Heart of Indochina


A multitude of delights await you in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia as you enjoy this comprehensive tour and its luxury touches. Uncover affecting history, immerse yourself in rich culture, and savour the simplicity of life in the wonderfullly contrasting landscapes of the region

Places Visited

Discover the delights of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

tour duration 18 Days from
tour price On Request
Comfortable
Group Tour
Exclusive
Fully inclusive
Days 1-2 Fly to Saigon
Fly overnight to Saigon. On arrival you will be accompanied by one of our experienced escorts to the hotel.
Day 3 Discover Saigon
Today see the Notre Dame Cathedral, the neoclassical Central Post Office, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum. Enjoy a dinner at Xu Restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 4 Cu Chi Tunnels and Tay Ninh
Visit the striking Holy See of Cao Dai - a religion that is native to Vietnam and blends a number of different faiths. Continue to the Cu Chi tunnels, part of a network of excavations used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. (B,L)
Day 5 Journey to Hoi An
Fly to Danang and transfer to the charming town of Hoi An. Dine on creative Vietnamese cuisine at Ancient Faifo Restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 6 Explore Hoi An
This morning tour the market to choose fresh ingredients from a colourful array of local produce for your Vietnamese cookery class, where youll learn to create a number of local dishes. This afternoon, wander the old streets visiting the Japanese Bridge before taking tea at a traditional tea house. (B,L)
Day 7 Hoi An at leisure
Enjoy a free day at leisurei n Hoi An to soak up the local ambience. (B)
Day 8 Explore Hanoi
Explore the Ho Chi Minh Quarters to learn about Uncle Ho. Later, visit the revered Temple of Literature and Confucian shrine before taking a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter. Later meet a local water puppeteer who will give you an introduction to the local art before you enjoy a private show.
Day 9 Halong Bay
Halong Bay is a vision of beauty to which very little compares. Sail on emerald waters amongst karst peaks aboard a traditionally-designed junk, stopping to explore en route. Spend the night anchored amongst glorisou scenery. (B,L,D)
Day 10 Sun rise over Halong Bay
Rise early to see the sun rise over karst-scapes. Continue cruising and enjoy brunch before disembarking. The rest of the day is at leisure. For your evening meal, dine at Press Club. (B,L,D)
Day 11 Travel to Luang Prabang
Fly to Luang Prabang. Nestled amongst green mountains, the city is Laos cultural heart, an oasis of calm antiquity and rich heritage. This afternoon wander the old city visiting Wat Visoun and Wat Xieng Thong before climbing Phousi Hill to watch the sun set over the golden spires of the city. (B,L)
Day 12 Takbat
Rise early to observe the ceremony of Takbat. Watch the monks, swathed in this vibrant robes, collecting alms from the locals. Take to the languid waters of the Mekong to visit Pak Ou caves, renowned for thier hundreds of carved Buddha statues that reside within. Visit the picturesque village of Thin Hong to witness the daily life of the locals and their cottage industries. (B,L)
Day 13 Explore Luang Prabang
Get to grips with Laotian history at the National Museum before heading to picturesque Kuang Si Waterfalls where you can take a dip in the vivid pools. Visit the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre. This evening participate in a Baci Ceremony, an integral part of Laos culture. Enjoy dinner at LElephant Restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 14 Travel to Siem Reap
Fly to Siem Reap. Visit Banteay Srei, a 10th century Hindu temple. Climb the towering summit of Pre Rup temple to watch the sun set over the surrounding rice fields. (B,L)
Day 15 Explore Angkor
Spend the day discovering magnificent Angkor. Pass through the South Gateway of Angkor Thom to visit the jungle-wreathed Ta Prohm; the enigmatic Bayon; the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. Finally, visit the incredible Angkor Wat. Spend an evening at the Cambodian Circus, run by NGO that teaches street kids circus skills. (B,L)
Day 16 Kampong Kleang
Visit Kampong Kleang floating village on Tonle Sap Lake to catch a glimpse of local life. Continue on to Beng Melea, a temple lost in the jungle. Eat dinner at the fashionable Nest Angkor Restaurant. (B,L,D)
Days 17-18 Fly Siem Reap to SA
Fly overnight to South Africa, arriving home the following day.

Also Available

Private Departures for this tour

If the dates we have available for this tour don't suit your needs, or you are not sure travelling as part of a group is for you, maybe a Private Departure would be more ideal. Based on exactly the same itinerary as the group tour, our Private Departures give you the freedom to choose your own departure date and simply enjoy your holiday with your family, your partner, or your friends. On most Private Departures your tour will be led by an English speaking driver and you will be met by local guides at each site.

Tailor Your Tour

If you like most of the itinerary which we have suggested but you'd like to change the route and the accommodation, speak to our specialist Tailormade team, who can build your perfect itinerary based around where you would like to go, what you would like to see and how much you'd like to spend. Just call us on 0800 9884 888 and we'll help plan your dream holiday.

Wendy Wu Tours, inspect all of our hotels to ensure they meet the high levels of service which we require for our guests. If the hotels details below for your tour are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be used.

Caravelle Hotel - Saigon, Vietnam (3 Nights)



Palm Garden Resort - Hoi An, Vietnam (3 Nights)

A classic resort set in twelve acres of lush, landscaped gardens, the Palm Garden is just metres from Cua Dai Beach. Rooms are spacious and classically decorated with a balcony complete with garden or sea views, whilst hotel facilities include a spa, outdoor pool and tennis courts. There is also a free shuttle services to Hoi An old town, just five minutes away.



Hotel de l'Opera Hanoi - Hanoi, Vietnam (2 Nights)

Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi is located in the heart of Hanoi, a short walk from Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. The luxuorious 5* hotel offers guests 105 exquisite en-suite rooms with hand-picked luxurious amenities and 21st Century technology. The hotels facilities include restaurants, a bar, a four-season swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. Mediterranean inspired cuisine and Vietnamese specialties are dishes served at Hotel De L'opera Hanoi.



Xiengthong Palace - Luang Prabang, Laos (3 Nights)

Located in the heart of Luang Prabang, surrounded by the golden spires of the town’s famous Buddhist temples is Victoria Xiengthong Palace. This beautiful boutique hotel sits proudly on the banks of the Mekong River, featuring 26 elegantly appointed en-suite rooms. The hotels facilities also include a spa and wellness centre, restaurant and garden.



Victoria Angkor - Siem Reap, Cambodia (3 Nights)



A visa is not required for visitors to Vietnam if your stay is less than 16 days. If your stay is for longer than 16 days then a visa is required by all nationalities and a single entry visa should be arranged in advance of travel.
Unlike many other tour operators, we include your entry visas in the price of our tour. We handle the entire visa process – all you need to do is fill out the form and send your passport to us. We are always on hand to help you with any questions or queries you might have when completing the form. 

Phone Calls
International and domestic calls can be made from your hotel room. To call the UK the international access code is 00, followed by the country code 44, then the local area code (omitting the first 0), then the number. To call Wendy Wu Tours it is 00 44 207 403 7860. Emergency 24 hour telephone (out of office hours) is 00 44 7984 041 625.
 
Mobile Phones
Mobile phones are growing in popularity and you will find good coverage. There are active roaming agreements with all phone carriers; however SMS and call rates can be expensive. We recommend that you contact your mobile supplier if you intend to use international roaming during your holiday and ensure you investigate all associated costs before you leave the UK.
 
Internet & Email
Internet cafes can be found in all major cities and even in some small towns. This is often the easiest and cheapest way to stay in touch. Most hotels have a business centre with internet access, but at a slightly higher rate. Some hotels may have Wi-Fi which usually comes at an additional cost and may only be available in hotel lobbies. 

Tipping is an expected element in the tourism industry today and Vietnam is no exception. Many passengers are often uncertain of how much to tip so we have established a tipping system whereby every passenger gives a set amount (in US Dollars) to the National Escort who will distribute the amount appropriately. On multi-country tips, this amount will be paid in stages on arrival in each country. If there is no National Escort, you will need to give your money to your Local Guides and tipping amounts for each city will be shown in your final itinerary. The amount for the kitty is calculated for each tour depending on the length, group size and services used during the trip.
 
For independent passengers, or group passengers with pre/post tour arrangements, you should allow USD5-10 per person per day. We will indicate the tipping amounts in your final documents for guidance.

Shopping can be a fun and entertaining component to any travel adventure.  In keeping with most people’s interests whilst on holiday, your tour will include a reasonable number of opportunities to shop for local goods and souvenirs.
 
We have included visits to establishments that not only provide an opportunity to purchase a locally produced, great-value souvenir; but you’ll witness first-hand how these local products are made, their history and how they support the local economy. We are aware that people like to take home souvenirs, so we endeavour to ensure the shops you visit have a reputation for quality, honesty, and authenticity – we do our best to ensure that you don’t get ripped off. 

The cost of all meals is included in your group tour cost. Breakfast is a combination of local and western food, usually served buffet style at the hotel you are staying in. Lunches and dinners consist of traditional cuisine and are served at reputable local restaurants. As is traditional in this region, lunch and dinner consists of small dishes of local cuisine which is then placed on the table for everyone to share so you can experience the variety of speciality dishes. The amount served is more than ample for the whole group. We aim to cater to the tastes of the majority of people and so the food is not too spicy or unusual in taste.
 
Drinks will be at each tour members’ own expense and paid for at the end of each meal. Beer is widely available and cheap. Western style wine is very expensive to import and is not widely available except at upmarket restaurants. Bottled drinking water, soft drinks, and fruit juices are also widely available – remember that you should only have ice or fruit juices from a trusted restaurant, where they will use boiled or bottled water.
 
Due to the French colonial influence in some Southeast Asian countries, black tea (commonly referred to as ‘lip-ton’ by the locals), coffee, and baguettes are available in most places. However, the local style is to have sweet condensed milk with their tea and coffee. Fresh dairy milk is not usually served but many restaurants will provide this if requested. ‘Cafe Sua-da’ (or iced coffee with milk) is a favourite choice amongst the locals.


Why Book This Tour?

This tour is suitable for those with a reasonable amount of time available to travel and who are looking to tour the most iconic and popular destinations and cities in Vietnam. This tour is a luxury tour and is suitable for the more discerning traveller.

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