Vietnam And Laos Explorer
Private Tour
Our Vietnam and Laos connection is designed to feature the very best of what these two countries have on offer. Step back in time in the tranquil setting of Luang Prabang. Visit an organic farm using traditional farming methods to grow crop and raise animals, admire sunset over the river, discover the ancient Plain of Jars, cool off in the turquoise water of Kuang Si Falls. In Vietnam, enjoy the splendid beauty of Halong Bayon an overnight cruise, following by the World Culture Heritage trail of Hue – Vietnam’s last imperial city and the quaint riverside town of Hoi An. Top off in the lush Mekong Delta with its vibrant floating market and maze of waterways. Just to name a few activities you will take part in this memorable trip.
Full itinerary
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Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Laos’s shaman. The concrete sculptures are bizarre but intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park.
After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at Mai Savanh to explore the traditional textiles of the Lao people. (Note: Mai Savanh is closed on Saturday & Sunday)
Afternoon, visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun is shines upon its towering golden spire. Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”. Continue down Lane Xang Avenue the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.
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You will visit the 3 sites and discover some local villages where you can observe local village life. Site 1, close to the town is settled at Thong Hai Hin and is the biggest site. Site 2 is at Hai Hin on Phou Salator, “Phou” in Lao means “Mountain”. End your tour at site 3 in Hai Hin Lat Khai. Site 3 is the most impressive with over 150 jars. Close to this site, you will visit Ban Xiengdi where there is a small monastery with Buddha images. On the way back, you will pass areas that were important battlefields during the American secret war. You can still see bomb craters from that time today.
Attention: The Plain of Jars has been heavily bombed during the war and you have to respect all the signs and stay along the defined trails due to bombs, UXO and landmines.
In the afternoon, enjoy a half day trip to Muang Khoun in the old provincial capital that was not been destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. It is home to unique sitting giant Buddha and some old pagodas that lies in ruins. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing and close to this site, there is also an old 30m stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.
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On arrival back in the city, we will visit magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Follow by the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center to learn about Laos’ many ethnic cultures. Catch the sunset at Wat Siphouthabaht before end of the day by strolling around the famous night market where you can find a lovely collection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.
Option: if time permits, you may wish to visit the Kopnoi Promotion Center, and enjoy the Tea tasting ceremony, where you can also have a small lecture about Lao culture.
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An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession. We then take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. Here, you can find any stock from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture.
After breakfast at the hotel, climb up through 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. We then visit Wat Visoun which dates back to 1513 during the reign of King Wisunarat (Visoun), this is Luang Prabang’s oldest temple and was once home to the Prabang Buddha.
Afterwards, transfer directly to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails.
Before returning to Luang Prabang, we stop to visit the Kuang Si Falls Butterfly Park (closed on Tuesday), one of the must-visit spots, where you can have an optional 15 minute tour to learn about butterflies and local flora.
Laos is also known for its traditional crafts, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, where you will have a short tour so you get information about Silk, about weaver, about the Women that work in the Centre.9
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Arrive at Hanoi airport, welcomed by our guide & driver then transfer to the city.
Hanoi or “River-bound City” as its name literally means is Vietnam’s capital with a thousand-year-old history dating back to 1010. The city’s fascinating beauty which is characterized by unique cultural relics, ancient streets of antique houses, elegant French colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards and romantic lakes has made it one of the most charming cities of Asia.
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Afternoon, continue the tour to one of the following museums of choice namely the Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Vietnamese History, the Museum of Revolution, the Museum of Military History or the Museum of Ethnology. Go to Hoan Kiem Lake, the center point of Hanoi whose name “The Return Sword Lake” originated from a legend of a sacred sword and home to a rare endangered giant turtle species and visit Ngoc Son Temple on the lake. Next, take a one-hour cycle tour of the Old Quarter of Hanoi with its ancient streets representing traditional trades from the past. Finish the tour at the Thang Long Opera Theatre with a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show.
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Ha Long Bay meaning Descending Dragon Bay in Vietnamese as legend has it that it was where a holly dragon landed down from sky. The bay, famous as one of the world’s wonders and heritage sites whose formation dates back 500 million years, consists of around 2,000 karst islands and islets scattered over an area of 1,553 km2. The bay cruise will continue with up close sighting of Dinh Huong Island, Ga Choi Island, Dog Island, Sail Island, a visit to Sung Sot Cave and swimming stop at Titov Beach. Relax to enjoy the bay view at sunset, have dinner after, go fishing at 09:00 PM and spend a night on board.
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Free at leisure until meet our guide then transfer to airport for flight to Hue. Arrival Hue airport, meet our guide & driver then transfer to the Hue city.
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Afternoon, take a boat cruise along the Perfume River to enjoy the open view of the river and its surroundings. Stop along the way and land on shore to visit two prominent historical landmarks namely the Minh Mang Tomb, where the 2nd Emperor of the Nguyen dynasty was buried, and Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery overlooking the river from a vantage point with its origin dating back to 1601. Last, stop for shopping at Dong Ba market, which is the city’s traditional commercial center.
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Start a full-day tour in Hoi An, once a bustling maritime commercial port of Asia between 15th and 19th centuries. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, it is now a peaceful town of exceptionally well-preserved architecture, lifestyles and traditions. The town exemplifies a fascinating fusion of cultures between Vietnam and the outside world including China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Your sightseeing will include the iconic 400-year-old Covered Bridge with a small temple attached to one side as a prominent example of Japanese architecture, the Museum of Trade Ceramics which is an elegant Vietnamese style wooden house built in 1858 showcasing antique ceramic artifacts, the 200-year-old Tan Ky House typifying an ancient Chinese merchant residence, the Ong Temple built in 1653 by Chinese settlers to worship Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese general whose character stands for loyalty, bravery and justice and the local market vibrant with colors and activities.
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Arrive at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh
City formerly named Saigon is the largest city and economic center of Vietnam always bustled with activities of modern life. It is where businesses converge and shoppers indulge themselves into unlimited choices. However the city also carries with it a rich historical legacy in contrast with its dazzling glamor.
Take a city tour to visit the War Remnants Museum which features a comprehensive collection of the machinery, weapons, photos, and documentation of Vietnam War with the both the French and Americans and the Reunification Palace which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of April 1975. Last, stop for shopping at the French-built Ben Thanh Market which dates back to 1870 and whose main entrance clock tower has become a city’s symbol.
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Price & booking
Package Prices ($) (From 01/01 To 31/03)
Tour package | 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-6 pax | 7-9 pax | Single Supp | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economy | 2368 | 1909 | 1588 | 1532 | 618 | Book a pack |
Deluxe | 2799 | 2340 | 2017 | 1962 | 1042 | Book a pack |
Luxury | 3561 | 3104 | 2781 | 2726 | 1712 | Book a pack |
Package Prices ($) (From 01/04 To 30/09)
Tour package | 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-6 pax | 7-9 pax | Single Supp | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economy | 2310 | 1851 | 1528 | 1473 | 558 | Book a pack |
Deluxe | 2691 | 2230 | 1908 | 1852 | 932 | Book a pack |
Luxury | 3398 | 2939 | 2616 | 2561 | 1562 | Book a pack |
Package Prices ($) (From 01/10 To 31/12)
Tour package | 2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-6 pax | 7-9 pax | Single Supp | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economy | 2368 | 1909 | 1588 | 1532 | 618 | Book a pack |
Deluxe | 2799 | 2340 | 2017 | 1962 | 1042 | Book a pack |
Luxury | 3561 | 3104 | 2781 | 2726 | 1712 | Book a pack |
SUPPLEMENT FOR SET MENU
Standard Vietnamese Set Menu USD 12 PER PERSON
Standard Western Set Menu USD 15 PER PERSON
SURCHARGE FOR INTERNAL TICKET
Luang Prabang to Hanoi by Lao Airline USD 153 PER PERSON
Hanoi to Da Nang by Vietnam Airline USD 115 PER PERSON
Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh by Vietnam Airline USD 115 PER PERSON
What's included
- Accommodation in a double or twin room with daily breakfast
- One night cruise on a wooden junk in Ha Long Bay
- Lunch or dinner as specified in the itinerary (B=Breakfast/ L=Lunch/ D=Dinner)
- Services of a driver and private air-conditioned vehicle during all tours and transfers.
- Experienced English-speaking guide during all tours and transfers
- Private board for sightseeing as mentioned in the program, Entrance fees for all visits as mentioned in the itinerary
- Mineral water is available as complementary
What's excluded
- International & Domestic flight tickets
- Visa stamping fee US 25 at the airport
- Personal expenses, such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc. All other services not specified in the itinerary
- Meals, if not specified in the itinerary
- Tipping for guides, drivers, hotel staff, restaurant staff, boat rider, etc.
- Surcharge for Peak season, Tet Lunar New year holidays, and compulsory dinner at some hotel & resort on Xmas and New year’s Eve
- Travel insurance (we highly recommend that you purchase adequate insurance).
- Not included VAT