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Classic Journeys guests exploring Ta Prohm temple in Cambodia with a local guide during a small group walking tour of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia
Halong Bay, Angkor Wat & the Best of Southeast Asia

Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Cultural Walking Tour

10 DaysStarting at $7,345
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Overview

Most tourists never see Halong Bay in the morning. They miss the fishing junks sliding past limestone spires that thrust from the turquoise water. They can't imagine how the scent of fresh coffee hangs in the air as eagles float overhead. It's an extravagant sensory moment possible only because we spend the night on the water…on a luxury junk. And it's just one unique event we'll share with you in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Of course we visit the great cities of Indochina. But we also stop at the simple homestead of a rice farmer…meet the enormous residents of a Laotian elephant preserve…wander the temples of Angkor with an expert guide…and stay in Indochina’s finest hotels and resorts. Along the way, you’ll wind your way through exotic markets, eat truly remarkable local specialties, and experience the traditional cultures you only find if you approach the region like a traveler, rather than a tourist.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

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  • Walk through the maze of Hanoi’s Old Quarter and explore the city’s historic temples, markets, and bridges with your expert local guide.
  • Stroll village lanes and rice paddies in Duong Lam, sharing lunch and stories in a 300-year-old ancestral home.
  • Cruise among majestic limestone islands in Halong Bay, practicing tai chi at sunrise and learning Vietnamese cooking on a traditional junk.
  • Share tea and hear daily life stories from welcoming families in the rural village of Yen Duc.
  • Wander Hoi An’s lantern-adorned alleys, visit its lively morning market, and enjoy a hands-on countryside cooking class.
  • Explore the ancient Cham ruins at My Son and meet the region’s master artisans, visiting their workshops and studios.
  • Enter Angkor Wat at sunrise before the crowds, and walk between the famed tree-rooted ruins of Ta Prohm and the enigmatic faces of Bayon, led by your well-connected Khmer guide.
  • Marvel at the pink sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei and join in hands-on craft-making and tastings with villagers in Preah Dak.
  • Feed and interact responsibly with elephants at a leading conservation camp near Luang Prabang, supporting regenerative travel and local community initiatives.
  • Browse vibrant markets and participate in the soul-stirring Baci blessing ceremony in Luang Prabang, before witnessing the timeless ritual of the morning alms procession with local monks.
Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Hanoi – 9:00 am – Lobby of Sofitel Legend Metropole

  • Ending Point:

    Luang Prabang – 12:00 pm – Lobby of Homm Souvannaphoum
Itinerary Map

Click map to enlarge

Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 1-5 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Hanoi, Hoi An, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, and other towns; as well as well-maintained countryside trails, riverside paths, and dykes around rice fields made of compacted dirt and stone. Generally, the walks in the cities are level, and the paths through the countryside are gently rolling with some elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Internal Air

$995: This tour includes flights between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia for a supplemental cost. (price subject to change)

Hotels

Emperor Cruises Legacy Halong Bay

Enjoy the stunning views of Halong Bay as you cruise in style on a luxury boat. Offering personalized service, spacious cabins with elegant decor, and refined cuisine, savor the unforgettable moments of this enchanting experience.

Hotel Royal Hoi An

Hotel Royal Hoi An is a luxurious property that blends historic charm with modern amenities. Perfectly located on the banks of Thu Bon River, this upscale retreat offers a rooftop pool and bar, elegantly decorated rooms, a fitness center, and fine dining.

Raffles Grand D’angkor

Rated as one of the world’s best places to stay, the Raffles Grand has been synonymous with Angkor Wat for 75 years. Guest rooms are appointed with Cambodian art and art deco furnishings. The state-of-the-art spa includes a 35-meter lap pool.

Homm Souvannaphoum

The former residence of Laos’ Prince Souvanna Phouma in the 1960s and 70s, this hotel has been renovated in a manner that combines the contemporary with colonial and traditional Lao influences. Amenities include a celebrated Angsana Spa.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, eight lunches, and seven dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Why the Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Cultural Walking Tour with Classic Journeys is a Must-Experience Adventure. Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, “Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.” Here’s what that access means for you on our Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia Cultural Walking Tour.
  • The Best Guides: Local Friends and Cultural Connectors. Our expert guides are lifelong locals—your well-connected friends in each destination. Whether introducing you to artisans in Hoi An, sharing hidden corners of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, or translating the symbolism of a Laotian Baci blessing, they go far beyond facts to offer unrivaled access and personal stories that open doors to the true heart of Southeast Asia.
  • Small Groups, Big Access. With an average of just 10 guests per tour (never more than 18) and an average 1:8 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll slip into morning markets where locals shop, walk through village lanes most travelers never see, and weave through ancient temples ahead of the crowds. This intimate scale opens the doors to private homes, specialty workshops, and extraordinary moments—like a family meal in a 300-year-old house or sunrise at Angkor Wat before the crowds arrive.
  • Only-With-Us Walking Experiences. Each day, set out on curated footpaths chosen for their scenery and sense of place—from hidden alleys in Hoi An to the riverside trails and peaceful rice field dykes of the countryside. Glide across Halong Bay at dawn on a luxury junk, stroll temple sanctuaries, and discover countryside villages where time slows and local traditions flourish.
  • Boutique Stays. Stay in hand-selected boutique hotels and resorts that deliver both comfort and authenticity. Wake up in riverside villas, sleep aboard a classic junk as fishing boats pass limestone karstic islands, and unwind in hotels lauded for singular style, hospitality, and the sense that you’re truly part of the place.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a highlight and a way into regional culture. Dine on home-cooked meals with welcoming families, learn to craft perfect Vietnamese spring rolls, enjoy rooftop cocktail receptions, and savor Khmer and Laotian specialties in beloved local spots. Think of it as culture through cuisine.
  • Thoughtfully Crafted Itineraries & Activities Every daily adventure is seamlessly led by guides who’ve personally curated each experience. Walk through bustling markets and tranquil sanctuaries, try your hand at artisan crafts, and meet people whose talents, stories, and hospitality embody the spirit of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia—all with no surprises.
  • Travel that Sustains Cultures & Communities Classic Journeys puts your travel dollars directly in the hands of local families, makers, and small businesses. You’ll visit village artisans, support conservation-minded elephant sanctuaries, and participate in regenerative experiences that help sustain traditional ways of life for future generations.
  • Access You Can’t Get Anywhere Else From exploring Angkor Wat through a secret gate to learning the mysteries of the Mekong with a local guide, Classic Journeys offers a level of in-depth access, lasting friendships, and one-of-a-kind encounters you simply won’t find with any other company.

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FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia tours?

For a genuinely authentic Southeast Asian adventure, Classic Journeys is the best choice. You’ll travel with a small group, enjoy exclusive access to markets, temples, and villages, and walk at eye level through both bustling city streets and tranquil countryside. Your expert local guides will open doors to artisans, families, and meaningful moments you simply can’t have elsewhere—plus, our handcrafted itinerary is curated with culinary highlights and boutique stays that connect you to the soul of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Which locations does the Classic Journeys itinerary include?

This Classic Journeys itinerary weaves together a tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, an overnight cruise in magical Ha Long Bay, as well as hands-on cooking and lantern-making in Hoi An. You’ll explore Angkor Wat and the iconic ruins of Ta Prohm in Siem Reap and interact with elephants at a leading conservation camp near Luang Prabang. Every day, you’ll be immersed in culture, cuisine, and places few travelers reach.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia?

The best time for visiting Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia is during the dry season, November through April, with clear skies and cooler temperatures—ideal for exploring temples and cruising Ha Long Bay or the Mekong. The green season (May to October) brings lush scenery and fewer crowds, but also the possibility of daily showers. Classic Journeys schedules departures to take advantage of the most comfortable conditions so you get the most from every moment.

How active is this cultural walking tour?

On tour, you can expect easy to moderate daily walks (usually 1–5 miles) through city streets, temple complexes, countryside paths, and scenic riverbanks. You’ll climb stairs at historic sites like Angkor, and your guides help you navigate with plenty of breaks along the way as you explore on foot at eye level.

Does Classic Journeys’ Indochina tour include signature cultural experiences?

Yes—signature moments are at the heart of your Classic Journeys adventure. You’ll join a Lao baci blessing, craft lanterns with artisans, sample homemade food with welcoming locals, take part in a hands-on cooking class, and share in a ceremony with monks in Luang Prabang. Every encounter is thoughtfully arranged to deepen your connection with Southeast Asia’s spirit and people.

How many travelers are in each small group on your Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia tour?

Classic Journeys keeps groups small—usually fewer than 10 guests and never more than 18—giving you access, flexibility, and genuine connections on tour. This ensures personalized attention from your expert local guides as well as genuine camaraderie from your travel companions while exploring the best of Southeast Asia.