Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
The Ultimate Indochina Adventure Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos
Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos
Hit the ground running in Vietnam, where the bright lights of Hanoi give way to calm cruising on the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long Bay. There’s also the historic citadel of Hue, the UNESCO-listed port of Hoi An and the floating markets of Can Tho to discover. Cameras at the ready...
Next up: cross into Cambodia. Discover the country’s tumultuous history in Phnom Penh, before touring the iconic temples in and around Siem Reap. When you’re not gearing up to take that future photo wall snap of Angkor Wat, you can hit the buzzing streets and enjoy a journey into the Tonle Sap Biosphere.
Round out your far-flung adventure in Laos. Here, you’ll visit even more mesmerising temples and markets in Pakse and Vientiane, sail between some of the Si Phan Don islands and delve into the delights of Luang Prabang. What are you waiting for?
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
This epic, month-long trip begins with an 11-hour flight to Bangkok. After spending the night on board, you’ll arrive early the next morning, ready to catch a connecting two-hour flight to Hanoi. Once you’ve landed and checked into your hotel, indulge in some R&R before dinner.
Your first full day in Hanoi is dedicated to a private tour of the city with a local guide, starting at the Tran Quoc Buddhist pagoda – the oldest in the country. Follow this with back-to-back visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, One Pillar Pagoda and Temple of Literature. What a lineup.
After lunch, continue to either the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or the Vietnamese Women's Museum. Then, it’s on to the Old Quarter, Hang Be Market and finally Hoan Kiem Lake, where the day ends with a water puppet theatre performance. Now that’s a killer opening to your adventure.
Leave Hanoi this morning to head for Halong and Bai Tu Long Bay. Hop in a car for your two-hour private transfer to the port via the longest bridge in Indochina (suitably called Long Bien Bridge).
Over the next few days, enjoy trips to the islet of Da Chong, Lan Ha Bay and the Hang Sang Toi cave – also known as the Dark and Bright Cave. Then, before docking, enjoy a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony.
Next, hang up your sailor’s hats and head to Hue, a one-hour-and-15-minute flight away. When you arrive, check in for two nights before meeting a local guide for a private tour on the back of a scooter.
The following day, hit the streets with another local guide to visit the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel and the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. Then, enjoy an afternoon cruise down the Perfume River and a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda.
Swap Hue for Hoi An with a three-hour private transfer this morning, via the famous Hai Van Pass. When you reach your next hotel, drop your bags and head out to start exploring the city and its UNESCO-listed Ancient Town.
Throughout your time here, learn about the city's trading history as you stroll the streets with local guides. Among the main attractions are the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chinese communal hall, the handicraft shops and the main market.
After soaking up the city buzz, climb in a 4x4 to explore the countryside and the Annamite (mountain) Range. Sample some tea at the plantations here before nipping into Ba Hom Village, home to one of the few remaining hill tribes in Vietnam.
Before returning to Hoi An tonight, opt for either a scenic trek along the former Ho Chi Minh Trail or a soak in the hot springs. Win-win.
Another day, another epic adventure. Wake up bright and early to head to the airport with your driver. Then, catch an hour-and-a-half-long flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll spend the next two nights.
We’ve organised an afternoon full of exploration with a respected local scholar, which will see you ducking into a string of pagodas and museums. Architecture fanatics can also admire the blend of French colonial buildings and glitzy skyscrapers dotted around the city.
The next morning will be dedicated to an excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Head to the banks of the Saigon River to cruise to the site, where your guide will lead you into the 124-mile-long network of tunnels.
After crawling through the caves, cruise back to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening street food tour with a local guide. Food comas pending...
Your time in Vietnam has nearly come to an end, but not before a brush with the mighty Mekong Delta. Meet your private driver to embark on the four-hour drive to Can Tho this morning, a small city at the heart of the delta.
After checking into your hotel, spend the afternoon cycling the surrounding lanes and dirt paths. You’ll pass little cottages, farms, hidden temples and lots of friendly locals – be sure to say ‘xin chao’ (hello).
The next morning, rise early to board a boat and explore the Cai Rang Floating Market. Depending on the season, you’ll find mangoes, bananas, papaya, pineapples and even pho (a noodle soup which doubles as the national dish).
Return to dry land this afternoon for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Chau Doc. This is the boarding point for tomorrow's cruise to Cambodia, so we’d suggest ordering something quintessentially Vietnamese for dinner tonight.
Goodbye, Vietnam; hello, Cambodia. After breakfast, climb aboard a luxurious boat to transfer to Phnom Penh. The journey takes about five hours, meaning you’ll arrive around lunchtime, ready to check in and unwind.
This evening, delve into the city on a private foodie tour. Start with a sundowner at Phnom Penh’s highest restaurant before hopping in a tuk-tuk in search of local 'tapas'. Then, head to another restaurant for the main course: a feast of Cambodian barbecue dishes and local beer. Yum.
Your second day in Phnom Penh centres around the Khmer Rouge and the Killing Fields. Visit the harrowing Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum before heading to the Choueng Ek Genocidal Centre, a mass grave used as a Killing Field.
Thankfully, Cambodia is now an extremely peaceful country, and you can spend your last afternoon strolling the streets and rubbing shoulders with the locals.
Rise and shine – it's time to catch a 45-minute flight to Siem Reap. Over the next few days, explore a string of showstopping sites, including the Srah Srang, Ta Prohm and Ta Nei temples and the UNESCO-listed Angkor complex. Bring on the icons.
To prime you for taking that all-important sunrise snap of Angkor Wat, you’ll attend the Phare Circus. If you can photograph tightrope walkers, contortionists and acrobats, a static temple should pose no challenge.
Then, on your final day in Siem Reap, meet a local guide to journey into the lush and relatively unexplored countryside. Travel in an ox cart, on foot and by boat to visit a few local families and monks for an unbeatable cultural immersion.
End your time in Cambodia with a traditional dinner in a villa surrounded by rice paddies overlooking the West Baray reservoir. It doesn’t come much better than this.
Kick off the final leg of your Indochina adventure with a one-hour flight to the riverside region of Pakse, in Laos. Let the closing act commence...
When you land, join a local guide to visit the Tad Fane, Tad Yuang and Tad Lo waterfalls. Then, head to a coffee plantation before meeting the weaving women of Ban Houay Houn village.
Your first full day in Pakse is R&R heavy, with just one trip planned to the UNESCO-listed Wat Phou temple. The second full day is dedicated to the Si Phan Don archipelago in the Mekong. Here, you can cycle, visit waterfalls and hopefully spot Irrawaddy dolphins.
Following one last night in Pakse, board an hour-long flight to Vientiane. After checking into your hotel, meet a local guide to wind through the markets of the Laotian capital, where you could sample fried insects (or not, of course).
Continue north to Luang Prabang this morning, the jewel of Laos. A driver will meet you at your hotel and whisk you off to the airport for your hour-long flight.
This UNESCO-listed city is full of beautiful temples and sacred sites. Start at the former Royal Palace (now a museum), then head to the Wat Mai, Wat Sensoukarahm and Wat Xieng Thong temples for some spiritual splendour.
Another must-see is Ock Pop Tock, a crafts centre on the banks of the Mekong. Visit with a local guide to learn about Luang Prabang's weaving and textiles industries. Then, roll up your sleeves to join the workers this afternoon.
It's been one heck of a trip, so spend your remaining time kicking back and relaxing. For your last meal, contact our local Concierge to nab you a table at the swankiest spot in town. Let’s toast to the trip of a lifetime.
Just because it's your last day doesn't mean it’s all doom and gloom. So, leap out of bed this morning to watch the monks on their daily almsgiving ceremony – just in time to gather some good luck to take home with you.
Then, head to the Kuang Si Waterfalls with a local guide. Enjoy a gentle walk here before stopping for a picnic breakfast overlooking the turquoise pools.
After eating, return to Luang Prabang to visit a bear sanctuary and make some furry friends (from afar, of course). Having taken some wildlife snaps, grab your bags and hop in a car to the airport for your flight home, via Bangkok.
The journey takes just over a day, so you’ll spend the night on board and arrive the following morning, ready to regale friends and family with tales of your adventures in Indochina.
Why visit Cambodia with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Cambodia
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
Why visit Laos with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Laos
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
Why visit Vietnam with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Vietnam
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
