Grand Indochina: Vietnam & Cambodia – 20 Days/ 19 Nights

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN HANOI

Arrival at Hanoi Airport. Your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel in the city center.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI SIGHTSEEING AND MOTORCYCLE TOUR (B/L/-)

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your local guide at 08:30 and start your city tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, founded in 1076. Known locally as Quoc Tu Giam, this place of learning was established inside a temple to educate Vietnam’s nobles, scholars, and elites. Its well-preserved architecture and tranquil gardens offer intriguing glimpses into Vietnam’s past.
Later, take a walk around the Old Quarter — also known as "the 36 streets" — and Hoan Kiem Lake to learn more about the lake’s legend and the Temple of Jade.
Visit St. Joseph’s Cathedral, one of the first buildings constructed by the French during their Indochina expansion, and immerse yourself in the peaceful Ba Da Pagoda, hidden in a quiet corner just steps away.
In the afternoon, discover Hanoi’s neighborhoods on the back of a Russian Minsk motorcycle. First, stop at a local restaurant in Ba Dinh District to enjoy “pho” — rice noodles served in different styles. Then, ride to a hidden farmland along the Red River to discover Hanoi’s countryside, where locals plant bananas and vegetables and live in floating homes.
On your way back, stop at the historic Long Bien Bridge (built 1898–1902 by Gustave Eiffel). Continue to Hanoi’s largest open-air second-hand market in Hai Ba Trung District, explore residential alleys, and visit a wet market to learn about Vietnamese cooking ingredients and taste tropical fruits.
Later, continue to Dong Da District, Hanoi’s most populated area, and stop at Train Street, where houses sit just a few meters from the railway. Visit a local house with 1960s-style interiors before concluding your tour with Hanoian egg coffee at a traditional café.
Return to your hotel around 16:30.
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – NINH BINH – NIGHT TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B/L/-)

Depart your hotel at 08:30 for a drive through rural northern Vietnam to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Explore the citadel and temples dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang (Dinh Dynasty, 968–980) and Emperor Le Dai Hanh (Le Dynasty, 980–1009).
After lunch, head to the UNESCO-listed Trang An Landscape Complex for a peaceful riverboat ride through caves and karst valleys — an iconic “Halong on Land” scenery.
Alternatively, depart for Ninh Binh and cycle to Bich Dong Pagoda (dating to 1428) at the foot of Ngu Nhac Mountain. After lunch, board a private sampan at Tam Coc pier to sail along the Ngo Dong River, passing through the three caves “Hang Ca,” “Hang Hai,” and “Hang Ba.”
Return to Hanoi and spend time at leisure until your 22:00 train departure to Lao Cai.
Overnight in a shared 4-berth cabin.

DAY 4: LAO CAI – BAC HA MARKET – SAPA (B/-/-)

Upon arrival at Lao Cai Station, have breakfast at a local restaurant. Then travel to Bac Ha via a scenic mountain road. Visit the colorful Bac Ha Sunday Market, where ethnic minorities such as the Flower H’Mong, Phu La, and Dao Tuyen gather to trade goods.
Visit the Hoang A Tuong Mansion (early 20th century), blending Oriental and European architecture, and learn about the former rulers of the region. Continue to Thai Giang Pho village for a cultural encounter with the Flower H’mong, then stop at Ma Tra village on the way to Sapa.
Overnight in Sapa.

DAY 5: SAPA (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel.
At 08:00, start your trek from Sapa along the southern road, stopping for stunning views of Fansipan Mountain and Muong Hoa Valley. Trek uphill for two hours to Hang Da village (Black H’Mong), nestled under lush trees. Visit local families and enjoy lunch in the village.
Continue trekking for another hour to Thao Hong Den village and then descend for an hour along a dirt trail to Pho village (Hau Thao commune). Return to Sapa by vehicle.
Dinner on your own.
Overnight in Sapa.
Note: The trek program may be adjusted depending on weather, age, and fitness.

DAY 6: SAPA – HANOI (B/-/-)

At 08:30, hike across the breathtaking Muong Hoa Valley, from the Black H’Mong village of Lao Chai to the Zay village of Ta Van. Admire terraced rice fields and meet ethnic farmers. Return to Sapa for lunch, then join a shared minivan back to Hanoi (~20:00).
Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG (B/L/D)

After breakfast, depart at 08:30 for Ha Long Bay. Board a cruise at Tuan Chau Pier for an overnight journey through Lan Ha Bay (or Bai Tu Long Bay).
Enjoy lunch while cruising among limestone islets, then join kayaking, swimming, or cave visits. Relax on the sundeck before a seafood dinner onboard.
Overnight on the cruise.
Note: Itinerary may change due to weather or cruise conditions.

DAY 8: HA LONG – HANOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B/Brunch/-)

Enjoy the sunrise and a light breakfast on board. As the cruise sails back to port, have brunch while admiring the bay’s limestone formations.
Upon disembarkation, transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Hue. On arrival, meet your driver for transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Hue.

DAY 9: HUE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring Hue, the former imperial capital (1802–1945) of the Nguyen Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit the Imperial Citadel (Kinh Thanh, Hoang Thanh, Cam Thanh), Thien Mu Pagoda (Pagoda of the Heavenly Lady), and royal tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Stop by Thuy Xuan incense village to see colorful incense drying in the sun.
Overnight in Hue.

DAY 10: HUE – DA NANG – HOI AN (B/-/-)

Depart Hue for Hoi An on a scenic drive through Lang Co Lagoon and Hai Van Pass. Upon arrival, stroll through Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO), visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, and traditional merchant houses.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 11: HOI AN (B/-/-)

After breakfast, visit My Son Sanctuary (UNESCO), the former capital of the Cham civilization, nestled in a lush valley. Admire the red-brick towers and learn about Cham culture.
Return to Hoi An for free time and shopping.
Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 12: HOI AN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to Da Nang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, drive to Cu Chi Tunnels — an immense underground network used during wartime. Watch a short documentary, then explore tunnels, bunkers, and traps.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 13: HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-)

Explore the city’s highlights: FITO Museum (Traditional Medicine) or War Remnants Museum. Visit Do Phu Café (former secret base) and Van Phat Pagoda (10,000 Buddha statues). End with colonial landmarks — Saigon Central Post Office, Nguyen Hue and Dong Khoi Streets.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 14: HO CHI MINH CITY – BEN TRE – CAN THO (B/L/-)

Depart at 08:00 for Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Take a boat trip along the Ben Tre River, visiting brick kilns, coconut workshops, and mat-weaving families. Enjoy local fruits and tea, then ride a xe lôi (motor cart) or bicycle through peaceful countryside.
Lunch with local specialties such as elephant-ear fish and river shrimp. Afternoon rowing along shaded coconut canals, then transfer to Can Tho.
Overnight in Can Tho.

DAY 15: CAN THO – CHAU DOC (B/-/-)

Early morning Cai Rang Floating Market cruise aboard the Mystic Sampan. Watch trading boats and enjoy breakfast on board. Visit a rice-noodle workshop before heading to Chau Doc.
En route, explore Tra Su Melaleuca Forest by motorboat and rowboat to see wild birds and the lush flooded forest.
Overnight in Chau Doc.

DAY 16: CHAU DOC – PHNOM PENH (B/-/-)

Depart at 07:00 for a scenic 5-hour Mekong River speedboat journey to Phnom Penh.
Afternoon visits include the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda (5,000 silver tiles), Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), and Wat Phnom — the city’s iconic pagoda.
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

DAY 17: PHNOM PENH – SIEM REAP (B/-/-)

After breakfast, drive to Siem Reap. Stop at Skoun (famous for fried spiders), then visit Sambor Prei Kuk — pre-Angkorian temples hidden in the forest (7th century). Continue to Kompong Kdei Bridge from the Angkor era.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 18: SIEM REAP (B/-/-)

Full-day tour of Angkor Thom: South Gate, Bayon (200+ faces), Phimeanakas, Royal Enclosure, Elephant Terrace, and Terrace of the Leper King. Continue to Preah Khan and Ta Prohm — the jungle temple used in Tomb Raider. End the day with a sunset view at Sra Srang.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 19: SIEM REAP (B/-/-)

Visit the iconic Angkor Wat — a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. Afternoon visit to Banteay Srei (“Citadel of Women”) and Banteay Samre. Stop at Pradark Village to see palm-sugar making.
Overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 20: SIEM REAP – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Morning boat trip on Tonle Sap Lake to Kampong Phluk — a floating village surrounded by flooded forests. Observe daily life on the water.
Free time until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.