Overall: This fantastic introductory tour covers the main highlights of north, central and south Vietnam – a historical and once turbulent land. Experience the stunning beauty of Halong Bay on an overnight cruise, soak up local life on the Mekong Delta, ‘the rice bowl of Vietnam’, during a river cruise, and enjoy immersive local experiences while discovering intriguing cultures.
You will be picked up by tour guide from the airport and transferred to your hotel for check in. The room is at your disposal from 14.00 on.
The rest of day is free at your leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Vientiane.
Today, you have plenty of time to explore the hidden charm of Vientiane with various historic sites including Haw Phra Keaw – one of the most impressive and interesting temples in Vientiane, Wat Si Saket – feature beautiful architecture and layout, Pha That Luang – the most important Laotian religious and Patuxai – the most prominent landmark in the city which offers an excellent panoramic view of the city.
In the afternoon, make your way to the famous Buddha Park – home to hundreds of Buddha statues and an enormous Buddha image which is 40m in length. Take your time to explore its unique statues with different size and shapes of human, Godheads and animals.
Transfer back to your hotel. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel in Vientiane.
After breakfast, our driver will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the airport for the short flight to Luang Prabang (no tour guide in Vientiane).
Welcome on arrival by your local guide and drive to your hotel for check in. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
For early risers, alms giving ceremony is a good chance to learn about local culture. We suggest you enjoy the sunrise at the crossroads in town around 05.00AM when you will also see monks in saffron robes from many temples in Luang Prabang walking in long silent processions searching for offerings left to them by the faithful. Then it’s time for sunrise moment on the Mount Phou Si where you also can have a nice panorama of the city.
Visit the morning market, a perfect place to meet the locals, dine on Lao food, and watch the people as they wander. Grab yourself a frosty bevy and a slice of blood sausage and check it out.
Enjoy a short drive to visit Wat Xieng Thong or Temple of the Royal City- one of the most important of Lao monasteries and remains a significant monument to the spirit of religion, royalty and traditional art.
Afterwards, we head to Kuang Si Falls a stunning turquoise waterfall. On the way, you will pass through rice fields and beautiful small villages dotted along country road. Make a stop at some of the villages before relaxing at the waterfall. Take a fresh swim to refresh yourself in many basins.
In the afternoon, we transfer back Luang Prabang and visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre located in a historical building preserved by UNESCO. The exhibition here consists of traditional clothing, religious artifacts and daily working tools of Lao minorities that will help you understand more about their lifestyle and traditions.
Leaving here, one the way back to hotel, we will stop to visit the H’mong Night Market where you can find a lot of souvenirs in traditional style of Laos. This is also a paradise for street food lover, and you can have dinner on your own. Our guide will suggest you a good place to enjoy Laos traditional food or hot pot on a nice restaurant at the river bank. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Today, drive along one of Vietnam’s most beautiful stretches of road, the Hai Van Pass and on to the former imperial capital of Hue.
Our half day tour starts with a trip to the ancient walled Citadel containing the former Imperial Palace. The Citadel was closely modeled along the lines of the Forbidden City in Beijing. After that, we will set out on a tour to see the final resting place of the Emperors by visiting Tu Duc Royal Tomb.
Overnight in Hue.
