Trails of Indochina

29/07/2026

Step off the well-worn tourist path, and trace a civilisation that predates the borders we know today.

This 12-day journey travels off the beaten track from Sukhothai to Luang Prabang, through Nan, Phrae, and along the Mekong, uncovering the shared roots of Thailand and Laos through sacred wats, ancient ruins, and traditions passed down for generations. Along the way, discover the story of the Tai civilization, shaped by faith, migration, and centuries of trade.

Take a peek at the journey's highlights:

🛕 Visit Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, home to a revered bronze Buddha image.
✨ Wander two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Sukhothai and Luang Prabang.
🐎 Ride a horse-drawn carriage through Lampang's historic quarters.
🌾 Explore Nan and Phrae's rice fields and centuries-old salt wells.
🚢 Drift along the Mekong past remote villages and untouched landscapes.

Some legacies aren't written in books - they're carved in stone, drifted down rivers, and passed through generations.

Explore the detailed itinerary in the link below: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/itinerary/an-off-the-beaten-path-journey-through-the-civilizations-of-thailand-and-laos/

TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments

Thailand and Laos with a luxury Thailand DMC. Trails of Indochina journeys from Sukhothai through Nan and along the Mekong to Luang Prabang’s ancient temples.

28/07/2026

Chiang Mai's artisanal riverside retreat

Raya Heritage Chiang Mai positions itself as Thailand's first artisanal resort, inspired by the Lanna Kingdom's artistry. Thirty-eight suites occupy low-impact structures along the Ping River. Every furniture piece, artefact, and accessory is hand-crafted by local artisans. Best for cultural tourists, design-focused couples, and food-motivated travellers seeking authentic Lanna immersion.

Farm-to-table Lanna cuisine sourced from sustainable farms anchors the dining. Some suites include private pools overlooking river gardens. The unhurried riverside setting means you're immersed without isolation.

Temple visits, artisan workshops, and the night market are 20 minutes away.

Find out more: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/hotel/raya-heritage/
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected].

28/07/2026

Luang Prabang's spiritual centre

Amantaka sits in central Luang Prabang, the spiritual capital of Laos, within the UNESCO-protected town. Twenty-four suites occupy a French-colonial building with Mount Phousi as backdrop. Some suites have private pools. The recently launched Buddhist Learning Centre educates guests on Buddhist practices while supporting local monasteries. Best for cultural tourists, spiritual seekers, and couples wanting contemplative retreat over activity-driven resort time.

Temples are within walking distance. The Mekong River is accessible. Boutiques, bakeries, and the night market anchor the neighborhood. Aman Spa, with steam, sauna, and plunge pools handle the relaxation.

Luang Prabang moves at its own pace. Amantaka fits that rhythm.
Find out more: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/hotel/amantaka/
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/

27/07/2026

Hue's peaceful countryside escape

Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort sits 10 minutes from Hue city centre in rustic countryside with tranquil gardens. One hundred seventy-three rooms reflect Vietnamese traditional architecture. The setting works as both a cultural base for Hue exploration and a quiet retreat from the city. Best for couples, families, and wellness-focused travellers wanting cultural immersion with countryside peace and city proximity.

Junrei restaurant offers Royal Hue dining experiences. Three pools include the first heated pool in Central Vietnam. Five restaurants and bars, wellness zone, and jogging trails anchor the days.

Royal Citadel, imperial tombs, and historical sites are 10 minutes away without disrupting the countryside rhythm.

Find out more: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/hotel/pilgrimage-village-boutique-resort/
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected].

27/07/2026

Phnom Penh's curated mansion

Rosewood Phnom Penh designs itself as a curated mansion honoring Cambodian culture in contemporary form. Sweeping views of the city. Six restaurants and lounges, including Sora, a sky bar on a cantilevered terrace ranked #65 in Asia's 50 Best Bars. Best for couples, food and nightlife enthusiasts, and anyone seeking luxury with cultural depth.

Sense Spa holds the "Best Hotel Spa in Cambodia" award. Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio named "Best Nail Spa in the World" for four consecutive years. The dining credentials matter: Two Michelin Keys, multiple World Spa Awards, ranked #30 on Travel + Leisure's 100 Best Hotels in the World.

Royal Palace, National Museum, and the riverside are all accessible from here.
Find out more: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/hotel/rosewood-phnom-penh/
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected].

24/07/2026

✨ Upcoming Public Holidays in Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand ✨

🇲🇲 Myanmar: Full Moon Day of Waso (29/7)
🌏 This public holiday marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period of heightened religious observance coinciding with Myanmar's rainy season. During this time, pilgrims gather wild flowers to offer at pagodas and present new robes to monks, while monks traditionally remain within the grounds of their monasteries until the full moon of Thadingyut.

🇱🇦 Laos: Boun Khao Phansa (29/7)
🌏 Boun Khao Phansa marks the beginning of Buddhist Lent, a three-month period during which monks remain in their temples for prayer and meditation. Devotees prepare offerings of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves along with everyday necessities. The day closes with monks reciting the teachings of Buddha and sharing the history of Buddhist Lent.

🇹🇭 Thailand: King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday (28/7) / Asahna Bucha Day (29/7) / Khao Phansa Day (30/7)
🌏 July 28th marks the birthday of King Maha Vajiralongkorn (King Rama X), celebrated as a national public holiday in Thailand. Buddhist temples hold special ceremonies, receiving alms for monks, while some devotees release birds or turtles as a gesture of good merit.

🌏Asanha Bucha Day commemorates the Buddha's first sermon and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. Thai families mark the occasion by visiting local temples to make merit - offering food, flowers, and incense to monks; listening to sermons about the Buddha's first teaching; and taking part in meditation.

🌏Khao Phansa Day marks the beginning of the Buddhist Rains Retreat, a three-month period of prayer and monastic study. The day is celebrated with a beloved Candle Procession featuring elaborate wax carvings, while devotees offer rain-bathing cloths to monks as a time-honored gesture of merit-making and support.

📌 Office Notice: Both our Myanmar and Laos offices will be closed on Wednesday, 29 July, 2026, with normal operations resuming on Thursday, 30 July, 2026. Our Thailand office will be closed from Tuesday, 28 July, 2026, to Thursday, 30 July, 2026, with normal operations resuming on Friday, 31 July, 2026.

☎️ During this time, our Sales and Customer Care teams will remain attentive, monitoring emails and responding to urgent matters, while our Care Team continues to provide 24/7 support and the latest updates to our clients. In case of emergency, please contact us via our hotline: +84 918 713 456 or email: [email protected].
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected].

Image credit of King Maha Vajiralongkorn: Getty Image

24/07/2026

🛳️ Discover the Mekong River — Free Destination Training Webinar for Travel Agents

With just a few days to go, we’re excited to welcome you to Trails of Indochina’s complimentary destination training webinar on 28 July 2026. Spots are still available, and we’d love for you to join us! Under the title “One River, Many Journeys,” we will explore the art of slow travel along the Mekong and the luxury river journeys it inspires.

Covering both the Upper Mekong (Laos & Northern Thailand) and the Lower Mekong (Vietnam & Cambodia), our experts will take you through a waterway where every stretch tells a different story—from unhurried landscapes and authentic riverside communities to deep-rooted traditions and enduring cultural heritage. We'll also show you how we bring these journeys to life by pairing Heritage Line, a boutique luxury river cruise brand, with thoughtfully curated destination experiences that feel deeply connected to the river and its people.

Packed with practical ideas and fresh perspectives, this session will help you design compelling Mekong programs that truly resonate with your clients.

🕐 Choose your session:

🌎North America market: 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET
🔗Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccB1NFWFU3hXEzd_JrHhvsOPfAvC3bEM0Y9vq9nEL2BaYVyg/viewform

🌏Australia and New Zealand markets: 11:00 AM Sydney Time (AEST) / 1:00 PM Auckland Time (NZST)
🔗Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdCmM0JjSXjbcG7lyAFF35FnDPB4syh0eB4aA4n7ReLXg1gcg/viewform

🌍UK and EU market: 2:00 PM London Time (BST) / 3:00 PM (CEST)
🔗Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfu8ArRtw6JrISdHo-9VFE9_1Ib-jxW7lnpG8h05ZFNt7irwA/viewform

✨A full recording and materials will be shared with all who register, even if they’re unable to attend in real time.

✨Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your product knowledge and elevate your Mekong offerings with expert insights.
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧Reach out to us at [email protected].

24/07/2026

The best golf holidays are no longer just about golf.

According to the latest insights from International Golf Travel Market, today's golfers are increasingly looking for journeys that combine world-class golf with authentic local experiences, exceptional dining, wellness, and longer, more immersive itineraries.

It's a trend we're seeing reflected in the enquiries we receive.

You can start your morning with an early tee time at the Luke Donald-designed Ba Na Hills Golf Club and then by lunchtime be in the countryside outside Hoi An, picking herbs and vegetables from an organic farm before learning to prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes with a local chef. As evening falls, the lanterns begin to glow and the streets of Hoi An take on a completely different character.

A few days later, you could be standing on the first tee at Phokeethra Country Club, Cambodia’s premier championship course, after spending dawn watching the sun slowly rising over Angkor Wat. In the early evening, explore rural Siem Reap by quad bike, passing through idyllic villages and zipping past emerald green rice paddies as the sun disappears below the horizon.

Then there's the City of Angels, Bangkok. After a day at Thai Country Club, host to some of Asia’s most renowned professional tournaments, while away your evening aboard a beautifully restored antique rice barge as it glides along the Chao Phraya River. Between dishes, be transported to a bygone era as a local historian recounts stories of kings, merchants, and the river that shaped the city.

The golf may be what inspires the journey, but it's often everything between the rounds that guests remember most.

That's why every Golf Trails by Trails of Indochina journey is designed to showcase not only the finest golf in Southeast Asia, but the people, culture and experiences that make each destination unforgettable.

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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧Reach out to us at [email protected].

23/07/2026

Forget everything you knew about Thai food. Northern Thailand tells a different story, one shaped by centuries of influence from Myanmar, Laos, China, and India, known today as Lanna cuisine. It remains a culinary tradition that many visitors, and even many food lovers, have yet to fully discover.

On this tailored culinary journey through Chiang Mai, join Marisa Merchitelli, a Thai-Italian-American filmmaker, writer, and travel specialist who has called the city home since 2010. Over the past decade, she's documented Northern Thailand's disappearing traditions, vibrant landscapes, and rich culinary heritage, bringing that depth of local knowledge and storytelling into every experience she leads.

Here's a sneak peek at what's waiting:

🍫 Explore Thai cacao and the craft chocolate movement at a local artisan chocolate maker.
🛍️ Wander Kad Luang, the North's largest and most iconic market.
✨ Savor Northern Thailand's street specialties.
🍴 End the day with a refined meal in a beautifully restored heritage restaurant.

More than a taste of Northern Thailand, it's a feast for all the senses and an experience that goes far beyond the plate.

Explore the tailored experience in the link below and contact us at [email protected] to register: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/blog/a-taste-of-the-north-a-culinary-journey-through-chiang-mai/
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected].

Trails of Indochina, luxury Thailand DMC, takes a Chiang Mai food journey through Lanna cuisine, from artisan chocolate to a historic market & heritage dinner

23/07/2026

Conservation luxury in Vinh Hy Bay

Amanoi sits within Nui Chua National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve overlooking Vinh Hy Bay on Vietnam's south-central coast. Forty-five pavilions, pool villas, and residences offer maximum privacy. The hilltop infinity pool and Central Pavilion anchor the social spaces. The award-winning spa runs a substantial wellness programme with Pilates, yoga, hydrotherapy, and private spa villas in your room. Best for wellness-focused travellers, honeymooners, and couples seeking seclusion in a conservation setting.

Star gazing, Cham-style blessing ceremonies, and national park trekking are all part of the rhythm. Beginner to advanced trek options mean the activities suit your pace.
The remoteness is deliberate. Seventy-five minutes from Cam Ranh Airport, but fully immersed in where you are.

Find out more: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/hotel/amanoi/
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TRAILS OF INDOCHINA—Tailored Experiences, Local Connections, Unforgettable Moments
🌐Discover our website: https://www.trailsofindochina.com/
📧 Reach out to us at [email protected].