You no longer have to imagine ancient palaces and temples awash with jungle foliage. This custom tailored tour will take you through the imperial majesty of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. From the quiet charm of Hoan Kiem Lake at the center of Hanoi to the shimmering emerald Buddha in the heart of Bangkok, experience the marvelous stone guards at the tomb of emperor Minh Mang and witness the celebrated splendor of Angkor Wat. You will discover the lavish histories of Southeast Asia’s dynasties...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
The Capital of Capitals
The city of Hanoi begins to bustle with life before you have even landed. The mixture of tradition and modernity overflows with grandeur. You are met at the airport by a private transfer who takes you to your hotel where you can settle into luxury while witnessing the sensational combination that Hanoi holds onto so well. Hanoi’s history dates back almost a millennium and can be seen in the pride with which the locals hold on to their treasured pasts in the wake of the modern streets. You see a woman with a conical hat stroll down the walkway. Her bright blue shirt stands against her dark pant and open sandals while a long bar stretches over her shoulder. She is balancing two shallow but wide containers, each filled with produce, from lemon grass to spinach, connected to the poll that rests on her shoulders within the rising reflection of the skyline.
What's Included:
Day 2
What the Streets Show
Day 3
A Day by the Bay
Day 4
Around Imperial
Day 5
The Opulence of Emperors Past
Day 6
The Once Southern Capital
Day 7
Within the Carved Earth
Day 8
Capitals of the Past
Day 9
Sunrise in the Imperial City
Day 10
Ancient Cities to Modern Palace
Day 11
The Grand Palace Overture
Day 12
A Personal Palace
Trip Highlights
- Witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the tremendous artistry that remains within Angkor Wat
- Explore the rich labyrinth of tunnels that make up the Cu Chi Tunnel complex
- Discover the separate imperial histories of Southeast Asia, from Hue to Angkor, and the Grand Palace grounds of Bangkok
- Witness the majesty of the natural landscape at Ha Long bay on a day cruise
- Experience the blend of culture between the modern and the traditional along the diverse neighborhoods of Hanoi
- Visit the revered Emerald Buddha image within the lavish gallery of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok
Detailed Description
Your discovery of the imperial cities of Southeast Asia begins with your arrival in the modern capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. The city is charismatic with its mixture of high-rises which connote contemporaneousness while its tree-fringed lake brings a sense of calm and tradition to the stretch of energetic neighborhoods. Tour through Hanoi to discover the history of the city that stretches back over a millennium. Experience the gregarious culture whether within the temples or the aromatic restaurants. The following day you will indulge in a day trip to Ha Long Bay where the limestone islands create a unique and wondrous landscape along the South China Sea.
Transfer to Hue where the imperial past of Vietnam is situated within the Old City. Travel along the Perfume River before visiting the tombs of past emperors, each constructing lavish architecture and artistry to commemorate their rule. Once in Ho Chi Minh City you will witness the commercial center of Vietnam. The streets are filled with an effortless buzz along the Saigon River. You find the range of history within the Reunification Palace and outside of the city at the Cu Chi Tunnels.
Once in Siem Reap, Cambodia you will spend two days traversing the celebrated temples of the Angkor complex, from Ta Prohm to Angkor Wat itself, each temple showcasing the history, grandeur, and dedication of the Khmer empire. Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand, a city known for its endless energy and where you can find the country’s rich history located at the heart of the Chao Phraya River. A tour along the momentous waterway brings you to the Grand Palace complex, filled with opulent architecture and majestic temples. From Bangkok you will be taken to the airport for your return flight home.
Starting Price
$3,800 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 128 reviews.
We had an amazing, nearly three-week trip throughout Southeast Asia. Zicasso's tour operators did an incredible job planning all of the details of the trip. In general, I am not easily impressed and I tend to be pretty upfront with my criticism. In this case, I was truly impressed. I really don't have any criticism about the whole experience.
This was a very complicated trip, with eight cities/locations and six internal flights. We had great communication in the months and weeks leading up to the trip. They were receptive to all of our requests and they gave very good advice when we had questions.
All of the guides were great. The hotels were amazing and all of the details of the activities, transfers, and internal flights were well thought out and well coordinated. I was so impressed by their attention to detail. They were also willing to be flexible and able to make changes, even during the trip. I was able to reach them throughout the trip by WhatsApp and they responded quickly every time. I would recommend them wholeheartedly.
Reviewed By Jeffrey W.
Zicasso’s travel agency worked patiently with us over several months to organize a perfect four-country tour through Indochina, doing exactly what we asked, including a Khmer cooking class with a local chef.
We were met on arrival in each county by an experienced English-speaking guide who was well-versed in the history, geography, and culture of each location, and they were just delightful people too. They took us to rural villages and through urban mazes to get a close look at the daily life of the citizens. We chatted with farmers in the field and had meals in local homes. Our agency booked amazing hotels for each stop, from an eco-lodge in the mountains of Vietnam to a spectacular seaside resort in Thailand.
We had contact names and numbers for agency representatives in each country. They were incredibly responsive, even after hours, when we had a small medical issue. They gave us a completely seamless experience from arrival to departure, with no wasted time. Vacation time is very precious, so we prefer to work with professionals who know the area intimately and take the time to understand our objectives rather than pushing a canned itinerary.
Reviewed By David H.
Everything worked out great. Zicasso's travel company was super-supportive.
Reviewed By Rich D.
Zicasso's travel agent was amazing in organizing a nine-and-a-half-week custom trip through Southeast Asia for us. She was intelligent, organized, efficient, and very clear in her communications. And patient too, going through several revisions. It was a concierge service! From the moment we arrived, everything the travel agent organized went like clockwork – the pick-ups, accommodations, flights, guides, and drivers were all perfect.
The accommodations all matched closely with the guidance we gave the travel specialist on quality, facilities, etc. Most of the guides spoke excellent English (for a couple, it was passable). All had a passion for their country’s culture and history, and spending a few days with each of them in the car allowed us to have some wonderful conversations on more personal and nuanced topics.
Then, when one of us needed to be hospitalized, the travel specialist jumped in to facilitate communications, arrange extra nights in hotels, and then recover what refunds were possible for the final two weeks we had to eliminate from the trip. You will not find a better tour operator!!
Reviewed By Kristen C.
Zicasso referred us to two agencies. We chose this travel agency. The travel agent listened to what was important to us for our trip, offered advice, and planned the itinerary. The travel specialists were available throughout our trip. They were very helpful when one of us became ill, reorganizing hotels and flights.
All the guides and drivers were good and punctual. The logistics were all done well. All tours, dinners, and everything in the itinerary were honored.
Reviewed By Jan W.
We had an incredible trip!! From the planning stages and throughout the journey, the Zicasso team was there every step of the way. All of our activities were fun and unique; the guides were so friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to share their experiences and enhance ours; and every event went so smoothly.
We visited three countries, went to multiple cities in each, and took several domestic flights during the trip. Everything was seamless, with our guides contacting us before we even boarded our planes and always there waiting for us when we arrived.
The hotels were amazing!!! They were well-located, beautiful, and interesting, with attentive, caring staff.
There is nothing I would change about this trip. This company runs like a well-oiled machine!! Thank you so much!!
Reviewed By Denise H.