Highlight of Vietnam and Laos

Pick-up at hotel and transfer to Tan Cang pier. We depart to Cu Chi tunnel by speedboat. When on board, enjoy a light breakfast of The Pat’a Chou cake with Lavie water & local fruit, enjoy the fresh air and understand the daily life of local citizens living
along the river banks.

Arrive in Cu Chi, located about 70 km from Saigon, where you will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, the former stronghold of the Viet Cong with a network of tunnels three levels deep stretching over 200 km.

After exploration of Cu Chi tunnel, get on board and cruise back to Saigon center.

Afternoon is Saigon for half day city tour includes the Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, and the War Remnant Museum or Museum of History to see some interesting displays and photographs following the path of the revolution. Then visit the Reunification Palace for a glimpse into the lifestyle of the democratic regime of former South Vietnam.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, meet our tour guide/driver and transfer to Hoi An. Check in the hotel and have a short relax.

Afternoon is for Hoi An Ancient Town walking tour. The tour includes stops at several famous landmarks. The first is Chua Ong Pagoda, dating back to 1653 and built in honor of the Chinese general Quan Cong, who is worshiped by many as a symbol of loyalty and justice.

Next, pop into Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, to see the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea and the protector of sailors. From there it’s a short walk to Tan Ky House, a 200 year old ancestral house and finally, stroll across the often photographed 17th century covered bridge built by Japanese craftsmen. The beautifully built bridge doubles as a temple and is a major landmark of Hoi An. End your afternoon with a boat trip along Thu Bon river with sunset view.

Begin the day by cycling (shuttle bus or bike are options to choose to go) past green rice paddies to the village of Tra Que. This charming little settlement, on the edge of Hoi An, is famous for its sweet scented green vegetables that spice up Hoi An’s famous delicacies such as Cao Lau and Mi Quang. Join them in the fields and learn about their planting and harvesting techniques.

Head back to Hoi An for a cruise along the river and to meet a fisherman who will show you the secrets of throwing the large nets. If you’re lucky you might catch some fish! Next up is a lesson in seamanship as you hop into a basket boat. These unusual round vessels are locally known as a coracle and are used widely. Have a go at paddling your basket across the water – it’s not as hard as it looks!

Today, we will visit a new famous site in Da Nang – Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge. Depart from Hoi An to Ba Na. Arrive at the cable car station Suoi Mo.

Sitting in the cabin, in mid air, looking upon the endless tree lone of the forest. Experiencing the pristine ecological system of the Ba Na mountain will leave you a sense of unforeseeable discovery. Visit the Le Jardin and Linh Ung pagoda with 27 m high Buddha statue. Leave Le Jardin for Gare Debay, the second cable car station, to go to the top of Ba Na.

Experience highlight of today, Golden Bridge. is nearly 500 feet long and sits 3,200 feet above sea level, according to Reuters. What makes the bridge attractive for tourists and locals is its unusual support system – two giant concrete hands reaching toward the sky. This is also an ideal place for photograph. Have Vietnamese buffet lunch.

Free time for visit and play game at the Fantasy Park- Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park- the third largest indoor amusement park in the world (only some free games depending on Ba Na policy). Free time for conquer the Peak of Chua mountain at the height of 1,487m. Leave Peak of Chua mountain, passing the Suspension Bridge.

Return to cable car station and back to Da Nang hotel. Overnight in Da Nang.

After breakfast, take morning flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet our tour guide/driver and transfer to the hotel for check in.

Afternoon is for Hanoi Walking and Cyclo Tour. See historic Hanoi from street level on a private tour that combines walking with transport by cyclo, Hanoi’s colorful, bicycle-powered rickshaws. You’ll wind through the Old Quarter, stroll the Old Citadel, and visit a fascinating Taoist temple from the 11th century. With a private guide to share stories about Hanoi culture and history as you make your way through the city, browse a local market and taste some local treats—including unique Vietnamese wedding cakes and coffee – before finishing the day with drop-off at your hotel.

07.45 – 08.15 approx
– Our guide will meet you at your hotel. The shuttle bus pick up
– Enjoy the peaceful scenery as we travel through the countryside, farmlands and Red River delta
– Get your camera ready to take photos. Comfort break. The time from Hanoi to Halong bay is approximately 3 ½ hours.
12 – 12.30 approx
– Arriving Tuan Chau marina. Welcome aboard the cruise. Refresh with our welcome drink. Meet the captain, crew in the cruise briefing.
– Check into your cabin. Time to refresh and unwind
– Set sail as lunch is served
– Join us for a typical local lunch in the dining room or at the outdoor dining area.
Afternoon
– Arrive at Surprising Cave (Hang Sửng Sốt), explore the cave and find out how the cave was named a Surprising.
– Heading to Titop or Soi Sim island area. Drop anchor in the calm water surrounded by beautiful islets. Visit Titop island for swimming and snorkeling or do the short trek to the top of island to have the overview of Halong bay from here
– Heading back toward the sleeping area
Early evening
– Summit on the sundeck watching the sunset, enjoy Sunset party. It’s ideal time to make acquaintance with new friends, sharing your traveling experience or simply watching the sunset
– An authentic Vietnamese menu is served
– After dinner, reward yourself with a large selection of cocktails at our bar, or take for you one of our onboard activities: book reading, games, movies, and squid fishing…

06:30
For the early risers join us for a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Tai chi helps focus the mind and condition the body, joining Tai Chi session to full charge your energy for the day.
07:00 – 08:00
Local breakfast is served
08:00
– Mingling yourself in the stunning views of the Bay and it’s dramatic limestone islets as we sail through the calm emerald waters heading to Luon Cave (Hang Luồn)
– Take your option either exploring the cave yourself on kayak or comfortably on bamboo boat rowed by the locals.
09:00
Check out the cabins, at your leisure while our cruise taking you pass by other beautiful highlights in the bay.
10:00
You will join with our short class of Cooking demonstration, how to make spring rolls before an early lunch is served.
12:00
Return to the shore and disembark from the cruise as our crew say farewell.
Transfer to minibus or private car to return to Hanoi.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take morning flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, welcome by our tour guide/driver and transfer to the hotel. Check in and free at leisure.

Afternoon, your half day city tour covers the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, a temple of thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. You also visit Lao national icon, That Luang Stupa, and we stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

After breakfast, say farewell with Vientiane people. We set the capital of Laos for transfer to Vang Vieng – a beautiful small town in the north of Laos, beside Nam Song river. The trip take around 4 hours driving with 160 km. Stop en route at the archaeological site of Vang Xang, with Buddha sculptures dating back to the 11th century during the Mon-Khmer period. Visit a Hmong village before you reach Vang Vieng.

Late afternoon, we start the trip for sunset view in Vang Vieng. Kayaking or boating down the Nam Song River to watch the sun setting behind. During tour leisurely ride on the river you might also see the local fishermen with their nets and spears, villagers preparing for the evening or water buffalo soaking in the cool waters. Then, before it gets dark, you’ll be dropped on an isolated riverbank where you have relax time before back to hotel.

After breakfast, we depart from your hotel. After 14 km transfer to the north of Vang Vieng, we visit the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) lies on the opposite banks of the Nam Song. It is an important Buddhist temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation.

The nearby Tham Hoi cave (Snail cave) winds its way deep into the mountain. 45min of exploration through numerous long corridors with wonderful limestone formations. Another cool pool of spring water lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water cave), also a good place for a swim.

After lunch time, diving to Luang Prabang as 4 hours journey with 180 km. Upon arrival, check in hotel and free at leisure.

Wake up early before dawn (around 5:00 am) to catch up with traditional alms giving ceremony. The unique and must-see activities in Laos.

In the early hours of the morning each day, as the sun is rising, the local Buddhist monks pad softly around the streets barefoot in single file, accepting gifts from the locals. All around the town, locals kneel down on the street, offering the monks gifts of rice, fresh fruit and sweets to contribute to their one meal of the day.

Transfer back to hotel for breakfast. And then, we start to visit most of famous sites in Luang Prabang including Wat Visoun (known as the ‘Watermelon Stupa’ on account of its spherical shape), Wat Mai and Wat Xieng Thong, which epitomizes all the elegance and grace of the city’s architecture. Next stop is Royal Palace and National Museum.

After lunch by your own expense, we take one hour journey by private car (~30 km) to beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall. Enjoy landscape and swimming on natural and clean small lakes there before back to Luang Prabang center. The tour end with sunset view on Phousi moutain before drive to hotel.

After breakfast, we start exciting day by enjoy a 3-hour morning boat trip from Luang Prabang center to Pak Ou Caves. After discovery of Pak Ou Caves, cruise back and stop at “Ban Xang Hai” local village for tasting their unique homemade local rice whisky and rice wine before reach to Luang Prabang center.

Have a lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon, we transfer to Elephant Camp. When arrival, welcome greeting from camp manager and learn short story about elephants. Enjoy the impressive experience of elephant ride on the howdah (elephant seat) or on your elephant’s neck. Back to Luang Prabang town.

Day at leisure until to transfer to the airport to take your departure flight