Vietnam & Laos Unveiled: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Hanoi, Halong Bay & Luang Prabang – 8 Days

DAY 1: WELCOME TO VIETNAM - HO CHI MINH CITY ARRIVAL

Your trip begins with your arrival in Vietnam. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel by private transportation. Check in to the hotel and get over the jet lag.

You can mooch through the streets of the city. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and product variety are splashed all over this area.

After enjoying the first day yourself and return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 2: MEKONG DELTA (B/L) – JOIN A GROUP TOUR

Kickstart your day with a hearty breakfast, and a trip to Mekong Delta follows. The guide will meet you at the hotel lobby around 7:15-7:30 am, and you will head to My Tho, which lies on the left side of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, board the sampan and cruise down the river around the four beautiful islands, known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise islands. Stop at Unicorn Island, walk around the country lanes, and see the orchards. Visit fruit plantations and enjoy tropical fruits and folk song music performed by the local people.

Then take a hand-rowed sampan through Thoi Son canal and immerse yourself in the beauty of the countryside. Visit family workshops and honey-bee farm, and taste some honey tea and coconut candies.

Refuel yourself with a traditional Vietnamese lunch, and later cycle around the Tan Thach village, and meet the local villagers to experience the local daily life in the Mekong Delta. If you are not keen on a cycling trip, enjoy a cool breeze and a relaxing time in a hammock. Afterwards, you will get back to your accommodation.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: CU CHI TUNNEL HALF DAY TOUR (B) – FLY TO HANOI – FLIGHT INCLUDED

Have breakfast at the hotel and depart for Cu Chi tunnels. The trip will take approximately one and a half hours drive.

Cu Chi underground tunnels: Located 60km from Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi is now considered a heroic district for its role during the American war in Vietnam. It is legendary for its network of tunnels, which extend over 220km, and is a popular destination for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors.

08:00 AM: Depart for Cu Chi tunnels from the meeting point. Visitors will arrive at Cu Chi tunnels after a drive of 1,5 hours. Our tour guide will give you an overview introduction to Cu Chi and its legendary history. A documentary film about the tunnels will explain the tunnel's histories and how fierce the war was in the area. You will be guided to the tunnels system, including the weapon factory, hospitals, and kitchens, and crawl under the tunnels…

After that, travelers can try delicious manioc, the leading food for guerilla warriors in Cu Chi during the war. Visitors can try to fire off an AK47 or MK16 or machine guns at the nearby shooting range. Leave Cu Chi tunnels and return to Sai Gon at the end of your trip.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 4: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B/L/D) – SHARING CRUISE/BUS

In the morning, check out from the hotel and get pick-up by the Cruise. Take a route most scenic to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at Halong, you get to enjoy a cruise on the Bay to better explore the limestone rocks and the karst grottoes.

After you are done with your exploration of the bay, it is time to enjoy an utterly delicious seafood lunch, after which a trip to the famous limestone cave in Ha Long Bay, you’ll get to spend some time here, kayaking or swimming, so that you can get closer to the floating villages and shops. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can opt to attend the activities taking part in the boat or relax for the day.

Overnight on board.

Note: In case of bad weather, the itinerary might be changed or canceled if the boats will be not allowed to leave the port. Your travel consultant will plan other arrangements for you in this case.

DAY 5: HALONG BAY - HANOI (B/L) – SHARING CRUISE/BUS

Rise early for a lesson in Tai Chi or just to enjoy a hearty breakfast. The boat will make its way back to the port stopping at the Limestone Cave, full of stalagmites and stalactites. From here, it’s clear to sail back to the main harbor and return to Hanoi around 17:00. Free at your leisure time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 6: HANOI FLY TO LUANG PRABANG (B) – FLIGHT INCLUDED

Have breakfast at the hotel, have some free leisure time until there will be a private cab to transfer you to the airport, and be ready for the 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.

Evening, free on our own to explore the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by the hill tribe and local people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 7: LUANG PRABANG – CITY TOUR – KHOANG SI WATERFALL – SUNSET CRUISE DINNER (B/D)

You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron-robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks

The early morning ritual dates back generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the almsgiving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering, please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence.

Notes: Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest and legs should be covered.

After breakfast, we then visit the Morning Market, where you will see such diverse offerings as dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, vegetables and hill-tribe weavings. Then we visit the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

Continue to the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign.

Then transfer by private vehicle to Khoang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic minority group at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khoang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible.

Late afternoon, we go to boat pier to embark on a traditional cruise for sunset dinner. The 2.5 hours slow boat trip gives us the opportunity to see the view of the city from Mekong River. We continue sailing to Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden with the most beautiful sunset area. Enjoy our time with dinner before returning to our pier.

Transfer to the hotel for overnight.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

DAY 8: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE – LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE (B)

After breakfast, free at your leisure until your transfer to the airport for your onward flight out to the next destination.