Day 1 | Hanoi – Lao Cai

This morning, we will explore the fascinating capital city of Vietnam, Hanoi. Many consider it the "Eastern Paris" due to its colonial architecture, which serves as a testimony to the colonial rule that once dominated the region. During our city tour, we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the founder and leader of Vietnam, explore the Sword Lake, and take an unforgettable ride on a cyclo (local rickshaw) in the Old Quarter, which is, in fact, a bustling market with French colonial houses and fascinating temples. We will visit the Hỏa Lò Prison and the Museum of Ethnology. In the evening, we will transfer to the night train heading north to Lao Cai. Accommodations will be in four-person compartments.

Day 2 | Lao Cai – Sunday Market in Bac Ha – Sapa

In the early morning hours, we will arrive in Lao Cai, have breakfast, and refresh ourselves from the night train journey. From here, we will head to Bac Ha – "the largest minority market in the world," held every Sunday. Various tribes from northern Vietnam come here, showcasing their traditional clothing and offering their merchandise to passing tourists. After this unique anthropological experience, we will continue to visit the home of one of the local tribal leaders, with a unique architectural structure considered by many as a blend of local and Western building styles. After the visit, we will proceed to one of the tourist towns that still preserves the authentic way of life of the tribes, the town of Sapa. Upon arrival, we will have an initial tour of the town and the ancient church. Accommodation and dinner in Sapa.

Day 3 | Village Day - Biking Tour - Silver Waterfalls - Heaven's Gate - Sapa

This morning, after breakfast, we will set out to learn about the lifestyle of the local tribes. We will embark on a walking tour in a valley, getting acquainted with the picturesque village where the Hmong tribe resides. Following that, we will take a cycling tour of one to two hours between villages in the area. After the ride, we will continue to Silver Waterfalls, with a height of 100 meters, and then proceed to "Heaven's Gate," the highest pass in Vietnam (1,900 meters above sea level), offering a breathtaking view of the distant horizon. After the tours, we will head back to the night train that will take us south to Hanoi. Accommodations will be in four-person compartments.

Day 4 | Hanoi

In the morning, we will arrive in Hanoi, have breakfast, and refresh ourselves from the night train journey. We will take a short visit to the local flower market and then head south to the Red River Delta to Halong Bay – the "Bay of the Descending Dragon": one of the most beautiful and famous landscapes in Vietnam. Along the way, we will pass through the Dong Trieu ceramic village, impressive with the amount of work and items produced there every day. We will also visit the handicraft support and work center of Vietnam War victims before reaching Halong Bay. We will embark on a unique and picturesque cruise throughout the day in Halong Bay. The bay's clear waters are dotted with thousands of islands/rocks emerging from the water in various shapes, including stalactites and caves. The cruise will also include a visit to the dripstone caves, and lunch and dinner will be served on the boat. Overnight stay on the boat.

Day 5 | Halong Bay – Yen Duc – Hanoi

In the morning, we will wake up and engage in a relaxing Tai Chi activity on the boat's deck. We will visit the "Surprise Cave," one of the largest and most impressive caves in the bay. We will conclude our cruise in the bay and return to the city that bears its name. Leaving the bay area, we will visit the picturesque town of Yen Duc. If fortunate, we may visit the local children's park and proceed with activities to experience the unique rural character of Vietnamese towns. We will take a comprehensive tour of the agricultural farms in the area, go on a short fishing trip with the locals, and try to gain a better understanding of village life with the help of the town's residents. In the evening, we will return for accommodation and dinner in Hanoi.

Day 6 | Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, we will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Despite being the most modern city in Vietnam, the remnants of its French colonial rule are still visible in its streets. We will visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the War Remnants Museum, the colorful market, and finish our day in the "Chinatown" where the city's largest market is located. Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 7 | Ho Chi Minh City – Tour to Delta

In the morning, we will depart for the Mekong Delta through picturesque villages, flooded rice fields, and bustling markets. We will navigate small boats on the river and narrow canals, pass through a floating market, and visit various home-based workshops for rice paper and sweets production. We will enjoy the tropical fruit trees and indulge in their fruits (and not be expelled from the Garden of Eden). During the tour, we will have a unique lunch. At the end of the day, we will return to Saigon for an overnight stay.

Day 8 | Saigon – Can Tho - Chau Doc

This morning, we will head south towards the Chau Doc region. On our way to the Cambodian border, we will make a short stop at the floating market of Cai Rang, visit picturesque temples, and sail on the rivers along the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. In the evening, we will arrive in the border town of Chau Doc for accommodation and dinner.

Day 9 | Chau Doc – Phnom Penh

Today, we bid farewell to Vietnam and sail, on the upper Mekong River, to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. The journey allows us to see the important trading artery between the two countries and life on the riverbank. Upon reaching Phnom Penh, we will embark on a tour of its main sites: the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, and the French promenade. Overnight stay and dinner in Phnom Penh.

Day 10 | Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

This morning, we will wake up and depart for Siem Reap, with a day full of tours of the Angkor temples. These temples symbolize the splendor and power of Cambodia between the 9th and 13th centuries. The structures exhibit marvelous architecture with sculptures and reliefs that are impressive works of art and crucial sources of information about daily life during that period. Among others, we will visit the Southern Gate, the Bayon Temple with its numerous smiling giant faces gazing directly at the traveler, the Elephant Terrace, the Royal Complex, and conclude the day with a visit to the Ta Prohm Temple, covered by the jungle as discovered by excavators. At the end of the day, we will witness the sunset above one of the temples. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.

Days 11-12 | Angkor Temples, Tonle Sap Lake

After breakfast, we will explore more of these fascinating temples and embark on a journey to Tonle Sap Lake, which serves as the outlet for the Mekong River. We will sail on the lake and witness the lives of its inhabitants: floating markets, scattered floating houses, and people making a living on this lake. We will return to Siem Reap for an evening flight.