Vietnam And Laos Exclusive, 14 days

On arrival at  Ho Chi Minh Airport, you are met by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer. You may have some time free to relax or discover at your own leisure. The bustling city of Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals, was originally a fishing village built up on a vast swampland, but it has developed into Saigon under the French domination. The effervescent development has bought Ho Chi Minh some cosmic changes from a war-torn city to a thriving metropolis. However, the architecture, local culture and lifestyle in Ho Chi Minh are still a reconciliation among French, American and Chinese influences. This fast growing city is now punctuated with elegant international hotels and exclusive restaurants, crowded with motorbikes, cars and vociferous cyclo drivers, and excited by numerous shopping areas, sidewalk cafés and noodle stalls. They have formed a dynamic urban area in very special sense and make for an endless exploration in this  south Vietnamese gem.

The incredible  underground network of Cu Chi  was constructed by Vietnamese fighters during their long struggle for the independence. These extensive tunnels of over 200 km have specially contained living areas, storage facilities, weapon factories, filed hospitals, accommodation, and command centers. We travel by road in the morning to Cu Chi Area where we will see an exposition hall and a widened section of Cu Chi Tunnels to get a feel of the underground life and learn a little more about the guerrilla tactics of the Viet Cong. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range. Upon leaving Cu Chi, we make our way  back to Ho Chi Minh and  enjoy a half day city tour. The beautiful walking square of Nguyen Hue  is  always a live attraction, giving an interesting view from the bygone time to the new fashion of Ho Chi Minh. This pedestrian boulevard is fringed with exquisite colonial structures, nice restaurants and luxury shopping malls.  We have a quick visit to Nguyen Hue Street  before going to see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. They boats some of the most striking colonial building in Ho Chi Minh Center. We drive past the Independence Palace and catch  an outside view of this historical landmark on our way to  the War Remnant Exhibit. This house contains a wealth of images and real objects reflecting the notorious Vietnam- American War and the first Indochina War involving the French colonialists.  We follow it with a walk around  the retail  Ben Thanh Market, where vendors display a vast array of goods and handicrafts appealing to every taste!.

Heading out of the town, we travel by road to My Tho, a gateway to the Mekong Delta. This incredibly fertile region was formed by the mighty Mekong River, which winds its way from Tibet - China through  Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and finally into Vietnam. On arrival in My Tho, we board a private boat to explore the Mekong Delta. This river trip gives some fantastic views from the red water surface to floating fish farms and lush plantation backdrop. Along the way, we anchor on the Unicorn Island and stroll around with our guide to visit this large island, where village lanes are fringed with fishponds, fruit gardens and rice fields. We make some stops at local houses to taste seasonal fruits, listen to traditional music performed by a villager ensemble, and sample honey tea. The interlaced canals are truly a lifeblood of the Mekong Delta; however, many channels can be accessed only by small boats. We enjoy a short sampan trip rowing under the palm grove to venture into this maze of canals before we continue our motor boat to the coconut kingdom of Ben Tre. This luxuriant region offers various activities from bicycle ride to horse cart carriage and motorbike pulling cart. We take one of them to discover the traditional lifestyles, culture, and history of local people and  visit some industry cottages. They may be brick-kiln ceramics, coconut candy and coconut handicrafts,... We round off our excursion and drive back to Ho Chi Minh and take a short flight to Da Nang in central Vietnam. On arrival you are met by our guide and driven along the coastline to Hoi An, a charismatic town outside of Da Nang.

The multiple style architecture, colorful shopping areas, diverse food tastes, beautiful countryside  and pristine beaches make Hoi An one of the most delightful places in Vietnam. This ancient town was originally a Cham seaport but has been influenced by a myriad of traders from various cultures between the fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. We enjoy a morning walking tour to explore Hoi An Ancient Town where Japanese legacy,  Vietnamese tube houses, ornate temples and Chinese shop houses are still standing to present the unique traditional townscape . We follow  the narrow walking streets  dotted with many shop houses to the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge . This structure  was first constructed in 1590s by the Japanese traders  to link them with the Chinese quarters. The ornamentation has remained relatively faithful to the original Japanese design over centuries. We continue onto the Museum of Trade Ceramics, a beautifully restored timber house where displays many relics of the bygone civilization and the origins of this port town. Upon leaving this museum, we head towards the  typical Phung Hung House, a gem with a mixture of Japanese and Chinese architectural elements. This ancient house was built by a Vietnamese family two centuries ago and has been lovingly preserved through seven generations. We follow it with the Chua Ong Pagoda and the  Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. This colorful building is  one of the five well-known halls in Hoi An. You spend the rest of this day at leisure, to relax on Cua Dai Beach, stroll around the vibrant waterfront, make some fine garments at famous tailor shops or go on one of many optional trips.

Upon leaving Hoi An, we hug the coastline towards Da Nang City. Along the way we make stop at the sensational Marble Mountain. The five rocky outcrops are said to represent the five natural elements of the universe; fire, water, earth, wood and metal. The long steep staircase may involve some hardship to see this mountain top. However, you can take an optional cable car ride with small extra fees. We continue our drive to visit the famous Cham Museum, formerly the Ecole Francaise d’Extreme Orient. This beautiful mansion contains many exquisite limestone carvings from the vanquished Kingdom of Champa that has been in central coastal littoral prior to the march of the Vietnamese nation south. We continue our journey to Hue, hugging the coastline before climbing up the challenging Hai Van Pass, an obvious boundary between northern and southern Vietnam. The panoramic view from this pass top is nothing short of spectacular. We arrive in Hue, the last ancient capital of Vietnam feudal capital from 1802 to 1945 under the Nguyen Dynasty. We spend this afternoon to visit the massive Hue Citadel, containing the Imperial City and the Purple Forbidden City. This royal residence was all but partly destroyed during the 1968 Tet Offensive; however, it is still fascinating to walk around and see many pavilions, bridges, libraries, and great halls. They have been restored to explain the legends of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors who have built the fortress and lived within its moated walls for nearly 150 years.

The beautiful riverside pagoda of  Thien Mu is one of the oldest structures for religious work ship in Hue. We include it in a half day cruise on the Perfume River which also gives us a taste of the scenic countryside and an enjoyable visit to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang. This majestic complex of courtyards, pavilions, and temples, was built in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. The river excursion  will be left behind as we travel by road through the rolling hills to the Khai Dinh Mausoleum, a synthesis of Vietnamese and European elements. We walk across the mandarin courtyard where are standing various statues of mandarins, horses, and soldiers. They make for a real scene of the ancient royal court. The most notable place is Thien Dinh Palace housing the bronze statues and the King steles.  We keep going to an open-air Arena  which was once a  place for sacrificial ceremonies and entertainment events. This circular arena has been abandoned; however, the gruesome battles between elephants and tigers in bygone times are still narrated by local villagers. The sightseeing tour continues with the vibrant Dong Ba Market, a paradise of local goods and handicrafts. We walk past  many fantastic eating spots, all ideal places for visitors to sample some local delicacies. Today we take an evening flight to Hanoi, the capital  of Vietnam. On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met by our guide and driven to your hotel.

Today, we spend our time to explore Hanoi, taking a short drive  through diverse streets encompassing a millennium of the city culture and evolution to the Ba Dinh Square. This park setting contains the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov) and the Ho Chi Minh Residence. We queue up for a walk past silent sentries, paying a homage to Ho Chi Minh and  continue  to his residence, a simple stilt house set in a well-tended garden. He has lived and worked in this place until his final days. Nearby this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, of which the origins date back to the foundation of Hanoi City. We follow it with the Temple of Literature, which is now dedicated to the scholars of Confucius but was once the first university of Vietnam. The successful candidate records are still found in various stone steles set over giant stone turtles in the temple ground. We head towards the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology (close on Mon.), where display in both outdoor and indoor sections, various documents, images and objects focusing on 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam. Upon leaving this sight, we drive past various attractions, including Tran Quoc Pagoda, Quan Thanh Temple, West Lake, Long Bien Bridge, and Opera House. There are no stops planned as it is simply a glimpse of the cityscape. We finish a round of city tour  with a fantastic water puppet show and  a pleasant walk from  Hoan Kiem Lake into the bustling old quarter streets.

Heading out of the town, we travel by road towards Ninh Binh, a famous region of diverse topographies. The exploration begins with Hoa Lu, which was once the ancient capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and the early Le Dynasties. However, they have left their legacy  in  the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old. We visit these two remaining structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le Rulers, and  climb up 200 steps to Ma Yen Peak to admire the stunning landscape of  rugged mountains, lush vegetation and local houses at nearby village. Upon leaving this sight, we start our cycling experience as we ride our local bike through some of the most scenic terrains of Vietnam. The main roads are usually in good conditions, but this peaceful rural area also has many wonderful lanes through villages and beautiful scenes, which are perfect for getting lost.  We travel between places along  the  rural lanes and pass through  the beautiful limestone scenery. There are some stops en route to see local people at work and explore the charming cluster of Bich Dong Pagodas. These religious shrines are hidden in mountainside, involving some walks uphill, but the panoramic views from the upper cave are nothing short of spectacular. We continue our trip with a boat ride through the idyllic Tam Coc, exploring the spectacular scenery of rocky mountains and rice fields in the absence of the mass tourists.

The incredible limestone outcroppings form a spectacular seascape of Halong Bay, making it an incomparable natural wonder in Vietnam. Today, we make our way to Bai Chay, a base for our exploration of Halong Bay. This journey takes anything between three and four hours, passing through the beautiful countryside  to the stone formations of Halong Bay. The cruise team will welcome us on board with refreshing drinks and provides some information about the watercraft and the activity program. We check in our private cabin and unpack for a two-day cruise. The exciting excursion begins as our boat  zigzags itself in Halong Bay. Along the way, we feast on a huge lunch (veg. meals also available on request), catching some beautiful views of the bay with a blend of the sky and limestone islets jutting out from the clear and emerald water. These rocky outcrops are usually named by their distinctive shapes and littered with tiny beaches and beautiful caves. You spend this afternoon to simply admire the splendid scenery unfolding beyond your eyes or go for some activities; rowing boat excursion, swimming and kayaking (optional). We can improve our culinary skill while participating in a cooking class in the flavor of the sea. The master chef will show the guests how to make some traditional Vietnamese delicacies. We follow it  with a sumptuous dinner and enjoy some evening entertainment at the dining room. There are also possibilities to try your hand at squid fishing from our boat.

The early light begins washing the night away, unveiling the marvelous beauty of Halong Bay. You can participate in a Taichi exercise on the sundeck and may get a chance to catch some wonderful photos of the sunrise over Halong Bay. The boat trip continues past many imposing  islands, giving us a new exploration of this beautiful bay.  We can spend our time at leisure or step onto a tender to visit Sung Sot, one of the many beautiful caves hidden beneath towering cliffs. The uphill walkway with nearly 100 steps is somewhat arduous; however, the panoramic view from nearby boat pier to rocky islands in the far distance, makes the hardship all worthwhile. We enjoy this splendid landscape before we start the exploration of Sung Sot Cave. This remarkable cave is naturally adorned with countless stalactite and stalagmite formations. They stretch amazingly from floor to ceiling, forming various pillars to support the cave dome. The illuminating spotlights of various colors within the stone formations add more enchantment to this beautiful cave. We come back to our cruise and weave our way through a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars towards Tuan Chau Marina. The wonderful time in Haling Bay is left behind as we drive back to Hanoi and take a shrot flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. On arrival, you are greeted  by our guide and driven to your hotel.

The morning mist clears over Luang Prabang, unveiling an inspiring  townscape of French colonial buildings, intricate Buddhist temples, and cobble brick streets. Today we stroll along the narrow streets and visit the  famous temple of Wat Xieng Thong, a striking temple overlooking  the two rivers of  Mekong and  Nam Khan. The temple structure is decorated in various ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways, featuring an elaborate tree of life mosaic and  intricately carved walls. We follow it with the former Royal Palace, which is a showcase of Lao traditional and French architecture style. This mansion has been changed into the National Museum where display many artifacts and treasures dating from the early king period right through the last sovereign. The following stop is  Wat Mai, a large and nicely decorated temple in Luang Prabang, which is extensively adorned with black and red lacquer decoration and gold leaf. Not doubt the oldest temple in this town is Wat Visoun, but this sacred structure is mainly destroyed by invaders from southern China. However, it is still interesting to have a look at the replica built over the original temple ground.  We visit this site  and embark on a walk uphill along  the zigzag path of 318 steps on Phousi Hill , which is topped by a glittering golden stupa. This rising shrine  dominates Luang Prabang skyline and lends  a panoramic view  from the townscape to the rugged surrounding mountains.

As an early bird, you can see the sunrise ceremony of “Arm Giving”  when many saffron-clad monks walk along the streets to collect offerings from the faithful residents and visitors. This old age tradition remains very unique in Laos, which is the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. We embark a local boat for a river trip to  Pakou Caves, passing by  Ban Xang Hai which is famous for  the rice alcohol  distillation in traditional way. This stopover gives a chance to taste  the potent local whisky and buy some souvenirs. Upon leaving this village, we race against the Mekong River towards the mysterious Pakou Caves. They are  crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought here by devout villagers. We cross the Mekong River to Ban Pakou before we travel by road to Ban Phanom. This small village is home to the Tai Lu hill tribe people who used to make the royal silk textile for the Lao former royal family down centuries. We keep driving  to the Kuang Si Waterfall and visit en route the Hmong hilltribe people at Ban Na Oun. The water sound welcomes visitors to  Kuang Si, the largest waterfall in Luang Prabang, which tumbles from the thick jungle over multi tiered limestone formations into cascaded pools. They are perfect for anyone seeking an enjoyable escape on hot days. We admire this spectacular  waterfall and relaxs in beautiful setting of turquoise pools and  evergreen forest. The adventurers can follow steep tracks to conquer the jungle above the waterfall, catching panoramic views of the natural surroundings.

The memorable experience of Luang Prabang will be rounded off as we board a flight to Vientiane. On arrival at Vientiane Airport, you are greeted by our guide and transferred to your hotel. We start exploring the capital city of Laos, Vientiane. This laidback city stretching long the mighty Mekong River conjures up exotic images with the curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences. The initial history of Vientiane dates back the sixteenth century, but it left its legacy in form of few pagodas which are still standing in place after many struggles for the independence. The recent economic reform of Laos has made this small city undergoing some vast changes with growing ambition. However, the historic old quarter of Vientiane still houses many French colonial villas, boutique hotels, vibrant shop malls, open air restaurants and tree lined boulevards. We visit  Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, which features remarkable frescoes and cloister wall where are laying almost 7,000 Buddha statues in all sizes. They have been made from wood, stone and bronze, and brought here  hundred years ago. Nearby is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. This sacred jade statue is currently displayed at  Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. We keep driving  along the Lane Xang Avenue past  Patouxai, a version of own Arc de Triomphe, on our way to That Luang Stupa, the current national symbol of Laos. This most venerable Buddhist monument with the golden stupa  was  built in Laos style but influenced by Buddhist beliefs.

There are no activities planned on this final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Vientiane City, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Vientiane Airport for  your departure.