Epic Indochina Odyssey: Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos 20 days

Arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, and a BestRate Travel guide will welcome you at Pole No.10 (Outside the Terminal Gate) and take you to your hotel by a 45-minute drive. The time for check-in is 14:00; if you require early check-in with a surcharge, please contact your travel consultant. After processing check-in, the rest is your leisure time. 

For whom are interested in exploring Hanoi's capital culture, here are some highly recommended options:

Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour

FROM US $29 /pax

Meals: NA
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Morning

Have breakfast at your hotel and prepare for a sightseeing day in Hanoi's capital.

8:00: Our guide will meet you at the lobby and start taking visit top-rated historical Hanoi landmarks on the car or motorbike up to your interest. 

• Drop in Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam symbolizes Confucianism during the Ly Dynasty and is the birthplace of many outstanding individuals in Vietnam across many generations.
• Continue to Ba Dinh Square, where you can admire Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and listen to our guide’s narration about a significant historical event in Vietnam, the day President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on this square.
• Stroll along poetic Thanh Nien road and pop in the sixth-century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda. Here, take lots of photos as the architecture and beautiful setting of the temple in the middle of West Lake will make you fall in love.

Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum closes on Monday and Friday and renovates inside from June to August every year. During the renovation, visitors can't join the tour ceremony but still take pictures outside and visit the surrounding area. 

Afternoon 

Rest and have a tasty lunch at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant. Then walk back to your hotel to refresh and be ready to explore Hanoi by night on yours. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Morning

8:00 - 8:30: A luxury limousine will pick you up at your hotel after fulfilling breakfast at World Heritage Site Halong Bay.You can relax for 2,5 hours on transfer before starting the trip. We will have a stop halfway.

Upon arrival at the cruise’s waiting lounge in Halong, you will be warmly greeted by cruise staff and do check in quickly. Transfer to a speedboat to get the cruise, and the cruise manager will give you some exciting bay stories during this time. 

Embark cruise at noon, and receive a friendly welcome smile from the captain and cruise crew with a welcome drink. Please check in your room, and a delicious lunch is ready at the restaurant. 

Enjoy lunch while admiring thousands of limestones and islets on the sparkling green water. 

Afternoon

When your energy is in full charge, engage in water activities that bring you closer to the bay's natural beauty. Depending on each cruise itinerary, you will conquer the island's peak, caving and kayaking through islets and caves. 

Return to the cruise, have a short rest, and try your cooking skills in Vietnamese cuisine with the chef or sip on cocktails on the top deck

Evening

A deluxe dinner is served at the restaurant.

This night on the cruise is more vibrant, with activities like squid fishing, watching movies, battle wits with board games, and night bars.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on Cruise

Morning

6:00: Early birds who want to improve their health can practice Tai Chi Class or just feel the fresh air from your room. Then a light breakfast is prepared enough to recharge to continue the excursion. 

Discover more spots to understand the lifestyle in the fishing village or chill out and swim under the water. Back to the cruise and refresh with the last complete brunch. Please process the check out at 10:00 - 10:30 while cruising towards the pier.

Transfer to a speedboat to get to the pier, say goodbye to the captain and cruise crew, and arrive at the port around 11:15.

Afternoon 

Our driver transfer you directly to the Hanoi airport for the flight to Da Nang.

Evening

Landing at Da Nang airport, our transfer pick you up to Hoi An for check-in and bask after a long day. 


Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning / Afternoon

A peaceful morning in Hoi An starts with a full breakfast at your hotel

Around8:00 / 13:00: Please be ready at the lobby, and our guide will pick you up for a walking tour through antique alleys and streets. Cross several old houses, witness how historical elements of the town merge with modernity and see the daily lives of local people along Thu Bon River. 

• Stop by theJapanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of this ancient town that you should not miss, and listen to the story of the bridge’s architectural changes over many years of history.
• The next stop is Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese, worship of Chinese who settled in Hoi An in the 17th century from Fujian in China.

Then let’s go shopping at a handicraft store, where the creation of most notable souvenirs in town is entirely handmade, and buy some of them to bring back to your hometown.

Return to your hotel, say goodbye to our guide, and chill out in your free time. 



Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

After breakfast is free for travelers to see Hoi An from their own experience, if it has yet to have an idea for your expedition, there are several packages to learn deeply about Hoi An culture and lifestyle. 

My Son Sanctuary Half-Day Tour from Hoi An	FROM US $48 /pax
Life as A Farmer in Cam Thanh Village	FROM US $79 /pax

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning 

After full recharge with breakfast, please process check out your room, and our driver will transfer you to Da Nang Airport to catch the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 

When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh, our transfer will take you to the hotel for check-in and refreshments, ready to uncover the dynamic city on your own. Besides, you may learn more about life in South Vietnam through the ages or find a special dinner under shimmering lights when you join these optional.

Must See Cultural A O Show Saigon Ticket	FROM US $32 /pax
Dinner Cruise on Saigon River	FROM US $34 /pax

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Morning

Delight breakfast in rare Ho Chi Minh’s fresh morning 

8:00: Get ready at the lobby, and our guide will spend the day with you visiting the city with many historical landmarks recounting the history of the Pearl of the Far East once.

• The first stop on our trip is Reunification Palace, formerly the official residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam, which shows the period of French colonialism through the architecture of the building you will admire
• Set off on War Remnants Museum, the oldest museum in the city containing precious artifacts about the brutality of the Vietnam War.
• Get to Saigon Central Post OfficeandNotre Dame Cathedral, with the French colonial architecture listed as the most iconic and oldest buildings in this bustling city.
• Keep your soul peaceful and pray in Jade Emperor Pagoda, a historic Chinese temple with brightly colored decorative designs.

Wander at a local market, where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping from sandals to a beautiful silk Ao Dai, and consider purchasing a souvenir there. Return to your hotel around 12:30 and say goodbye to the guide after an exciting morning. 

Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is closing for renovation; visitors can stand outside and take photos


Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning 

Please process check out the room at the hotel after breakfast. 

8:00: Our driver and guide will meet you and start traveling to Cai Be in less than two hours. Coming to Cai Be dry market, you will witness local people's trade and may purchase local products. Then weboard a wooden boat, sail to Mekong Delta, and get lost in fascinating surroundings. On the way drifting along the canal, we drop by a local family factory and watch the production of several local products, including coconut candy, rice paper, pop rice, jackfruit wine, banana wine, and souvenirs. Moreover, you will learn how to make products and buy some to take home. 

On a sampan, we continue to head to Tan Phong Island and relish Don Ca Tai Tu, a traditional Southern Vietnam music genre, try tropical fruits, and listen to locals share their culture.   

Afternoon

Have lunch at a local restaurant called Mr. Vo's ancient house and be served renowned dishes, elephant ear fish, also known as fried giant gourami, a specialty in the Mekong Delta.

Ending the first day of the authentic Mekong Delta exploration, drive to the hotel in Can Tho by car to check in and relax. And you can taste varied local dishes at the night market for yourself this night.


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

Morning 

Please wake up early to finish breakfast and check out the hotel. We will say goodbye to Can Tho and get to Cai Rang floating market in the early morning. 

8:00: We arrive at Cai Rang, where seeing the bustling trade life along the riverbanks and how locals transfer passengers and goods by the waterway. You will be surprised by how locals hang products on a pole to advertise. 

After the boating trip, we visit Binh Thuy Temple, a 135-year ancient Binh Thuy house, and Tra Uoi village to watch the craftsman making and knitting bamboo baskets and fishing nets.

Afternoon

Take a rest and recharge with lunch. 

When your energy refreshes, we discover a crocodile farm in Long Xuyen City and take a boat trip to a unique floating market where locals grow fish underneath the houses. The boat crosses through the river, lead we stroll to the land-based Cham village, and the impressive houses on stilts and Signs in Arabic on the walls appear in front of your sight. Also, you will learn how to make handmade scarves and sarongs in a cotton and silk mixture in some weaving co-operatives. 

Our last stop is the Muslim temple and the Arabic class for children. Let’s forget busy life and freely play with children to broaden fascinating new cultures and local life. 

Evening 

Check in at the hotel in Chau Doc and bask body and mind after an energetic day. 


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chau Doc

Morning 

Relish the last breakfast in Southern, Vietnam, and check out your room.

After the Vietnam road trip, you will head to the boat station and take the speedboat to the Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. When you arrive at Cambodia’s station, our guide will greet you to the hotel for check-in; the rest of the time is yours. 



Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Phnom Penh

Morning 

Try breakfast in the early morning at your hotel

8:00: Please gather with our guide at the hotel lobby for Phnom Penh city discovery today to have an overview of Cambodia and Angkor beauty

• Please stop by the Independence Monument to see an Ankorian-style miniature architecture built in 1958, commemorating the great merits of those who sacrificed and devoted themselves to regaining independence and sovereignty for Cambodia. 
• The next stop is Cambodia's Royal Palace in the heart of Cambodia's capital, a unique symbol of the Cambodia Royal in colorful Khmer style. Also, in the palace's South, the impressive Silver Pagoda contains Buddha statues made of diamonds, emeralds, gold, and silver. All these populations will create a morning full of surprises with magnificent works of Khmer culture.
• Walk into National Museum, home of the oldest Khmer art, religious and archaeological collection in the world, including half a million specimens from the 4th to 13th centuries.
• And let’s climb 27 meters high to reach Wat Phnom. Not only see statues of lions and Naga gods, the mythical snakes of Hinduism and Buddhism around the pagoda, but you also can capture fabulous views of the city from above. 

After this morning's city wandering, you will have free time to have lunch at local venues and return to the hotel for check-out before 12:00. 

Afternoon

A transfer will transfer you directly to Mekong Bus station for departure to Siem Reap. When you arrive at Borei Seang Nam station in Siem Reap, a new guide is introduced and picks you up at the station, then takes you to the hotel in the city center for refreshments. Please have well break to prepare for your much-anticipated visit to Angkor tomorrow.


Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Morning 

8:00: Meet our guide after your energy is well-prepared with breakfast and head to the Angkor Temple complex

• First, we visit Ta Prohm Temple, only one temple embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers to have attractive photos in your travel album. 
• Head to the antique capital of Angkor Thom, starting from the South Gate with its giant statues depicting the churning of the ocean of milk.
• Explore the Bayon Temple, unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avalokitesvara, the Phimeanakas, the Royal Enclosure, the Elephants Terrace, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon

Contemplate the World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat, the most famous temple on the plain of Angkor, you will learn about the authentic ancient Khmer architecture through five towers symbolize Meru's five peaks - the enclosed wall represents the mountains at the edge of the world and the surrounding moat, the ocean beyond. 

Conquer the peak of Phnom Bakheng mountain to catch the charming dusk when the sun starts going down. 

Evening 

End of the journey to discover Angkor, we savor a deluxe dinner with Khmer Traditional Dance Show at a restaurant. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Siem Reap is a worthy place to take advantage of this free day to hunt for more hidden areas that suit your travel needs. Here are somesuggested options if you need ideas for your itinerary, from boating and challenging zipline to enjoying the sunset on a quad you wish also.

Sunset by Quad Excursion	FROM US $60 /pax
Kampong Khleang - Tonle Sap Half day	FROM US $80 /pax
Siem Reap Zipline Half Day	FROM US $118 /pax

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Morning 

Finish breakfast and check out, we transfer to Siem Reap International Airport to catch the flight to Luang Prabang. Landing at Luang Prabang Airport, our guide will pick you up at the hotel. Please rest well and prepare for the next day's excursion, or you can discover this ancient city at night. 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Morning 

This morning, please wake up early as our guide will pick you up at 6:30 to join the morning almsgiving in the parade of more than 200 Buddhist monks walking down the street, one of the most sacred Laos traditions dating back to the 14th century. 

Then wander at the market to experience the flavor of local life and back to the hotel for breakfast. 

Our driver and guide will take you to the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center (TAEC), which offers a full background of Laos' diverse ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices in a 60-minute presentation and Q&A session at "Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos" with pictures and artifacts most authentic, including livelihoods and crafts. 

Afternoon

Have lunch at the local restaurant on the way to Kuang Si Waterfalls, the biggest waterfall in Luang Prabang, where you can seek the serene beauty of this three-tiered waterfall nested in a lush tropical forest.

• Come to Bear Rescue Center, a house that conserves a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers. 
• Immerse in butterflies at Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park. 

Note: You can swim in the pools at Kuang Si Waterfalls. The Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park closes from 15 Apr – 30 Jun; 01-14 Sep & 01 Jan every year.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, take a short tour around Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center to learn about silks, weavers, and the women who work there. And refresh your body and mind after a busy day at the hotel. 


Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Morning 

Relish breakfast at the hotel and do check out.

8:30: Meet our guide and driver, and we head to Muang Soune, 5 km from the center to the north. Here will be the ideal place to chill out by the bank of Nam Our River

Be warmly welcomed by the host family and roam around the village, giving you an authentic glimpse into local life, living conditions, and history. 

Taste native food at the house of the host family. 

Afternoon

This afternoon you freely experience the daily life of locals

• Do agricultural activities like planting and harvesting in rice fields 
• Watch fishers using traditional techniques in their work, walk around farm and rice fields, and swim in the Nam Ou River

Or, you just spend time releasing your soul

Show your cooking skills while supporting the host in preparing the dinner are Lao cuisine. Before dinner, let’s join the Baci Ceremony held by the village elders. 

Evening

That will be a meaningful and warm dinner as you can listen to folk tales in the Laos language by the host family. Before having a tight sleep, you can admire the starry sky among sense nature along the riverbank. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Homestay at Muang Soune

Morning

Savor breakfast among the sunrise over the Nam Ou River and the rustic beauty of nearby mountains. 

After watching yesterday, you can practice your fishing skill using traditional techniques along Nam Our riverbank in a tour and take a boat trip to explore the surrounding areas. 

Back to the village to take the transfer to Luang Prabang, and on the way, we relish lunch at Ban Pak Ou’s local restaurant with a stunning view of Pak Ou Caves, Mekong, and Nam Ou River. 

Afternoon

13:30: Go on an expedition into Pak Ou Caves, see thousands of gilded Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left inside by pilgrims

Drift downstream the Mekong River back to Luang Prabang on the boat, and we pass by the tranquil Ban Chan village on the other bank to help your soul spread out in a relaxed and nihilistic space. 

Evening

Get to the hotel in Luang Prabang to unwind after a long excursion. 



Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Pharbang

Today is yours to enjoy the tranquil charm of Luang Prabang at your own pace. Nestled between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, this UNESCO World Heritage town is full of cultural treasures, peaceful temples, and natural beauty.

Here are some optional suggestions to make the most of your free day:

• Enjoy a quiet breakfast at a riverside café before strolling through the morning market, where locals shop for fresh produce and regional specialties.
• Enjoy a traditional Lao massage or spa treatment to unwind.
• Browse the vibrant Luang Prabang Night Market for unique souvenirs and handicrafts.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Freely unwind during the last moments in Luang Prabang with breakfast and check out. Our driver will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. It's been a pleasure for BestRatee Travel to accompany you through this long journey. We hope you collect fully treasured memories on this trip, and see you next time! 

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: NA