ENDLESS BEAUTY OF LAOS - VIETNAM & CAMBODIA – 20 DAYS
Itinerary: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Caves – Khouang Si Waterfall – Siem Reap – Angkor – Tonle Sap – Phnom Penh-Saigon – Cu Chi-Mekong-Hue – Hoian – Ba Na Hill – Hanoi – Halong Bay
TOUR CODE: XSEC 0038 MULTI COUNTRY TOURS
Highlights:
- Experience local culture and heritage of Laos through cultural activities and in-depth tours of ancient pagodas and colonial-era sites.
- Take a boat trip to Pak Ou Caves
- Visit the wonderful Khouang Si Waterfall
- Admire the complex of Angkor where houses the vast and breathtaking collection of temples
- Experiencing nature running riot at the mysterious ruin of Ta Prohm, the original temple where famous film Tomb Rider with Angelina Jolie acted
- Discover a symbol of the nation, Royal Palace and National Museum
- Marvel at ancient Hanoi of historical relics
- Visit amazing caves in Halong Bay in a junk about 4 hours
- Explore the breath of life along the Mekong Delta with a boat trip along the mighty waterways
- Leave all the worries and pressure by relaxing at Hoi An Ancient town
- Experience the complex underground network of Cu Chi Tunnel helping Vietnamese defeat American army
Overview
There is never an end to the splendor of Southeast Asia on our 19-day tour package through Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia. Imagine the wonders of the region before you even step onto the plane, journeying through the jungles, paddy fields that stretch along the hillside, and numerous symbolic sites of the region. From the historic grandeur to modern elegance, flourishing culture to sensational skylines, touring Southeast Asia brings you a chance to experience a different world. The closer you come to the land, the more excited you feel. Travel with Xuanson Travel now and your well–deserved and wonderful holiday has truly begun.
Tour summary:
- Day 1: Luang Prabang – Arrival
- Day 2: Luang Prabang – City Tour and Pak Ou Caves (B)
- Day 3: Luang Prabang – City Tour and Khouangsi Waterfall (B)
- Day 4: Luang Prabang – Flight to Siem Reap (B)
- Day 5: Siem Reap – Angkor complex Tour (B)
- Day 6: Siem Reap – Tonle Sap Lake (B)
- Day 7: Siem Reap – Phnom Penh by Bus (B)
- Day 8: Phnom Penh – Full day tour (B)
- Day 9: Phnom Penh – Saigon by bus (B)
- Day 10: Saigon Half-Day City Tour – Cu Chi Tunnels (B,L)
- Day 11: Saigon – Mekong Delta - Saigon (B,L)
- Day 12: Saigon– Flight to Hue (B)
- Day 13: Hue City Tour & Thuy Bieu village (B,L)
- Day 14: Hue pass of the Ocean - Hoi An town (B,L,D)
- Day 15: Hoi An Ba Na & Golden Bridge (B,L)
- Day 16: Hoi An - Free & Easy (B)
- Day 17: Hoi An free - flight to Hanoi (B,L)
- Day 18: Hanoi - half day sightseeing - Halong (B,L)
- Day 19: Halong Bay tour - Hanoi (B,L)
- Day 20: Hanoi - departure (B)
DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL
Private driver
Welcome to Laos! Upon arrival at Luang Prabang International Airport, you will be greeted by our private driver, and then transferred to the booked hotel for checking in. The rest of the day will be your free time. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
(Check-in time is 14.00 PM, early check-in is not included in itinerary and subject to availability).
Meals: None
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG - CITY TOUR AND PAK OU CAVES (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Distance: Luang Prabang to Pak Ou Caves = 29kms
Breakfast is served at your hotel.
After breakfast, embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River. Relax and take in the beautiful view of the tranquil countryside before paying an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we have a quick stop at the village of Ban Xanghai to watch the local making rice wine. On the way back, we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong – a place famous for the local’s expertise in hand weaving.
Back to Luang Prabang, challenge your stamina by climbing up hundreds of steps to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa along the way as well as a breathtaking sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. In the evening, we take you to Luang Prabang Street Night Market to find beautiful collections and textile made by local and hill tribe people around Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG - CITY TOUR AND KHOUANGSI WATERFALL (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Breakfast is served at your hotel.
After breakfast, visit the National Museum for a chance to learn about Lao history and about Laos’ royal. Famous for the incredible number of temples in such a small area, a trip around Luang Prabang must include a temple tour. First, we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun – the oldest temple in Luang Prabang with impressive wood carvings. Wat Aham and Wat Mai with traditional Lao architecture are also included in your tour around the city of Luang Prabang.
You can’t come to Luang Prabang without stopping by Wat Xieng Thong – the best-known monastery in Luang Prabang with classic Laotian design and intricate carvings that can impress any art lovers. Afterward, pay a visit to Wat Sene and Wat Xieng Muan to finish the temple tour around the religious city of Luang Prabang. Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, drive out of town to the beautiful Kuang Sii Fall where you can cool off, relax, and take a small trek to the top of the fall to get a panoramic view of this heaven-like attraction. On the way back, pay a short visit to a Black Hmong Village, where you can buy hill tribe hand-made handicraft as meaningful souvenirs. Dinner is on your own arrangements. Stay overnight at Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 4: LUANG PRABANG - FLY TO SIEM REAP (B)
Private driver
Free at leisure until the time to take a transfer to the Airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arriving at Siem Reap International Airport at …, our driver will be there to drive you to your hotel for check in. Lunch and dinner are on your own arrangements. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
DAY 5: SIEM REAP - ANGKOR COMPLEX TOUR (B,L)
Private driver & guide
Afternoon continue to seeing 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 and overnight.
- Optional for balloon riding
- Optional for Phare: The Cambodian Circus Show in Siem Reap
- Optional for a traditional Khmer massage
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
Notice: During the visit of the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat Temple
– Visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees (no short, miniskirt or short trousers).
– Visitors have to be in the queue and waiting to climb up the Bakan Tower of Angkor Wat
– Children under twelve years old are not allowed to climb up this tower.
– It will be closed on the Buddhist Sabath Days, the Buddhist religious days (four days a month).
DAY 6: SIEM REAP - TONLE SAP LAKE (B,L,D)
Private driver & guide
Breakfast is served at your hotel.
09:00 AM Proceed to visit Floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. Lake and river system that extends throughout Cambodia and It is the largest lake in South East Asia as well as a UNESCO Biosphere site due to its ecology and endangeredflora and fauna. It is of extreme importance to Cambodians who live on it and earn their living from fishing.
Later we’ll visit Silk Farm (belong to the Pouk district about 15 Km in the West of Siem Reap town). Angkor Silk Farm, which produces some of the best work in the country, including clothing, interior-design products and accessories. All stages of the production process can be seen here, from the cultivation of mulberry trees to the nurturing of silkworms to the dyeing and weaving of silk. On the way back, visit the Western Baray (Baray Occidental) – Diner with Apsara dance show. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Siem Reap
DAY 7: SIEM REAP - PHNOM PENH BY PUBLIC BUS (B)
Public bus
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. 07:45Transfer (No Guide) to Giant Bust station for departure to Phnom Penh (6-hour drive). The bus will stop along the way for restroom and where you can find your own meals or snack before continue to final destination.
Upon arrival Phnom Penh, meet your driver (No Guide) at bus station and transfer to check in at hotel, the remaining of time free and relax on your own activities, Overnight hotel in Phnom Penh.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
1.Optional for a private vehicle
2.Optional for a flight
DAY 8: PHNOM PENH - FULL DAY TOUR (B,L)
Private driver & guide
This morning after breakfast, visit the notorious Killing Fields “Choeung Ek” 15km southwest of Phnom Penh. This one is the site of brutal executions of more than 17,000 individuals, most of whom first suffered through interrogations, torture and deprivation in Toul SlengPrison during Pol Pot regime (From 1975–1979). Continue your visit to TuolSleng Genocide Museum (S21 prison). This prison was a high school, and used as a prison by Pol Pot’s security forces and became the largest center for detention and torture during the rule of the Khmer Rouge. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, visit Russian Market for some souvenirs, then continue the visit to Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. The Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5,000 silver tiles. Last visit today at Wat Phnom, an ancient pagoda on a hill, which marks the legendary founding place of the city. Overnight at Hotel in Phnom Penh.
- Optional for boat cruise along the Mekong River, 1 or 1.5hrs
- Optional for Romantic cruise of 2,5 hours around Phnom Penh in “all inclusive”.
- Optional for Pottery workshop: Handmade with Angkor Designs
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Phnom Penh
DAY 9: PHNOM PENH - SAIGON BY BUS (B)
Public Bus
Distance: Phnom Penh to Saigon = 234kms
Breakfast is served at your hotel.
Transfer to Phnom Penh bus station for departure to Saigon by morning bus (Giant Ibis Bus)
On arrival at Saigon, you are met and transferred to hotel for check in.
The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. (If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.
Optional change to flight from Phnom Penh to Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: at a selected hotel in Saigon
DAY 10: SAIGON - CU CHI TUNNELS - HALF DAY CITY TOUR (B,L)
Private driver & tour guide
Breakfast is served at your hotel. 8:00AM We take an excursion to Cu Chi (70km north of Saigon) where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the war. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. The more adventurous may explore the deeper second, and even the third level tunnels. For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. Your guide will advise you of the length and level of difficulty of each tunnel before entering – some are easily accessed by stairs. Lunch is served in a local restaurant.
Returns to Saigon in the afternoon. Then we will take a walking tour of Saigon’s famous and historic city landmarks. The tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi Street, past the Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh Square, Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame Cathedral and then do shopping in BenThanh Market. Dinner is on your own arrangements. Overnight in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 11: HO CHI MINH CITY- MEKONG DELTA- BEN TRE- HO CHI MINH (B,L)
Private driver & tour guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
08.00 Meet tour guide at hotel in HCM city and transfer to Ben Tre (130km – 2,5 hours for transferring) On arrival in Hung vương Pier. Boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river- is along mangrove tree from town to country. Witness lively activities in the morning as fishing, coconut cargo boats carrying on river…. Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Go on by boat to My Long village, walking to hamlet to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stage of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music as well. Visit candy milk making workshop and enjoy some sweet by the way. Continue short walking to visit farmer houses who making sleep mats. Cycle rural tracks or drive tuktuk through coconut grove, vegetable plains (cucumber, bitter melon…). Keep going by row boat on shady palm tree canal. Boating back HùngVương pier by motorboat and get on the car back to Saigon. Overnight at Hotel in Saigon.
SUGGESTION TOUR: DINNER ON SAIGON CRUISE
6:45pm: Boarding on the Junk, then All of delicacies and drinks will be served & enjoyed the traditional music which be performed by Vietnamese artists.
7.45pm: Junk departures, starting journey on Saigon River to Thu Thiem Bridge, then back to NhaRong Wharf along the Saigon piers.
9:15pm: We will come back Boat Station, and then Driver transfers you to your Hotel. Finish Trip Indochina Junk Dinner Cruise Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 12: SAIGON FREE - FLIGHT TO HUE CITY (B)
Private driver
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for Flight to Hue. Upon arrival, meet our driver for the transfer to your Hotel in Hue. Check in Hotel and relax. Overnight at Hotel in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hue
DAY 13: HUE SIGHTSEEING- THUY BIEU BY CYCLE (B,L)
• Private driver & tour guide
Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for Flight to Hue. Upon arrival, meet our driver for the transfer to your Hotel in Hue. Check in Hotel and relax. Overnight at Hotel in Hue.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hue
DAY 14: HUE PASS OF THE OCEAN CLOUD – HOI AN TOWN (B,L,D)
Private driver & tour guide
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel
Heading to Hoi An through the astonishing “Pass of the ocean cloud”. Photos stop on the top of the path to admire the view and Homemade lunch in a cottage away from the center of the city, friendly family and delicious local cuisine. Walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An; visiting the Chuc Thanh Pagoda, the Fujian Chinese community house and the charming colonial buildings. Walk among the 800 buildings of historical heritage. Stop by the Japanese covered bridge, an historic symbol of the city. Boat tour on the river to get in touch with the life of the river bank. At the end of the day, stroll in a lively local market.
For dinner you will try a dish known as BanhVac or “White Rose” which consist of rice ravioli stuffed with shrimp paste, specialty of Hoi An. Night at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hoi An
DAY 15: HOI AN TOWN - BA NA HILL & GOLDEN BRIDGE (B,L)
Private driver & tour guide
In the morning
At 8:00 AM: Transfer direct to Ba Na Hills.
At 9:30 AM: Upon arrival Ba Na Hills, the tour guide will lead you to get on a Cable Car which gains 4 world scores. From The Cable Car, you can get a bird’s-eye view, see the vast forests, and contemplate the beauty of the dreamy Mo stream and soft Toc Tien waterfall.
Arrive at Station 2, our guide will take you to Debay Wine Cellar and Le JardinD’Amour Flower Garden. Le JardinD’Amour is a huge flower garden, And a highlight in this tour is the Golden Bridge ( also called” Hands of God”). This bridge was built with a very special structure with 2 hands holding the bridge. From the bridge, you can see the panoramic view of Ba Na mountain
Afterward, you will have the chance to visit LinhUng Pagoda, the highest pagoda among the three as it is located at around 1,500 meters above sea level.
Have lunch at a restaurant at French village and take a short rest to continue exploring all Ba Na Hills
In the afternoon
Conquer the peak of Chua Mountain at the height of 1487 m, the highest peak in Ba na. Then, you will visit Linh Chua LinhTu Temple to bask in the purity and peacefulness, find your minds relaxed and leave your worries behind.
Next place is the French Square, visit and play some games in Fantasy Park– one of the largest indoor amusement parks in Vietnam with series of interesting games: Free fall tower, 4-5 D film, skiver, the death race, Dinosaur Park,..
Back to your cabin down the mountain by cable car up, we drive back to Da Nang- Hoi An. Dinner is on your own. Overnight in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hoi An
DAY 16: HOIAN - FREE & EASY (B)
Today is free for you to relax or further sightseeing this ancient town. Indochina Tours recommends you to take a bamboo basket boat journey at Cam Thanh coconut village. Or spend the day lazing by the beach or the hotel pool. Other options include taking an excursion to the holiest and evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites, My Son or to the site of My Lai massacre memorial, Quang Ngai. Enjoy your day!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hoian
DAY 17: HOI AN - DA NANG - FLIGHT TO HANOI (B)
Private driver & tour guide
In this morning, our driver will pick you at your hotel and then transfer to Da Nang airport for your domestic flight to Hanoi
Upon arrival to Hanoi, transfer to hotel for check – in. Free at leisure to discover the city offerings.
Dinner is on your own arrangements. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Hanoi
DAY 18: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOUR - HA LONG (B,L)
Shuttles bus & Tour guide on cruise
Distance: Hanoi to Ha Long = 160kms
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel.
Morning: visit Ho Chi Minh’s House, His Mausoleum, Ba Dinh Square, One-Pillar Pagoda. Continue to visit the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda on West lake (One of the oldest in Vietnam) and then Ly Thai To monument.
Lunch is served at a local restaurant.
Transfer direct to Ha Long along the drive you can enjoy the stunning scenery of the Red River delta with peaceful villages, short break in Rest Area. Arrival Ha Long check in the hotel. Dinner is at a local restaurant. Stay overnight in Ha Long.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation at a selected hotel in Ha Long
DAY 19: HA LONG BAY - ISLAND TOUR 4 HOURS - HANOI (B,L)
Shuttles bus & Tour guide on cruise
08:00AM: Start for switches to the Junk about 4 hours journey. Cruising through the emerald waters between the limestone outcrops and long corridors, visit Thien Cung cave (the cave of the heavenly palace – famous for its stalagmites and e stalactites) the cave has only opened to the public since 1998. It is a great time to visit the newly discovered Dau Go grotto (wooden stake cave-where in 1288 one of the most famous Generals Tran Hung Dao amassed hundreds of stakes deep inside the cave prior to a battle with an invading Mongol army, through the Chicken Rock. After leave the “Wooden Stakes Cave”, we are back to the boat for cruising along the World Nature Heritage part to see the Incense Bowl islet, Cock fighting islets, Sail islet, Turtle island…
Having seafood lunch on the boat, Check out the cruise around 12:00PM.
12:30PM:Back to Ha Long city where your bus will be waiting for you to take you back to Hanoi
16:00PM: Walking to Hoan Kiem Lake. Free shopping tour in the Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
In the evening, free for you Enjoy with Hanoi night market at Hang Luoc street (weekend only). Stay overnight in Hanoi
Recommend: Buffet at Sen Tay Ho restaurant (the best buffet combine hot pot, grilled and seafood)
Optional for water puppet show
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation : at a selected hotel in Hanoi
DAY 20: HANOI - DEPARTURE (B)
Private driver
Free time at own leisure until our guide & driver pick you up to Noi Bai Airport for departure to next destination. End of services.
Meals: Breakfast
Notice: Since this can be private or group tour, the price per person varies and depends on many aspects, such as your group size, the hotel ratings and your departure date. If you want to get a custom price quote for this tour, please fill out the online inquiry form and give you as much information as possible about your trip. Your online travel consultants will be at your service and help you make the most of your travel time and dollars!
1.The weather & beat time to visit Laos
- Laos weather consists of wet and dry seasons. … The best time to visit Laos is at the end of the year (December–February). During this period, you’ll enjoy low temperatures and clear skies, which make for pleasant sightseeing. Temperatures from March through April often hover over 30°C.
- Dry season runs from November to April. November to February are cooler while March and April are blisteringly hot. April is the hottest month.
- Wet season runs from May to October, though it may start a little early in a couple of Laos’ northern provinces. August is the wettest month.
2.The weather in Vietnam Northern Vietnam: Hanoi , Ha Long
- Dec – Feb: 10°C to 25°C, mostly dry, grey.
- March: 15°C to 30°C, season change, dry.
- April – June: 25°C to 35°C, some heavy showers.
- Sept – Oct: 25°C to 35°C, clear weather, occasional showers.
Note: from 5°C to 10°C less in the mountains; make sure you have warm clothes.
Central Vietnam : Hoi An, Hue
- Dec – Feb: 15°C to 30°C, mostly dry, grey.
- March – Aug: 25°C to 35°C, dry, ideal.
- Sept-Nov: 23°C to 32°C, rain risk due to atmospheric depressions.
Note: Occasional bad weather on the beaches from October to January.
Southern Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta
- All year: 25°C to 30°
- Nov – June: 22°C to 34°C, dry and enjoyable especially from December to February.
- July – Oct: 25 to 35°C, showers late afternoon, especially in September.
3.The perfect time to visit Cambodia
- Cambodia is under influence of the tropical climate. The best time to travel to Siem Reap is from November to March, during the cooler months of the dry season, when temperatures do not rise above 30 ° C. In December and January, it can be a bit chilly, especially in the evening and in the morning. As of March, it will be very hot in Siem Reap up to almost 40 ° C – and especially in May, before the rainy season begins, which lasts until October. The humidity is then extremely high and in rural areas, many roads are no longer passable after the often heavy downpours.
4.Passport & Visa to enter Cambodia
- You will need a valid passport and a Cambodian visa to enter Cambodia. Tourist and business visas are valid for one month from the date of entry into Cambodia. Cambodia offers online visa processing.
- The Cambodian visa now may also obtain at the airports in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and at all major border crossings. Cambodian immigration officials at airports now collect fingerprints upon entry using an inkless, electronic process. The visa on arrival is valid for a 30-day stay and issued at a cost of US $30 per tourist and US$35 per business traveler.
- You must prepare:
+ A passport valid for at least 6 months from the expiry date
+ 02 recent passport-sized (4cm x 6cm) photographs - Some nationalities are required to get a visa in advance at Royal Embassy of Kingdom of Cambodia in their country: Afghanistan, Algeria, Arab Saudi, Bangladesh, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Nigeria.
- On the other hand, the nationals of the Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia do not need a tourist visa and may stay in Cambodia for 21 and 30 days respectively.
5.Visa to enter Cambodia
- To go to Vietnam you must have a valid passport valid at least 6 months after the date of return.
- The Government of Vietnam promulgates the Resolution on Vietnamese Entry Visa Waiver for Citizens of Five European Countries: UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. This exemption is applied for a maximum period of 15 days regardless of passport categories and purpose of entry into Vietnam, and is valid until June 30, 2021.
- For any stay lasting more than 15 days, or for a multiple entry stay in a period of less than 15 days, a visa is required. A period of 30 days is required after the last exit from Vietnam in order to once again benefit from the visa waiver measure for a stay not exceeding 15 days.
6.Foods should to try in Vietnam:
Food is a big deal in Vietnam, with most people dining out daily if not multiple times in a day. And who can blame them when flavors are so big and Vietnam food prices are so low? Though many start their day with Pho, even more choose other Vietnamese food favorites.
- Pho (Phở): Easily the most popular Vietnamese food in the world, Pho lives up to its vaunted reputation when eaten in its homeland.
The two main Vietnamese Pho varieties are chicken (Pho Ga) and beef (Pho Bo).
- Banh Mi (Bánh Mì): Unlike Pho which hails from northern Vietnam, the Banh Mi sandwich originates from the southern part of the country, allegedly in Saigon. Though they’re available all over the country, you will find the best Banh Mi sandwiches in Vietnam’s southern and central cities.
Most Banh Mi vendors sell the popular snack from mobile metal food carts, though more established vendors have permanent stores. Regardless of the cart or store, all Banh Mi vendors sell baguettes filled with a range of meats, paté, cucumbers and other savory ingredients.
- Bun Cha (Bún Chả): Always a local favorite, Bun Cha hit the international radar when President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain rolled up their sleeves to dip rice vermicelli noodles (bún) into little bowls filled with a grilled combination of ground and whole pork drenched in Nuoc Cham (Nước Chấm), a sweet yet savory sauce made with ingredients like fish sauce, sugar and vinegar. They both loved the experience and who can blame them – eating Bun Cha is fun.
- Egg coffee (Cà phê trứng): Yet another Hanoi invention, Egg Coffee is more of a dessert (think Creme Brulee) than a beverage. Made with egg yolks, sugar and condensed milk, Egg Coffee is the best drink you will eat in Vietnam.
- Bun Bo Hue (Bún bò Huế): Ironically, Bun Bo Hue translates to Beef Noodle Soup from Hue even though Bun Bo broths are often made with some pork. Other ingredients like lemongrass, shrimp paste, and lime juice ramp up the flavor. Adventurous eaters can also add cubed pig’s blood for even more flavor. Although Bun Bo Hue is easily available throughout Vietnam, the best place to slurp the spicy Vietnamese soup is in Hue where it was invented.
- Mi Quang (Mì Quảng): Mi Quang is wildly popular in Vietnam’s central hub of Da Nang. In Da Nang, the local favorite is cheap and available everywhere. For those unfamiliar, Mi Quang is a rice noodle dish featuring thick wide rice noodles served with a choice of proteins like pork, chicken, shrimp, quail eggs, mussels and eel served in a soupy, beefy broth. Mi Quang typically comes with a big pile of greens on the side along with a range of condiments like chilis and fish sauce. You’ll want to start eating your bowl of Mi Quang with chopsticks. Once the noodles are gone, you can switch to a spoon so that you get every drop of the tasty broth at the bottom of the bowl.
- Banh Xeo (Bánh Xèo): What’s better than regular pancakes? In Vietnam, the answer is Banh Xeo or sizzling pancakes. Inspired by French crepes and invented in Central Vietnam, Banh Xeo are yellow pancakes filled with a mix of ingredients including pork, shrimp and vegetables. Far from fine dining, diners often sit on little chairs in casual settings where they wrap Banh Xeo in rice paper and dip them in a special pork liver and peanut sauce before crunching into the crispy treats.
- Banh Cuon (Bánh Cuốn): Invented in Northern Vietnam but available throughout the country, Banh Cuon is a cheap, fun breakfast option for those days you’re not in the mood for soup. These steamed rice rolls come filled with savory pork and mushroom filling as well as a bowl of sweet dipping sauce. Don’t look for a fancy Vietnamese restaurant to eat Banh Cuon. Instead, look for a crowded Banh Cuon stand where the staff, usually women, make the rice flour rolls to order by pouring the rice flour pancake mixture on special round griddles. Banh Cuon is really cheap, making it a great “off the map” meal choice.
7.Foods should to try in Siem Reap
- Cambodia is not only famous for the Buddist temples and Angkok complex, but also well-known for its appetizing and original cuisine. “Natural Sweetness” is the essence of Cambodian food, with vegetables and fruits being utilized largely, thanks to its rich resource all-year-round in a tropical country.
- Prahok: Prahok is a crushed, salted and fermented fish paste that is used in Cambodian cuisine as a seasoning. Fish are exposed to the sun for a day, flavored with salt, pepper, garlic and cold rice and kept in a jar for several months. After it becomes pasty and grayish, it can be enjoyed. Prahok is among the symbols of Cambodian cuisine.
- Green Mango Salad: Takes little time to prepare, yet the results can be great. Such a dish is top ideal for any meal and any time during the day. The salad plate features various vegetables and fruits such as green mango (of course), tomato, cucumber, bell peppers and other ingredients like peanut butter, green onion, fresh basil/mint, fish sauce, etc.
- Kralan Bamboo sticky rice: Kralan is a snack that is made from Cambodia sticky rice cooked with coconut milk and soybean in a bamboo tube. The bamboo tree must be the bamboos that grow in village because it has long tubes, contains a lot of water and has white flesh inside the tube. Bamboo tubes are burned in coal fire, all the faces of the tubes must face the fire to be well-cooked.
- Jaggery sweet soup: Jaggery sweet soup’s main ingredients are coconut milk and palm fruits. Jaggery sweet soup is a sweet thick soup with potato cubes and green beans and best served in cool or with some ice. It’s typical colors range from golden brown to dark brown. This dessert can be savored to balance all the hot and spicy food you may have tried in Siem Reap and boost your energy.
LIST OF OUR HOTELS:
The hotels offered by Xuan Son Travel classified from 02 to 05 stars at international standard, comfortable with all the required services.
- Homestay/local homestay: we have developed fair tourism, through contacts with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with locals and sharing their daily lives. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well assured and with the best possible conditions
- Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are decent, clean, equipped with bathroom, satellite TV and air conditioning.
- Superior Category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious and the services and facilities are more numerous.
- Deluxe category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, with a wide choice of quality services have swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi
- Luxury Category: 5 stars. Hotels with excellent comfort and a wide range of excellent services. Swimming pool, spa, Jacuzzi…)
| CITIES /AREAS | HOME STAY | HOTEL-STANDARD | HOTELS-SUPERIOR | HOTEL-DELUXE | HOTELS- LUXURY |
| LUANG PRABANG | … | Villa Oasis/ Phousi Guesthouse hotel or similar | Villa Pumalin/ Villa Chitdara /Villa Saykham/ Le Sen Boutique or similar | Villa Santi/ Maison Dalabua hotel/ Kiridar hotel or similar | Souvannaphoum/ Luang Prabang View/ Luang Say Residence hotel or simalr |
| SIEM REAP | Anou Home Guesthouse/Chamraoen’s Home/Sihariddh Angkor Villa | Ta Som Guest House/Mother home boutique | Central Boutique Angkor Hotel/Laniche D’Angkor Boutique/Angkor Holiday Hotel/City River/Treasure Oasis/Cheathata Angkor/Silk Angkor/The Frangipani Villa Hotel & Spa | Saem Siem Reap Hotel/Sokha Roh/Mother Home Boutique/Treasure Oasis Angkor | Hotel Somadevi Angkor Boutique & Resort/Royal Angkor Resort/Angko Micracle/Sokah Angkor/Angkor Palace Resort/Sak Mut Hotel & Spa… |
| PHNOM PENH | Capital Hotel | Khmer Village Guest House/Brigade Manager Hotel | Cardamon/King Grand Boutique/Town View III/River Home/Asia Tune/The Frangipani Living Arts Hotel | Ohana/Juliana/Harmony Phnom Penh/Kravan/ The Frangipani Royal Palace/Villa Langka/Iroha Garden Hotel & Resort | Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel/Palace Gate Hotel & Resort/Rose Suites/ Raffles Hotel Le Royal |
| SAIGON | … | …. | Chez Mimosa Petite / Queen Ann hotel / Bloom hotel or similar | Cicilia hotel/ Silverland Charner/ Grand Silverland / Eden Star hotel or similar | The Mys Dong Khoi hotel/ Hotel des Arts/ Majestic / Caravel Hotel or similar |
| HUE | Hue homestay | …. | Serene Shining/ Serene Palace/ Thanh Lich 2/ Rosaleen hotel or similar | Emm Hue/ Thanh Lich Royal Boutique/ Romance/Eldora /Saigon Morin or similar | Pligrimage Village /Imperial/Azerai la residence Hue or similar |
| HOI AN | An Bang homestay | …. | Kim An hotel / Pho Hội riverside /HT village/ Hoi An ancient house resort or similar | Le pavilion Boutique/ Muca resort / Belle Maison/ Hoi An ancient Village or similar | Sunrise Premium resort/ Palmy Garden resort or similar |
| HANOI | …. | Maison d’Orient Hotel.. | Hong Ngoc Dynastie/ Icon 36/ Flower / Hanoi Era/Gondola hotel.. | La Siesta Classic Premium / Golden Silk/ Pearl/ Thang Long opera/Flower Garden | Sofitel Legend Metropole / L’Opera/ Movempick Hotel |
| HALONG | …. | …. | New Star/ Kenny/Golden Lotus | Heritage/Halong Pearl/Grand/Palace/Mirthin/ Paradise Suite/Lapaz Resort Novotel | Wyndham Legend/ Muong Thanh Quang Ninh/Vinpearl Halong |
TRAVEL PRICE: ENDLESS BEAUTY OF LAOS-VIETNAM & CAMBODIA 20 DAYS
From…. To… usd /per
Excluding international flights
Inclusion
- 19-night accommodation with daily breakfast as per detail itinerary
- Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle with experienced drivers
- Local-stationed English-speaking tour guide. He or she will provide you with the best local knowledge available.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary with authentic local food (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
- Entrance fees for sightseeing
- Complimentary Mineral Water on tour
Exclusion
- Domestic, International flights and airport taxes
- Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia Visas
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities to guides and drivers
- Personal and other expenses such as porter, bar bills and laundry not stated in the itinerary.
- Others which are not mentioned in the inclusion
- Surcharge for Public Holidays, New Year holidays and Compulsory dinners (if any)
- Early check in or late check out.
Customize this tour
This tour is designed with balanced activities and pace. If you want to customize it, you may always change its itinerary and accommodations according to your needs.
Contact us
- +84 914374251
- xuansontravel@yahoo.com.vn
My name is Nicky, English & French speaking advisor at Xuan Son Travel. I have been the specialist in tailor-made trips to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for 18years. I love the charm of the small streets of Hanoi as well as the charm of the countryside, with magical landscapes, warm and smiling inhabitants in all regions of Vietnam. As a Travel Consultant, I put it at your disposal and will assure you that your wishes and desires are perfectly suited to your trip to Asia.