Vietnam Laos Tour 12 days: Hanoi - Luang Prabang

You will be warmly welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Hanoi

Meals                          : Breakfast

Today, we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (Close on Monday, Friday & November), 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 this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups, several of which we will see on our forthcoming trekking.

Then we take a cyclo tour around the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Hanoi

Meals                          : Breakfast

Morning after breakfast, you’ll explore Ninh Binh, the site of the one capital city of ancient Vietnam before Hanoi took its leading role in 11th century. The area is featured by lots of well-known sceneries, which include Tam Coc Caves and Hoa Lu ancient capital with the old temples dedicated to King Dinh & King Le reigned in 10th century.

The visit in Ninh Binh starts by a boat trip in Tam Coc where spectacular limestone karsts jut out from the green paddy fields reminding about Guilin (China) and Halong Bay of Vietnam, which gives this scenery the name “Halong-bay-on-land”.

Further discovery in Ninh Binh will be continued in the site that used to be the kings’ palace in 10th century and now famous for the wooden relieves of the shady Dinh and Le temples. Keep going to visit Mua cave. The place attracts visitors with its many interesting stories. Climb 500 stone steps, here you can see all the way to Tam Coc, enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the countryside and Ngo Dong river.

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Ninh Binh

Meals                          : Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel and then start a 3-hour driving through the Red River Delta to Ha Long City. We then transfer to a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay to enjoy a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone this World Heritage Site. While being on board, we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by swimming and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. Try the feeling of witnessing the sunset on boat is really great. Dinner served on board. The captain then will anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  In the evening, there is the option for night fishing or just sit out on the deck and relax under the stars. Overnight on Junk

Accommodation          : On Ha Long Boat 

Meals                            : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the bay, we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. The cruise continues to move around the bay for us to discover more secluded areas, we then take kayaking and swimming in the stunning bay. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbour before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai Airport to take a flight to Saigon. Overnight at the hotel in Saigon.

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Saigon

Meals                            : Breakfast, Lunch

Morning, we visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels which were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the long struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used as a military base for the Vietcong in the American war

In the afternoon we take a half day to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the now-demolished wartime American Embassy. After that, we head to the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including the Old Saigon Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Apart from the religious meaning, the even more special captivating point of this Cathedral is its special neo-Romanesque style of architecture. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum. If time permit, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Saigon

Meals                          : Breakfast

Pick up at your hotel in Saigon and then move 2 hours to Cai Be. The program will start with a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, we’ll come to Tân Phong Island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to the traditional music.

Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... (You can walk, but see less).

Back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. Travel on the handmade canal to a local house & have lunch at this traditional house. After lunch, we can walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea.

Visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at the new boat station of Vinh Long city! From here we will pick up and transfer back to Saigon for your overnight.

Breakfast at hotel then you are free at hotel until transfer to the airport to take a flight to Luang Prabang

Arrival at Luang Prabang international airport, get transferred to your hotel. Check-in time at hotel is between 13h30-14h00. Time for resting at hotel.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals                          : Breakfast

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms giving ritual to saffron clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession. Stop and visit fresh local markets and back to hotel for breakfast.

This morning, depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. The rounded dome is stylistically more Sinhalese than Lao.  Continue to visit Wat Aham. Then, visit to the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong. Located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River.

This afternoon, continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum. Visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief. During Pimai, the Lao New Year, the Prabang normally housed in the Royal Palace Museum is brought and put on public display in this temple.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals                          : Breakfast

This morning, ferry to otherside of Mekong to visit Ban Xiemienne village.  Take a walk to discover Wat Long Khoun temple, located in the jungle. This monastery historically had important ties with the royal family of Luang Prabang. From its beginnings Wat Long Khoun served as a retreat center for spiritual revitalization. It was traditional practice that the new king-designate spend three days there in ceremonial bathing and meditative retreat.

Then, embark on a traditional long trail boat, for a relaxing cruise upstream on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles. You will reach Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In these 2 caves are displayed hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha images which are the object of pilgrimages during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. Cruise back Luang Prabang. Stop and visit Ban Xangkhong, a weaving village, where you can jump into wooden looms with local expert for practical and experience.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel.

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals                          : Breakfast

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the rice culture and farming experience with some hands-on activities along the way. Be welcomed by the hospitable farmers who will show you how rice is grown and harvested. You can plant rice in the rice paddy together with the farmers while seeing the buffalos plough the rice paddies. Discover what rice can be used to produce different products

This afternoon, driving through green rice paddies and farms. On your arrival at the Kuang Si waterfall, enjoy your short walking on trails of falls to visit the bear rescued centre. Enjoy spectacular views and surrounding of orchids inside the park and falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang.

Meals on your own. Overnight in hotel

Accommodation          : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Meals                          : Breakfast

Free time until your transfer by our driver to the airport for your international flight. Thank you for choosing our Vietnam Laos Tour 12 Days.

Accommodation          : NA

Meals                            : Breakfast