Impressions of Vietnam and Laos (10 days/ 9 nights)
Transport: car, flight
Hotel: hotel
Region:
City & around
Itinerary:
Vietnam - Hanoi - halong Bay - Hue- Hoi An - HCMC - Luangprbang - Pak ou cave
Price:
1000
Update: 5/25/2013 Hits: 715
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: Ho Chi Minh – 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.
Have breakfast before 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 smith’s
and Fine Arts School and the Central Market before catch a flight
goodbye to this ancient city.
