Discover Vietnam and Laos

After landing at Tan Son Nhat Airport, you’ll meet your driver and local guide who will assist with your luggage and transfer you by private car to your hotel. During the drive, your guide can share useful tips about the city, local customs, and places to visit during your stay. Once you arrive at your hotel, take some time to relax after your journey or explore nearby attractions at your own pace. Ho Chi Minh City offers a mix of cultural sites, local markets, and cafes, making it easy to get a feel for the area even on your first day. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to take a short walk around your neighborhood or enjoy a traditional Vietnamese meal. Your guide can recommend trusted local restaurants and help plan your activities for the following days. This smooth and comfortable airport transfer ensures a stress-free start to your time in Vietnam, allowing you to settle in and prepare for the experiences ahead. Whether you’re here for a short visit or a longer journey, this first day sets the tone for an enjoyable stay in one of Vietnam’s most dynamic cities.

Cho Lon

Street Artist

Ho Chi Minh Financial Tower

Ho Chi Minh Statue

highlights

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon

overnight

Spend the morning visiting the Cu Chi Tunnels, located about two hours from Ho Chi Minh City. This extensive underground network was originally dug by the Viet Minh in the late 1940s during the French-Indochina War and later expanded by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Walking through sections of the tunnels, you can get a sense of how they were used for living, hiding, and moving supplies during the conflict. After the visit, return to Ho Chi Minh City for the afternoon. In the city, explore several of its key landmarks. Begin with the French colonial Saigon Central Post Office, followed by the Notre Dame Cathedral, a well-known symbol of the city. Continue along Dong Khoi Street, a wide avenue featuring shops, hotels, and historical buildings. Later, visit the War Remnants Museum, which presents exhibits of weapons and vehicles used during the Vietnam War. The museum also includes photographs and displays documenting the impact of the war on Vietnamese civilians, including the effects of chemical agents. This day provides a mix of historical insight and cultural landmarks, offering a deeper understanding of both the past and present of Ho Chi Minh City.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Cu Chi Tunnels Viet Cong

Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

Ho Chi Minh Statue

highlights

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon

overnight

This morning, depart from Ho Chi Minh City and travel west to Ben Tre Province in the Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, board a boat to sail along one of the Mekong’s tributaries. Stop at local workshops to learn about regional specialties, including coconut candy production, and visit a brick factory to see how handmade bricks are created. Along the way, ride a motorized rickshaw, known locally as a xe loi, through villages, rice fields, and vegetable gardens to get a sense of rural life in the delta. At midday, enjoy a hearty lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional dishes such as elephant-ear fish and freshwater shrimp. In the afternoon, take a bicycle ride along quiet village roads lined with greenery, then visit a workshop that produces handwoven carpets. Continue with a calm sampan ride through narrow canals, observing daily life along the waterways. After the tour, return by car to Ho Chi Minh City. This day offers a balance of cultural insight, hands-on experiences, and scenic views, providing a clear picture of life in the Mekong Delta and the traditions that shape the region.

Mekong Delta

Mekong Delta

Mekong Fishermen

Mekong River

highlights

GRAND HOTEL du LAC Boutique Saigon

overnight

This morning, transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your short flight to Da Nang, which takes around 1.5 hours. On arrival, meet your local guide and travel to your hotel in Hoi An, a charming town known for its riverside views and traditional architecture. In the late afternoon, enjoy a peaceful sunset cruise on the Thu Bon River. Board a wooden boat and glide along the calm waters of one of the region’s most scenic waterways. Along the way, take in views of local villages, fishing boats, and daily river life. As you approach the Cua Dai Estuary, you will see the green Bay Mau Coconut Forest and the surrounding countryside, offering a closer look at rural Vietnam. Relax on board as the sun sets over the water, painting the sky in warm colours before returning to Hoi An for the evening.

Hoi An Market

Hoi An

Pho

Sunset Cruise

highlights

Allegro Hoi An Little Luxury Hotel & Spa

overnight

In the morning, your day begins with visits to iconic landmarks such as the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of Hoi An, complete with a small temple on one side reflecting traditional Japanese architecture. Then, continue to the Museum of Trade Ceramics, located in a beautifully restored wooden building from 1858. Here, you’ll find a collection of antique ceramic artifacts that highlight the town’s trading heritage. Next, visit the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, a well-preserved example of an ancient Chinese merchant residence with its traditional architectural features. Explore Ong Temple, built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to honor Guan Yu, the legendary general known for his loyalty, bravery, and justice. Finish your morning by strolling through the local market, where colorful stalls and lively activity give you an authentic glimpse into daily life in Hoi An. In the afternoon, take a cycling trip to visit a traditional lantern-making family. Lanterns, introduced by Chinese and Japanese merchants in the late 14th century, have become a key symbol of Hoi An and the craft has been passed down for over 400 years. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, you’ll learn the process of making these lanterns—from shaping bamboo splints into frames to cutting fabric and assembling your lantern. Every step of the process is hands-on, and you’ll leave with your own handmade lantern as a memorable keepsake.

Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge

Local ceramics

Paper Lanterns

highlights

Allegro Hoi An Little Luxury Hotel & Spa

overnight

In the morning, take a short flight from Da Nang to Hanoi, which takes about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel in the city centre for check-in. In the afternoon, discover Hanoi’s Old Quarter on a 45-minute cyclo ride. This traditional rickshaw experience offers a glimpse into daily life and the charm of the city’s narrow streets. Each lane in the Old Quarter is known for a specific trade, from silk and silver to paper goods and traditional medicine. Along the way, admire the mix of old Vietnamese houses, ancient temples, and French colonial buildings that define the character of Hanoi. End your ride at one of the city’s popular cafes along Train Street, where you can enjoy a coffee as trains pass just a few feet away. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your own pace and discovering more of Hanoi’s timeless atmosphere.

Hanoi

Hanoi

Train Street

Hanoi Night Market

highlights

Soleil Boutique Hotel

overnight

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, known locally as Van Mieu. This temple, dedicated to Confucius, was also the site of Vietnam’s first university. The grounds offer a calm atmosphere amid the city, with carefully arranged gardens, water lily ponds, traditional pavilions, and intricately designed gates. Stroll through the courtyards and enjoy the sense of history and culture present in every corner. Afterward, head to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Established in 1997 during the Francophonie Summit, the museum functions as both a research center and a public space for learning. It presents the lifestyles, traditions, and artifacts of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, giving a clear view of Vietnam’s cultural diversity. Exhibits include traditional clothing, household items, and models of regional architecture, offering insight into daily life across the nation. Together, the Temple of Literature and the museum provide a well-rounded experience of Hanoi, showing both its historical and cultural dimensions. This afternoon allows time to appreciate the city’s heritage while seeing how past and present coexist in everyday life.

Temple of Literature

Museum of Ethnology

Egg Coffee

Food Market

highlights

Soleil Boutique Hotel

overnight

Today, travel about two and a half hours from Hanoi to Halong Bay, one of Vietnam’s most remarkable natural landscapes. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, the bay is home to more than 1,900 limestone islands and islets, most of which remain untouched. These formations rise from calm, green waters, creating a striking and memorable scene. On arrival, board your cruise and begin your journey through some of the most scenic parts of the bay. During the trip, enjoy freshly prepared meals featuring local seafood while taking in the surrounding views. The cruise also offers a range of activities to enjoy, from relaxing on deck to optional excursions depending on the weather and route. As night falls, the peaceful atmosphere of Halong Bay creates a quiet and memorable setting to end the day.

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long

Ha Long Bay

Ha Long Bay

highlights

Mon Chéri Cruises

overnight

Wake early to enjoy the sunrise over the calm waters of Halong Bay. As the day begins, the cruise continues through the bay, allowing more time to take in the scenery before returning to the dock late in the morning. After disembarking, travel back to Hanoi for an overnight stay in the city, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You may choose to relax at the hotel after your journey or take a short walk to see the town in the evening.

Ha Long Bay

Hanoi

Water Puppeteers

Food Market

highlights

Soleil Boutique Hotel

overnight

In the morning, you will leave the Old Quarter and visit a local market where your chef will be waiting. Together, you will walk through the market stalls, seeing a wide range of fresh ingredients and seasonal produce used in Vietnamese cooking. From there, head to a riverside house to enjoy a warm cup of tea before beginning your cooking session. With guidance from your hosts, you will learn the techniques for preparing several traditional Vietnamese dishes while gaining insights into local food culture. Once your dishes are ready, sit down to enjoy the meal you have prepared and spend some time talking with your hosts before saying goodbye. The afternoon is free for you to explore Hanoi at your own pace. You can stroll through the streets, visit local shops, or pick up souvenirs to remember your visit. Hanoi offers a mix of historical sites, markets, and cafés that make it easy to enjoy the city even in a short time. This combination of a hands-on cooking experience and free time in the city provides a balanced way to experience local life, food, and culture during your stay.

Cooking Class

Market Stall

Vietnamese Food

Vietnamese Food Stall

highlights

Soleil Boutique Hotel

overnight

After checking out of your hotel, meet your driver and guide in the lobby for your transfer to Noi Bai Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, a local guide and driver will greet you and take you to your hotel for check-in. Once settled, enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace. You may choose to stroll through the peaceful streets of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage town known for its serene atmosphere and cultural charm. Alternatively, relax at a riverside café or bar and take in the scenic views of the Mekong River. This free time offers a gentle introduction to Luang Prabang, giving you the chance to unwind after your flight and start discovering the town’s unique blend of Laotian and colonial French influences.

Luang Prabang Waterfalls

Luang Prabang View

Street Food

Laos Cuisine

highlights

Satri House

overnight

Begin your day in Luang Prabang with a climb up 328 steps to Mount Phousi for panoramic views of the Mekong River, the town, and its sacred stupa. Continue to Wat Mai, an 18th-century temple whose name means “New Monastery.” As one of the largest temples in Luang Prabang, it is known for its detailed carvings and serene atmosphere. Next, visit the National Museum, formerly the Royal Palace, which displays artifacts, royal memorabilia, and exhibits that reflect the cultural heritage of Laos. After lunch, take a scenic boat ride upstream along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Caves. During the cruise, enjoy views of the countryside and stop at a local village to see traditional crafts and rice whiskey production. At Pak Ou, explore the two caves, Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, where hundreds of Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes have been placed by pilgrims over centuries. On the return journey, stop at Ban Xang Khong, a village known for silk weaving and Saa paper making. End the day at the Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can browse handmade crafts, textiles, and local food.

Luang Prabang River

Pak Ou Cave

Pak Ou Cave

Luang Prabang Town

highlights

Satri House

overnight

Wake up early to take part in Tak Bat, the traditional morning alms-giving ceremony in Luang Prabang. As the sun rises, lines of saffron-robed monks walk silently through the streets to collect food offerings from locals. This peaceful ritual reflects the deep spiritual traditions of Laos. Afterward, return to your hotel for breakfast or enjoy a local bowl of noodle soup near the market. Next, visit the Morning Market, where locals trade fresh produce, handmade crafts, tea, and other regional goods. Continue to Wat Xiengthong, the “Temple of the Golden City,” known for its elegant architecture and sweeping rooflines. Then visit the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center to learn about the 20 ethnic groups living in northern Laos, followed by Wat Visoun, the city’s oldest temple. In its courtyard stands That Pathum, also called the “Watermelon Stupa” for its rounded design. In the afternoon, travel 29 km south to Kuang Si Waterfall. Stop at Ban Na Oune, a small Hmong village, before reaching the falls. Visit the nearby Bear Rescue Center, then walk through the forest to the turquoise pools and enjoy the serene natural surroundings.

Morning Market

Kuang Si Waterfall

Luang Prabang Temple

Luang Prabang Temple

highlights

Satri House

overnight

Spend your final morning in Luang Prabang relaxing at your hotel or taking a gentle stroll through the town to enjoy its peaceful charm one last time. You may choose to visit a nearby café, browse local shops for souvenirs, or simply enjoy the slow pace of life by the Mekong River. When ready, your driver will transfer you to Luang Prabang Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your time in Laos, filled with cultural experiences, scenic views, and warm local hospitality.

Flight Home

Airport

Happy Travels!

Vietnamese Agriculture

highlights

Satri House

overnight