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Home  >  Tours of Vietnam and LaosLaos & Vietnam Explorer

Trip Code

CVL04

Laos & Vietnam Explorer

Duration: 15 Days

From: US$ pp

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Brief Description

The below itinerary is just our suggested travel idea for you to consider while planning your Vietnam trip. If you wish to make any adjustments, or changes to it, please do not hesitate to contact us and have it tailor made to suit your expectation.

Planning for a 15 day trip to Southeast Asia? Vietnam and Laos are famous the world over for their breath-taking natural beauty, ancient UNESCO's heritage sites and colorful cultures. This trip, Lao and Vietnam Explorer will help you see the very best that both have to offer. The amazing cities are selected. Fascinating history. Tropical landscapes. Cuisines that you may never try before.

 

Travel Route

Arrival → Vientiane → Luang Prabang → Hanoi → Cat Ba Island → Halong Bay → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City → Mekong Delta → Departure

Brief Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrival in Luang Prabang

Day 2: Luang Prabang & The Surroundings

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Xieng Khouang (Plain Of Jars)

Day 4: The Plain Of Jars

Day 5: Phonsavan – Fly To Vientiane

Day 6: Vientiane – Fly To Hanoi (Vietnam)

Day 7: Tour Of Hanoi City

Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay

Day 9: Halong Bay – Fly To Hue

Day 10: Tour Of Hue

Day 11: Hue – Hoi An

Day 12: Hoi An – Fly To Saigon (From Danang City)

Day 13: Saigon –Mekong Delta

Day 14: Mekong Delta - Saigon

Day 15: Departure From Saigon

Detailed Itinerary

Princing information

- This sample itinerary is designed for private arrangement. In order to get the most updated pricing information, please send us an INQUIRY and let us know some information about your travel plan such as travel date, number of people traveling together, accommodation standard and so on. There are a number of factors which will influence the prices; these include the standard of accommodations, the season...

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DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LUANG PRABANG

Meals: Not available

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

 

Welcome to Luang Prabang, Laos!
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met and welcomed by the tour guide and driver. Getting transferred to the downtown for hotel check-in. After that, you will be escorted by your personal guide to visit the National Museum, once a king's palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries. The remainder of the day is yours to relax.

Hanoi Capital
Cyclo ride in Hanoi

DAY 2: LUANG PRABANG & THE SURROUNDINGS

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

 

After breakfast in the hotel, start your day with a trip by private long boat on Mekong River to the well-known Pak Ou caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Nam Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since the 16th century when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Upon return, visit Por Sa Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong. Enjoy lunch in town with an afternoon visit to magnificent Wat Xiengthong -representative of classic Laotian architecture, before seeing the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.

Long Biên Bridge**
bikking on red river island

DAY 3: LUANG PRABANG - XIENG KHOUANG

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khouang

Today you will drive from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khouang, passing through Laos’ pristine countryside.
This is a long drive with spectacular views of Laos’ rainforest and mountain ranges. Along the way, we will stop for photo opportunities and visit various hill tribe villages.
Upon arrival in Phonsavan, check-in at your hotel and relax.

Hoa Binh Reservoir
biking in hoa binh

DAY 4: THE PLAIN OF JARS

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavan

 

In the 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century, Xieng Khouang was the center of a kingdom of the Hmong (Meo). In 1832, it was conquered by the Vietnamese, annexing the entire region. The town of Xieng Khouang was badly destroyed by the US air force during the Vietnam War. Even though it has been rebuilt in 1975, the name Xieng Khouang is now primarily used in reference to the province of the same name. The highlight of your visit here is the "Plain of Jars." Scattered over the plain are hundreds of enormous limestone jars, each about 1 to 2.5 meters high, with a diameter of about 1 meter. There is still no explanation as to how the jars found their way onto the plain, nor what purpose they served. Archaeologists have come up with the wildest theories, among them a claim declaring them brewery cauldrons. More likely, the jars are enormous urns.

biking in mai chau
Thai people stilt house

DAY 5: PHONSAVAN – FLY TO VIENTIANE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

 

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and be ready for the flight to Vientiane - Laos’ eccentric capital. On arrival, get picked up by your local guide and start visiting all the city’s key attractions. The sites include a stop at Vientiane’s oldest temple, Wat Si Saket, filled with over 2000 Buddha images. Next, we visit Haw Pha Kaew -the royal temple that once housed the famous Emerald Buddha, before continuing on to Laos’ most significant national monument: Pha That Luang. You conclude your tour today at Patuxai, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. Get to the hotel to end the day.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 6: VIENTIANE –FLY TO HANOI (VIETNAM)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Take your time to enjoy the breakfast this morning and have free time at leisure for the rest of the morning.
Check-out by noontime and get picked up afterward and transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Upon arrival, you will be greeted and welcomed by your Vietnamese guide and driver. Transferring to the downtown for hotel check-in.
The evening is yours.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 7: TOUR OF HANOI CITY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hanoi

This day tour to learn about the capital city of Vietnam occupies your whole day with featured sites, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university for the morning.
Your lunch today is served at a restaurant in town with local tastes.
In the afternoon, the tour continues with a visit to one of the following museums (you can pick the one you like): the Ethnology Museum, Army Museum, National Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi Hilton prison or Vietnam Women Museum). Followed by a short walk or a cyclo ride in the Old Quarter.
End the day tour with a traditional Water Puppet show. Spend your second night in Hanoi.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 8: HANOI –HALONG BAY CRUISE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight on boat

Today you will leave Hanoi and drive North-east (approx. 4hours) to the well-known Halong Bay. Halong Bay is one of Vietnam's most spectacular natural wonders and listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Upon arrival at the pier, you will board a boat for exploring the bay, the views that you get while navigating past thousands of limestone islands with rocky outcrops are incredible. Lunch and dinner are served on board. The activities of today include a swim in the bay in warmer months. You may have a chance to do some kayaking (Optional and extra cost involved, depends on different boats) as well.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 9: HALONG BAY CRUISE –FLY TO HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

This morning get up early this morning for some fresh air on the open deck and join the Tai-chi class for some gentle moves if you wish. Otherwise, you are able to remain in your cabin until breakfast time. After breakfast, the crew will pull up the anchor, start the engine again for more cruising to another part of the bay. After visiting a big limestone cave, the boat is gently heading back to the pier. The early lunch (Brunch) will be served aboard. Around noon, you are ferried in and take about a 4-hour drive to Noi Bai airport for the short flight to Hue City in Central Vietnam. Get picked up at the airport and check into your hotel in Hue City for the night.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 10: TOUR OF HUE

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Start your day with a cyclo ride (local rickshaw) through a part of the city of Hue to observe the excitement of Vietnam’s last capital. Get dropped off and walk to visit the UNESCO listed Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Enter through the towering main gate and you will appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your tour guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court. Despite being bombed heavily during the Tet Offensive, there are some well-preserved sections still intact and others that are being restored. After visiting the complex of Hue Monuments, you will move on to visit Ming Mang Royal Tomb which is a few minutes to drive from the city. Minh Mang was the second Nguyen Emperor whose interest in architecture brought major new construction to the Imperial City of Hue. His tomb is set in a large garden on the west bank of the Perfume River, with lakes and pavilions built in the old Chinese traditional style. Followed by another stop at Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s best-preserved religious monument, which stands on the riverbank with its impressive seven-story tower. Thence, take a boat trip along the romantically named Perfume River for the way back to town.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 11: HUE - HOI AN

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Packing up and have breakfast at the hotel before checking out for the morning drive to Hoi An ancient city. When you get out of the city, the scenery gets beautiful along the drive, especially while you are getting over Hai Van Pass -a scenic mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co beach. You are able to have some stops for taking photographs. Arrive at your hotel in Hoi An, check-in and take a short rest. After lunch, accompany your tour guide for a walking tour to visit the ancient town with major sites of Hoi An. including a historic house (formerly home to a prominent trader), the Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese assembly hall and a museum. You will notice a distinctly Chinese appearance to the pagodas and assembly halls scattered along the small streets.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 12: HOI AN – FLY TO HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

 

Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choice then set out on a guided city tour. In the afternoon you will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 13: HO CHI MINH CITY - CAN THO (MEKONG DELTA)

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho

 

Today you leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the river by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Your driver will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you to Can Tho City for the night. 

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 14: MEKONG DELTA - HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

 

Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorboat. Continue the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the countryside, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people. Return to Can Tho for lunch then drive back to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy

DAY 15: DEPARTURE FROM HO CHI MINH CITY

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Not available

 

it depends on your departure flight time, you might have an easy morning in Hanoi and even a day tour out (optional) if your departure time is late in the day.
The private airport transfer from your hotel will be ready at your convenient time so that you can make sure everything is well arranged for the flight home.
End of service and goodbye Vietnam.

crossing a river
Pu Luong Terraced Paddy
CVL04

REQUEST FOR A FREE QUOTE

INCLUSIONS

  • Accommodation based on twin-shared/ double basis with daily breakfast

  • Meals as indicated in the itinerary each day

  • Private English speaking tour guides in each city of visit

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers during the tour

  • Entrance tickets at indicated sites

  • Boat trips as mentioned in the itinerary

  • All operation service charge and government tax

  • Bottled water on the vehicle

EXCLUSIONS

  • Any surcharge during public holidays, Christmas and New Year

  • Travel insurance 

  • Drinks and other meals

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Any international flights/ in-tour flights (quoted separately)

  • Banking fee (if any)

  • Personal expenses and others not are mentioned clearly in the inclusion part

  • Visa arrangement

IMPORTANT NOTES

Rooms at hotels are available only from 14h00 on arrival day till 12h00 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.

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