Day 1 : Arrival -  Vientiane

Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a fascinating capital, with a fusion of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences. This charming and easygoing city will provide a smooth introduction to Laos. After a short rest, an orientation walk of the 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 observe the sunset by the Mekong Riverside until the late evening. Overnight in Vientiane 

Day 2:  Vientiane - Luang Prabang (Flight) (B) 

After breakfast, we start to 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 visit the central or ‘Morning Market’ which is a great place for browsing antiques, handmade textiles and gifts.We spend the rest of this day touring the Lao capital, visiting the National Museum (closed Tuesday) formerly known as the 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 of Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. On arrival, we transfer you to your hotel. After a short rest, we 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 exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful and panoramic sunset over the Ancient city and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang  

Day 3:  Vientiane - Luang Prabang (Flight) (B) 

After breakfast, we enjoy a short-guided tour seeing the city’s oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai, Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. We then board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. On our way back, we pass the local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan continue to see the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun and Ban Phanom, a village well known for its hand weaving. Overnight in Luang Prabang  

Day 4 :  Vientiane - Hanoi (Flight) (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 (often in the form of sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the ritual. Later, we visit the National Museum (closed Tuesday) at the former Royal Palace.  It displays a collection of artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through to the last sovereign. There will also be time for us to look around the Central Market. After visiting these sights in the morning, there may be free time (depending on your flight) to venture into town and stroll around the shopping area. Then you transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi.  Welcome to Vietnam, transfer of 45 min to your hotel in town.Dinner at local restaurant . Overnight in Hanoi.   

Day 5:   Hanoi - City tour of a 1000 years old Capital (B)

After Breakfast. Discover  Hanoi history and culture & people and get some more shocks of the culture. This tour draws to: the Ho Chi Minh complex, Temple of literature, one of the Museums (Ethnology, Fine Art, Army) with lunch at  local restaurant,  then back to the Old Quarter for some more exploration. Dinner at your ownand Water puppet show at night. Overnight in Hanoi  

Day 6:   Hanoi - Ha long Bay of the World Heritage (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Ha Long in the morning. Four hours boat cruise on the magnificent Ha Long Bay - a World Natural Heritage Site - to enjoy swimming and exploring limestone grottoes.Lunch at your own and Transfer back to Ha Noi with short stop at a ceramic workshop in Dong Trieu .Dinner at your own.  Overnight in Hanoi

Day 7: Hanoi – Sai Gon – City tour (B)  ( Flight )

Have breakfast. Transfer to Noi Bai airport for domestic flight to Tan Son Nhat  in  the morning. Upon arriving in Sai Gon. Lunch & Dinner at your own. Overnight in Saigon

Day 8:  Sai Gon city tour  (B)

Have Breakfast. Sightseeing around the city including History Museum, Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Ben Thanh market. Photo stops at famous tourist sites such as City Hall, Grand Theatre, Notre Dame Cathedral and Center Post Office. …Lunch & Dinner at your own. Overnight in Saigon

Day 9: Saigon.- Departure (B)

Free time in the morning for discovering Ho Chi Minh City’s handicraft and lacquer ware workshops before transfer to the airport for departure.  

The rates are net in USD  per person :

Accommodation offering in this trip

Ø      Accommodation in hotels, basing on Double or Twin room with daily breakfast

Ø      Transfer by air-conditioned car as itinerary

Ø      All entrance fees & permits during guided time

Ø      Local English speaking guide

Ø      Boat trip as stated in above sights

Ø      Meals  mentioned in the  program (B : Breakfast only)

Tour Price excludes

Ø      Meals not mentioned in the  program ( L : Lunch ; D : Dinner)

Ø      Visa arrangement

Ø      Domestic flight with airport taxes  (Hanoi – Saigon :  USD/pax/way )

Ø      International flights with airport taxes

Ø      Travel insurance

Ø      Personal expenses

Ø      Air ticket supplement VTE-LPQ (QV) = US$/pax with tax

Ø      Air ticket supplement LPQ-HAN (QV313 at 16h45-17h45) = US$ /pax with tax (Note: Air ticket and schedule are subject to change without prior notice from the airline. )