12 Days Essence of Laos Vietnam Cambodia Tour

The Best Vietnam Cambodia Laos Tour for the First-time Travelers

Spending 12 days to visit Laos Vietnam and Cambodia by exploring Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap.

During this tour, you will soak up the peaceful vibe of Luang Prabang, cruise along the world wonder of Nature - Halong Bay, explore the stuning caves and experience the ater life on Meking River. Besides, you will also head to explore the lendendary Angkor Wat.

Travel Route: Luang Prang - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap

Day: 12

Best for: First-timers

Tour Type: Escorted private tour with personal tour guide and vehicle

Highlights

Explore the Town of Luang Prabang

Visit the wonderful Buddhist temples and cultural sites, including Royal Palace Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Aha, etc.

Cruise along the Mekong River

Take a boat trip along the Mekong River in Laos to explore the stunning caves and experience the village life of the locals along the river.

Get to Know Vietnam from the Capital, Hanoi

Explore the most graceful and atmospheric capital in Southeast Asia where the old Asia blends with the new Asia.

Enjoy a Halong Bay Cruise

Stay overnight on a cruise in Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Hanoi, to fully enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the limestone islands, explore the caves, or simply go diving and swimming in the shimmering sea.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival

Welcome to Laos!

Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at Luang Prabang International Airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest or have a leisure walk around to have a glimpse of the city.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 2: Luang Prabang

Today you will spend a full day exploring the city of Luang Prabang. After breakfast, you will first visit the Royal Palace Museum, where you can see many interesting artifacts, such as traditional costumes, jewelry, ornaments, rare furniture, etc.

Then, you will visit Wat Xieng Thong, which is the most famous and beautiful temple in Luang Prabang. Built-in 1560, the temple is a distillation of the ancient temple architecture style. Here, you can appreciate the classical Laotian aesthetics up close, from the roofs sweeping low to the ground to the gold pillars carved with patterns.

After that, you will move on to the Wat Wisunarat Temple and Wat Aham with impressive stupas.

In the afternoon, you will head to the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn more about Laos’ ethnic cultures and continue to visit the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek.

Later, you will get back to the city and visit Wat Mai before climbing up Mount Phousi. You will be indulged in the sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

At night, you can explore the Night Market, where you will find kinds of handmade textiles, homemade handicrafts, etc.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Royal Palace now is the National Museum in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang

Before breakfast at the hotel, you will first partake in a Morning Alms (Sai Bat) on the street.

Then, after having breakfast, you will go to take a 2-hour boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. En route, you will not only enjoy the scenery along the Mekong River but also see how the locals lead their life at the riverside.

Later, you will explore the Pak Ou Cave, where a number of gold lacquered Buddha statues are.

The last site for today is Kuang Si Waterfall. You can enjoy the natural scenery, take some exciting outdoor activities, or just relax in the park.

After the tour, you will be transferred back to the city.

Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

The stunning natural scenery of Kuang Si Waterfall.

Day 4: Flight to Hanoi

Say goodbye to Laos and welcome to Vietnam!

Today you will take the flight to hanoi to Siem Reap, the bustling colonial capital of Vietnam.

Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and pick you up to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest or have a leisure walk around to have a glimpse of the city.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi Tour

Today’s tour starts with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Museum. Then, you will visit the tranquil Temple of Literature.

In the afternoon, you will visit the Ethnology Museum.

At the end of today’s tour, you will explore the Old Quarter, the bustling area of narrow open streets and alleys.

Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Temple of Literature is a Temple of Confucius in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi to Halong Bay

After breakfast, you will transfer to Halong Bay, the spectacular World Heritage-listed site. You will board a traditional wooden junk boat and explore the jade waters studded with karst islands.

After lunch onboard, you will visit Trinh Nu Cave to see the stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites.

Then, you can go swimming or kayaking as you like in your free time.

Stay overnight on a cruise in Halong Bay.

The stunning array of stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 7: Back to Hanoi; flight to Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning, you can join in a T’ai Chi class on the deck of the Junk boat. The time before we leave for the train station is your free time. You can enjoy a refreshing morning swim or take one last look at Halong Bay.

On the way back to the harbor, you will explore Surprise Cave, also known as Sung Sot Cave. It is one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Halong Bay. You will be amazed by the stunning karst limestone with neon lights.

After that, you will back to Hanoi and will be transfered to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and pick you up to your hotel.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Join in a T’ai Chi class on the deck.

Day 8: Side Trip to the Mekong Delta

Today, you will take a full-day trip to the Mekong Delta. After breakfast, you will first take a drive to My Tho, the gateway of the Mekong Delta to visit a distinctive Vinh Trang Temple.

Then, you will head to My Tho and transfer into a motor boat for a cruise along the Mekong River. You will enjoy the landscape of the Mekong Delta and visit a local family on a small island to see how the local’s life is and taste the fresh fruits, honey tea, and honey wine with the family.

After your Mekong Delta tour, you will get back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vinh Trang is a Buddhist temple near My Tho.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

In the morning, you will go to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, from which you can delve into Vietnam’s turbulent history from the previous century. You will see how the tunnel network works and get to walk into the underground tunnels yourself and feel the wartime atmosphere.

After the tour, you will get back to Ho Chi Minh City and enjoy the last night in Vietnam.

Stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cu Chi Tunnel is one of the popular attractions in Vietnam.

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

Today is free for you until you take the flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Upon arrival, our guide will meet you at Siem Reap International Airport and take you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to take a good rest or have a leisure walk around to have a glimpse of the city.

Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 11: Siem Reap Tour (Angkor Wat)

Today, you will enjoy a full-day trip to Angkor Wat, the will of the Khmer Empire that once ruled much of Southeast Asia.

Your morning will begin with a tour of Ta Prohm, a site wrapped in giant silk-cotton trees and strangler figs through which you'll feel like you're in a Tomb Raider setting.

Then you will come to Banteay Kdei, a smaller version of Ta Prohm. You will go through the Victory Gate, Terrace of the Leper King, Royal Palace, Baphuon Temple, and Bayon Temple. Weaving and climbing through winding tunnels and secret chambers, you can experience the mystery of the land up close.

After lunch, you'll have the whole afternoon to explore Angkor Wat, peering through the intricate and ancient stone carvings to see how it once flourished.

Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Banteay Kdei is a Buddhist temple in Angkor, Cambodia.

Day 12: Siem Reap Departure

Say goodbye to Cambodia!

You are free to arrange your time before taking the scheduled transfer to the airport.

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Service Included

Private transfer and English-speaking tour guide

All entrance ticket fees for sightseeing listed in the itinerary

Flight and train tickets mentioned in the itinerary

Private van for land transportation

Meals as specified in the itinerary

Hotel accommodation

Governmental taxes

Service Excluded

International air tickets

Visa Handling fee, visa stamp fee

Meals as not listed in the itinerary

Tips and gratitude to the guide and driver

Surcharge for public holidays (if any)

Personal expenses, like laundry, phone call, snacks, soft drinks, etc.

Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Travel Restriction

In an effort to restart tourism and help the local economy recover, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos have lowered COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Before entering Vietnam you will need to purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 full coverage and download and use the “PC-Covid Viet Nam” Mobile app in order to enter the country.

To enteri Cambodia, you need to provide the vaccination certificate. If this is not available, you will need to take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test upon arrival in Cambodia.

And while entering Laos, you need to provide a valid vaccination certificate or proof of a negative COVID-19 test (no more than 48 hours before arriving) and register it online with a health declaration form. Then, you will get a QR code to show on arrival.

We are well aware of the need for safety in traveling abroad in the post-pandemic era. We will provide you with one-to-one travel consultant service throughout the whole process to assist you in completing the visa application and proof of vaccination required by the destination quickly and safely. Professional local guides, drivers, and other services will escort your trip.