Vietnam & Laos Explorer Tour – 18 Days

Upon arrival, we will be welcomed by our guide and transferred to the hotel. Tonight we will have dinner at one of the finest restaurants in town.

Today we have a full day to explore the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City including Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office, Formal Presidential Palace, Museum of War Remnants. After lunch, we will head to the center of Chinatown to visit Binh Tay market, Thien Hau Temple, and Ben Thanh market.

This morning we will leave the city for the Mekong Delta which is among the best highlights in Vietnam. Arrive at Cai Be town, which is well known for its floating market. Take our private boat and cruise along the maze of waterways and canals, visiting some cottage industries, and stop at a lovely Bonsai garden for a fabulous lunch. Continue our exploration toward the township of Vinh Long where we transfer to our vehicle to drive to Can Tho.

After breakfast, start our trip with a boat cruise to Cai Rang floating market, the most famous and colorful floating market in the Mekong Delta. to see hundreds of boats loaded with fruits, vegetables, and fish jostle for trade. Visit the lush orchards and are treated to delicious tropical fruits.

In the afternoon, transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Saigon.

After breakfast, head to the legendary Cu Chi tunnels, which played a very important role in Vietnamese winning and is one of the best highlights to look back on the Vietnam war. After that, we continue to go to Tay Ninh for visiting the most attractive temple in the south of Vietnam, the holy sea of the Cao Dai religious sect. The religion is a mixture of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and Christianity, with a bit of Islam.

Today we have a day at leisure to enjoy shopping etc. in Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.

We have a morning flight to Danang which is considered as the most worth living in Vietnam and among the most famous destinations in the world. Our local tour guide will welcome upon arrival, and escort to Hoi An, on the way there, visit the Cham Museum in Danang where fine artifacts of Cham people are displayed. Then explore My Khe beach and a craft village.

After that, we head to Hoi An town that is regarded as one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia and recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site, owning ancient beauty of Vietnam. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.

Take a morning walking tour of the winding streets of the Old Town, visiting Fu Kien Assembly Hall, the 200-year-old Tan Ky house, the Japanese cover bridge, Hoi An Museum, and the handicrafts workshops.

Drive to visit Holy Land of My Son. This is a former Capital of the Ancient Cham civilization that ruled central Vietnam. It is one of four World Heritage sites listed in Vietnam. The balance of the day will be at your leisure to do your endless shopping in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Embark on our North Vietnam journey to Hue, the former Imperial Capital of Vietnam, stop on the spectacular Hai Van Pass as we cross it. Our journey takes about 5 hours. In the afternoon we are free at our leisure.

Spend a full day exploring cultural and historical sites, then we will be transferred to the Citadel for visiting Imperial Purple city, followed by a boat cruise on the Perfume River to visit the picturesque Thien Mu or Heavenly Lady Pagoda. Also worth visiting sites are the tombs of the former Emperors Minh Mang.

In the afternoon, we will take a visit to the famous Dong Ba market. Overnight at our hotel in Hue.

We will transfer to Danang for our flight to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam via Hai Van tunnel and upon arrival in Hanoi to reach our hotel. Our city tour starts with the Museum of Ethnology, the finest museum in Vietnam. After lunch, we continue with the visit to the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s vibrant Old Quarter, and Hoan Kiem Lake. In the evening, enjoy the unique Water Puppet show which is one of the cultural highlights of North Vietnam dating back to the 11^th century.

From Hanoi we depart for Halong Bay which owns the marvelous beauty of nature, making North Vietnam become more attractive ever.

Our journey takes us through the lush green fields of the Red River Delta to the coast and beautiful Halong Bay whose name means “an Ascending Dragon”. We will arrive in time for a delicious, fresh, seafood lunch on our junk which will cruise this secluded bay so we can marvel at some of the 2-3000 limestone peaks that emerge from the emerald water.

Have the opportunity to view a spectacular cave crammed with stalactites and stalagmites, and, weather permitting, to swim in the clear waters surrounding our boat. We can also kayak to explore some of the hidden charms in part of the bay before spending the night on board.

Rising early to the sound of the ocean coming to life for another lovely day. We will have breakfast at sunrise before the further exploration of Halong Bay by junk and to the lagoons by rowboat. We will visit Luon caves, floating villages, sail to explore the bay, and have another fresh seafood lunch on board before approaching Halong wharf. Return to Hanoi the late afternoon. Overnight in hotel in Hanoi.

Saying goodbye to Hanoi we transfer to the airport to take a flight to Laos. Upon arrival in Vientiane – the spiritual heart of Laos, we will be transferred to our hotel. This afternoon there will be a tour of Vientiane. Our tour includes the major temples of Vat Sisaket, Vat Phrakeo, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. We will also see the Arch of Triumph, the National Museum, and the main market which is also the recommended highlights in Laos’ capital.

This morning we transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight to Luang Prabang, which is an ancient town in Northern Laos and is also considered as the heart of Laos culture. Luang Prabang is best known for its beautiful scenery and high numbers of Ancient Temples. This former Royal Capital has a rich variety of architecture, from the old facades of French colonial homes to the glittering temple rooftops.

Embark on a tour of this enthralling town visiting Vat Xieng Thong, the Golden City monastery. Dating back to the 16th century this splendid temple is considered to be the finest in Laos. We will also visit the fine temples of Vat May, Vat Visoun, and Vat That Luang. Later in the day, we adjourn to the Phousi Holy Hill to enjoy the excellent views of the town and a great sunset.

Today we take a trip to the Royal Palace Museum. The palace built-in 1904 is relatively new by Luang Prabang standards and is a mix of traditional Lao and colonial French design. Afterward, we visit the morning market and the weaving village of Ban Phanom.

Today we have free time at leisure before transferring to the airport for the departure flight. The best Vietnam & Laos Tour 18 days comes to the end.