Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Tour, 13 Days from Istanbul

Turkish Airlines' scheduled flight departs at 02:50 for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's largest and most vibrant city, still widely known as Saigon. After roughly 9 hours 40 minutes in the air we land at 16:30 local time. After passport and baggage formalities a private vehicle takes us into the city and to the hotel. After a short rest, dinner follows at a restaurant showcasing the local cuisine. Flight details: Turkish Airlines, Istanbul 02:50, Saigon 16:30 local time. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast at the hotel we begin a full-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City, the cultural heart of Vietnam. Notre Dame Cathedral, a symbol of the French colonial era, and the Central Post Office across the street lead the day, followed by the War Remnants Museum, offering insight into the Vietnam War. The Reunification Palace, a witness to the country's history of independence, continues the tour. Lunch is at a local restaurant, a taste of Vietnamese cuisine. The rest of the day is free around Ben Thanh Market. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel, 4-star or similar.

Today explores both the history and the nature of Vietnam. After breakfast we head to the Cu Chi Tunnels, one of the most striking underground networks from the Vietnam War, its living spaces and trap systems bearing the marks of guerrilla warfare. We continue to the Mekong Delta, one of the region's most fertile waterways. A boat tour on traditional vessels takes us into the heart of the tropical landscape, along narrow canals lined with palm trees, with a chance to taste tropical fruit from local producers. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we leave the hotel for an overland journey from Vietnam into Cambodia, taking in the rural landscape along the way and crossing the border ourselves at Moc Bai-Bavet before continuing to the capital, Phnom Penh. After checking into the hotel there is a short rest, followed in the evening by a boat tour on the Mekong River. Dinner, set against the historic city skyline, marks the first night in Cambodia. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Sun & Moon Riverside Hotel Phnom Penh, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we explore Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. The tour opens at the Royal Palace, its architecture at the heart of the city, and the Silver Pagoda within its grounds, its emerald and gold statues a display of the country's spiritual wealth. We then visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S-21), a sobering chapter of Cambodian history. Lunch is at a local restaurant, a taste of Cambodian cuisine, and the day closes with a walk around Wat Phnom Temple and the Independence Monument. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Sun & Moon Riverside Hotel Phnom Penh, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we leave Phnom Penh heading north for Siem Reap, stopping along the way at Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. A short boat tour offers a close look at the floating villages built on the water, complete with homes, schools and markets. We continue overland, arriving in Siem Reap, home to the UNESCO-listed Angkor temples, in the evening. Dinner follows at an authentic local restaurant after checking in. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Boutique & Resort, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we set out on a full-day tour of Angkor Archaeological Park. The tour begins at Angkor Wat, considered the height of Khmer architecture and the largest temple complex in the world, built in the 12th century, with a close look at its reliefs, towers and sacred pools. We continue to Angkor Thom, the capital of the Khmer Empire, taking in the Bayon Temple with its enigmatic smiling faces, the Elephant Terrace, once the site of royal processions, and the sacred Baphuon Temple. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Somadevi Angkor Boutique & Resort, 4-star or similar.

The morning is free in Siem Reap for rest or a short walk. In the afternoon we transfer to the airport for Vietnam Airlines' 17:05 flight, landing in Luang Prabang, the cultural capital of Laos, at 18:30 local time after roughly an hour and 25 minutes. After passport formalities we transfer to the hotel in the city center. On this first evening in a calm, mystical city, dinner is at a restaurant serving traditional Lao cuisine. Flight details: Vietnam Airlines, Siem Reap 17:05, Luang Prabang 18:30 local time. Meals: Dinner included. Accommodation: Villa Santi Hotel Luang Prabang, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we explore Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The first stop is Wat Xieng Thong, one of the city's oldest and most magnificent temples, its gilded walls a fine example of traditional Lao architecture. We then visit the Royal Palace Museum, tracing the city's royal past. After lunch we turn to nature, heading to Kuang Si Waterfall, one of the region's most striking natural sights. A short forest walk leads to this multi-tiered waterfall, with time for swimming and photos. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Villa Santi Hotel Luang Prabang, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast a morning tour around Luang Prabang begins with the climb up Mount Phousi, known for its panoramic views over the city. From the top, the Mekong River and the traditional roofed houses of Luang Prabang spread out below. We then walk through the Morning Market and its surrounding streets, a close look at Laotian life. After lunch at a local restaurant we return to the hotel for a short rest. In the evening we head to the airport for Vietnam Airlines' 19:15 flight to Hanoi, landing at 20:15 local time after roughly an hour, and transfer to the hotel. Flight details: Vietnam Airlines, Luang Prabang 19:15, Hanoi 20:15 local time. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: The Q Hotel Hanoi, 4-star or similar.

Early in the morning we leave the hotel for Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a roughly three-hour drive from Hanoi we reach Halong Port and board a traditionally designed boat for a journey among the limestone cliffs, caves and islets rising from the turquoise water. Lunch is served on board, a rich menu of fresh seafood. Along the way we take in notable formations such as Sung Sot, the Surprise Cave, with time on deck for photos. We return to Hanoi and the hotel at the end of the day. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: The Q Hotel Hanoi, 4-star or similar.

After breakfast we continue exploring Hanoi, Vietnam's capital. A panoramic view of the mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, leader of Vietnam's independence movement, is followed by the Temple of Literature, reflecting the country's historical and literary heritage. A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake, next to Ngoc Son Temple, one of the city's spiritual sites, takes in Hanoi's calm atmosphere. After lunch at a traditional restaurant in the city center there is free time for shopping and rest. In the evening we transfer to the airport for Turkish Airlines' scheduled flight, departing for Istanbul at 22:30. Flight details: Turkish Airlines, Hanoi 22:30. Meals: Lunch included. Accommodation: Overnight on the plane.

We land at Istanbul Airport at 05:40 local time, closing this journey through Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, from the Cu Chi Tunnels of Saigon to the limestone islets of Halong Bay. ---