Day 1: Hanoi – City Tour (L)
You will kick off this journey with a visit of the millennium city, Hanoi. Thanks to the architecture of its buildings, blending both local and western styles, charming little streets, wide lakes, and large boulevards enhanced by lush vegetation, Hanoi is certainly one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in Vietnam. In the morning, you will visit Ho Chi Minh City Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, and Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) –1st national university in the history of the country.
After a good lunch at a local restaurant, you will go to West Lake (Ho Tay), the largest in Hanoi, where you will visit Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest Buddhist site in the city. Later, you will go to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where you will learn about the diversity of the Vietnamese people. After that, you will enjoy a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and in the Old Quarter, famous for its 36 streets – each one of them being a place where merchants specialize in a particular trade (such as jewelry or silk). You will end the day with the famous water puppet show, a must-do when you are in Hanoi.
Dinner on your own and free time in the evening.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)
After a nice breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Ha Long and arrive at the port of embarkation. You will then board a beautiful junk and enjoy a delicious lunch with seafood dishes while your vessel cruises through magnificent landscapes made of thousands of karst islets floating on emerald waters. This unique landscape is classified as a World Natural Heritage by the UNESCO.
During the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to refresh yourself by swimming in the waters of the bay, explore astonishing caves, or kayak to discover the bay and its hidden treasures. At the end of this unforgettable day, the boat will anchor at a quiet site and you will have lunch onboard.
Overnight on the junk in Ha Long Bay.
Day 3: Ha Long Bay – Ninh Binh (B, L)
Wake up early and enjoy breakfast onboard while observing the sunrise. Then, you will continue cruising and sightseeing in Ha Long Bay before heading back to the port, where our driver is waiting for you.
Hop on the bus – you will be driven through the Red River Delta from Ha Long to Hai Phong, then Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh. While on the way, you will make a few stops: you will visit Tran Temple in Nam Dinh and learn about the most successful dynasty in the history of Vietnam; you will also stop to visit traditional villages specializing in lacquer and wood carving.
In Ninh Binh, check-in at your hotel located in the middle of a rural area. You will have free time to enjoy the peaceful countryside.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Ninh Binh – Mai Chau (B, L)
Today, you will visit Ninh Binh Region, and most notably Hoa Lu and Tam Coc, the site where limestone peaks emerge from the middle of rice fields, and often dubbed as “Ha Long Bay on Land”.
Then, you will reach Trang An Caves complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will board a small sampan and cruise on a river to penetrate 9 caves (including those of Ba Giot, Dia Linh, Toi – “Dark Cave” –, Sang – “Bright Cave –, Ao Trai and Seo) and multiple valleys (including those of Tran Temple, May, Khong and Nau Ruou). Later, you will go to Bai Dinh Pagoda, the largest in Vietnam, with its 500 arhats and an architecture similar to the Imperial City in China. At this end of your visit, you will be driven to Mai Chau, a wonderful natural haven.
Overnight in Mai Chau (homestay or lodge).
Day 5: Mai Chau – Thanh Hoa – Vieng Xay (Laos) (B, L, D)
After a good breakfast, you will leave Mai Chau by way of road and go to Na Meo international border pass (in Thanh Hoa Province). You will cross the border and go to Vieng Xay Region – an important tourist site in Hua Phan Province, at 30 km from Sam Neua and 55 km from the border with Vietnam.
Vieng Xay is an attractive destination for travelers, thanks to its natural setting, with landscapes made of karst cliffs emerging from ponds.
Overnight at a hotel in Vieng Xay.
Day 6: Vieng Xay – Sam Neua – Phonsavan (Xiangkhouang Province) (B, L, D)
Breakfast at the hotel before going to Sam Neua – capital of Hua Phan province. Then, you will continue until Phonsavan. During this 7-hour drive, you will see beautiful mountainous regions and stop by ethnic villages.
Overnight in Phonsavan.
Day 7: Plain of Jars (B, L)
Have breakfast at your hotel. The morning will be dedicated to visit the archeological site No2, where the famous stone jars are found. Those monumental objects bear witness to an ancient civilization which many mysteries have yet to be unsolved. Then, you will continue to Muang Khoun, the former capital, destroyed by American bombings, before going to Wat Phia Wat Temple and That Foun Stupa.
Lunch on site, we will start our way back to Phonsavan and stop at the archeological site No3, where approximately 50 jars are scattered throughout the hill.
After a short visit of the archeological site No1, you will be driven back to your hotel.
Dinner and overnight at Phouphadeng Hotel.
Day 8: Plain of Jars – Vang Vieng (B)
Visit the local market where local people gather to sell what they caught during their hunts, before getting on the vehicle for a 7-hour drive through amazing wild sceneries that will lead to Vang Vieng.
You will reach Vang Vieng at the end of the afternoon – there, you will discover enchanting landscapes, blessed by the Nam Song River and a succession of rocky formations sculpted by the erosion. Check-in at the hotel, before starting a short cruise on Nam Song River.
Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 9: Vang Vieng – Vientiane (B)
Today, you will go to Pathang Village, your starting point for a hike through incredible landscapes, charming villages, and intriguing caverns. During this walk, you will have time to contemplate at the beautiful nature in Vang Vieng and its surroundings.
After a nice picnic lunch, you will drive to Vientiane.
Check-in at the hotel upon arriving in the capital.
Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 10: Vientiane – City Tour (B, L)
After breakfast, you will meet the guide and start the city tour. First, you will visit Wat Si Saket, erected in 1818 by King Anouvong and designed according to the ancient Bangkok style. Then, you will go to Haw Pha Kaew, an old royal temple now acting as a museum, Wat Si Muang, the most revered temple in Laos, and Pha That Luang, the national monument of Laos symbolizing both Buddhism and Lao sovereignty. After that, you will discover the Central Market.
After your visit, you will be driven along the Mekong River until reaching Chao Anouvong Park, where you will enjoy a nice walk. A bronze statue of Chao Anouvong was installed in this park named after him. There, you will visit the night market, where you can shop for local snacks and products while also bargaining for other items such as wood sculptures or mountain clothes.
Overnight at the hotel in Vientiane.
Day 11: Vientiane – Flight to Pakse – Bolaven Plateau – Tad Lo (B, L, D)
You will leave Vientiane early in the morning to take your flight to Pakse. Upon arriving at Pakse Airport, you will be picked up by our driver and transported to Tad Lo (120 km from the airport), located at the northeastern part of Bolaven Plateau.
The Bolaven Plateau is a region where tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations are widespread, among many other vegetable and fruits crops. Before reaching Tad Lo, you will visit several villages inhabited by Alak, Lawe, Katu, and Ya Heune ethnic minorities. You will also visit Ban Kok Phoung and Ban Pong-Tai villages, inhabited by the Ta-Oi and K-Lac minorities, who live in stilt houses. Later, you will visit Pha Xuam eco-tourist site. Upon reaching Tad Lo, you will check in a bungalow located in the forest and on Sexet River border.
Overnight at Tad Lo Lodge (www.tadlolodge.com).
Day 12: Tad Lo – Paksong – Champasak Province (Wat Phu) – Khong Island (B, L, D)
Today, you will go to Champasak Province, famous for being home to Wat Phu (also spelled Vat Phou), a pre-Angkorian site. Before getting to Wat Phu, you will stop in Paksong and visit several sites: the coffee export center, Tad Fan Waterfall and a traditional tea workshop at KM 33.
Later, you will finally arrive to Wat Phu, a structure that was assembled between the 9th and the 13th centuries, before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. You will also explore the Champasak Historical Heritage Museum. After that, you will continue your road until reaching Khong Island.
Overnight at Pon River Guesthouse on Khong Island (standard room – www.ponarenhotel.com).
Day 13: Khong Island – 4,000 Islands – Khong Island (B, L, D)
Have a nice breakfast before going for a cruise on the largest portion of Mekong River, where nearly 4,000 islets emerge during the dry season. This explain why this region is called “Si Phan Don” which means 4,000 Islands.
During this cruise, you will stop at Don Khone Island to visit the remnants of the French Colonial Era (which include a bridge and a railway, built by the French in order to circumvent the waterfalls), Liphi Waterfalls, and the local village. Later, you will return on Khong Island.
Overnight at Pon River Guesthouse on Khong Island (standard room – www.ponarenhotel.com).
Day 14: Khong Island – Khone Phapheng – Pakse – Departure (B, L)
After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Khone Papheng, located at the extreme south of the country and near the border of Cambodia. This place is home to the biggest waterfalls of the Mekong in Laos. You will have time to admire at this magical natural sight. Have lunch during the visit.
In the afternoon, you will be driven back to Pakse.
You will be directly transported to the airport for your departure flight (or you will have the possibility to come back to Vietnam from Paske via Savvanakhet and then Dong Ha, if you want to visit Hue and Hoi An / please note that there are weekly flights linking Pakse to Ho Chi Minh City).
