Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos: Hidden Treasures - 17 Days

On arrival in Siem Reap, your guide and driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. Check in and enjoy some time to settle in.

In the afternoon, visit Wat Bo Pagoda to see its distinctive murals, discover traditional craftsmanship at Les Artisans d’Angkor and browse Psar Chas, the Old Market. A tuk-tuk ride takes you into the outskirts of the city, followed by a blessing from Buddhist monks at a pagoda. In the evening, enjoy a live performance by Phare Circus.

Overnight at Angkor Paradise Hotel.

After breakfast, cycle into the Angkor archaeological park to explore Angkor Wat. Continue to Ta Prohm, where tree roots weave through the ancient stonework. In the afternoon, set out on a three-hour quad-bike adventure through rural villages and rice fields, stopping at a Buddhist monastery. Visit a lesser-known ninth-century temple and a local market, then take a break with a fresh coconut.

Overnight at Angkor Paradise Hotel.

After breakfast, admire the intricate carvings at Banteay Srei and visit the Landmine Museum. On the return journey, explore Preah Dark village and Banteay Samre Temple. Spend the afternoon discovering Angkor Thom, including Bayon Temple and the Terrace of the Elephants, followed by Preah Khan. Later, enjoy a Kongkear Angkor boat ride at sunset with high tea or a cocktail.

Overnight at Angkor Paradise Hotel.

After breakfast, take a boat trip on Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, to visit a floating fishing village. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon.

On arrival, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax or explore the city’s historic streets and lively markets.

Overnight at La Siesta Premium Saigon Hotel.

A two-hour drive takes you from Saigon to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network used during the Vietnam War. Learn how the tunnels served as shelters, living quarters and supply routes for the Viet Cong, and gain an insight into the difficult conditions people faced here.

After lunch, return to Saigon to discover some of its less familiar corners: a concealed weapons store, residential alleyways, a neighbourhood market and a café in a colonial-era apartment building. Meet the family of a former intelligence officer before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at La Siesta Premium Saigon Hotel.

Duration: approximately 8.5 hours | Start: 8:00 am.

After breakfast, travel to Coco Riverside Lodge, where a welcome drink awaits before check-in. In the afternoon, explore the village by bicycle. Visit Mr Cong to learn about traditional rice farming and see how water-coconut leaves and locally known “Poon” sticks are prepared. Continue past rice fields and a dragon fruit plantation.

Return to the lodge towards evening and meet a war veteran, who shares his memories through traditional military music. Finish the day with a cooking class making Vietnamese pancakes.

Overnight at Coco Riverside Lodge.

After breakfast, board a motorboat to visit a local market and get a closer look at daily life along the river.

Visit a Cao Dai temple and a nearby riverside coconut workshop, where coconut fibre is made into ropes and mats for overseas buyers, particularly in Korea. Return to the lodge to relax or have a swim before checking out. Travel back to Saigon and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at La Siesta Premium Saigon Hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. On arrival, meet your local team and continue to your hotel in Hoi An, with some free time after check-in.

In the afternoon, explore Hoi An on foot. Once a thriving trading port, this UNESCO-listed town is known for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets and distinctive local food. Discover old merchants’ houses, the historic Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chaozhou Assembly Hall and a colourful market with stalls selling silk.

Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your own pace.

Overnight at La Siesta Hoi An Hotel.

After breakfast, travel by electric vehicle to Vong Nhi, where you collect bicycles for a six-kilometre ride past coconut groves, shrimp farms and rice fields.

At the 10,000-square-metre Thanh Dong Organic Farm, meet the farmers and hear how organic growing has changed their lives. Join in with seasonal tasks such as fertilising, sowing or harvesting, then enjoy a scenic boat ride along the Do River to The Field Restaurant.

Take part in a short cooking class, enjoy lunch and return to your hotel for some free time.

Overnight at La Siesta Hoi An Hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to Phu Bai Airport for the flight to Hanoi. On arrival, meet your local team and check in at your hotel.

In the afternoon, you have the option of exploring Hanoi’s Old Quarter by electric vehicle. Discover the city’s colonial-era buildings, boulevards and lakes, and learn about the famous 36 streets associated with traditional craft guilds. Look out for the narrow-fronted “tube houses” and hear the stories behind their distinctive design.

Overnight at La Siesta Hang Be Hotel.

Your guide introduces you to Hanoi’s “standing newspaper”, a public reading spot that offers a glimpse into the city’s past. Enjoy a coffee in a neighbourhood café, then visit Gioi Market, known for its eclectic range of goods.

Continue to the famous railway street, where the tracks pass close to people’s front doors. Walk towards Long Bien Bridge and explore a river island with fruit orchards.

Finish by crossing the bridge by train before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at La Siesta Hang Be Hotel.

After breakfast, travel towards Ba Vi National Park. In Ri village, your hosts welcome you with a drink. Meet Mr Duoc, a war veteran and tea farmer, who shares his stories and invites you to help pick and process tea.

Continue to Moc village for a cooking class and lunch with Mrs Chin. Explore the village, meet local craftspeople and cycle through the rice fields. End your visit with a traditional Muong herbal foot bath before returning to Hanoi.

Overnight at La Siesta Hang Be Hotel.

After breakfast, set off for Halong Bay, where limestone islands rise from emerald-green water. The drive takes around three hours, with a short break along the way, arriving at the pier in Halong City around midday.

Board your cruise, enjoy a warm welcome and have lunch as the boat heads into the bay. Depending on the cruise itinerary, the afternoon offers sightseeing, kayaking or time to relax on board.

The boat anchors for the evening and dinner is served. Afterwards, you may like to try karaoke or visit the bar at your own expense.

Overnight on board your Halong Bay cruise.

Wake to the morning light over Halong Bay. Enjoy breakfast, or brunch on some boats, as you sail back towards the harbour. After disembarking, transfer to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.

On arrival, meet your local team and transfer to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at Choasis Hotel.

Start the morning by climbing the 328 steps of Mount Phousi for panoramic views over Luang Prabang and the Mekong. Visit Wat Mai and the National Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace.

Take a boat trip along the Mekong to the Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of Buddha statues. Stop along the way at Ban Xang Hai, a village known for making rice spirits.

Return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon and visit Ban Xang Khong, known for silk weaving and traditional saa paper. In the evening, browse the night market.

Overnight at Choasis Hotel.

If you wish, rise before dawn to observe the traditional giving of alms to monks. Please let your guide know the day before if you would like to take part. Afterwards, return to your hotel for breakfast or join local residents for a bowl of noodle soup.

Visit the morning market, Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Visoun, followed by the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre, which is closed on Mondays.

In the afternoon, travel by private vehicle to Kuang Si Waterfalls, stopping at Ban Na Oune village on the way. Walk through the park, visit the bear rescue centre and spend time relaxing or swimming in the turquoise pools.

Overnight at Choasis Hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and free time before your transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for your departure flight. Your room is available until noon.

Your journey comes to an end.