30 Days Vietnam and Laos In-depth Tour

Meals: B

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick up at your hotel, start the tour to beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. This Pagoda is full of amazing Buddhist symbolism that visitors can learn more about.

Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived on and off from 1958 to 1969.

The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leave the pagoda for the Temple of Literature, which is the first college of Vietnam.

Optional:
Later afternoon, you can watch a Water puppet show for one hour. It is a unique traditional performance of Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B

Today, you can visit one of the city’s museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive back to admire Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple before taking cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore in Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B

Today, go to Bat Trang Village, a famous Vietnamese Traditional Pottery Village, 15km from Hanoi. It was found 500 years ago, producing handicrafts with a unique style in special characteristics; design; coloration; sculpture... The history includes many years of research into forms, models, decorations. Enjoy the tour for your own experience about Bat Trang pottery.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: B

After breakfast, we will take a 2-hour road trip to the port of Yen River and then take a row-boat trip to visit the land on the Yen stream. it will take 1 hour to Thien Tru harbor. You can deeply enjoy the attractive mountain views mirror-image in the crystal water mirror of the stream en route.

Then, we will trek to a cave step by step. After arriving at Huong Tich Cave on the top of the mountain, you can see the Golden-Silver tree.

After lunchtime, you will go to visit the Heaven Kitchen pagoda and learn about Buddhism ancient architecture at Le Dynasty. Finally, we will then return to Hanoi.

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 of the 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.

Meal: B / L

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. The breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, followed by a visit to the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around noon and transfer back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Flight: Domestic flight include in quotation and will be on GTT arrangement

Meal: B

Today, take the flight from Hanoi to Danang. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and escort you to Hoi An for check in.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

In the morning, travel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lies 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. The town is a perfect mixture of ancient architecture, houses, and temples as well as modern western restaurants and cafes. The historic sites you will visit are the Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses.

Later, take a boat trip along the Huai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village and see how local people work on their crafts. In the evening, the town became so romantic when the lights come on and you see colorful lanterns everywhere especially the flower lanterns floating on the river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

Today, you'll have a day at leisure to enjoy Hoi An Beach, you can relax in the sunshine and sunbathe on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning until transfer to Hue in the afternoon. Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, it is well known for its historic monuments which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

In the evening, you can enjoy a royal dinner in a royal residence with a descendant of the imperial family, it is an excellent opportunity for you to experience the imperial life in ancient time.

Overight in Hue.

Meals: B

Today's tour starts with a visit to the Perfume River, renowned for its natural scenery and numerous flowers which envelop its shores. Along the river, you'll view Vietnamese daily life up close. Take a boat ride along the river to the Tomb of Minh Mang, featuring gardens, many steps, and beautiful decorations.

Move on to visit Tu Doc, a complex with the private royal residence and a tomb that also houses the body of one of the wealthiest emperors in Vietnam. Legend has it that his body is buried with vast treasures in an inconspicuous place, which archaeologists have tried but failed to find. Visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a more modern ornately decorated tomb.

Next, you are able to explore the Imperial City of Hue. With an area of 500ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel) and Khai Dinh Tomb, Hue Citadel is the result of the intermingling of many architectural trends: European and Asian, as well as ancient and modern.

After that, visit Tu Duc Tomb and Dong Ba market for shopping.

Overnight in Hue.

Flight: Domestic flight include and arranged by GTT

Meals: B

Today, you will take the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, your private local guide from IndochinaTour.com will welcome you at the airport. And you will be escorted to your hotel.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: B

Today, you will be escorted to 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.

The rest of the day you can freely explore the city.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meal: B

In the monrning, you will 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.

The next 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 tour 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.

Meal: B

Today will be your free day leisure and under your own arrangement.

Overnight in Saigon.

Meals: B

In the morning, our guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer about 136km to Vinh Long, a riverside town located in the Mekong Delta.

Upon arrival, enjoy a boat cruise to the Cai Be floating market with sellers and buyers bargaining and exchanging goods from their boats, and then go to Binh Hoa Phuoc Islet where the maze o shady creeks will surely fascinate you. You will have a chance to mingle with local peasants, learn the secrets of their bonsai gardening. You will pay a visit to local homes where the families produce tiles and ceramics, drop into rice-paper kiln and coconut-candy kiln, and observe daily country life.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Can Tho and check-in hotel. In the evening, wandering around the night market will be recommended for you.

Overnight in Can Tho.

Meal: B

Rise early in the morning for breakfast at your hotel where your private guide and driver will meet you to escort you to the pier of Can Tho for an adventure on the river. Your motorboat and captain will greet you and help you onboard. You'll be taken to the largest floating market in Can Tho where local farmers bring their bulk products for sale. The trip there will see the banks with various flowers scattered throughout.

After that, we will drive back to Saigon.

Overnight in Saigon.

Flight: International flight include in quotation and will be on GTT arrangement

Meal: B

Today, take a flight to Pakse. Transfer directly to Champassak. Then, you will transfer to Wat Phou by car, another World Heritage Site in Laos recognized by UNESCO in 2002, this ruined temple was built before Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, which is one of the most ancient Khmer temple architecture dating from the 8-11th century.

In the afternoon, drive to Khong Island and stop en route to visit the ruins of the Khmer temple of Oup Mong at Ban Houei Tomo. Arrive at Ban Hatsai Khoune before sunset and board a traditional long-tail boat to reach Khong Island.

Overnight in Khong Island.

Meal: B

After breakfast, we enjoy a visit to the surrounding countryside, and embark on a long-tail boat tour to Don Khone, where we disembark and have the option of exploring the island by bicycle, which takes you to visit the remains of the French period and Liphi Waterfall or "the Corridor of the Devil".

We return to the mainland at the fishing village of Ban Nakasang and drive further south to visit Khone Phapheng. It is considered the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia. We also have the option of taking a local boat out to search for the rare freshwater dolphins that reside in this area of the Mekong (if lucky, we can see the dolphins). Then we drive back to Khong Island for your overnight stay.

Overnight on Khong Island.

Meal: B

Today, the guide will escort you back to Pakse.

Overnight in Pakse.

Flight: Dmoestic flight include in quotation and will be on GTT arrangement

Meal: B

Today, you'll take the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival, your private local guide will welcome you in the airport then escort you to your hotel to check in.

Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Meals: B

Voday, your guide will take you to visit the highlights of Vientiane. You will firstly get to know some more history of Laos by visiting the Royal Palace Museum. Then, go to visit Wat Si Saket which is the oldest surviving temple with thousands of Buddhist images. This tour will also take you to visit the symbolic site That Luang Stupa and Patuxai Monument.

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. Afterward, return to the city for a visit to Wat Mai.

Later, 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 people living in the surroundings.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Flight: Domestic flight will be included and arranged by GTT or upon request

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning, then transfer to airport for onward flight to Sam Neua. Upon arrive in Sam Neua, you will meet your local guide at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to your hotel in Sam Neua.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Sam Neua.

Meals: B

Today, after an early breakfast, we visit a number of local weaving villages, we continue onto the famous Vieng Xai Caves. This is where the Pathet Lao leaders lived during the “Secret War’. After enjoying numerous caves we head back to our Sam Neua accommodation for the night.

Overnight in Sam Neua.

Meals: B

Enjoy some relaxing time in the morning, then we will drive to Xieng Khuang in the afternoon. Upon arrival, check in hotel and rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Xieng Khuang.

Meals: B

After breakfast, we drive to the Luang Prabang. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B

Today, you will explore Wat Xiengthong which is a symbolic temple of the classic Laotian architecture, visit the Royal Palace Musem to learn some history of Laos. Then visit the Wat Aham Temple which means “ Monastery of the Opened Heart” and the Stupa of Wat Visoun.

Rest of the day at your leisure to relax and explore the city, you can enjoy some drinks in one of the cafés or strolling along the beautiful riverside.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: B

Your memorable trip will start from partaking in an alms ritual in the morning, you will accept the blessing by monks who you give the alms. Have breakfast in the hotel and then, visit the Royal Palace Museum to learn some history of Laos. Continue to you will embark on a private boat for a 2 hours boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou Cave. During the boat trip, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Mekong River and see the daily fishing life of local people in the riverside.

Then, go to visit the Pak Ou Cave which locates by the Mekong River. Here, you will discover a number of gold lacquered Buddha statues in the cave.

After that, you can have an excursion to Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you will enjoy the beautiful natural scenery, have fun in waterfalls and relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, the guide will transfer you to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service End.