Allure of Laos and Vietnam – 15 Days – Private Tour

This morning we drive to Khouangsi Waterfall stopping along the way to visit the morning Phousi Market, this where all locals of Luang Prabang come to do their daily shopping.  You will see a variety of local foodstuffs and products including dried buffalo skin, local tea and saltpeter among the chickens, fish, vegetables and fruit, everything needed for daily life in Laos. On arrival at the Khouangsi Waterfall you will have the opportunity to cool off with a refreshing swim in the topaz pools below the falls, walk along the forest trails and visit the Bear Sanctuary. Upon return to Luang Prabang we board our private boat for a pleasant and scenic cruise up on the Mekong River to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. These caves are an ancient pilgrimage site and contain thousands of gold lacquered Buddha images left there over hundreds of years. Returning to Luang Prabang we disembark our boat and have the option of taking a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village famous for its hand weaving or returning to the hotel for free time to relax. Overnight at hotel Accommodation: Villa Oasis hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

This morning we have an early departure following Route 13 to Vang Vieng.  Climbing into the mountains we pass through spectacular scenery and numerous hill tribe villages. We will lunch at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters above sea level surrounded by the endless mountain peaks of this remote region. After lunch we continue on along Route 13 arriving in Vang Vieng mid afternoon. After check in and time to freshen up we board our boat for a relaxing trip on the Nam Song River, exploring the breathtaking mountain landscape and stopping to explore the famous Tham Jang Cave, used in the early 19thcentury in defense against the Chinese invaders. Overnight at hotel in Vang Vieng Accommodation: Annecy Vang Vieng hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

This morning we drive 4 hours to the national capital of Vientiane, a charming city with an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, Soviet and American influences. After check in and time to freshen up we head out on our afternoon city tour. You are seeing the major temples of Vientiane including the oldest, Wat Sisaket, with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the national icon of Laos, That Luang Stupa, stopping along the way to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph, from there you visit COPE Center. The COPE was created in response to the need to provide UXO survivors with the care and support they required, namely by way of orthotic and prosthetic devices. This museum was set after in 1997 to help covering the victim during Indochina war. Heading for the waterfront your evening is free to enjoy a few drinks watching the sunset over the Mekong River, explore the Night Market and take in some of the city’s nightlife. Overnight in Vientiane Accommodation: Aaron hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch 

We have a free time until transfer to airpot for your departure flight. You will take 1 hour flight with Vietnam Airline to Hanoi, Vietnam. Arrival in Hanoi. Our guide in Hanoi and our driver welcome and transfer you from the airport to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi Accommodation: La Storia Ruby hotel Meals: Breakfast 

8:30 Am: Our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and start to Hoa Lu – Trang An - Ninh Binh province 9:45 - 10:15 Am: Visit Hoa Lu - which is the historic capital of Vietnam and the famous ancient temples of Le and the Dinh Dynasties  10:50 - 11:15 Am: Our car will transfer you from Hoa Lu to our Local restaurant for Lunch. 13:30 -13:45 Pm: Bicycling from the restaurant to Trang An Landscape 14:00 - 14:45 Pm: Take the boat trip to visit Trang An to see the amazing beauty of this landscape with many caves such as: Sang Cave (Light cave), Toi Cave (Dack cave), Nau Ruou Cave (Cooking Wine). Enjoy peaceful moments with clear water, fresh air and spectacular views of mountainous areas. Trang An Landscape Complex is a spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks permeated with valleys, many of them partly submerged and surrounded by steep, almost vertical cliffs. This area was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 16:00 – 16: 45 Pm Finish the boat trip back to Trang An Wharf and our driver will transfer you back to Hanoi. 18:30 Pm: Arrive back to Hanoi and drop off at your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi Accommodation: La Storia Ruby hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

At 7.00am, be picked up at hotel and transferred by car to Sapa. Arriving Sapa around lunch time, you’ll check in to your hotel. In the afternoon, our guide in Sapa come hotel and we visit Cat Cat village (light trekking required), where you may wish to try the local apple wine or purchase a hand-woven blanket, and Sapa town. Free and easy in the evening time. Overnight in Sapa Accommodation: Sapa Vista hotel Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, start a 5- hour trek to visit Lao Chai – Ta Van and Giang Ta Chai village, exploring the local ethnic minorities life, admire the spectacular natural scenery with the terraced rice fields. Visit Sapa’s ancient rock formations with engraved images big and small, the unique patterns of the ancients, as well as admire the picturesque bridge to the clouds clear over the Muong Hoa stream. Lunch at restaurant in the middle of village. Return to hotel in Sapa around 14.00pm. 15:00: Our driver come and transfer you back to Hanoi.   Overnight in Hanoi.  Accommodation: La Storia Ruby hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

9:00 – 9:30: You are picked up from your hotel in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and proceed by highway directly to the pier in Hai Phong city for the cruise. 12:00: We arrive at the office in Got pier, Cat Hai Village, Hai Phong city, where you will be welcomed by our crew. 12:30: Embark Cruises. You will be served a welcome drink and provided with a cold towel. This will be followed by a cruise briefing where you will also be given safety instructions before checking in to your cabin. We will set sail and you will have lunch in Mon Cheri’s luxury restaurant while enjoying the beauty of the canals on our way to Halong Bay. 15:30: We arrive at Light and Dark Cave, where you can do kayaking or bamboo boat rowed by local people. Then return to Mon Chéri Cruises, followed by swimming near the ship. 17:30: Return to Cruises, where you can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin and enjoy a complimentary sunset party. 18:30: Then take part in cooking demonstration to learn about our Vietnamese cuisine. You can also enjoy the massage service which is available on-board. (available on request and at extra charge) 19:00: A great dining experience awaits you. 20:45-0:00: After finishing dinner, you can enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck, relax with romantic ballad music, enjoy drinks from the bar try your luck at squid fishing, watch a movie or relax in your room. Overnight on cruise Accommodation: Aclass Legend Cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

6:15: Wake up early to start your perfect day with Tai Chi class or watch the sunrise on the top deck. 7:00: Light breakfast is served. in the restaurant. 8:00 Visit Cat Ba Island.  You are taken by bus to visit Trung Trang Cave, the most beautiful stalagmite and stalactite cave, located in Cat Ba National Park. 10:00: Return the boat and check out the cabin. Then have brunch in restaurant while the boat sails back to pier. We settle the bill at the end of trip. 11:30: Disembark the boat and return to port. 12.15: Get on the car transfer and return to Hanoi airport.   Take a 1- hour flight to Da Nang. Be picked up airport and transferred to Hoi An by private car. Arrive Hoi An and check in. Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site. 17:00 Pm You will be picked up at the hotel by our friendly local guide. Then you move the coffee shop which is near the old town to enjoy a cup of nice Vietnamese coffee. After that, you will walk through the city streets. There are many delicious stops that you can enjoy the most authentic Hoi An local food from our favorite vendors, who have been feeding locals for generations. These are must try Hoi An local food:

• Hoi An White Rose – one of the specialties of Hoi An
• Cao Lau Noodles
• The best Banh my in Vietnam
• Balut eggs (optional)
• Vietnamese Coffee
• Spring rolls
• Bánh khọt / Savoury Coconut Pancake
• Slice pork wrapped with rice paper
• Dessert

Overnight in Hoi An. Accommodation: Hoian Venus hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

08:00 am: Our driver and tour guide pick you up at hotel lobby. Reach Ba Na Hills via Cable Car. 9:30am: Spend your time on the most modern Cable Car in Southeast Asia, then take The Climbing Train to visit the top of the mountain& further explore Le Jardin D’Amour (consists of 9 gardens), Debay Wine Cellar (old wineries) & Ling Ung Pagoda. Continue the 2nd Cable Car to visit the French Village (enjoy Street Music, watch Art’s statue), Campanile, Nine Floor Goddess Shrine, Tombstone Temple, Linh Phong Monastery, Linh Chua Linh Tu Temple & Tru Vu Tea Shop. Watch Carnival Performance Show, Square Du Dome ...Challenge the most popular adventure ride - Slide of Tube Car (free ride). Visit the Golden Bridge. Located in the middle of the mountain, the bridge is designed to be soft, the entire bridge covered with a magnificent yellow. From the distance, the bridge is like a silk strip floating in white clouds. What makes the bridge more special is the huge supporting hand. Lunch at Restaurant (Buffet). Join in Fantasy Park with Walking in Fairy Forest, discover Dinosaur Park, play 5D wild west, enjoy 4D death race ride, watch 3D mega 360 degrees, ride on Journey into the underground, enter Jurassic Park, challenge Freefall Tower and participate in adventure in Horror House and over 90 free games.  15:00: Return to the Cable Car for leaving Ba Na Hills 16:45 – 19:45: Our car brings you to Hue.  Overnight in Hue city. Accommodation: Hue Rosaline hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Hue is located in central Vietnam on the banks of Perfume River. Thanks to the long precious history, Hue has become a special place to visit. Come to Hue, you will enjoy the green place, clean environment, delicious food and travel many famous landscape. Let us help you discover Hue. Pick up at hotel: 8:00 AM In the morning:  Thien Mu pagoda (boat trip about 30-35 minutes) Imperial Citadel Hue Royal Antiques Museum Dong Ba Market In the afternoon: Lunch at local Home: + Enjoy the local food Khai Dinh King’s Tomb Minh Mange King’s Tomb Conical hat village and incense stick village 4h00-5h pm:  Back to your hotel. Overnight in Hue city. Accommodation: Hue Rosaline hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy breakfast at hotel. then wait for our driver transport to Hue airport. You will take flight to Ho Chi Minh city (formly Saigon). Arrive in Ho Chi Minh and check in hotel. 17:45- 18:00pm Our guide in HCMC picks up at your hotel to start the trip. 18.30pm Enjoy the unique art of a water puppet show, a traditional art form closely connected with the long-standing spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. It is performed in a pool of water with the water surface being the stage. The puppeteers stand behind a screen and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanisms hidden beneath the water surface. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides accompanying background music. Singers originating from North Vietnam sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets which are carved out of wood. Although the authentic shows are exclusive in Vietnamese, the tales depict rural life in villages and are easy to understand. The shows typically last for one hour and offer a colorful way to enjoy an ancient tradition. 19.15pm Continue to the harbor by cyclo for a dinner cruise; enjoy the city lights & panoramic views of HCM city. Enjoy scrumptious Vietnamese cuisine on this magical dinner cruise aboard a traditional-style Dragon Boat. End the trip at 21.30pm. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh Accommodation: Prague Saigon hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

08.30am - 09.00am: the first site we visit is War Remnants Museum. This museum is currently one of the most popular and attractive museums in Vietnam. It is famous for the stories of the Vietnam War from the Vietnamese’s aspect. The museum comprises a series of themed rooms which displays a wide range of exhibits such as photographs, machinery as well as weapons reflecting the harsh realities of The Vietnam war. Moreover, there is one building reproducing the “tiger case” in which the South Vietnamese government kept political prisoners. Leaving the museum, we will visit Thien Hau, Taoist Temple, which is a Chinese style temple located in the Chinatown of Ho Chi Minh City. This magnificent temple is called "Chua Ba Thien Hau" in Vietnamese, which is determined to Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea who protects the sailors. She is said to stand on a mat and fly to everywhere on the oceans to save fisherman and sailors. If you visit temple on Lunar New Year, you’ll be able to witness traditional performances such as lion dance and dragon dance. The final destination is China Town, which is “Cho Lon" in Vietnamese. This market was built in the late 18th century and has become a bustling section of HCMC with many restaurants, temples, exotic stores, and markets. The central market in China Town is Binh Tay market which is suitable for wholesale trades. However, remember to bargain for discounts when buying merchandise in the market. Let’s explore the bustle of this indispensable area from the daily business in the city! Afterward, we have a lunch at restaurant. 01.10am - 01.30am: departing from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels.  On the way to Cu Chi, we stop by a lacquer art workshop in which many handicapped people are working. After arriving at Cu Chi, we access to Ben Dinh Tunnels – a part of Cu Chi Tunnels which is modified to suit the tourists. At Ben Dinh, we will watch propaganda films showing how Vietnamese guerilla soldiers took advantage of these unique tunnels to fight against American as well as a short introductory video showing how the tunnels were constructed. Afterward, we’ll be exploring other amazing tunnels in Cu Chi where you can see various mantraps as well as some remaining traces of the past war such as American tanks and plenty of bomb craters made by the 500-pound bombs. Additionally, you can try shooting a real gun if you want to. There are some well-known guns that you can try such as AK-47, AR-15, M16. The price is around 2 dollar per bullet. 06:00pm – 06.30pm, we arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and finish the trip. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh  Accommodation: Prague Saigon hotel Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

07.30am: this morning we will start to visit Mekong Delta (around 3 hrs driving). On our car you can see the green paddy fields stretching towards the horizontal. 10.30am: Arrive in Cai Be, you’ll board a motorized boat that takes you to the floating market and spend time there for an interaction that you’ll see nowhere else in the world. Next, then on foot to reach a coconut candy, a crispy rice cake factory (served free with premium hot tea) and you might buy coconut candy and handcrafted items from coconut trees of Mekong Delta for souvenir. When you feel it's enough for the serenity, let's get back to the large motor boat for something different in An Binh Island. It is well-known fresh fruits whole year. On the way we have a chance to look the sightseeing 2 long sides river and find out the life of rural people in Mekong Delta. The time now should be around 12 noon. Time for lunch. Let's go to the local people's house for that (in the seasonable fruit garden). Afternoon tour is Vinh Long City.  After the rest, we get on small row boats. During this 20 -minute rip, your boat will zigzag through a maze of shadow canals to enjoy the fresh air along the canal and wonderful water coconut tree landscape. After that, we will ride bicycles (if weather and time permits - optional) and roaming through a village about 20 minutes to visit our natural view with quiet and peaceful villages or we can relax on a hammock for a short rest in Mekong Delta. The next stop is Vinh Long City from An Binh Island (35 minutes by boat), we will land on a marketplace and walk around to have a good opportunity for seeing how and what the poor rural people of Vietnam sell in Vinh Long City. You are encouraged to interact with the merchants and see how loving and respectful they are. It takes about ½ hr here to find a lot of interesting things for little amount of money. The stop will be brief, ensuring that we come back to SG before 19 PM. Say goodbye Vietnam. Trip ends.