Take 18 days exciting journey through Vietnam and Laos. Discover all Vietnam highlights from south to north including Ho Chi Minh city, Mekong delta, Hoian, Halong Bay, Sapa, Hanoi before continue to Laos to uncover the grand royal palace, golden Buddhist monastery temples, Plain of Jars and friendly ethnic minority people.
Meal: N/A
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, VIETNAM
Welcome to Vietnam. Upon arrival at HCMC Airport, obtain your Vietnam visa ( with pre-approval letter) , and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside a local Guide of Asianway travel . He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. Please note that local guides are not allowed inside the airport.
From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel. Settle in and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Accommodation: Stay 3 nights in HCMC
Meal: Breakfast
Morning tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels:
At 7.00, pick up at hotel & enjoy scenic drive through the countryside as people work on their rice paddies and thatched hut villages scattered along the way. Visit a local village making rice paper, a well-known product used to make the delicious spring rolls. Arriving at the Cu Chi Tunnels to explore part of the 151-mile underground network that zigzagged from the southern tip of the Ho Chi Minh Trail near Cambodia to the Saigon River. Cu Chi is a must for anyone interested in understanding a vital aspect of guerrilla warfare fought by the Vietnamese against both the French and the Americans. These criss-crossing tunnels were begun in the late 1940s by local resistance fighters looking for a place to hide their weapons from the French. Discover secret trapdoors, field hospitals, command posts, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.
Afternoon tour of HCMC: We’ll discover Saigon's historic landmarks including the War Remnants Museum, established in September 1975 in Ho Chi Minh City, it contains countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting some of the less heroic activities carried out by the US army in Vietnam. Planes, tanks, bombs and helicopters are also on display. Next visit the FITO Museum, it is the first museum of Vietnamese medicine. On display are nearly 3,000 items dating back to the Stone Age. Exhibits include tools used to prepare medicine, knives, mortars and pestles, documents and objects from a traditional pharmacy. The museum regularly screens a documentary about the history of medicine. Continue visiting to the 1880's General Post Office and the late 19th century Notre Dame cathedral, located in a peaceful part of the city.
Ending at Ben Thanh Market or House of Saigon for shopping and café.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Road journey through the Mekong Delta to Tan Phong, via Cai Be: Leave the city by minivan and drive south to Cai Be in the Mekong delta, a journey of approximately 2 hours. The Mekong Delta is Vietnam's 'rice bowl' - a fertile region of flat farmland interlaced with thousands of waterways and tributaries of the Mekong. The delta's waters are interspersed with rice fields, colorful floating markets and isolated villages accessible only by boat.
On arrival in Cai Be embarkation, set off by motor boat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Then wander into the small villages to visit the orchard and fruit plantation, accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Keep cruising through a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Arrive in Tan Phong island, the green pearl of Vinh Long town where you can immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy your cooking experience and learn how to prepare special Vietnamese dishes. Food cooked by yourself and fresh river food served in the heart of the garden. Relax on the hammocks to get back your energy.
Afternoon we cycle around the village path with fruit orchards and bonsai garden. Cycle around the village path with fruit orchards and bonsai garden. Meet the local islanders to learn more about the local daily life in the Mekong delta. Take a boat ride back to Cai Be, meet your bus for the trip back to Hochiminh city.
Meal: Breakfast
At 10:30 am, you'll be picked up at hotel & private transferred to the airport in time for your flight to Danang. Fly HCMC to Danang on Vietnam Airlines VN 116, departing 12:10, arriving 13:30.
Welcome to Danang. Upon arrival at Danang Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside your driver. He will be holding a sign with your names on it. From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel . Settle in and enjoy the rest of day at your leisure.
Accommodation: Stay 3 nights in Hoian
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Meal: Breakfast
Optional excursion: Please contact us if you interest.
1. Wet Rice Farmer OR Fishermen & Palm Paradise (4. 5hours )
2. Adventure Basket Boat & Buffalo Ride ( 2.5 hours )
3. Wet market visit and cooking class at Red Bridge ( 5 hours )
4. Cycling & cooking at Tra Que vegetable village ( 4.5 hour )
5. Farming and Fishing life tour ( 6 hours )
6. Adventure Cham island tour ( 8 hours )
Meal: Breakfast
Welcome to Hanoi. Upon arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet outside our guide. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely boutique hotel.
Afternoon Hanoi city tour : This afternoon, drive through Colonial Hanoi, seeing the Opera House and other local sights. Go inside infamous Hoa Lo Prison (“Hanoi Hilton”), where Senator John McCain and Douglas “Pete” Wilson were once imprisoned, and continue to the Temple of Literature, which dates back to 1070 and is dedicated to the cult of Confucius. Next enjoy an electric tram tour or cyclo tour through the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, a network of narrow alleys and shop houses also known as “The 36 Streets.” This is a wonderful place to watch the local life, and peruse items from fabrics to crafts to exotic medicines. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance, a uniquely North Vietnamese art form celebrating rural life and folklore for over 1,000 years, this evening.
Accommodation: Stay 1 night in Hanoi
Tip: If you're mainly interested in the Vietnam military, Vietnam history or Vietnam painting, or Vietnamese women, you can choose visiting Vietnam Military Museum or Vietnam History Museum or Vietnam art or Vietnam women instead of Temple of Literature & Hoa Lo Prison.
Please note: The city tour program is flexible. Your guide will be more than happy to adjust the tour itinerary to suit you. You can skip one site or add another if you so wish.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Please note: Program may differ slightly base on cruise ships. An extra night can be added to the program. If your time is flexible, we highly recommend it.
Accommodation: Stay 1 night onboard, in a private cabin with en-suite bathroom.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Train journey to Lao Cai: You will be booked on the Express Train in a Superior cabin. The train will depart from Hanoi this evening around 21:10pm. The Fanxipan Train is a superior train service linking Hanoi with Lao Cai, the closest train station to Sapa. The elegantly refurbished train has seven sleeping carriages and dining carriage, serving snacks and drinks.
Overnight on train. Air-con cabin of 4 berths ( 4 pax per cabin)
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Stay 1 night in Sapa
Meal: Breakfast
Below are the market options:
Please note: Your tour program may vary, depending on your day of arrival and whether you are wishing to focus on activities or culture.
Option 1: Bac Ha - Sunday market.
Leaving Sapa we drive to Bac Ha market (approximately 3 hours). Arriving at Bac Ha, we visit the big market and the colorful ethnic people of the Flower H'mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen minorities, who gather here to buy and sell their handicraft products. After spending the morning exploring the market our lunch will be served at a local restaurant. After lunch we drive downhill to start a short walk to Trung Do Village which is home to the Tay minority. Here we can visit a traditional Tay house. We will then travel by boat through amazing countryside to Bao Nhai Village.
Option 2: Can Cau Market - Saturday market.
We will take a 3 hour drive to Can Cau market. Our journey will take us through the mountainous border area between Vietnam and China. Situated 20 kilometres from Bac Ha, Can Cau is a small but very colorful market. Opening only on Saturdays, it always delivers a very photogenic display of Flower Hmong, Nung and Phu La ethnic costumes. After spending the morning exploring the market, we will leave for Bac Ha town where we will have lunch. From Bac Ha we drive downhill (1/2 hour) to start a short walk to Trung Do Village which belongs to the Tay minority. Have the opportunity to visit a traditional Tay house. We will then travel by boat through the amazing countryside to Bao Nhai Village.
Option 3: Lung Khau Nhin - Thursday market.
From Sapa, we drive first downhill to Lao Cai City, then uphill through Muong Khuong District onto Lung Khau Nhin Commune. The road condition is good but having many sharp bends which offers stunning scenery of the beautiful mountainous region along the border to China, especially the terraced rice paddies, tea farms and pine plantations… Taking place every Thursday, Lung Khau Nhin Market is not only a small market hiding itself amongst the mountains and forests of the far North Vietnam but also an original tribal one. This remote mountainous area is the place where the Flower H’mong mainly gathers to exchange their homemade products. You will join locals to enjoy the excitement of this weekly market to which local tribal peoples come to attend not only for shopping but also for socializing. Walk from section to sections, corner to corners, seeing and smelling of different local products such as spices, vegetable, farming tools, handicraft and even medicinal herb…, meeting smiling peoples everywhere. There are not many foreign travelers get here and you will find yourself lost in the crowd of ethnic people in their traditional colorful costumes.
Option 4: Cao Son - Wednesday market.
Enjoy a beautiful scenic drive to visit the Cao Son market. We take a dirt road which leads up into the mountains through the pine tree forests and villages that surround the tiny markets. Flower H'mong, Tu Di, Tay and Giay are ethnic minorities who come to trade local products such as food, agricultural supplies and fabric here. After exploring these markets our car will take us back to Muong Khuong for lunch. After lunch in a local restaurant we will visit the most secluded peaceful villages, and have the opportunity to observe traditional practices such as distilling wine from corn and making bacon. We will be offered a special corn cake when you stop by a local house.
Option 5: Coc Ly Market – Tuesday market.
Drive from Sapa (3hrs) to Coc Ly market situated between the stunning mountains by the Chay River. Every Tuesday morning, the people from the surrounding ethnic villages such as Flower H’mong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen gather to sell and buy their products. Having explored the market, we will have a boat trip to Flower H’mong village of Na Nen then trek to Trung Do village of Tay minority people. Enjoy a picnic lunch in a local house with the Tay people. From there we can travel by boat, down the river, and experience the magnificent sights surrounding the beautiful river banks.
Overnight in Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast
You have free time in Hanoi before flying departure to Luang Prabang.
Welcome to Laos. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport. obtain your Laos visa and then clear Immigration and Customs. After collecting your baggage, exit the airport to meet your local guide. He/she will be holding a sign with your names on it. From the airport, you will be privately transferred to your lovely hotel.
After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. After that, you will visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.
If time permits, we will take a short walk around the small streets of city center, watching the life of local people, and visiting the traditional house of Heuan Chan, the Chantal wooden house dating back to 100 years old. Late afternoon, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Accommodation: Stay 3 nights in Luang Prabang
Meal: Breakfast
An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. From there, we will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.
After breakfast, we embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, firstly stopping at Xiengmene Village, where we visit Wat Long Khun temple and the limestone cave Tham Sakkarin, and a tour around Ban Xiengmene village. We then continue by boat up the Mekong which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside as well time to explore the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Afternoon, we return by road back to town. Along the way, we visit the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine and continue to typical Lao villages at Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its handmade Jute Sar paper.
Meal: Breakfast
After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit Wat Visoun, dating back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest templeand was once home to the Prabang Buddhas.
We then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.
Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed on Tuesday, and from 03rd May to 19th June every year), one of the must-visit spots, where you can have an optional 15-minute tour to learn about butterflies and local flora.
From there, we will drive to the nearby Elephant Camp, where we will enjoy a short elephant ride exploring the Mekong River
Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where you will have a short tour so you get information about Silk, about weaver, about the Women that work in the Center..
Meal: Breakfast
Please note: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun - one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
Meal: Breakfast
Your trip will enable you to visit the 3 sites and also discover some local villages where you can observe local village life. Site 1, close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site. Site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”. End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. You can still see bomb craters from that time today.
Please note: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun - one place in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to unique sitting giant Buddha as well of some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Stay 1 night in Vientiane.
Meal: Breakfast
Suggestion: If your departure flight is in the afternoon or evening, you can think about taking a morning tour to Budda park & Friendship Bridge.
"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’s shaman. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park. "
· Tour prices shown are 'per person', based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults, and sharing a room. If you intend to travel alone, the cost might be much higher.
· The 'Single supplement' applies for single travelers who require their own room and needs to be added to the tour price.
· Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes
What's Included:
· 15 nights at hotel based on Twin/Double sharing room
· 01 night on cruise in Halong bay with 2 day 1 night program in private Twin/Double sharing cabin
· 01 night on night train Hanoi – Lao Cai in 4 berth sharing cabin
· Breakfast at hotel except the one in Lao Cai (at local restaurant)
· Airfare 4 routes with local airlines (including 7kg hand luggage and 20 kg checked baggage)
* HCMC - Danang
* Danang - Hanoi
* Hanoi – Luang Prabang
* Xieng Khoang - Vientiane
· English speaking guide with legal license
· Private car during the trip with experienced driver, except shuttle bus:
* Sapa – Hanoi
* Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi
· All Meals, Entrance fees and tour activities as dedicated in the program
· Service charges
· Bottled water & wet towel on van during trip
What's Excluded:
· Tip for Tour guide and driver (recommended)
· Bank fees for both sides
· Vietnam and Laos Visa stamping fee
· International flights
· Peak season surcharge (During Christmas and New Year)
· Early Check-in (before 14.00) and late check-out (after 12.00)
· Personal expenses
Remarks:
1. All of our itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Please click on the “Tailor this trip" button and complete the requested information for us. Upon receipt, our travel consultant will customize the best value vacation for your kind consideration. Please note: Changes CAN be made to the itinerary after our initial quote, but may result in a price change also!
2. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina in particular (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos) hotel prices make up the major expense of your holiday. Therefore, we would like to clarify how we define these charges:
· Boutique & character hotels: from $50-$80 USD per room/ per night
· Comfort = 3 star hotels from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/ per night
· Superior = 4 star hotels from US$ 80 - US$ 110 per room/ per night
· Deluxe = 5 star hotels from US$120 - US$ 190++ per room/ per night
· High-end = Best of the best hotels fr om US$ 250++ per room/ per night
3. Child policy:
· Ages 0-2 years at 5 % of adult price
· Ages 2-5 years at 30% of adult price
· Ages 6-11 at 70% of adult price
· 12 years and older = 100% (charged as an adult)
We’ll immerse you in the diverse cultures of Vietnam by showcasing the unique local flavors. And with the perfect balance of included sightseeing and free time, you can customize your dream vacation with the things you have always wanted to do.
Most countries in South East Asia require you to obtain a visa. Please check carefully with your travel specialist regarding specific visa requirements for each country you plan to visit as the legislation does change frequently. Thailand offers a free visa on arrival to most nationalities. Other countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar offer a “visa-on-arrival” service which requires you to pay a fee at the airport, or you may prefer to obtain this in advance through the relevant embassy or a visa agent. For visa-on-arrival in Vietnam, you must submit some paperwork before you arrive.
This is an option to get your visa for Vietnam instead of getting visa at the Vietnam consulate in your country.
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