Essential Laos & Vietnam

Welcome to Laos! Upon arrival at Vientiane Airport, a local tour guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the serene capital city.

After check-in, you have the rest of the day to relax or explore Vientiane at your leisure. Stroll along the Mekong riverside or discover local dining options, including Lao, Thai, French, Italian, Mexican, and Chinese cuisines. Your guide can provide personal recommendations for a delightful dinner.

Begin your day with a visit to a bustling local market. Sample Laos coffee, pastries, and observe the vibrant colors and scents of the market. Your guide will explain the various local ingredients, and then you'll participate in a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Lao dishes for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will explore Vientiane, known for its blend of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American, and Soviet influences. Visit key sites including:

- Wat Sisaket: The city's oldest surviving temple, featuring thousands of silver and porcelain Buddha images.

- Haw Phra Kaeo: Once the royal temple that housed the Emerald Buddha.

- Pha That Luang: The giant golden stupa, a striking sight against the blue sky.

- Patuxai: The Victory Monument resembling the Arc de Triomphe, offering panoramic views of the city from its top.

You will enjoy a leisurely morning in Vientiane before boarding Laos's modern express train to Luang Prabang (approximately 2-2.5 hours). Upon arrival, your guide will introduce you to the charm of Luang Prabang. You will explore the ancient town, visiting:

• - Wat Wisunarat: A historically significant temple from the 16th century, now serving as a small museum.
• - Wat That Luang: The cremation site of Lao royalty, housing royal ashes within its large stupa.
• - Wat Xieng Thong: A classic 16th-century temple showcasing traditional Lao architecture.
• - Wat Mai: A temple known for its ornate details.
• - Former Royal Palace: Now the National Museum.

End your day with a sunset view from Mount Phousi, offering a panoramic view of the town and surrounding mountains.

After breakfast, set your foot to head to Kuang Si Waterfall, a stunning natural attraction. You can trek through the jungle to the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, which aids rescued bears from wildlife trafficking.

Then, you can participate in the midday feed for the bears. Next, you will continue to the waterfall, where you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the turquoise pools or hike up the trails to the upper sections of the falls.

We're about to have a picnic lunch in the peaceful park surrounding the waterfall.

Return to Luang Prabang for the rest of the day to relax or explore more of the town independently.

For an early start, you will witness the serene alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang, where monks collect offerings from the local residents.

After breakfast, you will embark on a Mekong River cruise to the Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. You can observe the river's role in local life as you pass fishermen and villages.

Return to Luang Prabang for lunch before transferring to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, a local guide will assist with your transfer to the hotel, where you can spend the evening at your leisure.

Begin your day with a cooking class in Hanoi. You can visit a local market to learn about Vietnamese ingredients and enjoy a cooking demonstration focusing on Hanoian cuisine. Then, you can taste the dishes you've prepared for lunch.

In the afternoon, you can explore Hanoi’s key attractions, including:

• - Temple of Literature: Vietnam's first university, dedicated to Confucius.
• - Hoa Lo Prison: Known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War.
• - West Lake: Home to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple.

After breakfast, we will travel to Halong Bay, renowned for its scenic beauty.

You will board an elegant Halong Bay cruise ship for a 2-day journey around Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. Settle into your cabin and enjoy a sumptuous lunch onboard. You can admire the bay’s limestone karst formations, and take a leisurely swim in a secluded cove. Next, you can explore hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs.

Spend the rest of your day relaxing on the deck, soaking up the sun, or taking in the picturesque surroundings.

Wake up early for Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax with coffee while enjoying the sunrise over the bay.

Then, you can explore nearby islands by rowboat before returning to Halong City for breakfast. We will transfer to Hanoi Airport for a flight to Danang.

Upon arrival in Danang, we'll continue to Hoi An, a charming riverside town. Check into your hotel and relax in this picturesque ancient town.

In this day, you will participate in a cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School. Start with a market visit, then you can take a boat ride to the school. Continue your Hoi An day tour to explore the herb and vegetable garden, learn to prepare traditional dishes, and enjoy a meal with fruit and vegetable carving demonstrations.

In the afternoon, you'll explore Hoi An’s ancient quarter. Visit Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, and the iconic Japanese Bridge.

You can enjoy a free morning in Hoi An before transferring to Danang Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).

After checking into your hotel, we can have a Ho Chi Minh street food tour on a vintage Vespa. During the tour, you can experience Saigon’s nightlife and local street food, including a visit to China Town and District 4.

In short, you can savor local specialties, enjoy Vietnamese music, and conclude the evening with drinks at a lively bar.

Now, it's time to drive to Ben Tre Province for a Mekong Delta adventure. En route, you'll visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, an architectural gem. At Hung Vuong Pier, you can board a private boat to explore the delta and visit fruit orchards, coconut groves, brick workshops, and local handicrafts.

Then, we'll experience a bike ride or a motorized rickshaw through picturesque villages. Lastly, tourists will enjoy a riverside lunch before a sampan trip along narrow canals.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the evening.

Today you can do some last-minute exploring or shopping until it is time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

End of your Laos and Vietnam tour!