Essential Laos & Vietnam

Welcome to magical Laos! Upon arrival at Vientiane Airport, you will be welcomed by a local tour guide and get transferred to your booked hotel in Vientiane – the country's tranquil capital city. After settling in, enjoy the remainder of the day free at leisure to explore the city or visit the bustling Mekong riverside area yourselves.

Vientiane has many great restaurants with Lao, Thai, French, Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisines available, ask the guide for personal recommendations to enjoy your dinner.

The day starts off with a visit to a local market where you can taste many specialties like Laos coffee and various local pastries. You are bound to be impressed by the wide array of colors and scents present here. Your guide will introduce you to the different uses of local ingredients. Then take a cooking class to learn how to make some delicious Lao dishes for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will explore Vientiane – the charming and fascinating capital of Laos, one of the classic Indochinese cities which conjure up exotic images, with its intriguing mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, American and Soviet influences. Our visit will take you to the key sites: Wat Sisaket the city ‘s oldest surviving temple with thousands of silver and porcelain images in the gloriously authentic temple compound that offers you a glimpse into the Vientiane of the past, the next stop is Haw Phra Kaeo. This large temple is beautiful both interior and exterior, it was built to house the famed Emerald Buddha in courtyards filled with frangipani trees. Next is the visit Pha That Luang, the giant golden stupa is a sight to see as the bright gold holds a sharp contrast to the pure blue sky. Then you will go to climb the Arc De Triomphe of Laos, Patuxai. The massive arch has a beautiful mosaic tiled ceiling and once at the top you can see for miles around Vientiane. 

Enjoy a leisurely morning before departing Vientiane for Luang Prabang by Laos's newest and the most modern express train. The approximate train duration is about 2-2.5 hours. On arrival, your tour guide will provide an introduction to Luang Prabang. Wander around the beautiful ancient town of Luang Prabang taking in all of the sights. Enjoy a leisurely walk to the magnificent stupa of Wat Wisunarat, one of Luang Prabang's most historically important temples, built in the 16th century and serving as a small museum for religious artefacts. Next stop is Wat That Luang, traditionally the cremation site for Lao Royalty and housing the ashes of King Sisavang Vong and his brother, interred inside the large stupa, erected in 1910. Continue to Wat Xieng Thong, a 16th century temple which epitomizes the elegance and grace of Luang Prabang architecture and showcases classic Lao style roofs. This temple was one of only two temples spared by the Black Flag army in 1887, and it was then used as the leader’s headquarters during the invasion. Pay visits to Wat Mai and the nearby former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, before climbing to the top of Mount Phousi at the sunset. The 100 meter (328 feet) hill is crowned by a gilded stupa, That Chomsi, which dominates the old city centre. Enjoy the views of the town across the Mekong and Khan rivers, as well as the surrounding mountains. Luang Prabang has many great cafes and restaurants and also night food stalls which emerge at dusk, ask your guide for some good suggestions.

After breakfast, spend the morning exploring the area around one of Luang Prabang's most impressive and picturesque waterfalls, Kuang Si.

Trek through jungle parklands to Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre, located nearby. Established in 2003, the centre has rescued numerous bears from wildlife traffickers and traditional medicine traders. Here, you will help-out with the bears' midday scatter feed. Afterwards, stroll to Kuang Si Waterfall, where a 60m cascade feeds into multi-tiered turquoise pools set in a beautiful lush forest setting. Enjoy a refreshing dip in the cool water or choose to walk up the trails to the upper section.

After a picnic lunch in the tranquil park, return to the town to relax or explore more of the local area independently.

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting the alms. As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents. It is a beautiful, serene ceremony that highlights the spiritualism of the Laotian people.

After breakfast, with your guide, embark on a two hour Mekong River cruise to visit the mysterious and sacred Pak Ou Caves. Locally called Tam Ting, the caves are filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of all different sizes. During the cruise out, see the fishermen and local villages along the way. For many in the region, the Mekong plays a crucial role in daily life, representing one of the only means of transport and commerce.

Return to the town for lunch. Enjoy some free time before transferring to Luang Prabang International Airport for the flight to Hanoi.

Be met by Vietnamese local guide on arrival and the private car will take you to Hanoi centre for checking-in to the hotel. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

This morning, your tour guide will take you to the cooking class. Discover a local market and learn about ingredients, flavors and see how the local prepare for meals. Next is a short talk on the art of Hanoian gastronomy, vegetables, herbs & spices then learn how to prepare & use them. The Chef will share to you her pride of Vietnamese cuisines and the secrets how to make it good. Enjoy the local food in Hanoi style.

In the afternoon you will explore Vietnam’s charming capital. With its wide tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and ancient oriental pagodas, Hanoi is an eclectic mix that offers something for everyone. Your city tour will take you to Hanoi’s key sites: the Temple of Literature; Hoa Loa Prison (formerly known as the “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War); West Lake including the sedate Tran Quoc Pagoda & Quan Thanh Temple.

Following breakfast, you will be picked up by your private driver then journey east through the rich farmland of the Red River Delta to Halong, truly one of Vietnam's most scenic impressive sights.

On arrival, you are welcomed onboard an elegant cruise. Settle into a private comfortable cabin and unpack for a two-day cruise around Halong Bay – Lan Ha Bay. Along the way, enjoy a huge lunch served on board and admire the picturesque scenery of islands. These limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. You will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs.

The remainder of day is for your own pleasure; observing the bay, lazing around the deck or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of the bay as you navigate back to Halong City. Your driver will meet you at the dock and take you to Noi Bai Airport of Hanoi for your in-country flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, another driver will meet you and take you to your hotel in Hoi An, a sleepy riverside ancient town.

This morning take part in a cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School. Meet at the Hai Scout Cafe in Hoi An’s Old Town. From there we will head to Hoi An’s colorful market. Explore the market and interact with local vendors to purchase some fresh ingredients for today’s cooking class. Next, board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely 25min cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Discover the school's herb and vegetable garden. Learn to cook and help prepare five traditional dishes to enjoy for lunch. You will also be entertained and taught some special techniques at the fruit and vegetable carving demonstration.

Enjoy an afternoon walking tour through the narrow, winding streets of the ancient quarter, visiting Ong Pagoda (Chua Ong), the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky ancestral house and the famous Japanese Bridge.

Enjoy your free morning until get transfer to airport for flight to Vietnam’s modern metropolis: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Upon arrival, your guide and driver will pick you to hotel in center. Check in hotel and explore nearby area by your own.

Late afternoon, join in street food tour and explore Saigon by night on Vespa scooters. The riders meet you at hotel and first stop is at a local coffee shop to “watch the world goes by” (quoted by The Lonely Planet) and enjoy cocktail and appetizer (inclusive) before adventuring into favorite local eating spot.

You experience the nightlife of Saigon the way locals do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa. The tour will start with a ride to part China Town and then heading to District 4 through busy streets and alleys to see the night life of locals and enjoy street sea- food and cold drinks, places that foreigner won't be found. Leaving District 4 to District 3, the tour pass through downtown of District 1 to take in the sights on the way to Banh Xeo, the specialty of Saigon, and southern food with the locals. Then the tour will continue to a hidden Vietnamese-style coffee shop to have a taste of Vietnamese music (live) as a local.

Afterwards, the tour will bring you to a lively bar to enjoy the drinks with live music.

Spend a day away from the busy city of Ho Chi Minh City and drive to Ben Tre Province. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient southern architectural gem in Tien Giang en route. On arrival at Hung Vuong Pier, board on a private boat for a glimpse of the delta scenery while enjoying coconut juice. Experience the unique lifestyle of the Mekong Delta as you visit fruit orchards, coconut groves, brick workshops, and home-made products such as coconut candies, rice cakes, handicrafts, etc.

After a short walk to visit a local family to learn how they make sedge mat and enjoy tea, tropical fruits, take ‘Xe Loi’, a kind of motorized rickshaw or you can hop onto your bicycle and peddle through picturesque villages (about 20 minutes). Stop at a riverside restaurant for a delicious and filling lunch.

Then board a sampan for a relaxing trip along narrow canals. Come back to Ben Tre, where your car will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Today you can do some last-minute exploring or shopping until it is time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight.