North Vietnam & Laos Adventure 14 days

You’ll arrive at Hanoi via Noi Bai International Airport, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. After arrival, you’ll have time to rest and settle in.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before spending the rest of the evening exploring the city at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi. 

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll meet your guide at 08:00 for a full-day exploration of Vietnam’s capital.

You’ll visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1070, followed by the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, known for its unique lotus-inspired design.

The journey continues to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, including his stilt house, offering insight into Vietnam’s modern history. You’ll then visit the peaceful Tran Quoc Pagoda and take a stroll around West Lake.

Note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays, and also from June to August for maintenance.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll take a short break.

Afternoon

Visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, where you’ll learn about the country’s 54 ethnic groups through artefacts, films, and cultural displays.

At around 16:30, the tour ends and you’ll return to the Old Quarter.

Optional: You can choose a one-hour cyclo tour to discover more or watch a water puppet show - a unique Vietnamese art form about wet-rice culture.

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll depart between 08:00 and 08:30 for Halong Bay. On arrival around noon, you’ll board your overnight cruise and enjoy lunch on board while sailing through limestone karsts and emerald waters.

Afternoon

Spend the afternoon exploring the bay, with activities such as kayaking, swimming, or cave visits depending on your cruise itinerary. Return to the cruise for a sunset gathering and cooking demonstration, or simply relax on the sundeck.

Evening

Enjoy dinner on board followed by optional evening activities such as squid fishing, a film screening, or karaoke.

Note: The itinerary may vary depending on the cruise you choose.

Morning

Start the day with a Tai Chi session on deck or relax while watching the sunrise over the bay. After breakfast, you’ll have time for kayaking or a rowboat excursion (depending on the itinerary).

Brunch is served as the cruise returns to the harbour. Between 11:00 and 12:00, you’ll disembark and travel back to Hanoi.

Afternoon/ Evening

Arrive in Hanoi and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You may wish to explore the Old Quarter at your own pace.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll depart Hanoi and travel to Mai Chau, a peaceful valley surrounded by mountains and rice fields.

On the way, you’ll enjoy scenic countryside views and stop at Thung Khe Pass for a panoramic outlook over the valley. Lunch will be shared with a local White Thai family, offering a warm glimpse into village life.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, you’ll take an easy trek through nearby villages, meeting local Thai communities and experiencing daily life in the mountains at a relaxed pace.

Later, you’ll return to your homestay and help prepare a traditional dinner with your hosts.

Evening

Enjoy a home-style meal followed by live music and traditional dance performed by local villagers.

Overnight in a homestay in Mai Chau.

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll leave Mai Chau and travel towards Moc Chau, where you’ll stop to take in the sweeping views of lush green tea gardens. It’s a relaxed opportunity to enjoy the countryside and capture some beautiful photos along the way.

You’ll then continue the journey towards Dien Bien Phu, crossing the dramatic Pha Din Pass, a winding mountain route known for its striking landscapes and rugged beauty.

Afternoon

Arrive in Dien Bien Phu, a region surrounded by natural scenery and deeply connected to Vietnam’s historical past. After a long day on the road, you’ll transfer to your hotel and have time to unwind and rest.

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll set out to explore Dien Bien Phu, a site closely associated with the 1954 victory that marked a major turning point in Vietnam’s history.

You’ll visit a local Thai ethnic market to get a sense of daily life and regional culture before following the guide to discover the military base in The Command of Dien Bien Phu Campaign in the forest of Muong Phang. 

Afternoon

Continue to the Dien Bien Phu Museum, where exhibitions and artefacts provide insight into the war and its historical significance. The visit includes displays shaped like a traditional soldier’s hat, along with photographs and documents from the resistance period.

You’ll then head to A1 Hill, one of the most important battle sites of the campaign. After the visit, you’ll return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. 

After breakfast, you’ll check out and travel towards the Tay Trang Border Gate to cross into Laos.

Following immigration procedures, you’ll continue to Muang Khua, a quiet riverside border town where you’ll stop for lunch and a short break.

From here, the journey continues to Nong Khiaw, a peaceful town surrounded by limestone mountains and river scenery. Upon arrival, you’ll check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Evening

You may choose to explore the town on your own, take in the riverside views, or try some local Lao dishes at your own pace.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw. 

After breakfast, you’ll travel towards Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its blend of traditional Lao culture and colonial architecture.

Along the way, you’ll visit the Pak Ou Caves, a sacred site filled with thousands of Buddha statues placed inside limestone caverns overlooking the Mekong River.

You’ll then continue on to Luang Prabang, where golden temples, river views, and mountain backdrops create a calm and atmospheric setting. After arrival, you’ll check in and have time to rest.

Evening

The evening is free for you to explore the night market or stroll through the Old Town at your own pace.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Morning

Wake up early this morning to participate in the most sacred tradition of Laos: the alms-giving ritual, where many monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meals from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

Back to the hotel to have breakfast and be ready to explore the most beautiful spots of Luang Prabang:

• Visit the Royal Palace Museum, also called the National Museum, which used to be the residence of the Lao royal family and hosts a wide range of interesting artifacts.
• Head to the magnificent Wat XiengThong (Temple of Golden City), with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, representing classical Laotian architecture.
• Take a look at the Traditional Art & Ethnology Center to learn about the many Lao ethnic groups.

Afternoon

After lunch, you’ll travel to the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, where you can relax by the turquoise pools or take a walk through the surrounding forest trails. There’s also an opportunity to visit the nearby bear rescue centre.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll return to Luang Prabang and climb Phousi Hill for panoramic sunset views over the city and the Mekong River.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll leave Luang Prabang and travel to Phonsavan (duration: 7 hours), a scenic journey through mountainous landscapes, forests, and rural hill tribe villages. Along the way, you’ll have time to take in the changing scenery of the countryside at a relaxed pace. 

Afternoon

Arrive in Phonsavan and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to rest and enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this small mountain town.

Overnight in Phonsavan.

Morning

After breakfast, you may visit Phonsavan Central Market for a short stroll and optional souvenir shopping.

You’ll then continue to the MAG exhibition, where exhibitions highlight unexploded ordnance and provide insight into Laos’ wartime history.

Next, you’ll explore the mysterious Plain of Jars, a UNESCO-listed archaeological site featuring thousands of ancient stone jars scattered across the Xieng Khouang plateau.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, you’ll visit the former royal capital Muang Khoun, as well as nearby Hmong and Tai Dam villages, where you’ll gain a glimpse into traditional rural life.

Later, you’ll return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Morning

After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the airport and take a domestic flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. You’ll then have time to rest before your afternoon sightseeing. 

Afternoon

Meet your guide and begin exploring the city's cultural and historical landmarks.

Visit Wat Si Saket, the oldest surviving Buddhist temple in Vientiane, known for its collection of thousands of Buddha images. Continue to Haw Pha Kaew, the former royal temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha and now serves as a museum displaying religious art and artefacts.

Proceed to Pha That Luang, the country's most important national monument and a significant Buddhist stupa that symbolises Laos' cultural and spiritual heritage. Conclude the tour at Patuxai, the Victory Gate of Laos, a landmark offering views of the surrounding city from its upper levels.

Evening

The evening is free for you to relax or explore Vientiane at your own pace. 

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Vientiane after breakfast, with free time at your leisure depending on your flight schedule.

Later, you’ll be transferred to Wattay International Airport for your departure flight.