Experience Laos to Vietnam in 16 days with one of our preferred tour operators, On The Go!

Take an unforgettable journey through the beautiful landscapes and captivating cities of Laos and Vietnam. Discover the delights of Luang Prabang and Hoi An, visit revered Buddhist temples and ornate palaces, explore mystical caves and colourful markets, cruise Halong Bay and the Mekong and top off your adventure in Saigon!

Contact one of our Adventure Travel Specialists to inquire on pricing and availability for this great itinerary with tons of inclusions!

Trip Highlights

• Vientiane - capital of Laos, Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, the COPE Centre, That Luang Stupa, Patuxay Monument and the Buddha Park
• Vang Xang - an 11th century archaeological site
• Luang Prabang - the UNESCO Listed former royal capital, Temples of Visoun, Ahan and Sene, a weaving centre, the former Royal Palace, superb views from Mount Phousi
• Hanoi - Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ancient Quarter
• Hue - ancient citadel, Imperial Purple City, Royal Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda and monastery
• Saigon - Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post Office and War Remnants Museum
• Cai Be waterways, cottage industries, mansion home and Dong Hoa Hiep Island
• Thalat Market and ethnic minority villages
• Vang Vieng - a picturesque riverside village, Tham Jang Caves, Ban Huai Ngai village
• Pak Ou Caves - crammed with Buddha statues and Khouangsi Waterfall
• Halong Bay - UNESCO Listed region with thousands of beautiful limestone peaks and islets
• Hoi An - UNESCO Listed ancient town, famed for its beautifully preserved old city, tailors, handicrafts markets and nearby beaches
• Mekong Delta - a maze of waterways, fertile farm land and floating villages
• Can Tho - lively market town in the Mekong Delta and nearby Cai Rang floating market

Included

• 15 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3 dinner
• Economy class flights Luang Prabang - Hanoi and Danang - Saigon
• Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cooking demonstration
• Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure transfer day 16
• Escorted by an English speaking Laotian and Vietnamese tour guides
• Visa approval letter (excl. stamping fee required upon arrival)
• 13 nights 4 star and special class hotels, 1 night deluxe junk boat and 1 overnight sleeper train (Junk boat: private cabin, Sleeper train: basic, 4 berth cabin)
• Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim, kayak and explore caves
• Sampan boat trips in the Mekong Delta
• Guided sightseeing - Vientaine, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta and Saigon
• All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles

Day 1-Vientiane

Sunday. Welcome to Laos! Airport arrival transfer and hotel check in. Spend the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day 2-Vientiane city tour

After breakfast you will explore the charming capital on a city tour. Highlights include Wat Si Saket - the oldest Buddhist monastery temple in the country, the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaeo, Pha That Luang monument and the Buddha Park with its incredible array of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures. You will also visit to the COPE Centre, a charity working with victims of unexploded bombs and mines. End the day with a spectacular sunset dinner besides the Mekong River. (B, D)

Day 3-Vang Vieng

Vientiane – Vang Vieng. This morning you will journey north through breathtaking scenery to Vang Vieng. Along the way you will visit Ban Keun, famous for its salt extraction plant and a village of local Lao rice wine whiskey distillation. A next stop is the busy and colourful market of Thalat market, where local hill tribes come to trade and shop and the 11th century archaeological site of Vang Xang. Upon arrival in picturesque Vang Vieng, spend the remains of the day at leisure or opt to explore the local caves, take a scenic bike ride or go tubing along the river. (B, D)

Day 4-Tham Jang Cave, Ban Huai Ngai village

Vang Vieng – Luang Prabang. You will explore the famous caves of Tham Jang this morning and visit Ban Huai Ngai village before travelling north to the enchanting Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 5-Temples of Luang Prabang

Consider rising early this morning to view the daily ritual of saffron-clad monks and their procession down the streets of Luang Prabang collecting alms from the residents. Then a morning tour, taking in the highlights of Luang Prapang - the fabulous UNESCO Listed former royal capital. Sightseeing includes the ancient temples of Wat Visoun and Wat Aham, the Ock Pop Tok weaving centre and the beautifully ornate former Royal Palace. In the afternoon you will stop at ethnic minority villages before arriving at the beautiful Khouangsi waterfall. (B)

Days 6-7-Wat Sene & Wat Xieng Thong

Luang Prabang - Hanoi . On the morning of day 6 you will head out of town to a local farm to learn about the production of rice. After lunch you will cruise up the Mekong River to visit the incredible Pak Ou caves crammed with Buddha images of all shapes and sizes, stopping Ban Xanghai village en route to sample local rice wine. Later we return to Luang Prabang stopping along the way at Ban Phanom village - known for its hand weaving, before boarding our evening flight to Hanoi. The following day offers free time for you to explore Vietnam’s gracious capital. Lively markets, beautiful lakes, ancient pagodas and the thriving, historic city are all easily navigatable by foot. (B x 2, L x 1)

Day 8 - Junk Boat Sailing

Hanoi – Halong Bay. Take a moment to picture in your mind some two thousand rugged karst islands dappled with lush vegetation seeming to float on top of pristine emerald coloured waters and you have the natural wonder that is Halong Bay. This morning a scenic drive will take you to the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will enjoy a junk boat cruise. Based on traditional designs, these wonderful vessels combine oriental style with modern luxury. Soak up the panoramic views from the sundeck as the boat gently plies its course, this afternoon you will visit the spectacular Tien Ong Cave which was recently opened to the public in 2010, with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites. Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 9-Floating villages and cyclo rides

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage - the perfect way to start the day. Before heading back to port you'll explore by kayak the Floating Village of Cua Van, which is home to generations of fishing families. Here you'll see the traditional and colourful floating wooden houses and the locals going about their daily lives. On your arrival back into Hanoi mid-afternoon we'll explore the maze of streets known as the ‘36 streets of the old quarter’, named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street from silk tailors to silversmiths. Travelling by cyclo (rickshaw), the quintessential mode of transport in Hanoi, you'll see traditional narrow-front tube houses with the chance to sample some of the local delicacies sold on street stalls from ripe fruits to steaming noodle dishes. Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the ‘Reunification Express’ railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available. (B)

Day 10-Imperial Hue

Arriving into Hue you will embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital. You will then visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21m high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue and the citadel. Within the citadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressive ramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, some of which lay in ruin. In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, here we’ll view the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. As the sun sets opt for a cruise in a long boat along the gentle Perfume River, beautifully illuminated at night.

Day 11-Buddhist sanctuaries

Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Today you will take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificent views of beaches to one side and lush hills to the other. En route you will stop for a walk along China beach, featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s movie ‘Apocalypse Now’. Perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea before continuing your journey along the coast road to Hoi An. The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best bespoke tailors (whose services come at a nominal price), all can be found here. On a short walking tour of the enchanting historical town, you will visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants’ homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. (B)

Day 12 -Tra Que Village -

Bicycle ride bicycle ride into the countryside, leads us to Tra Que village. Here,we discover age old farming practices and learn about traditional medicine. It’s a hands on experience today where we’ll assist with tending the fields and gardens and cooking lunch. (B, L)

Day 13 - Hoi An - at leisure

A free day for you relax or further sightsee. You may wish to take a relaxing rowboat journey along the river or spend the day lazing by the beach or hotel pool. It’s also possible to take an optional excursion to the most holiest and evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites, My Son or to Quang Ngai, the site of the My Lai massacre memorial. The massacre was a significant turning point in the Vietnam War and the story is told through photo presentation on a walk through the village. (B)

Day 14-Cruising the Mekong

Hoi An - Saigon. Early morning flight to Saigon. Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views while boating along the canals. Taking your sampan from Vinh Long you’ll cruise Cai Be’s maze of waterways visiting local cottage industries that produce popcorn, coco candies and paper along the way. Lunch is served today in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island. (B, L)

Day 15-Mekong & Saigon

Can Tho - Saigon. Early today we visit colourful Cai Rang floating market and drive to Saigon. Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modern Saigon is a thriving metropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swanky bars and spas are scattered between ancient pagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively street markets. Our walking tour of Saigon includes visits to the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Post office and the sombering War Remnants Museum. Evening at leisure. (B)

Day 16 - Saigon

Monday. Today offers free time in Saigon till your departure transfer to the airport. Opt for a relaxing foot massage, shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market or visit the grand Independence Palace, with its secret bunker and military command centre beneath! (B)

Want more information on a fantastic tour from Laos to Vietnam? Don't hesitate to contact us today at 604-736-7447 or by sending us a message via the 'contact us' button!