Legend of Ancient Kingdoms

Early in the morning, you will have the opportunity to observe the Tak Bat ceremony (Alms Giving Ceremony), where devotees offer food to the monks. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

We will then visit the oldest temple in the city, Wat Sene, and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its distinctive roof, a prime example of classical Laotian architecture. Afterward, you will board a boat for an excursion on the Mekong River toward the Pak Ou Caves. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, where local rice wine is produced, and you may also visit other nearby villages.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Returning to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, you can climb to the summit of Mount Phousi to enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Luang Prabang—the perfect spot to admire the sunset. At the foot of the mountain lies the Night Market, where you can find a beautiful selection of handmade textiles created by local artisans.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Luang Prabang.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Falls, where you can refresh yourself with a pleasant swim in one of the natural pools or take a walk along the forest trails. Stops along the way include the Talad Phosy market and Ban Na Oune, a small village of the Hmong tribe, likely the most well-known minority in Laos. Before arriving at the falls, we will also visit the villages of Ban Tha Pane (Khmu) and Ban Ou.

Upon returning to Luang Prabang, we stop at the village of Ban Xang Kong, where they will demonstrate the traditional process of silk weaving and Saa paper making.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, complete customs formalities and obtain your Vietnam visa (this requires a pre-arranged authorization letter). You will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the city.

Check-in at the hotel in Hanoi and enjoy some free time.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day is dedicated to discovering the city of Hanoi, beginning with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex. This includes the main Mausoleum building (exterior only; closed on Mondays and Fridays), the majestic Presidential Palace, Uncle Ho’s house on stilts, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Built of wood in 1049, the pagoda rests on a single stone pillar and was designed to represent the purity of a lotus flower. Afterward, the tour continues with a visit to West Lake—the city’s largest natural lake—and the Tran Quoc Pagoda, which stands on the lake’s eastern shore. A visit to the Temple of Literature is essential; this ancient university was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius to pay homage to scholars and men of letters.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant of your choice.

In the afternoon, you will begin a “xich lo” (cyclo) ride through the Old Quarter, the city’s historic heart—a place with a thousand-year history teeming with vitality and commerce. The Quarter consists of 36 streets, each traditionally dedicated to the sale of a specific product and named accordingly (e.g., spice street, food street, shoe street, or clothing street). These streets often begin with the name “Hang…” followed by the commodity (e.g., Hang Ma). You will then pass through a typical local market to reach the Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem), which is tied to a legend of swords, emperors, and golden turtles and surrounded by ancient trees. You will visit the Ngoc Son Temple, an oasis of peace and tranquility offering a beautiful view of the Turtle Tower (Thap Rua). The day concludes with a traditional Water Puppet Show.

Return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Hanoi.

Departure for Halong Bay by cruise company shuttle bus or private car.

A fascinating and majestic place: words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. Recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the bay features thousands of limestone karsts and islets, creating a picturesque landscape that draws thousands of travelers from around the world every year.

The journey to Halong takes approximately 4 hours and includes a short stop along the way.

Arrival at Halong around noon, followed by embarkation and check-in on the cruise boat. Follow the cruise itinerary activities. Seafood-based meals will be served on board. Overnight stay on the junk in a private cabin (equipped with air conditioning and a shower).

Notes:

• Meals: Lunch and dinner featuring seafood tastings on board are included (beverages not included).
• Accommodation: Overnight stay in a private deluxe cabin (with AC and shower).
• Program Changes: The cruise itinerary may vary without notice depending on weather conditions or local authority regulations.
• Guides: Only one English-speaking guide provided by the cruise company is present on board.
• Italian Guide: A supplement for an Italian-speaking guide on board the Halong cruise is available upon request (subject to availability).

Enjoy breakfast on the junk’s sun deck, where you can sip your coffee while admiring the stunning sunrise over the bay. Spend the morning relaxing as the cruise glides through the magical landscapes of Halong Bay.

Brunch will be served on board.

Disembark and return to Hanoi. A transfer will take you to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, you will be met by a driver (without a guide) and transferred to your hotel. Check-in and overnight stay.

Hue: The Imperial Soul

Nestled along the quiet banks of the Huong River (the Perfume River) in Central Vietnam, Hue offers travelers the relaxed and romantic atmosphere of a place suspended in time. It is often called the most romantic city in Vietnam—a title bestowed by travelers with a poetic soul. Furthermore, many who have dined in the restaurants lining the Perfume River claim it boasts the best cuisine in the entire country.

Breakfast at the hotel.

The day begins with a visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest pagodas in Hue, dating back to 1601. It is the city’s spiritual landmark, well-known for its majestic octagonal tower and its stunning view over the Perfume River. The next stop is the Hue Citadel, the most famous vestige of what was once the Imperial City of Vietnam. It is composed of three distinct parts: the Capital City, the Imperial City, and the Forbidden City (Kinh Thanh, Hoang Thanh, and Tu Cam Thanh).

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

The rest of the afternoon will be dedicated to visiting the traditional incense village of Thuy Xuan, where talented artisans preserve the “soul” of the Vietnamese nation day after day. This is followed by a visit to the Imperial Tomb of Tu Duc, the most representative monument of Nguyen Dynasty architecture and one of the most marvelous constructions of the 19th century. The day concludes at the Dong Ba Market.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure for Hoi An, with a stop at the Lang Co fishing village and the Hai Van Pass (Cloudy Pass).

Upon arrival in Hoi An, the rest of the day is dedicated to visiting the “City of Lanterns.” The first stop is Cam Pho—one of the oldest communal houses in Hoi An. It was built following traditional Chinese architecture and serves as a center for worship, trade negotiations, and cultural exchange between locals and Chinese and Japanese merchants. Take a short walk to the symbol of Hoi An—the Chua Cau or Japanese Covered Bridge, built in the 17th century to provide access between the Japanese and Chinese quarters.

Continue toward the Ancient House of Quan Thang—one of the most authentic ancient houses in Hoi An. Its lively, refined architecture and sculptures were crafted in the Oriental style by artisans from the famous Kim Bong carpentry village. The house offers a glimpse into the daily life of a traditional Hoi An family. Conclude the day at the Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall; built in the 17th century, it served as a meeting place for residents, traders, and visitors from the Fujian region of China.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant during the tour.

Check-in at the hotel. Dinner on your own at a local restaurant and overnight stay.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy some free time in Hoi An before transferring to the airport for your flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival in Saigon, you will be welcomed by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

At the end of the civil war, the ancient city of Saigon took the name of the political leader Ho Chi Minh. Today, it represents the beating heart of Vietnam, as well as its largest city, reflecting its essence through a unique fusion of indigenous culture and profound French and Chinese influences, which are visible at first glance in its architecture.

In the afternoon, visit the city of Saigon: the Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Chinese Quarter (Cholon) with the Thien Hau Pagoda, and the War Remnants Museum.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Meet our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

Spend the morning traveling toward Ben Tre, a beautiful region of the Mekong Delta famous for its production of coconut candy. Arrive at the Phong Nam Bridge for a boat trip along the Ben Tre River to discover local daily life. Stop at a brick kiln to observe traditional brick-making techniques. Along the canal, you will visit one of the many coconut processing workshops, where you can taste fresh coconut and see how every single part of this fruit is transformed into various by-products.

Continue your boat trip along a canal to the village of Nhon Thanh, which will be a perfect opportunity to taste fresh fruit. Take a bicycle ride (or Tuk-tuk) along a small path through the villages, enjoying views of coconut trees, rice paddies, and vegetable gardens.

Lunch included at a small local restaurant.

Transfer to Can Tho. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Can Tho.

Meet our guide at the hotel reception at 06:30 AM.

Transfer to the pier for a boat trip to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market—the largest and most vibrant in the Mekong Delta. A multitude of colors and scents fill the air, creating a sparkling atmosphere where hundreds of sampans are piled high with goods such as rice, fruit, and artisanal products, brought by merchants at the first light of dawn.

Breakfast at a local farm during the excursion.

After leaving the market, you will continue the boat trip through the canals and visit a fruit orchard. Stop at the Binh Thuy Ancient House, home to an orchid garden and the filming location for the movie “The Lover.”

Departure for Chau Doc (approx. 140km / 3.5 hours). In the afternoon, you will be transferred with a private driver only to the Tra Su Forest Reserve, an exceptional biodiversity ecosystem featuring a typical cajuput forest. This is also a famous bird sanctuary, known for a wide variety of species.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a hotel in Chau Doc.

Meet our driver (no guide) at the hotel reception at 06:30 AM.

Transfer with the driver to the port of Chau Doc. After crossing the border into Cambodia, you will travel up the Lower Mekong on a speedboat, which takes approximately 4 hours to reach Phnom Penh.

Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will proceed with customs formalities to obtain your entry visa.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Visit the city of Phnom Penh, which only today, after 25 years, is beginning to regain its former beauty. The best-preserved colonial architecture is found around the Victory Monument, where you can admire elegant Art Deco villas along the boulevards laid out by the French. In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum, which houses a magnificent collection of Khmer sculptures, and the Royal Palace complex, which includes the Throne Hall, the Royal Treasury, and the Silver Pagoda, home to a Buddha statue encrusted with diamonds. If you wish, you can stop at the large Russian Market, where you can purchase local artisanal products.

Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Visit the Tuol Sleng Museum (S21) and Choeung Ek (The Killing Fields). These sites are dedicated to the memory of the war crimes committed by Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge and serve as a memorial to the darkest period in Cambodian history.

Afterward, transfer by private car or shared bus to Siem Reap via National Road 6. Leaving the city, you will see the bustling daily activities of the Cambodian people who start their day very early.

Stop for lunch on your own at a restaurant in Kompong Thom, then continue along National Road 6, which follows the route of the ancient Khmer “Royal Road.” Here, you can still find the majestic Spean Praptos, a bridge made of brick and sandstone built by Jayavarman VII eight centuries ago.

Arrival in Siem Reap in the late afternoon and check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Begin your excursion in the Angkor area, where we will spend an entire day exploring magnificent ancient ruins. Highlights include the South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the largest and most complete temple, Angkor Wat. This architectural masterpiece was built in the 12th century and covers an area of approximately 210 hectares.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Stroll around this massive complex, admiring the numerous colonnaded galleries, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and reflecting pools. Additionally, the jungle-covered Ta Prohm Temple offers a spectacle of rare beauty. Enormous fig trees and gigantic vines embrace the stone foundations of the structure, giving the impression that man’s creation is being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature.

In the late afternoon, you will have the chance to admire the sunset from Bakheng Hill.

Dinner on your own at a local restaurant (not included) and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Optional Activity: Enjoy a short Tuk Tuk ride and participate in a Buddhist ceremony where you will be blessed by monks for happiness and prosperity during your holiday (supplement of $10 USD per person).

Meet our guide at the hotel reception at 08:30 AM.

Leaving the city, we travel along a newly paved road to the Banteay Srei temple (10th century), considered the crown jewel of classical Khmer art. Afterward, continue your visit to Banteay Samre, built in the third quarter of the 12th century. It consists of a central temple with four wings preceded by a hall and accompanied by two libraries; the southern example is remarkably well-preserved.

Lunch on your own at a local restaurant.

Continue to Tonle Sap (approx. 50km / 1 hour), the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It is an ecologically critical site, declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 1997. The name means “Great River of Fresh Water,” but it is more commonly translated as “Great Lake.” Head toward the floating village of Kompong Phluk, located about an hour from Siem Reap and visited by thousands of tourists annually. Kompong Phluk is one of the most impressive villages due to the height and size of its stilt houses.

Return to the hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Please Note:

• Rainy Season (Aug – Jan): You will take a boat to explore the village and continue toward Lake Tonle Sap (walking inside the villages is not possible).
• Dry Season (Feb – Aug): You will reach the village by car and take a walking tour. Afterward, you will board a local boat to pass through the canals toward the Great Lake, where inhabitants move their homes according to the water levels.

Greeting and transfer to the airport for your return flight. 

*** END OF TRIP ***