Vietnam – Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Thailand tour: 25 days

Welcome to Hanoi, Our Impress Travel Team will be awaiting you at Noi Bai Airport, with our easy-to-recognize “Impressers” welcome sign. Then we will start our first day as follows:

• HA NOI ARRIVAL: On arrival in Hanoi, our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
• LUNCHTIME: Free time. Have your light lunch or simply relax around your hotel.
• HANOI WALKING STREET FOOD TOUR – 3 HOURS: We eat as we go, trying seasonal fruits and sampling a tasty French-inspired snack from a street cart. Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Try Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbeque stalls. We sit down with the Hanoi locals and sample various meat, vegetable, and bread specialties that are flame grilled over hot coals for extra flavor. It’s then time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced and condensed milk – this specialty is one not-to-be-missed!. Your local guide will then take you to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden street food restaurant to taste the top ten street foods in Hanoi with Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine, and famous Egg Coffee
• HANOI BY NIGHT: Nighttime in Hanoi. As your hotel is located in the center of Hanoi’s old quarter you can take a short step out and explore the stores, to find out good places to drink & eat and enjoy the night.

Our Impress Travel Team will come to your hotel and pick you up at 800 AM then start an amazing city tour visiting the most attractive places in Hanoi, in the following order:

HO CHI MINH PRESIDENT COMPLEX: On leaving the hotel we will visit this outstanding place. It includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of the Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, and President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where he lived on and off from 1958 to 1969
ONE PILLAR PAGODA: This pagoda is a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake.
WEST LAKE &PAGODA: This is the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located beside West Lake.
LUNCH is served with Vietnamese cuisine and Asian style food, if you don’t like Vietnamese food or have a special food request, please inform our travel consultant beforehand and we will arrange a suitable food for you.
TEMPLE OF LITERATURE: This is the most important Temple of Confucius in Ancient Vietnam. The temple hosts the “Imperial Academy", Vietnam’s first national university. The temple was built in 1070 at the time of Emperor Ly Thanh Tong.
VIETNAM MUSEUM OF ETHNOLOGY: This museum is very specialized & the most interesting in Hanoi with many different things relating to the 54 Vietnamese ethnic groups.
HOAN KIEM LAKE AND NGOC SON TEMPLE: Here is the last destination on our city tour. We will walk around the lake and visit Ngoc Son temple before taking a Cyclo Tour.
TAKE A HOUR ON CYCLO: To ride around the old quarter, and experience life in the busy & narrow streets of the old quarter from a CYCLO.
WATCHING WATER PUPPET SHOW: This show offers the “unique” water puppet program which is Vietnam’s extremely attractive spiritual show and one of a kind.
Stay overnight in Hanoi

This day takes 3.5 hours driving from Hanoi to Halong, then for DISCOVERING THE WONDER OF HALONG FOR 2 DAYS as below activities:

• HANOI TRANSFER TO HALONG: 08h00 – 08h30 Pick up at the hotel and start the scenic, 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay. Enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta countryside and have a short break on the way. 
• HALONG BAY ARRIVAL: 12h30 – 13h00 Embark on Cruise followed by a short cruise briefing 
• CRUISING TO EXPLORE HALONG BAY: 13h30 – 15h30 Savor a delectable lunch as Cruises among the limestone islands. Explore the amazing SUNG SOT CAVE – the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay. 
• SUNSET TIME ON CRUISE: 16h30 return to Cruise. Continue cruising to the quiet area while enjoying the beautiful seascape on the way. COOKING CLASS AND SUNSET PARTY ON SUNDECK.
• NIGHT TIME: 19h00 – Have dinner is served, socialize with other guests, take part in board games, fish for squid, or just laze around and overnight on board.

Good morning Halong: Following a half-day of cruising and activities to explore more about this natural wonder of the world, we will return to Hanoi:

• MORNING TIME: Start your day with TAI CHI EXERCISES or a photo hunt then have breakfast on board while the boat starts cruising to the NATURAL PRESERVATION ZONE.
• KAYAKING: To explore around the area or visit a floating house and learn about the daily life of the local fishermen who live there.
• CHECK OUT TIME: Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
• CRUISE TO DISCOVER MORE OF HALONG BAY: Keep on cruising then head back to the harbor and explore the Bay, passing BA HANG FISHING VILLAGE, DOG ISLET, and more.
• LUNCH ON BOARD: Return to the harbor, watch the fruit carving demonstration before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
• DISEMBARK CRUISE AND HEAD FOR NOI BAI AIRPORT: You will take the shuttle bus from Halong to Bac Ninh province where a private transfer to Noi Bai airport will be waiting for you. Our tour guide will see you off there.
• NOI BAI AIRPORT DEPART FOR HUE: Check-in at Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue, the flight takes 1 hour and 20 minutes to Hue.
• HUE ARRIVAL & PICK UP: Impress Travel tour guide is waiting for you with his welcome sign where you will take a private transfer to Hue city center. It is 15 km (30 minutes) from Phu Bai airport to Hue city center.
• HUE AT NIGHT: Check in to the hotel then enjoy free time to have your dinner and relax. Our local tour guide will suggest the best places to have dinner and enjoy the evening.

Hue city is the great ancient citadel of Vietnam. We will spend a full day exploring the charming city by visiting a Pagoda, the Imperial City, taking a boat trip on the Perfume River, visiting the Tomb of Emperors, and watching traditional handicraft making with incense and bronze.

• PERFUME RIVERBOAT TRIP: After breakfast, we transfer to the pier for a motor dragon boat ride along Perfume River, Your first impression will be of how green and peaceful it is on both sides of the river on the journey to Thien Mu Pagoda.
• THIEN MU PAGODA: This magnificent architecture was designed in the 17th century, it is one of the most ancient pagodas in Hue.
• HUE IMPERIAL CITY CENTRE: This journey takes us to the Imperial Citadel, Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynasty Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, and Thai Hoa Palace.
• HAVE A LUNCH: Enjoy lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant for special dishes of Hue cuisine.
• KING’S TOMBS OF TU DUC: It is one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty. The tomb lies in a great pine forest, 8 km from Hue.
• TRADITIONAL HANDICRAFT VILLAGES VISIT: Where we see conical hat making, bronze-casting, incense-making, and more.
• HUE AT NIGHT: Have your own dinner. Enjoy free time to explore Hue by night and spend a final night in Hue. If you are interested in the Royal dinner, please pay for an extra cost of US $60 / Person – a group of 2 pax, if your group is bigger, or you join together as a bigger group, the price will be reduced.

This day takes 3 hours – 130 km from Hue to Hoi An, a passing HAI VAN PASS, LANG CO BEACH, DANANG CITY by the way to visit MARBLE MOUNTAIN, MUSEUM OF CHAM SCULPTURE then rest time to leisure and discover Hoi An Ancient Trade Town at night.

• PRIVATE TRANSFER TO HOI AN: It’s good morning Hue then after having breakfast at the hotel we take around 3 hours driving by private transfer to Hoi An, on this journey we over-stop to visit all the highlights on our way.
• HAI VAN MOUNTAIN PASS: It is 30 km in length. then we have lunch in Danang
• HAVE A LUNCH: Your lunch will be served in a local restaurant serving Vietnamese food.
• MARBLE MOUNTAIN: This is a group of five marble and Limestone Mountains, named after the five elements of the ancient oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
• MUSEUM OF CHAM SCULPTURE: It is a museum located in Hai Chau District, Da Nang city. The establishment of the Cham sculpture museum in Da Nang was first proposed in 1902 by the Department of Archaeology.
• HOI AN ARRIVAL & NIGHT TIME: Transfer to Hoi An Town, then check into the hotel and free time for your own dinner and overnight stay in Hoi An.

Good morning Hoi An then spend a half-day of a walking tour to visit all highlights of Hoi An. Leaving your hotel by private transfer with the tour guide to the walking area of Hoi An Ancient Trade Town where we will be visited most attractive places here. Hoi An is a very charming & pure town, it is the very camp place to stay here for relaxing, if you like to stay here more please suggest your inquiry to Travel Consultant we will customize this tour as long stay in this town.

• TAN KY OLD HOUSE OLD HOUSE: Leaving hotel by private car/van to visit an almost perfect example of an 18th Merchant’s residence in this major commercial port town.
• JAPANESE COVERING BRIDGE: It is a unique bridge that covering cross Thu Bon river and since the building of this site had started in 1593.
• HOI QUAN PHUC KIEN TEMPLE: it is one of the five famous Assembly Halls Hoian, Fukien Assembly Hall had erected around 1690 to function as a place for the Chinese ethnic group from Fukien, China to socialize and worship.
• We return to the hotel for check out at noon then it is free time to arrange your lunch.
• TRANSFER HOI AN TO DANANG AIRPORT: Leaving Hoi An to Da Nang for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city, a departure time will be confirmed by the local tour guide, it takes 45 minutes ~ 32 km from Hoi An city center to Da Nang airport.
• FLIGHT DANANG TO HO CHI MINH CITY: It takes one hour and a half for a domestic flight from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
• HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL: Then you will be welcomed by Impressers to arrange a private transfer to Ho Chi Minh City downtown.
• SAIGON BY NIGHT: Check-in hotel then your time is free to explore Saigon at night and have your dinner. Impress Travel also offer dinner on Saigon River Cruise, if you are interested in having dinner on the cruise please pay for an extra cost at the US $42 / per person.

A day to visit Cu Chi Tunnels and all of the most attractive places in Ho Chi Minh city, we are going to visit Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning then return to Ho Chi Minh city for lunch before take a half-day city tour of Saigon.

• VISIT CU CHI TUNNELS. Impress Travel comes and picks you up then leaving Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels, it takes 40 minutes – 30 KM to Cu Chi then we are watching a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels. Also on display are various mantraps, the remains of an American tank and numerous bomb craters made by 500-pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers. For those interested, there’s even the opportunity to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range
• HAVE A LUNCH: The lunch will be served in Ho Chi Minh City after you return from visit Cu Chi tunnels, it is also served with Vietnamese food, if you don’t like Vietnamese food we will customize your lunch as your inquiry.
• HO CHI MINH HALF DAY CITY TOUR: This will be arranged after lunch then you will visit most highlights in Saigon such as THE NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL, OLD POST OFFICE, THE REUNIFICATION PALACE, THE WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM AND BEN THANK MARKET for shopping before return to the hotel.
• Free time and overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

A full day to visit the Mekong River Delta, it is one of the highlights in Vietnam, you will explore the rural life of the world of water in the wetland of the southern part of Vietnam.

• TRANSFER HO CHI MINH CITY TO MY THO: Leaving Ho Chi Minh city at 08:00 am for 02 hours driving with land transfer from Ho Chi Minh city to My Tho city, enjoying sightseeing with countryside scenery along the way to VISIT MEKONG DELTA
• MY THO ARRIVAL: 10:00 am, arrival in My Tho town, getting embark a motorboat for a leisurely cruising tour along the tributary of the Mekong Delta River for a close-up view of local rural lifestyle with the stilt houses, fruit plantations, and fishing villages along the river bank.
• VISIT TORTOISE ISLAND. It is a boat to the procedure you to this island, at disembarking the boat for a while, start wandering around through the island and orchard gardens where you can try tasting with honey tea and some various samples of fresh juicy tropical fruits while listening to the traditional classical music being performed by the local music band.
• HAVE LOCAL LUNCH: It is served to you by a local restaurant with local foods in the Mekong that sure to bring you a local taste of delicious lunch as Mekong Delta Cuisine.
• TO DISCOVER RURAL LIFE AND COCONUT CANDY WORKSHOP: Tour continued with a visit to a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste a delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you take a horse-driven cart tour moving along the villages for more sightseeing
• ROWING SAMPAN: Taking a hand rowing sampan for a while, moving through Mekong Delta small channels thickly covered with water coconut forests for a great real experience of the rural life on the water of the Mekong Delta region
• DISEMBARK: Taking the motorboat back to the pier. Disembark, meet again the driver for two hours driving back to HCM city
• TRANSFER FROM MY THO TO CAN THO: It is 2.5 hours on a private transfer to Can Tho, Can To arrive then check in hotel and free time to have your dinner and explore Can Tho city at night.
• Overnight in Can Tho.

Started off the day with a morning visit to Cai Rang floating market then return to Can Tho for a private transfer to Chau Doc, it takes around 3 hours driving to reach up Chau Doc, on driving way we take stop-overs to visit Long Xuyen Crocodile farm and Tra Su Tram Forest & Bird Sanctuaries.

• IN THE MORNING: Breakfast at the hotel. It is an early bird get up for a boat trip to visit Cai Rang floating market, It is one of the busiest floating whole sales Market of the Mekong Delta Region, where all kinds of agricultural products, typical of the Mekong Delta region can be found, and with big merchant vessels from everywhere coming for trading, coming here, you have chance to see the daily lifestyle of the friendly people here, also the magnitude of the natural setting and peaceful life in the rural area of Vietnam with thatched cottages after boat trip we return to the hotel in Can Tho city, check out hotel then leaving to Chau Doc.
• LUNCH: It is served in a restaurant on the way & visits the Long Xuyen Crocodile Farm.
• IN THE AFTERNOON: To drive to Chau Doc, not far from the Cambodian border. Visit Tra Su Tram Forest & Bird Sanctuaries. Continue to drive to Chau Doc for check-in hotel
• AT NIGHT: Dinner on your own & Overnight in Chau Doc.

This day to leave Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam by international flight departure from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Then you are welcomed and arrange a half of day tour to visit the kingdom of wonder.

• HCM FLIGHT DEPARTURE & SIEM REAP ARRIVAL: Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Tan San Nhat airport for a flight to Siem Reap. It takes 1.30 hours flight then arriving in Siem Reap where you will be welcomed by Impress Travel Team then transfer to the hotel in the city center.
• LUNCH: Your lunch is served in Siem Reap at a local restaurant as Khmer Cuisine, a little time to break before keeping on exploring the kingdom of wonder.
• EXPLORE ANGKOR WAT TEMPLE COMPLEX: After lunch, the tranquil Siem Reap Town is our base for visiting the world-famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. Upon leaving Siem Reap Town we set off on a short drive to the archeological area and spend our time visiting the most striking structures. They are the South Gate of Angkor Thom which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. 
• NIGHT TIME AT SIEM REAP: Your free time to have your dinner and explore the city at night. Overnight in Siem Reap City.

This is a full day to explore Phnom Penh city, we will visit the most highlights of the capital of Cambodia that bring you a valuable study of the history and culture of Cham.

• MORNING TIME: Good morning Cambodia then breakfast at the hotel. Take an excursion to Tonle Batie, which is 40 km from Phnom Penh, visiting a pair of old Angkorian-era temples of Ta Prohm and Yeay Poev then have lunch.
• IN THE AFTERNOON: Visit the harrowing Tuol Sleng Museum before continuing to the Killing Field of Choeung Ek where prisoners from Security Prison 21 were taken for execution. It is a grim afternoon, but essential for understanding just how far Cambodia has come in the intervening years.
• Back to the hotel.

This day leaving Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Impress Travel suggest you some options to transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, the best save money to use the open bus for 6 hours or private car/van will take you from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. Another way is very popular and comfortable by flight within 45 minutes.

• MORNING TIME: Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport flight to Siem Riep. Siem Reap arrival then transfer to hotel check-in hotel then have lunch.
• AFTERNOON TIME: Visit ANGKOR THOM, the tranquil Siem Reap Town is our base for visiting the world-famous temples of the ancient city Angkor, which was the capital of the powerful Khmer Empire from 802 AD to 1350 AD. Upon leaving Siem Reap Town we set off on a short drive to the archeological area and spend our time visiting the most striking structures. They are the South Gate of Angkor Thom, which is famous for its series of colossal human faces carved in stone, the impressive Bayon Temple, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the architectural masterpiece of Angkor Wat. We stroll around this massive monument, exploring the many galleries with columns, libraries, pavilions, courtyards, and ponds full of water reflecting the towering temple. 
• AT NIGHT: Free time & overnight in Siem Reap.

A full day of excursion to visit the kingdom of wonder, it is exploring all highlights of Angkor Complex then admiring the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. 

• MORNING TIME: Today we continue exploring the Angkor Complex with the jungle-covered temple of Ta Prohm. There are enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, which embrace themselves in the stone foundations of this structure giving the impression of man’s creation being reclaimed by the powerful forces of nature. We also visit some nearby temples including Banteay Kdei, Sra Srong, Ta Keo, Thommanon and Chau Say Tevado. They almost belong to the small circuit according to the archaeologist’s division.
• AFTERNOON TIME: Leaving this area, to discover various famous temples of the grand circuit such as Preah Khan, Kravan, Neak Pean, Krol Ko, Ta Som, East Mebon, and Pre Rup. We round off our exciting day with a walk up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to admire the spectacular sunset over these sandstone monuments. 
• AT NIGHT: Free time to have your dinner and overnight in Siem Reap

• Today after breakfast we transfer to the airport for the flight to Laos. On arrival at the capital, Vientiane, our Laos representative will be at the airport to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.
• After lunch at a local restaurant today’s city tour of Vientiane includes Wat Hoprakeo, built-in 1566 by King Setthathirat to house the Emerald Buddha, Wat Sisaket, the only temple in Vientiane that survived the destruction of the city by the Siamese (Thai) in 1828; ThatLuang Stupa Museum shrine (great Sacred Stupa), the most important national monument in Vientiane, with a golden stupa believed to contain a relic of Lord Buddha and the Pratuxay Monument, situated in the center of Vientiane prefecture, its architecture inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and incorporating typical Lao motifs. Finally, see the sunset at the Mekong riverside.

• After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for the flight to Luang Prabang, where our local guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Today’s city tour of the former Royal capital, Luang Prabang, include a visit to Wat Visoun, the site of the impressive Thad Makmo stupa and Phou Sii hill which stands right in the center of the small city, where you can climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views over the Mekong. Wat Phu Sii sits atop the mountain, alongside the skeletons of Indochina war anti-aircraft guns. Then we continue, visiting Wat Mai (1796) with its five-tiered roof, and Wat Xieng Thong which is considered to characterize the uniqueness of Luang Prabang’s local style, its several roofs sweeping low to the ground. We see also the impressive “tree of life” mosaic here. The gilt panel on the exterior of the chapel depicts semi-erotic episodes from the Ramayana. Later we visit the National Museum, which was once the king’s palace. Displayed inside is a collection of personal artifacts of the former royal family.
• Dinner at a local restaurant and evening walk of the night market.

• After breakfast, we board a cruise heading upstream on the Mekong River, giving a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. Our first stop is the village of Ban Muangkeo where we start a short trek (45 mins) to reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local specialty of rice wine is produced. On the way, we also visit Ban Xang Khong, Ban Xienglek, and Ban Nong Xai, small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking.
• Once back in Luang Prabang city we visit a traditional silversmith’s workshop.

• Today we visit the Tad Khuang Sii waterfall, on the way visiting a Hmong village and Ban Ouh village where Lao and Lu hill people live. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. The water here has a clear blue-green tint due to the high mineral content. You can climb the stairs and look down from various viewpoints on the way to the top. We take a picnic lunch by the waterfall then return to Luang Prabang and take the afternoon at leisure.
• Departure flight to Yangon

• Leave Yangon for Bagan. Begin your day with a ride from Shwezi gone pagoda (which is believed to enshrine a bone and a tooth of Gautama Buddha) to Ananda, That byinNyu and Manuha pagodas, the prominent monument built between the 11th and the 13th century. In the afternoon, discover the lacquer work that features a part of the Bagan fame. We will enjoy the sunset on the legendary Irrawaddy River. (Optional Balloon rides over Bagan ),
• Overnight in Bagan

• After breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the airport to reach Mandalay. The sightseeing tour in Mandalay includes the Mahagandaryone Monastery where the food is offered to a thousand monks; the U Pain Wooden Bridge, the Mahamuni Image – a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself; Tapestry works, Wood carving & bronze castling workshops, Marble carving workshop and silk weaving home cottage. Lunch at a restaurant. After lunch, we will continue to the Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, the Atumashi Monastery, the Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world biggest book; and finally, we will end up the tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset over the panoramic view of the city.
• Overnight in Mandalay

• After breakfast at our hotel, transfer to the airport to reach Mandalay. The sightseeing tour in Mandalay includes the Mahagandaryone Monastery where the food is offered to a thousand monks; the U Pain Wooden Bridge, the Mahamuni Image – a bronze Buddha image castled during the lifetime of Buddha himself; Tapestry works, Wood carving & bronze castling workshops, Marble carving workshop and silk weaving home cottage. Lunch at a restaurant. After lunch, we will continue to the Mandalay Palace, Shwenandaw Monastery – noted for its exquisite wood carvings, gold leaf beating workshop, the Atumashi Monastery, the Kuthodaw Pagoda – known as the world biggest book; and finally, we will end up the tour by visiting Mandalay Hill to watch the sunset over the panoramic view of the city.
• Overnight in Mandalay