A MICE trip, the benefits

MICE business travel offers several advantages, in particular the unique opportunity to discover new cultures, new cuisines and new lifestyles. Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia are ideal MICE destinations because these three Indochina countries offer a fascinating combination of culture, nature and history.

A MICE journey, how

Companies can ensure that their MICE travel is well organized and meets all their needs by working with a reliable and experienced travel partner such as Trusted DMC. Trusted DMC is a professional receptive for MICE travel to Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia – and beyond. The agency relies on a multilingual and responsive team, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to meet all the travel needs of its customers. Trusted DMC offers a wide range of services, such as efficient advice for corporate travel, services for groups and personalized private services for small groups.

A MICE journey, the steps

As a reminder, organize  - and succeed! – MICE travel requires careful planning, supported by close collaboration with a reliable travel partner. We will quickly identify 5 points to implement:

• Define the objectives and needs of the event: To be able to choose the most suitable providers and activities, we will take special care in defining the objectives and needs of the event.
• Choose the destination: It will ultimately depend on the objectives of the event, the budget, logistical limits, etc.
• Choose the providers: The providers must also be chosen according to the event. These can be hotels, restaurants, caterers, activity providers, etc.
• Organize logistics: Depending on the needs of the event, it will be about booking plane or bus tickets, renting a vehicle, planning transfers, etc.
• Manage administrative procedures: This is the management of passports, obtaining visas, etc.

These reminders being given, it is time to present a private discovery of Indochina program, according to Trusted DMC

The project

Program name : LAOS - VIETNAM - CAMBODIA DISCOVERY

Duration : 29 days – 28 nights
Number of persons: 14 - Nationality : Australian
Type : Private luxury travel, experiential tourism activities.
Accomodation type : 3* Hotels/Homestays
Special request : Speaking english tour guide
In partnership with “Take A Walk Adventure”, Australia - John and Lyn are experienced bushwalkers, tour coordinators and group leaders. Sharing their passion for the outdoors and the environment with walkers from all the world. They asked Trusted DMC to organise a discovery of Indochina, a very new destination for them. Here is the itinerary :

The itinerary

DAY 1 Arrival Vientiane, Laos
Highlights of this day : After arrival at Wattay International Airport you will transfer to our hotel, then free afternoon to relax and look around the town.
Meals: Not included
Accommodation: Aaron Hotel 4* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, tickets
DAY 2-3 Vientiane Free & Easy
Highlights of this day : After breakfast at hotel. Free time to relax and discover
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Aaron Hotel – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, tickets
DAY 4 Vientiane Full day City Tour
Highlights of this day : After breakfast at hotel, 2 hours walking visit to the major highlights : Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple of Vientiane, the royale temple of Wat Prakeo and That Luang Stupa, the national icon of Laos. Have a stop along the way of Patuxay Monument (Vientiane’s Arch of Triumph) and from there visit COPE Center, where UXO survivors can receive spme help. After lunch visit Buddha Park then Frienship Bridge. Free evening to explore the Night Market.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Aaron Hotel – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 5 Vientiane-Luang Prabang-Half Day City Tour
Highlights of this day : Visit to the major highlights : the Royal Palace Museum, the oldest temples including Wat Xieng Thong, the Stupa Wat Visoun and Wat Aham. Climb to the top of Mount Phousi. Evening free to explore the vibrant Night Market and its local restaurants
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sala Prabang 3* – Studio Room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees DAY 6 Luang Prabang-Kuang Si Waterfall
Highlights of this day : Opportunity to rise early and participate in the daily morning ritual of Alms Giving. After breakfast, journey to Kuang Si Waterfall, with a stop at Phousi Market, a popular local market.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sala Prabang – Studio Room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 7 Luang Prabang-Pak Ou Cave - Oudomxay
Highlights of this day : Embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to visit Pak Ou Caves, an ancient pilgrimage site. Then driving towards Oudomxay, the most mountainous area in Laos and home of 23 ethnic minority groups.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Charming Lao 3* – Deluxe Room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 8 Oudomxay – Tay Trang Border – Dien Bien
Highlights of this day : Transfert to Tay Trang Border for next trip to Vietnam. Arrival at Dien Bien where, after lunch, the tour guide will take you to a 3 –hour visit including Dien Bien revolutionary martyr cemetery, Dien Bien Phu victory museum, the A1 hill. The visit continue with to visit of the bunker of French commander De Castries.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Phadin Hotel 3*  – Standard room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 9 Dien Bien – Sa Pa
Highlights of this day : Transfert to Sapa. After a local lunch, first trek through the rice terraces, from Lao Chai to Ta Van villages.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Vista Hotel 3* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees DAY 10 Sa Pa Trekking
Highlights of this day : After breakfast, trek to the Red Dzao village of Ma Tra, followed by the village of Ta Phin – through stunning scenery of rice paddies and small picturesques villages.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Homestay, allowing to get close and personal with the local culture and traditions
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 11 Sa Pa – Bac Ha – Ha Giang
Highlights of this day : On the way to Ha Giang, make a stop at Hoang A Tuong (or the “Cat King’s House”) in Bac Ha Town and have lunch in Chang Village, inhabited by Tay communities. After lunch, enjoying the spectacular scenery along the way, before finally reaching the Tay village where to overnight
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Doan Homestay – Dormitory or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 12 Ha Giang – Lung Cu – Dong Van
Highlights of this day : Board on the private car from Ha Giang to Lung Cu village with its big flag at the top of the Dragon Mountain. Then visit a Lo Lo ethnic group village and a H’mong one. Have a stop at the residence of the Vuong Family, still called “Palace of Hmong King”
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hoa Cuong Hotel – Superior Room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees DAY 13 Dong Van – Meo Vac – Ba Be National Park
Highlights of this day : Visit to the Dong Van market, the hiking to Pu Lo fortress, build in 1890, before climbing 15 km to the top of Ma Pi Leng Pass through a gigantic maze of limestone peaks, stone forests, and canyons before descending into the valley of Meo Vac. Arrival at Ba Be National Park
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ba Be Jungle Houses (Formerly Mr Linh’s homestay)
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees
DAY 14 Trekking, Kayaking & Boat Trip on Ba Be lake
Highlights of this day : An adventurous day in Ba Be National Park, with its largest natural lake in Vietnam : visit the Puong Cave on a private boat, then navigate to the Dau Dang Waterfall. Then after lunch, visit to An Ma temple and trekking a short distance through the jungle to the homestay (possibility of kayaking, if you still have some energy !).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Ba Be Jungle Houses (Formerly Mr Linh’s Homestay)
Included: Transportation, English guide, water, entrance fees DAY 15 Ba Be lake – Phia Thap
Highlights of this day : Transfer by car from Ba Be to Cao Bang to reach Phia Thap, the famous incense making village. This community-based tourism village is surrounded by limestone pinnacles which creates a spectacular scenery. Meet and talk with friendly and hospitable locals here
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Mr Kim Homestay – Dormitory or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 16 Ban Gioc Waterfall – Lang Son
Highlights of this day : Discover the the most incredible natural wonders in Northern Vietnam, Ban Gioc Waterfall. Spend your time relaxing in the glow of the natural beauty, take some amazing photos, and board a bamboo boat that will take you so close to the falls you’ll feel the spray on your face and so close to China that you can actually touch it. After enjoying the waterfall, deep venture into the Nguom Ngao Cave.
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation: New Centure Lang Son – Standard room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 17 Lang Son Bai Chay – Ha Long bay
Highlights of this day : Head to Ha Long Bay from Lang Son. Arrival at Bai Chay town and its Halong International Cruise Port. Embark on a junk and have lunch as the boat criuse Ha Long bay. Have a stop on Ti Top Island, then visit to Sung Sot Cave and finally, back to the boat, enjoy the sunset while relaxing with Happy hour from now to dinner time at the bar.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Oriental Sails 3* – Deluxe room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water DAY 18 Ha Long bay – Ha Noi
Highlights of this day : After a Tai Chi lesson on sundeck and breakfast, explore hidden parts of the bay, Luon cave. You share a sampan with other travellers with a local rower or taking a kayak on your own. Transfert back to Hanoi city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Carillon Boutique Hotel 3* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 19 Ha Noi city tour - Hue
Highlights of this day : After breakfast, visit Tran Quoc pagoda, one of the oldest Buddhist relics in Vietnam, followed by visit to Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, and nearby his house on stilts, not far away from the famous One Pilar Pagoda. Discover the most prominent temple of Hanoi, the temple of literature, which also functioned as Vietnam's first university. Afternoon, explore the handicraft village of Bat Trang Pottery, then drive back to legendary Hoan Kiem lake to visit Ngoc Son Temple. Finaly, after a one hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s old quarter, flight to Hue.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Gardenia Hue Hotel – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water DAY 20 Hue – Thien Mu pagoda – Thuy Bieu village – Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb
Highlights of this day : After breakfast, take a local boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River. Visit Thien Mu pagoda, built in 1601, then enjoy a nice walking and biking around Thuy Bieu village with ist many garden houses. Visit an incense making family, then discover of Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb with its ponds and gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Gardenia Hue Hotel 3* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 21 Hue – My Son – Hoi An ancient town
Highlights of this day : Heading to Hoi An, have a stop to visit Lang Co beach– Oyster farming village. Go through Hai Van Pass, with its impressive landscape. After the visit of Marble Mountain, transfer to My Son sanctuary, an ancient religious center of the Champa civilisation.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Green Appel Hotel 3* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water DAY 22 Hoi An old quarter – Ho Chi Minh city
Highlights of this day : Walk to the ancient city, visit the Kwan Temple, Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Old House, Japanese Cover Bridge and Historic & Cultural museum in Hoi An. Visit Hoi An’s handicraft workshop before lunch, follwed by rhe fly to Ho Chi Minh city – Free time in the formerly Saigon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Liberty Hotel Saigon Green View 3* – Deluxe room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 23 Ho Chi Minh city tour – Cu Chi tunnels
Highlights of this day : After breakfast at hotel transfer to Cu Chi tunnels, a network of over 200 km of tunnels which played a vital role in the War. In their heyday, the tunnels were functioning underground cities including numerous trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers & kitchens. Return to SaiGon to visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office, followed by exploring the Reunification Palace, and the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Liberty Hotel Saigon Green View – Deluxe room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 24 Ho Chi Minh city – Can Tho
Highlights of this day : Leave Ho Chi Minh city, enjoy the scenic journey along the way to My Tho, bordered by green rice fields. When arrived, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank. Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shade of water coconut trees along natural canals. Then free time to visit the bustling Can Tho floatting market.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Hau Giang Hotel 3* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water DAY 25 Can Tho – Chau Doc
Highlights of this day : Have leisurely boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (Bassac River), then proceed to Cai Rang floating market. Then wander around the village and meet the friendly local people and experience how to pass a "Monkey bridge", before heading to Chau Doc. Have a stop at Tra Su Birds Sanctuary to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the flood forest.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Hoang Duc Hotel 3*  – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 26 Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
Highlights of this day : Breakfast at hotel then catch speed boat to Phnom Penh. Visit the private quarters of the Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda the most sacred shrine in the country. Then visit the legendary temple of Wat Phnom.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Samnan Laor Phnom Penh Hotel 3* – Superior room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 27 Phnom Penh – Siem Reap
Highlights of this day : After breakfast at hotel, visit the pre-Angkorian temples of Sambor Prei Kuk and then explore Kompong Kdei Bridge, build in the 12th century.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cheathata Angkor Hotel 4* – Deluxe room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water DAY 28 Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Angkor Thom & Ta Prohm
Highlights of this day : After breakfast, the all day is dedicated to visit the most famous & magnificent Angkor Wat temple, followed by Ta Prohm temple which is a wonderful combination of human genius and natural beauty. In the afternoon, we continue exploring the mysterious Royal city Angkor Thom whose 54-tower temple is an awesome sight with its surroundings including he Bayon, Elephant Terraces, Leper King Terrace and countless carved figures.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cheathata Angkor Hotel – Deluxe room or Similar
Included: Transportation, English guide, water
DAY 29 Siem Reap – Departure
Highlights of this day : Free day for your own leisure until transfer to Siem Reap international airport
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Not included
Included: Transportation, English guide, water