Deeply enjoy a trip in Vietnam from the colonial Saigon and beautiful Hoi An to exotic Danang and hustle and bustle Hanoi before discover the magical Laos, with experience the best of Luang Prabang and Vientiane in just a few days.
Witness the busy city life in Saigon and enjoy a full day unique Mekong River Cruise; then transfer to Hoian to discover the quaint streets, ancient shrines and hospitable ambiance of this old town; then fly to Hanoi to have a look at this one of the most charming city in Asia and take a luxury Halong Bay cruise to explore the many lime karsts jutting out of the green waters.Then fly to Vientiane. After a one-day city tour in Vientiane, move to Luang Prabang. A tour to Kuang Si Waterfall to soak up the beauty of the Kuang Si Waterfalls and swim in the crystal-clear waters.
TOUR CODE: 15D-VN/LAOS
PLACES VISIT: Saigon - Vinh Long - Cantho - Danang - Hoian - Hue - Hanoi - Vientiane - Luang Prabang
DEPARTURE DATES: Dates are flexible and customizable for private departures.
Trip Highlights
- Saigon(2 nights)
- Can Tho(1 night)
- Hoian(2 nights)
- Hue(1 night)
- Hanoi(2 nights)
- Cruise on Halong Bay(1 night)
- Vientiane(2 nights)
- Luang Prabang(3 nights)
Day 1: Arrive in Saigon
Welcome to Vietnam! The land of unique culture and stunning natural view!
Upon your arrival, your local tour guide will welcome you at the airport then escort you to hotel by private car. Check in hotel and relax to refresh from the long international fly.
In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner on the Saigon River Cruise which will give you the first impression of Saigon by enjoying the night scenery on the cruise boat.
Day 2 Full Day Cu Chi Tunnels & City tour
The tour today will start from a visit to Cu Chi Tunnels. The Vietnamese are proud of their resolve in their prolonged history of struggle against invading armies, and the story of the people of Cu Chi is indicative of that spirit. The residents of Cu Chi then took their war underground, literally, developing a network of tunnels that, at its height, stretched as far as Cambodia and included meeting rooms, kitchens, and triage areas.
After lunch, take a visit to Reunification Palace (the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975), Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Sai Gon Post Office, Cho lon – the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City and theEmperor Jade Pagoda (Phuoc Hai), one of the most interesting pagodas in Vietnam. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 3 Drive to Ving Long, Can Tho, Mekong Delta
Morning, pick up at your hotel and transfer about 136km to Vinh Long, a riverside town located in theMekong Delta. Enjoy a boat cruise to the Cai Be floating market with sellers and buyers bargaining and exchanging goods from their boats, and then go to Binh Hoa Phuoc islet where the maze o shady creeks will surely fascinate you. You will have a chance to mighle with local peasants, learn the secrets of their bonsai gardening. Visit local homes where the famillies produce tiles and ceramics; drop into rice-paper kiln and coconut-candy kiln; and observe daily country life. A typical Vietnamese lunch at a local home will be arranged.
Afternoon, drive to Can Tho and check in hotel. In the evening, wandering around the night marketwill be recommended for you to have some evening exercise after dinner.
Day 4 Can Tho, Drive to Saigon, Flight to Danang–Hoian
Rise early morning for a private boat trip to take part in the Cai Rong floating market. Your boat will start from Ninh Kieu and sail along the Can Tho River. You will enjoy watching bustling activities along Can Tho riverbanks. Particularly, you may know how local people go fishing with plenty of fish traps and how they transport passengers as well as products by waterway. Then take part in Cai Rang Floating Market to enjoy selling & buying activities with the traditional signal “offering pole” (exchanging goods hung on the pole to introduce people what the boat is selling). To understand more about lifestyle over here, keep on going into the small creeks called Rach Nho in which the Southern countryside can be seen clearly before cruising back to Ninh Kieu Wharf.
After breakfast and a short rest in hotel, we will drive back to Saigon airport for onward flight to Danang. Upon arrive in Danang, you will be picked up and transfer to your hotel in Hoian.
Day 5 Full Day My Son Holy Land & Ancient town
Morning, transfer to visit My Son – Vietnam’s most important Cham’s site. My Son became a religious center in the late 4th century and lasted till 13th century – a longest period of development of any monument in Southeast Asia. Lunch at local restaurant.
Afternoon, continue to visit Hoian ancient town – one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century and was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. There are plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tamky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda.
Day 6 Transfer to Hue, Enjoy Royal Dinner
Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning until transfer to Hue in the afternoon. Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, it is well known for its historic monuments which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
In the evening, enjoy a royal dinner in a royal residence with a descendant of the imperial family, it is a unique experience for you to experience the imperial life in ancient time.
Day 7 Half Day Hue City Tour, Flight to Hanoi
Enjoy a half-day city tour to visit Hue Citadel – Vietnam’s former imperial capital and recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel) and Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue Citadel is the result of the interminglement of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern. After that, visit Tu Duc Tomb and Dong Ba market for shopping
In the afternoon, transfer to Danang airport for onward flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.
Day 8 Full Day Halong Bay Cruise
After a light breakfast, we will drive Halong City for the Halong Bay Cruise. Upon arrival, you will board the cruise ship for a relaxing Halong Bay Cruise through the stunning Halong Bay. You could be absolute relax by lying down on the sun deck to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sun shine. A shore excursion will bring you to discover a beautiful cave, visit a local fishing village with opportunity to interact with local people.
When the sun become a drop of burning gold that slid nearer the sea horizon, enjoy your dinner while enjoying a charming sun set.
Sample itinerary of 2 days Paradise Halong Bay Cruise
FIRST DAY
Your heavenly journey across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam’s most fascinating wonder.
As the vessel sets sails, you will be greeted by Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for a pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard our luxury facilities in the stunning surroundings.
Discover some of the treasures disseminated across the Bay of the Descending Dragon during the afternoon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water.
While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of our Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you will attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.
Defined to be one of the highlights of your Paradise stay, a highly refined, innovative and varied cuisine will be presented for Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.
Day 9 Haft Day Halong Bay Cruise, Drive back to Hanoi
Greeting by the morning sun rise from the sea horizon, you can join a Thai Chi lesson for some morning exercise before breakfast. Visit a limestone grotto in the morning and disembark around 11:00 am then transfer to airport for onward flight to Danang.
Upon arriving Danang, you will be pick up and transfer to hotel in Hoian (about 30 minutes drive). Check in hotel and overnight in Hoian.
Sample itinerary of 2 days Paradise Halong Bay Cruise
SECOND DAY
Early birds can attend a Tai Chi demonstration on the sundeck at the break of dawn. Start the day enjoying some Paradise delights with a colourful buffet breakfast. Continue exploring Halong Bay sailing across its 2000 islets and visiting some of its major highlights. Your Paradise Cruise will come to an end on Tuan Chau Island between 10.30am and 11.00am.
Day 10 Flight to Vientiane
Enjoy free time in the morning until transfer to airport for onward flight to your next Indochina tour destination—Vientiane, the capital of Laos.
Upon arrival in Vientiane airport, your private local guide from IndochinaTour.com will welcome you at the airport then escorts you to your hotel in Vientiane City.
Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to relax, you can have a relaxing walk around the hotel to discover the city or stroll along the river bank to enjoy sunset.
Day 11 Full Day Vientiane City Tour
Vientiane, the charming capital city of Laos with rich heritage of Buddhist culture, is waiting for you to discover.
You full day city tour will take you to visit the highlights of Vientiane. Your will firstly get to know some more history of Laos by visiting the National Museum, then visit the temple Wat Sisaket which is the oldest surviving temple with thousands of Buddhist images. The temple Wat Prakeo which housing the famous Emerald Buddha image really amazed the Indochina tour makers. Your full day Vientiane city tour will also visit the symbolic site That Luang Stupa and Patuxay Monument.
The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
Day 12 Phuket , Full day of leisure
Breakfast are inclusive, full day of your own leisure.
Day 13 Full Day Kuang Si Waterfalls & Luang Prabang City Tour
Luang Prabang, the city surrounded by Mekong River and well known for its golden city is well known for its beautiful decorated Buddhist temples, it is a place that you will keep appearing in your mind for long time after your Indochina tour.
Your memorable trip will starts from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accepts the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then start the half day excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.
Drive back to the town for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Wat Xiengthong which is symbolic temple of the classic Laotian architecture, visit the Royal Palace Musem to learn some history of Laos. Then visit the Wat Aham Temple which means “Monastery of the Opened Heart” and the Stupa of Wat Visoun.
Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city, you can enjoy some drinks in one of the cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverside.
Day 14 Pak Ou Cave–the Thousands Buddha Cave
Today you will embark on a private boat for a 2 hours boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. Along the boat trip, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River and see daily life of local people in riverside fishing village.
Visit the Pak Ou Cave which locates by the Mekong River and you will discover numbers of gold-lacquered Buddha statues in the cave. After visiting, take the boat back to Luang Prabang and rest of the day at your leisure.
Day 15 Departure from Luang Prabang
Enjoy relaxing time in the morning until transfer to airport for onward flight to continue your Indochina tour.