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16-Day Highlights of Vietnam and Laos

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Overview

This Vietnam and Laos tour is a fantastic option for travellers who want to experience Vietnam and Laos but find themselves a little short on time.

The tour kicks off in Southern Vietnam where you will explore the exciting city of Ho Chi Minh as well as the Mekong Delta. Hoi An will be the next stop where you can explore the ancient and picturesque town that always delights visitors. You'll continue to Hanoi, which is a 1000-year-old city that brims with culture and historical significance. You will then travel down to Halong Bay where you will head out on an overnight cruise.

The last few days of your trip will be spent in Laos where you will explore the charming former capital city Luang Prabang, enjoy the dramatic limestone mountains rise above the luscious paddy fields of Vang Vieng and finish the trip in the relaxing capital city of Vientiane.
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts
Outdoors & Nature
Adventure
Food & Drink
Cruising
Cycling
Wellness

Itinerary

Day 1

Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

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Ho Chi Minh City Arrival

Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport, your tour guide and driver will greet you and escort you to your hotel and help you to check-in. This is the start of your Vietnam and Laos tour! The rest of the day is yours to enjoy, with the option of joining in some activities with your private tour guide if you wish to do so.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    EdenStar Saigon Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Ho Chi Minh City

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 2

Free Day in Ho Chi Minh City

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Free Day in Ho Chi Minh City

After breakfast at the hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to relax after your long journey to Vietnam or you can head out to discover the largest city in Vietnam. In a city that bustles 24 hours a day, there is plenty to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City. You can head to the War Remnants Museum or perhaps the famous pedestrian boulevard of Nguyen Hue where you can grab a spot on a cafe and watch the world go by. In the evening, you may want to catch the AO cultural show.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    EdenStar Saigon Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ho Chi Minh CityOptional Activity

    Nguyen HueOptional Activity

    A O ShowOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 3

Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City Tour

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Cu Chi Tunnels and Ho Chi Minh City Tour

In the morning, you'll head outside of Ho Chi Minh City to visit the incredible Cu Chi Tunnels. The Cu Chi Tunnels are an underground labyrinth of passageways, used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to the city to visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both fine examples of classical French colonial architecture. You'll finish the day by visiting the War Remnants Museum and the bustling Ben Thanh Market.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    EdenStar Saigon Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cu Chi Tunnels

    Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon

    Saigon Central Post Office

    War Remnants Museum

    Ben Thanh Market

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi Tunnels

    Private Driver from Cu Chi Tunnels to Ho Chi Minh City

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

Day 4

The Mekong Delta

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The Mekong Delta

Today is our exploration of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River and stop on the way to visit various craft villages to see how to make rice paper. Then, continue to cruise through the coconut jungle to visit local coconut workshop to learn how coconut candy and coconut souvenirs are made. Get on tuk-tuk or take a bike ride of 3 km and travel along the narrow shady village roads to visit fruit orchards. Finally, enjoy delicious, local lunch at an ancient house.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Ninh Kieu Riverside Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ben Tre Boat Ride

    Ben Tre Cycling

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ho Chi Minh City to Cần Thơ

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Ho Chi Minh

    Ben Tre

    Cần Thơ

Day 5

Cai Rang Floating Market and Travel to Hoi An

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Cai Rang Floating Market and Travel to Hoi An

In the morning, you'll head out on a boat cruise to see the Cai Rang floating market, a true highlight of any Vietnam tour, where you will enjoy the beautiful scenery and see the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong canals. Then, you'll continue to a tropical fruit orchard before having lunch on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City. In Ho Chi Minh City, you'll head to the airport where you'll take a short flight to Da Nang then transfer to Hoi An.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Cai Rang Floating Market

    Ba Cong Fruit Orchard

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City

    Plane from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang

    Private Driver from Da Nang International Airport to Hội An

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cần Thơ

    Hội An

Day 6

Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary

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Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary

Today your Vietnam and Laos tour continues. After breakfast, you'll head out of Hoi An to visit My Son Holy Land. Once the spiritual capital of Champa Kingdom that dominated South East Asia for nearly a thousand years, Champa occupied most of the central parts of Vietnam from the 2nd century to the 16th century. In the afternoon, you'll drive back to Hoi An and visit the former merchants' homes, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, Phuc Kien Pagoda and the colourful riverside market.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    My Son Sanctuary

    Hoi An Ancient Town

    Japanese Covered Bridge

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hội An to My Son Sanctuary

    Private Driver from My Son Sanctuary to Hội An

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hội An

    Quang Nam Province

Day 7

Hoi An to Hanoi and Food Tour

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Hoi An to Hanoi and Food Tour

Enjoy your free time in the morning to explore Hoi An Ancient Town or relax at the beach. After checking out, you'll transfer to Da Nang Airport for your short flight to Hanoi. Upon your arrival, your tour guide and driver will greet you and escort you to the hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to spend how you wish or you can take part in the special Hanoi Street Food Tour and understand more about the life of the Vietnamese people.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lan Vien Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in Hoi AnOptional Activity

    Hanoi Street Food TourOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hội An to Da Nang International Airport

    Plane from Da Nang to Hanoi: AU$ 182 per person

    Private Driver from Noi Bai International Airport to Hanoi

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hội An

    Hanoi

Day 8

Hanoi City Tour

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Hanoi City Tour

After breakfast, you have a full day today to explore Vietnam’s charming capital. Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and his personal residence, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Tran Quoc Pagoda. End the morning with a visit to the Museum of Ethnology. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple nearby Hoan Kiem Lake. Enjoy a one-hour cyclo sight-seeing tour around Hanoi Old Quarter for great fun then watch a traditional water puppet show in the evening.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lan Vien Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

    One Pillar Pagoda

    Tran Quoc Pagoda

    Vietnam Museum of Ethnology

    Temple of Literature

    Ngoc Son Temple

    Old Quarter Exploring By Cyclo

    Water Puppet Show

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

Day 9

Free Day in Hanoi

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Free Day in Hanoi

After breakfast at your hotel, the rest of the day is free for you to explore the vibrant capital of Vietnam on your own or perhaps take another tour for the day. Hanoi's Old Quarter dates back to the Imperial era, it is one of the oldest parts of the city. Today, it is a thriving tourist area for those wishing to witness an architectural timeline of Ha Noi's activity. All day the streets are bustling with people marvelling at French-colonial architecture while locals sip on coffee and Bia Hoi.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Lan Vien Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hanoi Old QuarterOptional Activity

    My Village ShowOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

Day 10

Hanoi to Halong Bay

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Hanoi to Halong Bay

Start the day early ready for your 3.5-hour drive through the Red River Delta, which offers plenty of chances for taking photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. Arrive at Halong City, check in and board your junk for your Halong Bay cruise. Savour a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, enjoy some activities in the bay or just spend some time relaxing.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Signature Cruise 5 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Halong Bay Cruising

    Explore Vung Vieng by Kayak or Bamboo Rowing Boat

    Happy Hour on Cruise

    Relax on Board Signature Cruise

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hanoi to Halong Bay

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Hanoi

    Quảng Ninh Province

Day 11

Halong Bay to Hanoi to Luang Prabang

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Halong Bay to Hanoi to Luang Prabang

Awake early and participate in a Tai Chi class on the top deck or relax and enjoy the sunrise. Enjoy a light breakfast before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as you sail back to the mainland. After an early lunch, return to the pier then drive back to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Upon arrival, your guide will escort you to the hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Villa Santi Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Morning Tai Chi

    Thien Canh Son Cave

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Hạ Long Bay to Noi Bai International Airport

    Plane from Hanoi to Luang Prabang: AU$ 182 per person

    Private Driver from Luang Prabang Airport to Villa Santi Hotel

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Quảng Ninh Province

    Hạ Long

    Luang Prabang

Day 12

Authentic Luang Prabang City Tour

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Authentic Luang Prabang City Tour

An early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms-giving ritual to saffron-clad monks. Then, you'll depart to visit Wat Visoun, the site of impressive Thad Makmo stupa. Continue to visit Wat Aham then visit the most photographed temple, Vat Xiengthong, located at the end of peninsular closed to the confluence of Mekong and Khan River. Continue to former Royal Palace, now the National Museum and visit Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Villa Santi Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Morning Alms Giving

    Wat Visoun

    Wat Aham

    Wat Xiengthong

    Royal Palace Museum

    Wat Mai

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Luang Prabang

Day 13

Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfall

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Pak Ou Caves & Kuang Si Waterfall

This morning you'll transfer to the pier where you'll board a traditional long trail boat, for a relaxing cruise upstream on the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy stunning mountain scenery and witness the simple rural lifestyles. You will reach Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In the afternoon, you'll visit the beautiful Kuang Si waterfalls, where water tumbles over multi-tiered limestone formations into cool and crystal clear pools surrounded by dense forests.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Villa Santi Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mekong River Boat Ride

    Pak Ou Caves

    Ban Xang Khong Village

    Kuang Si Waterfall

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Luang Prabang

    Luang Prabang Province

Day 14

Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

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Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

After breakfast, you'll drive to Vang Vieng. The drive passes through splendid scenery and past many panoramic lookout points on the winding mountaintop road. There are several stops en route to take photos of the scenery. Arrive in Vang Vieng and descend the Nam Song River by longtail boat which leads us through idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique sight with the limestone mountain in the background.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Silver Naga Hotel4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Nam Song River Boat Ride

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Luang Prabang

    Vang Vieng

Day 15

Vang Vieng to Vientiane

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Vang Vieng to Vientiane

After breakfast, you'll visit the Tham Jang Cave where 172 steps take you up to a spot where you can see the spectacular views of the city and the landscape. Then you'll head to Vientiane and upon arrival, you'll visit Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues and Vientiane’s own Victory Monument, which looks like the Arc de Triumph. It was built at the end of the Indochina Wars. You'll then check into your hotel and have the rest of the evening free to relax.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sabaidee At Lao4 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Tham Chang

    Wat Si Saket

    Pha That Luang

    Victory Monument

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Vang Vieng to Vientiane

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Vang Vieng

    Vientiane

Day 16

End of Your Vietnam and Laos Tour!

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End of Your Vietnam and Laos Tour!

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll have some free time until your transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Vientiane to Wattay International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Vientiane

Included in Price

  • 15 nights accommodation
  • 40 activities
  • 15 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinner
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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