Vietnam & Laos 14 Days

An incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. In places, it housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years.

Formerly known as Independence Palace, built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, a landmark in Hochiminh City.

Constructed when Vietnam was part of French Indochina in the early 20th century. It has a neoclassical architectural style. It was designed and constructed by the famous architect Gustave Eiffel in harmony with the surrounding area. 

A magnificent building located in the heart of the city and established by French colonists. This cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet). 

Visit of the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Then, the rowing boat will take you deeper the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time. Come to visit the local garden, we will enjoy some fruits with cups of tea when listening to the traditional music.

After lunch, we’ll come to Tân Phong island for biking / walking on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes...The cruise will back & end at Cai Be pier.

The Royal Palace has three perimeters of rampart, namely outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citade), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel)

Located in a narrow valley in Duong Xuan Thuong village (currently Thuong Ba village, Thuy Xuan Commune, Hue City). It is one of the most beautiful works of royal architecture of the Nguyen dynasty.

Located in Chau Chu mountain near Hue in Vietnam. It was built from 1920 to 1931 taking 11 years to complete. In comparison with those of the preceding emperors, Khai Dinh’s tomb is much smaller in surface but it is very elaborate. It is the result of the interminglement of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern.

A short flight steps lead through a large gateway, richly decorated with symbols and designs. A path leads through the garden to a wind-screen, a white painted brick wall designed to prevent both harsh wind and deny curious eyes a view of the house and the gate. The house is an excellent example of traditional Vietnamese architecture.

Enjoy a private boat trip. The boat will take you to Thien Mu pagoda, an ancient pagoda in Hue city, can’t be missed while being in Hue. 

First, a stroll through the Central market to purchase all fresh ingredients for the class.

Then, we board our river basket boat for a relaxing 30-minute ride on the Thu Bon river to Bay Mau Coconut Forest, which is recognized by the Province as an official ecological zone. We then walk through the vegetable fields to our teaching kitchen overlooking the water coconut trees and rows of vegetables. After that, you have a chance to meet local residents. You will be able to not only go on basket boats but also fish around the beautiful palm forest.

Finally, we will show you 4 traditional Vietnamese dishes while you enjoy the cool breeze and the peaceful setting of the countryside.
MENU

• Fresh spring rolls
• Pan cakes
• Stir fried beef noodles
• Hanoi noodles (Pho Hanoi)

Dated back to the 18th century and is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It is claimed that it was created by the Japanese then living in Hoi An as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water. The bridge also features the sculptures of two dogs and two monkeys representing the Chinese years in which many Japanese Emperors were born along with the fact that the building of the bridge began in the year of the dog and was completed in the year of the monkey.

Built around 1690 and functions as a traditional assembly hall for the Chinese ethnic group Fujian, China to socialize, but later was transformed a temple dedicated to their deity named Thien Hau – the goddess of sea who protects sailors danger. 

Bears all the fundamental features in structure of a Chinese Assembly Hall. 

Tan Ky old house is an almost perfect example of a 18th merchant’s residence in this major commercial port town. Around the town you can see numerous art galleries and tailor shops. You are also free to get some made-to-order clothes if you like. 

Including Ba Dinh Square, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (Outside visiting as it’s closed for annual maintenance). Nearby is the famous One Pillar Pagoda built of wood on a single stone pillar designed as a lotus blossom, which is a Buddhist symbol of purity.

Vietnamese name is Quoc Tu Giam – The Vietnam’s first University, which was built in 1070 in honor of Confucius, his followers and Chu Van An, a moral figure in Vietnamese education. 

where you can look into a vivid picture of the miniaturized Vietnamese ethnic community’s life. 

Take a cyclo in Hanoi Old Quarter – 36 streets and guilds to discover the ancient feature of Hanoi and daily life. Stop to visit Ngoc Son Temple which is located at the northern end of Sword Lake (aka Hoan Kiem Lake). From the shore, walking on the Welcoming Morning Sunlight Bridge leads to the island.

A delicious fresh seafood lunch will be served as you cruise this spectacular bay, a UNESCO listed site.

Return to your junk boat to watch a cooking class or fruits & vegetable carving on sundeck – How to make spring rolls. Then enjoy Sunset Party together and Happy Hour (buys two drinks, gets one free 18.00 to 19.00). It is time for chit chat and relaxing before enjoy your dinner and evening activities around the bar.

After lunch you will explore some of Ha Long Bay’s famous caves by bamboo boat or kayaking based on your preference.
And then reach on the top of Soi Sim beach to have a panorama view of Ha Long Bay.

Wake up to see the sunrise over the spectacular horizon, reflecting in the pristine waters of the bay, with a cup of tea or coffee. Then join a Tai Chi class on the sundeck if you wish before enjoying breakfast in the fresh air. Continue to sail around this natural wonder.

Visit to the Sung Sot Cave by walking up about 100 steps to the cave entrance and tour the cave for approximately 45 minutes. Walk down about 100 steps and return to the boat. (Proper shoes are highly recommended)

A delicious fresh seafood lunch will be served as you cruise this spectacular bay, a UNESCO listed site.

You will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which was built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. 

We then embark on a leisure cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes by pilgrims.  

Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. 

On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby magnificent Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.  

If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper. You can either get to the nearby village and join a petanque game with the local team.

Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset; this is the ideal place to catch the last beauty of the day. 

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart various temple to gather their daily meal the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.
We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. 

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. If time permits, we will visit UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday, and Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.

Then transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si, which is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also make great swimming holes and are very popular with both tourists and locals

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene, and explore the hidden waterfalls, which is rarely visited by other tourists

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued the hands of poachers and traffickers.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, this beautiful, traditionally styled workshop, where weavers, spinners and batik makers produce top-quality fabrics, offers free tours every half-hour. This is also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Luang Prabang