Savour Vietnam and Laos 10 days

Day 1: Ha Noi – Arrival

On arrival at Ha Noi Airport, you are greeted by our guide and taken to your hotel by private transfer.

Ha Noi – The capital of Vietnam, also known that “The cradle of Vietnam’s culture”. Lies besides modern constructions are many hidden gems that still retain their charm and culture from thousands years ago.

Depending on your arrival flight schedule, you either have the opportunity to rest at your hotel if the room is available (please note the check-in time is at 14.00 pm), or take your own exploration of the town. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day 02 : Ha Noi – City discovery (B) 

Today, we start our exploration of Ha Noi, seeing the most notable landmark of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (close on Mon. and Fri. and Oct. to Nov). This imposing marble and granite monument was built towards Ba Dinh Square. We follow the footpath to the One Pillar Pagoda rising from the center of a square lotus pond, ascending on a single pillar and resembling a blossoming lotus flower.

The next place will be the fascinating Ethnology Museum (closed Mondays), which is both a research center and a public museum exhibiting the ethnic groups of Vietnam. As an alternative to the Ethnology Museum, visit the highly acclaimed Hoa Lo Prison which was once known as “Ha Noi Hilton”

We continue the trip to the Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university, constructed in the 11th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past.

After that, visit Ha Noi’s Old Quarter also known as the ‘36 streets’. Take a walking tour through charming Hang Be Market and around Hoan Kiem Lake. This bustling area of narrow streets and alleys is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It's a great place to explore with plenty of photo opportunities.

The final touch of the day is a Water Puppet show. This is a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Day 03: Ha Noi – Ha Long (B/L/D) 

After breakfast, take 3.5 hour drive to Ha Long Bay, one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy a welcome drink before check-in your cabin. While the boat is passing many rocky islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, a tasty lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck. Later on, the boat moves a quiet area to dock for overnight stay. Dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board. Overnight stay on board 

Note: The itinerary of boat in Ha Long may change without prior notice depending on situation. 

Day 04: Ha Long – Ha Noi – Fly to Luang Prabang (B/Brunch)

The boat cruises around Ha Long Bay, passes by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Breakfast or brunch is served while the boat then continues cruising towards the wharf. 

After disembarkation, travel back to Ha Noi city. and take the international flight to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting and take you to the hotel for check in. 

Free time after checking in at the hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 05: Luang Prabang – City discovery (B)

For early risers, there is a very special dawn visit to watch the monks collecting alms.  As the sun begins to rise, long lines of orange-robed monks leave their pagodas and walk barefoot down the streets collecting offerings from Luang Prabang residents.

After breakfast, visit the Royal Palace featuring the combination of the French beaux-arts styles and traditional Laos architecture. The palace is now turned to a National Museum (close every Tuesday) boating the precious collections of the Royal artifacts. 

Drive or enjoy a leisurely walk on through the peaceful tree-lined streets to admire some of Luang Prabang’s famous temples including Wat Xieng Thong, a great masterpiece of mosaics and carved wood featuring traditional Lao style; Wat Vitsoun, the most ancient temple of Luang Prabang, was built with simple architecture and housed the Prabang Buddhas ancient statues and steles

After lunch, head out to visit Wat Aham, followed by Wat That, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept inside the large, central stupa.

As the sun begins to set, head for the top of Mount Phousi. Climbing its 328 stairs, reach the peak of the hill just in time for sunset. The viewpoint offers stunning panoramas of the city and sprawling landscapes below. After descent, explore the nearby evening market where a collection of handicrafts and souvenirs can be found. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 06: Luang Prabang – Pak Ou Cave – Kuang Si waterfall (B)

This morning, get onboard a traditional long-tail boat to discover the famous Pak Ou Caves. Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers, these twin caves are carved into the surrounding limestone cliffs, filled with hundreds of ancient Buddha images and statues.

Upon arrival, start exploring the magical cave systems: the lower cave houses a photogenic group of Buddha statues, silhouetted against the stunning riverine backdrop, the upper cave is a 7-minute climb up steps surrounded by lush trees. You will notice Buddhas in every position, every era of life, and every size line the cave walls and understand a sacred religious practice that depicts the devotion and commitment of Laotian to Buddhism. 

This afternoon, enjoy a scenic 1-hour drive south of Luang Prabang, to visit the Kuang Si waterfall, one of Luang Prabang’s most picturesque sights with a multi-tiered cascade of pale turquoise blue water flowing from the thick jungle above into perfectly sculpted limestone pools below.  Follow the unpaved trail as it gradually climbs through the forest to reach different levels of natural blue pools, some are shallow and one central pool has a rope swing. 

Take a leisurely hike through the natural park past the Asian Bear Rescue Center, housing 23 Asiatic Bears that were rescued from poachers

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 07: Luang Prabang - Xieng Khoang (B)

We start an early morning drive along  the winding country path through the rugged and verdant scenery. The journey is very long and strenuous at times, but we can make stops at our pleasure, to stretch the legs and visit some roadside villages. The scenic drive deliver us to Phonsavan Town, a new provincial center of  Xieng Khouang and  a gateway to the Plain of Jars sites. The high plateau of Xieng Khouang was heavily suffered from the bombing raids and the intense ground battles. We check in our hotel and catch a quick look at the townscape. There are not much to see in town besides the bustling local market and the bombing history. We can soak up the fresh climate as much as we want since this plateau is tempered by its high elevation, with warm days and cool evenings. Overnight in Xieng Khoang.

Day 08: Xieng Khoang – Vientiane (B)

Today we can get up early to see this stunning scenery  before we  begin exploring some mysterious caves hidden beyond the towering cliffs in Vang Vieng. The local transport takes to the amazing Tham Jang Cave set by the Nam Song River bank. This remarkable cave, housing an important Buddhist shrine, has been named by a  limestone shape  inside. We head to the nearby Tham Hoi Cave, of which the interior goes spirally deep into the mountains, giving an impression of snail. We follow it with the Loop Cave that is naturally adorned with stalagmite formations. The footpaths go along the mountain sides towards the gorgeous Tham Nam Cave.  We  have time to enjoy a leisurely  swim at a nearby pool and glide through the water tunnel.  We take a walk to Phatthao Village where we meet the Hmong ethnic minority and get a chance to understand  a little more about the style and customs of local villagers. We round off our exploration of Vang Vieng and make our way to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 09: Vientiane – City discovery (B)

Spend this pleasant day exploring some of Vientiane‘s highlight. We visit  Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane. This beautiful structure features remarkable frescoes and cloister wall where are laying almost 7,000 Buddha statues in all sizes. Nearby is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. 

We continue visiting the Patouxai, a version of own Arc de Triomphe. This imposing structure stands in Lane Xang Avenue and provides a beautiful view over the town center. The current national symbol of Laos That Luang Stupa which is  the  most venerable Buddhist monument. The golden stupa  of this structure was  built in Laos style but influenced by Buddhist beliefs

We follow it with a walk around the vibrant Morning Market, a flagship shopping destination in Vientiane. The market interior is crammed with shopping malls that sell everything from medicinal herbs, electronics equipment, silver jewelry, hand make  silks to everyday sundries.

Finish the day by enjoying a walk along the Mekong riverbank, a good place to enjoy drinks and explore the authentic local way of life.

Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 10: Vientiane - Departure (B)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy your free time at leisure before being transferred to the airport for the onward flight.

List of our hotels:

The hotels offered by Horizon Vietnam Travel are classified from 02 to 05 stars at the international standard, and comfortable with all the required services.

+ Standard Category: 2 stars. The rooms are correct, clean, and equipped with a bathroom, satellite television, and air conditioning.

+ Superior category 3 stars. The rooms are generally spacious, and the services and facilities are more numerous.

+ First class category: 4 stars. The rooms are luxurious and spacious and have a wide choice of quality services.

+ Deluxe Category: 4-5 stars. Hotels are of excellent comfort and have a wide range of excellent services. (swimming pool, spa, jacuzzi…).

+ On the other hand, we have developed fair tourism, through contact with the local population, the possibility of sleeping with the locals and sharing their daily life. The conditions of these accommodations that we offer you are well insured and with the best possible conditions.

Our services include:

• Private transportation with air-conditioned vehicle
• Accommodation in the planned hotels or similar in the program with daily breakfast as mentioned 
• Meals are provided in local restaurants of typical Vietnamese cuisine (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner included)
• The English-speaking guide for each city.
• All entry fees to tourist sites
• All the permission to enter the tourist areas
• Boat tours as described in the program
• 02 bottles of mineral water of 0,5 (l)/person/day
• Other services as mentioned in the program (bicycle, boat trip, etc...)
• All fees for all other services as clearly described in the program above.

Our services exclude:

• Airfare on all domestic and international flights (quote separately)
• Drinks and surcharge for special requests on foods and meals
• Entrance fees, guide service during free time & other personal expenses
• Surcharge for public holidays (if any)
• Surcharge for other language-speaking tour guides (upon request)
• Travel insurance 
• Vietnam visa stamping fees 
• All other services are not stated in the program.

More information:

Horizon Vietnam Travel gives you an estimated price per person on our website for the group of six people in low season with standard 2 and 3-star hotels.

The price of this trip varies according to the services chosen (category of accommodation, activities during the trip,...), the tourist seasonality of the year (Christmas and end of year holiday, Lunar New Year holiday in Vietnam), the booking delays and especially the number of participants of your group you wish to travel with.

Please note that Horizon Vietnam Travel only organizes private "tailor-made" trips for groups from 2 persons. We generally propose an offer including all the services on the spot from your arrival until your departure.

Depending on your wishes and your budget, this tour can be adapted and modified in terms of duration, content and departure date.

HORIZON VIETNAM TRAVEL calculates its prices as closely as possible in order to guarantee you the best price/quality ratio.

Our advice: the earlier you book, the better your chances of getting good rates, especially for air services, think about it!

Note: The price of international flights is not included in this estimate.

Please note that this tour is only a first draft and you can also customize it according to your wishes. We remain at your disposal to build your trip perfectly to your expectations and your budget

To obtain a detailed and personalized estimate, please contact us to request an estimate.