Indochina in style 12 days

Day 01: Ho Chi Minh city – Arrival

Upon arrival at airport, you will be greeted by our guide and drive to town.

Formerly known as “Saigon” before 1975, Ho Chi Minh City today is Vietnam’s commercial center that never sleeps. Although the city is a dynamic metropolis undergoing dramatic change, but the architecture, local culture and lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences..
Check in hotel for rest (the check in time is at 14.00pm) and free time for your first glimpse of town on your own.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 02: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi tunnel – City discovery by cyclo (B)

After breakfast, we depart to Cu Chi Tunnel and discover a vast network of underground passageways built and used by the Viet Cong to evade detection as they moved troops and supplies throughout Ho Chi Minh City’s northern districts. You will have chance to get a feel of the underground life and learn a little more about the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.

Return to hotel in the early afternoon and have a short break.

We then enjoy the cyclo tour visiting the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later, of the President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon on Apr 30, 1975. Walk down to see Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office which are beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period.

Finish of the day will be the visit the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts...

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 03: Ho Chi Minh city – Ben Tre – Mekong Delta  - Fly to Hanoi (B/L) 

After breakfast, drive south of the city to the Mekong Delta, a remarkable agricultural area referred to as ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’.

On arrival in Ben Tre province, we board a private boat to explore the Mekong Delta. Cruise among the river islands which have whimsical names such as Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix Islands. . We make some stops at local houses to taste seasonal fruits, listen to traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea. The interlaced canals are truly a lifeblood of the Mekong Delta; however, many channels can be accessed only by small boats. We enjoy a short sampan trip rowing under the palm grove to venture into this maze of canals before we continue our motor boat to the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre. 

We will either take horse care or motobike pulling cart to discover the traditional lifestyles, culture, and history of local people and  visit some industry cottages. They may be brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and coconut handicrafts,..

Return to town  and going straightly to airport for the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival,, you are met and transferred to hotel. 

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 04: Ha Noi - City discovery (B) 

Today, we start our exploration of Ha Noi, seeing the most notable landmark of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov). This imposing marble and granite monument was built towards Ba Dinh Square. We follow the footpath to the One Pillar Pagoda rising from the center of a square lotus pond, ascending on a single pillar and resembling a blossoming lotus flower.

The next place will be the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly acclaimed Hoa Lo Prison which was once known as “Ha Noi Hilton”
We continue the trip to the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university, constructed in the 11th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past.

After that, visit Ha Noi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.
The final touch of the day is a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history

Day 05: Ha Noi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)

After breakfast, take 3.5 hour drive to Ha Long Bay, one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin. 

Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy a welcome drink before check-in your cabin. While the boat is passing many rocky islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, a tasty lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck. Later on, the boat moves a quiet area to dock for overnight stay. 

Lunch and dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board. 

Overnight stay on board 

Note: The itinerary of boat in Ha Long may change without prior notice depending on situation.

Day 06: Ha Long Bay - Ha Noi  - Fly to Luang Prabang (Brunch) 

The boat cruises around Ha Long Bay, passes by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Breakfast or brunch is served while the boat then continues cruising towards the wharf. 

After disembarkation, travel back to Ha Noi city. Then going straight to airport for flight to Luang Prabang 

Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting and take you to the hotel for check in. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 07: Luang Prabang – City Discovery (B)

Today, we spend a full day exploring the key highlights that make the elegant tranquility of the charming town of Luang Prabang. Visit the Royal Palace featuring the combination of the French beaux-arts styles and traditional Laos architecture. The palace is now turned to a National Museum (close every Tuesday) boating the precious collections of the Royal artifacts. 

Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk on through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples including Wat Xieng Thong, a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring traditional Lao style; Wat Vitsoun, the most ancient temple of Luang Prabang, was built with simple architecture and housed the Prabang Buddhas ancient statues and steles.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Mai, one of the town's most sumptuous monasteries, famed for its classic Laos architectural style. 

Climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and admire the panoramic sunset view of the Mekong and Khan rivers as well as the mountain range. At the end of the day, opt to stroll around the Street Night Bazaar where you can find the various handicraft collections.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 08: Luang Prabang – Pakou cave – Kuang Si waterfall (B)

Having breakfast at the hotel, we then get onboard a traditional long-tail boat for cruising gently on Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou Caves. Upon arrival, start exploring the magical cave systems: the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues, silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop, the upper cave is a 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees. 

On the way back to Luang Prabang, stop at Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek which specializes in silk weaving and Saa Paper (paper made from the bark of the Saa Tree).

Continue then with a drive through the Luang Prabang countryside to Kuang Si Waterfalls. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. For the adventurous, it is possible to walk to the top of the falls via a steep track where beautiful views await.

 These waterfalls cascade down a multilevel limestone formation creating a series of turquoise blue pools perfect for swimming on a hot day (if swimming, please dress modestly).

On the route back, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poaching. Additionally, make a stop at the Kuang Si Butterfly Park where beautiful gardens are filled with hundreds of butterflies.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 09: Luang Prabang – Fly to Siem Reap (B)

Enjoy the morning free at leisure until transport is provided to the airport for flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival at airport, meet our guide who is waiting for us right outside of the arrival terminal. Transferring to our hotel and checking into our hotel’s room.

Free time for your first glimpse of town.

Overnight in Siem reap

Day 10: Siem Reap – Full day Angkor Temples (B)

Today, set off to encounter the beautiful temples which are considered as Angkor’s jewel. 

The day starts with the visit to Ta Prohm, perhaps most popularly known as The Tomb Raider temple. This beautiful temple is overgrown with fig trees, giving it a haunting yet exotic atmosphere. 

Get inside the reinforced city of Angkor Thom to admire the mysterious Bayon temple, crowned with the large number of serene faces sculpted on its towers. Also, take this chance to learn more about the intricate carvings of the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. 

Wind your way to 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 Century, around the time when the temple was built.

Final touch of the day is a performance by Phare, the Cambodian Circus. An hour-long Khmer cultural show, professional artists mix traditional and modern forms of theatre, music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion to perform a story about Cambodian lives and society.

Overnight in Siem Reap 

Day 11: Siem Reap – Full day Angkor Temples (B)

Heading out of the town, we transfer to visit Golden Silk Pheach Preservation Center which is a Cambodian N.G.O established in 2002 in Siem Reap. “Golden Silk Pheach Preservation Center is one of the rare remaining fully integrated silk producers in the world. 

Then drive   through  Preah Dark Village to Banteay Srey Temple. This intricately carved temple despite the lack in size is still a jewel in the crown of Angkor-era sculpture. The architecture style features a mixture of the archaic concept and the innovative materials since Banteay Srey Temple  was largely built from sandstone in pinkish hue, with brick and laterite used for the enclosure walls and some structural elements. We stroll around this beautiful landmark and admire the marvelous sculpture at every step. 

Upon leaving Banteay Srey Temple, we continue our drive towards the Kbal Spean River, where water and sculpture intertwine to make for the secret treasure of “ River of a Thousand Lingas”. This mysterious site has been largely reclaimed by the jungle of Kulein Mountains; however, it involves a walk through the luxuriant forest to catch a view of numerous lingas covering the surface of a sandstone riverbed rock. The carving motifs are mainly myriads of lingams and yoni. 

Overnight in Siem Reap 

Day 12: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap lake – Departure (B)

Today, drive around 1 hour toward the west of Siem Reap to visit the off the beaten track floating village of Me Chrey on the great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. 

Board a local boat for a relaxing cruise to discover the daily life of the Khmer community that largely depends on fishing for survival all year round. This fishing community also boats small shops, a school and a medical centre on the water. It is possible to make a stop along the waterway to have a chat with the local villagers to learn more about how this floating community lives, works, and trades. 

However, this activities boat trip out depend on the schedule of your departure light. Trip ends after being transferred to airport for your onward flight

List of our hotels:

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 stars at the international standard, and comfortable with all the required services.

+ Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are correct, clean, and equipped with a bathroom, satellite television, and air conditioning.

+ Superior category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious, and the services and facilities are more numerous.

+ First class category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious and have a wide choice of quality services.

+ Deluxe Category: 4-5 stars. Hotels are of excellent comfort and have a wide range of excellent services. (swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi…).

+ On the other hand, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with the locals and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Our services include:

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in the planned hotels or similar in the program with daily breakfast as mentioned 
• Meals are provided in local restaurants of typical Vietnamese cuisine (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner included)
• The English-speaking guide for each city.
• All entry fees to tourist sites
• All the permission to enter the tourist areas
• Boat tours as described in the program
• 02 bottles of mineral water of 0,5 (l)/person/day
• Other services as mentioned in the program (bicycle, boat trip, etc...)
• All fees for all other services as clearly described in the program above.

Our services exclude:

• Airfare on all domestic and international flights (quote separately)
• Drinks and surcharge for special requests on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time & other personal expenses
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Surcharge for other language-speaking tour guides (upon request)
• Travel insurance 
• Vietnam visa stamping fees 
• All other services are not stated in the program.

More information:

Horizon Vietnam Travel gives you an estimated price per person on our website for the group of six people in low season with standard 2 and 3-star hotels.

The price of this trip varies according to the services chosen (category of accommodation, activities during the trip,...), the tourist seasonality of the year (Christmas and end of year holiday, Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam), the booking delays and especially the number of participants of your group you wish to travel with.

Please note that Horizon Vietnam Travel only organizes private "tailor-made" trips for groups from 2 persons. We generally propose an offer including all the services on the spot from your arrival until your departure.

Depending on your wishes and your budget, this tour can be adapted and modified in terms of duration, content and departure date.

HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL calculates its prices as closely as possible in order to guarantee you the best price/quality ratio.

Our advice: the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting good rates, especially for air services, think about it!

Note: The price of international flights is not included in this estimate.

Please note that this tour is only a first draft and you can also customize it according to your wishes. We remain at your disposal to build your trip perfectly to your expectations and your budget

To obtain a detailed and personalized estimate, please contact us to request an estimate.