# 14-Day Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Tour: Sync with Indochina's Heartbeat

It might be the exotic name of Indochina that grabs you first. Over time, you are destined to sync with the heartbeat of the region: cruising in the breeze of Halong Bay, cooking at a local chef’s kitchen in Hoi An, touching the exquisite carvings of Angkor Wat, offering alms to the monks in Luang Prabang's morning and bathing an elephant in the Nam Khan River. Merge yourself with Indochina and make this fortnight the memory of a lifetime.

## Highlights

- Meet Mr.Thanh at his home kitchen and learn some Vietnamese culinary skills
- Motorbike adventure in Ho Chi Minh City
- Angkor Wat essence and visit the less-visited Beng Meala
- Offering the first pot of ricer to the monks in Luang Prabang
- Bathing an elephant in the Nam Khan River with a loal mahout

## What's Included

- Private transfers and English-speaking tour guides in every destination
- All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
- Hotel accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
- Internal flights including taxes and fuel as specified in the itinerary
- Breakfasts at hotels, lunches for every guided day and one soft drink per person for the Halong Bay Cruise
- Governmental taxes

## Price per Person in US Dollars

Nov.1 - Mar.31 | Handpicked Comfort | Luxury
--- | --- | ---
2-5 People | $#AH-6,st,25,2016-11-10# | $#AH-6,lx,25,2016-11-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-6,st,69,2016-11-10# | $#AH-6,lx,69,2016-11-10#
Apr.1 - Oct.31 |  |
2-5 People | $#AH-6,st,25,2016-09-10# | $#AH-6,lx,25,2016-09-10#
6-9 People | $#AH-6,st,69,2016-09-10# | $#AH-6,lx,69,2016-09-10#

Note: The price is only for reference and subject to change on final confirmation.

## Suggested Itinerary

Day 1Hanoi Arrival

Arrive in the capital city of Vietnam; Hanoi welcomes you with a smile. Transfer to your hotel and relax.

- Entering Vietnam:

People of all nationalities, except those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are required to obtain visa for Vietnam. It is easy to apply for a visa-on-arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. All you need is an approval Lletter, USD25 per person for a single-entry visa stamp and 2 passport-photo-sized photos.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Hanoi Pearl Hotel (Handpicked Comfort) / Apricot Hanoi Hotel (Luxury)

Day 2Hanoi

Hanoi is like an undemonstrative lady whose stories are benevertheless intriguing. Today take a city tour in Hanoi to get to know her better. Firstly, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will introduce you to 50-plus minority groups with colorful cultures. Your guide will bring history to life at the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Hoa Lo Prison. Vietnamese food iswill be served for lunch at a local restaurant.
Carry on, and you will visit Dong Xuan Market and walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake, before your exploration for more in the Old Quarter.

- The traffic in Hanoi:

Watch out for motorbikes when you are walking in the Old Quarter. The riders all tend to drive very fast but you will be fine if you keep your eyes on the road and don’t stray onto the driving lanes. Keep a careful eye on your children at all times, taking them by the hand if necessary.

Day 3Hanoi - Halong Bay (3 hours by car)

Have breakfast at your hotel and you will then be taken to Halong Bay. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay is not only a place for amazing landscapes, but also for some quality time with your loved one(s).
Every cruise ship has its own route; but on your cruise you will probably see Cua Van Fishing Village, Vung Vieng Fishing Village, Me Cung Caves, Virgin Cave, and Surprise Cave, as well as passing some small islets, such as Flight Cock Islet, Human Head Islet, and Toad Islet etc. Some cruises also include a cooking class at night and a tai chi lesson in the morning.

Accommodation:

1 night on Paloma Cruise (Handpicked Comfort) / Paradise Luxury Cruise (Luxury)

Get the view of the bay at the top of Titov Island
Day 4Halong Bay - Hanoi (3 hours by car) - Danang (1 1/2 hours by air) - Hoi An (40min by car)

The cruise comes to a beautiful end as the ship slowly pulls in to the shore. Transfer to the airport and fly to Danang, one of the biggest cities in Vietnam and a major transportation hub for travelers down to the south. Take a 40-minute drive to Hoi An town.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa (Handpicked Comfort) / Palm Garden Beach Resort & Spa (Luxury)

Day 5 Hoi An

Meet with Mr. Thanh, who used to be the head chef for some high-end resorts in Nha Trang and Danang and now takes satisfaction in sharing the essence of Vietnamese cooking with people from other cultures. This morning, he will come and pick you up at the hotel.
Cycle with him (or ride in a private car depending on the size of your group) through the ancient town until you reach his house in the village. Take tour of the market to prepare for cooking 3 dishes. Have lunch with Mr. Thanh’s family before returning to your hotel.
You will have some free time exploring the Ancient Town of Hoi An in the afternoon.

- Good cooking and great food!

Kumquat Hoi An Restaurant treats customers with a homely setting and great food. The restaurant is closed when Mr. Thanh teaches a class to make sure every student learns without distraction. If you are taking the class with your children, they can play with Thanh’s three adorable kids while you are busy with dicing and chopping.

Meet our friend Mr.Thanh in Hoi An
Day 6Hoi An - Danang (40min by car) - Ho Chi Minh City (1 hour by air)

Today we will arrange an afternoon flight so you may have more free time in Hoi An. Transfer to Danang and fly to Ho Chi Minh City. Have some free exploration after checking in your hotel.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint (Handpicked Comfort) / Grand Hotel Saigon (Luxury)

Day 7Ho Chi Minh City

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Saigon, roam as a Saigoner.
Today you will hop on a motorbike and explore the city in a different way: besides some must-see attractions including Reunification Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, you will have the chance to go deep into the back streets. Have lunch at a local restaurant and then continue the drive to Chinatown and Binh Tay Market.

- The ride:

The motorbike trip is only for small groups (maximum 5 people) because of safety concerns. Visits at the attractions will only be to view them from outside except for the markets. Private car or van can be arranged on request, instead of motorbike.

Day 8Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap (1h1min by air)

Surprisingly, morning in Saigon does not seem that bustling and busy when you start with a nice cup of coffee. Enjoy some free time before your flight to Siem Reap. Check in your hotel and have have the rest of today free at leisure.

Accommodation:

3 nights at Tara Angkor Hotel (Handpicked Comfort) / Sokha Angkor Resort (Luxury)

Day 9Siem Reap

Only by visiting the Angkor Wat Complex in person, can one say with authority that the word ‘wonder’ is well-deserved. Today you will visit the essential parts of the complex: Angkor Wat, the primary exhibits.
Angkor Thom, yesterday’s royal city; Ta Prohm, an Indiana Jones’ fantasy in reality; Bayon Temple, the iconic site for the mysterious Smile of Angkor. Each of these four sites was constructed for a different purpose and in a different style. One thing that they have in common is that they stand for the ultimate pursuite for immortality. Your tour guide will share interesting insights and even divulge some secrets of Apsara (female celestial being) carvings.
At night, you will attend a dinner show at Por Cuisine Restaurant and witness the Apsaras come to life.

Day 10Siem Reap

If you are a bit tired of temples, today’s sites will be quite refreshing. Bantey Srei, situated in the jungles and built withby pink sandstone, demonstrates the essences of Angkorian art.
Visit the Cambodia Landmine Museum and learn about Aki Ra’s lifelong efforts to eliminate landmines. Thanks to him and his team, Beng Meala, which was full of landmines some decades ago, is now safe to visit, and you will probably revel in the rustic ambience. Lunch is simple Cambodian cuisine (or international upon request) at a local restaurant.

- Aki Ra and Landmines:

Aki Ra was born in 1970 (or 1973) and raised to be a child soldier during the time of Khmer Rouge. His job was to lay landmines. He started disarming and removing landmines in 1993 and founded this museum as a center to support his team, landmine victims and a children’s center. The team, Cambodian Self Help Demining (CSHD), is committed to the mission of clearing landmines from the whole country.

Day 11Siem Reap - Luang Prabang (1h25min by air)

Enjoy a lazy morning in Siem Reap before the flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Transfer to your hotel upon arrival and take a relaxing walk in the peaceful town of Luang Prabang.

Accommodation:

2 nights at Belle Rive Boutique Hotel (Handpicked Comfort) / Kiridara Hotel (Luxury)

Day 12Luang Prabang

Rise up early in the morning and you will participate in an important ritual: morning alms giving. To show respect, locals offer their first pot of sticky rice of the day to Buddhist monks, who walk a long distance barefoot into the town. Such simple food is their only food resource of the day. Get in line and wait for the monks' approach.
After the ritual, you will visit the morning market of Luang Prabang. Today’s tour will be at a slow pace: Xieng Thong Temple, the Traditional Art Exhibition Center and the Royal Palace Museum. Sample some local cuisine for lunch.

- Some tips of alms-giving:

Female travelers should not touch the monks at all. If donating, place food directly into the monks’ basket. Women should wear a sarf-like cape over their left shoulder. Always use your right hand to give food. Do not give snacks or any kind of meat.

Day 13Luang Prabang

Ban Xieng Lom Village, also known as the Elephant Village, is actually a charity site that supports less-advantaged villagers by offering them job opportunities, and serves as a safe haven for elephants. The elephants graze in the jungle, not inside cages, and it is fairly easy to get close to these lovely creatures under proper instructions from mahouts (elephant experts).
This morning one of the villagers will pick you up at the hotel and transfer you to the site. Spend the day with your new friend, feeding, and training elephants, and bathing them in the Nam Khan River. Have a simple buffet lunch in the village and take a boat ride to Tad Sae Waterfall where you can go swimming. Return to your hotel in the afternoon.

- Bathing fun:

The water in the Nam Khan River is shallow but we wouldn’t recommend this for children under 12, unless they are competent swimmers. Do remember to bring a bathing suit for swimming and a clean outfit to change into after the swim..

One elephant can take only two riders
Day 14Luang Prabang Departure

Enjoy some free time in Luang Prabang before the departure flight. Transfer to the airport and fly back home.

- Connecting flight:

In flying home to another continent or to other Asian countries from Luang Prabang, many travelers choose Bangkok as an interim transit location., A stopover in Bangkok can easily turn into a great holiday extension. Spend 1 day in Bangkok to see the city highlights; and if you can spare 2 days for a trip to Chiang Mai or 3 days for a rest at the beach, you will call it a fantastic holiday.

## Asia Highlights Handpicked Hotels

Asia Highlights chooses hotels with a balanced mixture of traditional Vietnamese style and modern comfort, easy access to everything yet quiet enough for a good night's sleep.

Hanoi - Hanoi Pearl Hotel

- 4.5/5 points by over 600 travelers on TripAdvisor.
- By the Hoan Kiem Lake, 10 minutes to walk to the Old Quarter.
- All rooms allow extra bed and adjoining rooms are available for families on holiday.

Halong Bay - Paloma Cruise

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor and ranked 17/166.
- Cruising through a less-crowded bay Bai Tu Long Bay with more islands to see.
- We choose your cabin on the 2nd deck with private balcony for better views and quieter night.

Hoi An - Essence Hoi An Hotel & Spa

- Winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, ranked 6/119.
- Secluded and rural setting, 15 minutes to walk to the Ancient Town of Hoi An.
- Featuring with great spa center, outdoor swimming pool and nice food. Connecting rooms are great for families.

Ho Chi Minh City - Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint

- A winner of Certificate of Excellence on TripAdvisor, ranked #12 or 423 hotels in Ho Chi Minh City.
- By the Ho Chi Minh Square, away from the crowded riverside area yet easy to find shopping malls, bars and restaurants nearby.
- AH's choice, Deluxe Room, has great lighting from large double-glazed windows and great views of the city.

Siem Reap - Tara Angkor Hotel

- TripAdvisor's winner of Certificate of Excellence, 4.5/5 points by over 2,600 travelers.
- Romantically designed in colonial style with Cambodian influence.Easy to get to the old town.
- Spacious rooms with small balcony, nice lightering and comfy surrounding.

Luang Prabang - Belle Rive Boutique Hotel

- Proudly Travelers' Choice 2016 on TripAdvisor, 4.5/5 points by travelers.
- Great location, nice view of the Mekong River, 5-minute walking distance to Xieng Thong Temple.
- Colonial style rooms with private balcony, humble and friendly staff and nice breakfast.

Note: Your comfort counts! It's totally possible to change hotels based on your interests and budget. From guesthouses to high-end luxury resorts, just let us know your preferences and we will help you choose.

- Duration: 14 days (approx.)
- Tour Code:AH-6
- Tour Type: Private Tours

From: $#AH-6,st,25,2016-09-10# Price details
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