Vietnam & Laos Highlight
Arrive Hanoi, VIETNAM
Lunch
Our guide is waiting to meet you at the arrival hall and you soon will be transferred to our downtown hotel. Well known as the capital city, Hanoi, is also known for its centuries-old architecture and the chaotic Old Quarter where the narrow streets are roughly arranged by
Hanoi City Tour
Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
We play our first visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex, including the One Pillar Pagoda, the former leader’s house on stilts and the peaceful Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam. In the afternoon we visit the Ethnologic museum, before having fun with an hour of rickshaw riding through the bustling Old Quarter. A walk through its exciting streets is a fascinating introduction to the different lifestyles of Vietnam, and an opportunity to shop and bargain. We end our day with water puppet show. Overnight stay in Hanoi.
Hanoi, Hoa Lu, Tam Coc, Ninh Binh
Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
After breakfast, we transfer to Ninh Binh province. Visit Hoa Lu – Nearly one thousand years’ ago, this place used to be the Capital of Grand Viet ruled by Dinh and Le Dynasty. In spite of many feudal and historical conflicts, Hoa Lu still preserved its heritages with many temples and pagodas. Your one-day tour will be filled with many legend and myth. Additionally, one thing that make this tour the most exiting is the boat trip through winding stream to visit Tam Coc (three grottoes)- regarded as “inland Halong bay”. Overnight stay in Ninh Binh.
Ninh Binh, Ha Long
Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch at local restaurant, Dinner on the boat
We depart Ninh Binh for Ha Long Bay, listed as a World Heritage Area of outstanding natural beauty. “Dragon descending to the sea “as it is known in Vietnamese, picturesque Ha Long bay has more than 1.000 limestone islets rising from the sea, many of them containing beautiful grottoes. Upon arrival at Ha Long Bay we embark on a boat trip to cruise discovering this magnificent UNESCO World Wonder. This is a great journey among surreal islands rising from a tranquil emerald sea.
In the late afternoon, we anchor for the night on the bay and enjoy a delicious seafood. Dinner and overnight stay on the boat.
Ha Long, Hanoi
Breakfast on the boat, Lunch on the boat
We will then continue our road drive further down south to visit Khone Phapheng waterfall also known as ‘The Niagara of The East’, you will then be transferred to Ban Nakasang for a boat trip to Khone Island. We explore the local peaceful villages of Ban Khone by bicycle where you will see an array of relics from the French colonial era and retrace the old colonial past, including old French colonial buildings and the remnants of the first Lao railway with its locomotive. We continue to discover the 4000 islands area visit the marvelous Liphi waterfall, also called the “Corridor of the Devil" one of the most beautiful waterfalls marking Lao border with Cambodia. Transfer to your hotel, check in and rest at leisure.
Arrive Luang Prabang, LAOS
Breakfast at the hotel
Free day until transfer to Hanoi airport for your next flight to Luang Prabang. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Luang Prabang is perhaps the best-preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Laos. Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang sightseeing
Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Start our morning with a first visit to the Royal Palace Museum (Former King’s Palace) –The palace displays a lovely collection of personal artefacts of the Royal family, photos, musical instruments and gifts received from foreigners. Just cross the street is Mt Phusi where you challenge yourself for a climb of over 300 steps to the top overlooking the city of Luang Prabang. A terrace at the foot of the stupa offers an 360c panoramic view of the town overseen the gold shining roof top of Hor Prabang Museum and the Sisavangvong avenue where night market is held every night. We pay a visit to Xieng Thong temple, the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with its mosaic decoration and the most important of Lao monasteries and remain a significant monument to the spirit of religion, traditional art and royalty. Last but not least, a visit to Wat Phabat Tai, a monastery complex built in the 17th century, a best place to view sunset if visiting in the evening. Overnight stay in Luang Prabang.
Buddha caves, Kwang Si waterfall
Breakfast at the hotel, Lunch at local restaurant
Embark on a traditional wooden boat upstream to visit the famous cave of Pak U cave, locally called Tham Ting. The caves locate just right on the cliff; it is very impressive and stunning. Inside the caves, there are more than hundreds of Buddha images, which have been bringing by local people since the early 16th century when the cave was found. Up the river for about five-minutes is Ban Muang Keo to spend sometimes walking around the village to witness slow lao lives where kids ae planning on the ground together with ducks, dogs, pigs, roosters. You may get to have sip of lao-lao (Lao Whiskey).
Continue our visit in the afternoon to Kwang Si waterfall, located 30km south of Luang Prabang, these nice falls are getting downs as cascades on calcareous bedrock where they have scooped out small basins of turquoise color. Short trek around the fall is suggested. Just 300meters before entrance to the fall is the Butterfly Park, numerous Laotian butterflies set in a beautiful wet landscaped garden. Spend a few minutes at Bear Rescue Sanctuary to find out about “Free the Bears” program where you can also donate or buy souvenirs here to support the running of the project. On your way back to town, stop by at Laos Buffalo Dairy to try delicious cheesecake, Buffalo milk or Ice cream. Finally, a short walk around Hmong village at Ban Ouay to perhaps having a chit chat with Hmong children and photo their beautiful handicrafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Luang Prabang – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel
After breakfast, there will be free for your own time to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. The tour ends after your transfer to the airport for departure.