Ancient Capitals of Indochina
Sights, history & culture of three incredible countries: Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam plus deluxe overnight Halong Bay cruise; optional Bangkok extension
| Style | Small Group Tour Tour escorts & guides for some segments | ||
| Departures | Group Size | 16 travelers max | |
| Themes | History & Culture, Grand Tours | ||
| Activity Level | |||
| What to Expect | This fast-paced, escorted tour involves a significant amount of walking or hiking, often on uneven terrain, requiring a high level of physical fitness to fully enjoy the trip. This tour also includes long scenic drives between destinations, sometimes on bumpy unpaved roads and may have limited rest stops. Travel safely and confidently with our new health & safety protocols. | ||
| Already booked? | Find everything you need to know before you go, including information about passport & visa requirements, flights, luggage, and more. | ||
Imagine a setting of verdant rice paddies washed in shades of orange and pink as the glowing sun dips below the horizon. Picture the gentle lap of turquoise waters as they serenely surround towering karst islands. Or, think of the quiet moments—spiritual monks walking barefoot through streets, the feeling of looking out from a mountains summit at the landscapes below, or the taste of a new food you’ve never before tried and just fall in love with. A panoply of experiences awaits on our fully-guided small group tour that takes you on an epic journey through the jewels of Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Start in Cambodia where you’ll find yourself exploring the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh by Cyclo one day and wandering the ancient and expansive ruins of Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the next. Then travel to Laos where you’ll ride the mighty Mekong River, witness caves full of gold-lacquered Buddhas and even partake in a spiritual Baci Ceremony (a blessing of goodwill and good luck). Finally, end in Vietnam where you’ll sail the unforgettable Halong Bay, eat your way through a Hanoi foodie tour, and dive deep into the French influence and history of this amazing region as you visit colonial buildings, historical sights, and must-see landmarks.
You’ll enjoy all of this amazing touring plus the comforts and inclusions our travelers have come to expect: international round trip airfare, high-quality accommodations, bountiful meals, and more. If you’re looking to extend your stay in Southeast Asia, take advantage of your already-included airfare and join our optional Bangkok post-tour extension!
Package includes
- Flights
- Cruise
- Coach
- Transfers
- Hotel
- Meals
- Guides
- Round-trip flights from Los Angeles including taxes & fees
- All intra-Asia flights and ground transportation
- 12 nights superior & deluxe hotel accommodations
- 1 night aboard the deluxe Azalea Cruise Ship on Halong Bay
- 26 Meals: 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches & 7 dinners, including welcome & farewell dinners
- Comprehensive touring program including entrance fees
- Professional English-speaking tour director and local guides
Optional add-ons
- Flights from other cities are available. Request pricing when making your reservation.
- Optional Bangkok post-tour Extension
Why you'll love it
- Enjoy the sights, history & culture of three incredible countries: Cambodia, Laos & Vietnam.
- For each traveler visiting, Friendly Planet contributes to a carbon-neutral program which supports reforestation, clean water, replenishing mangroves, and seeding coral reefs.
- Tour colonial Phnom Penh by cylco, including Wat Phnom, the National Museum and more.
- Marvel at the ruins of Angkor Archaeological Park.
- Cruise the Mekong River and visit the Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of gold Buddha statues.
- Participate in a Laos Baci Ceremony and express goodwill and luck to others.
- Embark on a city tour of Hanoi, including historical Ba Dinh Square, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the Temple of Literature and the “Hanoi Hilton”.
- Savor a dinner at Spoons Cafe, a restaurant that aims to provide hospitality training to Cambodian youth.
- Awaken your taste buds with a foodie tour of Hanoi, hosted by a local chef.
- Experience the near-magical health and relaxation benefits as you join an early morning Tai Chi lesson.
- Set sail on the emerald waters of Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with thousands of limestone karsts and isles.
- Explore Ho Chi Minh City’s Saigon Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, and Gia Long Palace.
- Pay a visit to a local home factory where you'll see the production of rice paste, rice popcorn and coconut candies, followed by visiting a rooftop workshop that specializes in leaf-sewing.
Itinerary at a Glance
- 1 Depart USA
- 2 En route
- 3 Arrive Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- 4 Phnom Penh
- 5 Phnom Penh & Siem Reap
- 6 Siem Reap
- 7 Siem Reap & Luang Prabang, Laos
- 8 Luang Prabang & Pak Ou Caves
- 9 Luang Prabang & Kuang Si Waterfalls
- 10 Luang Prabang & Hanoi
- 11 Hanoi
- 12 Hanoi & Halong Bay
- 13 Halong Bay, Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City
- 14 Ho Chi Minh City
- 15 Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta
- 16 Depart Ho Chi Minh City/Arrive USA
Bangkok Independent Optional Extension
- 16 Depart Ho Chi Minh City/Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
- 17 Bangkok
- 18 Bangkok
- Optional Excursion: Ancient City of Ayutthaya (purchased locally) , $135
- 19 Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA
Detailed Itinerary
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 1 Depart USA
- Your journey to Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam begins as you check in for your flight bound for Phnom Penh, Cambodia via Taipei, Taiwan
Day 2 En route
- Cross the International Dateline and lose a day. (You'll recover this day on your return trip.)
Day 3 Arrive Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Meet your guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in
- Enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra or similarDinner
Day 4 Phnom Penh
- Tour the remarkable sights of Phnom Penh by Cyclo
- Explore the Khmer architecture and statues of Wat Phnom
- Explore the National Museum containing over 5000 statues and others artifacts
- Pay a respectful visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum
- Stop by a non-profit that teaches Cambodian traditional arts
Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra or similarBreakfast
Day 5 Phnom Penh & Siem Reap
- Transfer to the airport to board for your flight to Siem Reap
- Meet your guide and transfer to hotel for check-in
- This afternoon visit Lake Tonle Sap where you will learn about life on the lake
FCC Angkor by Avani or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 6 Siem Reap
- Set off for the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit the intricately carved ruins at Angkor Wat
- Explore the temples of the Small Circuit
- Discover the mysterious royal walled city of Angkor Thom
- See the Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city
- Enjoy dinner with an Apsara dance performance
FCC Angkor by Avani or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 7 Siem Reap & Luang Prabang, Laos
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos
- Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in
- Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure before dinner with fellow travelers
AVANI+ Luang Prabang or similarBreakfast & dinner
Day 8 Luang Prabang & Pak Ou Caves
- Take a guided city tour of Luang Prabang, including the National Museum and Wat Mai
- Visit Wat Xieng Thong
- Cruise up the Mekong River to the famous Pak Ou Caves
- Time permitting, stop at Ban Xang Hay, a village that specializes in making rice wine
- Partake in Laos' special Baci Ceremony
AVANI+ Luang Prabang or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 9 Luang Prabang & Kuang Si Waterfalls
- Early morning alms giving
- Discover the natural views around the Kuang Si Waterfalls
- Climb the 328 stairs to the summit of Mt. Phousi
AVANI+ Luang Prabang or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 10 Luang Prabang & Hanoi
- Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam
- Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in
Pan Pacific Hanoi or similarBreakfast
Day 11 Hanoi
- City tour of Hanoi
- See the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university
- Have lunch at Know One Teach One "KOTO", a non-profit restaurant that trains young people
- Visit the highly-acclaimed Vietnam Women’s Museum
- Learn more about Hanoi’s gastronomy through a foodie tour
Pan Pacific Hanoi or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 12 Hanoi & Halong Bay
- After breakfast, drive from Hanoi to Halong Bay
- Board the Orchid Trendy Cruise and enjoy a welcome drink and orientation
- Cruise through Halong Bay, passing by beautiful limestone karst formations
- Join a traditional cooking class with the ship’s chef
- Enjoy a happy hour with shipmates before a sumptuous Vietnamese dinner
Orchid Trendy Cruise or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 13 Halong Bay, Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City
- Enjoy an early morning Tai Chi lesson
- Explore the bay by canoe near the Sang Toi cave, followed by an early lunch
- Disembark and transfer back to Hanoi for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
- Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in
Pullman Saigon Centre or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 14 Ho Chi Minh City
- Depart this morning for a tour of vibrant Ho Chi Minh City
- Sunset cruise along the Saigon River
Pullman Saigon Centre or similarBreakfast & lunch
Day 15 Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong Delta
- Depart this morning for Cai Be, deep in the heart of the Mekong Delta
- Visit to a local home factory which produces rice paste, rice popcorn and coconut candies
- Enjoy lunch at Ut Kiet Mandarin Home before slowly cruising back Cai Be
- On your return, stop at Cao Dai Temple then continue back to Ho Chi Minh City
Pullman Saigon Centre or similarBreakfast, lunch & dinner
Day 16 Depart Ho Chi Minh City/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport to check-in for your return flight to the USA
Breakfast
Bangkok Independent Optional Extension
Why not take advantage of your already included international airfare and add three days in exotic Bangkok, bustling capital of Thailand? Your extension includes airfare from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, three nights at a deluxe hotel, half day city tour, breakfast daily, and all group transfers.
To see full details, click the button to the right.
Day 16 Depart Ho Chi Minh City/Arrive Bangkok, Thailand
- Transfer to the airport to board your short flight to Bangkok, bustling capital of Thailand
- Upon arrival, you'll be escorted to your deluxe, centrally located hotel
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 17 Bangkok
- Enjoy an included half day sightseeing tour of Bangkok
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 18 Bangkok
- Full day at leisure in Bangkok or take an optional excursion to Ayutthaya
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok or similarBreakfast
Day 19 Depart Bangkok/Arrive USA
- Today, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA via Taipei, Taiwan
Breakfast
Hotels & Ship
Hotels
In the unlikely event that a particular hotel is not available, a similar or better hotel may be substituted.
Cruise Ship
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Trip Details
- What should I know before I go?We've compiled a comprehensive checklist, including information on how to pay your balance due, flights & transfers, packing & luggage, and more.
- Do I need a visa or other documents? Are there any entry requirements?Travel visas are required for this package. Please review the visa & entry requirements.
- Can I make changes to my trip?Want to upgrade your seats? Stay a few extra days? Something else? Just ask!
- Can I bring my kids? Are there any age restrictions?To book this package, you must be 18 or older. Your traveling companions must be 8 or older at time of travel.
- Should I purchase travel insurance?Yes! We recommend you purchase travel insurance to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For your convenience, we offer a plan provided by Travelex Insurance Services.
- What's the fine print?Review the terms & conditions for this package.
What should I know about Cambodia?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Thailand?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Vietnam?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
What should I know about Laos?Check out our guide for practical travel tips, the best time to go, videos, and more.
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