect to witness the most diverse range of local products including fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, animals, foods, spices, tools, handicrafts and more.

Board our river basket boat for a relaxing 30-minute ride on the Thu Bon river to Bay Mau Coconut Forest, which is recognized by the Province as an official ecological zone.

You will learn how to prepare 4 traditional Vietnamese dishes while you enjoy the cool breeze and the peaceful setting of the countryside.
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• Fresh spring rolls
• Pan cakes
• Stir fried beef noodles
• Hanoi noodles (Pho Hanoi)

Explore its narrow lane lined with centuries-old houses showcasing Chinese, Japanese, French, and European architectural influences. Visit key attractions such as the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the Tan Ky old house, and the local market, while enjoying the town’s vibrant art galleries and tailor shops.

Discover the fascinating underground network of Cu Chi Tunnels, built by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the struggle for independence. Learn about the tunnel system’s living spaces, kitchens, and command centers, and the resilience of those who lived and fought underground.

The program will start at Cai Thia local market. Pass by Cai Thia church, My Luong communial house. Enjoy boat trip to see how to make rice paper at local house. Then have a biking trip for an hour to explore the famous village of Hoa Loc mango on the small beautiful roads. It is so interesting to see orchards, traditional houses, school in Mekong Delta. Come to a local and peaceful home, we can create some cakes (local donuts) and taste it with hot tea.

Visit local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea.

Have a stop at the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries clay. The cruise will end at VinhLong city.

This is the best choice for you to take pictures of fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs, snakes, rice-field rats, tropical fruits, vegetables... 

Formerly known as Independence Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, a landmark in the city.

Explore iconic French Indochina-era buildings such as City Hall, Ho Chi Minh Monument and the neoclassical Central Post Office designed by Gustave Eiffel which was constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century.

This evening, meet your guide and we walk through the street foot hall where all the locals come for a picnic and drinks after work. You are invited to taste some snacks, drinks, and fruits as much as you can before we go to one of the local restaurants for dinner along with the Khmer Classic Live Band (black forest). 

Be amazed by the sheer size of the temple and learn how the Khmer Empire prospered between the 9th and 13th centuries, around the time when Angkor Wat was built. Stroll through the intricately carved hallways that show hundreds of fine carvings and discover small shrines still in use today by the local people.

You will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Continue to the Terrace of the Elephants, which served as a platform from where the King could welcome back his victorious army, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which holds detailed carvings winding along a narrow passageway that leads to the Baphuon complex. 

This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. The magnificent roots of the trees have merged over the centuries with the temple’s huge stone blocks, emphasizing a ‘forgotten city’ feeling.

Is the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece.

Early morning, we drive to Kbal Spean (60 minutes), which translates to “Bridge Head”. From the entrance, it is an easy 3km hike up to the hill passing through a nice forest offering beautiful views over the surrounding plains. On top, you will find a river with many rocks under the surface holding inscriptions and Hindu statues referred to as the Lingas which date back to the 11th century. 

This red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva. 

Drive about 45 minutes to the countryside, stopping en route to visit a local village. Arrive at the quay and board a local boat for a 1.5-hour ride on the Tonle Sap Lake (Chong Kneas Floating Village), also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Find out how communities live and work on the lake, see the floating schools, markets, and police stations, among others and observe their daily lives. 

We will climb up 328 steps for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful over view of the city and the Mekong River. 

We then visit Wat Mai the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang, was built in the 20th century.

We then visit National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign.

Board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we will make a stop at Ban Xang Hai village where rice wine is distilled. We will visit the caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum which house hundreds of Buddha statues. 

Evening, free on our own to explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

Visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We then visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (close on Mondays) where you are able to observe valuable artifacts and traditional clothing and implements from each of the 20 ethnic minority groups which inhabit the Luang Prabang area.

Continue to visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 2087 after being destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Continue past Wat Aham, which was first built in the 1500s.

Take private transfer to Kuang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority group at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Kuang Si waterfall. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the fresh water is possible. 

The morning will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour.  After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot. 

Transfer to visit Doi Suthep hill. To brighten up your evening, browse the Night Market for yourself. 

Visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the Thai royal family. It is is the most sacred place, respected and majestic in Bangkok. The Grand Palais, or the Royal Palace, is a resort with many historical monuments built for centuries. For most, these are temples and official buildings still used today.

In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, which is known for the statue of the Emerald Buddha.

We continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha. Then, we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

Board on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube. 

Visit the Maeklong railway market, take photo, and enjoy the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak. Enjoy your own lunch. In the afternoon we will transfer back to Bangkok. 

It is where you can experience the traditional Thai way of life by learning about the journey of organic raw materials to Patom products. Our open factory will show you the work that goes into our bakery, supplement, and body care factory before the products make their way to Patom Organic Living stores. Immerse yourself in our concept of organic living and participate in our selective hands-on workshops.