Vietnam & Laos Explorer

Saigon - Mekong Delta - Cu Chi Tunnel - Hoi An - My Son Sanctuary - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Vientiane - Luang Prabang

Trip duration:18 days/17 nights
Level: Easy
Group size: Private only - 1 person and above

BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1 Arrival in Saigon
Day 2 Saigon – City tour
Day 3 Saigon – Mekong Delta (Vinh Long & Can Tho)
Day 4 Mekong Delta – Saigon (Can Tho)
Day 5 Saigon – Cu Chi & Tay Ninh
Day 6 Saigon – Leisure day
Day 7 Saigon – Danang - Hoi An
Day 8 Hoi An
Day 9 Hoi An - Sanctuary My Son
Day 10 Hoi An – Hue
Day 11 Hue – City tour
Day 12 Hue – Hanoi
Day 13 Hanoi – Halong Bay
Day 14 Halong Bay – Hanoi
Day 15 Hanoi – Vientiane
Day 16 Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Day 17 Luang Prabang
Day 18 Luang Prabang

Trip price: please enquire for availabilities & the most up date price

Trip Price Included:
English speaking guide/s (Other languages upon requests)
All accommodations with daily breakfast
All meals indicated in the itinerary ( 17 Breakfasts, 8 Lunch, 3 Dinner)
A/C transfers & transport by private coaches, with a reasonable supply of drinking water
Boat cruising in Halong, in Hue and in Mekong Delta
Domestic airfares with departure tax: Saigon – Danang, Hue - Hanoi
International airfares with departure tax inside Vietnam: Hanoi - Vientiane; Vientiane - Luang Prabang
Entrance fees to the sightseeing indicated

Trip Price Excluded:
International airfares
International departure tax
Visas and visa fees
Meals and beverage not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal expenses such as: bar, telephone and laundry bill
Personal travel insurance (Compulsory)
Tips and gratuities

TRIP PRICE BASED ON 4 – 5 STAR HOTEL and RESORT:

Note: Hotels are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent accommodation.

DETAIL ITINERARY:

Day 1 Arrival in Saigon
Upon arrival we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel. Tonight we will have dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town
Today dinner included

Day 2 Saigon – City tour
Today we have a full day to explore the highlights of Saigon including: Notre Dame cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants.
After lunch we will head to the center of China town to visit Binh Tay market, Thien Hau Temple, and Ben Thanh market. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 3 Saigon – Mekong Delta (Vinh Long & Can Tho)
This morning we will leave the city for the Mekong Delta. We arrive at Cai Be town, where is well known by its floating market. We will take our private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways and canals, visiting some cottage industries, and stop at a lovely Bonsai garden for a fabulous lunch. We continue our exploration toward the town ship of Vinh Long where we transfer to our vehicle to drive to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 4 Mekong Delta – Saigon (Can Tho)
After breakfast we start our trip with a boat cruise to Cai Rang, and then Phong Dien floating markets. Visiting this floating market we will see hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables and fish jostle for trade. We also visit the lush orchards and are treated to delicious tropical fruits. Afternoon we transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Saigon.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 5 Saigon – Cu Chi & Tay Ninh
Following our breakfast we will head to the legendary Cu Chi tunnel. After that we will head to Tay Ninh to visit the most attractive temple in the south of Vietnam, the holy see of the Cao Dai religious sect. The religion is a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity, with a bit of Islam. Overnight in Saigon.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 6 Saigon – Leisure day
Today we have a day at leisure to enjoy shopping etc. in Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.
Today breakfast included

Day 7 Saigon – Danang - Hoi An
We have a morning flight to Danang. There we will visit the Cham museum in Danang where fine artifacts of Cham people are displayed. Then China beach and a craft village. After that we head to Hoi An town. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Today breakfast included

Day 8 Hoi An
We will take a morning walking tour of the winding streets of the Old Town, visiting Fu Kien Assembly Hall, the 200 year old Tan Ky house, the Japanese cover bridge, Hoi An museum, and the handicrafts workshops.
Today breakfast included

Day 9 Hoi An - Sanctuary My Son
We drive to visit Holly land of My Son. This is a former Capital of the Ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam. It is one of four World Heritage sites listed in Vietnam. Balance of the day will be at your leisure to do your endless shopping in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 10 Hoi An – Hue
We embark on our northern journey to Hue, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam, stopping on the spectacular Hai Van Pass as we cross it. Our journey takes about 5 hours. In the afternoon we are free at our leisure. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Today breakfast included

Day 11 Hue – City tour
Today we will visit the Citadel and Imperial Purple city, followed by a boat cruise on the Perfume River to visit the picturesque Thien Mu or Heavenly Lady pagoda. Also worth visiting are the tombs of the former Emperors Minh Mang. In the afternoon, we will take a visit to the famous Dong Ba market. Overnight at our hotel in Hue.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 12 Hue – Hanoi
We will flight to Hanoi and up on arrival we will be transferred to our hotel. Our City tour starting with Museum of Ethnology, the finest museum in Vietnam. After lunch we continue with the visit to Temple of Literature, Hanoi's vibrant Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. Tonight we will enjoy the unique Water Puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Today breakfast included

Day 13 Hanoi – Halong Bay
From Hanoi we depart for Halong Bay. Our journey takes us through the lush green fields of the Red River Delta to the coast and beautiful Halong Bay whose name means "an Ascending Dragon". We will arrive in time for a delicious, fresh, seafood lunch on our junk which will cruise this secluded bay so we can marvel at some of the 2-3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the emerald water. We have the opportunity to view a spectacular cave crammed with stalactites and stalagmites, and, weather permitting, to swim in the clear waters surrounding our boat. We can also kayak to explore some of the hidden charms in part of the bay before spending the night on board.
Today breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Day 14 Halong Bay – Hanoi
Rising early to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. We will have breakfast as the sunrise before further exploration of Halong bay by junk and to the lagoons by row boat. We will visit Luon caves, floating villages, sail to explore the bay and have another fresh seafood lunch on board before approaching Halong wharf. Return to Hanoi the late afternoon.. Overnight in our hotel.
Today breakfast, Lunch included

Day 15 Hanoi – Vientiane
Saying goodbye Hanoi we transfer to the airport to take a flight to Laos. Upon arrival in Vientiane we will be transferred to our hotel. This afternoon there will be a tour of Vientiane. Our tour includes the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum and the main market. Overnight at hotel in Vientiane.
Today breakfast, Dinner included

Day 16 Vientiane - Luang Prabang
This morning we transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight to Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of Ancient Temples. This former Royal Capital has a rich variety of architecture, from the old facades of French colonial homes to the glittering temple rooftops. We embark on a tour of this enthralling town visiting Vat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery. Dating back to the 16th century this splendid temple is considered to be the finest in Laos. We will also visit the fine temples of Vat May, Vat Vixoun and Vat That Luang. Later in the day we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the excellent views of the town and a great sunset.
Today breakfast included

Day 17 Luang Prabang
Today we take a trip to the Royal Palace Museum. The palace built in 1904 is relatively new by Luang Prabang standards and is a mix of traditional Lao and colonial French design. Afterwards we visit the morning market and the weaving village of Ban Phanom. At leisure. Overnight at hotel in Luang Prabang. Today breakfast included

Day 18 Luang Prabang
Today we have free time at leisure before transferred to airport for the departure flight. Trip concludes. Today breakfast included