Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand Highlight Vacation

Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, you are welcomed by Viet Prestige Travel’s guide and privately transferred to your hotel in the city center for check in the room and free at your leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

The tour starts to see West Lake – Hanoi’s largest body of water. This lake is also known as Lake of Mist (Dam Dam), Golden Buffalo Lake (Kim Nguu lake), or Fox Corpse Swamp, each name keeps a legend of the origin of the legendary West Lake. Keep your steps on Thanh Nien Street like a silk ribbon separating West Lake and Truc Bach Lake. Stop to visit Tran Quoc Pagoda – the most ancient pagoda in Hanoi of more than 1500 years – a Buddhist relic and national heritage.

Lunch at local restaurant.

Then explore Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and “House on stilt” at the same area with the Presidential Palace and the famous One Pillar Pagoda. We also make a visit to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship.

Take a cyclo tour through the busy Old Quarter where you can see peddlers are selling wares as if they have done that for centuries! In front of the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance at the end of the day.

Overnight in Hanoi.

From Hanoi, we depart for Halong Bay. Our journey takes us through the lush green fields of the Red River Delta to the coast and beautiful Halong Bay whose name means “an Ascending Dragon”. We will arrive in time for a delicious, fresh, seafood lunch on our junk which will cruise this secluded bay so we can marvel at some of the 2-3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the emerald water. We have the opportunity to view a spectacular cave crammed with stalactites and stalagmites, and weather permitting to swim in the clear waters surrounding our boat. We can also kayak to explore some of the hidden charms in part of the bay before spending the night on board.

Start the new day early to enjoy amazing dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay with a Tai-chi session on the sundeck where you catch the morning view of seascape . Do kayaking or floating among the bay on small bamboo boat, sightseeing the lagoons or the well – hidden caves in Halong Bay. Joining in the cruise for happy hour while admire the sunset in the bay, behind hundreds of islands. Evening activities such as squid fishing or mini games are the chance for making friends, or relaxation on the cruise to experience the feeling of floating on the bay is fantastic.

Discover the spectacular sites of Hue and admire its art, architecture, history and local food on this full day sightseeing tour. After breakfast, head to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hue Citadel, where Nguyen rulers presided between 1802 and 1945. Passing by stunning palaces and shrines at the Imperial City and the emperor’s private residence at the Forbidden Purple City, hear interesting stories about the Nguyen Emperors and learn more about the history of the city from your informative guide.
Then, enjoy unique local food which is rated as one of the best in the world. After lunch, take a panoramic cruise along the enchanting Perfume River. Relax and get closer to nature as you pass by lush forest trees and colorful flowers on full bloom by the river bank. Disembark for a quick visit of the Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest pagoda in Vietnam and is considered by many as the unofficial symbol of Hue. See one of its most poignant display, a car belonging to a former monk, who in 1963, drove to Sai Gon and set himself alight to protest against the South Vietnamese regime and its cruel treatment of Buddhist monks and followers. Explore the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, and see its graceful combination of Western and oriental architecture. Emperor Khai Dinh ruled Vietnam for 9 years and his tomb took 11 years to complete.
Transfer to Hoian ancient town for overnight.

Start from your hotel and travel 50km from Hoi An to My Son holy land in a private air conditioned vehicle with your tour guide. My Son was a major religious site for the people of the ancient Champa Kingdom which flourished between the 4th and 13th centuries The Champa people ruled Central Vietnam until it was finally annexed by the Vietnamese in the 19th Century. The Champa King lived in the political capital of Tra Kieu (whose commercial capital was the port of Hoi An) and so the My Son complex became the most important temples of the Champa Kingdom. Bricks were used to build the temples without the aid of mortar and sculptures of gods, priests, animals, and scenes of mythical battles adorned the walls. The temples were places of worship to the Hindu God Vishnu. My Son was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. After exploring the ruins and history of My Son and viewing a short traditional Champa Peoples music concert, you will get your journey back to Hoi An.
This afternoon, come back to the town for a walking tour around this enchanting port town. Follow the narrow lanes lined with centuries-old houses influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French and European architectures and visit its numerous places of interest: the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, the local fish market… Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like.
Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

You enjoy your free time to explore Hoian ancient town or swimming in the beach, relax at the hotel. Overnight in Hoian.

You enjoy your free time at the hotel until being transferred to the airport in Danang for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh city. On your arrival, you meet the tour guide and drive to the hotel for check in and free at your leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.

In the morning, our crew will leave Ho Chi Minh City for lush My Tho where we cruise on a private boat through the green vegetation of the canals to an orchard, where we are treated to a delicious lunch in a local restaurant in the heart of the Mekong, complete with tropical fruits. We also visit the snake farm Dong Tam that breeds snakes for, among other things, snake wine and visit Vinh Trang pagoda, a combination of Asian and European pagoda before heading Can Tho city, heart of the Mekong Delta. Overnight in Can Tho.

Wake up early to the sounds of the Mekong River welcoming a new day. Take boat trip to join in the Cai Rang floating market – one of the most bustling floating markets in Mekong Delta with hundreds of small boats barging and jostling for space to sell their goods and to experience the Mekong rural lifestyle. After sampling local fruits, our guide will escort the guests back to the hotel through myriad canals. Lunch at local restaurant before return to Ho Chi Minh City for an international flight to Phnom Penh.

On your arrival, you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel for overnight.

After breakfast, take a morning trip to the Royal Palace you notice classic Khmer roofs with ornate gilding. Constructed in the 19th century for the king, it was expanded in the 1960s to include solid silver tiles inlaid along the floor within the high walls around the manicured tropical garden. In the afternoon, continue to spectacular architecture and collective history within the National Museum of Cambodia and Tuol Sleng Prison Museum where the Khmer Rouge was the ruling party of Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 during which time the country became a shell of its former richness. Tuol Sleng Prison, also known as S21 is a representation of a tragic past from which the capital is still healing. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Today, you will be picked up to the airport by private transfer for your flight to Siem Reap and drive to the hotel for check in.

In the evening , you will enjoy a buffet dinner with traditional Khmer Apsara Dancing Show at Angkor Village Resort.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Wake up early in the morning to catch up the sunrise under the Angkor, arrival at the bridge that leads to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Angkor Wat. The bridge is made of solid stone, flanked by large swaths of water and the imposing tower of the entrance gate. When you enter the courtyard you can see monks standing in bright orange robes like an imitation of the sunrise, their color reflected in the lily pond behind them which sits before the stunning architecture of the temple. Spend the afternoon exploring Siem Reap’s colorful markets and overnight in Siem Reap.

The delicious flavors of breakfast, from fresh tropical fruits of bananas, oranges, and jackfruit, to delicate baguettes and rich coffee brings brightness to the morning. After your meal you will once again venture out of Siem Reap with a private guide to the remarkable temple of Banteay Srei. The 10th century Hindu temple complex has resounding dark red sandstone along the low walls and rising peaking towers. The morning cool begins to shift into afternoon warmth. The temples sit in the open plaza surrounded by lush trees and swaying leaves.
In the afternoon, continues to add red light to the open blue sky as you travel deeper into the complex’s magnificence finding the art, the architecture, and the landscape blending in to one great moment. Get back to Siem Reap before late afternoon and overnight in Siem Reap.

This morning is free for shopping or sightseeing until transfer you to the airport for an international flight to Luang Prabang.

Present at the airport in Luang Prabang, you will be greeted and drove to the hotel. Check in the hotel and free at your leisure to take time to travel this joyful city at its best preserved situation. Later, leave for a standard dinner at a local restaurant which offers a full menu of tasty local cuisine. Overnight in the lovely hotel in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour taking you to the main points of interest, including the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its low sweeping roofs, representing classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the rice wine is produced. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving. We also have time to visit Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, small villages well known for silk weavings and for Saa (jute) papermaking. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weaving. Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit local villages of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Hill tribe, Ban Ou, Lowland Lao and Ban Thapene of Khmu village. After we head towards the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can take a dip in the large turquoise pools or walk along the forest paths. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to Ban Phanom, a well-known traditional weaving village, and then return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

You enjoy free time to walk around, experience the local life and try authentic cuisines of this city until being transferred to the airport for another flight to Chiang Mai.

Arrive in Chiang Mai, you are welcomed by a local guide and driven to the hotel for check in and overnight.

Depart the hotel at 06.00 and arrive at the foot of Doi Suthep mountain, in time to buy some offerings and join the locals in the daily alms-giving ceremony. This is a serene Buddhist procession which sees dozens of monks walk barefoot through the streets collecting food and everyday items. Then continue up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and climb the 309 steps of the Golden Naga staircase to reach its golden pagodas. Proceed to Wat Umong, which dates back to the 14th Century. This forested temple is covered with moss and foliage, giving it a unique and charming natural ambience. After a walk through its mysterious tunnels, guests reach the Viharn of the temple to experience a private blessing ceremony.

Then from 10:00 to 12:00, guests will visit Studio Naenna and meet up with Patricia Cheesman, an expert in antique Lao and Thai textiles, as well as lecturer in Thai textile, ceramics and contemporary design at Chiang Mai University.

Note: A takeaway breakfast box will be provided by the hotel.

Lunch will be served at The Service 1921, at Anantara Chiang Mai. This unique culinary experience is filled with mystery and intrigue from the moment of arrival, with a spy hole in the entrance door. Guests can watch the resident mixologist concoct Asian-inspired cocktails from high bar stools, or relax in vintage-style salons. Lunch will be created by the restaurant’s expert chefs, either in the sociable surroundings of the communal dining rooms or in the private dining room which is accessed through a secret door hidden in one of the bookshelves that line the library wall.

After lunch, guests head to the village of Hang Dong to spend the afternoon with a Thai family. In true Thai style, guests can slip into a pair of local ‘fisherman’s pants’ and discover the architecture of a traditional Thai house and rice barn. The family will also demonstrate their basket weaving skills, a traditional craft that has been practiced in Thailand for centuries. Stroll around the small, family orchard and select fresh ingredients for the home-cooked dinner, which guests will help prepare. Under the tutelage of the local family, guests will learn how to create traditional home-cooked recipes with authentic Northern Thai flavors that are considerably different from standard dishes offered in commercial cooking classes. Best of all, guests will have the opportunity to get to know a real Thai family, be their house guests for the day, and enjoy a delicious home cooked dinner together.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast at the hotel, you start driving to Chiang Rai.

Stop en route at the famous Wat Rong Khun or ‘The White Temple’, a contemporary Buddhist temple created by renowned artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Then you are escorted to the elephant camp and introduced to their elephant in Chiang Rai. With amahout (elephant handler) as their guide, guests will be taken on an hour-long ride through the bamboo forest, woodland and grassland, spotting seasonal birdlife and mammals along the way. After an hour, continue to your hotel for check in and free at your leisure.

The highlights of the day are the factory and showroom of Doi Din Dang Pottery. Little more than 20km from the town of Chiang Rai, Baan Doi Din Dang is a small pottery factory owned by a famous local artist who creates hundreds of unique, high-quality, pieces of handmade pottery which can be found nowhere else in the world.

After lunch time at local restaurant, you are picked up to the airport for a short flight to Bangkok. Here you are picked up by another local guide for transfer to hotel for check in and free at your leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.

Today offers the chance for guests to explore Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. The day starts with a visit to a secluded century-old house, now open to the public as the Museum of Floral Cultural. Embark on a 45-minute guided tour through the museum, which features incredible floral art and designs reflecting Asian culture and heritage.

The museum is also home to a quaint tea house, surrounded by impeccably landscaped gardens. Guests can relax in these peaceful surroundings while enjoying a cup of tea from the renowned florist Sakul Intakul’s own collection, accompanied by some Thai desserts.

Guests then have the chance to take part in a private flower workshop, or “Dok Mai Pra Yuk”. The instructor will teach guests the fundamentals of flower arranging, equipping them with the skills to prepare floral displays for dinners or special events. At the end of the class, guests get to keep their handmade arrangements as a unique souvenir of the day.

Note: Museum closed on Mondays.

Head to The House on Sathorn for lunch. Bangkok’s latest culinary destination and one of the most recognizable landmarks of Bangkok, this restaurant is set in a restored heritage building next to W Bangkok hotel. It aims to offer unique cuisine, unparalleled service and a one-of-a-kind experience in a luxurious yet comfortable and friendly environment.

After lunch, transfer to the hotel for some time to relax.

This evening, guests will be taken to the Mahanakorn Building for dinner at VOGUE Lounge, a new destination which is getting a good reputation for its high-quality cuisine, classic cocktails and contemporary music. The VOGUE Lounge’s cuisine is presented in bite-sized servings created by Michelin-starred chef Vincent Thierry.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Today is free at leisure until the guest’s departure time.

The guide will meet guests at their hotel in Bangkok and transfer them by air-conditioned luxury vehicle to Airport, before assisting with the check-in procedure for the departure flight.