TOUR OVERVIEW
13 Days
HANOI – SAPA – HALONG BAY – HOI AN – LUANG PRABANG – SIEM REAP
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos
In recent years, the Indochina region has become increasingly popular as a destination for tourists looking to have clothing or other textiles custom-made. This is not because of the prices, but rather because of the extensive fabric selection and the ability to make custom items. There are many tales that the local people will tell you about how they continue to use the traditional methods of coloring and dying fabrics. Engaging in this trip in order to gain a better understanding of the factors that have contributed to the Indochina region's consistent success in the textile and garment industry.
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The capital of Ha Noi today is best known for its thriving contemporary art scene and French architecture, visible by the many colonial villas scattered throughout the city. While it is rapidly developing, the city has retained many of its cultural traditions. Arrive in Noi Bai international airport, meet our local guide who waiting outside of arrival terminal. Greeting then transfer to our hotel in town.
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Venture out to the country's premier silk weaving village. Since the 13th Century, this village's silk has been sought after by buyers across the globe for its exceptional quality and charm. Strolling through the village, you can hear the hum of power looms in many homes, giving you a sense of the village's busy working atmosphere. Meet with a local artisan who will take you through the history of Vietnam silk. Observe how the resultant silk is treated and refined for weaving fabrics and get your hand to make your scarf by the traditional dying technique.
Discover the history and contributions of Vietnamese women at the Women's Museum of Vietnam. This museum is a fascinating look into their culture, displaying not only their costume and garments but also some fashions and crafts. The Old Quarter of Ha Noi, also known as the 36 Streets, is a must-see for anyone visiting Vietnam. Messy and crazy, this walk provides you an exciting chance for a deeper encounter with local life. Take in the sights and sounds of Dong Xuan Market, the Old Quarter's largest wholesale market, to find exotic herbs, fresh produce, fragrant flowers, wooden crafts, and decor at affordable prices.Notes:• Tour duration: Full day (08.00-17.00)Overnight stay in Hanoi -
We leave Hanoi in the morning and heading straight to Sapa. With its picturesque mountain scenery and terraced rice paddies, Sapa is a great place to visit hill tribe villages and explore numerous trekking opportunities.
Today drive out 30km from downtown Sa Pa to the start of O Quy Ho Mountain Pass along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range that offers a number of photo opportunities. Visit Ta Giang Phinh, a remote hill tribe village along a peaceful stream where the traditional custom of H’mong people has been well-preserved despite the influence of outside modern life. Hike through wild and unspoiled scenery with stunning mountains and endless terraced fields. Stop on the way to interact with Blue H’mong people to notice the differences featured in their traditional customs, dress from other group ethnics. Observe the local villagers engaging in their daily activities.Notes:• Tour duration: Half day (13.00-17.00)• Hiking Grade: Medium, around 4.5-5 on paved road, flat terrain• Sa Pa is becoming a popular tourist destination. Many locals with limited income have turned to souvenirs selling to make a living. You might be followed by hill tribe women or children who try (not aggressively) to convince you to buy their handicraft. If you are not interested, please just say “no, thank you” and ask your guide to drive you awayOvernight stay in Sa Pa -
From the main road, hike to the village of Black H’mong people and notice their traditional clothing made from hemp cloth dyed a deep indigo blue and decorated with batik flowers. Follow a dirt trail to Muong Hoa valley while enjoying the spectacular scenery of terraced fields, vegetable patches, and verdant hills.
Sapa's highlanders still use only natural dyes crafted with traditional methods, despite the invention of chemical dyes in the late 19th century. Along the way you might see vast indigo farms and hill tribe women’s blue-dyed hands around Sapa. Visit an H'mong family to get a better understanding of the traditional dying methods that have been handed down for generations. Take part in their regular activities, such as weaving and indigo dying.Notes:• Tour duration: Full day (09.00-16.30)• Hiking Grade: Easy, around 8-9km on paved road• Sa Pa is becoming a popular tourist destination. Many locals with limited income have turned to souvenirs selling to make a living. You might be followed by hill tribe women or children who try (not aggressively) to convince you to buy their handicraft. If you are not interested, please just say “no, thank you” and ask your guide to drive you awayOvernight stay in Sa Pa -
Free at leisure to explore Sa Pa town or enjoy shopping before transferring back to Hanoi, arriving at your hotel at the end of the day.
Overnight stay in Ha Noi -
After breakfast, meet our driver and depart by road to Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. Travel through the rich farmlands of the Delta of Red River and the landscape of rice fields, water buffalo, the daily life of the Vietnamese village.
Arrive in Halong and boarding our cruise then enjoy our lunch on board. The cruise passes by many rocks and islets in many funny shapes. The cruise may stop for a while for visiting the Cave. Later on the junk move to docking area for overnight. Dinner and overnight on board
Note: Cruise itinerary is subject to change due to weather and operation conditions. -
In the morning, our brunch will be served while doing further cruise to explore the beauties of the Bay before returning to the wharf. The junk continues cruising toward Ha Long port for disembarking. Upon disembarkation, our driver is ready to transfer us toward to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang- Laos. Since 1995, Luang Prabang town has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the most fascinating tourist attraction in this "Million Elephants" country.
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Together with over 30 temples and pagodas, Luang Prabang is home to rich architectural heritage monuments and building in their natural setting which have been featured in a famous limited-edition.
“A walk through the heritage of Luang Prabang” of Francis Engelmann to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Luang Prabang as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travel the narrow streets and alleys to see how people used to live before the rapid urbanization of the modern world. Visit a local home and chat with the inhabitants to get a sense for life in this laidback community.
Spend this afternoon exploring the key highlights that contribute to the elegant tranquility of this charming town. As the sun sets, take in breathtaking views of the Mekong and Khan rivers and the surrounding mountain range from the peak of Mount Phousi. Check out the silks woven by locals, the Lao wood carved and turned by masters, the silk handicrafts, and the packaged spices on sale at the Street Night Bazaar.Notes:• Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.30)• The National Museum closes on every Tuesday• Please dress appropriately for visits to religious sites. Shoulders, chest and legs should be covered• Prepare your legs for a steep 329-step ascent to reach Mount PhousiOvernight stay in Luang Prabang -
There is a wide range of ethnic cultures in Laos, and the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (TAEC) showcases this diversity through a fascinating array of exhibits. Tour the museum, through the exhibits showcasing traditional handmade clothing and textiles, jewelry, handicraft, and household tools, as well as ritual and religious artifacts.
As a mission of promoting Lao textiles and artisans, expanding economic opportunities for artisans, and fostering creative and educational collaboration in Laos and beyond, the organization was founded in 2000 by a local artisan who inherited the weaving technique from her family and a former English magazine photographer. Enjoy a 1.5-hour presentation with one of the co-directors entitled “The Silk Road: From Silkworms to Nagas”, which provides a journey of traditional Lao textiles from the creation of silk to the weaving process and the meaning behind different motifs. Cap off your visit at the Café overlooking to Mekong River, an ideal place for enjoying delicious canapes and cocktails while watching the peaceful sunset over the river.Notes:• Tour duration: 5-6 hours• Traditional Art and Ethnology Center is closed on every Monday• The seminar will be in 2-2.5 hours (30 minutes for guided tour with cultural ambassador and 1.5 hour for seminar with co-director of the center), the availability is subject to change• The weavers leave at around 16:00 every day, so it is recommended that visitors arrive at least one hour priorOvernight stay in Luang Prabang -
Today, wake up before dawn to witness and take in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks in the early morning light. This is also one of the ways that Buddhists can make merit, helping contribute good circumstances for the future. Then observe the town come to life and continue to visit a bustling morning market to peruse a vibrant range of uniquely Lao ingredients. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the local life before heading back to your hotel.
On the way, we'll stop by a neighborhood market to peruse the products made right here in the region or to sample the humble fare that serves as the daily breakfast staple for the locals. Transfer back to our hotel for freshen up and rest. At a good time, we will be transferring to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Upon arrival at Siem Reap international airport, meet our guide who is waiting for us right outside of the arrival terminal. Transferring to our hotel and checking into our hotel’s room.
Overnight stay in Siem Reap -
The sunrise at Angkor Wat, one of the modern wonders of the world, is not to be missed. Rise early and take a relaxing drive to the stunning momument where you can witness a breathtaking sunrise. Take a look at this incredible temple's five soaring spires against the nighttime sky.
Transfer from to Ta Prohm, perhaps most popularly known as The Tomb Raider temple. Built in the late 12th and early 13th Centuries as a Buddhist temple dedicated to the mother of Jayavarman VII, this beautiful temple is the photogenic and atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings. Explore the ancient Angkor Thom, founded by King Jayavarman VII in the 12th Century and was one of the largest Khmer cities and remained the capital until the 17th Century. Get inside the reinforced city of Angkor Thom to admire the mysterious Bayon temple, crowned with the large number of serene faces sculpted on its towers.Notes:• Tour duration: Full day (08.30-17.00)• Accessibility: 4seats, 7seats. 16 seats, 25 seats vehicle onlyOvernight stay in Siem Reap -
Travel to a stunning silk farm, where all of the silk is made by hand, located just 40 minutes outside of Siem Reap near Banteay Srei. The Silk farm was established to give local women a leg up in the workforce, and it is now the proud caretaker of some of Asia's most valuable Silk Worms, the Golden Worms. The Farm encompasses more than 12 hectares of mulberry trees plantation and workshops with the mission of revitalizing and preserving the fantastic Khmer traditional methods and techniques of silk manufacturing. Try real-loom weaving! In this fascinating setting, golden silk worms are raised and hand-woven on wooden looms.
Banteay Srei temple is a red sand-stone temple and one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings which have been preserved remarkably well. They provide an excellent insight into the Angkor civilization and their beliefs. It was built in the 10th century and was dedicated to the Hindu god - Shiva.
Get away from the bustle and hustle Siem Reap to reach an undiscovered rural village of Siem Reap where you take a stroll through the sleepy hamlets and interact with the local villagers to discover what makes Khmer culture and countryside so rich and fascinating. Set out on a relaxing and insightful sunset cruise on the endless lake. Glide on the waterway, take in the sunset and feel the scenery and peace of the traditional way of living on the water. The setting is timeless with houses on stilts and the sights and sounds of floating life all around.Notes:• Tour duration: Full day (09:00-18.00)• Accessibility: 4seats, 7seats. 16 seats, 25 seats vehicle only• Suggested visit period is from Mid-August until Mid-February, outside of this water levels can be too low. -
Breakfast at the hotel and leisure. At a good time, we transfer to Siem Reap international airport for our homebound flight.
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Accommodation bases on lowest room category of each hotel. Higher room grade can be arranged subject to availability and additional charges• Hanoi City Sofitel Metropol Hotel – Premium• Sapa Silk Path Grand Sapa – Classic Garden View• Halong Indochine Premium Cruise – Junior Suite• Luang Phrabang Sofitel Luang Phrabang – Garden Suite• Siem Reap Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa - Superior
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