TOP HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM AND LAOS TOUR – 13 DAYS

* Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang – BRIEF ITINERARY:

Day 1: ARRIVAL – HO CHI MINH CITY SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY TOURS + SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CU CHI TUNNELS + HO CHI MINH CITY

Day 3: HO CHI MINH SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO MY THO – MEKONG DELTA CRUISE TOURS – HO CHI MINH CITY

Day 4: HO CHI MINH CITY – FLIGHT TO DANANG – DA NANG AND HOI AN SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 5: HOI AN OVERLAND SIGHTSEEING TOURS VIA DA NANG TO HUE – HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT IMPERIAL CITADEL AND TU DUC ROYAL TOMB

Day 6: HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT ROYAL TOMBS + BOAT TRIP ON PERFUME RIVER

Day 7: HUE – MORNING FLIGHT TO HANOI – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 8: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO HALONG BAY – HALONG CRUISE TOURS – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE

Day 9: HA LONG CRUISE TOURS – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS – WATER PUPPET SHOW

Day 10: HANOI – FLIGHT TO VIENTIANE – VIEN TIANE SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 11: VIEN TIANE SIGHTSEEING TOURS – FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG – LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Day 12: LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO PAK OU CAVE

Day 13: LUANG PRABANG CITY TOURS – DEPARTURE

DAY 1: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: ARRIVAL – HO CHI MINH CITY SIGHTSEEING TOURS (-/-/-)

Upon arrival in Saigon we’ll receive cordial welcome and comfortable transfer to hotel. If time permits, we take an orientation tour around the very Centre of Saigon to acclimatize ourselves.

Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 2: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HO CHI MINH CITY TOURS + SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO CU CHI TUNNELS + HO CHI MINH CITY (B/-/-) 

After breakfast, we visit the most outstanding sights in the very Centre of Saigon, such as the Reunification Palace, the War Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Colonial Post Office, the Opera House, the City Hall, Ben Thanh Market, etc…

In the afternoon, we drive westwards to Cu Chi to explore the intricate combat system of tunnels stretching all the way about 250 km back to Saigon River and learn how Vietnamese people lived, struggled and won the war. Known as the “Iron Triangle” during the war of the 60’s, the story of Cu Chi is one of struggle, determination against all odds, and eventual victory. Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam’s military history.

Later this afternoon, we return to town and spend the evening at your leisure.

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 3: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HO CHI MINH SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO MY THO – MEKONG DELTA CRUISE TOURS – HO CHI MINH CITY (B/L/-)

This morning we journey into the heart of the Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on waters. Our destination is My Tho, a prosperous town of 200,000 people. On arrival, we take a boat trip to see life on the Mekong River. We head to an insular village to visit family workshops producing handicrafts and candy from coconut. Walk through exuberant orchards, we have a chance to taste freshly picked seasonal tropical fruits. Enjoy a horse cart ride to a typical Mekong Delta house where folk music is performed by amateurs. Row a sampan through the small canals and side arms of the river to further experience river life. Sample a lunch of regional specialties such as Elephant Ear Fish, Rice Ball, Coconut Salad, etc… After a pleasant break, we return to Saigon for the night.

O/N in Saigon.

DAY 4: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HO CHI MINH CITY – FLIGHT TO DANANG – DA NANG AND HOI AN SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-) 

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will be transferred to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the domestic flight to Da Nang city. Meet up with our local guide upon arrival and drive along the scenic coast to the quaint town of Hoian. Check in the hotel and have a short break then.

In the afternoon, we’ll be on foot to explore the ancient quarter of Hoian, visiting the Japanese covered bridge, an old merchant house, a Chinese Assembly hall, and the Culture Museum. Hoian is a charming place that manages to retain Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European influences from its unique and ancient history.

We’ll conclude the day with a boat ride along the romantic Thu Bon River while enjoying the sunset from aboard.

O/N in Hoi An.                  

DAY 5: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HOI AN OVERLAND SIGHTSEEING TOURS VIA DA NANG TO HUE – HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT IMPERIAL CITADEL AND TU DUC ROYAL TOMB (B/-/-)

Today we journey by road to Hue via the scenic fishing village of Lang Co and drive over the famous Hai Van Pass. Stop in Da Nang to visit the beautiful Non-Nuoc Beach and the world’s largest collection of Cham sculptures.

This afternoon, we’ll ride on a scooter to Phuoc Tich village where you visit the ancient houses, traditional handicrafts such as rice flour making, hand-made pottery. The charming scenery, communal houses, river wharfs, and Cham culture vestiges that you’ll see when walking around really add some value to the trip. Meet and talk with locals who always show the best hospitality. By strolling along O Lau River, the village facilitator and our guide will help you know more about the village life as well as O Lau River’s geographic location that is one of the three largest rivers in Hue leading to Tam Giang Lagoon, which is the biggest one in the Southeast Asia region.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 6: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HUE SIGHTSEEING TOURS AT ROYAL TOMBS + BOAT TRIP ON PERFUME RIVER (B/-/D) 

Today we’ll take full day advantages of Hue’s most outstanding attractions. Once the capital city of Vietnam, Hue still retains much of her ancient charm such as regal architecture, leisurely pace of life, quintessential cuisine, and so on. Start with a boat trip on the Perfume River to Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon we visit the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. To round off the evening, a sample of royal dinner is perfect.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 7: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HUE – MORNING FLIGHT TO HANOI – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

This morning we depart Hue by a late morning flight to Hanoi. Meet our new local guide at Hanoi airport and transfer to the City Centre. In the remainder of the day, we’ll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (outside), the Single Pillar Pagoda, the West Lake, and the Temple of Literature. Continue to the Museum of Ethnology to see the rich collection of artifacts about the 54 ethnic groups all over Vietnam. 

Free time in the evening allows you to walk along the historic Old Quarter. This refined area of Hanoi provides a wonderful shopping experience and has a choice of many excellent restaurants.

O/N in Hanoi.

DAY 8: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO HALONG BAY – HALONG CRUISE TOURS – OVERNIGHT ON CRUISE (B/L/D) 

Today we journey east through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder. Arrival at around 12:00 we’ll board a nice junk and set sails. From the comfort of our sampan, we’ll spend the day exploring this incredible setting and discovering the many islands and islets found in the bay made famous in the film Indochine. You can challenge yourself with kayaking and swimming. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is the opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Spend the night on the boat.

DAY 9: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HA LONG CRUISE TOURS – HANOI SIGHTSEEING TOURS – WATER PUPPET SHOW (B/L/-) 

Wake up to fresh coffee before cruising back to the shore. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further! After lunch, we disembark and return to Hanoi. Back in town, we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter – a series of guild streets where the locals still trade the old way. Another highlight is the water puppet performance, a traditional art form created by farmers in the Red River Delta.

O/N in Hanoi.

DAY 10: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: HANOI – FLIGHT TO VIENTIANE – VIEN TIANE SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Noi Bai airport for an international flight to Vien Tiane, the Capital of Laos and is best known as the city of the moon – an ancient city, situated on the left bank of the Mekong Meets up with our new local guide and drive to hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane visiting the religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple that has been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane.

Overnight at hotel in Vientiane

DAY 11: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: VIEN TIANE SIGHTSEEING TOURS – FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG – LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B)

Breakfast at hotel. If time permits, we will visit the Morning Market, the biggest shopping center in Vientiane. Then, we depart Vientiane for Siem Reap on a short morning flight. This is the former capital of Laos where the Lane Xang kingdom originated. Arriving in Luang Prabang, we’ll be transferred to our hotel for check-in. 

In the afternoon, we visit the villages of Ban Ouay, Ban Ou, and Ban Thapene and get acquainted with the Hmong, Lowland Laotian, and Khmu ethnic minority people. Visit the beautiful Kuangsi Waterfall that offers a chance to cool off in the turquoise pools. En route back to town we call at Ban Phanom village to visit skilled hand-weaving women. Soak in the history of Luang Prabang at the Palace Museum which houses an eclectic collection, including statues, mosaic-covered walls, French mirrors, and a piece of moon rock given to “the people of Laos” by President Nixon. There’ll be time for independent exploration afterward.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 12: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: LUANG PRABANG SIGHTSEEING TOURS TO PAK OU CAVE (B/-/-)

Early rise to take the fantastic opportunity to watch or participate in the unique daily morning ritual, where hundreds of saffron-clad monks walk in procession collecting offerings of sticky rice from devout residents along the roadsides.

After breakfast, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims. We also visit Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek where local people produce traditional textiles and jute paper.

Return to town and tour the most outstanding temples: Wat Visoun with the watermelon-shaped roof, Wat Xiengthong with the sweeping roofs, Wat Sene boasting the most dazzling facade of all Luang Prabang temples, Wat Aham – the “Monastery of the blossomed Heart”, and Wat Mai – the largest and most richly decorated of the temples in town. We then challenge the steps up Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view. Take a leisurely walk through the iridescent Night Market at the foot of Mount Phosi to see a lovely array of handicrafts.

Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang

DAY 13: Highlights of Vietnam Laos Tour to Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Luang Prabang: LUANG PRABANG CITY TOURS – DEPARTURE (B/-/-) 

After breakfast, we go to Phosi Market to see a dazzling array of local produces including dried buffalo skin, saltpeter, livestock, hill-tribe clothing, and so on. Then, you’ll have free time until transfer to the airport for the departure flight

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* Include:

•  Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
•  Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner
•  Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotels or a similar one
•  English or French speaking guide
•  Entrance fee to indicated sights
•  Boat trip in Mekong Delta, Hue, Hoi An, Halong Bay and Luang Prabang 
•  Regional and domestic flight Ho Chi Minh – Danang, Hue – Hanoi,  Vientiane – Luang Prabang 
• Pure bottled water & wipes 
• Visa Approval Letter to Vietnam

* Exclude:
Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in/ out of Indochina, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, surcharge for peak season, local holiday days and gala dinner.