VLTM03 - VIETNAM & LAOS AMAZING

Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (–)

Arrive in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most dynamic metropolis. You will be met at the airport by your private guide and driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to rest or explore nearby cafés, shops, or colonial streets.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

 

Day 2: Discover Saigon Highlights (B/L)

Visit top attractions including:

• Binh Tay Market in Chinatown

• War Remnants Museum

• Tan Dinh Church – striking pink neo-Romanesque design

• Old Saigon Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral

• Dong Khoi Street, the historic heart of colonial Saigon

• Continental Hotel and Opera House

All sites are centrally located, allowing for leisurely exploration.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

 

Day 3: Cao Dai Great Temple & Cu Chi Tunnels (B/L)

Morning: Visit Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh – colorful and spiritually unique, blending Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Afternoon: Head to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast underground network used by the Viet Cong during the wars.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City

 

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – My Tho – Can Tho (B/L)

Morning:

• Depart for My Tho and cruise the Tien River

• Visit the My Tho Fish Market and explore the Four Islands

• Ride a cart to Mr. Muoi Hai’s House for honey tea and fresh fruit

• Enjoy a sampan ride through coconut-lined canals

Afternoon: Drive to Can Tho, heart of the Mekong Delta

Overnight: Can Tho

 

Day 5: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City – Fly to Hue (B/L)

Cruise to Cai Rang Floating Market early morning

Visit a local noodle factory (Bun Tau Noodle Factory)

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for flight to Hue, the imperial city

Overnight: Hue

 

Day 6: Royal Hue City Tour (B/L)

Morning: Visit the Tomb of King Minh Mang, set in a serene pine forest

Afternoon:

• Take a dragon boat ride on the Perfume River

• Explore Thien Mu Pagoda

• Visit the Imperial Citadel & Forbidden Purple City

• Discover Dong Ba Market for local specialties

Overnight: Hue

 

Day 7: Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An (B/L)

Stop at Non Nuoc Beach and enjoy ocean views

Visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang

Explore Marble Mountains with their caves and pagodas

Enjoy lunch in Da Nang and arrive in Hoi An by afternoon

Overnight: Hoi An

 

Day 8: Ancient Hoi An Walking Tour & Pottery Village (B/L)

Discover Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site

Highlights: Japanese Covered Bridge, Chinese Assembly Hall, and merchant houses

In the afternoon, take a sampan boat to Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Learn how traditional ceramics are made

Evening at leisure to enjoy the lantern-lit streets.

Overnight: Hoi An

 

Day 9: Hoi An – Da Nang – Fly to Hanoi (B)

Morning free to explore or relax

Transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Hanoi

Begin exploring Hanoi Old Quarter with a local guide

Discover hidden food spots or enjoy a coffee like locals

Overnight: Hanoi

 

Day 10: Hanoi City Highlights (B/L)

Visit Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and One Pillar Pagoda

Explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university

See the infamous Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton)

Discover Vietnam’s ethnic diversity at the Museum of Ethnology

End the day with the charming Water Puppet Show

Overnight: Hanoi

 

Day 11: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise (B/L/D)

Morning:

• Drive ~3.5 hours to Halong Bay, UNESCO World Heritage site

• Board a luxury cruise ship and begin exploring karst landscapes

Afternoon & Evening:

• Kayaking, swimming, cave visits (varies by boat)

• Enjoy sunset on deck, a seafood dinner, and evening activities

Overnight: Halong Bay

 

Day 12: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B/L)

Morning:

• Wake up to the peaceful bay sunrise

• Continue cruising through Halong Bay’s stunning scenery

• Brunch on board before disembarking

Afternoon:

• Return to Hanoi by afternoon

• Free time to shop or relax

Overnight: Hanoi

 

Day 13: Hanoi – Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos (B)

Morning:

• Flight to Luang Prabang, UNESCO heritage city of Laos

• Transfer to hotel and relax

Afternoon:

• Climb Mount Phousi at sunset for panoramic views

• Visit the Night Market and engage with local hill tribes

Overnight: Luang Prabang

 

Day 14: Luang Prabang – Temples & Khouang Si Waterfall (B/L)

Optional Morning: Watch or join the Alms Giving Ceremony

Actitvites:

• Visit Wat Xieng Thong and Wat Visoun

• Explore the Royal Palace Museum

• Excursion to Khouang Si Waterfall, swim in turquoise pools

• Enjoy a picnic lunch in nature

Overnight: Luang Prabang

 

Day 15: Pak Ou Caves & Local Villages (B/L)

Morning Mekong River cruise to Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues

Visit Ban Xanghai (rice wine village) and Ban Xang Khong (paper-making village)

Return to Luang Prabang and enjoy the rest of your day freely

Overnight: Luang Prabang

 

Day 16: Departure from Luang Prabang (B)

Enjoy a leisurely morning.

Your driver will transfer you to the Luang Prabang International Airport for your onward flight via Hanoi or Bangkok.

End of Services.

 

Notes:

• 15 nights accommodation with daily breakfast

• Meals as indicated: (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)

• Private transfers and transportation throughout

• Domestic flights: Ho Chi Minh City – Hue, Da Nang – Hanoi, Hanoi – Luang Prabang

• Overnight cruise in Halong Bay with full board (B/L/D)

• All entrance fees and sightseeing as per itinerary

• Cruise options Halong Bay (Day 11): Choose between private transfer with a guide or shared cruise shuttle.

• Private boat trips: Mekong Delta, Perfume River, Hoai River, Halong Bay, Mekong in Laos

• Join-in activities: Water Puppet Show, traditional village visits, sampan rides

• Professional local English-speaking guides in Vietnam and Laos