Essence of Vietnam and Laos

• Duration: 13 days - 12 nights
• Departure: Daily - Combined Private and Join Group Tours
• Start From: Ho Chi Minh or Reverse
• Destinations: Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, Hue, Hoian, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Perfume Pagoda, Vientiane, Luang Prabang

• Day 1: Arrival - Ho Chi Minh (B)
• Day 2 : Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Ho Chi Minh (B) - Join Group Tours
• Day 3 : Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh (B)- Join Group Tours
• Day 4 : Ho Chi Minh - Fligh to Hue, City tour (B)
• Day 5: Hue - Hoian (B)
• Day 6: Hoian - Danang - Flight to Hanoi (B)
• Day 7: Hanoi - Cruise on Halong Bay (B,L,D) - Join Group Tours
• Day 8: Halong - Hanoi (B) - Join Group Tours
• Day 9: Ha Noi City Tours (B,L) - Join Group Tours
• Day 10: Hanoi - Flight to Vientiane, City Tour (B)
• Day 11: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B)
• Day 12: Luang Prabang - Pakou Caves - Luang Prabang (B)
• Day 13: Luang Prabang - Departure (B)
• NOTE: Join group tour for only tourist from USA, EU, AU ....and each group have 12-16 pax

tour detail

Day 01: Arrival - Ho Chi Minh (B)

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis ,contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. ( If time permits) we stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 02 : Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh (B) - Join Group Tour

The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. The following programme is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh City. We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We see these before going to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. O/N in Ho Chi Minh. (B)

Day 03 : Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh (B) - Join Group Tours

Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Saigon's Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes.

O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

Day 04 : Ho Chi Minh - Flight to Hue (B)

The northbound journey continues with a short flight to Hue. This ancient capital of Vietnam however has left its legacy in magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs, which are laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. On arrival at Hue Airport you are greeted by our guide and driven to hotel. We spend this afternoon, seeing the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. The sightseeing also includes a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies.

O/N in Hue

Day 05: Hue - Hoian (B)

The beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious workship in Hue. We include this in a cruise on the Perfume River, giving us an enjoyable visit to the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Upon leaving Hue we travel southwards to Hoian. The winding road begins as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam's most impressive panoramic scenes. Today we also catch a chance to visit the China Beach and the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe on our way to Hoian. This tranquil town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures.

O/N in Hoian.

Day 06: Hoian - Danang - Flight to Hanoi (B)

The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. We leave Hoian for Danang, stopping en route to visit the famous Cham Museum which boasts the largest collection of Cham treasure in Vietnam. The following destination is Hanoi via a short flight from Danang.

O/N in Hanoi.

Day 07: Hanoi - Cruise on Halong (B,L,D) - Join Group Tours

After breakfast, we depart for Halong Bay - the World Heritage Site on a comfortable drive in 3 & a half hours passing the countryside of the Red River delta. There will be a stop on the way to relax or have a cup of coffee.

• 12h00: Arrive to Halong city, boarding the traditional junk for departure
• 12h45: Start cruise
• 13h00: Lunch is served with welcome wine
• 13h30: A Breath-Taking cruise in Ha Long bay. Great photo opportunities of shaped islands like Dog island, Incense Burner Island, Fighting Cock Island and so on. Visiting Sung Sot cave and have a swim at Titop beach. Enjoy sunset
• Dinner is served on board.
• Relax, drinking or fishing at your pleasure before spending a night on board.

Day 08: Halong - Hanoi (B) - Join Group Tours

• 7h00: Breakfast is served
• 7h30: A morning cruise toward islets of Man's head, Tortoise and visit Luon cave by a small bamboo row boat. Cruising through Bai Tu Long bay and heading back to Ha Long pier.
• 10h00: Enjoy brunch on board
• 12h00: Arrive at Ha Long pier and transfer to Hanoi within 4 hours.
• O/N in Hanoi.

Day 09: Ha Noi City Tours (B,L) - Join Group Tours

Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip . We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. Take a Cyclo ride through the Old Town before attending a Water Puppet Performance.

O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 10: Hanoi - Vientiane (B)

An early morning transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane. On arrival at Wattay Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to our centrally located hotel. The charming and fascinating capital of Laos, Vientiane is a small city conjuring up exotic images, with the curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French influences. We start our half day city tour with Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. This amazing structure features remarkable frescoes and Buddha statues. Close to this masterwork is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. Afterwards we continue driving to Patouxai. This imposing monument standing in Lane Xang Avenue, is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe and provides a stunning views of the city. We round off our day with a visit to the great sacred masterpiece and symbol of Laos, That Luang Stupa.

O/N in Vientiane.

Day 11: Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B)

The vibrant central market in the heart of Vientiane, sells a wide away of local treasures. We include this famous trading center in a walking tour around the town center before we board a flight to Luang Prabang. The royal capital of the former Lane Xang Kingdom, Luang Prabang with its gleaming temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop, retains an unique charm rarely found in all Asia. There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the Srilankalese styled temple of That Marko, the shrine of Wat Aham and the five tiered roof Wat Mai. We visit these sites in a half day guided tour and embark on a climb up to Phousi Hill for a beautiful panorama view from the town center to the mighty Mekong River. There are 329 steps leading us on zigzag way past various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

Day 12: Luang Prabang - Pakou Caves - Luang Prabang (B)

Today we continue seeing this charming town with the famous Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes ,doorways and marvellous tree life mosaic pattern on an outer wall, representing the ancient temple architecture of Luang Prabang. We board a boat for a leisurely trip on the Mekong River, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai to visit the distillation of potent local rice wine. Upon leaving this riverside village we wave our way through the stunning mountain landscape to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. They are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devout villagers. We explore these famous grottos and cruise back to Luang Prabang Town. On arrival we catch a short drive to Ban Phanom , a well known weaving village of the Tai Lue people who used to make royal silk weaving textiles for the Lao former royal family.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

Day 13: Luang Prabang - Departure (B)

The former Royal Palace has been turned into a national museum. This interesting structure displays a lovely collection of the artefacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We spend our time to see this museum and enjoy a walk around the nearby old quarter streets or simply relax at riverside bar. The trip ends after your transfer to Luang Prabang Airport for departure.

Include:

Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver

• Meal as mentioned: B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D = dinner
• Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotels or similar one
• English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights
• Boat trip in Mekong Delta, Halong Bay and Luang Prabang
• All flights Ho Chi Minh - Hue, Danang - Hanoi, Hanoi - Vientiane, Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Exclude:

Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room supplement, personal expenses, travel insurance, visa, flight in/ out of Indochina, any optional additional tours or activities during free time, surcharge for peak season, local holiday days and gala dinner

SOME PHOTOS IN HIGHLIGHTS OF VIETNAM AND CAMBODIA TOUR

• Water Puppet Show - Hanoi

  

• Cruise in Halong

  

• Cu Chi Tunnels

  

• Wat Mai - Luang Prabang

  

Tags: Indochina Tours, Hanoi Halong Tours, Hanoi City Tours, Vietnam Cambodia Tours, Cambodia Siem Reap Tours, Travel To Cambodia, Travel To Vientiane, Siem Reap Angkor City Tours, Vietnam Tours