Saigon – Mekong – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Luang Pra Bang.
TRIP TO EXPLORE VIETNAM AND LAOS will take you on an extraordinary journey from the Southern part of the S-shaped country to the Land of a Million Elephants. Within 14 days, you will have an opportunity to discover the most tempting destinations in these countries such as Mekong, Sai Gon, Hue, Hoi An, Halong Bay, and Luang Pra Bang.
HIGHLIGHTS
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
On this day, our guide and driver will pick you up at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh – the biggest city in Vietnam which is well-known as one of the most important commercial hubs of the country.
Then, you will move to your hotel for checking-in and relaxing. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 2: SAI GON – CU CHI TUNNELS (B/L) – SIC
In the morning, you will take part in a tour in Ho Chi Minh City to explore its historic monuments such as Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office and War Remnants Museum. Your lunch is served at a local restaurant
In the afternoon, you will travel to the astounding tunnel system of Cu Chi. This is an impressive network with a length of 250km, which was the shelter of Vietcong soldiers during the Vietnam war. Here, you can not only discover the mystery tunnel but also learn more about how they survived in such severe conditions.
After that, head back to the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 3 DAY TRIP TO MEKONG DELTA (B/L) – SIC
After breakfast at the hotel, it’s time for you to explore the well-known Mekong Delta. You will be transferred to Ben Tre for a boat ride on the mighty Mekong River. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to enjoy the amazing scenes of the surrounding area before visiting brickwork to learn how they make bricks in the traditional way.
Then, visit some traditional workshops to see the rice paper, coconut candy and sleep mats making process. After that, take a Xe Loi (local transportation) to get to a local restaurant where you will savor your hearty lunch.
Afterward, enjoy a cycling tour to stroll around the villages, followed by a leisure sampan boat ride. Head back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 4: SAI GON – HUE (B)
Enjoy your leisure morning at the hotel before you are picked up and transferred without a guide to the airport for your flight to Hue, one of the most popular cities in Central Vietnam.
When you arrive at the airport, our guide and driver will pick you up then move to the hotel to check-in and relax. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
DAY 5 HUE SIGHTSEEING (B/L) – SIC
This morning, enjoy a short visit to Dong Ba market before having a boat ride along the well-known Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda.
Then, you will travel to the renowned Hue Imperial Citadel. This is one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, an extensive fortress built-in 1803 under the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The next stop is the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum where you can learn more about Vietnamese history of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).
After that, savor your lunch at a local restaurant, following by a visit to a village famous for making incense stick in Hue.
Your trip continues with a ride to Minh Mang tomb and Khai Dinh’s Royal Tomb. Afterward, you will also have a chance to have a nice chat with Mrs. Thuy a local artisan that makes a conical hat with one hand before heading back to your hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
DAY 6 HUE – DA NANG – MARBLE MOUNTAIN HOI AN (B) – BY BUS
After breakfast, you will leave Hue and take a bus ride to Hoi An. On the way, you will have an opportunity to witness the scenic beauty of some highlights in the central area such as Lang Co beach and Hai Van Pass.
When reaching the city of Danang, you can visit the famous Marble Mountains, an impressive attraction comprising 5 hills that are named after the elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
Afterward, you will arrive at Hoian in the afternoon. Then, our guide will take you to your hotel to check-in and relax. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
DAY 7 HOI AN HALF DAY SIGHTSEEING (B) – SIC
At 8 am this morning, our guide and driver will pick you up and move to Hoi An center. Then, will take a leisure boat to Hoi An Ancient Town for a walking tour around the city.
You will have a chance to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Halls, and an Art Craft Manufacturing Workshop before heading back to your hotel for some relaxation. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
DAY 8 HOI AN – DA NANG – HANOI (B)
Enjoy your leisure morning at the hotel before you are picked up and transferred without a guide to the airport for your flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. When you arrive at Noi Bai Airport, our guide and driver will pick you up then move to the hotel for checking-in and relax. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
DAY 9 HANOI SIGHTSEEING (B)
After breakfast, you will take part in an exciting Hanoi city tour with the most popular attractions, including Ho Chi Minh Complex (closed on Monday & Friday), One-Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Quan Thanh Temple.
In the afternoon, continue your trip to the Vietnamese Ethnology Museum to understand more about this country’s history. Then, hop on a rickshaw to stroll around the famous Old Quarter. Your tour ends with a fascinating traditional water puppet show near Hoan Kiem Lake. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
DAY 10: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D) – by SHUTTLE BUS
When you reach Hanoi, take your time to relax and have breakfast in a day-use hotel before heading to Halong Bay – the precious gem in northern area as well as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam.
Upon arrival at the harbor, you will embark on a luxury overnight cruise to discover the stunning Halong Bay. Here, you will have a great opportunity to relish delicious local or Asian dishes, relax while admiring the spectacular view of the bay or have fun with other interesting activities on and off-shore. Overnight on the ship in Halong Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Accommodation: Overnight cruise on Halong Bay
DAY 11 HALONG BAY – HANOI – LUANG PRABANG (B/BR)
In the early morning, you can enjoy some Taichi exercises before having your breakfast. Then, have some relaxation and immerse yourself in the outstanding setting of the bay. Brunch is served on board. After that, you will disembark the cruise and transfer back to Hanoi at 11.30 am.
Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang – a charming city that is well-known as one of the most important commercial hubs in Laos.
Then, you will move to your hotel for checking-in and relaxing. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the city. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 12 LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR – KUANG SI WATERFALL (B)
Today, you will travel to Vat Xieng Thong (also called Temple of the Royal City). Built-in 1559 under King Setthathirath’s dynasty, this is not only one of the largest temples in Luang Prabang but also a famous iconic temple of Lao.
Continue your trip to the beautiful Kuang Sy Waterfall to admire the spectacular view of the waterfall, swim or take some nice photos before getting back to Luang Prabang to visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre (closed on Monday) in the afternoon. You can also admire the beautiful sunset and panoramic view of the city on the Phousi Mountain.
After that, stop by the H’ mong Night Market before returning to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 13 PAK OU CAVES (B/L) – JOINT IN TOUR
After breakfast, you will have a tuk-tuk ride to the jetty to enjoy a shared cruise (on the Nava Mekong Cruise) to explore the majestic Mekong River. Along the way, you can also stop by Ban Xang Hai village, where they produce traditional Lao rice whiskey.
After 2 hours cruising upstream, you will reach the Pak Ou Caves. This sacred place is one of the highlights of Luang Prabang, where you will have an opportunity to see hundreds of ancient Buddha statues dating back for centuries.
Then, head back to the jetty and your hotel in Luang Prabang. Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 14 LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE (B)
This is your last day in Laos. After breakfast, spend your time to take some pictures or buy souvenirs before you check out the hotel and transfer to the airport (without tour guide) for your departure flight. End of tour!
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None
