Indochina Express From Saigon - 14 Days

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. On arrival, you will be collected and transferred to our hotel. Settle in and enjoy some free time before a welcome meeting and drink with your fellow travellers.

We begin the day with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Built during the Vietnam War, these underground passageways played a vital role in the Viet Cong’s resistance efforts. After exploring this remarkable site, we return to Saigon.

Following lunch, we set out on a guided walking tour, starting at the former Presidential Palace - a striking modernist building where, on the morning of 30 April 1975, North Vietnamese tanks famously rolled in as Saigon fell. From here, we continue on foot to take in the key landmarks of colonial-era Ho Chi Minh City. These include the red-brick Notre-Dame Cathedral, the grand 19th-century Central Post Office, and the nearby City Hall – all showcasing classic French architectural influences. We also pass Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) and the elegant Opera House.

The tour concludes with a stop at Ben Thanh Market, one of the oldest surviving structures in the city and a symbol of Saigon.

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City. Today we escape the bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and head towards the serene Mekong Delta, travelling to the riverside town of My Tho. On arrival, we visit the Cao Dai Temple before boarding a traditional boat for a cruise along the Mekong River.

We’ll explore the famed Four Islands - Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix - making several stops along the way to experience daily life in this fertile region. We’ll see how local communities support themselves through small-scale industries such as fruit orchards, a chocolate workshop, and a coconut candy factory.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant, offering a chance to try regional flavours, before we return to Ho Chi Minh City in the late afternoon.

Ho Chi Minh City - Danang - Hoi An. We fly to Danang and enjoy a scenic drive to Hoi An, where we check in to our hotel. In the afternoon, we set out on a walking tour of this charming riverside town.

Our tour begins at the Museum of Folk Culture, offering insights into the traditions and history of Hoi An. From there, we stroll through a small local market before continuing along the main street to the Fujian Assembly Hall. We then follow narrow lanes towards the riverbank, passing old merchant houses now transformed into vibrant shops adorned with colourful lanterns. A highlight of the walk is the Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in the early 17th century by Japanese traders. This unique pagoda-style structure has become a symbol of Hoi An.

We end the tour with a visit to one of the town’s historic old houses. We are staying for two nights in Hoi An, giving us time to soak in the atmosphere of this UNESCO-listed town.

This morning we head to Vong Nhi village and begin with a leisurely 6 km cycling tour. Along the way, we pass through peaceful countryside scenes - lush water coconut groves, prawn and red snapper farms, and expansive rice fields.

Our next stop is Thanh Dong organic farm, a 10,000-square-metre garden that supports 11 local families. Here, we take a short walk around the vegetable plots while hearing about the work of the farmers. We’ll then get hands-on with some gardening activities such as preparing and applying organic fertiliser, raking the soil, sowing herb seeds, watering, or harvesting vegetables.

After the farm visit, we board a basket boat for a ride along the Do River to a local restaurant. Here, we take part in a cooking class and enjoy a traditional Vietnamese family-style lunch. We then head back to the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An - Danang - Hanoi. This morning, transfer to Danang airport for your included flight to Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. On arrival, you'll be collected and we head to our hotel for check-in. Later, we embark on a city tour to discover the highlights of Hanoi.

We begin at Hoan Kiem Lake, a scenic spot at the heart of Hanoi, followed by a visit to Dong Xuan Market. Next, we explore the Ho Chi Minh complex, including Ba Dinh Square and the Presidential Palace (viewed from outside), as well as Ho Chi Minh’s former residence - a traditional stilt house set within tranquil gardens. Also within the complex is the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, originally founded in 1049 by King Ly Thai To and still a powerful symbol of Hanoi.

We continue to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, established in 1070. Its peaceful courtyards and historic architecture offer a glimpse into the country’s scholarly past. Our next visit is to Hoa Lo Prison, known to American POWs as the “Hanoi Hilton”. Our final stop is the Hanoi Opera House, where we’ll explore its grand interior. We end the day with a cup of traditional Vietnamese coffee before returning to the hotel.

Hanoi - Halong Bay. We leave Hanoi and drive through the countryside, passing scenes of traditional rural life en route to Halong City - the gateway to Halong Bay. On arrival, we board a well-appointed junk boat, enjoy a freshly prepared lunch, and begin our cruise through the bay’s remarkable seascape of nearly 3,000 limestone islands rising from the water.

In the evening, retreat to your private cabin, unwind on the main deck, or enjoy a drink at the bar. We spend the night on board.

Halong Bay - Hanoi. Start the day with a sunrise Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a relaxed brunch on board as we cruise back to port. From here, we transfer to our hotel in Hanoi.

In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter - also known as the “36 streets”. This lively maze of narrow lanes is packed with small shops, local businesses and street vendors, offering excellent photo opportunities and a real taste of local life. We then return to Hoan Kiem Lake for a final stroll before gathering with the group for a farewell dinner to mark our last evening in Vietnam. Note that some members of the group may be leaving us after tonight.

Hanoi - Luang Prabang (Laos). Say goodbye to Vietnam as we head to the airport this morning and fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. On arrival, transfer to our hotel, with some free time to relax on arrival. In the afternoon, we set off on a guided city tour to explore why this former royal capital is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We begin at Wat Xieng Thong - the Temple of the Golden City - considered one of the most beautiful and historically significant temples in Laos. We then take a short hike up Phou Si Mountain, where we’re rewarded with panoramic views over the city and surrounding landscape.

Our day ends with a special cultural experience - a traditional Baci ceremony followed by a Lao-style dinner at The Bamboo Experience.

Wake early to witness Tak Bat - a sacred Lao tradition and long-standing Buddhist ritual. In the quiet of dawn, saffron-robed monks walk in single file along the streets to receive food offerings from local residents.

Afterwards, we take a relaxed tour through Luang Prabang’s old quarter, beginning at the bustling Morning Market. Walking along the town’s main street, we visit Wat Mai and the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace and now home to artefacts from the era of the Laotian monarchy.

We then board a boat for a scenic cruise along the Mekong River to the revered Pak Ou Caves (also known as Tam Ting), home to thousands of Buddha images left by pilgrims over the centuries. On the return journey, we stop at Ban Xang Khong village, where traditional Saa paper is handcrafted from mulberry bark. We end the day with sunset drinks and a friendly game of pétanque - a favourite local pastime.

Luang Prabang - Siem Reap (Cambodia). We travel by car to visit one of Laos’s most breathtaking natural wonders – the multi-tiered, turquoise Kuang Si Waterfall. Surrounded by lush forest, it’s widely regarded as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia.

Later, our brief time in Laos comes to a close as we transfer to the airport for an included flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. On arrival, transfer to our hotel, where a welcome drink awaits. The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace.

We begin early this morning, setting out before dawn to witness the unforgettable sight of sunrise over Angkor Wat. After the sun rises, we explore the intricate bas-reliefs and central sanctuary of this magnificent temple in the quiet of the early morning.

We then continue to the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom - the 'Great City' - home to many of the finest temples built under King Jayavarman VII, who ruled from 1181 to 1220. Here, we marvel at the towering 23-metre stone faces of Avalokiteshvara, made famous by the film Tomb Raider. At the heart of the citadel lies the Bayon Temple, with its hundreds of serene, smiling stone faces dating from the late 12th century.

The tour also includes the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Later, we explore some of the most notable 11th-century temples, including Baphuon and Phimeanakas.

We take part in a traditional monk blessing ceremony at a nearby pagoda - a sacred ritual still practised in pagodas across Cambodia. Our day concludes with a visit to Ta Prohm, the atmospheric temple where giant tree roots envelop ancient stone walls.

This morning we visit Beng Mealea - a 12th-century Buddhist sanctuary built from precisely cut sandstone blocks, much of which remains partly reclaimed by the surrounding jungle.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we travel to Kampong Phluk - a remote community of three stilted villages. From August to February, the area is seasonally flooded, making it possible to explore by row boat. We glide through the submerged mangrove forest, home to a variety of birdlife and aquatic species, while supporting the local economy through our visit.

We end the day with a captivating performance showcasing Khmer classical culture, accompanied by some of the finest cuisine in Siem Reap.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast and check out. An included transfer takes you to the airport.