Highlights of Vietnam & Laos 14 days

Morning/ Afternoon

Upon arrival at the airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City for check-in.

Note: The standard hotel check-in time is 14:00. Early check-in may be arranged for an additional charge, subject to availability. Please contact your travel consultant in advance.

Evening

Gather with your companions for a delightful rooftop dinner in the vibrant cityscape of Ho Chi Minh City.

Morning

Travel by speedboat along the Saigon River, leaving the busy city behind for greener countryside and rice fields along the waterways.

Continue to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network used by Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. Explore the tunnels and learn how they were used for shelter, movement, and daily life during the conflict.

After the visit, enjoy a light lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

Afternoon

Continue with a city tour, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, an example of French colonial architecture in the city centre.

Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is currently undergoing restoration.

The rest of the evening is free to explore Ho Chi Minh City at your own pace, whether you’d like to browse a local market, enjoy dinner or simply relax.

Morning

Set out by private boat into the Mekong Delta, travelling through its network of rivers and canals and seeing the quieter side of southern Vietnam.

Stop to learn about local coconut production and processing, with an opportunity to sample freshly extracted coconut juice. Continue by tricycle along the narrow village roads and visit a local workshop to see how traditional rice noodles are made.

Afternoon

Cruise onwards to Mango Home for lunch featuring local specialities. After lunch, take a walk through the village to Mr Sau Tuong’s house, where you can hear about his experiences as a former soldier during the Cambodian conflict.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City after the village visit and enjoy a relaxed evening at your hotel.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight to Hue, Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in. The rest of the day is free to settle in and enjoy Hue at your own pace.

Morning

At 08:00, your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to the boat landing. Board a boat along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Hue’s best-known landmarks, with a history closely connected to the city’s religious and cultural heritage.

Continue by road to the Tu Duc Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb. Explore the royal tombs and learn more about the lives of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, as well as the distinctive architecture of each site.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with a chance to sample traditional Hue specialities.

Afternoon

Return to the city centre and visit the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former centre of the Nguyen Dynasty. Explore the historic complex, including the Forbidden Purple City, and learn about Hue’s imperial past.

If the time and weather are perfect, you could admire the glorious and mesmerizing sunset on the Perfume River.

The rest of the evening is free to explore Hue at your own pace or relax at the hotel. 

Start the day with your journey from Hue to Hoi An, travelling south through central Vietnam. The route passes through Da Nang, with changing views of coastal scenery, mountains and countryside along the way.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in at your hotel and settle in. Hoi An’s Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its preserved architecture, riverside setting and long history as a trading port.

The rest of the afternoon is free to explore at your own pace. Wander through the old streets, browse local shops, or relax at the hotel before an easy evening in town.

At around 09:00, your local guide will meet you in Hoi An Ancient Town and accompany you to Cam Thanh Coconut Village, a peaceful riverside community surrounded by coconut palms.

Meet local residents and learn about daily life in the village before boarding a traditional bamboo basket boat. Paddle through the waterways beneath the coconut palms and enjoy a quieter side of the Hoi An countryside.

Along the way, learn about the village’s history and local fishing traditions. There’ll also be opportunities to try casting fishing nets, paddle a round basket boat, or join a friendly basket boat race, depending on local conditions.

After the activity, return to Hoi An and enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace.

Morning

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Hoi An, with free time to revisit the Ancient Town, browse local shops or simply enjoy a quiet start to the day.

Later, transfer to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for check-in and some time to relax before the afternoon sightseeing.

Afternoon

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby before setting out to explore some of Hanoi’s important historical landmarks.

Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his traditional house on stilts and the Presidential Palace to learn more about the life and legacy of Ho Chi Minh. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, a distinctive historic temple built on a single stone pillar and an important symbol of Hanoi.

Note: The mausoleum is closed Mon and Fri and from Jun - Aug. You can only take photographs from the outside.

Next, explore the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university and one of Hanoi’s best-preserved examples of traditional Vietnamese architecture. Walk through its courtyards and historic grounds, learning about its connection with Confucian education and Vietnam’s scholars over the centuries.

Enjoy dinner before returning to your hotel for a relaxed evening in Hanoi.

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before travelling from Hanoi to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone islands and karst landscapes.

Upon arrival, board your overnight cruise and settle in before enjoying lunch on board. Cruise into the bay, with time to take in the changing scenery from the deck.

Afternoon

Continue cruising among the limestone karsts and islands rising from the sea. Depending on your cruise itinerary, visit a limestone cave or a local fishing village, with opportunities for kayaking or other water-based activities on selected cruises.

Return to the boat later in the afternoon and enjoy some time on deck. You may join a sunset activity or a cooking demonstration led by the onboard chef.

Evening

Spend the night on board and enjoy the cruise’s evening activities. Options may include squid fishing, karaoke, movies, or other onboard entertainment, depending on the cruise.

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

Morning

Start the morning with a gentle Tai Chi lesson on board the cruise. Follow the slow, controlled movements while enjoying the quiet surroundings of Halong Bay.

After the session, enjoy brunch on board as the cruise continues towards the port. Disembark and begin the journey back to Hanoi.

Afternoon

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before transferring to the airport for your flight from Hanoi to Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and transfer to your hotel for check-in. Take some time to settle in and relax after the journey.

The rest of the day is free to explore Luang Prabang at your own pace. Wander through the quiet streets, admire the city’s golden temples and French colonial architecture, or simply relax and enjoy the slower pace of this UNESCO World Heritage city.

After breakfast, visit the Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 during the French colonial period for King Sisavang Vong and his family. Explore the former royal residence and learn more about the history and culture of Laos.

Continue with a leisurely cruise upstream along the Mekong River, taking in views of the countryside and seeing everyday life along the river. Arrive at the Pak Ou Caves, two sacred caves containing thousands of Buddha images placed there by pilgrims over many generations.

On the return journey, stop at Ban Xanghai Village, known for its traditional rice wine production. Learn about the local process and browse some of the village’s handmade products.

Return to Luang Prabang and visit Wat Sene, followed by Wat Xiengthong, one of the city’s most important historic temples. Admire its distinctive roof and detailed mosaics, including the Tree of Life glass mural on the rear wall.

If time allows, continue to Ban Xangkhong, a Thai Lue village known for traditional weaving and handmade crafts. Visit nearby Ban Xienglek to see how traditional Saa paper is made.

You may also have the chance to join locals for a friendly game of petanque, depending on the day’s schedule.

Evening

Visit Wat Prabath to take in the sunset over the Mekong River, with time to enjoy the changing light across the water.

Finish the day at Luang Prabang Night Market, where local artisans and hill-tribe communities sell handmade textiles, crafts and other traditional products.

Rise early to witness morning alms giving, one of Luang Prabang’s long-standing Buddhist traditions. Monks walk quietly through the streets to receive food offerings from local residents, offering a glimpse into the city’s spiritual life.

Continue to the nearby morning market, where locals shop for fresh produce, fish and everyday goods. Return to your hotel for breakfast before continuing with the day’s sightseeing.

Climb the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for views across Luang Prabang’s historic centre and the Mekong River. The walk is moderately steep, so take your time on the way up.

If time allows, visit the UXO Visitor Center (closed on weekends) to learn about the impact of unexploded ordnance in Laos and ongoing clearance efforts.

Travel to Kuang Si Waterfall, a series of cascades flowing through several levels into turquoise pools surrounded by forest. Take some time to walk along the falls, swim where permitted or simply enjoy the natural surroundings.

Continue to Ban Thapene Village if you’d like a quieter walk away from the main waterfall area. Nearby, visit the Bear Rescue Center, which provides care for rescued Asiatic black bears.

On the return journey to Luang Prabang, stop at the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center, a riverside workshop where local artisans demonstrate traditional weaving, dyeing and textile-making techniques.

Return to Luang Prabang and enjoy the rest of the evening at your own pace.

Enjoy your final morning in Luang Prabang at leisure. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have time to take a last stroll through the charming streets, pick up a few souvenirs, or simply relax at your hotel.

When it’s time, our driver will transfer you to Luang Prabang International Airport for your onward flight.