Day 1: Luang Prabang Arrival

Upon arrival at the airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. After short break, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a superb view over the town and river. From there, we walk through the streets of Luang Prabang to visit lively street night market.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Khouangsi Waterfall (B)

Today we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Continue to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then take a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine.

On return, we overland local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan, continue seeing the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belongs to royal family patronage and near by Sackarine Caves. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Vientiane (B)

This morning we take in the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and then visit the Central Market before transfer to the airport for a flight to Vientiane.

After a short rest, we start to visit the major sights of the capital including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in town dating back to 1828. We will also visit Haw Pha Kaew, the former Royal temple of Laos Monarchy, now converted into a museum and Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos and the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From there, we explore the Central Market.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 4: Vientiane – Hanoi (B)

Today we visit the morning market and the weaving village of Ban Nong Bouathong (if time permits). And then transfer to the airport to take flight to Hanoi.

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to hotel for check in and relax

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L)

We take a three-hour scenic drive crossing paddy-fields and villages in the Red river delta to Halong Bay. On arrival, we get in boat for a fantastic cruise on the emerald green waters of the Bay (approx. 4 hours). We will enjoy lunch with fresh seafood while having a cool drink before leave the boat to see the Heavenly Palace Grotto and Driftwood cave, one of the highlights around the Bay.

Overnight in Halong

Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B)

Return to Hanoi in the morning. After short break for lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology, which is an excellent museum containing the ethnic costumes of the various minorities of VN, as well as relics, tools and even full size replicas of their homes and buildings. We then take in the Temple of Literature, the first Vietnam University dating to 1070. Enjoy a great Cyclo tour through the bustling Old Quarter of Hanoi, walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake before attending a famous Water Puppet show.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7: Hanoi – Hue sightseeing (B)

A short domestic flight takes you from Hanoi to Hue, the ancient Imperial city. In the afternoon we begin to see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors under Nguyen Dynasty. We then drive outskirts of Hue to the impressive tomb of King Khai Dinh. Later come back to city center to visit Dong Ba market.

Overnight in Hue  

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (B)

This morning we take a boat ride along the romantic Perfume River. We stop at Thien Mu Pagoda to see the 7-storey octagonal tower and an old Austin car which transported the bonze Thich Quang to Saigon in 1963 for his self-immolation. We then travel by road over spectacular Hai Van pass to Hoi An ancient town. We will enjoy a walking night tour through the winding and narrow streets of the ancient town.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 9: Hoi An – Danang – Ho Chi Minh (B)

We will have a short drive to Da Nang airport and take a flight to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the Metropolis of the South. In the afternoon we discover the city, come to see the Cathedral, the War Remnants museum before we end the day with a visit to China Town.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta (B/L)

After breakfast we travel out of Ho Chi Minh city and spend full day floating through waterways on an exploration of the lush Mekong Delta region. Upon arrival Vinh Long province, we will boat through the lush green vegetations of the canals to an orchard, where you leave boat for a delicious lunch complete with a local delicacy – the Elephant’s Eye Fish. Continue taking a boat trip to Cai Be floating market which offers great insight into the daily lives of the locals along the rivers and canals. Return Saigon in late afternoon.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight.

(B) : Breakfast
(L) : Lunch
(D) : Dinner

Hotels to be used:

In Luang Prabang:
Deluxe: The Grand Hotel or similar
Superior: Villa Santi Hotel or similar
Standard: Ancient Luang Prabang Hotel or similar
Economy: Sanakeo Hotel or similar

In Vientiane:
Deluxe: Lao Plaza Hotel or similar
Superior: Novotel Hotel or similar
Standard: Inter City Hotel/ Beau Rivage Hotel or similar
Economy: Day Inn Hotel/ B & P Hotel

In Hanoi:
Deluxe: Sofitel Plaza Hanoi Hotel/ Sheraton Hanoi Hotel/ Melia Hanoi Hotel or similar
Superior: Zephyr Hotel/ Sunway Hanoi Hotel/ Fortuna Hotel/ Serenade Hotel or similar
Standard: Jasper Hotel/ Majestic Salute Hotel/ Galaxy Hotel/ Hoa Binh Palace Hotel or similar
Economy: Hong Ngoc Hotel/ Gia Bao Hotel/ Flower Hotel or similar

In Halong:
Deluxe: Novotel Halong Bay/ Halong Plaza hotel or similar
Superior: Saigon Halong Hotel/ Grand Halong hotel or similar
Standard: Suoi Mo Hotel/ Mithrin Hotel or similar
Economy: Crown halong hotel/ Halong Bay hotel or similar

In Hue:
Deluxe: La Residence Hotel & Spa/ Imperial Hotel or similar
Superior: Saigon Morin Hotel/ Huong Giang Hotel/ Pilgrimage Village Resort or similar
Standard: Park view Hotel/ Festival Hotel/ Asia Hotel or similar
Economy: Duy Tan hotel/ Hoa Hong Hotel or similar

In Hoian:
Deluxe: Golden Sand Resort/ Victoria Hoi An Resort/ Palm Garden Resort or similar
Superior: Hoian Beach Resort/ Hoian Trails Resort/ Hoian Riverside resort or similar
Standard: Ancient House Resort/ Hoi an Hotel or similar
Economy: Vinh Hung 2 Hotel/ Hoai Thanh Hotel/Thuy Duong 3 Hotel or similar

In Ho Chi Minh City:
Deluxe: Caravelle Hotel/New World Hotel/ Sofitel Plaza Saigon Hotel/ Renaissance Riverside Hotel/ Legend Hotel/ Equatorial Hotel or similar
Superior: Kim Do Hotel/ Rex  Hotel/ Continental Hotel/ Park Royal Saigon Hotel/ Windsor Plaza Hotel or similar
Standard: Bongsen 1 Hotel/ Palace Hotel/Vien Dong Hotel/ Metropole Hotel/ May Hotel/ Thang Long-Oscar/ Tan My Dinh II Hotel or similar
Economy: Empress Hotel/ Chancery Hotel/ Saigon Hotel/ Elios Hotel or similar

* All hotels are subject to availability