Northern Indochina Highlights

(10days/09nights)

Day 1: Luang Prabang - Arrival

Arrive at Luang Prabang, transfer to hotel. In the afternoon drive back to town for a brief city tour to the Former Royal Palace (now the National Museum), Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, Wat Visun. End the day with a memorable sunset from the top of Mount Phou Si. OVERNIGHT IN LUANG PRABANG. 

Day 2: Luang Prabang - Pak Ou caves

Take a full-day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to explore local villages at Ban Xiengmene and Ban Chan. Continue with the royal temple at Wat Longkhoun, which once belonged to the royal family and nearby Sackarine Caves and continue cruising Pak Ou cave. Explore caves and cross Mekong River at Ban Ou for lunch at a local restaurant. Return by road to Luang Prabang, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai, where the residents create a unique rice wine called lao lao and continue to typical Lao villages at Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, well known for its hand made Jute Sar paper. OVERNIGHT IN LUANG PRABANG. [Breakfast]

Day 3: Luang Prabang - Vientiane

After breakfast, visit Luang Prabang Market and a number of shops selling antiques and silver jewelry made by mountain tribes. Transfer to airport for the flight to Vientiane. Upon arrival in Vientiane, take a city tour to visit the religious museum at Wat Sisaket, where thousands of statues of Buddha in wood, bronze, and stone are displayed. The tour also includes Wat Pra Keo, original home of the Emerald Buddha and the 16th century That Luang Golden Stupa. The day ends viewing the sunset along the banks of the Mekong River. OVERNIGHT IN VIENTIANE. [Breakfast]

Day 4: Vientiane - Laksao - Vinh

Take a full-day scenic drive to the Laksao border crossing for entry into Vietnam. (Immigration formalities will be prepared prior to arrival at the border crossing.) Drive to Vinh City in north central Vietnam and transfer to hotel. OVERNIGHT IN VINH. [Breakfast] 

Day 5: Vinh – Ninh Binh

After breakfast, continue driving north to Ninh Binh, en route passing rice paddies and small villages. Upon arrival in Ninh Binh, transfer to hotel. OVERNIGHT IN NINH BINH. [Breakfast] 

Day 6: Ninh Binh – Kenh Ga – Hai Phong

Morning drive to Kenh Ga, a secluded floating village with a dramatic backdrop of limestone cliffs. Travel through the village by boat witnessing scenes of fishermen, children going to school, and everyday life along the riverfront. In the afternoon drive to Hai Phong stopping en route at Pho Minh Pagoda. Proceed to Hai Phong. OVERNIGHT IN HAI PHONG. [Breakfast] 

Day 7: Hai Phong – Ha Long Bay

Drive to Ha Long Bay. Board a refurbished wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay. Drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island. OVERNIGHT ON JUNK. [Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner] 

Day 8: Ha Long Bay - Boat Cruise - Hanoi

Spend a half-day cruising through quiet waters, stopping at colorful grottoes and swimming near deserted beaches. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon stopping en route at Phu Lang ceramic village or Dong Giao woodcarving village. OVERNIGHT IN HANOI. [Breakfast, Lunch]

Day 9: Hanoi - Sightseeing

A full day to explore the architecture and history of Hanoi. In the morning, visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex containing the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s former home and the One Pillar Pagoda followed by the Temple of Literature. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Museum of Fine Arts, Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple. A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a relaxing way to end the day and includes a stop at an old Vietnamese “long house”. OVERNIGHT IN HANOI. [Breakfast] 

Day 10: Hanoi Departure

Morning free for shopping or further exploration. Transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for departure. End of services. [Breakfast]

Inclusive of:

Exclusive of:

• Drinks 
• Meals not mentioned in the program
• Visa processing & Stamping Fee at Luang Prabang, Hanoi airport, Chau Doc border
• Personal Insurance
• Personal expenses 
• All the other not mentioned above.