Vibrant Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos Tour

Tour Itinerary

Fly from SINGPORE  to Hanoi  (VIETNAM)    

Meeting assistance and transfer to your hotel for overnight.  Flower Garden Hotel (deluxe room).

Hanoi  – Halong (Breakfast at hotel / Lunch & dinner on Junk)

Drive to Halong Bay with boat trip including lunch with overnight on Junk.  
Cruise on a traditional wooden junk, “Halong Sails”, among the emerald waters and craggy limestone cliffs of Halong Bay, stopping at different islands to explore some of the many caves in this area. Sail past floating villages, fishermen casting their nets and pearl fisheries and observe the rhythms of daily life on the bay. In the evening enjoy a seafood dinner.

Overnight in Halong Bay on “Halong Salis” Junk.

Halong – Hanoi (Breakfast on Junk)

Cruise more areas on the junk on day 2 of your stay

Visit Sung Sot Cave and transfer to Cua Fang restaurant for lunch, which ends your Halong Bay program. Later drive to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi – Flower Garden Hotel (deluxe room)

Hanoi (Breakfast)

Sightseeing in Hanoi with a visit by Cyclo to the Old Quarter
Although it is the modern-day capital of Vietnam, HANOI still retains the mystery and charm of past centuries. Narrow lanes and traditional shop houses invite exploration by cyclo, while it’s many beautiful public spaces – lakes, parks, tree-lined boulevards and monuments  give the city an air of elegance and harmony with nature unique among Asian capitals.

Begin your day visiting the TEMPLE OF LITERATURE, a peaceful series of walled courtyards and graceful gateways, and one of the best surviving examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Founded in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, this was also the site of Vietnam’s first university.

Continue to the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Also dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1954. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh’s final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials.

Begin at the HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed in the afternoons, on Mondays and Fridays, and closes annually in October and November for restoration. Continue through the park to HO CHI MINH’S STILT HOUSE, the simple two-room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1948 until his final days. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows.

Afterwards head to HOAN KIEM LAKE, located in heart of Hanoi, which contains an islet with the tiny TORTOISE PAGODA. En route, pass other colonial landmarks such as the magnificent OPERA HOUSE (may be seen from the outside only) and ST JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL.

From the lake, begin exploring the OLD QUARTER by CYCLO This fascinating network of narrow alleys and shop houses is also known as ‘The 36 Streets,’ each street being named after the merchandise traditionally sold there, ranging from fabrics to crafts to medicines to tombstones. A handicraft-lover’s paradise and an endlessly interesting place to explore local life. The cyclo ride lasts approximately one hour.

In the afternoon, visit one of Hanoi’s famous museums, either the HISTORY MUSEUM or the MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY.

Once the museum of the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient, the HISTORY MUSEUM (BAO TANG LICH) is housed in an elegant building from the 1930s, and include exhibits spanning the entirety of Vietnam’s history including prehistory, proto-Vietnamese civilizations, the Dong Son culture, the Oc-Eo culture and the Khmer Kingdoms.

The MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY brings to life the astonishing ethnic diversity in Vietnam, with art and artifacts from the 54 different ethnic groups that inhabit the country. Inside the museum are detailed descriptions of minority groups, with examples of their traditional clothing and way of life. Outside are faithful reconstructions of traditional longhouses, cemeteries and other distinctive ethnic buildings.

Overnight in Hanoi – Flower Garden Hotel (deluxe room)

Hanoi (Breakfast)

Excursion to Perfume Pagoda (Chua Huong)
Journey first by road and then by boat along a scenic waterway, to a complex of pagodas of shrines built into the limestone cliffs of Huong Tich Mountain. *The pagoda may be crowded with pilgrims and visitors.

Visit a Water Puppet Show (evening)
WATER PUPPET SHOW: a fantastic art form originating in northern Vietnam, best seen in Hanoi. The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Overnight in Hanoi – Flower Garden Hotel (deluxe room)

Hanoi – Hue (Breakfast)

Transfer to airport for flight from Hanoi to Hue.  Transfer to hotel.

Sightseeing in Hue
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century.

Visit the Old Imperial City
Located in the heart of Hue is the IMPERIAL CITADEL, a vast complex built in the early 19th century and modeled after the Forbidden City of Peking. The original walls stretched for 10 km and were surrounded by a wide moat. Today, most of the buildings have been destroyed due to bombing during the Vietnam-American War, but the monuments that remain provide a fascinating glimpse into the court life of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Approach the city past the striking FLAG TOWER, where a giant Vietnamese flag waves proudly overhead, to the imposing NGO MON GATE, the main entrance to the Imperial Enclosure. Enter into an area of spacious courtyards and serene lotus ponds, and visit DIEN THO Residence ( Dien Tho palace) is where the Queen mother lived, visit THAI HOA PALACE, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the HALLS OF THE MANDARINS, and the original NINE DYNASTIC URNS, among other sites.

Visit the Imperial Tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh

Venture into the countryside around Hue to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF TU DUC. Tu Duc, the longest reigning Vietnamese emperor, designed and built this elegant tomb during his lifetime, using it as a retreat for meditation, reading and theater performances. Take some time to soak in the tranquil atmosphere, wandering among the gracefully proportioned pavilions, courtyards and lotus ponds. Afterwards visit the IMPERIAL TOMB OF KHAI DINH, dramatically located on a hillside. The last of the monumental tombs of the Nguyen dynasty, completed in 1931, this tomb incorporates distinct European elements into the traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Overnight in Hue – Imperial Hotel (Deluxe River View room)

Hue – Hoi An (Breakfast)

Excursion to Thien Mu Pagoda and Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang with boat trip

Enjoy a leisurely boat ride down the PERFUME RIVER, stopping first at the iconic THIEN MU PAGODA, an elegant seven-tiered octagonal tower which has become Hue’s most widely recognizable monument. Continue cruising into the countryside to the IMPERIAL TOMB OF MINH MANG, a majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions and temples in a beautiful natural setting.

Sightseeing in Hue
Hue served as the capital of Vietnam for more than 140 years. It houses ancient temples, imperial buildings and French-style edifices. It was established in the 17th century.

By vehicle from Hue to Hoi An
Journey from Hue over scenic mountainous roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lies the dramatic HAI VAN PASS, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Continue southwards passing LANG CO, a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea, and the large coastal city of DANANG before arriving in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An – Life Heritage Resort (Superior Garden View room)

Hoi An (Breakfast)

Sightseeing in Hoi An with a boat trip on the Thu Bon River

The exquisitely preserved merchant town of HOI AN was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Its colorful shop-houses and temples reflect a diverse heritage, dating back to the 16th and 17th century, when it was a major port for Western, Chinese and Japanese traders. Today it is a thriving center of traditional crafts and a shoppers’ paradise, best explored on foot.

Wander through the cobbled streets, past low tile-roofed buildings, the bustling central MARKET and the small HARBOUR where colorfully painted boats are moored. The walking tour will include visits to a PRIVATE HOUSE, where members of the same family have lived continuously for centuries in a traditional setting; to one of the FAMILY CHAPELS built by prominent merchant or official families as centers for ancestor worship; and to a typical CHINESE-STYLE PAGODA or ASSEMBLY HALL. Finally, continue to the famous JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE, first constructed in 1593 by the Japanese community of Hoi An to link the town with the Chinese quarters across the stream.

Overnight in Hoi An – Life Heritage Resort (Superior Garden View room).

Hoi An – Danang – Saigon (Breakfast)

Transfer to Danang airport for flight from Danang to Saigon. Transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Saigon – Golden Hotel Saigon (Superior room)

Saigon (Breakfast)

Sightseeing in Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)

A vibrant metropolis, SAIGON teems with energy, activity and motion. Everywhere you look, you see the meeting of traditional and modern life. The emerging modern skyline stands cheek by jowl with colonial buildings and traditional temples. Outside on the streets, young professionals zip by on motorcycles, chatting on cell phones; inside the quiet temple courtyards, worshippers pray amidst clouds of incense. Begin your tour of this exciting city with a tour of the historic center, strolling along DONG KHOI STREET, formerly known as the Rue Catinat, the main shopping thoroughfare and heart of old colonial Saigon. Pass by classic European-style landmarks such as the ornate CITY HALL (HOTEL DE VILLE), the old OPERA HOUSE (both may only be viewed from the outside), and pay a quick visit to the neo-Romanesque NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL and the CENTRAL POST OFFICE.

Afterwards dive into modern history with a tour of the REUNIFICATION PALACE. Formerly the Independence Palace of the South Vietnamese president, this 60s style was famously stormed by tanks on April 30, 1975 signifying the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved in its original state, and the original tanks remain on display near the entrance gates. Continue to the harrowing WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM, which comprehensively documents the travails of the long Vietnam- American War. Inside are detailed photographic exhibitions; outside is a collection of tanks, planes and weapons. A powerful experience, this museum is guaranteed to provoke strong emotions.

In the afternoon, head out to CHOLON (CHINATOWN), stopping to visit two of Saigon’s most interesting pagodas, the JADE EMPEROR PAGODA and GIAC LAM PAGODA, the oldest in the city. The sprawling, densely packed Cholon retains a traditional Asian feeling, unlike the more modern Saigon city center.

Explore the highlights of this fascinating area, beginning with a brief visit to BINH TAY MARKET, the vast wholesale market selling every kind of good from dried foods to T shirts to electronics. Continue to THIEN HAU PAGODA, build by the Cantonese congregation and dedicated to the heavenly goddess. End your tour at the central BEN THANH MARKET, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts, appealing to every taste.

Overnight in Saigon – Golden Hotel Saigon (Superior room)

Saigon – Siem Reap (Breakfast)  CAMBODIA

Excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh
From Saigon, drive to TAY NINH, the birthplace of the unique CAO DAI religion, a fusion of Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and native Vietnamese spiritual beliefs. Every day at noon, worshippers garbed in colorful robes flock to the CAO DAI GREAT TEMPLE to participate in the daily prayer sessions, which visitors may respectfully observe from the upper balconies. (Note: shortly before and during the annual TET festival (Vietnamese New Year) the daily ceremony of the priests in Tay Ninh may be cancelled without prior notice).

Afterwards, continue to the CU CHI TUNNELS. Never discovered by American forces, these tunnels were an important Vietcong base during the American War. Stretching over 200 km, this incredible underground network, dug by hand out of hard laterite, connected command posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories. Today, you can walk through the area and learn about the day-to-day life of the VC, see the cleverly disguised entrances and elaborate booby-traps, and even venture inside the tunnels, some of which have been modified to accommodate tourists. Return to Saigon in the late afternoon. 

Transfer to airport for flight from Saigon to Siem Reap.

Overnight in Siem Reap – Angkor Century Resort & Spa (Superior room)

Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Sightseeing in Angkor
Visit Angkor Wat
The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, ANGKOR WAT is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temples, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

Visit Banteay Srei Temple
Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, BANTEAY SREI is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.

Visit Preah Khan
PREAH KHAN: a temple built by King Jayavarman VII with towered enclosures and shoulder-hugging corridors in a jungle setting. Preah Khan covers a very large area but the temple itself is enclosed within a rectangular wall of around 700 by 800 meters.

Visit a temple for sunset
Watch the sun set over the Cambodian countryside from the upper terraces of an ancient Angkorian temple.

Overnight in Siem Reap – Angkor Century Resort & Spa (Superior room)

Siem Reap (Breakfast)

Sightseeing in Angkor
Visit Angkor Thom
The fortified city of ANGKOR THOM covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats, the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monumental SOUTH GATE over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant naga. Continue to the TERRACE OF THE ELEPHANTS and the TERRACE OF THE LEPER KINGS, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs. Visit the ruined BAPHUON, ROYAL ENCLOSURE and PHIMEANAKAS before continuing to the mysterious BAYON TEMPLE. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Visit Prasat Kravan
PRASAT KRAVAN: the five brick towers were built for Hindu worship in 921 and are notable for the bas-reliefs cut into the bricks on the interior walls.

Visit Banteay Kdei Temple
A massive Buddhist temple dating from the second half of the 12th century, BANTEAY KDEI is surrounded by four concentric walls, the outer walls measuring 500 by 700 meters.

Visit Ta Prohm
TA PROHM: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

Visit Ta Keo
TA KEO: built by Jayavarman V who ruled from 968 to 1001), it was the first Angkorian monument built entirely of sandstone and was dedicated to Shiva. The summit of the central tower is 50 meters high and is surrounded by four lower towers.

Visit Sras Srang
SRAS SRANG: a basin opposite of Banteay Kdei measuring 800 by 400 metres with a tiny island in the middle where only the stone base remains of what was once a wooden temple.

Visit Thommanon
THOMMANON: temple which mirrors Chau Say Tevoda (just to the north), as it was built around the same time and has a similar plan. It is also dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Visit Chau Say Tevoda
CHAU SAY TEVODA: built during the second quarter of the 12th century opposite of Thommanon, it was dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Overnight in Siem Reap – Angkor Century Resort & Spa (Superior room)

Siem Reap – Bangkok – Vientiane (Breakfast )  LAOS

Transfer to airport for flight from Siem Reap to Vientiane via Bangkok.
Transfer to your hotel.

Overnight in Vientiane – Lao Plaza Hotel, (Superior room)

Vientiane (Breakfast)

Sightseeing in Vientiane
The capital city of Laos, Vientiane still feels like a sleepy city with relaxed charm, tree-lined boulevards, interesting wats and colorful markets. Tour the different highlights of the city, including THAT LUANG, a gleaming golden stupa which is perhaps most important national monument in Laos; HO PHA KEO, the formal royal temple, now a museum with beautiful examples of Buddhist sculpture; WAT SI SAKET; WAT SI MUANG, and PATUXAI, a monumental arch inspired by the Arc de Triomphe, but executed with Lao motifs. End your day at the TALAAT SAO, open all day, the best place to buy traditional Lao fabrics.

Overnight in Vientiane – Lao Plaza Hotel (Superior room)

Vientiane – Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

Transfer to airport for your flight from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.

Sightseeing in Luang Prabang
Set between the Nam Khan and Nam Ou rivers, Luang Prabang is an enchanting town filled with historic temples and colonial style buildings. The entire town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Start the day at WAT VISOUN (Wat Wisunalat). The oldest living temple in Luang Prabang, Wat Visoun dates back to 1513 and contains a collection of antique wooden Buddha’s.

Visit the nearby WAT AHAM before continuing to WAT XIENG THONG, the crowning jewel of all the monasteries and temples in the city. Its many ornate buildings feature exquisite mosaic and gold-stenciled murals. From there, stroll down the main street of Luang Prabang, stopping at some of the many temples that line its sides, including WAT SIBOUNHEUANG, WAT SI MOUNGKHOUN, WAT SOP and WAT SENE. Continue to the NATIONAL MUSEUM (ROYAL PALACE), a modest but graceful building which combines traditional Lao and French beaux-arts motifs. This turn-of-the century royal residence has been preserved as it was when the royal family last lived here and provides unique insights into the history of Laos. (Closed on Tuesdays). Afterwards, visit WAT MAI.

Overnight in Luang Prabang – Villa Santi Hotel (Deluxe room)

Luang Prabang (Breakfast)

Excursion by boat to Pak Ou Caves
Travel down the Mekong River to the steep limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers, home to the PAK OU CAVES. These extraordinary caves are filled with Buddha images, of every style and material imaginable. On the return journey, stop at BAN XANG HAI, a local village famous for the production of lao lao, the local rice wine whisky.

Overnight in Luang Prabang – Villa Santi Hotel (Deluxe room)

Luang Prabang (Breakfast) – Bangkok – Singapore – LAX

Transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok on Bangkok Airways flight PG#942 departing Luang Prabang at 11.55am, arriving in Bangkok at 1.55pm, connecting to Int’l flight to Singapore on SQ 979 departing Bangkok at 6.40pm. Arriving in Singapore at 10.05pm.

Overnight at Singapore Airport Transit Hotle (direct payment), then board SQ 12 at 9.45am arriving in Los angeles at 11.25am (same day).