Discover the Serene Beauty of Southeast Asia 18 Days / 17 Nights
5 5 (1 reviews)Bangkok → Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai → Hanoi → Halong Bay → Ho Chi Minh → Mekong → Siem Reap → Luang Prabang
Admire the best of Southeast Asia in this compact yet insightful 18-day tour, which takes you through the highlights of four countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. You will have the opportunity to visit the bustling city of Bangkok, the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, the old city of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Then transfer to Vietnam, the vibrant capital of Hanoi, the serenity of Halong Bay, and the lively metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City will engage your thoughts and senses. You'll also explore the waterways of the Mekong Delta, visit the impressive temples of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, and relax on the laid-back vibe of Luang Prabang. From natural wonders to cultural immersion, this holiday provides a perfect combination of adventure and relaxation within a blink of the eye.
Welcome to saolatours.com, your premier destination for unforgettable Southeast Asia vacation packages and tours. Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey through this captivating part of the world in 2023! Our meticulously crafted Southeast Asia trips give you a kaleidoscope of vibrant cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and exotic flavors. From the bustling streets of Bangkok, where ancient temples blend harmoniously with modern skyscrapers, to the tranquil rice terraces of Bali that paint a picturesque scene at every turn - our tours offer an immersive experience like no other.
Immerse yourself in Vietnam's rich history as you explore the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels or cruise along Ha Long Bay's emerald waters dotted with towering limestone karsts. Discover Cambodia's iconic Angkor Wat temple complex rising majestically from lush jungles as crimson sunsets cast an ethereal glow over these magnificent ruins. In Laos, navigate the mighty Mekong River aboard a traditional longboat and witness its mystical beauty unravel before your eyes while traversing untouched landscapes and visiting remote villages brimming with warm smiles. Indulge all your senses in Malaysia by savoring diverse culinary delights in Penang or venturing into nature's masterpiece within Borneo's lush rainforests teeming with unique wildlife species like orangutans and proboscis monkeys.
Take your taste buds on a thrilling culinary adventure by sampling authentic street food delicacies at bustling night markets or savoring gourmet meals overlooking stunning river views. In addition to exploring iconic landmarks like Vietnam's Cu Chi Tunnels or Thailand's Grand Palace, saolatours.com also embraces off-the-beaten-path excursions for a more intimate experience - be it cruising along the Mekong Delta or embarking on an elephant sanctuary visit near Chiang Mai.

Welcome to Bangkok, Thailand. Once you arrive at the Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, you will meet our tour guide and driver then then get transferred to your hotel to check in. (Check-in time is at 14:00)
Free time to relax after your flight.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Accommodation: Hotel in BangKok

After breakfast at hotel, our guide and drive will pick you up at your hotel and transfer to visit two of the most special Buddhist temples in the city. The Buddha in Wat Traimit weighs several tons, and is made of solid gold. Visit the famous Reclining Buddha at Wat Po, where the blind may be trained to become masseuses. Then visit a site the Thai people consider the most sacred in the Kingdom: The Royal Grand Palace. This is one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Thai court, with several Halls in same compound. You will also visit the Temple of the sacred Emerald Buddha.
Lunch will be served at the local restaurant.
Then continue your afternoon to explore the Chao Phraya River's edge, to board a local style "Long Tail Boat" , and spend a few hours to enjoy the old canals of the Thonburi side of Bangkok, where an older and more gracious lifestyle still prevails. You will have opportunities to snack, purchase knick-knacks, or use a toilet, at stops en route. Visit the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), which you will probably recognize, its famous silhouette. The local story goes that the shards of pottery decorating its 79 m tall spire came a nearby shipwreck 100 years ago.
Then transfer back to your hotel.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in BangKok

After breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up at your hotel and we will drive to Ayuthaya.
The first places you visit is Bang Pa-In Summer Palace - one of the most beautiful Summer Palace of Thailand. Then follow by Wat Phra Si Sanphet, one of the most photographed temples in Ayuthaya. Continue visiting Wat Phra Mahathat, Wat Mongkhon Bophit, and Wat Ratburana, they are all beautiful.
Then follow by Wat Yai Chaimongkhol where you have a chance to sacred one of the biggest Reclining Buddha Image as well as the ruins of the old Royal Grand Palace & Temples.
Have lunch at a nice restaurant in Ayuthaya. Along the way back to Bangkok, you also can try a local sweet snack and get a break to drink coconut juice.
Then transfer to your hotel in Bangkok.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in BangKok

Breakfast at hotel.
02 hours before your flight: Our drive will transfer you to Bangkok airport for your flight to Chiang Mai.
Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, meet guide and transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai

After breakfast at hotel, our tour guide and driver will come to your hotel to pick you up and transfer to the mountain temple of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, the most famous landmark of Chiang Mai. Its exquisite golden pagoda with 6 kg of pure gold at its peak and the rest plated with gold shines high over the city. The sound of temple bells fills the air, and the view down over the city makes an irresistible photo opportunity.
In the afternoon, start by tricycle (samlor) - un-motorized three-wheeler vehicle around the Old City including a visit of City moats and gates. Stop on the way to visit Three Kings Monument to pay respect to the First King of Chiang Mai, King Mengrai where the histories of Chiang Mai begin. Then visit City Art & Cultural Center (closed on Monday), The former palace of King Kawiroros Suriyavongse). Here learning about every aspect of the city its pre-history to the present. See how people of different cultural origins and ethnic backgrounds have melted together to form a beautiful local culture that lies at the heart of the magic fascination of Chiang Mai. Continue to visit local market called "Waroros Market", the lively market in Chiang Mai where you can explore fresh fruits, vegetable, food, necessary items for daily life, etc. Then return to hotel for rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai

After breakfast, our guide and driver will come to pick you up at your hotel.
We will go to Chinag Rai and on the way we will visit a hot spring on the way.
Arrive at Chiang Rai Town, we will visit an unique Wat Rongkhon or White Temple built by one of the best national artist then continue to the ancient city, Chiang Saen. Then carry on to the tree country borders meet which is called "Golden Triangle".
Have lunch at a local restaurant and transfer to Mae Sai - the Thailand and Myanmar border city. Finally, visit the Akha and Yao hilltribe villages and Long Neck Karen Village, return to Chiang Mai.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai

You will have breakfast at your hotel and then free to explore more of ancient town of Chiang Mai.
About 03 hours before your flight time, our driver will come to your hotel and transfer you to Chiang Mai International Airport for another flight to Hanoi Capital. On arrival, our guide will welcome and take you to the hotel in the city centre. You can spend time on walking around the streets to explore the local life or relax at your hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

08.00 AM: After breakfast at the hotel, our tour guide will come to the hotel and pick you up, then we will start the Hanoi city tour We will start with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Complex. Here you can visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where the corpse of Uncle Ho kept there. Next you will visit the Presidential Palace - a nice French architecture in the garden and Ho Chi Minh House on stilt. Visiting the house you will see the simple life of Ho Chi Minh - the president in Vietnamese's spirit forever. We will finish this area with One Pillar Pagoda - one of the most attractions in Hanoi you cannot miss with the special in architecture.
Having lunch and you will continue to the Temple of Literature - The first University of Vietnam. The next destination will be Museum of Ethnology to learn more about Vietnam Culture. Next we will explore Hanoi by traveling through the Old Quarter with 36 ancient streets in a traditional cyclo. This slow - speed tour will give your great chance to fully enjoy the classic and modern of the capital. We will end the tour at about 04.00 PM then it is your free time to go shopping, relax in Hanoi.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

08.00 AM: Our driver will pick you up at the hotel, departing 3.5 hours to Halong Bay – the World Natural Heritage recognized by UNESCO twice. Upon arrival, embark the cruise and enjoy welcome drink while having tour briefing. A sumptuous lunch will be served on board while the ship sailing further to the Bay, make your time to admire its dramatic limestone islands.
You can rest at your leisure on the sundeck or relax in your cabin. In the afternoon, you will have time to swim in the warm and calm water or get on kayaks of your choice. Kayaking is very easy for all levels and ages to do. Our expert and experienced guide surely instruct you basic paddling steps before leading you to explore the extraordinary beauty of Halong Bay. After 01 hour exploring the bay, we will get back to the cruise for relaxation before attending Cooking class in the late afternoon.
Enjoy the superb dinner and stay overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Cuise in Ha Long Bay

We will continue our journey on Halong Bay in early morning. A Tai Chi Class on the sun deck is a must that you should not miss when on cruise.
Sitting on the upper deck; you can relax, sight-seeing while taking photos of the magnificent beauty of the rocky islands rising the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, we will explore Sung Sot cave - one of the finest and widest grottoes of Halong Bay. Next keep cruising and passing the fishing village with its unique way of life.
At 10.30 AM, our boat cruises back to the jetty, and you will enjoy the last moment in the bay before having a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
You leave the boat around 12:00 at noon, we go ashore and transfer back to Hanoi airport where you will connect the next flight to Ho Chi minh city.
Upon your arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, our guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to hotel for evening relaxation.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

About 08:30 am, our driver and guide will come to your hotel and pick you up for a private excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels - one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. The network of Tunnels included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today, the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction, giving you a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War must have been like.
After lunch, join in a city sightseeing around the War Remnants or History Museum and the former Presidential Palace. there, take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street, Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall
After the tour, back to your hotel and free to relax.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

07.30 AM: Today our guide will take pick you up at the hotel lobby and take you to Mekong Delta and we will explore the unique life of local people here.
The program will start with a visit of Cai Be floating market. Then, visit of the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut , pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Then, the rowing boat will take you deeper the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time.
Lunch will be served at local house (Ba Kiet / 10 Huong…)
After lunch, we’ll come to Tan Phong island for biking / walking on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses and maybe the ancestral ways to pick up fruits in Mekong Delta... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they make rice-net for spring-rolls, sewing coconut-leaves for cottage roof and specially see how they wave the dried water-hyacynth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes...
Come to visit Mekong garden, we will enjoy some cups of tea when listening to the traditional music. The cruise will back & end at Cai Be pier at around 3.30PM. Then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Free until your check out. We will say a goodbye to Ho Chi Minh city and take the flight to Siem Reap - the charming relics of South East Asia. Arriving at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our guide outside the terminal and transferred to the hotel for check-in or luggage drop off if the room is yet to be ready for you. During the transfer, our guide will give you the introduction of Siem Reap City and general information about traffic, currency, shopping area and more. We will drive you around the city through Sivutha Street, Old Market/Pub Street and Wat Damnak bridge before going to your hotel so that you will have a good idea on where to spend at your own leisure time.
In the evening, you cannot afford to miss the chance to enjoy dinner with the traditional beautiful Apsara Dance. Starting by the movements with deftness and deliberation, the beautiful artists in the sophisticated silk-made tunic will get you amazed by the exquisiteness and enthusiasm with warm smiles. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

Beat the crowd early morning by 7am, visit the picturesque Ta Prohm that had nearly disappeared the jungle and remains overgrown, an oddly haunting and exotic scene. The magnificent roots of a tree, pushing between the huge stone blocks of the temple in a sort of embrace, evoke feelings that you may remember forever. And continue to visit the intricately carved Khmer ruins at Angkor Wat - one of the world’s most impressive ruins. The temple still owns fine Apsara carvings in Angkorian era art. Lunch is own account. Afternoon, explore the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom. City & Bayon Its 54-tower temple is an awesome sight. At first glance it seems a shapeless mass of stone, but further scrutiny reveals a face, and then another and another until suddenly you are engulfed by the silent, heavy, enigmatic and silent gaze through half-closed eyes, staring out a primitive and remote time. Further, visit to the surroundings of the complex including the Baphou, Elephant Terraces, Lepper King Terrace and Royal Place area.
Overnight in Siem Reap.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Reap

It is your time to enjoy your last wonderful moments in Siem Reap.
After breakfast at hotel, we drive for about 1 hour to Kampong Phluk Floating Village. Kampong Phluk is a permanent settlement on the Tonle Sap Lake with a small land based village attached to it. Its remarkable mangrove forest which is unique in the Siem Reap area. You will board a local boat and cruise the waterways observing the authentic and diverse lifestyle of the local floating community. Disembark at a traditional house on stilts where a catered lunch is set up for you. Admire the simple, yet fascinating lifestyle and interact with your host to learn more about living on the water. Transfer back your hotel with remainder of day free at your leisure.
03 hours prior to your flight time, our driver will come and pick you up for airport transfer. After your flight to Luang Prabang, a former capital city and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, you will be welcomed by our tour guide and driver.
Located in northern Laos, at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, this sacred city boasts golden-roofed wats, saffron robed monks and remnants of French colonial architecture. Free to relax.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Start your city tour at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, where you will explore the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai temple, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, next we visit Wat Xieng Thong temple, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang. Located at the end of the peninsula, close to the Mekong, this temple was built in 1560 by King Setthathirat and is decorated with ornate carvings and mosaics.
PM: We continue our excursion towards Khouangsi Waterfall, stopping to visit some ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. Once at the falls you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. We return to Luang Prabang by late afternoon and continue to climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. there, we explore the night market, where you can find a wide collection of handmade textile by local and hill tribe people in the surrounding towns before transfer to the hotel for relaxing.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron-clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession.
We then board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Xanghai where the local rice wine is produced. We return to Luang Prabang and continue to Ban Xang Khong, a village well known for silk hand weaving and making traditional Saa Paper. Transfer back to hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Free time at your leisure until we pick you to the airport for your flight back home. With the sincere thanks for your travel to our region, hope that you have enjoyed your vacation and look forward to see you again!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
Hotel accommodation with daily breakfast
05 in-tour flights: Bangkok Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Hanoi, Hanoi HCM, HCM Siem Reap, Siem Reap Luang Prabang
Local English-speaking guides
Kayaking on Halong Bay
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Mineral water placed in your cabin
Entrance fees, performaces, boat trips as mentioned in the itineraries
Our personal assistance
International flights not mentioned
Travel insurance
Visa stamp fees
Early check-in & late check-out surcharge
Personal expenses
Meals not mentioned
Tips & gratuities for guides and drivers
All other services not mentioned above
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