Indochina Essence

Arrival at Saigon airport. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the city. Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, since 1976.

Walking tour for orientation visit of the city's historical sites: The former Saigon Post Office with its very beautiful iron-framed glass roof, a work by Gustave Eiffel, Notre-Dame Cathedral which is located in the center of a square and therefore well highlighted, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Catinat Street during the time of the French colony of Indochina) with all its luxury shops and its lively atmosphere.

Free time to relax.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast at the hotel 

Departure for the Cu Chi Tunnels. This system of tunnels, built underground, extending over 200 km and composed of 3 levels of depth, played a key role during the 60s as it served as a secret base for the Viet Cong.

Exploring this impressive complex will provide you with a unique experience, and you will realize the extremely difficult living conditions of Vietnamese soldiers during the war against the Americans.

Return to Saigon. Visit to the Giac Lam Pagoda, one of the most beautiful and oldest pagodas in Saigon. Stroll through the heart of the old Chinatown of Cho Lon and its Binh Tay market.

Then, we discovered the Ngoc Hoang temple, which pays homage to the Jade Emperor. With its polychrome and monumental sculptures, its meticulous mosaics, fragrant incense, and a small, tranquil garden, it is one of the most beautiful temples in the city.

Free time to relax.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

After breakfast in Saigon, the group will depart for a visit to the Mekong Delta, known as the rice bowl of Vietnam. The journey to Cai Be, located about 110 km (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes) south of Saigon, will begin in the morning.

Upon arrival at Cai Be pier, board a private boat for a wonderful cruise along the Mekong River. The group will stop at one of the islands on the river to visit some local workshops that produce rice paper, puffed rice, coconut candies, and dried fruit.

Lunch will be served at a local home or restaurant.

After lunch, take a leisurely walk around the village before continuing on a 45-minute boat trip toward An Binh Island, passing through a maze of small islands located between Vinh Long and Cai Be. These islets form a dense and winding network of waterways, offering beautiful scenery and glimpses of local life along the riverbanks.

Upon arrival at An Binh Island, enjoy a cycling tour to explore the island and its tranquil countryside.

After crossing the Co Chien River, the excursion ends at Vinh Long pier, from where the group will continue by road to Can Tho (about 60 km – 1 hour 15 minutes).

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Can Tho

Overnight: Can Tho

Breakfast at the hotel.

Early morning departure from the hotel for a boat trip to Cai Rang Floating Market, the most bustling market in the Mekong Delta, best visited between 4:00 AM and 9:00 AM. Afterward, visit Le Binh Market, a lively local fish market full of authentic Mekong Delta atmosphere.

Continue with a cycling tour through charming local villages to discover the daily life of the people living in the delta. Stop at a tropical fruit garden to taste seasonal fruits that are unique to this region and rarely found in temperate countries.

After the visit, the group will drive back to Saigon (approximately 180 km – 4 hours).

On the way, stop to visit a Cao Dai temple, known for its unique architecture and fascinating blend of different religions.

Arrive in Saigon in the evening, have dinner, and spend the night at the hotel.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then transfer to the Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight to Da Nang.

Head to Hoi An old town (30 mins from the Da Nang airport) and check in your room. 

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Hoi An, formerly known as Faifo, was once a bustling port where Chinese and Japanese merchants had their quarters. Portuguese, Dutch, and French traders came to Hoi An in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its architecture remains unchanged and continues to defy time.

In the afternoon, we will stroll through the narrow streets to visit the city of Hoi An, where you will discover the main points of interest:

• The Fujian Shrine: dedicated to the goddess Thien Hau, protector goddess of fishermen and sailors, this shrine houses statues of the goddess and her 2 assistants.
• Phuc Thanh Pagoda: the oldest pagoda in Hoi An (1454) founded by a Chinese monk, it contains a statue of Buddha A Di Da and very beautiful ritual objects.
• The Japanese Bridge: located in the south of the city, this covered bridge, built in 1593, connects two districts of the city. In the middle of this bridge stands a pagoda topped with yellow and green tiles.
• An old house: the best preserved, two centuries old, it offers a striking example of the integration of Sino-Japanese influences into the local style.

Overnight: Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, set off on a cycling excursion through the peaceful countryside of Hoi An, passing rice paddies, small villages, and rural landscapes before reaching Tra Que Vegetable Village.

Explore the village and learn about the traditional farming methods that local families have practised for generations. Meet local farmers and discover how they cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables using natural techniques. Depending on the season and local activities, you may have the opportunity to participate in some hands-on farming experiences.

After the visit, enjoy lunch at a local house, where you can taste traditional dishes prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

In the afternoon, transfer to the My Son Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most important archaeological sites of the ancient Champa Kingdom. Surrounded by a lush valley and mountains, the complex features impressive Hindu temple ruins dating from between the 4th and 13th centuries.

Explore the ancient towers and temples while learning about Cham history, architecture, religion, and culture and the significance of My Son as a former spiritual centre of the Champa civilisation.

Return to Hoi An in the late afternoon. The evening is at leisure to explore the Ancient Town or relax at your hotel.

Overnight: Hoi An

In the morning, transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Hanoi. You will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to the city (30km – 45 minutes by car).
Check-in at your hotel.

Walk and then cycle-rickshaw ride through the colonial part with French concessions: the City Opera House, the Hotel Metropole (former residence of the Governors of Indochina), the State Bank (Ex-Bank of Indochina), the French School of the Far East.

Then, stroll through the narrow streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter, home to the 36 guilds, to discover the vibrant capital at a walking pace. It will give you the feeling of walking through a postcard.

Then you will visit Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), the symbol of Hanoi and nearby, the Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Mountain).

In the late afternoon, you will attend the water puppet show

Overnight: Hanoi

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning, take part in a half-day cooking class at Rose Kitchen, offering a hands-on introduction to Vietnamese cuisine and its fresh, aromatic flavours. Learn about local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques before preparing a selection of Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of your local host. At the end of the class, sit down and enjoy the dishes you have prepared for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue with a half-day Hanoi city tour, beginning at the Ho Chi Minh Complex in Ba Dinh. Explore this important historical area, home to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his traditional stilt house and gardens, the Presidential Palace grounds, and the nearby One Pillar Pagoda.

Next, visit the Temple of Literature, founded in 1070 and home to Vietnam’s first national university. Dedicated to Confucius and scholars, this beautifully preserved complex is one of Hanoi’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks and an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Return to your hotel after the visit. The evening is at leisure to explore Hanoi at your own pace.

Overnight: Hanoi

Breakfast at your hotel. Depart for Ninh Binh (110 km – approx. 2 hours), one of Vietnam’s most picturesque regions, often called the “Inland Halong Bay” for its harmony of limestone karsts, rivers, plains, and wetlands.

Upon arrival, transfer to Van Long Nature Reserve, a stunning landscape covering nearly 3,000 hectares, home to diverse flora and fauna (457 plant species and 39 animal species).

Enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride (7–10 km, ~45–60 minutes) along the dikes and surrounding villages, immersing yourself in the rural life, rice paddies, and local hospitality.

Next, embark on a 1.5-hour rowboat ride through the reserve’s floating karst formations and waterways, observing unique aquatic plants and, with some luck, the rare Delacour’s langur, a primate endemic to northern Vietnam.

Continue to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, to visit the Dinh and Le Dynasty Temples from the 10th century, famous for their intricate wood and stone carvings, preserved through the centuries.

Check in at your hotel in Ninh Binh. The rest of the day is free for personal exploration or to enjoy hotel amenities.

Overnight: Ninh Binh

Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning, depart by road for Halong (200 km – about 4 hours).
Upon arrival at Hon Gai pier around noon, complete the boarding formalities.

You will take the road that will lead you to one of the most beautiful sites in the world: Halong Bay (which means “the descending dragon”), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You will embark around noon for a cruise through the dreamlike landscapes of Halong Bay. Welcome drink, introduction to the crew and the cruise program before settling into your cabin.

Enjoy a seafood lunch on board as the boat begins its journey through Bai Tu Long Bay, passing amidst thousands of limestone karsts rising from the turquoise waters. The scenery will make you feel like you've stepped into a legendary world.

Visit to the Thien Canh Son cave. You can then go sea kayaking.

In the late afternoon, return to the boat and have free time to watch the sunset.

Overnight stay on board the boat in an air-conditioned cabin, equipped with a private bathroom.

Overnight: Ha Long Bay

An early start for breakfast amidst a stunning landscape. The crew sets sail for the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng. A visit to the village by small rowboat.

The cruise continues into the heart of Bai Tu Long Bay, passing through diverse limestone islets naturally formed by the erosion of air and water. Lunch is served on board as the boat returns to the pier. Disembarkation.

Transfer to Hanoi airport (160km – 3h45 drive) for the late afternoon flight to Luang Prabang.

Arrival at Luang Prabang airport and transfer to town (6 km - 15 minutes by car).

Check in at the hotel.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at the hotel before visiting the city of Luang Prabang.

Discover the Wat Xieng Thong temple, the monastery of the Golden City, whose ornaments, mosaics, and stupas are among the most exquisite. 

The tour of Luang Prabang continues with a visit to the city's historic temple: Vat Visoun, built in the early 16th century. It was partially destroyed by fire in 1887, and the architects responsible for its renovation chose to give it an architectural style inspired by the Khmer temple Vat Phou.

A short walk away, discover Wat Aham, then the city's first monastery, Wat Saen.

Finally, visit Wat May, built in the typical Luang Prabang style.

In the afternoon, you will learn about the history of the region and the royal family at the Royal Palace, now a museum. 

In the evening, stroll through the stalls of the vibrant night market. Every night, ethnic minorities gather along the main street to sell their local produce.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at the hotel

This morning, we invite you to participate in the Bamboo Experience. You will learn about bamboo processing and its significant role in Lao culture. Your guide will demonstrate the techniques and uses of various bamboo products, such as fishing tools and musical instruments.

Participate in a bamboo weaving workshop led by an expert instructor. Then, enjoy a bamboo cooking demonstration, including bamboo shoot soup and bamboo shoots wrapped in banana leaves with sticky rice. 

Savour your creations in a traditional Laotian pavilion-style house overlooking stunning landscapes and rice paddies.

In the afternoon, transfer to Kuang Si. Upon arrival, take a short walk to visit the bear sanctuary. Kuang Si will amaze you with its beauty. It's a collection of natural pools with turquoise water where you can swim. 

Return to Luang Prabang by vehicle in the late afternoon. 

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at the hotel

Start the day by visiting the Phosi market and the Ock Pop Tock weaving center, where you will be shown the different weaving techniques in Laos.

Then we will take an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside.

Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo, where we will begin a short journey to reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves where thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of different shapes and sizes are piled up, left by pilgrims.

On the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xang Hai, where the local rice wine is produced.

On the way, we will visit Ban Xang Khong, Ban Xieng Lek, and Ban Nong Xai, small villages well-known for silk weaving and Saa (jute) paper making. We will return to Luang Prabang and visit a traditional silversmith workshop.

Overnight: Luang Prabang

Breakfast at the hotel.

Enjoy a relaxing morning at leisure in Luang Prabang before your departure. Take this opportunity to unwind at your hotel or explore the charming town at your own pace.

For those who would like to make the most of their final morning, you may stroll through the historic old town, browse local shops and handicraft boutiques, enjoy a coffee overlooking the Mekong River, visit a local market, or treat yourself to a traditional Lao massage.

Return to the hotel and enjoy some free time before checking out.

In the late afternoon, transfer to Luang Prabang International Airport for your flight to Siem Reap.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the evening is at leisure to relax after your journey.

Overnight: Siem Reap

The morning begins with the most iconic of all temples: Angkor Wat. Construction began during the reign of Suryavarman in the 12th century. The complex covers nearly 210 hectares and reveals to visitors the majesty and beauty of its impressive architecture, its sandstone bas-reliefs, its representations of Vishnu and other Buddhist deities.

Afternoon, visit Banteay Srei, a temple built in the 10th century. Dedicated to Shiva, also known as the Citadel of Women, it is renowned for the finesse of its pink sandstone lintels depicting Aspara dancers or scenes from Hindu mythology.

On the way back, visit Sras Srang, the “Ablutions pool” and the Buddhist temple Ta Prohm, where nature reclaims its rights, and giant roots surround the monuments.

Overnight: Siem Reap

Departure by tuk-tuk to Preah Khan, a temple built in 1191 in honour of the first Mahayana Buddhist king of Angkor. It is remarkable for its vaulted corridors, its sculpted friezes, and above all because nature is omnipresent there: lichen covers the bas-reliefs and the cheese trees serve as supports for a large part of the temple.

Visit the Neak Pean temple. This island-temple, also called "Tangled Nagas," sits at the center of a large pool, itself adjoined by four smaller pools that symbolize Anavatapta, a sacred lake in the Himalayas. Visit the Thommanon and Chau Say Tevoda temples, built in the 12th century. Their Devatas, these female deities, as well as their sandstone lintels, are of rare finesse.

In the afternoon, explore Angkor Thom, the Great City. This architectural splendour abounds in symbolism. There are numerous monuments to see, including the Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and countless sculpted figures. The grandeur and foundations of Khmer civilization are encapsulated in this extraordinary place.

Overnight: Siem Reap

Breakfast at the hotel.

This morning, depart Siem Reap for the village of Kampong Phluk, located on the shores of Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.

Explore this fascinating lakeside community and gain an insight into the daily life of local families whose livelihoods are closely connected to the lake. Discover the village’s distinctive stilt houses, observe traditional fishing activities, and learn how residents adapt to the dramatic seasonal changes in water levels.

Between August and February, rising waters transform the surrounding landscape. Depending on the season and water conditions, you may have the opportunity to explore the remarkable flooded forest by traditional wooden boat.

After the visit, return towards Siem Reap and enjoy some free time, depending on your flight schedule.

At the appropriate time, transfer to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your departure flight, marking the end of your journey in Cambodia.