A COMBINATION OF VIETNAM AND LAOS (14 Days/ 13 Nights)

A COMBINATION OF VIETNAM AND LAOS (14 Days/ 13 Nights)

Vietnam is a country of contrasts. A rich colonial history dominates its cities, sitting side-by-side with scenes that characterise the spirit of Southeast Asia. The countryside is a stunning portrait of varied landscapes, from the waterways leading to the South China Sea to terraced green paddy fields with the hilly central highlands in between. Laos is a landlocked country, and its landscape is primarily dominated by mountains and rivers. Laotian people are warm and welcoming to foreigners who are able to visit after several decades of relative isolation from much of the western world.

 

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh arrival

Arriving at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City , the hustle and the bustle city, you will be met and driven to your hotel. Your overnight will be in Ho Chi Minh city

Private transfer: airport to hotel

Guide : English speaking

Accommodation : Superior Dragon Hotel. Deluxe Grand Hotel

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – My Tho – Ben Tre – Ho Chi Minh (B,L)

We start the tour early at 7.30 a.m and go ahead to Tien Giang. On arrival t ake a boat trip around four beautiful Islets: Dragon, Unicorn, Tortoise and Phoenix on Tien River . Through Xep canel to visit Mekong traditional houses at Quoi An village (make all from coconut tree). See coconut collection set and how the locals make handicrafts from coconut trunk and shell. Enjoy seasonal fruits and listening to traditional music. Take the horse-cart on village path and stop at Ben Truc orchard, taste honey with tea or wine. See bees-breeding in wooden boxes at local farms.

Take rowing-boat on water palm creek. Lunch on islets at the local house. Experience the friendliness and hospitability of the host . Boat to visit a coconut candy workshop, taste candy (Special products of Bentre province). Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. End of the tour at about 5:00 pm. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Private transfer: on the way

Visit: Island in Ben Tre, fruit orchard, family industry workshops, horse cart

Guide : English speaking

Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Accommodation : Superior Dragon Hotel. Deluxe Grand Hotel

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Danang – Hoi An (B)

After breakfast be relax until our driver will com to take you to airport for flight to Danang . Enjoy China Beach and Cham Museum before heading to Hoi An. Arrive in Hoi An ancient town check in your hotel

Meal : Breakfast

Private transfer : on the way

Flight with Vietnam Airlines

Accommodation : Superior : Hoi An Trails Resort. Deluxe: Golden Sand Resort

Day 4: Hoi An relaxing (B)

The day will be free for strolling in the town, lazing on the beach, or whatever takes your fancy. You will spend the night in Hoi An.

Meal : Breakfast

Accommodation : Superior : Hoi An Trails Resort. Deluxe: Golden Sand Resort

Day 5: Hoi An – Full day city tour (B,L)

We spend a walking tour around this enchanting port town and visit its numerous places of interest: 400 years old Japanese Bridge , 300 years old Chinese temple, 200 years old Vietnamese former merchants' house, the local fish market … Around the town we can see a numerous art galleries and tailor shops, get some made-to-order clothes if you like. After lunch in local restaurant, you will have a chance to ride a “Xich Lo or pedicab” through the opposite site of Hoi An River bank where you can take a panorama of Hoi An town. Keep on the “Xich Lo” through the tiny lanes of Hoi An countryside, passing the fields of corn, sweet potatoes, beautiful local fruit-garden ... Stop over the local fishing village, get on the boat for 2 hours streaming down to Cua Dai estuary to enjoy the sunset cuise on the river

Meals : Breakfast and lunch

Guide: english speaking

Activity : Boat cruising

Accommodation : Superior : Hoi An Trails Resort. Deluxe: Golden Sand Resort

Day 6: Hoi An – Danang - Hue (B)

After breakfast be relax until our driver comes to driver you to Danang, via the Hai Van pass. The views from the top are excellent – you will be able to see Lang Co beach and the lagoon far below, and Danang spread out before you to the north. Upon arriving in Hue visit Imperial citadel and Dong Ba market. Your overnight will be in Hue

Private transfer: on the way

Meal : Breakfast

Guide: English speaking

Accommodation : Superior : Hue Queen Hotel. Deluxe Celadon Hotel

Day 7: Hue orientation – Hanoi (B,L)

Your morning will begin with a cruise along the Perfume River to visit to the Thien Mu Pagoda. From there, you will drive to the Royal Tombs of Emperor Minh Mang. After lunch, you will visit two more tombs, those of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and then transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi . Your overnight will be in Hanoi

Private transfer: on the way

Meals : Breakfast and lunch

Flight with Vietnam Airlines

Guide: english speaking

Accommodation : Superior : Hanoi Boutique I Hotel. Deluxe Silk Path Hotel

Day 8: Hanoi relaxing (B)

Morning to relax and enjoy the many charms that this city has to offer from the many boutique shops or simply taking a coffee at one of the charming street side coffee shop and watching the world go by. There is also the many of small art galleries that line many of the boulevards of the city. Your overnight will be in Hanoi.

Meal : Breakfast

Accommodation : Superior : Hanoi Boutique I Hotel. Deluxe Silk Path Hotel

Day 9: Hanoi – Halong Bay - Bhaya Cruise (B,L,D)

After breakfast our shuttle bus will pick you up at your hotel. On the way to Halong city enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong - Welcome on board of Bhaya cruise . Enjoy a Welcome cocktail upon embarking Bhaya. Savor a delicious Vietnamese buffet lunch as your cruise begins. Afternoon cruising amongst the limestone islands explore the Cave of Surprise (Sung Sot Cave) , swim or kayak at Hang Doi (if the weather permitting), meet with local people at Van Gia fishing village . Enjoy optional onboard activities: e.g. sunbathing, traditional massage, cooking demonstrations. Swim or kayak at Ho Dong Tien anchorage. Feast as a luxury Vietnamese Buffet Dinner is served. Relax at leisure: e.g. watch a movie, enjoy night fishing with crew members. Overnight aboard Bhaya

Private Transfer : Hanoi - Halong : 3,5hrs

Visit: Sung Sot Cave , Van gia fishing village

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Accommodation : Bhaya Cruise – Deluxe twin/double cabin

Day 10 Bhaya cruise – Halong city – Hanoi ( B)

Greet the day with Practice Tai Chi on the Sundeck. Start your day with an International Buffet Breakfast Continue cruising in Halong Bay . Disembark Bhaya. Bus pick you up and Transfer back to Hanoi . Your overnight will be in Hanoi

Morning Tai Chi exercise

Meal: Brunch

Accommodation : Superior : Hanoi Boutique I Hotel. Deluxe Silk Path Hotel

Day 11: Hanoi - Vientiane (B)

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiene is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos . After a short rest, an orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city's most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture. We observe the sunset by the Mekong Riverside until the late evening and experience the city lifestyle of the local Lao people. Overnight in Vientiane

Private transfer : on the way

Flight with Vietnam Airlines

Guide : English speaking

Meal : Breakfast

Accommodation : Superior Inter City Hotel. Deluxe Novotel Hotel

Day 12: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B,L)

After breakfast, we start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo . On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument ,

After lunch we spend the rest of this day touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (close Tuesday) former name Revolutionary Museum . We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia . After a short rest, we stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River . Overnight in Luang Prabang

Private transfer : on the way

Guide : English speaking

Flight with Laos Airlines

Meals : breakfast and lunch

Accommodation : Superior Sala Prabang Hotel. Deluxe Villa Santi Resort

Day 13: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou cave (B)

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River , which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of 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, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai , where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Private transfer : on the way

Guide : english speaking

Meal : breakfast

Accommodation : Superior Sala Prabang Hotel. Deluxe Villa Santi Resort

Day 14: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos , being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. This is a real highlight of the tour prior to saying goodbye to this charming city. Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum (close Tuesday) 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 to the last sovereign. After we visit the silver smith's and Fine Arts School and the Central Market, which is not to be missed. We then say farewell and depart this ancient city

Private transfer hotel to airport

Meal : Breakfast

Extend your journey : The magic of Angkor Wat awaits you in Siem Reap, just short flight from Luang Prabang with Laos Airlines. Contact us for further information

Tour type: Private tour, Cultural value

Departure: Everyday

Duration : 14 Days/ 13 Nights

Group size: 1 guests/Min – 6Guests/Max

Target group: " Smaller group for a better care "

Quotation in USD per person

Group size	2 pax	3-4 pax	5-6 pax	7-8 pax	Over 8 pax	Single Supp
Superior	1857	1660	1596	1508	1494	313
Deluxe	2274	2078	2014	1927	1914	625

(Seasonal prices apply and will be confirmed when booking! All rates are quoted in US$/person)

Inclusive:

-Breakfasts and 10 nights accommodation twin/double shared room

-Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above.

-Air plane ticket one way: Ho Chi Minh – Danang, Hue – Hanoi , Hanoi – Vientiane

-Travel in an appropriate private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced safe driver.

-The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary.

-Private boat trip as stated in above sights

-Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program.

-Lunches and dinners (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

Exclusive:

-International flight tickets and airport tax.

-Visas fee (US$ 40 per person for Vietnam visa on arrival, depend on nationalities in Laos )

-Dinners, except as specified above.

-Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

-Insurance