Laos - Vietnam First Impression 12 Days

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.

After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall. If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old. After that, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family.

Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The welcome dinner will be served at the local restaurant with the traditional dance and folk song, the best chance to experience the local culture. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets. From there, we will visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. This is the best chance to experience the local flavors.

Breakfast at the hotel, we will first visit the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene. After that, we embark on the leisurely cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, a 16th century cave monastery filled with thousands of Buddha images, which locates 25 Kilometers North of Luang Prabang in the limestone cliffs overlooking the Mekong river.  En route, you will stop at Ban Muang Keo, a well-known village for its traditional Lao rice whisky distilling. You will arrive back in Luang Prabang.

On arrival back in the city, we visit Wat Mai, which is one of the most beautiful temple of Luang Prabang. We then continue to Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddhas.

Our last stop today is the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday) to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

Pak Ou Caves

After breakfast, we transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls which is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals We will also take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed from 15 APR – 30 JUN; 01-14 SEP, 01 JAN every year), whose mission is to create a research centre studying and publishing about Laos butterflies, host plants and preservation. Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour.

We then transfer out to the airport to take the flight to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Vientiane.

QV104 LPQ VTE 18:45 19:30

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. We then transfer out to see Buddha Park, an enchanting collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures on the Mekong Riverside meadow, close to the Friendship Bridge. There are approximately 200 religious images dating back over 500 years, which were created by a mysterious monk spreading his philosophy on life and revealing his ideas about the universe.

In the afternoon, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national icon, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. A spectacular view over the Mekong River at sunset is a perfect way to finish the day. Overnight in Vientiane.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

Buddha Park

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight to Hanoi.

Meet your tour guide on arrival at Hanoi international airport and join your fellow travellers in a coach transfer to the city centre for hotel check-in. Located in the centre of the Northern Delta with a population of 6.2 million people and an area of 3,398 square km Hanoi is an ancient city which had been established and developed for over 1,000 years since 1010. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike. Historians liken the life-giving Red River with its banks crowded with green rice paddies and farms to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; a cradle of civilization.

Hotel rooms may not be ready until 14:00 hrs but an early check-in would be guaranteed with a surcharge. The rest of the day is at leisure. Subject to your arrival time, you may want to venture out to explore the city on your own or join one of our wonderful optional excursions in and around Hanoi, such as a walking tour through Hanoi’s Old Quarter for you first impression of Vietnam’s capital city.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Vientiane

Being listed as a world heritage with a mesmerizing beauty, Halong Bay is a must-see destination when you visit Vietnam. And there is no better way to witness this natural wonder than an overnight cruise trip, which is also included in this journey. After breakfast in hotels in Hanoi, you will be leaving Hanoi on a 3,5hours to Halong. Reaching the port at about mid-day, friendly and professional staff on the cruise, will support in check-in and arranging rooms, before you have lunch on-board with other guests while the junk heads to Halong Bay. There will be a plenty of exciting activities on-cruises, including sightseeing and visiting Thien Cung Grotto, beach activities like kayaking, or cooking class on deck with lesson on making Vietnamese traditional dishes. Dinner with fresh seafood is served at around

 7:00pm (depending on cruise’s actual schedule), and the rest of the night is for you to enjoy tranquil atmosphere of the bay

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on board

Halong Bay

You might start your 2nd day in Halong with an early tai-chi class, or simply wake up and witness the amazing sunrise on the bay. Breakfast is served a bit later, with tea and bread, while the vessels continue cruising through rock islands and returning to base.

 Reaching the port, our transfer (share/private) is waiting to bring you to Hanoi on another 3.5 hours journey. Check in hotel and overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Halong Bay

Our tour guide is ready at the hotel lobby to assist you in exploring Hanoi City. We make our first stop at the Temple of Literature, which is known as The First University of Vietnam. The temple was built in 1070 as a school for royal family’s member, descendants of governor as well as normal civilization who were intelligent. Nowadays, Temple of Literature is considered as a historical attraction, as well as a symbol of Vietnamese’s fondness of learning. Then, our tour guide will take you to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, at which you will explore more about our famous leader, President Ho Chi Minh City, how he gained independence to Vietnam, as well as his humble daily life as the leader of the country.

A short visit to the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique ritual place which was built on a single wooden pole, is also on your itinerary (Sites are viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Jun-Aug). Leaving the mausoleum, we will now head to a local restaurant for a tasty lunch of Vietnamese dishes, before we transfer you back to the hotel and say goodbye!.

Your journey continues southbound today with a flight to Danang, a young and dynamic hub of the central region. From the Danang airport you will drive the short distance south past the famous Non Nuoc Beach onto the enchanting town of Hoi An listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage and was once a well-known trading centre in Southeast Asia from the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in a unique architectural style with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. Check in the hotel for some leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Hoi An

Hoi An is an old port town, which was founded with mixture of different cultures from Vietnam to Japan, China and Europe. Fortunately, most of ancient constructions in this town have been conserved at unspoiled condition (although some of buildings are now using for commercial purposes), so travelers will have a complete understanding of history and diversity in culture of this historic place. Our half-day excursion is simply walking.

We will wander along old streets, cross several old houses; see how daily lives of local people are, and witness how historical elements of the town merging with modernity. We will also visit some of the ancient monuments from other nations, like the Japanese Covered Bridge or Fujian Assembly Hall of Chinese.

And after some walking, a cold glass of traditional herbal drink from a street-side shop is the best way to refresh, and enjoy the true taste of Hoi An on your tongue. If we have enough time, we will also pass by a handicraft store, at which you could directly see the creation of most notable souvenirs in town, and take some of them back to your hometown.

In the afternoon, transfer by shuttle bus to the Hue - Vietnam's capital from 1802 to 1945. Hue is best known for its imposing citadel and the ornate tombs of dynastic kings as one of Vietnam's former imperial capital. 

After hotel check-in, have leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Activities: Half day walking tour to discover the Ancient town in the morning. Shuttle bus/private car transfer to Hue in the afternoon

Magical Hoi An at night

The tranquil Hue City was founded in 17th century as a royal city and a capital (before Hanoi replaced it), and now has become one of top destinations in the middle of Vietnam. Our itineraries today start with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, a famous Buddhism attraction which is located at the bank of the enchanting Perfume River. The pagoda is fascinating because of not only ancient design of the buildings, but also good location at which you could enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the Perfume River. Leaving the pagoda, we continue our journey today with a visit to the Imperial Citadel.

Being the “house” of Nguyen Royal Family, the last dynasty in Vietnam, the citadel reflects luxurious and prosper lives of the royal family, and allows visitor to explore a part of Vietnam pre-modern history. Even though some buildings were damaged or destructed during some wars, but crucial constructions are still remained and currently being conserved at good condition. We will spend most of the time around the citadel, with visit to front gate, the Flag Tower, The King’s Palace, and the Museums of Royal Antiquities. Time for the buildings is finished, and now is time for interaction with the local people before transferring back to hotel.

Free at leisure until flight time, our driver will transfer you to the airport to catch flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, tour guide will pick you up and take you to hotel for check-in. Free at leisure

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Pham Ngu Lao Street

Today morning you will drive 55 km out of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi District famous for the amazing complex of underground tunnels. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.

In the afternoon, gain an insight into the city’s development through a walking tour to the most significant landmarks including the Opera House, the Town Hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office (all magnificent sights from the French colonial period. Your next stop will be the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you can purchase souvenirs for your beloved ones.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Cu Chi Tunnels

Have leisure time before transfer to airport for your departure flight.

Please note that hotel check-out time is at 12:00 hrs. A late check-out can be arranged subject to room availability and a surcharge will apply.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: NA