3 Weeks Vietnam Laos Tour

The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. The following programme is a sightseeing of major sights in Ho Chi Minh City. We drive past many lively streets on our way to the Reunification Palace. This mansion was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We see these before going to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War remnant exhibit. The final stop is Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

Heading out of town, we travel by roads to the Mekong Delta. This plain region boasts the largest rice bowl of Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho we board a boat navigating around the intricate small canals, which is a great way to observe the local lifestyle close-up and catch a view dotted by many islands. The exciting river trip will pass by the lush green vegetation towards the famous Unicorn Island where we have a chance to stroll around an orchard, taste many seasonal fruits and see farmers at work. We navigate some narrower canals using small rowing boats to Ben Tre Province for an interesting visit to some local industries. The extra enjoyment is a lunch at one of the famous local eating spots. We drive back to Ho Chi Minh, stopping off en route to see the beautiful Ving Trang Pagoda and the Saigon’s Chinatown, locally named Cho Lon. This bustling area is crammed with sacred temples and mysterious, narrow lanes. O/N in Ho Chi Minh.

The northbound journey continues with a short flight to Hue in early morning. This ancient capital of Vietnam however has left its legacy in magnificent architecture, pagodas and royal tombs, which are laid in many small villages and surrounding hills. On arrival at Hue Airport you are greeted by our guide and driven to the city. We spend today, seeing the massive citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive, however it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. The sightseeing also includes a walk to the bustling Dong Ba Market that sells a wide variety of local goods and handicrafts. Along the way we pass many fantastic eating spots, all ideal for visitors to sample some local delicacies.

The beautiful riverside Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious workship in Hue. We include this in a cruise on the Perfume River, giving us an enjoyable visit to the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. O/N in Hue.

Morning, leaving Hue we travel southwards to Hoian. The winding road begins as we make our way up the spectacular Hai Van pass. A view from the top of the pass is one of Vietnam's most impressive panoramic scenes. Today we also catch a chance to visit the China Beach and visit the famous Cham Museum which boasts the largest collection of Cham treasure in Vietnam and visit the Marble Mountain, whose peaks represent the five elements of the universe on our way to Hoian. This tranquil town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced down the centuries by a myriad of traders from various cultures. O/N in Hoian.

The ancient architecture of Hoian is a fascinating combination of Vietnamese traditional characters with Chinese and Japanese influence. There are plenty to see in this delightful and tranquil town, some of which are the famous Japanese Covered Bridges, the Pottery Museum, the 200 years old Tam Ky House, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the vibrant market. We visit these on our morning walking tour past many low tiled houses scattered along the small streets and assembly halls which reflect the town's multi-cultural past. We leave Hoian for Danang. The following destination is Hai Phong via a short flight from Danang. On arrival at Hai Phong airport we are met by our guide and driven to Halong Bay past the scenic countryside. O/N in Halong Bay. 

The legendary Halong Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights. We embark a traditional boat for a five hour trip around Halong Bay. The exciting cruise provides us a fantastic view of the picturesque scenery blending with the sky and some 3,000 limestone islands, which rise amazingly from the clear and emerald water. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. We round off our excursion with a seafood lunch served on board and make our way back to Ha Noi. After checking into hotel we enjoy a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.

Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip . We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi.

The famous pilgrimage site in Vietnam is Perfume Pagoda. This complex is not just one pagoda but more Buddhist shrines and sanctuaries built into mountainsides. Heading out of town we make our way through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to the Perfume Pagoda. The relaxing pace begins as we board a boat for an excursion along the Yen River past the spectacular landscape of flooded rice fields and undulating mountains. On arrival at Thien Tru pier we embark on a walk uphill to explore some of the many pagodas and the sacred grotto of Huong Tich. By mid afternoon we drive back to Hanoi, stopping en route at Ha Dong Silk village. Here is a chance for shoppers to tray their hand at bargaining. O/N in Ha Noi. 

06h30 - 07h00: The bus will pick up at hotel, then start departure to Sapa, following Noi Bai - Lao Cai high-way by tourist bus/or mini-van.
Along the way, you will have chance to contemplate the beauty of northwest mountains that terraced fields are sparkling in sunlight or dim in thick fog. Have a short break for 30 minutes then continue the trip to Sapa.
~13h00: Arrive in Sapa, the bus/minivan will drop you off at the hotel. Check in hotel.

2:30pm: Our guide meets you at the hotel lobby and start trekking 2km to Cat Cat village, the village of Black H’Mong hill tribe. The village is on the slope of the hill and easy walking, rice and corn are grown here. Cat Cat village possesses many imposing waterfalls and also is home to the water hydropower construction built under French rule. Walk back to the hotel in late afternoon. Stay overnight in hotel in Sapa.

After breakfast, we will take a short car ride to Y Linh Ho village where we will start trekking down to Lao Chai village of Black H’mong ethnic people. Here we will discover their daily life and how they make traditional clothes, handicraft, indigo... We will visit the biggest valley which provides the best view for golden rice terrace fields in Vietnam. After Lao Chai we walk to Ta Van village of Dzay people. It is a small group of ethnic people in Vietnam with a rich culture and beautiful houses located on rice paddy fields. We will have lunch at the village.

Afternoon, our car will pick you up from Ta Van village to Sapa Town. Enjoy your free time in Sapa for refreshment. Overnight at hotel in Sapa. 

After breakfast, we will leave the hotel for about 3 hours driving to the Bac Ha Sunday hill tribe market. Join in the colorful market of the tribal people in this region. On the fair market the H'mong, Dzao, Phu La people in their best traditional costumes go to the market for shopping and meeting friends and relatives…
Say goodbye to the colorful market and drive to Chay River where you will get on a boat for a river adventure. You are bound to feel great and find yourselves smaller among high Rock Mountains and to be surprised at white and breathtakingly waterfalls while cruising along the river. Get off the boat to visit a village of the Tay Minority (Trung Do village) by the river. After the boat trip, we drive back to Laocai and pay a short visit to the Vietnam-Chinese border gate. Then you have free time for your own dinner before heading to Lao Cai train station for the night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on the train in the 4 soft berth sharing cabin with A/C.

Note: Upgrade to the private 2 person cabin is available on request, there is a surcharge.

The train arrives in Hanoi around 5am, the hotel staff will meet you at the train station and get to our dayuse hotel near the train station for few hour relaxing and having a light breakfast.

After breakfast, you are picked up by our private driver for the transfer to Hanoi airport for a flight to Vientiane in the morning.

On arrival in Vientiane, Laos, meet on arrival at airport you are welcome to Vientiane, the city of the moon – an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the largest city and the capital of Laos.  Transfer to hotel for check-in

After checked in hotel, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast at hotel, transfer to visit That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha;

Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane , we continue drive 28 Km to Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Laos shaman. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park.

After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at Mai Savanh to explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people. This shop specializes in high quality silk products and involves several families in their process, from the northern province of Luang Nam Tha Province and the southern provinces of Attapeu and Sekong. (Note: Mai Savanh is closed on Saturday & Sunday) . Another stop will be made at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, productive members of the community. The center focuses its efforts on helping people with disabilities gain independence and self-confidence. A visit to the center provides you with the opportunity to talk to these women and to observe their skill at creating handicrafts such as handmade paper. Overnight in Vientiane.

The journeys northwards begin as depart the town and drive through theAtacular countryside towards the mountain region. Along the way we visit the busy and colorful market of Thalat where various hill tribes come to trade their goods and buy previsions. A next stop of our trip is Vang Xang, famous for the archeological site dating back 11th century. We reach our final destination, Vang Vieng, which is nestled on a bend of the Nam Song River. The small and tranquil village of Vang Vieng is rapidly developed with the advent of tourist, but the beautiful scenery with a mixture of quiet water and limestone outcrops unchanged for century. After checking into hotel we take a wander to catch our first glimpse of this hill town. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

After breakfast at hotel, we drive 2 km to visit the most famous of these caves, Tham Jang Cave , was used by local people around 200 years as a hideout from Chinese invaders. We visit this beautiful cave before transfer to Poukham cave. Drive through paddy field areas heading to Tham Phoukham caves, where your breath will be taken away seeing the most beautiful and famous limestone cavern, surrounded by natural forests. Along the way, you have chance to explore the local cultures by greeting the local villagers and learning about their daily lifestyle. There is a small natural pool in front of the caves where you can take a swim to refresh yourself from the hot climate or you could explore the nearby area.  After spending the day at the caves and its surrounding areas, we make our return to the Vang Vieng town, using local transportation or tractor.

Continue to the Mulberry Organic Farm
The organic farm is also well worth a visit for a taste of the locally-produced Mulberry Tea, or try out one of the cookery courses on offer. On the way back to hotel we will take a long tail motor boat 2 pax per boat to catch nice sunset surrounded by dramatic limestone karsts. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

We are driving overland on up Hill Mountain with splendid natural scenery toXiengkhouang, where was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. If time permits, we are seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun [if time permits] and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hill tribe people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. Overnight in Phonsavanh.

Just 250 km out to and up Route 13, passing through ethnic minority villages, with some houses overhanging steep roadside drop offs. Look for the children playing in the dust with their piglets and puppies. See examples of swidden agriculture hacked out of steep hillsides and the varying checkerboard patches of regrowth as you continue your scenic journey. Arrive in Luang Prabang.

After refreshment at hotel, we end the day with a climb to Phousi Hill to enjoy a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. There are 329 steps leading us on zigzag way past various temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, transfer to the pier to board a traditional long boat for a cruise on the Mekong river. On the way, visit villages located on the riverbank including Ban Xang Hai and learn how local rice whisky is made. Continue on to Pak Ou, visit Tham Ting and Tham Theung caves with their Lao style Buddhist sculptures assembled over the centuries by local people.

In the afternoon, spend time visiting temples in Luang Prabang including Wat Visun Temple, built during the reign of King Wisunarat. That Mako and Wat Aham, known as the "Monastery of the Opened Heart". Visit Wat Mai and walk along the streets to Wat Xieng Thong, located on the bank of the Mekong River. It is one of the most elegant and best-preserved examples of 16th century Luang Prabang temple architecture. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, drive through beautiful rice fields, hills and villages to Kuang Si Waterfalls (1 hour drive). On the way, stop to visit a small ethnic minority village to learn more about their culture and daily life. Arrive at Kuang Si Waterfalls, relax or possibily walk up to the top of the water fall for a nice view and enjoy the beautiful landscape and fresh water in which you can swim during the summer. Visit the bear sanctuary next to the falls, run by Free The Bears Fund Inc. Return to Luang Prabang in the mid afternoon.

Explore the Night Bazaar in the evening, where you can find lovely collections of handmade textiles produced by local communities from the region surrounding Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang