3 Weeks Memorable Vietnam – Cambodia and Laos Excursion

Welcome to your holiday with Vietnam Travelette!

Upon arrival at the airport, either Domestic or International arrival, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and look for your guide who will be waiting at the lobby, holding the Vietnam Travelette's signboard with your name on it. Transfer to hotel for check in. (Time for check in: 14.00. Early check-in is NOT included and subject to hotel’s availability)

Then, you are free exploring the city's charming Old Quarter:

Visit Hoan Kiem Lake: This beautiful lake is located in the heart of the city and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. You can take a stroll around the lake, visit the Ngoc Son Temple, or simply sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Explore the Old Quarter: The Old Quarter is a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, filled with shops, cafes, and historical sites. You can explore the area and learn about its history, or simply wander around and discover the many hidden gems.

Try the local street food: Hanoi is famous for its delicious street food, and the Old Quarter is the perfect place to try some. From pho (beef or chicken noodle) to banh mi (bread) to Bun Cha (spring rolls)

Try the famous egg coffee: This unique coffee drink is made with egg yolks, sugar, condensed milk, and coffee. It's a popular local specialty, and many cafes in the Old Quarter serve it

Overnight in Hanoi.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

08.30: Get picked up by our friendly guide and start to explore Hanoi City

Arrive at Tran Quoc Pagoda located on Golden Fish Island in West Lake. It is the oldest pagoda in Ha Noi built in the 6th century.

Then, visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you have a chance to see the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh, then walk around the garden to see 2 houses where he lived & worked from 1954 to 1969.

After that, visit One Pillar Pagoda, where the Goddess of Mercy, It is the most unique pagoda in the world

(You should dress modestly by covering from shoulders to knees when visiting Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, temples, pagodas…)

Next, you will visit Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, established in the 11th century

Have lunch at our restaurant. You have an opportunity to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine with many delicious dishes.

In the afternoon, visit Vietnam Ethnology Museum to learn about the culture of 54 ethnic groups living in the whole country of Vietnam.

End of tour, you will have a chance to watch a traditional puppet show on water - a traditional art form with the distinctive culture identity of Vietnam. It reappears the daily life of Vietnamese farmers (cultivating, tending buffalo, catching fish…), communal entertainment (swimming contests, dragon dancing…), or historical legends.

Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Get up early, check-out hotel, and take a breakfast box (You can leave the big luggage at the hotel).

6.45: Pick up from your hotel and get on the shared Limousine 9 seats bus. Then, departing for Sapa with a comfort break en route.

12.30: Arrive Sapa Town with colorful traditional costumes of H’mong, Dzao, Tay ethnic People. Meet the local guide.

Enjoy the lunch with local Vietnamese dishes.

Next, visit Cat Cat Village, which is located about 3 km from Sapa Town and is home of Black H’mong ethnic people and is located near the bottom of a deep valley at the foot of Fansipan Peak. Our local guide will show you the daily life activities of the locals, trekking down to the valley bottom to the waterfall where the French built a Hydraulic Power Station, short time for photo with bridge and the waterfall then you will trekking up hill to get back to Sapa with very beautiful scenery in the late afternoon.

Return to your hotel and have dinner in your own way.

Overnight in Sapa.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Hiking to Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages, about 8 km from Sapa town, where black H’mong and Giay people are living, is also the beginning of the valley, which is called Muong Hoa. From a high point of the main road, a great view of the whole villages open wide to offer the marvelous panoramic views, backed by high mountains and facing the river. Here you will enjoy the fresh air, see terrace fields, stream, discover and visit some Black H’mong families. You will have a welcome feeling at any house of the hospitable people there. You can interact with them, learn about their culture and customs…

Have lunch in the restaurant.

After lunch, check out the hotel.

Then, our limousine driver will transfer you back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

8.00: Our guide will meet you at your hotel and start a 110km modern bus journey through the verdant landscape of country side. Short brake en route.

10.45: Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Citadel with Dinh King Temple and Le King Temple, dating back to the 17th Century.

12.00: Enjoy lunch at our restaurant with the great local cuisines.

13.30: Leave for the Trang An Grottoes, an outstanding natural beauty of majestic limestone massif at 20 square kilometer rise dramatically out from rice paddy fields. Deep into the linked chains of towering mountains are pristine places of mystical valleys, numerous fresh water ponds, and jungle.

Embark on a traditional sampan gently rowed down the exquisite river through numerous caves: Lam Cave, Vang Cave, Dai Cave, Thanh Truot Cave,... and Cao Sơn Temple, Suoi Tien Temple, Vu Lam Temple…

15.30: Arrive Mua Cave and start an amazing trek up to the top of Ngoa Long Mountain to watch the spectacular rice valley with specious view of nature.

Transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08.20 – 08.30 shuttle bus will pick you up at the lobby of the hotel and start the journey east to Ha Long Bay, through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta, where we see everyday Vietnamese village life. On arrival, we board a beautiful traditional junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. In the evening, when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal, and later, there is an opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Spend the night on a boat.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast, then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Ha Long. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Ha Long pier to get back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi at 15.00 – 15.30.

Transferring to airport for flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Da Nang.

Have breakfast at the hotel and check out the hotel.

At 8:30 a.m: Our car and Guide will meet you at your hotel in Da Nang and start the trip to Ba Na Hills.

Upon arrival at Ba Na hills, you will get on a Cable Car which gains 4 world records

Highlight in this tour is the Golden Bridge ( Hands of God). You will have a chance to see and take photos of this beautiful bridge.

You continue to visit Linh Ung pagoda, where the highest Buddhist statue in the country is located (27 m).

Have Lunch at a restaurant and take a short rest.

At 12:30 p.m: Conquer the peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1487 m, the highest peak in Ba na to visit Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple. You continue to discover the French Square, visit and play some games in Fantasy Park – one of the largest indoor amusement parks in Vietnam, with a series of interesting games.

At 15:30: Back to the cabin down the mountain.

Return to the hotel in Hoi An after the tour.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

09.30: Our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to Cam Thanh Village, where you are able to learn something about the local fishing industry and its local cultural life. You cannot miss visiting the seven-hectare water coconut woods with the unique ecosystem of water coconut trees. This place is a relic of the film revolutionary base during the war between the US army and the Hoi An people. You will be told about the safety instruction how to get balanced on the round basket boat, and how to paddle in it a proper way. Of course, a life jacket will be provided to you, and our local people will help you how to navigate it. We will help you be confident until you can row it by yourself. You also have a chance to see a great round basket performance on the river, which is awesome, as you can see only one time in your lifetime.

Enjoy lunch at local restaurant.

Come back to discover the Hoi An Ancient Town, the second UNESCO Site of the day, on a guided walking tour. Soak up the historic atmosphere of the former trading port and visit the vibrant local market, the Ancient House, Fu Jian Assembly Hall, and an 18th-century covered bridge built in Japanese style. Hoi An is also a growing hub of textile manufacture, and you have the option to see where residents tend silkworms and weave fine-quality silk fabric from the cocoons they produce.

End of the tour, return to the hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.

Then, you have free time to relax by yourself before checking out and transferring to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel.

08.30, our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel.

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom Palace. The Independence Palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times, such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

Depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, the trip will take approximately one and a half hours by bus driving. Upon arrival, before exploring the tunnels, you will have a short introduction followed by an introductory video about how the tunnels were constructed and how the people survived in the harsh conditions of wartime.

Then, spend your time to explore the remaining area and tunnel systems which included the special constructed living areas with kitchens, bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping whoever lives inside the tunnels meet their basic needs. Besides, there are also many hidden trap doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels for security purposes during the war. Afterward, special tea and cassava (guerrilla’s food during the war) will be served.

Break time for relaxation or time for those who want to try the real shooting gun (optional)

Return to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast at the hotel.

07:30: Hotel pick-up in Ho Chi Minh City, then depart for Cai Be. Upon arrival, take a boat ride and explore on the Tien River. Experience the area's diversity and lush orchard gardens, known as the fruit basket of the Lower Mekong River. Venture through charming villages, discovering ancient houses and indigenous culture. Visit a family business producing coconut fudge and crispy rice popcorn. Taste fresh fruit, enjoy Southern Vietnamese folk music, and paddle through scenic canals in the Upper Mekong Delta.

Lunch offers a chance to prepare and relish Vietnamese specialties amidst a local garden, engaging with the community. Cycle through orchards, interact with islanders for insights into daily life, and visit Ba Kiet’s ancient house. Return by boat to Cai Be, then commence the journey to Can Tho City for an overnight stay.

Overnight in Can Tho.

06:00: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel, followed by a leisurely boat ride to explore the scenic tributaries of the Hau river and a visit to the lively Cai Rang Floating Market. Embark on a walking tour of a local noodle factory and visit the Munir Ansay Pagoda, a renowned Khmer temple known for its unique architecture. Next, travel by boat to the Con Son tourist area to tour the fruit plantation and indulge in seasonal fruits. Enjoy lunch before departing for Chau Doc. Visit the Tra Su Forest, an intriguing destination in An Giang known for its diverse flora and fauna within a vast mangrove forest. Experience a rowing boat journey through the lush green forest with breathtaking views of the surroundings. Checking in and relaxing at the hotel.

End the day with a delightful dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight in Chau Doc.

06:00: Check out from your hotel and enjoy breakfast. Visit the vibrant floating village and the Cham Village to learn about the cultural heritage shared between the Cham people and the Mekong Delta region.

Passengers departing for Phnom Penh will stop the tour at the Victoria boat meeting point and transfer by a speedboat to PhnomPenh.

7:00 am: Check in board.

7:30 am: Start the journey to Phnom Penh.

Note: Buy visa to Cambodia $35/pax at the boat meeting point (fee on your own).

The boat takes 6 hours ride. Lunch at your own expense.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, meet up with our local guide at the boat pier and transfer to the hotel to check in.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Our guide and driver pick you up from the hotel to take a full day to see the must-visit places. Start with the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and continue to visit Killing Field. The peaceful stretch of green fields of Cheung Ek may not indicate what kinds of horrors have taken place there. Situated 17km from Phnom Penh town, Cheung Ek was made famous by the movie “The Killing Fields”. Nowadays, a large memorial has been built to commemorate the 17,000 victims who died here under the reign of the Khmer Rouge leader, Pol Pot. The remnants inside the memorial and the mass graves that dot the area remind you of the suffering of the victims. This journey into Cambodia’s past will provide you with a background on the cruelty of the Khmer Rouge regime. It will also give you an appreciation of the struggle that the Cambodian people have faced and their tremendous courage to move on and rebuild their nation.

Afternoon, we visit the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, two of the finest examples of Khmer architecture in the capital. The Royal Palace was built in 1866 by the French for King Norodom. The grounds of the palace are also home to the Silver Pagoda, which received its name because its floor is made up of 5,329 silver tiles. The palace has been inhabited by kings at all times, with the exception of the period when the radical Khmer Rouge party took control in 1975.

Next, visit the National Museum, which houses Khmer art and sculptures from different periods of Cambodian history. At the end of your day, you will visit Independence Monument before driving you back to the hotel for relaxation.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free for your own time.

Transfer to Phnom Penh bus station for taking shuttle luxury bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival at Siem Reap bus station, meet our driver (no guide) and transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Early in the morning at about 5.00 am, you will be transferred to visit the sunrise at Angkor Wat. After sunrise, we continue to visit Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world. 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.
08.00 am, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, visit Angkor Thom, the ancient royal city of the Khmer Empire with its centerpiece: the Bayon temple. As you approach, you will notice the enigmatic faces of former King Jayavarman VII looking in every direction. Your guide will take you 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.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Have breakfast at the hotel.
One of the most popular attractions in Cambodia is the majestic Phnom Kulen mountain, located about 1.5-2 hours away from Siem Reap. The mountain was given its name due to the abundance of lychee trees it once hosted, and nowadays offers visitors a beautiful view, as well as fun activities such as picnicking and waterfall swimming. Continue on a pleasant drive through the countryside to Beng Mealea, a sprawling jungle temple constructed in a distinctly Angkor Wat style by King Suyavarman II in the early 12th century. It preceded and may have served as a prototype for Angkor Wat. Contrary to Angkor, few carvings or bas-reliefs are evident. Today the temple is largely overrun by vegetation and the stone walls are crumbling which adds to its charm in a unique way. Accessibility has improved as elevated walkways have been set up throughout most of the temple, although to see all corners does require a sense of adventure as you will need to climb over stone blocks or walk through narrow passageways.
Transfer back to Siem Reap
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

You will transfer to visit Tonle Sap Lake. Arrive at the quay and board a local boat for a 2-hour ride on the Tonle Sap Lake, 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; observe their daily lives.

Check out the hotel.

Then transfer to the airport for a flight to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival, our driver will pick you up to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is your own leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we will climb up 328 steps of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful overview of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit Wat Mai, the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang, which was built in the 20th century; the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue to 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 (closed 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.

Then, transfer by private vehicle to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority groups – Ban Na Oune Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Next, we visit Wat Mai the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in Luang Prabang, was built in the 20th century; 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.

Depending on your flight time, our car driver will escort you to the airport to Hanoi.

Then, you connect to your flight back your homeland.

We hope you have taken back many beautiful memories in 3 Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Tour ends!