Vietnam Laos Roundtrip (#2302)

Day 1: Arrival – Saigon (no meals)

You are warmly welcomed at Tan Son Nhat Airport from flight and be transferred by our car driver to hotel in center Ho Chi Minh City (no guide). In this, the largest of Vietnam’s cities, you will see the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life everywhere, and there is something invigorating about it all. Constrasting images of the exotic and mundane abound. There are the street markets, where bargains are struck and deals are done; the pavement cafes, where stereo speakers fill the surrounding streets with a melodious thumping beat; and the sleek new cafes and pubs, where tourists chat over beer, pretzels, coffee and croissants. A young office worker manoeuvres her Honda Dream through rush-hour traffic, long hair flowing, high heel working the break pedal. The sweating Chinese businessman chats on his cellular phone, cursing his necktie in the tropical heat. Check in hotel
Rest of time at leisure for relax after a long haul flight
Overnight at hotel in Saigon

Day 2: Saigon – Cu Chi tunnels – Saigon (B)

Drive from your hotel to Hoc Mon District to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, which is 70 kilometers North West of down town Ho Chi Minh City. The Cu Chi Tunnel system had been created long time back, from 1948 to assist Viet Minh in the combat with French. And it was continuing built over 25 years later. It was an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, command centers. In places, it was housed up to 10,000 people who virtually lived underground for years…. getting married, giving birth. During the American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated a free fire zone and was heavily bombarded. From 1988, two sections of tunnels have been open for visitors. Be back at your hotel after 4 hours travel & visit.
Continue to visit Thien Hau pagoda, Former Presidential Palace and possibly the Ben Thanh market (if time permits). Back to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel in Saigon

Day 3: Saigon – fly to Danang – Hoian Ancient town (B)

Transfer (no guide) to airport for flight to Danang
Upon arrival at Danang you will be greeted by our guide who will begin by escorting you on a tour of Danang City, including the Cham Museum, Marble Mountain. Continue to delightful township of Hoi An approximately 30 km away. Followed with a tour in Hoi An to the Chinese Assembly Halls, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Tan Ky House. Following the tour there is free time to discover what else Hoi An has to offer. Whether it is in the silk shops having a new wardrobe tailored or cycling to the beach about 6 kilometers away, one thing is certain, you will not get bored in this town.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Day 4: Hoian – My Son Holyland – Hue (B)

After your breakfast in Hoian hotel, the car will drive you to My Son – One of the most stunning sights in the Hoi An area is My Son, Vietnam’s most important Cham site, and as of 2000 a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the centuries when Tra Kieu (the known as Simhapura) served as the political capital of Champa, My Son was the site of the most important Cham intellectual and religious centre, and also may has served as burial place for Cham monarchs. My Son is considered to be Champa’s counterpart to the grand city of South-East Asia’s other Indian-influence civilisation: Angkor (Cambodia), Bagan (Myanmar), Ayuthaya (Thailand) and Borobudur (Java). We continue to depart Hoian to Hue. Along the way we will travel over the Hai Van pass, stopping at the top to take in the stunning views north over Lang Co beach and south over Danang city. Our second stop will be Lang Co beach, for coffee and refreshments then continuing on our way to Hue. Check in hotel. Free day at leisure
Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day 5: Hue – full day visits (B)

Breakfast at hotel.
Enjoy your full day visit ancient city inclusive the Imperial Citadel, King Tu Duc’s tomb (Tu Duc is a king but also a poet, so his mausoleum is a poet garden), King Minh Mang tomb (typical formal oriental style designed) , take a scenic boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu pagoda and Dong Ba market & then transfer to train station for night train to Hanoi
Overnight on train

Day 6: Hanoi full day visits (B)

Upon arrival, our guide will welcome you at train station and then be transferred to hotel for early check in & having breakfast. Hanoi, a city between the rivers, built from lowland, Hanoi has many scenic lakes and sometime is called “city of lakes”. Among its lakes, the most famous are Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake, Halair Lake, Bay Mau Lake, … as the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.. You will visit our legend/history about Hoan Kiem lake (the lake of the Restored Sword), our architectural and our way of with small street and its name (Old quarter if time permits). Attend the performance of Water Puppet show at the suitable time – an unique Vietnamese arts. You will further visit Ho Chi Minh Museum (closed on Monday & Friday), his former residene, One Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature, and Museum of Ethnology (closed on every Monday)
Overnight at hotel

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay – overnight on cruise (B/L/D),

no escort guide from Hanoi, guide on junk/cruise.
08:30: pick up at your hotel, drive to Halong Bay in abt 3,5 hours on shuttle bus

PROGRAM WITH GLORY CRUISE
7.30 – 12.00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta.
12.00 – 13.00: Arrive in Tuan Chau Wharf – Breaking and taking photo at Glory Legend Private Lounge
13.00 – 15.30: Check in and enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and Cruise Manager
Start cruising. Enjoy set menu lunch while cruising to magnificent Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way. You will have opportunity to see the famous such as: Perfume Rock, Fighting Cock, Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock…. before arrives to “Vung Viêng” village.
15.30 – 17.30:Visit “Vung Viêng” village by a rustic – row boat, meet the local people who will help you row the boat for sightseeing. Enjoy quiet space and fresh air, you will feel truly relaxing.
17.30 – 19.30: Back to the boat and free time for relaxing

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
Cooking class on sundeck – How to make spring rolls. Then enjoy spring rolls you make together and Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It is time for chatting and relaxing.
19.30 – 23.00: Deluxe Vietnamese Dinner will be served
Evening activities include: Leisure time for chatting around the bar, watching many sorts of Vietnam cultural films. Relaxing and spending a romantic night on Glory Legend Cruises’ music. Reading magazines in room and dining room. Passengers may also try their luck with squid fishing on the boat.

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)

PROGRAM WITH PELICAN CRUISE
7.30 – 12.00: Pick up from your hotel in Hanoi. Drive to Halong City through the paddy fields in the Red River Delta
Stopover at Hai Duong province for refreshment about 20 – 30 minutes
12.00 – 13.00: Arrive in Tuan Chau Wharf – Breaking and taking photo at Pelican Privateb Lounge
Transfer by tender to the boat
13.00 – 15.30: Check in and enjoy Welcome Drink, receive cruise brief and safety instruction by crew member and Cruise Manager
Start cruising. Enjoy buffet lunch while cruising to magnificent Halong Bay – Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way. You will have opportunity to see the famous such as: Perfume Rock, Fighting Cock, Lonely Rock, Saddle Rock…. before arrives to “Vung Viêng” village.
15.30 – 17.30: Visit “Vung Viêng” village by a rustic – row boat, meet the local people who will help you row the boat for sightseeing. Enjoy quiet space and fresh air, you will feel truly relaxing.
Free optional swimming and kayaking around many small and big islands at emerald Bai Tu Long water.
17.30 – 19.30: Back to the boat and free time for relax

Option: Massage service available. Please book with Cruise Manager directly (please see massage menu)
Cooking class on sundeck – How to make Vietnamese spring rolls. Then enjoy the spring rolls you make together and Happy Hour (buy one drink, get one free). It is time for chatting and relaxing.

19.30 – 23.00: Deluxe Vietnamese Dinner will be served

Day 8: Halong Bay – Hanoi, guide on junk/cruise, no escort guide back Hanoi!

PROGRAM WITH GLORY CRUISE (Brunch)
06.00 – 09.00: Taking part in Tai Chi class on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes)
Coffee, tea and pastries… for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.
Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes for cave visiting. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended.
09.00 – 11.30: Check out and make payment in reception area
Have a set menu brunch while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf. Relax on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as approaching the wharf.
11.30: Transfer by tender to Tuan Chau Wharf. Say goodbye to the crew
12.00 – 16.30: Return from Halong to Hanoi by shuttle bus
Stop over the middle to visit a traditional workshop
16.30: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip.

PROGRAM WITH PELICAN CRUISE (Brunch)
06.00 – 09.00: Taking part in Tai Chi class on the sundeck (duration about 30 minutes)
Coffee, tea and pastries for breakfast are served in the dining room with morning view of bay’s landscape.
Transfer by tender to Sung Sot Cave. Walk up about 100 steps to the cave entrance. It takes approximately 45 minutes for cave visiting. Return to the boat by tender. Proper shoes are highly recommended.
09.00 – 11.30: Check out and make payment in reception area
Have a buffet brunch while cruising back to the Tuan Chau Wharf. Relaxing on the sundeck or in the dining room enjoying the bay scenery as approaching the wharf.
11.30: Transfer by tender to Tuan Chau Wharf. Say goodbye to the crew
12.00 – 16.30: Return from Halong to Hanoi by shuttle bus
Stop over the middle to visit a traditional workshop
16.30: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip.

Return to Hanoi by shuttle bus, arrive in Hanoi about 16.00 pm and drop off at your hotel
Overnight at hotel

Day 9: Hanoi – Vientiane (B)

Free at leisure or shopping till transfer (no guide) to the airport for your departure flight to Vientiane
Meet on arrival and you are welcome to Vientiane, the city of the moon – an ancient city, situated on the bend on the left bank of the Mekong as the largest city and the capital of Laos. Transfer to hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of Vientiane, to visit religious museums of Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple to have been survived from the Siamese war of 1828 and its cloister contains more than 8000 Buddha statues; Wat Ho Prakeo, the former home-temple of the Emerald Buddha statue or Pra Keo, but today it contains a collection of Buddha statues, antiques and all artifacts found in around Vientiane; That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos, which was built to cover the original small stupa containing a piece of the chest bone of Buddha; Patouxay (Arch de Triumph), built quite recently in commemoration of those who died during the wars in the past and it is today as the land-mark of Vientiane.
Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

Breakfast at hotel, if time permits, we will visit the Morning Market, the biggest shopping center in Vientiane. we depart to Wattay airport for departure to Luang Prabang, the ancient first capital of Lane Xang kingdom, the center of religious life in Laos and today the World Heritage City. Arrive in Luang Prabang and transfer to our hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon, we take a sightseeing tour of the sacred city of temples, of which nearly fifty temples still remain in the town and surrounding areas. Visit Wat Visoun, the 16th century temple served as a small museum for religious artifacts; Wat Aham, the early 19th century temple, whose two guardian figures at the foot of the steps which represent two characters from the Ramayana – Hanuman, the Monkey God and a fierce Yaksa; Phousi Hill, the 328 steps leads to the summit of Phousi hill that dominates the sky-line of Luang Prabang overlooking the finest panoramic view in the whole Luang Prabang.
Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)

Following breakfast, we depart hotel to visit Wat Xiengthong, the 16th century temple which, more than any temples in Luang Prabang,epitomizes all the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture. 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.
We arrive back at Luang Prabang in late afternoon, and continue to drive outskirt of town to visit Ban Xangkhong, a well-known village for its wood paper making and also Lao silk weavings with natural dyes.

Day 12: Luang Prabang – Kuangsi Waterfall (B, picnic Lunch)

An morning breakfast, before we take a drive (30 km South) to visit Kuangsi Waterfall, which, though not very high, is spectacular and really beautiful with its green surroundings as the preserved National park. We stop en-route, stop to visit a fresh produced market namely Talad Phosy, and also visit Ban Na Oune, a small village of a hill-tribe group “Hmong”, probably the best-known minority group in Laos. Just before arriving at Kuangsi waterfall, there is another village of Khmu minority group, namely Ban Tha Pane that we will visit. Our picnic lunch is served at the shady park nearby Kuangsi waterfall. There is plenty of time for relaxing and a swim in cool water, before we head back to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. The rest of the day is spent by visiting various craft-shops, including silver smiths’ and also Hmong market in town, where some skilled embroidery-works of Hmong ladies can be seen.
Overnight at hotel

Day 13: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)

After breakfast, we depart hotel to visit the National Museum, the former Royal Palace which houses the collection of valuables including the famous Prabang Buddha statue, gifts received from foreign dignitaries…etc, if time permits, 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.

Prices until 31.12.2024
except Xmas, New Year and Public Holidays.

Price is nett per person in US$, twin shared basis, tax, service charge included in the party of

**Interested in other class of hotels or customizing this tour as per your wish? Please email us for details

Price inclusive

• Breakfast and accommodation sharing a double room.
• All airport transfers
• Air-conditioned ground transportation
• All boat, ferry and train transportation as noted
• Kayak fee Halong Bay (2 people per kayak)
• Admissions to all noted attractions
• Shuttle bus Hanoi – Ha Long- Hanoi
• One picnic lunch while visiting Kuangsi waterfall
• Intra-Vietnam airfares: Saigon – Danangairport tax included), price is subject to change
• Train ticket Hue- Hanoi , A/C Soft sleeper 4 berths sharing cabin
• Intra Laos: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (airport tax included), price is subject to change
• Service of an English speaking local stationed guide
• Inter-country flight Hanoi – Vientiane (airport tax included), price is subject to change
• VAT and other taxes

Price exclusive

• Flight to Vietnam and from Laos (departure tax: USD25)
• Immigration fees to Vietnam and Laos
• Airport departure taxes
• Meals other than noted
• Travel insurance
• Items of a personal nature.

Hotels used for Standard class

Hotels used for Superior class

Hotels used for First class