Fascinating Vietnam & Laos Tour - 18 Days

Discover most highlights of Vietnam & Laos, from south of Vietnam along the coastline up to the north and then the lay-back neighboring country of Laos. This 18 days tour will bring you to many different experiences of ambient backstreets, haggling at her most fascinating markets or savoring local delicacies at any one of the local hawkers.

Tour Route: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Mekong Delta - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Duration: 18 Days/ 17 Nights
Date: No fixed departure dates. You may go whenever you wish.
Start/ End: Saigon (Vietnam)/ Luang Prabang (Laos)
Tour Category: Vietnam Laos Tours
Tour type: Landscapes, Nature and Culture; History; World Heritages; Leisure & Enjoyment.
Tour Customizable: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirements in the inquiry form)

BRIEF ITINERARY

Vietnam Itinerary 13 Days
Day 1: Saigon Arrival
Day 2: Saigon City Tour
Day 3: Saigon - Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 4: Saigon - Mekong Delta
Day 5: Mekong Delta - Saigon
Day 6: Saigon - Da Nang - Hoi An
Day 7: Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary
Day 9: Hoi An - Hue
Day 10: Hue City Tour
Day 11: Hue - Fly to Hanoi
Day 12: Hanoi - Halong Bay (Overnight on Cruise Ship)
Day 13: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Laos Itinerary 5 Days
Day 14: Hanoi - Fly to Vientiane
Day 15: Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Day 16: Luang Prabang
Day 17: Luang Prabang
Day 18: Luang Prabang Departure

Vietnam Itinerary 13 Days

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival (D)

On arrival at Ho Chi Minh's Tan Son Nhat International airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel in town. The rest of the day is free to explore this dynamic city. Tonight you will have a nice welcoming dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B, L)

In the morning, you will enjoy the city tour unravels Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 's turbulent past and also provides a glimpse into the fascinating variety the city has to offer. This city tour includes the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Old Post Office, Remnant War Museum, Buu Long Pagoda, Chinatown with ancient pagodas and temples, and bustling Binh Tay Market. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 3: Saigon - Tay Ninh with Cao Dai Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels (B, L)

This morning, travel to Cao Dai Temples in Tay Ninh – Cao Dai Holy See Temple is the cathedral of the Cao Daism religion with the Divine Eye - official symbol of Caodaism. Cao Dai followers worship Jesus Christ, Confucius, Taoism, and Buddha. Time to observe the midday service.

After lunch, head to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels - Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The network included innumerable trap doors, specially constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers, and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the U.S.-Vietnam War. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 4: Saigon - Mekong Delta (B, L)

After breakfast, leave for the Mekong Delta, the land of seasonal fruits, rivers & canals. You will take our private cruise to visit Cai Be Floating Market, joining with local people to buy special fruits or other souvenirs. Afterward, continue your boat trip along the maze of waterways and canals through An Binh Island. Stop at an old southern house with a bonsai garden and visit some local cottage industries that produce candy as well as rice cakes. Later, board a small restaurant serving the local delicacies of the river. Next, arrive at the lush orchards of the house in which you will spend the night in a homestay with a local family in Vinh Long.

Day 5: Mekong Delta - Saigon (B, L)

After breakfast with the host family, board your riverboat for a cruise along the endless waterways of the mighty Mekong. Along the way, visit brick pottery kilns, and a floating fish farm following your cruise Next, return to the Pier and transfer to our awaiting vehicle to return to Ho Chi Minh City. Lunch will be at My Tho City and your trip will finish at around 04:00 PM. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 6: Ho Chi Minh City - Fly to Danang - Hoi An (B)

Today, you will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Tan Son Nhat airport for catching the noon or afternoon flight to Danang in central Vietnam. The local tour guide will welcome upon arrival at the airport in Danang and escort to Hoi An. On the way, you can have some stops for visiting the Cham Museum in Danang where fine artifacts of Cham people are displayed; My Khe beach and a craft village. After that, head to Hoi An town for check-in the hotel and then at leisure only with overnight.

Day 7: Hoi An Walking Tour (B)

From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port. Today it is a quaint riverside town popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailor shops, and cafes. This morning, you will have a half-day walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Quarter visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tam Ky house, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. The remainder of the day is free at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An

Day 8: Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary (B)

This morning, the guide and driver take you on a half-day tour visit to My Son Holy Land. This is a former Capital of the Ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam. It is one of five World Heritage sites listed in Vietnam. Balance of the day will be at your leisure to do your endless shopping in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An - Transfer to Hue (B)

Farewell Hoi An for another World Heritage Site, Hue, via the Hai Van pass. On the way, stop to visit the Marble Mountains and a handicraft village before arriving in Hue, where you will tour sites including the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba market. In the evening you will enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue at a local restaurant and then have an overnight stay.

Option: Enjoy a memorable ten-course Royal Banquet Dinner complete with local musicians. To add to the occasion our attire will be that of the Imperial court - Kings, Queens, Mandarins and royal ladies in waiting.

Day 10: Hue City Tour with Boat Trip (B, L)

Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with many tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. First, visit the Emperor's residence with a short drive into the surrounding countryside to see the impressive King Minh Mang's tomb and King Khai Dinh Tomb, the final resting place of the Emperors.

A delicious vegetarian lunch will be served at a local Buddhist Monastery. After lunch, head back to town, stop at a handicraft workshop to learn about the makings of incense and conical hats. End up your day by enjoying a relaxing cruise on the Perfume River. You will disembark the boat to visit the Holy Thien Mu Pagoda. Overnight in Hue.

Day 11: Hue - Fly to Hanoi - City tour (B, L)

Today, you will be transferred to the airport in Hue for catching the morning flight to Hanoi – the capital. Upon arrival at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you will be transferred to hotel for check-in and repose. Then start the city tour with the first visit to Ho Chi Minh Complex including One Pillar pagoda; President Palace and then straightly to Temple of Literature.

After lunch, drive out of the city center to visit the Museum of Ethnology, the finest museum in Vietnam. Then return back to explore Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake and last followed by the unique Water Puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 12: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, leave Hanoi and head to Halong Bay, the gorgeous World Natural Heritage Site. The journey takes you through the lush green fields of the Red River Delta to the coast and beautiful Halong Bay whose name means "an Ascending Dragon". Upon arrival, enjoy your delicious, fresh, seafood lunch on our junk which will cruise this secluded bay so you can marvel at some of the 3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the emerald water.

You can also have the opportunity to view a spectacular cave crammed with stalactites and stalagmites, and, weather permitting, to swim in the clear waters surrounding our boat or kayak to explore some of the hidden charms in part of the bay before spending the night on board.

Day 13: Halong Bay – Transfer Back to Hanoi (B, L)

Wake up early this morning to hear the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. You will have breakfast as the sunrise before further exploration of Halong Bay by junk and to the lagoons by rowboat. Visit Luon caves, floating villages, sail to explore the bay and have another fresh seafood lunch on board before approaching Halong wharf. Then get back on the vehicle and drive back to Hanoi. Upon arriving in Hanoi and drop at the hotel for check-in and overnight.

Laos Itinerary 5 Days

Day 14: Hanoi – Fly to Vientiane (B, D)

Say goodbye Hanoi and Vietnam today then take the external flight from Hanoi to Vientiane in Laos. You are picked up at the hotel and transferred to Noi Bai airport to take a flight to Laos in the morning. Upon arrival at the airport in Vientiane, you will be transferred to hotel for check-in and enjoy your own leisure.

In the afternoon, the city tour will bring you to the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country's most important monument. You will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum, and the main market. In the evening, enjoy a nice welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant and back to stay overnight in Vientiane.

Day 15: Vientiane - Fly Luang Prabang (B)

This morning, transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival at the airport in Luang Prabang; you are picked up and welcomed to your hotel for check-in. Luang Prabang is best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of Ancient Temples. This former Royal Capital has a rich variety of architecture, from the old facades of French colonial homes to the glittering temple rooftops.

Next, embark on a tour after that of this enthralling town visiting Wat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery. Dating back to the 16th century this splendid temple is considered to be the finest in Laos. You will also visit the fine temples of Wat May, Wat Vixoun and Wat That Luang. Later in the day, adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the excellent views of the town and a great sunset. The left time after the tour is at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 16: Luang Prabang - Ban Phanom (B)

Today, take a trip to the Royal Palace Museum. The palace built-in 1904 is relatively new by Luang Prabang standards and is a mix of traditional Laos and colonial French design. Afterward, we visit the morning market and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. At leisure. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang.

Day 17: Luang Prabang - Mekong River Cruise (B)

Today, embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a taste of the tranquil countryside and an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, stop at Ban Xang Hai, where the local rice wine is produced. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 18: Luang Prabang Departure (B)

Today enjoy your free time at leisure before being transferred to the airport for the departure flight. Trip concludes.