Laos Vietnam Tour 13 days: Luang Prabang to Tonkin Mountain

On arrival in Luang Prabang transfer to hotel. In the afternoon after a brief orientation tour of the spiritual capital of Laos before climbing the 328 steps to the top of Mount Phousi to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening hilltribe market. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang
 

Breakfast at hotel, we are exploring this charming city of UNESCO world heritage site. You will visit Wat Xiang Thong, the most important Buddhist monastery in the country, Wat Visoun, Wat Khili and Wat Mai. Later, visit the former Royal Palace, now it is National Museum where you will find ornate, gilded and brocaded reception rooms, as well as Buddha and Atacular artifacts including the Prabang, a large holy image, which was given in the 14th century by the Khmers to King Fa Ngum.

At sunset climb the nearbytemple-topped hill of Phousi where you'll catch a lovely view out over the town and the river. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang 
 

Breakfast; this morning you may want to rise early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. From there you will visit the morning Phosi Market where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings.

Laos is also known for its traditional handicrafts, and today you will visit local village of Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. Time permitting you may also wish to drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfall where you can splash around in the pools or walk along the forest paths. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang
 

After breakfast at hotel, we board the traditional long tail boat up the Mekong River. Along the river, we will stop at a village known for its old-style paper making, and another village producing winefrom sticky rice. Further up-stream are the famous Pak Ou Caves at the confluence of the Mekong and the Nam Ou rivers. After visiting the caves, we continue to travel up the Nam Ou river, the longest river inside Laos after the Mekong.

The cruise along the Nam Ou offers us an enjoyable time, viewing the beautiful scenic landscapes and stunning mountains of Northern Laos. We stop briefly in Nong Kiaw for some formalitiesand arrive in Muang Ngoi at the end of the day. Overnight at the guesthouse in Muang Ngoi
 

Morning after breakfast we board our traditional boat and continue cruise up the Nam Ou River, passing again picturesque mountain scenery and villages. We stop at the the village at the river bank for lunch served with local food and take cruise again  to Muang Khua, which is a small Lao trading town mixed with Vietnamese and Yunanese communities. Check in the guesthouse for an overnight stay
 

After breakfast, transfer to Tay Trang at the border with Vietnam and cross the border. Welcome by your local Guide for Vietnam and transfer to Dien Bien Phu. Afternoon, visit Dien Bien Phu Museum (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), A1 Hill, Dien Bien Phu Cemetery, the bunker headquarters of the French Commander Colonel Christian de Castries and the Memorial dedicated to the French soldiers. Overnight at the hotel in Dien Bien Phu
 

Morning, we spend a full day traveling into Vietnam’s most mountainous region. The roads are difficult at times, but the spectacular landscape with a mixture of terraced fields and hill villages makes the hardship all worthwhile. On the way, we have some opportunities to encounter the Red Hmong, Kho Mu, and Mang, Dao people who still retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognizably distinct from each other by their dress.

We arrive  in Tam Duong by late afternoon and have time strolling around to catch our first glimpse; a small town surrounded by breathtaking mountains and tea plantations. Overnight at the hotel in Tam Duong
 

After breakfast, visit the local market and then drive to the former retreat mountains of Sapa (80 km). On the way, stop at Tam Duong and visit a small market, then enjoy a walk through the tea plantations. Continue to visit Binh Lu Market. Final stop at Thac Bac Waterfalls before reaching Sapa and checking into the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore Sapa town and its local market. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa
 

Breakfast at the hotel. A full day discovery of the minority villages located in Sapa Valley. Drive to Lao Chai and then trek (2 km) through rice fields, some traditional Black H’Mong houses and then continue the trek to Ta Van Village (2 km) to visit a Giay minority village.

Then walk through bamboo forest until you reach Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dzao village. This part of the trip is fascinating, because of its beautiful sceneries and colourful ethnic minorities such as the Red Dao and learn about their unique customs and traditions. Your driver will be waiting for you at Giang Ta Chai to drive you back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa
 

After breakfast, return to Hanoi via Lao Cai and Yen Bai and pass through the verdant and rugged mountain scenery. These back roads are a great way to explore the real Vietnam. We see very few other travelers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in finding out about our lives as we are of theirs.

The drive is very long, but we can make many stops along the way to stretch our legs and take some wonderful photographs. Arrive in Hanoi late in the evening and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
 

After breakfast, spend your day touring the capital “Hanoi” including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his former residence, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (closed on Monday), Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. 

Then enjoy a one-hour rickshaw tour of the capital and spend some times in the old quarter including the silk street. Early in the evening, watch a water puppet show. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi
 

After breakfast, depart by road to the famous Halong Bay. On the way, visit But Thap Pagoda. Arrive around 12h30 and board a junk for a memorable cruise through mystical Halong Bay. Enjoy a delicious seafood lunch on board and spend your day admiring one of the natural marvels of Vietnam. Visit islets, caves and, weather permitting, enjoy a swim in the clear emerald water of the Gulf of Tonkin. Dinner and overnight on the junk
 

Breakfast on board and continue your cruise. Discover the Man’s Head Island, Tortoise Island, Luon Cave, Bai Tu Long Bay and Bai Tho Mountain. The cruise ends at around noon, then, drive back to Hanoi airport for departure flight. End of Asia King Travel service