13 Days Vietnam Laos and Myanmar Classic Tour

Meals: B / L

Today, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, see the highlights of Saigon and learn the history of these iconic landmarks.

You’ll explore some of the most important sights in Ho Chi Minh. Start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, discover its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia. Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main attractions in the city. Visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam’s President during the war. Then stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market. Finish the afternoon with a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Saigon's finest.

Overnight in Saigon

Flight: Internal flight will be on GTT arrangement and include in Quotation

Meals: B / L

Discover the Mekong River, essential to Vietnamese life.

This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam". First visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools and tombs and ornate gates which provide entry. Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.

After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small). Return to Saigon for your flight this evening to Danang. Upon arrive, escort to Hoi An for hotel check in.

Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: B / L

In the morning, travel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lie the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden for living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Enter the temples to hear all about the history and stories of the Cham people and this holy site.

In the afternoon, continue on to the Ancient Capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th century port town in its preserved state. Visit the Museum of Trade Ceramics which houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500’s to the 1,700’s. Continue on a brief visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century featuring China's influence in the region. Enter the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more take a walk through the Old Tam Ky House to see it's imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge which for centuries connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years.

At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as colorful lanterns light up the town. Then return to your hotel for an evening of relaxation.

Overnight in Hoi An

Flight: Internal flight will be on GTT arrangement and include in Quotation

Meals: B / D

Today, take a morning flight to Hanoi, upon arrival, to Visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400 year old temple features ten tiers enclosed by gardens, including a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake where you’ll see the Tortoise Tower perched on the water. Enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through Hanoi’s the Old Quarter. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist leads you while you sit in a canopied seat affixed to the front. Next, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the midst of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in his vision.

You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this day - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where Vietnam’s best and brightest studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings.

In the evening, dinner with a Water Puppet Show performed by the world renowned Thang Long Opera House. This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You'll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, travel to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient (3 hr. drive). Your cruise across Halong Bay starts around noon on Tuan Chau Island at the doorstep of Vietnam's most fascinating wonder. As the boat sets sails, you will be greeted by the Paradise Crew and Cruise Manager who will aim throughout your stay at providing you with the highest standards of service for pure pleasure and utmost comfort onboard.

During the afternoon, discover some of the treasures spread across the Bay of the Descending Dragon: fascinating caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, fantastic rock formations rising up out of emerald water. While onboard, you can take advantage at leisure of the Spa, Beauty & Massage services; surrounded by a stunning setting in motion, you can attend the chef's cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking.

One of the highlights of your stay on board is the innovative and varied cuisine offered at Lunch and Dinner in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages from around the world.

Overnight in Halong Bay

Flight: Internal flight will be on GTT arrangement and include in Quotation

Meals: B

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. Breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, followed by a visit the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around noon and transfer back to Hanoi airport for your onward flight to Luang Prabang, upon arrive, you will escort to your hotel for checking in. Rest is your own leisure.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: B / L

After breakfast, you will escort to visit the Royal Palace Museum (closed on Tuesday), which hosts a range of interesting artifacts. See the city’s oldest temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground and representing classical Laotian architecture. Visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham.

In the afternoon, Visit the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures before heading out of town to see the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Later this afternoon return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai. Finally climb to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa and a sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. Finally visit the famous Night Market, where you’ll find handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe peoples living in the surroundings.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Meals: B / L

This morning, embark on a cruise upstream on the Mekong River. Along the way, stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where Laos rice wine and rice whiskey is produced. . You'll be able to try some and learn about the process used to make it. Then on to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves filled with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims.

Lunch will be served near the caves. You'll have the opportunity to try a local dish called "Orlam" which is a soup with vegetables and features a spicy wood that is partially edible. On return, disembark to visit the traditional weaving village of Ban Phanom, famous for its hand woven textiles.

Continue to explore the beautiful Khouang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or on requests.

Welcome to Myanmar, the country just opened itself to the world and now waiting people to discover its unique Buddhist culture and heritage.

Upon your arrival in Yangon, the former capital of Myanmar but nowadays one of the most developed city in Myanmar, your local guide will welcome you at the airport then escort you to hotel.

Meals: B / L

Rise early in the morning to visit the Shwedagon Pagoda which is the largest pagoda with painted real gold in Yangon. Benefit for visit the pagoda in early morning you will enjoy an quiet and extremely peaceful atmosphere to watch local people and monks pray in front of the Pagoda.

Transfer back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast you will visit the Reclining Buddha (Chaok-Htat-Gyi) and Mahabandoola Park.

Have some rest after lunch, in the afternoon, enjoy some free time wander around in Bogyoke Market and the then Bogyoke Market busy treets of Yangon’s famous China Town and Yangon Jetty. Finish your day off at the riverside where the road flanked by colonize style builds which will give you the impression of Myanmar in old time.

Flight: domestic flight on GTT arrangement.

Transfer to airport for domestic flight to Bagan in early morning.

Upon arrival in Bagan, you will be welcomed by your local guide at the airport then transfer you to hotel.

Bagan, where you will be amazed by its thousands of Buddhists pagodas spread in the area of the Ancient City of ‘Bagan’. These pagodas used to own by individual families during its prosperous time.

Your will visit the Nyaung Oo Market where local people buying food in daily life, visit the Shwezigon Pagoda which is the largest pagoda in Bagan painted with real gold.

Have a rest in hotel in the hottest time in afternoon. Then enjoy a Horse Cart Ride for the sun set, you will climb up to the top of the Shesandaw Pagoda for sun set then take the horse cart back to hotel. It is a unforgettable feeling of taking the horse cart ride on the off road treks through the pagodas when its quiet in dusk. 

Enjoy relaxing time in the morning until transfer to airport for your onward international flight.

End of Service.