Kingdoms of Southeast Asia Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand - 2023
Overview
Highlights
- A local Laotian family welcomes you into their home for dinner.
- Learn the secrets of Vietnamese cooking during an interactive class.
- Sample several famous Vietnamese dishes on a walking food tour.
- Explore Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter on an exciting walking tour.
- See the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used by the Viet Cong.
- Visit with a Vietnam war veteran and learn about the war from his perspective.
- Cruise along the famous Mekong Delta, rich with natural wonders.
- Explore incredible Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious structure.
- Overnight on a junk boat and cruise the waters of Ha Long Bay.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Itinerary
Set out on a journey that reveals the best of Southeast Asia. From the villages of Vietnam and the temples of Cambodia to the friendly locals of Laos and the lively energy of Thailand, embark on an unforgettable cultural adventure. Start your journey in Vietnam – where lush valleys and verdant fields create a beautiful country with a long and rich history.
Your tour opens in Hanoi. Layers of the city’s complex past can be found interwoven into its modern culture. Known for its French colonial architecture, tree-lined streets, and vibrant street food scene, Hanoi is Vietnam’s dynamic capital and second most populous city.
Start your morning with a city tour of Hanoi and the Old Quarter. Visit Ba Dinh Square and the Temple of Literature. Follow the meandering streets, decorated with temples and pagodas, and feast on the history before you. After working up an appetite, enjoy a walking f...
Today you may choose to start your day early by joining your Tour Manager and locals as they practice tai chi at a local park. After, visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison. This historic site, dubbed the “Hanoi Hilton” by American POWs, is now a museum that tells the story...
Journey to Ha Long Bay and board a charming junk boat for an overnight cruise - the perfect vantage point for soaking up the landscape. Once on board, enjoy fresh seafood as you sail past vistas of low green mountains, small villages, hundreds of islands, and limeston...
Your day begins with a Tai Chi lesson on the sundeck at sunrise. After a light breakfast we head off to visit Sung Sot cave, one of the many limestone grottos accessible by boat in the UNESCO World Natural Heritage that is Halong Bay. It is time to say farewell to this stunning natural wonder and cruise back to the mainland. Fly to Da Nang and travel to Hoi An (UNESCO), an ancient trading port.
Explore the flavors of Hoi An. Board a basket boat and journey along the Co Co River for an immersive cooking class. Learn how to catch seafood in the river and grind rice into flour. Use your ingredients to cook four classic dishes which you’ll enjoy for lunch. Later...
Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore the magic of Hoi An. Walk along the canals that cut through Ancient Town on your own, uncovering a preserved history interwoven into the modern way of life. Perhaps you’ll visit an art gallery, wander through a cultural museum, or go shopping for the perfect souvenir.
Leave Hoi An and fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the energetic urban capital formerly known as Saigon. On an eye-opening city tour, you’ll see the Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral,* and the Reunification Palace. Head over to explore treasures from local vendors on display at the Old Market in District 1.
Take to the waters of the famous Mekong Delta. As you sail along, your guide will delve into the history and culture of the region. Discover the region’s cottage industry with a visit to a coconut candy factory and learn how this confection is made. Enjoy lunch featuring southern Vietnamese cuisine before traveling back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Spend your morning at the Cu Chi Tunnels, a maze of underground passageways used as hideouts by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in metropolitan Ho Chi Minh City before your dinner at a local restaurant.
This afternoon, board your flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia’s gateway to the wonders of Angkor. In this ancient city, you’ll discover a world where colonial and Chinese architecture melds into a sophisticated urban and culinary scene. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant accompanied by a traditional Khmer dance performance.
Depart for a sunrise at Angkor Wat, a perfect example of classic Khmer architecture. Enter its eastern gate and exit to the west, watching the sunlight dance along stones. Later, visit Ta Prohm, a sprawling monastic complex that is overgrown with jungle. At Angkor Tho...
Start your day with an impact moment experience at the Visitor Center of APOPO, where “hero rats” are trained to navigate minefields and save lives. Learn about the country’s history with war and meet the professional rats at a demonstration. Then travel to the villag...
Continue your journey in Indochina with a flight to Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos. Get acquainted with the city with your guide. Then, it’s your choice! Venture into the lively outdoor markets at night -OR- return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Hop into a tuk tuk with a guide and make your way to the city center, including a visit to the National Museum – the former Royal Palace. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong monastery, decorated in eye-catching gold. Meander along the Nam Khan River to Wat Khili, highlighting...
You may choose to rise early and begin your day with a traditional alms offering to local monks. After breakfast back at the hotel, journey to a traditional Hmong hill tribe village in Ban Long Lao and learn about this ethnic group and their way of life. Set out on an...
Board your flight to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. A feast for the senses, this bustling city on the banks of the Chao Phraya River blends cosmopolitan sophistication with a strong sense of history and tradition. Tonight, join your fellow travelers and toast to the end of your adventure on a Klong dinner cruise.
Return home with memories of your travels through the kingdoms of Southeast Asia.
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Collette.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Collette Reviews & Ratings
Other Collette Reviews
It was a wonderful trip and experience!
It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary ...
we had an absolute wonderful time
My wife & I just returned from your National Parks tour and we had an absolute wonderful time. Great itinerary, tour director (Merrin) and driver (John). First c...
Do not travel with Collette They area subpar company
This is worst tour I have ever taken. Poorly planned and not worth the money. Collette brought you to Lisbon where we sat for three days because NO TOURS or sited w...
Tour Operator
True adventures go beyond incredible destinations or inclusive packages. Collette delivers a sense of possibility across all seven continents.
Since 1918, we have been sharing our love of travel. Today our worldwide travel collection features comprehensive land tours, river cruises, rail journeys, small group tours, family trips, garden holidays and more. With Collette, wake each morning on tour with a new experience in front of you, and when your head hits the pillow, you will know it has been an amazing day. Best of all - we seamlessly handle the details. All you have to do is enjoy the adventure.
Everyone at Collette believes travel is vital to a life well-lived and our executive team sets the tone. Drawing on a diverse set of skills that includes operations, sales, information technology, law and financial planning, they work across three offices to bring you the best experience possible.
Go Guided:
There are so many benefits to letting someone else take on all the details that come with having The Perfect Trip. See why more and more travelers choose to Go Guided — and why they never go back.
5 Reasons to Go Guided:
Go Tour Managers!
On Day 1 of your trip, you’ll meet a friendly person who sure does know a lot about your tour and the destinations you’re visiting. This highly skilled professional is your tour manage and from the moment you meet this key player on your tour, you’ll know you’re in good hands. With their rich travel backgrounds, as well as their useful information about language, currency, and all things local, you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Go Culture!
Visiting a destination gives you a taste of the local culture. But imagine actually becoming part of that culture. Staying overnight in an Irish castle like Old-World royalty…feeling the cool waters of the Great Barrier Reef envelop you as you snorkel in its turquoise paradise…or rolling dough with an Italian chef to make the perfect pizza. It’s not just about all the iconic spots that will make for the best photos, it’s about diving into another world that makes for the best memories.
Go Product Team!
Our product experts are probably on the road right now — scoping out the best of our worldwide destinations. They go, take it all in, and find the moments they love best. Those are the moments they create for you. Those experiences and sights comprise each itinerary and make each one extra-special. Best of all, you don’t have to plan a thing. You just need to choose which itinerary best suits you.
Go Social!
Travel is social by nature. Guided travel is extra social. Meet a cast of characters: your fellow travelers, tour manager, driver, local guides and more. The social aspect of guided travel is one of the best parts! Many travelers on our tours have forged lasting friendships. Think of all the wonderful people waiting to meet you out in the world.
Go Worry-Free!
Your peace of mind is the most important thing to us. And that starts with our roundtrip home to airport sedan service. Forget taxis, airport fees, or public transportation. We will get you there...and back. And if for any reason you need to cancel your tour, you can do so — right up until the day before departure — and receive a full refund (thanks to our travel protection plan).
There are many ways to experience the world:
Among Collette’s worldwide collection of tours we offer a variety of guided travel choices. No matter where (or how) you want to go, Collette can take you there.
Small Groups, Big Experiences
From vibrant cities to remote villages, immerse yourself in other worlds. As part of a small group, enjoy accommodations chosen to capture the spirit of the destination, savor spectacular local cuisine, and take the time to explore on your own. Along the way Explorations sets the stage for the unexpected moments that make travel so special. With just 12-24 passengers, these are the personal adventures that today’s cultural explorers dream about.
Amazing Family Moments Included
Collette's Family tours bring travelers of all ages together to experience the world’s greatest destinations. There’s no better classroom than the world, no better education than taking a walk through history. Today’s parents — and grandparents — want to share the riches of travel with their children and grandchildren. Each tour in our family line is specially crafted with the best local experiences, iconic must-see's, family-oriented hotels and immersive cultural activities. Children ages 14 and under enjoy substantially discounted rates.
Collette's Cancel for Any Reason Travel Protection Plan
The Traveling Well Experience
Our Commitment to Your Well-being and Enjoyment
There’s no denying that life and travel will likely look a little different for the foreseeable future, which is why we worked with our partners all over the world to create enhanced protective measures for our guests. These measures are intended to help safeguard guests’ health and well-being, while allowing for an enjoyable travel experience.
From flexible booking to more open space on the coach and much more – all aspects of travel have been considered. This is The Traveling Well Experience.
- Travel Protection Plan – cancel for any reason up until 24 hours before departure, plus provides numerous on-tour protections
- More Physical Space – on the coach, in restaurants, and more
- Wellness Protocols – for partners like motor coach operators, hotels, restaurants, and airlines
- Enhanced Tour Manager Training – our tour managers are destination experts and highly equipped to handle a variety of unexpected situations – including illnesses and emergencies
Before Your Tour
Cancel for Any Reason Waiver
Our Travel Protection Plan financially protects you in the event you need to cancel or move your trip to a different date. Learn more here
Pre-Tour Health Screenings
We will ask all travellers to complete a wellness declaration form before joining their tour.
Private Sedan Service
Your ride to and from the airport will be stocked with fresh water for every pickup and all surfaces will be disinfected daily and after every passenger.
Air Travel
Specific details will vary by airline, but standard operations typically include flight attendants wearing masks, sanitizing all surfaces between flights and physical distancing. For links to major airlines, head to the bottom of the page, or visit your airline’s website for specific information.
On Your Tour
Smaller Groups
Tours will operate with a number of empty seats to allow guests to space out for a more comfortable experience.
Your Tour Manager
We have employed new and enhanced hygiene & physical distancing protocols for tour managers. They are local experts and highly trained to handle a variety of unexpected situations — including illnesses and emergencies. They are also available 24/7 for guests throughout the tour should any situation arise.
Use of Face Coverings
Face coverings will be included with your pre-tour documents and will be required throughout many experiences on tour including the motor coach and air travel.
Motor Coach
All surfaces will be sanitized often, including regular cleaning of high-touch areas with disinfecting wipes. Hand sanitizer will be available at all times and drivers will wear protective gear when appropriate.
On-Tour Experiences
We work closely with our local partners to ensure adequate physical distancing during meals, experiences, and sightseeing. Guests may be rotated in smaller sub-groups when necessary.
On-Tour Insurance Coverages
When you purchase our Travel Protection Plan, you’ll have access to telehealth services should you need it, plus you’re covered on tour for emergency assistance, baggage loss, trip interruption, medical expenses, and more. Learn more here
Self-Screening
We will ask all travellers to monitor their health throughout their tour, with protocols in place in the event someone becomes ill.
Hotels
Specific protocols will vary from destination to destination, hotel to hotel. Overall, rooms and areas like restaurants, fitness centres, etc. will be deep-cleaned regularly, with rooms disinfected thoroughly between guests. High-traffic areas like lobbies and elevators will be cleaned hourly.
After Your Tour
Post-Tour Survey
After you get home, you’ll be able to share your opinions of your tour experience, allowing us to constantly improve for the benefit of future guests.
Associations
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
What's excluded
- The land price does not include air travel, airline fees, airport or departure taxes, transfers, visas, customary end-of-trip gratuities for your Tour Manager, driver, local guides, hotel housekeepers, cruise ship waitstaff, and any incidental charges.
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations