Laos and Vietnam discovery tour

Overnight in a hotel in Luang Prabang.

In the afternoon visit the city situated on the upper course of the Mekong, the ancient capital of Lane Xang kingdom (declared World Heritage Site by Unesco). Here you'll visit some of the temples built during the ancient reign: Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Xieng Thong, and you'll climb Vat Chom Si on Phu Si hill, to admire the sunset.

At the end of the visit return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

For those who wish, it will be possible to wake up at dawn and attend the monks begging ceremony, which shows visitors the real life of the Buddhist monks.

Departure on a motorboat to sail up the course of the Mekong, crossing spectacular settings which charmed the explorers of the 19th century. The thick vegetation leaves space to the village in which the strong national liquor, Lao Lao, is produced and where the artisans make silk yarns and paper from the bark of trees. You can also climb to the sacred caves of Pak Ou, which have been filled with thousands of Buddha statues over centuries of pilgrimages.

Lunch during the excursion.

On the way back you'll stop on the left bank, in front of Luang Parbang, for a short relaxing walk in Xieng Maen village, once famous for the processing of freshwater algae. From here a path sorrounded by thick vegetation departs, allowing you to reach an ancient monastery now abandoned. Here only few old monks live, in a silent and mystic quietness which induce to meditation. Afterwards you'll travel back to Luang Prabang to dive into the colorful world of the market of handmade products, which is set up on the street running from Phu Si to the ancient Royal Palace at sunset.

Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in a hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning visit the National Museum, housed in the building of the old Royal Palace, built in 1904 and which now hosts a rich collection of objects belonging to the royal family's treasure, and especially Phra Bang, the golden statue, 83 cm high, which, according to the tradition, has been the symbol of Lane Xang kingdom since the 8th century.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Then you'll be transferred to the airport to fly to Hanoi, in Vietnam. Upon arrival, after collecting your baggage, you'll meet the guide and you'll be transferred to the hotel.

In the afternoon visit the capital Hanoi, situated on the south bank of the red river. Hanoi means "in the red river", in fact. The highlights of the city include Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the embalmed body lies (external visit), One-Pillar Pagoda Chua Mot Cot, which is nowadays the symbol of Hanoi, the Pagoda of the Stone Lady Chua Ba Da e St. Joseph Cathedral. Then you'll take a rickshaw ride to visit the 36 ancient quarters and finally you'll attend a unique water-puppet show.

Breakfast in the hotel.

In the morning visit the temples of the capital city: the temple of Literature Van Mieu, built in the 11th century in honor of Confucius and of his four faithful pupils, and the one dedicated to his father, where usually a brief traditional music concert is held by Vietnamese musicians dressed in the traditional clothes of the northern villages. Finally you'll visit the Jade temple, Den Ngoc Son, which is set on the Lake of the Restored Sword, and that of Quan Thanh, Den Quan Thanh, the god protecting the city.

Lunch in a typical restaurant.

Then you'll set off to world-famous Halong Bay, formed by thousands of calcareous islets emerging from the sea. An ancient legend has it that the creation of this wonder took place thanks to the remains of the tail of a dragon which had sunken into the sea. Before reaching the bay, visit Bat Trang village, where vases are produced, and then the ancient pagoda of But Thapn in Bac Ninh, with its wooden statues. Once back, check in to the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Transfer to the pier for boarding a reserved junk for a private cruise of the bay. You'll discover the charming landscapes amidst the milion islets, stacks and cliffs with their caves full of stalactites and stalagmites. During this 5-hour navigation you'll also visit the largest cave in the bay, Sung Sot or "Surprise cave".

Fish lunch aboard the junk.

At the end of the lunch, return to the pier and transfer to Hanoi airport.

Flight to Danang. Transfer to Hoian and check into your reserved rooms.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Departure to visit Myson.

Then return to Hoian for lunch in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit the Japanese bidge, the Chinese congregation and the Ancient House, built over 200 years ago.  In the late afternoon continue on to the pier for a boat ride along Thu Bon river, admiring the villages along the banks and the charming sunset.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Departure to Danang. Upon arrival visit Cham Museum, built by the French in 1915. Then travel to Hue. Upon arrival accommodation in hotel in the reserved rooms.

Lunch in a typical restaurant.

In the afternoon visit the Imperial Chapel, built by the emperors of Nguyen dynasty. At the end rickshaw ride around Dong Ba market.

Dinner and overnight in hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Then visit Thien Mu pagoda, symbol of Hue and Buddhism, and the tomb of the 4th Tu Duc emperor.

Transfer to the airport to board flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in to the reserved rooms.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch visit the colonial buildings in Saigon including Notre Dame cathedral, the Palace of Post and Telecommunications and Ben Thanh Market in the first district, so as to get an insight on this part of the city. After the sightseeing return to the hotel.

Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast in the hotel.

Departure to Mekong Delta and arrival at Cai Be pier, boarding on a traditional boat to explore the countless branches of the river. Visit Cai Be floating market where you can admire the productions of candies, rice paper used for spring rolls and that for puffed rice.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, you'll resume navigation along one of Mekong's tributaries to the city of Vinhlong, where you'll be driven by car to Can Tho, on the border with Cambodia.

Dinner and overnight in a hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel.

In the morning boat ride to visit the great floating market. Then return to Saigon stopping enroute to visit Dong Tam snake farm.

Lunch in a local restaurant and free time available.