Routes: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue – Hoian – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Vientiane – Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang

The Highlights of Vietnam and Laos tour which gives you the opportunity to reveal the natural and cultural heritage of Vietnam and Laos: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Hue- Hoian – Halong Bay – Hanoi – Vientiane – Xieng Khouang – Luang Prabang.

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City Arrival (D)
You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to hotel for check-in. Free at leisure. In the evening, welcome dinner at local restaurant Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Mekong Delta (B, L)
Depart for Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, visit Cai Be Floating market by boat and then move to traditional sampan that allows you to discover the smaller canals and tributaries of this region. In the afternoon, go back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh city tour & Cuchi (B, L)
After breakfast, visit the Opera House, Town Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the famous Ben Thanh Market. After lunch, visit Cu Chi Tunnels. At its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km from Ho Chi Minh City to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitors a unique experience and a feel of what underground life during the US – Vietnam War. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue (B)
After breakfast, free time until transfer to the airport for short flight to Hue. Upon arrival, transfer to the centre for check in at Hotel. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hue.
Day 5: Hue (B, L)
Take a boat trip to Thien Mu Pargoda, then visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba market. Lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the tombs of Emperor Tu Duc and Minh Mang. Overnight in Hue.
Day 6: Hue - Da Nang- Hoi An (B)
After breakfast, depart by car over the most spectacular Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. On the way, you will visit the Marble Mountain, Cham Museum and the Stone Village. Check in at hotel and free at leisure for relax at the beach. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An (B, L)
Take a walking tour to discover Hoi An, visiting the 300-year-old Tan Ky Ancient House, Phuc Kien Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hoi An Market. After lunch at local restaurant, boat ride on Thu Bon River to Cua Dai Beach. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8: Hoi An - Hanoi via Da nang (B)
After breakfast, You take free time until the car transfer to airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you be welcomed at the airport and transferred to the hotel for check-in. Free at leisure. In the evening you will attend the performance of the famous Vietnamese traditional art of water puppetry. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 9: Hanoi full day city tour (B, L)
Take a full day city tour including Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, His house on stilt, One pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc pagoda and the Temple of Literature. After lunch, continue to visit Hoa Lo Prison and Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy two hours cyclo ride through the Old Quarter.
Day 10: Hanoi- Halong Bay (B, L, D)
Drive to Halong bay which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage for its outstanding natural beauty. Stop en route for a rest. Arrive at Halong city, boarding and enjoy a relaxing 24h boat trip through Halong Bay. After seafood lunch, enjoy the cruise among hundreds of islets and take part in many outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, cave visiting. Dinner and overnight aboard.
Day 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B)
Join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck or freshen up with a good swimming before enjoying a nice international breakfast while the boat cruises among thousands of islands and islets back to the pier. Drive back to Hanoi. Free to explore more Hanoi city by yourself. Overnight in Hanoi..
Day 12: Hanoi - Vientiane city tour (B)
After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to hotel. After a short rest, take a half day city tour including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo. En route to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have time to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument. You will then proceed to watch the sunset over the Mekong Riverside in the evening. Overnight in Vientiane
Day 13: Vientiane – Xiengkhouang (B)
After breakfast, take a short afternoon flight to Xiengkhouang. Upon arrival, transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars. In the afternoon there will be time to see the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and its' nearby villages. Overnight in Xiengkhouang
Day 14: Xiengkhouang – Luang Prabang (B, L)
Early morning, visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh. You then head out this small town towards Luang Prabang. After checking into hotel, if time permits, you visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai; you then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, you visit the Night Market and Overnight at Luang Prabang
Day 15: Luang Prabang – Pakou Caves (B, L)
Today, you enjoy a short-guided tour of the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong. You then embark on a boat journey upstream along the Mekong River to visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. En route, you stop at the village of Ban Xanghai. Once back in Luang Prabang city you take a short drive to Ban Phanom village. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 16: Luang Prabang – Khouangsi Waterfalls (B, L)
After breakfast, visit Phosi Market then continue to visit the local village of the Lao ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, Hmong Village, Ban Ou, Laoloum Village, Ban Thapene and Khmu Village. After visiting the villages, drive to the beautiful Khouangsi Waterfalls and Ban Phanom village. Return to Luang Prabang by the late evening to observe the sunset at Wat Phabath. Overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 17: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
After breakfast, visit the National Museum until transfer you to the airport for departure flight.

Validity until 31 December 2012 (US$/Pax)

Accommodation

Inclusions: Hotel accommodation as mentioned; Overnight Cruise in Halong Bay; Meals as mentioned in the itinerary: B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner; All transfer by private air-conditioned vehicle; English speaking guide (other languages on request); Flight ticket: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue, Da Nang – Hanoi, Hanoi – Vientiane, Vientiane – Xieng Khouang; Boat trip; Mineral water and wet towel; All entrance and sightseeing fees; All taxes and service charges.
Exclusions: Visa frees; International airfare and airport taxes; Early check-in and late check-out at all hotels; Other Drinks; Insurance; Personal expenses; Tipping / Gratuities; Surcharge on special days; Any other services not clearly mentioned above.

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