INDOCHINA CULINARY TOUR TO LAOS, CAMBODIA AND VIETNAM

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: LUANG PRABANG – ARRIVAL

Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you’ll be welcome by our tour guide & driver then escorted to your hotel for a check-in.

The rest of time, you’ll be free to relax or walk around the resort to experience the real life of the locals. Otherwise you can take a free shuttle bus from the resort to the downtown for your own explorations (only a 10-minute transfer).

Get back to your resort by a free shuttle-bus.

O/N at hotel

Day 2: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR & PAK OU CAVE (B)

Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temples of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breath-taking view of the tranquil countryside as well as exploring the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. Along the way, we will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local rice wine is produced. On return, we take a short drive to another small village Ban Phanom, which is famous for its hand weaving.

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 3: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: LUANG PRABANG – TAMARIND COOKING CLASS (B/L)

Breakfast at your hotel.

Come and join us in Tamarind’s picturesque lakeside pavilions for a fun and educational family cooking experience. Together you’ll cook Lao dishes and learn traditional customs and cooking techniques in a class of no more than 8 people.

Fresh ingredients are the heart of Lao cuisine, and there can be some intriguing and unfamiliar flavors. What appeals to children and adults can be quite different. So we’ve chosen popular dishes that can be custom-made for different tastes. They’re enjoyable and interesting to make, and you can easily recreate them back home!

We start with a guided exploration of the colorful major food market. There we’ll show you interesting and commonly used items, and explain how they might be used. There are bound to be some surprises!

Our warm and funny teacher will create a safe, fun, and wonderfully memorable experience for your family. We’ll have staff on hand to help and support you at your cooking station.

We can cater to all dietary requirements.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: LUANG PRABANG – SIEM REAP (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will be at leisure until transferred to the airport for a departure flight to Siemreap on Warmly welcome at Siem Reap International airport, you are met by our guide & driver and then transferred direct to hotel for check in.

O/N at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 5: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: SIEM REAP – GROUP ANGKOR TOUR (B/L/-)

Breakfast at hotel, you’ll be at leisure a bit and then:

08:00 hrs : Our shuttle bus with tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to South Gate of Angkor Thom.

Walk through the South Gate of Angkor Thom via the Naga Bridge, taking some photos.

Walk from South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon temple via the big trees, play with monkeys (be careful with your things as monkey might try to take it away from you)

Visit to Bayon Temple and walk to Baphuon, Elephant Terrance, Leper King Terrace and the Royal Enclosure

13:00 hrs: You’ll be driven to ANGKOR WAT Temple area

Visit to Angkor Wat Temple until sunset

17:30 hrs: Our shuttle bus with guide will bring you back to hotel for the night

O/N at hotel in Siem Reap. 

Day 6: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: PRIVATE SIEM RIEP COOKING CLASS (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.  Participants learn how to prepare Khmer dishes in addition to choosing products at a local market. These course are conducted by our chefs who make every effort to ensure that you have a good time. Once you have completed your cooking class, you will be comfortably seated on the terrace in our garden to enjoy the food we have prepared together. 0830AM Pick from your hotel, and ready for market shopping with your chef teacher before we ready for the class, learn more about the local product, local organic foods, ad ingredient together exploring what is the Khmer spices of the food.

 *** NOTE: The Traditional Khmer cuisine is full of spices but it’s not hot like its neighbors 09:00 AM back our class and ready for cooking. You will get more explain and teaching about what is the Traditional Khmer cooking, Enjoy our lunch for the food that you have been cooked, 1330pm estimated time back to hotel.

O/N at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 7: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH by bus (B) 

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to Siem Reap station for a bus to Siem Reap. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

After that, you are free to visit to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, 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 5000 silver tiles or Genocide Museum or S21, the former Tuol Svay Prey High School which the Khmer Rouge set up a prison at this site in May 1976, to detain individual accused of opposing the Pol Pot regime, and was Angkar’s premier security institution, the Killing Field of Choeung Ek. Night accommodation at hotel.

O/N in PhnomPenh.

Day 8: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam; PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING & HALFDAY COOKING CLASS (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel.

We will visit to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, 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 5000 silver tiles. Visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or S21, was the former Tuol Svay Prey High School. The Khmer Rouge set up a prison at this site in May 1976, to detain individual accused of opposing the Pol Pot regime, and was Angkar’s premier security institution, and Wat Phnom temples.

In the afternoon, Going to local market where chef will introduce you to Cambodia fruits, vegetables, herbs and how to choose quality seasoning products. You’ll be given enough time to explore, take pictures and observes vendors selling their products. Return to cooking class venue where refreshment cold water and towel awaiting you.

The Chef will present a cookery demonstration of the dishes that you will have to prepare! And you will receive a booklet with the recipes of the day. Assisted by our chef you will lean and experience the traditional Khmer cuisine. And three dishes are waiting to be prepared by you!

Time to taste and enjoy your own culinary creation in a convivial Khmer setting.

It’s time to put your hand on cooking utensils again. In the afternoon, you will be taught how to make dishes that requires more time to prepare and dessert. Enjoy your own culinary Creation and relax.

O/N in PhnomPenh.

Day 9: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: PHNOM PENH – SAIGON BY BUS (B)

Breakfast at 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.

Day 10: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: SAIGON – COOKING CLASS – CUCHI (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, You’ll have cooking class with Chef. The class will also start with a visit to the local market with Chef, which will help you to understand more about Vietnamese ingredients and their substitution. You’ll go through a cooking lesson with full of fun pride, then finally enjoy the dishes you made by yourselves. Menu of your class depends on the date but you will have 5 traditional dishes any day. ( The menu depends on each day ).

Afternoon: Transfer about 30km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town. Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: HALF DAY CITY TOUR- FLIGHT TO HANOI ( B)

Breakfast at hotel.

 We spend a half day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of Maril 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum with a wealth of images from the notorious conflicts. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!

You have free time by your own to have more experience in Ho Chi Minh city until transfer to the Tan Son Nhat airport to catch a flight to Ha Noi.

On arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be greeted by our guide and driven to Hotel.

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 12: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam; HANOI – HA LONG – FLAMINGO CRUISE (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/D) (Specify cooking menus on the cruise)

7:30 – 08:30: Our SHUTTLE BUS with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels (Note: This pick-up is just applied for those who use our shuttle bus service)

10h30: Stopover in Hai Duong city where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12h30: Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities:

+ Boarding FLAMINGO CRUISEs for departure.

+ Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager.

+ Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village.

+ Exploration of Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island. Then arrive in the area of Surprising Cave.

+ Kayaking & swimming or climbing up to the mountain and getting a complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach

+ Joining our COOKING CLASS on the sun-deck. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

+ Enjoy sunset party with fruits and wine.

19:30: Under the magnificent night sky, Our luxury set-menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods.

Evening activities include:

+ Join the SQUID FISHING on boat with our crews. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef.

+ Or Laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar.

Overnight on Flamingo Cruise. 

Day 13 : Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: HALONG BAY – HANOI ( B/L)

06:15: Tai Chi class on the Sun-deck.

07:15: Have breakfast with Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board.

08:00: Visit the SURPRISING CAVE (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.

09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay’s scenery.

10h15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.

12:00: Disembarkation at Tuan Chau Pier. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.

16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip! 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 14 : Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: PRIVATE HALF DAY WALKING TOUR & STREET FOOD TOUR (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel

From your hotel, we take you to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, walking around Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where Ho lived on and off from 1958 to 1969… The next place is One Pillar Pagoda a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square pond. Leave One Pillar Pagoda for the Temple of Literature the first college of Viet Nam dedicated to Confucian. Back to Hoan Kiem Lake and have a stopover with Ngoc Son Temple.

At 18.00, our tour guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, then start the tour to Hanoi Old Quarter “36 streets” to visit some famous and specialized- food families or stalls/ local restaurants, shops where they run their business every day, certainly you will watch and taste some particular dishes, we can customize vegetarian or special food too.

Special thing that tour guide would like to introduce some popular authentic food in lovely mini restaurants (not luxury restaurants) where you feel comfortable to sit down and enjoy some favourite dishes and nice drinks too.

It’s interesting to hear from tour guide about the history of the old quarter in Hanoi, it is thousand years old and today retains much of the old flavour that made the area special in earlier times, each street was the exclusive domain of one trade (guilds) so there are whole streets of blacksmiths, silver shops, paper shops, headstone makers and more. Originally there were just 36 streets in the old quarter but today there are more than 50 streets.

It is very difficult to find some local food stalls and mini restaurants on your own in hidden alleys and sidewalks, certainly the best way to make it easy is joining with us, taking part in this special tour to learn about Vietnamese cuisine, culture, people and language.

After all, Food on Foot Tour will give you an unique experience to try the foods of the local Hanoi people, we ensure the food is handled hygienically and provide a comfortable venue for the tastings. The benefit also goes back to the vendors or restaurants/ families as we buy directly from them.

At 21.00, our tour guide say goodbye to you, and will help you order taxi or show you direction back your hotel.

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 15: Indochina Culinary Tour to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam: Hanoi – Departure

Breakfast at hotel, you will be free till guide comes & picks you up to the airport for flight back home.

—End of service—

*3 Star Hotels in use:

Luang Prabang : Vila Santi Resort & Spa ( Deluxe room ) https://villasantihotel.com/santi-resort-spa or similar one

Siem Riep : Silk d’Angkor Boutique Hotel ( Superior room ) http://silkdangkor.com/ or similar one

Phnom Penh : Frangipani Royal hotel  https://www.frangipanipalacehotel.com/ or similar one

Saigon: Ruby River Hotel (Deluxe Room) https://rubyriverhotel.com.vn  or similar one

Hanoi: Golden Sun Palace hotel (Superior room) https://www.tripadvisor.com.vn/Hotel_Review-g293924-d3745968-Reviews-Golden_Sun_Palace_Hotel-Hanoi.html similar ones

Halong Bay: Flamingo Cruise (Deluxe Cabin) http://flamingocruises.vn/  or similar.

Includes:

Private, air-conditioned transportation

Accommodation (Shared room- twin room or Double room)

Overnight cruise in Halong Bay

Local English speaking guides

Entrance fee at indicated sights

City tour & Pak Ou Cave in Laos, Group Angkor tour & cooking class in Siem Riep, half day city tour & cooking class in Phnom Penh; City tour, Cu Chi tunnel & cooking class in Saigon, Private Half Day walking tour & food tour in Hanoi.

Domestic air ticket (Ho Chi Minh – Hanoi)

Water puppet tickets in Hanoi

Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner

Govt tax and service charge

Luggage handling and drinking water.

Excludes:

Visa stamping fee on arrival

Travel insurance in all kinds

Single supplement

Other foreign language guides

Special event rates

Tips, drinks and other personal expenses