Vietnam Laos Tour 12 days: Hanoi - Luang Prabang

You will be welcomed by our guide by arrival at Noi Bai Airport. We transfer you with a comfortable vehicle to the city center of Hanoi to check-in your hotel. This day is scheduled to take some rest after your long flight. You have the opportunity to get some first impressions of the city by yourself and of course our tour guide is always available at your request. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Hanoi
Meals : NA

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. You then will move to Train Street where you have chance to see the Train come through
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, transfer to Ninh Binh. 
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 - Hoa Lu ancient capital 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.
At the end of the day, return to hotel for overnigt.
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Ninh Binh
Meals : Breakfast

Breakfast at the hotel and then start a 2.5 hours driving to Ha Long City. Comfort stop en route for photos and coffee before arriving 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 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 Bay cruise
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rising to 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. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Noi Bai airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, transfer to your hotel for your overnight
 
Note: 
- Due to operation or weather conditions, itineraries and food may change without prior notice.
- Itinerary in Halong Bay is difference between cruises
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Saigon
Meals : Breakfast, Brunch

Morning after having breakfast, depart for 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. 
Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975, followed by some French colonial structures including 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. Next, it is on to the Old Saigon Post Office. After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, 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 offer 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. 
 
Overnight at the hotel in HCM city.
 
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.

Accommodation :At the hotel in Saigon
Meals : Breakfast, Lunch

Breakfast at hotel then you are free at hotel until transfer to the airport to take a flight to Vientiane (No guide escort)
Upon your arrival in the captivating city of Vientiane, a knowledgeable local guide will greet you warmly and assist with your transfer to the hotel, where you can relax and settle in at your leisure this evening.
 
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: At the hotel in Vientiane

After breakfast, begin your city tour with visits to the ancient Wat Sisaket, the iconic Patuxai Victory Monument, and the sacred That Luang Stupa, the national symbol of Laos. Continue to Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), home to hundreds of unique Buddhist and Hindu sculptures set in a peaceful riverside garden.
In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station for your high-speed train journey to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, meet your Northern tour Guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the vibrant Luang Prabang Night Market before returning to the hotel to relax at your own pace.
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang
Meals : Breakfast

After breakfast, visit the Royal Palace Museum to discover the rich history and cultural heritage of Laos. Continue with a climb to Mount Phousi for breathtaking panoramic views over Luang Prabang and its surrounding mountains, followed by a visit to the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, one of the city’s most revered ancient temples.
Later, embark on a traditional Mekong River cruise toward the famous Pak Ou Caves. Along the way, enjoy lunch at a charming floating restaurant (at your own expense) and stop at Xang Hai Village, renowned for its locally produced rice whiskey. Continue to the sacred Pak Ou Caves, home to thousands of ancient Buddha statues nestled within limestone cliffs. Return to Luang Prabang by boat in the late afternoon and spend the evening at leisure.
 
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 center. 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.
 
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation : At the hotel in Luang Prabang

Enjoy a relaxed morning and pick up any last-minute souvenirs before a driver will escort you to the airport for your onward journey to Hanoi. End of service!
 
Accommodation : NA
Meals : Breakfast