14 Days of Heritage: Exploring Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos

Arrival in Hanoi, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Welcome by the local English-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel in the city center (room available from 2:00 PM). Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a city tour to soak in the charm of this millennial capital:

• Ly Thai To Square, where you will discover the millennial history of the Vietnamese capital.

Ly Thai To – founder of the Later Ly dynasty, Vietnam’s first stable empire – is one of Vietnam’s most important historical figures. 

• Hoan Kiem Lake with the Jade Mountain Temple and Turtle Island, the heart of Hanoi.
• The Old Quarter and its 36 ancient guild streets: walk through the streets named after the goods produced and sold there: Silk Street, Cotton Street, Iron Street, Sugar Street, Medicinal Plants Street... Stop at Ma May Street to visit a traditional "Tube" house.
• The colonial heritage with French concessions: a rickshaw ride around the Grand Opera House, Metropole Hotel, State Bank of Vietnam, and Central Post Office.

Overnight at the hotel. This marks the begining of your Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos trip in 14 days. 

A full day dedicated to discovering Hanoi's most notable cultural sites and historical monuments:

• The Temple of Literature, a symbol of feudal education and one of Hanoi's emblems.
• Ba Dinh Square, home to the former Indochina Governor’s Palace, Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, and his house.
• The Museum of Ethnology, featuring a collection of 25,000 objects from Vietnam's ethnic groups (closed on Mondays).
• A water puppet theater show, a unique aspect of Vietnamese culture and a UNESCO intangible heritage.

Overnight at the hotel.

Departure to Ninh Binh, a land of limestone rocks, sugarloaf mountains, and rice fields flooded by rivers and lakes.

• Visit Mua Mountain in Ninh Xuan. Climb 486 stone steps for a panoramic view of Tam Coc.
• Transfer to Tam Coc, enjoy a bike ride to explore this fabulous region.
• In the afternoon, take a boat trip on the Ngo Dong River to discover Tam Coc, winding through rice fields and limestone peaks, passing under three caves.

Return to Hanoi in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Departure to Halong Bay, the most beautiful bay in Vietnam and one of Asia's most magical landscapes. Board a traditional junk for a cruise in Halong Bay, visiting Bai Tu Long (northern part of Halong Bay):

• Admire picturesque islands and islets of various shapes (sail, dog, rooster, incense...).
• Visit splendid caves, including Thien Canh Son with its thousands-of-years-old stalagmites and stalactites.
• Continue the cruise to Cap La, enjoy kayaking and swimming (weather permitting).
• Participate in a cooking demonstration on board, preparing spring rolls.
• Enjoy delicious seafood lunches and dinners.
• Free time for personal relaxation: card games, night fishing…

Overnight on board.

Rise early to enjoy the unique splendor of the sunrise over the sugarloaf mountains and participate in a Tai Chi session on the deck.

• Take a boat or kayak to visit Vung Vieng fishing village, meeting local inhabitants.
• Lunch on the junk, disembark, and return to Hanoi.
• Evening flight to Hue, the ancient imperial city in central Vietnam.

Overnight in Hue.

A city tour of Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam (1802-1945):

• The Imperial City, residence and workplace of the 13 Nguyen kings for 143 years.
• Minh Mang Mausoleum, the emperor known for fathering 142 children with 43 concubines.
• Phu Mong village with garden houses, a constitutive element of Hue’s imperial identity.
• Thien Mu Pagoda, the most beautiful and visited in Hue, or the serene Tu Hieu Pagoda, housing the eunuchs' tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. If time permits, witness the monks' prayer session.
• Dong Ba Market, the largest and oldest market in Hue, selling local specialties: conical hats, ao dai (traditional dresses)...

Overnight at the hotel.

Road trip to Hoi An, a small ancient town 150 km south of Hue, with several stops along the way:

• Long, less-touristy beaches: Thuan An and Lang Co; large lagoons with local fish farms.
• Hai Van Pass, the highest pass in central Vietnam.
• Small factories producing melaleuca oil.
• Picturesque roadside cemeteries, called "ghost villages," containing sets of tomb-castles of various Asian architectures.

Arrival in Hoi An in the afternoon. Check-in and overnight at the hotel.

A day dedicated to discovering the old town of Hoi An and the ancient sanctuary of My Son, two UNESCO cultural heritages in central Vietnam:

• Morning: a stroll through the old town of Hoi An, known as "the most charming city in Vietnam," visiting: the Fujian Assembly Hall, Phuc Thanh Pagoda (Hoi An's oldest, 1454), the Japanese Bridge (1593), old alleyways, museums, and ancient wooden houses.
• Afternoon: excursion to My Son, the former religious capital of the Cham kingdoms, 30 km from Hoi An. Visit remote towers and temples in a small valley surrounded by hills.
• Return to Hoi An for a relaxing boat trip on the Thu Bon River.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning free for relaxation. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for a flight to Siem Reap, home of the mythical Angkor temples. Greeted by the local driver and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

A day dedicated to exploring the mystical temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire (9th-15th centuries):

• Angkor Wat Temples, dedicated to Vishnu, the supreme god of Hinduism, considered the masterpiece of Khmer art and architecture.
• Angkor Thom Temples, a fortified city of 10 km² housing a million inhabitants. Visit the South Gate's massive statues, the Elephant Terrace, the Leper King Terrace, and the famous Bayon Temple with its 54 giant towers bearing 216 faces of Avalokitesvara.

Return to Siem Reap in the evening. Free time and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the majestic temples of the small and grand circuit:

• Banteay Srei Temple (Citadel of Women), one of the finest temples with pink sandstone, intricately carved Apsaras, and deities.
• The sacred temples of Takeo, Banteay Kdei, and the impressive Ta Prohm Temple, a Buddhist monastery covered with trees and giant snake-like roots.
• End the day with a sunset view from the Pre Rup temple-mountain.

Return to Siem Reap and overnight at the hotel.

A morning excursion to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia.

• Stop at Kompong Khleang, a less-touristy lakeside village. Visit stilt houses, floating houses, the market, a pagoda, and a primary school, experiencing the daily lives of local fishermen.

In the afternoon, flight to Luang Prabang, the ancient imperial capital of Laos. Welcome by the local driver and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Early morning, walk or cycle through the city to admire Laotians offering alms to the monks.

Return to the hotel for breakfast, then set out on a walking tour of the city (UNESCO-classified buildings):

• Traditional Lao houses made of tropical hardwood or bamboo, built on stilts.
• Half-wood, half-cement houses built during the French colonial era.
• Traditional French colonial buildings similar to those in Vietnam and Cambodia.
• Old Chinese shops used for commercial and residential purposes.

In the afternoon, a city tour of Luang Prabang, visiting notable historical-cultural monuments:

• Wat Sene, the city's oldest temple.
• Vat Aham, one of the main city shrines dedicated to Laos' ancestors.
• Wat Visoun with its impressive Sinhalese-style stupa.
• The magnificent Wat Xieng Thong Temple with its low-sweeping roofs.
• The Royal Palace, exhibiting personal items of the royal family.
• Ascend Mount Phousi for a panoramic view of the city nestled between mountains.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning visit to Phosy Market, then an upstream boat trip on the Mekong River:

• Visit the sacred Pak Ou Caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers: Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, housing hundreds of Buddha statues.
• Afternoon excursion to the Kuang Si Waterfalls, set in lush vegetation.
• Return to Luang Prabang, visiting local minority villages along the way.
• End the day with a sunset view from Vat Phabat Temple.

Overnight at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding your 14-day Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos heritage tour.