Discover the cultural heart of Southeast Asia on this 16-day Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia tour, a private Indochina itinerary from Luang Prabang to Siem Reap. Designed for first-time visitors, this journey combines UNESCO heritage towns, scenic river landscapes, vibrant cities, authentic local food experiences and the legendary temples of Angkor.
Begin in Laos with the peaceful charm of Luang Prabang, the Mekong River, Pak Ou Caves, Kuang Si Waterfall and Vientiane. Continue through Vietnam from Hanoi and Halong Bay to Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, before ending in Cambodia with Siem Reap, Angkor Wat sunrise and Tonle Sap Lake.
With private transfers, local English-speaking guides, selected meals and handpicked accommodation, this tour offers a smooth and well-balanced way to experience three countries in just over two weeks.
Early risers may choose to witness the traditional alms giving ceremony, when saffron-robed monks walk silently through the streets as local people offer food. Visitors are encouraged to observe respectfully, dress modestly and avoid intrusive photography. Afterward, you may visit a local morning market before returning to your hotel for breakfast.
The late morning is free for you to relax or explore Luang Prabang at your own pace. Around midday, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with views of the Mekong River.
In the afternoon, board a scenic Mekong River cruise to the sacred Pak Ou Caves. As you travel upstream, enjoy views of rural villages, limestone cliffs and daily life along the river. Visit the caves, which house thousands of Buddha images in different sizes and styles. On the way, stop at Ban Muang Keo, a traditional village known for Lao rice whisky production.
Head back to Luang Prabang by late afternoon. The evening is free for dinner or another relaxed walk through the night market.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
After breakfast, depart for Kuang Si Waterfall, one of the most beautiful natural sites near Luang Prabang. Walk along shaded forest paths, admire the multi-tiered turquoise pools and enjoy time to relax in the peaceful surroundings. Swimming may be possible in designated areas, depending on local conditions.
You will also visit the Bear Rescue Center, which provides a meaningful look at wildlife conservation efforts in Laos. Lunch is served at a local restaurant near Kuang Si Falls or back in Luang Prabang, depending on timing.
In the afternoon, return to town with time to freshen up before transferring to the airport for your flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in the capital of Laos, meet the local team and transfer to your hotel for check-in. You may spend the rest of the day relaxing after check-in.
Overnight in Vientiane.
After breakfast, travel to Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan, located along the Mekong River about 25 km from Vientiane. This unusual sculpture park features a striking collection of Buddhist and Hindu-inspired statues, offering a different side of Laos beyond temples and city landmarks.
Return to Vientiane for lunch at a local restaurant before continuing with the main city highlights. Visit That Luang Stupa, the most sacred monument in Laos and an important symbol of national identity. Continue to Patuxay Monument, often compared to the Arc de Triomphe, and visit Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest temples in the city, known for its peaceful atmosphere and thousands of Buddha images.
In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxed walk along the Mekong riverside and take in the sunset. Dinner is at your own arrangement this evening, with local restaurants, riverside cafés and night market options nearby.
Overnight in Vientiane.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. A morning flight is recommended to allow more time in the city. Upon arrival, meet your local representative and transfer to your hotel in the city center. Early check-in is subject to availability; if your room is not ready, you may store your luggage and begin exploring nearby areas.
You have the afternoon free to discover the city at your own pace. You may walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, explore the Old Quarter or try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee at a local café.
In the evening, join a guided Hanoi street food tour in the Old Quarter. With a local guide, sample authentic Vietnamese dishes such as pho, bun cha, banh mi and traditional desserts while learning more about Hanoi’s food culture and daily life. This is a lively and memorable introduction to Vietnam, especially for first-time visitors.
Overnight in Hanoi.
After breakfast, depart from Hanoi to Halong Bay by expressway. The road transfer usually takes about 2.5–3 hours. Upon arrival, board your Halong Bay overnight cruise, check in and receive a short briefing from the crew.
Enjoy lunch on board as the cruise begins sailing through Halong Bay’s famous limestone karsts and emerald waters. In the afternoon, visit Sung Sot Cave, one of the largest and most impressive caves in the bay, known for its dramatic rock formations. Continue to Titop Island, where you may hike to the viewpoint for panoramic views or relax at the beach, depending on weather conditions.
Return to the cruise and join a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck. In the evening, enjoy dinner on board, followed by free time to relax, try squid fishing, have a drink at the bar or enjoy the peaceful bay scenery under the night sky.
Overnight in Halong Bay.
Start your morning on Halong Bay with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises over the limestone islands. Enjoy a light breakfast while the cruise continues through the calm waters of the bay.
Depending on the cruise program, visit Luon Cave, where you may explore by kayak or traditional bamboo boat. Afterward, return to the cruise, check out of your cabin and enjoy brunch as the boat slowly makes its way back to the harbor.
Leave the cruise around noon and return to Hanoi by road. After hotel check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore independently. You may relax after the cruise, walk through the Old Quarter or enjoy a Vietnamese coffee at a local café.
Overnight in Hanoi.
After breakfast, enjoy a short Hanoi city tour before your flight to Central Vietnam. Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Hanoi, beautifully located beside West Lake. Continue to the Ho Chi Minh Complex for an outside visit, including the Presidential Palace area and One Pillar Pagoda.
You will also enjoy a taste of Hanoi’s coffee culture with traditional egg coffee before having lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch, continue to the airport for your flight to Da Nang.
Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town, approximately 45 minutes away. The evening is free for you to enjoy Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, riverside atmosphere, local shops and relaxed cafés.
Overnight in Hoi An.
After breakfast, begin your half-day discovery of Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most charming UNESCO World Heritage towns. Walk through the ancient streets with your guide and visit key landmarks such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, traditional merchant houses and local markets. The visit gives you a clear sense of Hoi An’s cultural blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences.
Continue to Cam Thanh Coconut Village, a peaceful rural area just outside Hoi An. Here, enjoy a basket boat ride through the water coconut forest and learn about local fishing techniques and daily life from local residents.
After lunch at a local restaurant, depart for Hue by road via the scenic Hai Van Pass. The drive from Hoi An to Hue usually takes approximately 3–3.5 hours and offers beautiful views of the coastline and mountains, with photo stops depending on timing. Upon arrival in Hue, check in and enjoy free time.
Overnight in Hue.
After breakfast, begin a full-day tour of Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital. Visit the Imperial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the historic political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty. Walk through ancient gates, royal courtyards and temples while learning about Vietnam’s imperial history.
Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s most iconic landmarks, beautifully set beside the Perfume River. Enjoy a relaxing boat trip along the river, offering a gentle view of Hue’s landscapes and local life.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant, featuring traditional Hue cuisine known for refined flavors and royal influences. In the afternoon, visit one of the famous royal tombs of the Nguyen Emperors, such as Khai Dinh Tomb or Minh Mang Tomb, depending on the final arrangement. End the day with a visit to Dong Ba Market, where you can see local produce, specialties and everyday life in Hue.
Overnight in Hue.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City, also known as Saigon. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Early check-in is subject to availability. The rest of the day is free for you to relax after the flight or begin exploring the city at your own pace.
You may take a walk along Nguyen Hue Walking Street, enjoy Vietnamese coffee at a local café or simply unwind before the evening experience.
In the evening, join a Saigon street food tour by motorbike with experienced local drivers. Ride through lively neighborhoods and sample authentic dishes such as banh mi, seafood, banh xeo and local desserts. This food tour offers a fun and immersive way to experience Ho Chi Minh City’s street life and culinary culture.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
After breakfast, depart from Ho Chi Minh City for the Cu Chi Tunnels, located approximately 1.5–2 hours from the city. Explore the underground network used during the Vietnam War and learn how the tunnels functioned as living spaces, storage areas, communication routes and shelters. Crawling through a short tunnel section is optional.
Head back to Ho Chi Minh City, where lunch is served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue with a guided city tour covering some of Saigon’s most important historical and cultural landmarks.
Visit the Reunification Palace, an important site connected to the end of the Vietnam War, and continue to the War Remnants Museum for deeper historical context. Stop by the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral for an outside visit, both well-known examples of French colonial architecture. If time allows, explore Ben Thanh Market for local products, souvenirs and everyday city life.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap, Cambodia, the gateway to the Angkor temples. After landing, meet your local guide and continue to your hotel. Early check-in may be available depending on the hotel’s room status.
After time to relax, begin a light cultural introduction to Siem Reap. Depending on the final arrangement, visit the Angkor National Museum for an overview of the Khmer Empire and the history of the Angkor temples, or visit Wat Bo Temple, one of the oldest and most important temples in the city.
This evening, enjoy a traditional Apsara dance show with dinner. Classical Khmer dancers perform graceful movements inspired by ancient temple carvings, offering a gentle introduction to Cambodian culture before your Angkor exploration.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Today is one of the most memorable days of the journey, with a full-day exploration of the Angkor Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Depart early, usually around 04:30–05:00, to experience sunrise at Angkor Wat. Watch the temple’s iconic silhouette appear gradually as the sky brightens over the lotus ponds. After sunrise, continue your guided visit inside Angkor Wat, exploring its grand galleries, detailed bas-reliefs and remarkable Khmer architecture.
Later in the morning, visit Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Khmer Empire. Explore Bayon Temple, famous for its serene stone faces, along with nearby highlights such as Baphuon Temple, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
After lunch at a local restaurant near the Angkor complex, continue to Ta Prohm, one of Angkor’s most atmospheric temples, where giant tree roots grow through the ancient stone ruins. Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening meal at your own arrangement.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
After breakfast, travel through the Cambodian countryside to visit Banteay Srei, often called the “Jewel of Angkor.” Built from pink sandstone, this elegant temple is known for its intricate carvings and refined detail, making it one of the most beautiful temples near Angkor.
Continue with a short countryside visit, where you can observe local village life, traditional farming activities or handicrafts, depending on timing and local conditions. Lunch is served at a local restaurant featuring Khmer cuisine.
In the afternoon, head to Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Take a boat trip to Kompong Phluk floating village, where houses, schools and pagodas are built on stilts above the water. Learn how local communities adapt their daily lives to the lake’s seasonal changes. During the high-water season, you may continue through the flooded forest for a peaceful view of Cambodia’s natural landscape.
Travel back to Siem Reap in the late afternoon. The evening is free for dinner, Pub Street, the night market or relaxation at your hotel.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
After breakfast, enjoy free time in Siem Reap before your departure. Depending on your flight time, you may relax at your hotel, visit a local café, browse nearby markets or take a short walk around the city.
At the appropriate time, transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight. This marks the end of your Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia tour, a journey filled with cultural discoveries, scenic landscapes, local food experiences and memorable heritage sites across Indochina.
Thank you for traveling with us, and we wish you a smooth and pleasant journey ahead.
If you need help arranging anything beyond the program, our team will be happy to assist.
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Everything you need to know about this tour
This tour is usually arranged as a private journey with private transfers and local English-speaking guides. Some services, such as the Halong Bay overnight cruise, may be shared unless a private cruise is requested.
Flights between countries and domestic flights are usually quoted separately unless stated in your final proposal. Our team can help arrange suitable flights to match the itinerary.
The tour can be arranged with comfortable 3-star, 4-star, boutique or upgraded hotels depending on your budget and travel style. Final hotel names will be confirmed in your personalized proposal.
This customizable tour can be tailored to your travel style, dates, and preferences.
Tell us what you’re looking for — we’ll create a personalized trip just for you.
A Well-Planned 16-Day Indochina Journey Across Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia
Great Value and Smooth Travel Across Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia
A Memorable and Well-Balanced Journey Through Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia
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