Laos and Vietnam Discovery 15 Days

Upon arrival to Luang Prabang International Airport, a staff member Laos Travel will welcome you and transport you the hotel in town. The remainder of the day we will be spent visitng the National Museum, once a king’s palace. Displayed inside is a lovely collection of personal artifacts of the royal family, including photos, musical instruments, and many gifts received from the dignitaries of foreign countries.

National Museum - Luang Prabang

Situated where the Nam Khan River meets the Mekong lies the fabled city of Luang Prabang, the former capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage site. With its lantern lit streets lined with a mix of faded colonial mansions and sparking mosaic temples; this city is known to enchant its visitors. After breakfast in the hotel we will take a Mekong Riverboat trip with your guide to visit the famous & sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. These caves, overlooking the confluence of the Mekong & Nam Ou Rivers from on high, have been home to many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century, when King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. Upon return, visit Por Sa Paper Handicraft & textile area at Ban Xang Khong.
We will enjoy lunch in town with an afternoon visit  to magnificent Wat Xiengthong—representative of classic Laotian architecture, before seeing the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. The  rest of the day is spent at your leisure, relaxing in one of the city’s many quirky cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverbank.

Pak Ou Buddha Caves - Luang Prabang

Today we drive from Luang Prabang to Xieng Khuang, passing through Laos’ pristine countryside. This is long drive with spectacular views of Laos’ rain forest and  mountain ranges. Along the way we will stop for photo opportunities and visit various hill tribe villages. Upon arrival in Phonsavan, check-in at your hotel and relax.

Xieng Khuang - Laos

In the 18th and at the beginning of the 19th century, Xieng Khouang was the center of a kingdom of the Hmong (Meo). In 1832, it was conquered by the Vietnamese, annexing the entire region. The town of Xieng Khouang was badly destroyed by US air force during the Vietnam War. Even though it has been rebuilt in 1975, the name Xieng Khouang is now primarily used in reference to the province of the same name.
The highlight of our visit here is the “Plain of Jars.” Scattered over the plain are hundreds of enormous limestone jars, each about 1 to 2.5 meters high, with a diameter of about 1 meter. There is still no explanation as how the clay jars found their way onto the plain, nor what purpose they served. Archaeologists have come up with the wildest theories, among them a claim declaring them brewery cauldrons. More likely, the jars are enormous urns

Xieng Khuang

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and be ready for the flight to Vientiane – Laos’ eccentric capital, visiting all the city’s key attractions. Start the tour with a stop at Vientiane’s oldest temple, Wat Si Saket, filled with over 2000 Buddha images. Next we visit Haw Pha Kaew—the royal temple that once housed the famous Emerald Buddha—, before continuing on to Laos’ most significant national monument: Pha That Luang. We conclude our tour at Patuxai, known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.

Haw Pha Kaew - Laos

Today we’ll fly from Vientiane to Hanoi, check in the hotel and relax after a long journey.
Hanoi is a lovely city with lakes, fine boulevards and flourishing parks, as well as having a public centre that is an architectural museum piece. Hanoi is situated on the right bank of the Red River (Song Hong), which is spanned by two bridges, the old Long Bien Bridge and Chuong Duong Bridge.
There is a modest tower (the Tortoise Tower) commemorating the event on an islet in the southern part of the lake. The lake contains large turtles; one captured in 1968 was reputed to have weighed 250 kg (552 pounds). The park that surrounds the lake is used by the residents of the city every morning for jogging and tai chi (Chinese shadow boxing) and is regarded by locals as one of the city’s most beautiful spots.

Long Bien Bridge - Hanoi

In this city of peace, we have a city tour around the Old Quarter and a full day of sightseeing, starting with the Hoa Lo Prison Museum, known to American prisoners of war as the Hanoi Hilton. This museum was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for prisoners of war during the American / Vietnam War.
We also see the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, a site of pilgrimage (the building has been closed to visitors of late; probably an outside viewing only). The building was constructed from materials gathered from all over Vietnam. Modeled closely on Lenin’s Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh lies at rest in this Vietnamese version.
We will also admire the elegance of the One Pillar Pagoda, originally built in 1049. The temple is lotus-shaped and is situated in the middle of a water-lily pond.
We continue to the new Ethnology Museum, one of Vietnam’s finest. Dedicated to the ethnic minorities of Vietnam, this museum provides educational displays and descriptions and provides a real insight to peoples found primarily in the high country.
Next is the Temple of Literature, the site of the first national university dating back to 1076 and one of Hanoi’s best-preserved ancient sites. From here we walk to the Fine Arts Museum, housed within a large colonial building, where we will see contemporary Vietnamese art and handicrafts.
Tonight we will enjoy a water puppet show. This is a fantastic art form unique to Vietnam and derives from the Red River Delta area.

Hoa Lo Prison Museum - Hanoi

This morning we depart from Hanoi on a 3 to 4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your boat. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the East Sea (Bien Dong) (weather permitting). Pass the night lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.

Dinh Huong Island - Halong Bay

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have lunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Our driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival to Phu Bai Airport in Hue, our driver and guide will meet you and transport you to your hotel.

Bai Tu Long Bay

Spend an entire day touring the Vietnam’s former ancient capital. Start the day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, home to the Imperial City and Forbidden Purple City—once the Emperor’s private residence. The Imperial City was created in the 19th century and modeled on the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Imperial Enclosure houses many palaces and temples within its walls. In the afternoon, continue on your tour stopping at the Imperial Museum, Tu Hieu Pagoda and vibrant Dong Ba riverside market.

Tu Hieu Pagoda - Hue

Spend the morning on a private boat cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit the Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) and the ornate Minh Mang’s tomb. Enjoy lunch at a riverside restaurant before starting on your drive to Hoian. Pass over the 500m-high Hai Van pass and stop en route in Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum and handicraft villages at the foot of Marble Mountain. Arrive in the sleepy riverside town, Hoian, in the late afternoon, check in at the hotel and then enjoy the rest of the evening- at your leisure.

Minh Mang's tomb - Hue

Have breakfast at the hotel then drive to the airport to catch your flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an orientation tour through Ho Chi Minh City’s bustling streets en route to the hotel. Have lunch at a downtown restaurant of your choice then set out on a guided city tour. In the afternoon we will visit such sites as the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office and Ben Thanh Market. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Old Post Office - Saigon

Today we leave Saigon and travel to the Mekong River Delta. Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before driving to the riverside town, Cai Be. Along the way, stop at a candy factory and orchard garden, where you have an opportunity to listen to traditional music. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at a riverside restaurant, then cross the river by motorized boat to visit some fluvial islands and explore the countryside by bicycle. Our driver and guide will meet you at Vinh Long pier and take you to Can Tho city for the night.

Vinh Long

Wake early and leave the hotel to visit the famous Cai Rang floating market by motorboat. Continue the boat ride to visit the Mekong Delta’s famous orchards and sample the fresh, exotic fruit. Then venture deeper into the countryside, passing traditional houses made of wood and palm leaves as you observe the activities of the local people. Return to Can Tho for lunch then drive back to Saigon, arriving in the late afternoon.

Cai Rang floating market - Can Tho

Have breakfast at the hotel then enjoy a free morning. Our driver will transfer you to Tan Son Nhat International airport for your departure flight.

Ben Thanh Market - Saigon