Experience a different perspective on Indochina through its less visited regions. Attend a blessing ceremony at a remote monastery in Cambodia, wander some colourful tribal markets and stop in at an elephant project. Take a boat to visit remote fishing villages in Laos, and watch local weavers ply their trade. In Vietnam, discover hidden corners of its two great cities - Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) - and meet water puppeteers and calligraphers. Visit the tribes of the Central Highlands and learn about their unique architecture and cemeteries. This is the perfect tour for repeat visitors or anyone who wants to capture the true essence of this magical region.
Phnom Penh - Stung Treng - Ban Lung - Koh Trong - Kratie - Vientiane - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Can Tho - Central Highlands - Buon Ma Thuot - Kontum - Hanoi - Workshops of Dong Ho - Dong Ky Village
Arrive in Phnom Penh. Transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is free. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Villa Langka, Phnom Penh
Meal plan: n/a
Breakfast at the hotel. Board a ferry to Koh Dach to visit a traditional Khmer weaving village. Riding your bicycle, as you wander the village, you can explore a Buddhist monastery and floating fish farms, see fields of rice and morning glory. Enjoy lunch with the people on the island and in the afternoon, visit the local monastery to participate in a blessing ceremony. Sit on a mat as monks chant blessings and sprinkle holy water on you to pass on luck from the gods and ensure a safe and pleasurable journey. Return to your hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Villa Langka, Phnom Penh
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Drive to Stung Treng, passing through Kampong Cham and Kratie provinces. Overnight in Stung Treng.
Overnight in Mekong Bird Homestay, Stung Treng
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
In the morning drive to Ban Lung and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, drive to Lom Phat to visit a Laotian pagoda and surrounding Chari, Laotian and Khmer villages. Afterwards, visit the Eisei Patamak Hill for a panoramic view of the area and the statue of a reclining Buddha. Overnight in Ban Lung.
Overnight in Terres Rouges Lodge, Ban Lung
Meal plan: Breakfast
Take an early morning excursion to a traditional market. Return to the hotel for breakfast and then drive to a weaving handicraft village in Choeung Phnom. Afterwards, visit Lumkut Lake and a market in Borkeo. Later, visit the gem mining region in the Borkeo District. Visit a Tumpoun village before continuing to Aundong Meas for a cruise along the Se San River and explore some Charai graveyards. After lunch, return to Ban Lung. Overnight in Ban Lung.
Overnight in Terres Rouges Lodge, Ban Lung
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Drive to Veon Sai, visiting the Kreung villages of Noang Le and Kala along the way. After arriving in Veon Sai, take a boat to Popeak, passing through a number of villages along the way. After lunch, drive back to Ban Lung and visit Yeak Lom Lake. Overnight in Ban Lung.
Overnight in Terres Rouges Lodge, Ban Lung
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Morning drive to Kratie. After arriving in Kratie, board a ferry to the river island of Koh Trong. In the afternoon, tour the island. Option to plant a tree at the Reforestation Project. Overnight at a homestay in Koh Trong.
Overnight in Homestay, Koh Trong
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
This morning you will get a chance to see the way local people live on the largest island in the Mekong River. During this trip, you will try to spot the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, traverse the Mekong River in a local boat, bike along tranquil roads and trails, visit the 16th century Wat Sarsar Mouy Roy and experience an entirely different kind of island life. Transfer to Phnom Penh. Rest of the day free to relax or explore on your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Overnight in Villa Langka, Phnom Penh
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Fly to Vientiane. Half day tour of the city, visiting the major sights such as Wat Siskat, Wat Prakeo, That Luang Stupa and the Patuxay Monument. Continue on to visit the markets of Talat Sao and Talat Khua Din. Afterwards drive to the Carol Cassidy Textile Centre to learn about traditional Laos weaving. Overnight in Vientiane.
Overnight in Sabaidee@Lao Hotel, Vientiane
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, transfer to Nam Ngum, stopping at Ban Keun on the way. Upon arriving at Nam Ngum Lake, board a long tail boat to visit fishing villages. In the afternoon, return to Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane.
Overnight in Sabaidee@Lao Hotel, Vientiane
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning transfer to the airport to fly to Ho Chi Minh City. After arriving, visit a family of musicians. Transfer to your hotel. In the evening take a Vespa tour of the city and sample some Vietnamese street food. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Cititel Central Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Drive to Cai Be. Board the riverboat Bassac and cruise to Cho Lach. Have lunch on board and then continue, visiting villages before docking at Tra On. Overnight on the riverboat.
Overnight in Mekong Eyes Cruise, Cai Be
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
In the morning cruise to Can Tho. On arrival, visit the floating market at Cai Rang before disembarking. Drive to Ho Chi Minh in the afternoon, stopping for lunch en route. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Cititel Central Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
After being picked-up from your hotel, today’s tour starts with an early morning walk through Tao Dan Park in the centre of Saigon. As a relaxed, shaded location, it is a lovely way to start the day. Next, visit the Venerable Thich Quang Duc (Burning Monk) Monument, a dedication to the subject of ‘that’ photo. Enjoy a hot bowl of breakfast soup before heading to Cho Lon, known as the Chinatown of Saigon. Our guide will lead you through the winding backstreets, describing the daily life of residents and the history of such an iconic area including an unseen building that was directly involved in the reunification movement. You will stop to make, as well as try the famous sugarcane juice. From Cho Lon we head for lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch, visit an old apartment block where residents have come together and transformed their homes into funky, stylish, unique coffee shops. Relax with traditional Vietnamese tea. Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Cititel Central Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Upon arrival at Buon Me Thuot airport, the driver and guide will pick up and transfer you to visit Trung Nguyen Coffee Museum. Continue to Dak Lak Ethnology Museum which was designed on the basis of a traditional house aimed to present on its 1st level the history of the province through pictures and artifacts, its biodiversity and traditional way of life of the E De and M’nong minorities. Next, drive to the spectacular Dray Nur waterfall. After lunch, visit Lak Lake and enjoy a boat ride to visit the native lotus flowers and nearby Jun village. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.
Overnight in Dakruco Hotel, Buon Ma Thuot
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
After breakfast, take a trip to the Ede village to explore their culture and traditional long houses. Continue on to Kon Tum where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Kontum.
Overnight in Indochine Hotel, Kontum
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Take a short city tour of Kontum, visiting a seminary and a museum. Afterwards travel to Kon Jri for a gentle rural walk through villages, forests and plantations (approx. 4-5 km). Enjoy a picnic lunch by Dakbla River where you have the opportunity to swim. Take a boat ride to Konktu hamlet and meet the Bahnar people and visit their rong house which is currently being used as an overflow classroom. Overnight in Kontum.
Overnight in Indochine Hotel, Kontum
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Morning free to relax or explore by yourself. Transfer to Pleiku airport for your flight to Hanoi. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Overnight in Medallion Hotel, Hanoi
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning, witness the Vietnamese flag Raising Ceremony in Ba Dinh Square. Take a walking tour of the Old Quarter and enjoy a delicious Vietnamese Ice Coffee at a local cafe. Lunch will be a Hanoi Specialty; ‘Bún Chả’. Later, visit Hanoi's unique rail tracks that weave their way through the surrounding neighborhoods. Overnight in Hanoi.
Overnight in Medallion Hotel, Hanoi
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day tour visiting the beautiful but little visited Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Dau Pagoda and But Thap Pagoda. Stop to visit the workshops of Dong Ho where they make wooden printing blocks found in the monasteries of the region. Afterwards, visit Dong Ky and explore the wood craftsmen’s workshops. Overnight in Hanoi.
Overnight in Medallion Hotel, Hanoi
Meal plan: Breakfast & lunch
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport for departure.
Meal plan: Breakfast
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
Villa Langka is located in central Phnom Penh, overlooking the ancient Wat Langka Pagoda and only a few minutes from the Independence Monument. The hotel has a contemporary design, which is blended with traditional Cambodian decor. Its bedrooms are clean and spacious, providing a comfortable stay for visitors exploring the city. Guests can enjoy local Cambodian dishes on the restaurant's terrace, overlooking the hotel courtyard and swimming pool.
Mekong Bird Homestay is simply furnished neat and clean homestay. Staff and owner speak English and can arrange different trips to see the dolphins and the waterfalls on the border with Laos and have their own boats and kayaks to visit the flooded forests and Ramsar wetlands.
Every bungalow has a bathroom (cold shower), a large bed, fans, AC, power and a large balcony overlooking the water.
The Terres Rouges Lodge is nestled in the wilderness of the province of Ratanakiri, alongside Banlung lake. The lodge was formerly the residence of the governor of the province and combines traditional Khmer decor with modern comforts, to allow for a relaxing stay. The spacious bedrooms are decorated with Cambodian antiques, also being equipped with air-conditioning and wifi. The hotel reception houses an outdoor pool, spa, restaurant, and a shop - where local handicrafts and traditional clothing are displayed.
Experience authentic Khmer culture on a homestay on the island of Koh Trong. Very basic amenities, such as a mosquito net and bedding, will be available to visitors - allowing you to immerse yourself in the traditional Khmer way of life. Listen to tales of local heritage as you witness the lifestyle and skills of local residents.
The Sabaidee@Lao Hotel is located centrally in Vientiane. Its decor is simple yet modern and spacious. The bedrooms are fitted with modern fixtures, including air conditioning, satellite television and wifi. The on site restaurant, Pik Thai, serves a variety of cuisine options - including Thai, Chinese and Western dishes. Guests can also access the alfresco bar, where they can enjoy a relaxed evening in the hotel courtyard.
Cititel Central Saigon is a modernly-furnished property, located within a 5 minute walk of the Ben Thanh Market. Rooms are air-conditioned and include tea/coffee facilities and en-suite bathroom. Wifi is complementary but subject to availability. Guests may enjoy the hotel's rooftop pool which offers scenic views of the city.
Explore the Mekong Delta on board the comfortable Mekong Eyes Classic. The ship has just 14 cabins, so guests have the opportunity to relax and mingle with other passengers on the sun deck. Meals are served in the large dining room and bar area. All rooms have river views and en-suite bathrooms.
Dakruco Hotel is located in the city of Buon Ma Thuot. Its interior is designed with a contemporary yet simple decor. The bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, providing guests with access to wifi, an en-suite bathroom and a satellite television. The hotel facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa.
Indochine Hotel is situated on the banks of the Dakbla River, at the heart of the city of Komtum. The bedrooms are spacious and fitted with modern amenities, including wifi, international television and in room refreshments. The on site restaurant serves a variety of cuisine options to its guests. The Indochine cafe provides an interesting alternative, where visitors can sit beneath the shade of a large bamboo roof and look out across the lakes in the hotel garden.
The Medallion Hotel is situated at the heart of Hanoi's old quarter. The spacious hotel has a modern decor and fittings for guests, which include wifi access and air-conditioned rooms. Medallion's restaurant serves a mixture of Western and Asian cuisine, along with a buffet style breakfast.
Capture the true essence and diversity of Indochina
Lively cities, majestic coastlines and welcoming people
Discover Vietnam's charms and its people
Discover Vietnam's wonderful food culture
Historic cities, beautiful landscapes and pagodas
Mark Pettengel & Jo Martin , Tailormade Vietnam & CambodiaA well-planned itinerary that crammed an impressive amount into 16 days, without ever feeling rushed. Cambodia and Vietnam are both fantastic destinations, offering stunning natural scenery and beautifully preserved historical sites, together with truly delightful and welcoming people. Our guides made our trip extraordinary, weaving their personal histories in to the many insights they gave us of two countries that have experienced such difficult pasts.
Greg & Jan Sheffer , Classical Indochina, IndochinaOur trip with Travel The Unknown was one of our best trips ever. All went as planned, wonderful guides, perfect hotels - best of all: excellent scheduling of activities and time to rest - balance was just what we needed!! Thank you to all staff involved!
Ciorsdan Taylor , Tailormade VietnamTTU created a first class tailor made tour for my sister and I. We couldn't have had better service, from the tour guides, the hotel, the cruise and even the transport between places.
Erika & Robert Hollingdale , Tailormade Laos, Cambodia and VietnamOur holiday to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with Travel the Unknown was a huge success. We had a fascinating itinerary, well-informed and friendly guides who really looked after us, and lovely accommodation. Every time there was a change of vehicle or guide, the next one was always there and waiting. All stages of the planning and booking process were efficiently done, so all we had to do was enjoy it!
