Fabulous Combination Tour in Between Vietnam and Laos – 13 Days

* BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: Saigon Arrival

Day 2: Saigon – Cai Be – Vinh Long

Day 3: Saigon City Tour – afternoon flight to DAD – Hoi An

Day 4: Hoi An – sightseeing + My Son

Day 5: Hoi An – Cycling, Cooking, Eco Optional Tours

Day 6: Hoi An – Flight to Hanoi (morning)

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay. Overnight

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi      

Day 9: Hanoi walking tour

Day 10: Hanoi – Flight to LPQ – Optional Sunset Dinner on Mekong River or Dinner with Traditional Dance

Day 11: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou

Day 12: Luang Prabang city tour – Kuangsi waterfall

Day 13: Luang Prabang- Departure

Day 1: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : SAIGON ARRIVAL (-/-/-)

Upon arrival in Tan San Nhat Airport, you’ll receive cordial welcome and comfortable transfer to hotel for check in. Like other big cities, Saigon is hustling and bustling, with thousands of people riding motorbikes, the most convenient means of transportation in the city.

O/N in Saigon

Day 2: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : SAIGON – CAI BE – VINH LONG A DAY TRIP (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/-)

Rise up early today and after having breakfast, travel 105 km south to Cai Be, the gateway to Mekong delta. On arrival, embark on a boat to cruise along the Mekong River visiting the floating markets, where you can admire displays of fruits and vegetables. Explore islands, stopping at the family factories where you can see how the delicious coconut candies, popcorns, poprice and so on are prepared. Enjoy your lunch with the special local fish “elephant ear” in a bonsai garden or in an old house.

After lunch, continue your trip by a small sampan ride through the shady canals to Vinh Long. You will cross over the parkway many small boats carrying fruits, vegetables, fish. Parkway in orchards, tasting tropical fruits. Later this afternoon, transfer back to Saigon where you find your hotel for spending the rest of the day.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 3: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : SAIGON CITY TOUR- AFTERNOON FLIGHT TO DA NANG- TRANSFER TO HOI AN (B/-/-)

This morning, begin your exploration of this frenetic city with a visit to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until April 30, 1975, the former US Embassy where the last rescuing helicopter left. The site photo shows the fall of Saigon.

We then make a quick stop at the nearby Central Post Office, designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the Notre Dame Cathedral, inspired by its counterpart in Paris to admire the imposing colonial architecture. Next, stroll through the bustling Ben Thanh Market, a great place to buy local handicrafts, branded goods, Vietnamese art and other souvenirs.

In the afternoon, take a short flight to Da Nang where you’ll be welcomed on arrival and transferred to the peaceful riverside town of Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 4: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : HOI AN SIGHTSEEING – MY SON TOUR (B/-/-)

This morning is spent visiting Hoian town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its historic role in international trade, unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, a Chinese Temple, Hoian Central Market, and the Culture Museum. You’ll have ample time to explore the town independently then.

This afternoon is a half day trip to My Son, the religious Centre of the former Champa Kingdom. Set in a lush green valley, dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries provide a breathtaking site. On the way back to Hoi An, we’ll stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel that once stood as the capital of Champa Kingdom between the 4th and 8th centuries.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 5: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : OPTIONAL TOURS OF CYCLING OR COOKING OR ECO TOUR (B/-/-)

Today is crafted free for you to choose what best suits yourself. Perhaps you join us on an eco- tour or cycling in the breathtaking countryside or cooking class in town.

O/N in Hoi An 

Day 6: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : HOI AN – FLIGHT TO HANOI (B/-/-)

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be transferred to Da Nang airport for a short morning flight to Hanoi. On arrival you are met by our guide and transferred to the hotel for check in. The rest of time is on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 7: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : HANOI- HALONG BAY, OVERNIGHT ON BOAT (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/D)

After having breakfast at hotel, you will be picked by our guide & driver at hotel then driven to Halong Bay – 170km from the East of Hanoi. On the way, you will have chances to stop by green paddies to see the Vietnamese farmers working on their fields or you might get by a Humanity Center where we are nursing the disabled Children who are left behind the War & they are victims of Agent Oranges caused by American troops.

At around 12:00, you will reach to Halong Bay recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 1994. The islands in Ha Long Bay are mainly limestone and schist islands most lying in the two main areas: the southeastern part of Bai Tu Long Bay and southwestern part of Ha Long Bay. They are the result of many times of rising and lowering processes of the continent to form a karst.

The process of nearly full erosion and weathering of the karst created the unique Ha Long Bay in the world. In 2000, UNESCO recognized it as the World Heritage for the second time for its geographical and geomorphologic values.

On arrival at 12h30, we are welcome on the traditional boat and have welcome drink. Start the boat trip to visit Halong Bay with outstanding natural beauty of many Islands such as Con Cho Island, Dinh Huong Island, Canh Buom Island, Ga Choi Island and have fresh seafood lunch served on board.
In the afternoon, you will have opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful cave in Ha long Bay- Sung Sot Cave or Suprising Cave, then swimming on Titop or do kayak to visit Luon Cave. Watching sunset. Fishing with seine and owing bamboo boat (on request)

Dinner and overnight on boat.

Day 8: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : HALONG BAY – HANOI (B/L/-)

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After breakfast and perhaps early swim, the junk continue to cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy more isolated and spectacular islands of the bay. After lunch on board we disembark and transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 9: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : HANOI WALKING TOUR (B/-/-)

This morning is spent discovering the main attractions of Hanoi. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam.

After lunch, transfer to the Northern Gate of the Ancient Citadel, an intriguing relic of Vietnam’s history and cultural importance. Learn a bit about the history of the imposing structure and the nearby Cua Bac Church, a beautiful example of French and catholic influence in the city. Then, walk on foot to Chau Long market for a closer look at Hanoian culture in the flurry of a local market. After exploring the street stalls here, visit Quan Thanh Temple.

The 11th Century Taoist temple is one of the oldest and most culturally significant in the city, and about a ten minute walk from the market. Then embark on a lengthier stroll toward West Lake, hearing the story of John McCain and this monument along the way. Head off along a quieter back road, and stop next at historic Pho Cuon restaurant by Truc Bach Lake for a quick snack. Do it as the local do! Take your plastic seat and dip Pho Cuon into the tasty Nuoc Mam sauce and enjoy this specialty of Hanoi.

Afterward, set off along Nguyen Truong To Street – famous for its desserts — toward Hang Than Street, the centre of Hanoi’s thriving wedding cake stores. Learn a bit about Vietnam’s unique wedding culture while sampling some wedding cakes. Shake off your sugar rush on a stroll to nearby Hang Cot Street for a look at Hanoi’s mat weaving borough before stopping off along Hang Ga Street for a local coffee shop. End your walking tour with a traditional Vietnamese coffee and back to your hotel with a leisurely paced cyclo ride to soak up the hustle and bustle of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

O/N in Hanoi. 

Day 10: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : HANOI- FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG- OPTIONAL DINNER

After breakfast, take a morning flight to Luong Prabang. Upon arrival in Luong Prabang Airport, you’ll receive cordial welcome and comfortable transfer to hotel for check in and rest.

Optional sunset dinner on Mekong River or Dinner with Traditional Dance in a local restaurant. (US$ 30/person on your own account)

O/N in Luong Prabang

Day 11: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : LUANG PRABANG- PAK OU CAVE (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/-)

After breakfast, we depart hotel to the boat landing, and take an excursion (a few hours) by boat, upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height.

En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Muangkeo, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Laoh-Khao to be distilled. We are welcome to taste it and also take away. Lunch is at a riverside restaurant.

We arrive back to Luang Prabang in late afternoon, and you’ll spend the rest of time at your leisure.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

Day 12: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR- KUANG SI WATERFALL (B/-/-)

Today, we take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty temples still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; 

Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang, epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture; Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang.

This evening is free for your own exploration or seek for a luck at the colorful night market.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

Day 13: Vietnam Laos Combination Tour from Saigon to Luang Prabang : LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE

After breakfast, free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.

—End of services—

Prices For those who are in PRIVATE TOUR (Valid until 2019-end)

=> And for those who are just keen on signing up our GROUP TOUR, the special cost is just US$ 1.199/person for the 3-star hotels and ONLY US$ 1.499/person for the 4-star hotels. However, please contact our team via sales@dnqtravel.com to know more about the departure dates

=> The surcharge for 1-way International airfare from Hanoi to Luang Prabang by Vietnam Airlines is US$ 190/person (NOTE: The airfare could be changed without prior notice at the time of booking or issuance)

=> If you want to upgrade your stay upto 5-star hotels, kindly email us at sales@dnqtravel.com 

* List of 3-star hotels in use:

– Hanoi: Silk Queen Hotel (Deluxe room) http://silkqueenhotel.com/ or similar ones

– Halong Bay: Luxury Flamingo **** cruise (Deluxe Cabin) http://luxuryflamingocruises.vn or similar ones

– Hoi An: Hoi An River Beach Resort (Deluxe room) http://www.river-beachresort.com/ or similar ones

– Saigon: Saigon Ruby River hotel (Superior room) www.rubyriverhotel.com.vn  or similar ones

– Luang Prabang: Chitcharleurn hotel (ROH room) www.cm-hotel.com or similar ones

* List of 4-star hotels in use:

– Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (Deluxe room) http://silkpathhotel.com/ or similar ones

– Halong Bay: Pelican Cruise **** cruise (Deluxe Cabin) http://www.pelicancruise.com/ or similar ones

– Hoi An: Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa (Deluxe room) http://www.littlehoian.com/ or similar ones

– Saigon: Saigon Harmony hotel (Deluxe room) www.harmonysaigonhotel.com/en/ or similar ones

– Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel & Resort (Deluxe room) www.villasantihotel.com or similar ones

INCLUDING:

•  Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver 
•  Air ticket Saigon- Da Nang, Da Nang- Hanoi.
•  Accommodation in hotels (twin shared room)
•  Meals as indicated: B = breakfast, L = lunch & D = Dinner
•  English or French speaking guide
•  Entrance fee to indicated sights 
•  Boat trips
•  Pure bottled water & wipes

EXCLUDING:

Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, international flight ticket Hanoi- Luong Prabang, single room, personal expenses, insurance…