Day 1: Arrival – Luang Prabang
You will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. We’ll visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse through a lovely selection of handmade textiles. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)
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.
After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong where you can see the impressive “tree of life” mosaic set in colored glass. We then board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside. We’ll make sure to stop at the Pak Ou Caves, sanctuaries consisting of two large caverns, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images. We will also stop at a few villages during the day, including Ban Xanghai where the local rice wine is produced. On our way back, we pass by a few more local villages and see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 3: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfalls (B)
Start your day with a visit to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre where you are able to observe valuable artifacts and traditional clothing and implements from each of the 20 ethnic minority groups which inhabit the Luang Prabang area. Later in the morning we go to Phosi Market, which has an eclectic selection of foodstuffs and souvenirs. Afterwards, we head out to visit some ethnic minority villages and see how these colorful people live. We then drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfalls where you can swim in the turquoise pools or walk along forest paths. We continue to Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek – small villages well known for silk weavings and Saa (jute) Papermaking, and return to the city by late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang .
Day 4: Luang Prabang – Hanoi. Hanoi city tour (B)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi.
Upon arrival, visit The Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Constructed in 1070, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam’s past.
Have a 20-minute drive out of town to visit the serene Museum of Ethnology where you observe Vietnam’s diverse culture through the Museum’s unique presentation of artefacts and dress used in daily life. (Museum of Ethnology is closed on Mondays).
Drive back to central Hanoi for an one hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter to enjoy the bustling local life. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities all around you.
Stay overnight at hotel in Hanoi.
Day 5: Tam Coc full day tour (B)
After breakfast, transfer from your hotel lobby for Ninh Binh province, which owns Hoa Lu and Tam Coc as the most favorite sightseeing of tourists from all over the world.
Arrive, you will arrive at Hoa Lu Ancient Capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for the next 41 years (968 – 1009), of which 12 years was under the Dinh dynasty – King Dinh Tien Hoang, the country named Dai Co Viet, and 29 years later was under the Le dynasty – King Le Dai Hanh. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now 2 temples have been built on the ground of the old royal palace, one is dedicated to King Dinh Tien Hoang, the other is to King Le Dai Hanh. The visit offers a chance to know more about part of feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
Afternoon, 5 minute-walk to the boat station and start the 2hour-boat trip to visit Tam Coc. Known as “Halong Bay on land”, Tam Coc are three limestone caves stretching along Ngo Dong river. The boat trip is a nice journey along the river with peaceful scenery of Limestone Mountains, rice paddy and the site of some temples along the way from Hang Ca (first cave) to Hang Hai (second cave) and Hang Ba (third cave).
Leave Tam Coc and drive back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi at 6:00pm.
Check into your hotel. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day 6: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise & stay overnight on Board (B, L, D)
Early this morning, we’ll drive from Hanoi to one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Covering 577 square miles, this vast bay is filled with more than 3,000 limestone “peaks” or karsts that jut from the deep blue water as far as the eye can see. We’ll spend a day and a half, including an overnight with dinner and breakfast onboard, exploring this overwhelming seascape from the decks of a traditional Vietnamese boat. Comfortable and intimate, your boat features hand-crafted wooden interiors including a dining room and pleasant air-conditioned cabins with private baths. Since we’re overnight on the water, we’ll be able to explore Ha Long Bay’s most beautiful spots with time to swim and even visit some of the largest rock formations and caves. This promises to be one of your most memorable travel experiences in Asia. Stay overnight on Boat.
Day 7: Halong Bay Cruise – Hanoi. Flight to Danang. Hoian (B,brunch)
Rising to the sound of lapping bay waters, we have time for an early morning dip followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, explore Sung Sot cave, swim and relax. Cruises back to the jetty while brunch is served. Along the way you will see more of the fascinating formations. Cruise check-out.
Take the private car to transfer to Noi Bai airport for flight to Danang.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel in Hoian for check in.
Stay overnight in Hoian
Day 8: Hoi An Excursion/Thu Bon River Boat Trip (B)
Today, we will visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the beautiful Chinese Assembly Halls, the Phuoc Kien Pagoda, and the local market.
Afternoon, you’ll take a boat trip on the Thu Bon River to a village of woodworkers and boat building families on Cam Kim Island and Thanh Ha pottery village. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9: Hoian –Danang. Depart for Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Breakfast will be severed at hotel in the morning. Free to discover Hoian Ancient town in the morning. Leave Danang for Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon by Vietnam Airlines.
Arrive Ho Chi City, warmly welcome by Tour Guide. Pick up & transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Full day Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels (B)
This morning enjoy a city tour that includes the Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace. It was towards this modern building that Communist tanks rolled on the morning of April 30, 1975, as Saigon fell. This fascinating building is filled with history still fresh in the minds of many. The tour also includes the Old Post Office, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Jade Emperor Pagoda, Chinatown and Binh Tay Market – the central market for the city and one of the liveliest areas. Next we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the incredible network of tunnels that once stretched for 210 miles. This underground complex was built by guerilla fighters beginning in 1940 and construction continued throughout the Vietnam War. We return to our hotel where the evening is free.
Day 11: Mekong full day delta tour (B)
Today takes you to My Tho, the capital of Tien Giang Province. Situated on the Mekong River, 75 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, the city is surrounded by orchards and rice fields, which produce grain for the entire country. Visit one or two of the islands that produce traditional handcrafts, coconut candy and bee farms. Visit the Vinh Trang Pagoda, the oldest one in the delta on your boat trip on the Mekong River. Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Check in hotel & stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)
Breakfast at hotel in Ho Chi Minh city then transfer to airport before your return flight home. Good bye & see you in the next time.
