VIETNAM AND LAOS TOUR OF WONDERS

Day 1: Arrival – Hanoi Capital
Day 2: Hanoi Full Day Sightseeing Tour
Day 3: Hanoi City to Halong Bay
Day 4: Halong Bay Cruising Tour – Hanoi 
Day 5: Hanoi Flight to Hue – City tour
Day 6: Hue – Phong Nha Cave Group Tour
Day 7: Hue Citadel to Da Nang – Hoian Sightseeing Tour
Day 8: Hoian Ancient Town to My Son Hollyland
Day 9: Da Nang City – Hanoi Capital to Luang Prabang
Day 10: Luang Prabang City to Pak Ou Cave
Day 11: Luang Prabang City to Khouang Si Waterfall
Day 12: Luang Prabang City – Departure

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL – HA NOI CAPITAL (-/-/-)

On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and transferred to hotel. The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia’s most striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we enjoy a short cyclo ride through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places.

O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY 2 – HA NOI FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOURS (B/-/-)

Today we commence our exploration of Hanoi with the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history.

Later on, we will take a short visit at Hilton Prison where Vietnamese soldiers did captured & detained American pilots from 1967 till 1973 to learn more about the history of Vietnam war against American Imperialists.

In this afternoon, visiting the outlaying Ethnologic Museum is also a major part of our sightseeing. This gleaming mansion is dedicated to Vietnam’s 54 ethnic group s. Afterwards we drive to the Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. They are some major highlights set by the beautiful West Lake. We also visit the old quarters and the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem with its sacred temple. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a fantastic performance.

O/N in Ha Noi.

DAY 3 – HALONG BAY ON FLAMINGO CRUISE (B/L/D)

7:30 – 08:30: Our SHUTTLE BUS with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels (Note: This pick-up is just applicable for those who use our shuttle bus service)

10h30: Stopover in Hai Duong city where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12h30: Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities:

+ Boarding FLAMINGO CRUISEs for departure.

+ Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager.

+ Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village.

+ Exploration of Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island. Then arrive in the area of Surprising Cave.

+ Kayaking & swimming or climbing up to the mountain and getting a complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach

+ Joining our COOKING CLASS on the sun-deck. Learn how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

+ Enjoy a sunset party with fruit and wine.

19:30: Under the magnificent night sky, Our luxury set-menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods.

Evening activities include:

+ Join the SQUID FISHING on a boat with our crew. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef.

+ Or Relax yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar.

Overnight on Flamingo Cruise.

DAY 4 – HA LONG BAY CRUISE TOUR – HA NOI – FLIGHT TO HUE (B/L/-)

06:15: Tai Chi class on the Sun-deck.

07:15: Have breakfast with Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board.

08:00: Visit the SURPRISING CAVE (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-see and a symbol for the geological value of Halong.

09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay’s scenery.

10h15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.

12:00: Disembarkation at Tuan Chau Pier. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.

16:00: Arrive in Hanoi.

O/N in Hanoi.

DAY 5 – HANOI FLIGHT TO HUE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, you will be escorted to Hanoi airport for flight to Hue

On arrival, you are met to transfer to start day trip to explore Hue Imperial City. This morning, you will visit the famous Thien Mu Pagoda upon arrival at the dock to discover Buddhism in Hue. Then you will be transferred to visit the Imperial City (Citadel), the Royal Palace of Nguyen Dynasty. Explore the glory history and stunning architecture inside this complex. Next, you are free to go shopping at Dong Ba Market, you can also discover the interesting local life here while looking for souvenir for friends and family. Have lunch at the restaurant.
Pm: Afternoon is the time for Nguyen Emperors’ Mausoleums. You will have chance to visit two of three most famous tombs. Visit Khai Dinh Mausoleum to admire the spectacular architecture which was influenced by Oriental and Western styles. Then visit Minh Mang Mausoleum and discover its traditional style with a peaceful atmosphere. Back to Hue city and end tour at your hotel.

O/N in Hue.

DAY 6 – PHONG NHA CAVE GROUP TOUR (B/-/-)

At 6:30 am, our guide and driver pick you up at your hotel and leave for Quang Binh Province. Phong Nha cave – UNESCO recognized as a World Natural Heritage. On the way, you will pass DMZ of Quang Trị, The Macnamara Line, 17th Parallel, Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge. On arrival Phong Nha, have lunch at restaurant.
Pm: After lunch, you will take a boat along Son River pass through river and forest to Phong Nha Caves and enjoy the wonderful sights of this cave. You will stop to visit Cung Dinh cave, Tien Cave and Bi Ky Cave with beautiful limestone formations. Then you will return to Hue City. End of tour at your hotel.

Inclusion: Transfer, Entrance Fee, E.S Guide, Lunch, Boat, Mineral water

O/N in Hue.

DAY 7 – HUE PACKAGE TOUR TO DA NANG – HOI AN – SIGHTSEEING TOUR IN HOI AN (B/-/-)

At 8:00am our guide and driver welcome you at hotel in Hue and transfer you to leave Hue city for Hoian. You will be driven along National Highway No1 and see more of beautiful landscapes of rice fields, Cau Hai Lagoon, local villages. You will have chance to see Lang Co beach – one of the most beautiful beach in Asia to enjoy nice view. Next you will see the spectacular view of Hai Van Pass through windy road to the summit. From here the panorama of Lang Co Beach, Da Nang city is under your eyes. It is the ideal spot to take wonderful photos of forest and mountains. Arrive Da Nang, you will discover Da Nang city including Cham Museum where shows the collection of Champa sculptures to learn more of Cham culture and then Marble Mountain which is well known as Five Mountains to visit and discover pagoda, cave and view of Da Nang city from the summit. You arrive in Hoian in the early afternoon around 2pm. Tour end at hotel.

Inclusion: Transport, English Speaking Guide, Entrance Fee, Mineral Water, Service Charge.

O/N in Hoi An.

DAY 8 – HOI AN & MY SON TOUR(B/-/-)

Am: In the morning you will make a visiting to My Son Sanctuary to explore the Ancient Champa Kingdom and its spectacular culture. Here is the chance for you to enjoy Apsara traditional music show. Then you will be back to visit Thanh Ha ceramic village. You have chance to try to make a product under the guidance of workshop owner, receive a little gift called To He before leaving. Take the boat on Thu Bon River back to Hoi An Ancient Town. Have lunch at restaurant.
Pm: This afternoon you will make a walking around old streets to discover the charm of Hoi An Ancient Town including Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Halls, Sa Huynh Museum, old houses and the local market… Hoi An is an ideal for shopping and making tailor with reasonable price. Drop you off at your hotel in Hoi An and end tour.
Inclusion: Transport, English Speaking Guide, Boat, Entrance Fee, Lunch, Mineral Water, Service Charge.

O/N in Hoi An.

DAY 9 – HOIAN – DA NANG – FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG (TRANSIT IN HA NOI) (B/-/-)

This morning, we enjoy our last morning relaxing and shoping in Hoi An. After lunch time, our guide and driver transfer to Da Nang airport for connecting flight to Luang Prabang. Although the flight make us transit through HaNoi, It is really comfortable.

Coming to Luang Prabang in the afternoon, we are met and transferred to hotel for check – in and dinner.

O/N in Luang Prabang  

DAY 10 – LUANG PRABANG PACKAGE TOUR TO PAK OU CAVE (B/-/-)

After breakfast, we depart hotel to the boat landing, and take an excursion (a few hours) by boat, upstream on the Mekong to visit Pak Ou cave in the side of a lime stone cliff and opposite of the mouth of the Mekong and Ou rivers. The sanctuaries at Pak Ou consist of two large caves, both repositories for thousands of Buddha images, which range from mere centimeter to two meters in height.

En route, Lao typical villages are barely visible behind a screen of foliage. Slender canoes bobbing by the shore, bamboo poles and floats mark the location of nets and fish traps. Our first stop will be at Ban Muangkeo, a well-known village for Lao traditional rice whisky, namely Laoh-Khao to be distilled. We are welcome to taste it and also take away. Lunch is at a riverside restaurant.

We arrive back at Luang Prabang in late afternoon, and continue by car to outskirt of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, a well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

DAY 11 – LUANG PRABANG PACKAGE TOUR – KHOUANG SI WATERFALL (B/L/-)

AM: Early Morning Devotions
(~05.30 – 07:00)
Rise early to witness one of the most magical and timeless scenes of Southeast Asia: hundreds of monks processing through the streets of Luang Prabang accepting offerings of food from the local residents and businesses. Rising early also gives the chance to wander through the fresh market on the way back to the hotel for breakfast.

(~08:30 – 11:30)
Return to the UNESCO protected city centre to appreciate its unspoiled Laotian-colonial fusion architecture, taking in notable Buddhist temples: Wat Xiengthong, with its traditional roofs sweeping low to the ground, the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, Wat Sene, the city’s oldest temple, and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Finish at the Royal Palace Museum.

PM: Khouangsi Falls
(~14:00 – 17:30)
After lunch drive to the beautiful waterfalls of Tat Khouangsi. Below the 90m drop of the main cascade are a series of pools, connected by smaller falls and cascades. At low water levels the water is an unbelievable turquoise, and swimming in the lower pools is a great way to cool off in the afternoon.

On the walk through the forest to the falls, you will also pass the Free the Bears project – home to a group of rescued Asiatic Black (Moon) Bears and one Malayan Sun Bear. In the early afternoon they are often searching for food hidden in their enriched environment enclosures. Or they may just be sleeping! The route home gives the opportunity to stop at the villages of some of the (over 100) different Lao ethnic groups at Ban Ou, Ban Ouay and Ban Thapene.

O/N in Luang Prabang.

DAY 12 – LUANG PRABANG  – DEPARTURE (B)

The rest of the day is spent free for own experience in this charming town, till transfer to Luang Prabang airport for departure to next destination.

—End of service!!!—

*Inclusion:

• Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver
• Accommodation in hotels (Twin / Double shared room)
• Meals as indicated: B = breakfast, L = lunch & D = Dinner
• Regional English or French speaking guide
• Entrance fee to indicated sights
• Water puppet show
• Cruising trip in Ha Long Bay, Boat trip : Hue, Phong Nha
• Night train : Ha Noi – Dong Hoi
• Domestic flight : Da Nang – Ha Noi
• Pure bottled water & wipes
• Visa Approval Letter to Vietnam

*Exclusion:

International flights (Ha Noi – Luang Prabang), Other meals, tip, drinks, airport tax, single room, personal expenses, insurance.