Impression of Laos and Vietnam

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel; the rest of the day will be at your leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 2 - Mekong Delta (B/L)
After breakfast we travel out of Ho Chi Minh city to Vinh Long province and spend full day floating through waterways on an exploration of the lush Mekong Delta region. We will boat through the lush green vegetations of the canals, visiting the Cai Be floating market. We then leave the boat to visit an orchard and enjoy a delicious lunch complete with a local delicacy  the Elephant's Eye Fish. Afterwards, visit bonsai garden, boat building workshop, coconut candy and girdle cake shops. Drive back Ho Chi Minh city in late afternoon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city

Day 3 - Saigon - Hoi An
In the morning, enjoy the city tour to explore the major points of interest in Saigon. We come to see the Reunification Palace, was once the symbol of the South Vietnamese government. We continue to China Town and Ben Thanh market before transfer to the airport to take a short flight to Danang. Upon arrival, transfer to the ancient town of Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An

Day 4 - Hoi An-Hue (B)
The morning we enjoy a walking tour through the narrow streets lined with century houses, visiting many sites of interest in town. We then travel by road for three hours to Hue, the last Imperial City of Vietnam. In the afternoon we begin to see the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City, created in the 19th century for the Emperors under Nguyen Dynasty. End the day with a visit to Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue

Day 5 - Hue - Hanoi (B)
Today we take a boat trip along the romantic Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the well-known religious site in Hue. Afterwards, travel outskirts of Hue to visit royal tomb of King Tu Duc before heading to airport to take flight to Hanoi, the charming capital of today Vietnam. Upon arrival, we explore the fascinating Old Quarter on a cyclo tour, passing its lively narrow streets. In the evening, enjoy the unique art of Water Puppetry. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 6 - Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L)
We spend full day visiting Halong Bay, one of the natural wonders of the world. Enjoy 3-hour scenic drive from Hanoi crossing paddy-fields and villages in the Red River Delta. On arrival Halong Bay, we take a 4-hour fantastic cruise on a traditional junk; discover the most stunning caves and grottos of the Bay. After fresh seafood lunch on boat, cruise back to Halong city for a return drive to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7 - Hanoi-Vientiane (B)
Transfer to the airport to take flight to Vientaine, the capital of Laos. Despite new development, Vientiane retains an old world feel, quite unlike other Asian cities. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we set an orientation short walking tour around the capital. Overnight in Vientiane

Day 8 - Vientiane - Luang Prabang (B)
The morning tour the city's main sights including Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in town dating back to 1828. We will also visit Haw Pha Kaew, the former Royal temple of Laos Monarchy, now converted into a museum and Pha That Luang, the most important national monument in Laos and the Patuxai Monument, reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. From there, we explore the Central Market. After lunch, we visit the National Museum before take a short flight to the ancient capital of Luang Prabang. On arrival, we climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a superb view over the town and river. From there, we walk through the streets of Luang Prabang to visit lively street night market. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 9 - Luang Prabang Pak Ou Cave (B)
Today we visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. Continue to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. We then take a boat ride upstream on the Mekong River to Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On return, we overland local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan, continue seeing the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belongs to royal family patronage and near by Sackarine Caves. We cross to city and take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang

Day 10 - Luang Prabang Departure (B)
Early this morning you may want to wake up early and participate in the daily early morning ritual of saffron-clad monks with their black Alms-giving bowls being given offerings from the local people, including the ubiquitous sticky rice. This is the highlight of tour prior goodbye to this charming city. Breakfast, we then visit The National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign. We continue visit the silver smiths and Fine Arts School and the Central Market are not to be missed. We visit these sights before we catch a flight goodbye to this ancient city.