14 DAY VIETNAM AND LAOS-LUXURY

Welcome to Tan Son Nhat airport, in Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, our guide will meet and greet you with a warm welcome. He will escort you to the vehicle and transfer you to the hotel for your first night. Take a stroll on the streets and immerse yourself in this vibrant and colourful city or simply spend time at leisure.

Accommodation: The Myst Dong Khoi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: N/A

After breakfast, visit the moving War Remnants Museum which presents a partial, but riveting view of the American War, as it is known in Vietnam.  Continue to the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and later President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975. Continue with the charming Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Post Office (one of the oldest buildings Ho Chi Minh City built around 1886-1891) and the elegant Saigon Opera House.

Accommodation: The Myst Dong Khoi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 30 min

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 4 hours

Today we will visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. It was created in 1948 to assist the Viet Minh to combat the French. This was a sophisticated underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon shops, field hospitals and command centres. During the Vietnam War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a fire free zone and was heavily bombarded. Since 1988, two sections of the tunnels have been opened for visitors. At the completion of the tour, head back to the city in the afternoon and visit the famous Ben Thanh Market where you can find handicrafts, local tropical fruits, nuts and many other items.

Accommodation: The Myst Dong Khoi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 3 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 1.5 hours

After breakfast, it is a 2-hour pleasant drive to Ben Tre province crossing the cable-stayed Rach Mieu bridge. As you cross the bridge and have a spectacular panoramic view towards the South Sea, you may see the four islets of Ben Tre: Long (Dragon), Lan (Unicorn), Quy (Turtle), Phung (Phoenix) gathering together, known as “Tu linh” or The Four Holy Beasts of Vietnam.  Upon arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, hop on a motorized boat on the Ben Tre River – one of the tributaries of the mighty Mekong river - while sight-seeing lively activities along the river such as fishing and boats transferring fruits, flowers and rice to local markets. Our first stop is at a brick kiln to see how to make bricks traditionally by printing and baking. Those brick kilns are open in summer time only when there is enough sunshine to dry the bricks. Continuing on, we’ll visit a coconut processing workshop located along the canals. When we return to the boat, we’ll motor through natural scissors creeks to a village and see some local houses, sleeping mat making, and enjoy some local fruits. Take a Tuk-Tuk (motorized cart) or bicycle along shady paths, pass by green rice fields and vegetable plains to be able to touch on real life in the delta, and find out about tropical culture from peasants.  A delicious lunch will be served at a local riverside restaurant. After lunch, we’ll take a rowing-boat along a beautiful water palm creek before meeting the motorized boat and transferring you back to the pier, where you will be taken back to Ho Chi Minh for overnight stay.

Accommodation: The Myst Dong Khoi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 4 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 5 hours

Our guide will escort you back to the airport where you will board a flight to Da Nang.  Upon landing, you’re greeted by another guide and proceed to Hoi An town.  Check into your hotel and follow your guide to explore the fascinating town of Hoi An including a 400 year old Japanese Bridge, a 300 year old Chinese temple, a 200 year old former Vietnamese merchant's house, a local market, Quan Cong Temple, Reaching Out Tea House and Reaching out arts and crafts. There are numerous art galleries, souvenir and tailor shops where you can get some express made-to-order clothes if you like!

Accommodation: Mulberry Collection Silk Village - Upgraded Charm villa garden suite (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 2.5 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 2.5 hours

Today we have planned a fun filled activity as you learn the art of Vietnamese cooking. Head to Hoi An’s old streets to meet the chef and rest of the group in the class. Next visit a local market to learn about the authentic ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson. You will board a boat and cruise along the Thu Bon River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. On arrival, explore the school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s well-known dishes, which are a mix of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisines. The cooking lesson lasts approx. 2 hours– each dish is first demonstrated by the chef before you prepare the same dish yourself. The class also contains a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carvings (plate decoration). After the lesson and cooking, sit back and enjoy the delicious food prepared by you. Head back to the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure.

Accommodation: Mulberry Collection Silk Village - Upgraded Charm villa garden suite (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 30 min

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 5.5 hours

After an early breakfast we will proceed to Hue. You will drive along the most scenic coast of Vietnam from Hoi An to Hue. Stop at Hai Van pass for a panoramic view of white sandy beach, blue seas and ever-green lush mountains. Arrive in Hue by noon time, check in hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant with Hue typical cuisine. Next, visit the Imperial Citadel where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, Forbidden Purple City Late in the afternoon, take a Dragon boat Cruise upstream the peaceful Perfume River (Huong River) to Thien Mu Pagoda.

Accommodation: Indochine Palace (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 4 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 4 hours

This morning we will head to the Hue airport and fly to Hanoi.  Upon arrival, our guide will meet and greet you with a warm welcome. Spend the rest of day at leisure or explore this vibrant city on own.

Accommodation: Grand Peridot Hotel - Upgraded Grand Deluxe Room (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 3 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: N/A

Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (outside only) and his house on stilts with a lush garden. A short walk from the mausoleum is one of the great symbols of Hanoi, the One Pillar Pagoda, an 11th-century wooden temple built on a single stone pillar in the water. It was designed to resemble a blooming lotus. Pass by the Presidential Palace to the West Lake where you will visit Tran Quoc Pagoda (meaning “protecting the country”), one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam. In the afternoon, visit the venerable Temple of Literature built in 1077 – Vietnam’s first university. Late afternoon, take a rickshaw ride (cyclo) around the Old Streets which were named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Stop at Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple to learn about legend of the lake. Leisurely browse through art galleries, handicraft shops and cafes. In the evening enjoy a cultural experience by watching a Water Puppet Show, a traditional performance created by the Vietnamese wet-rice farmers in Red River Delta in 10th century.

Accommodation: Grand Peridot Hotel - Upgraded Grand Deluxe Room (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 5 hours

Today we depart by road to Lan Ha Bay to experience one of the most scenic icons Vietnam has to offer. Upon arrival, board the cruise and enjoy a delicious lunch. As you sail along, soak in the scenic beauty andthe magical surroundings. The cruise may stop to visit one of the best caves on the bay for kayaking or bamboo boat rowing. Later on, the boat will anchor in a peaceful location for relaxing and overnight stay. Enjoy a cooking demonstration by the chef to learn about the delectable Vietnamese cuisine. Evening allows free time for relaxation, squid fishing or to experience a soothing massage (At extra cost). A scrumptious dinner will be served on board.

Accommodation: Orchid Trendy Cruise (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 2.5 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: Overnight

Wake up to another amazing day and enjoy a relaxing breakfast while you continue to cruise along the bay. Visit the Cat Ba Island or stop at a lagoon for kayaking. As the morning passes by, you will head back to the wharf and disembark. Our guide will meet you there and take you to the Noi Bai Airport. We hope you have enjoyed your time in this vibrant and beautiful country, taking home some wonderful memories. Today you will cross the international borders and fly to Luang Prabang in Laos where you will spend the last 3 nights. Upon arrival in Luang Prabang airport, our guide will meet and greet you. He will take you to the hotel, where you will spend the evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Pullman Luang Prabang (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 4 hours

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: Morning

After breakfast, we visit morning market, followed by the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. Continue our city tour with the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of the Luang Prabang temple, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find lovely collections and handmade textiles by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Accommodation: Pullman Luang Prabang (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 6 hours

Today we will wake up early to a very special dawn to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laos people. Next head back to your hotel for a relaxing breakfast and spend rest of day at leisure or explore the city on your own.

Accommodation: Pullman Luang Prabang (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: N/A

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: 1 hour

We hope you enjoyed the brief stay in Laos and look forward to welcoming back you for a longer visit next time. Our guide will escort you back to the airport where you will leave us with a warm good bye.

Total Transfer Time: 15 min

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: N/A