Explore Real Asia - Vietnam - Laos

Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia

Tour code: VNLC16

VIENTIANE – LUANG PRABANG – PAK OU CAVE - HANOI- HALONG BAY - HUE – HOIAN – DANANG- SAIGON - CUCHI – MEKONG DELTA – SIEMREAP DEPARTURE

Overview

Trip length

16 days, 15 nights

Destinations

Vientiane – Luang prabang – Pak ou cave - Hanoi- Halong bay - Hue – Hoian – Danang- Saigon - Cuchi – Mekong delta – Siemreap

Brief itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)

Day 4: Luang Prabang - Hanoi (B)

Day 5: Hanoi city tour (B)

Day 6 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,L)

Day 8: Hanoi - Hue (B)

Day 9: Hue – Hoi An (B)

Day 10: Hoi An (B)

Day 11: Hoi An – DanangQ by air Saigon (B)

Day 12: Saigon – Cu Chi – Saigon (B)

Day 13: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B)

Day 14: Saigon – Siem Reap (B)

Day 15: Siem Reap (B)

Day 16: Siem Reap Departure (B)

Highlight of the trip:

- Explore the architecture and sacred sites in the Laotian capital of Vientiane

- Visit the old temples and impressive stupas and shrines around the former royal capital of Luang Prabang

- Enjoy the colonial French architecture of Hanoi

- Cruise along Halong Bay with its other-worldly karst islands
- Visit the Imperial City in Hue and then take a dragon boat up the Perfume River

- Stroll along the traffic free streets of Hoi An’s old town
- Experience the vitality of Saigon with its unique blend of history, culture and modern conveniences
- See how the Viet Cong lived during the war; take a guided tour through a portion of a tunnel.

- Wander along the Mekong Delta with its floating markets and lush water-side villages

- Marvel at the delicious fresh cuisine and decadent French pastries served by friendly and cheerful wait-staff.

-Become enthralled by the fabled ancient temples around Angkor Wat.

Full itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Vientiane

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel.

An orientation walk of Lao Capital is a pleasant way to spend the day, strolling around some of the city’s most historical sites and seeing some of the French colonial architecture.

We will observe sunset by the Mekong riverside and experience the lifestyle of the local people.

Overnight in Vientiane

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast we will visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we will stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. From there, we will visit the central market known as the ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.

We will spend the afternoon touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (closed Tuesday) formerly named Revolutionary Museum, which exhibits artifacts, photos, and legends of Laos’s history; fighters and leaders from the ancient times to the new revolution period.

We then board our short flight to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City Luang Prabang

On arrival, transfer to hotel. After a short rest, we will stroll around the Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of textiles made by the local and the hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. We then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable view of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the ancient and once royal city and the Mekong River

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave (B)

We enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham, Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture.

We board a cruise boat on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On the way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan before we see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to a royal family patronage near by Sackarine Caves.

We take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang Q by air Hanoi (B)

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession.

Following breakfast, we visit The National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign.

We then visit the silver smith’s and Fine Arts School and the Central Market, which is not to be missed. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Hanoi.

Pick up at the airport by Explore Real Asia’s English speaking guide and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 5: Hanoi city tour (B)

In the morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum & Museum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the French colonial styled Presidential Palace, and the historical Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built in 1070 in honor of Confucius. In the afternoon we will visit the Ethnology Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake (The Restored Sword Lake) and the Ngoc Son Temple, which is on an island in the northern part of the lake, and then enjoy a Cyclo tour along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter includes 36 old streets with each name representative of the type of merchandise sold in it. In the late afternoon we will attend a traditional Water Puppet show. This art originates from rural festivals in Vietnam. The artists – men and women – stand waist deep in the water to manipulate the puppets, making them move about, talk, and laugh and even dance on the surface of the water. The audience is meant to experience the atmosphere of a village festival.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 6 : Hanoi – Halong Bay (B,L,D)

After breakfast, drive to Halong Bay (3 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Whoever comes to Vietnam should not miss the chance to visit Halong Bay, a picturesque blend of harmonious transition between the mountains and the sea. Halong Bay is in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) gulf and stretches over an area of 1,500 km2 with three thousand green islands that look like jewels. We will take a cruise on the bay on a traditional junk enjoying a fresh seafood lunch on the boat while experiencing the majestic beauty of Halong Bay. The junk is a wooden sailboat designed in a traditional Vietnamese style while offering a full range of modern amenities. Visit the fascinating Dau Go Cave called “The Cave of Marvels” and Thien Cung Cave, the “Heavenly Palace cave” surrounded by spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Overnight on junk.

Day 7: Halong Bay – Hanoi (B,L)

Have a breakfast on junk. Continue to visit Halong Bay with “Luon” cave.

Have lunch on board the junk before heading back to Hanoi. Stop on the way to visit Dong Trieu Village (ceramic traditional village).

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi Q by air Hue (B)

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for a short flight to Hue. Upon arrival in Hue, the local guide will meet you at the airport and accompany you to the hotel. After check-in and some time for relaxation we continue with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, an impressive royal complex built in the 17^th century based on the ancient feng shui practice of geomancy. The Imperial City is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the elaborate Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc.

Overnight in Hue.

Day 9: Hue – Hoi An (B)

In the morning we will take a dragon boat trip along the Perfume River. We will stop at the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is located on the southwest bank of the Perfume River and was the centre of Buddhism in Central Vietnam. We will visit Khai Dinh tomb and the colorful Dong Ba market. The tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, who ruled between 1916 and 1925, is the last grand imperial tomb in Vietnam. We then head on to Hoi An with a photo stop on the summit of the breathtaking Hai Van Pass. Hoi An old town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site as an example of a well preserved South East Asian trading port of the 15^th – 19^th century. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An (B)

After breakfast we will take a walking tour to visit Hoi An Ancient Town: the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, silk street, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance, and observe lantern making in Hoi An.

In the late afternoon, we take a boat trip to watch the sunset on Thu Bon River.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 11: Hoi An – DanangQ by air Saigon (B)

After breakfast we transfer to Danang airport and a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). On arrival we transfer to the hotel and then enjoy a city tour to visit Ben Thanh Market, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the beautiful French-style Post Office with its glass canopy and iron structure designed by Gustave Eiffel. Continue to Cholon, the Chinese quarter, and see Binh Tay Market with its big clock tower in the centre. Discover the Thien Hau Pagoda, build by the Cantonese congregation in the 19th century. Overnight in Saigon

Day 12: Saigon – Cu Chi – Saigon (B)

In the morning, continue to visit Reunification Palace and the War Remnant Museum.

In the afternoon, we will visit Cu Chi, a village 70km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. The tunnel network of Cu Chi became legendary during the 1960’s for its role as a resistance base including more than 200km of underground tunnels, sleeping quarters, meeting rooms, hospitals.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13: Saigon – Mekong Delta (B)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Depart from your hotel at 7:30 a.m to visit My Tho. Arriving My Tho after 3 hours, you’ll take a boat trip on Mekong Delta around islands. Stop to visit Vinh Trang pagoda and some local villages, which are famous for coconut candies, bees breeding farm and artisan products. Lunch at local restaurant (paid by yourself). On the way back to Ho Chi Minh City, stop to visit the Dong Tam snake farm.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 14: Saigon – Siem Reap (B)

In the morning we take a flight to Siem Reap.

Pick up at Siem Reap International Airport and transfer your hotel. After a short rest we will visit the floating village of Chong Khneans and take a boat trip to Tonle Sap

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: Siem Reap (B)

We will have an early departure to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, Elephant Terrace and Terrace of the Leper King

Lunch at local restaurant

Visit Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat and view the sunset from Phnom Bakheng

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 16: Siem Reap Departure (B)

After breakfast, visit Les Artisans D’angkor and local market

Free leisure time until time to transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for departure

Tour map

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Tour price

For FIT	All prices are valid to 31 December 2010 Tour price in USD net per person in group of								Surcharge If require
Hotel Categories	2 pax	3-4 pax	5-6 pax	7-8 pax	9-10 pax	11-12 pax	13-14 pax	15-16 pax	Single sup
Standard=3*	1,964	1,745	1,519	1,469	1,399	1,354	1,327	1,304	439
Superior=4*	2,152	1,933	1,709	1,659	1,589	1,543	1,516	1,493	619
*Deluxe=5/4plus*	2,867	2,650	2,424	2,374	2,304	2,261	2,233	2,210	1,281