Saigon – Mekong Delta – Hoi An – Hue – Hanoi – Sapa – Halong Bay – Luang Prabang
VIETNAM AND LAOS’ HIGHLIGHTS tour is a great combination of visiting these countries’ best attractions and exploring their other strengths from unique customs, colorful ceremonies to exotic food and lovely local people. Join us now to obtain unforgettable experiences.
HIGHLIGHTS:
DAY 1: HO CHI MINH 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: CU CHI TUNNELS – CITY TOUR (B, L)
In the morning, 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.
In the afternoon, join a tour in Ho Chi Minh City to explore its historic monuments such as the Independence Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, historic Central Post Office and Ben Thanh Market.
After that, head back to the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
DAY 3: HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA FULL DAY BOAT TRIP (B/L)
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: HO CHI MINH – HUE SIGHTSEEING (B, L, D)
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.
Then, you will travel to the renowned Hue Royal 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, where you can learn more about Vietnamese history.
After that, enjoy a ride to Thien Mu pagoda before visiting the Dong Ba market and returning to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch at local restaurant, Dinner at hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
DAY 5: HUE – DA NANG – HOI AN SIGHTSEEING (B, L, D)
After breakfast, you will leave Hue and take a 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 Cham Museum, an attractive destination that displays many sculptures about the ancient Champa, dating back from the 7th to the 15th centuries.
In the afternoon, you will arrive at Hoian and then transfer to your hotel for checking-in and relaxing. Afterward, you will have a chance to visit a traditional house, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and enjoy a boat ride on Thu Bon River before heading back to your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch at local restaurant & Dinner at hotel
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
DAY 6: HOI AN ECO TOUR & COOKING GLASS TOUR (B,L)
Your journey continues with an impressive eco-tour in Hoi An. Start with a cycle ride in the peaceful countryside to reach the local market (Ba Le market). You can see and buy local products here and our guide will show you how to purchase and haggle with local shop owners. (If you can’t cycle, the alternative options are available without any surcharge: car/ sit behind local motorbike driver).
After that, take a rest and enjoy some Vietnamese coffee at your next stop where you can have fun with a bamboo basket boat ride and the Vietnamese folk game called “bit mat dap nieu”. Then, you will attend a fascinating cooking class at a local restaurant to make some traditional dishes and savor them after finished.
After lunch, enjoy a leisure boat to Hoi An Ancient Town before a ride back to your hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Duration: 7 hours
Menu: (vegetarian menu available upon request)
1. Fresh Spring Rolls
2. Rice pancake
3. Papaya Salad with Shrimp and Pork
4. Braised Chicken with Chili and Lemongrass
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
DAY 7: DA NANG – HOI AN – HA NOI (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 8: HANOI CITY TOUR – TRAIN TO LAO CAI (B, L)
After breakfast, you will take part in an exciting Hanoi city tour with the most popular attractions, including Hang Be Market, Tran Quoc Pagoda, and Temple of Literature. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, continue your trip to Ho Chi Minh Complex (closed on Monday & Friday) and visit One-Pillar Pagoda. After that, you can have some relaxation at your hotel or discover other aspects of Hanoi before transferring (without guide) to the Hanoi Train Station for an overnight train to Lao Cai. The train will bring you a different experience while enjoying the sceneries along the way.
(SP3 Hanoi – Sapa from 10:00 p.m to 06.10 am the next day)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Soft berth on train
DAY 9 LAO CAI – SAPA – LAO CHAI – TA VAN – GIANG TA CHAI FULL WAKING DAY (B,L)
In the early morning, you will reach Lao Cai Station. Then, you will have a half an hour ride to the beautiful town of Sapa. Upon arrival, you will check-in your hotel and have some relaxation there. Our guide will also take you to a local restaurant where you can have breakfast.
In the afternoon, start your journey to discover Sapa with a short excursion to Muong Hoa Valley. This is where you can admire the unique terraced rice fields in the northern region. It also offers you a great chance to snap some amazing pictures if you come in the harvest period (from May to October).
Then, understand more about Vietnamese culture while visiting some minority villages such as Lao Chai Village of the Black H’ mong Minority and the Ta Van Village of the Giay minority before having lunch at a local house.
After that, stop by Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village before heading back to your hotel. Meal on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa.
Approx: 1-hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Sa Pa
DAY 10 SILVER WATERFALL – HEAVEN GATE – LAO CAI – TRAIN TO HANOI (B,L)
This morning, enjoy your hearty breakfast in your accommodation. After that, it’s time for you to explore the spectacular landscape of Fansipan Mount. You will have an opportunity to admire the stunning Silver Waterfall, the amazing Heaven Gate, and Tram Ton Pass as well as enjoy a 30-minute walk around to witness the beauty of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range.
Next, travel to some lush farm in O Quy Ho before returning to your accommodation in Sapa for some rest. Afterward, you will be transferred to the station to catch your night train back to Hanoi. Dinner on your own. Overnight on the train.
Train SP4, leave Lao Cai Station at 9.40 PM and arrive at Hanoi Station at 5.30 AM (next day)
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Soft beerth on train
DAY 11 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 12 HALONG BAY – HANOI (B,BR) – BY SHUTTLE BUS
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.
Meals: Breakfast & brunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
DAY 13 HANOI – FLY TO LUANG PRABANG (B)
On this day, you can have some relaxation at your hotel before taking 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
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 14 LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SY WATERFALL (B)
Today, you can enjoy the alms giving ceremony, admire sunrise on the Phousi Mountain in the early morning or visit the morning market to understand more about the traditional culture here.
Then, 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.
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 15 LUANG PRABANG CITY TOUR – PAK OV CAVES (B)
After breakfast, you will have a chance to discover other renowned destinations of Luang Prabang such as the Royal Palace (National Museum) and the stunning temple nearby – Wat Mai Temple.
Then, you will have a ride to the jetty to enjoy a shared cruise (on the Nava Mekong Cruise) to explore the majestic Mekong River.
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. Along the way, you can also stop by Ban Xang Hai village, where they produce traditional Lao rice whiskey and Ban Xang Khong village – a village specializing in wood paper-making and silk weaving. Meals on your own. Overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang
DAY 16 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
