Highlights of Laos & Vietnam 12 days

Highlights of Laos & Vietnam 12 days
 
(12 days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Destinations: Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoian, Saigon, Can Tho
 

Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang (D)
You will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. We’ll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai; we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse through a lovely selection of handmade textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave (B/L)
Today, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city's oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong where you can see the impressive “tree of life” mosaic set in colored glass. We then board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Xanghai where the local rice wine is produced and Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Once back in Luang Prabang city we take a short drive to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek - small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
 
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Hanoi (B/L)
We start our last day with a visit to The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture throughout the ages. We also will see the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there will be free time to venture into town and stroll around the shopping areas. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for the flight to Hanoi. On arrival at Hanoi's Noi Bai International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi
 
Day 4: Hanoi City Tour (B/L)
Depart the hotel at 8.30 for the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite. The university functioned for an incredible 700 years and its gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a fascinating glimpse into Vietnam’s past. The One Pillar Pagoda, founded by King Ly Thai To in 1049 will be visited next. This structure is one of Vietnam’s most iconic temples. Close by is the mausoleum of the historic figure and father of modern Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from 5^th Sep- 5^th Nov; possibility to visit without supplement before 11.00. Order of the visit may be changed to realize this cost saving) and the former presidents house on stilts where he lived from 1958 to 1969. Visit his former home, which illustrates the modesty of this Vietnamese revolutionary. Continue to picturesque West Lake and the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda.
 
Lunch al local restaurants. In the afternoon visit the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed on Mondays), which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly acclaimed Vietnam Women’s Museum. The museum is located near Hoan Kiem Lake and offers wonderful insight into the lives of Vietnamese women. Displays highlight Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and educate on the significant role Vietnamese women play in Vietnamese society.  Learn historic and modern-day traditions centered around births, weddings, motherhood, spirituality and more.
 
At the end of the afternoon visit Hanoi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around.
Finish the day with a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi.   
 
Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise & stay overnight on Board (B/L/D)
Depart from Hanoi and travel to the spectacular World Heritage site of Halong Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin (approximately four hours). Arrive at jetty in Halong City towards noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After your welcome onboard, a lunch will be served while cruising towards the bay itself. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits and/or activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or just spend some time relaxing on board. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is served on board. Overnight aboard on Halong Bay
 
Day 6: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi (B)
Enjoy your fresh morning in the middle of the bay, the sun rises on Halong in the morning and breakfast is served (brunch on some boats) while the vessels cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations and back towards Ha Long port. Disembark and travel back to Hanoi’s airport for the flight to Hue.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, private transfer to the Noi Bai airport for the flight VN1545 (19.55 – 21:05) to Hue, where you will be met and transferred to hotel for a one-night stay. Accommodation at hotel in Hue.
 
Note: 2 days cruise itinerary is subject to change bases on each cruise company, transfer by cruise’s shuttle bus (driver pick-up, there is no tour guide on the bus), english speaking guide is available on board.
 
Day 7: Hue World Heritage – Hoi An ancient town (B/L)
After breakfast at your hotel, you will board a private traditional boat for a cruise on the romantic Perfume River as you head out to the countryside. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded by ancient tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop of the day. Continue along the river to the Royal Tombs of Minh Mang, the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynesty who reigned until 1841. The tomb blends traditional architecture with a magical natural setting, and consists of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, and pavilions). Also visit to the Imperial City, which is located in the Citadel. The Imperial City was built in the early 19th century. Explore the Thai Hoa Palace, with its spacious hall and ornate roof of huge timbers supported by 80 carved and lacquered columns. See the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns and the site where the Forbidden Purple City once stood.
 
This afternoon, drive south along highway 1 to Hoian, a journey of approximately 3 hours. The highway meets the Hai Van Pass (meaning Pass of the Ocean Clouds). There are some spectacular vista points and photo opportunities en-route as the Truong Son mountain range cuts across the narrow centre of the country. The mountain range has created a barrier to the cold airstreams from the north which often results in thick cloudbanks over the peaks. The pass has been a strategic military focal point during Vietnam’s turbulent history and from the top there are views of the curve of Da Nang Bay. Continue south to Hoian where you will check-in to your hotel. This afternoon is free at leisure. Accommodation at hotel in Hoian.
 
Day 8: Hoian (B/L)
Hoi An ancient town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. This morning, enjoy a walking tour of this enchanting town visiting an old merchant house, the Hoi An Museum, a Chinese Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Also explore its many craft and silk shops and the colorful fish and produce market. In the afternoon, you are free to meander in Hoi An or unwind at Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in Hoi An.
 
Day 9: Hoian – Danang – Ho Chi Minh (B)
This morning, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh city, your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for three-night stay. Rest of the day at leisure to explore this bustling city independently. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi  Minh city.
 
Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B/L)
After breakfast, you will drive to Cu Chi Tunnels, which consist of more than 200 km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life was like during the U.S.-Vietnam War. In the afternoon you will embark on a city tour of Saigon including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi street and bustling Ben Thanh Market. Accommodation at hotel in Saigon.
 
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta – Can Tho (B/L)
After breakfast, a two hour drive to Ben Tre will expose you to the colorful outskirt life as well as picturesque rice fields along the journey. On arrival in Hung vÆ°Æ¡ng Pier, boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river- is along mangrove tree from town to country. Witness lively activities in morning as fishing, coconut cargo boats carrying on river.... Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Go on by boat to My Long village, walking to hamlet to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music as well. Visit candy mill and enjoy some sweet by the way. Continue short walking to visit farmer house who making sleepmats.
 
Cycle rural tracks or drive tuktuk through coconut grove, vegetable plains (cucumber, bitter melon...). Keep going by row boat on shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at Green Garden riverside restaurant. Boating back Hùng vÆ°Æ¡ng pier by motorboat. Continue drive to Can Tho, check-in to your hotel. Overnight in Can Tho.
 
Day 12: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Departure (B)
Transfer to the river and board a boat to visit the Cai Rang floating market, where each morning hundreds of farmers, with their boats full of fresh fruits and vegetables, gather to trade goods. Visit a colonial home in Binh Thuy. Then set off for a drive back to Ho Chi Minh’s airport for your departure flight. End of service.

Prices are quoted in US dollars per person base on minimum two travelers
 
Rates vary depend on group size, travel time, accommodation level, transportation and other service. Please contact us to get the best price!

- The Hung Kings Anniversary from 6 April 2017 to 7 April 2017
- Victory Day & Labour Day from 29 April 2017 to 02 May 2017
- Independent Day from 02 September to 03 September 2017
- Christmas Eve gala dinner (December 24, 2017)
- New Year’s Eve gala dinner (December 31, 2017)
- New Year & Holiday: 24 December 2017 to 10 January 2018
- Lunar New Year from 15 Feb 2018 to 20 February 2018
- Public holiday in Laos (TBA)

- Check in time at hotel 14:00pm -  Check out time at hotel 12:00pm