18-Day Depth of Vietnam and Laos Tour

Welcome to Vietnam, the Land of the Ascending Dragon. Upon arrival to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), your friendly local guide will greet you at airport and then take you to your hotel for check-in. Experience Ho Chi Minh City with its pulsating energy and fascinating culture! This dazzling city boasts French colonial charm from its architecture to its food. A chaotic whirlwind of traffic and disarray, visitors cannot help but be captivated from this region from moment they arrive. The rest of the day is yours to relax, settle in and, if jet lag permits, do a little exploring on your own.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your day with a fascinating tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, a vast network of tunnels made by the Viet Cong during the war. These mysterious tunnels functioned as underground cities, complete with living quarters, hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, kitchens and supply routes. On the way back to the city, you will join a traditional Vietnamese cooking class, including a charming trip to a local market where you can pick your own ingredients. At the end of the lesson, you may sit down to enjoy your delicious meal!

After lunch, drive back to Ho Chi Minh and enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing, which will include admiring the architecture of the Central Post Office, a taste of a local marketplace at the Binh Tay Market, learning more about the wars of Vietnam and their effects on the country at the War Remnants Museum and finally visiting the impressive French colonial-style City Hall. The evening is yours to explore the city and sample some of the world's favourite food.

In the early morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Ben Tre. You will meet your guide at Ham Luong River where you will board your Mango Cruise. Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking 2-day journey along the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail as we set sail to Mo Cay. Our first stop will be the Mo Cay local wet market where you will see many food stalls full of local produce and fresh meats, including strange exotic delicacies such as rat and snake. As we continue to cruise through the canals, we will make another stop to see the local coconut pressing where coconut oils and fibers are made.

Upon your return to the ship, you will be given free time to relax and have a cold drink and delicious lunch on deck. We will then head down the Vung Liem Canal to visit the traditional brickworks in the lively town of Vung Liem. Next, you will be given a bicycle tour around town, visiting the fascinating Cao Dai and Khmer temples. We will now set sail to Tra On, where we will stop for the night. You will be given some free time to lounge and freshen up before a cooking demonstration and mouth-watering 5-course dinner on board. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy the sounds of the surrounding nature.Overnight on board.

Arise early to explore the Tra On floating market as we make our way towards Can Tho. Next, visit the spectacular Cai Rang floating market, where we will transfer to a smaller boat and mingle amongst the thousands of trading vessels. Wander through the local boats and enjoy tasting the various fruits and drinks from the stands. After our visit to the floating markets, you will return to your cruise and enjoy the dazzling scenery before being dropped off at Ninh Kieu Quay in Can Tho where you will again be greeted by a private guide.In the afternoon, you will be taken back to Ho Chi Minh City where the rest of the day will be yours to explore, shop and wander as you please.

This morning is your last chance to wander around the city and soak up its thriving atmosphere.When the time comes, you will take you to the airport to continue your onward journey to Nha Trang, a gorgeous coastal town known for its powdery white sand beaches. Upon your arrival, your local guide will take you to your hotel to check-in. The rest of the day yours to relax or go and explore Nha Trang’s stunning beaches.

Time for a bit of rest and relaxation. Today is yours to soak up the sunshine, take a dip in the ocean and explore the town.We recommend a trip to the mud baths at Thap Ba Hot Springs or a hike to Ba Ho Waterfall.

In the morning, you will be driven for a few hours to the charming city of Dalat. As Dalat still retains much of its French colonial influence, you will feel as if you are stepping out of Vietnam and into the French countryside! Once you arrive, you will get the chance to wander around the 1930s art-deco Bao Dai Summer Palace and it's well-kept gardens. Next, head to the historic Old Dalat Railway Station. The morning's tour will end with the chance to see the gorgeous views around the Xuan Huong Lake.

After lunch, you'll be driven to the busy and colourful Central Market. Explore a traditional and vibrant Vietnamese market, ending the day with a trip to the Lam Ty Ni Pagoda.Tonight is yours to explore this curious city.

After breakfast, take a last wander around the city of Dalat before you are transferred back to Nha Trang. Your driver will take a long, scenic route so you can soak up the stunning atmosphere with panoramic views. On our way out, we will stop at the Pongour Falls, a spectacular waterfall with many tiers of water tumbling down impressive rocks.

Spend your last hours in Nha Trang in the afternoon before you are whisked away on a flight to Hoi An, a delightful and atmospheric seaside village in Central Vietnam. Once you arrive at the airport in Hoi An, your lovely local guide will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. The rest of the evening is free for you to explore this delightful town.

After breakfast, you'll start your day with a wander around Hoi An Ancient Town, where you will see the beautiful 400-year-old Japanese Bridge, one of the city’s most iconic attractions. This city is a picture postcard gem, with its unique brightly coloured buildings and historic atmosphere. Your tour will continue with a visit to the Quan Cong Temple and handicraft village.

In the afternoon, join an eco sunset cruise where the river meets the Cua Dai Sea. On this tour, you will witness two special daily rituals: the passing parade of the local fishing fleet setting out to sea and the magic of the sun slowly sinking in the sky. You will also have the opportunity to experience paddling the strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Join the local fisherman on the river and enjoy a hands-on experience of round net and cast net fishing. Tonight is yours to wander around this delightful town. Have some clothing made at one of Hoi An’s many tailoring shops or visit An Hoi’s beautiful lantern night market!

Today, you will discover UNESCO World Heritage site and hidden treasure of Vietnam, My Son Holy Land. These crumbling ruins are a holy city for the Cham, a minority tribe. Built in the 4th century, this site was the former capital and religious centre of the Champa Kingdom. After a stroll around this dramatic complex, we will head out for some lunch before returning to your hotel in Hoi An. The rest of the evening is for you to enjoy Hoi An.

This morning is your last opportunity to take a walk around Hoi An and buy any last minute goodies! This afternoon, you will pack up your things and take a private vehicle to the historical and exotic ancient capital city of Hue. Along the way, you will be able to enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, particularly breathtaking panoramic view atop Marble Mountain.

Today you will visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen ruled between 1802 and 1945. As it was badly damaged in the war, the site is undergoing restoration. Take a Royal Dragon Boat ride to get the chance to have a great view of Perfume River. Next, you will visit the tallest pagoda in Vietnam,Thien Mu Pagoda, a beautiful and tranquil place to walk around on the north bank of the Perfume River.

Enjoy your last few moments in Hue before your flight to Hanoi! Upon your arrival, a nice local guide will be waiting to greet you and take you to your hotel to check-in.This evening, enjoy a cultural treat! You will be attending a famous Water Puppet Show at the theatre.

Today, you will be taken to Halong Bay early in the morning where you will board your Bhaya Cruise!  Settle into your cabin and prepare for a breathtaking day-long journey. After a brief check-in and orientation, enjoy a refreshing welcome drink as we set sail into the mystical Halong Bay.You will be given a buffet lunch as the boat cruises southeast, passing by Trong Mai Islet and Titov Island. You will then transfer to a small local sampan boat to discover the floating village of Vung Vieng. Once returning to the ship, if weather permits, you will be given kayaks to further explore the surrounding area.

Next, you will enjoy a traditional Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck. The bar opens at 17:30 with a “buy one get one free” happy hour. A set menu dinner will be served in the restaurant. The rest of the evening is yours to relax, watch a movie in the restaurant, or enjoy a 30% discount at the bar.Overnight on cruise at Halong Bay.

Today, you will begin your early morning with some spiritual and relaxing Tai Chi on the sundeck. Complimentary tea and coffee will be served as your ship cruises through the mysterious and majestic caves of Trong, Trinh Nu, Me Cung, and Sung Sot, along with the islet of Coc Ngoi. A buffet brunch will be served on board as the ship cruises back towards the harbour. You will disembark at Tuan Chau Marina where you will be transferred back to Hanoi by your private guide. Enjoy an evening to yourself in Hanoi.

After breakfast, you will enjoy a lovely morning touring around Hanoi city. You will begin with a visit to The Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and Museum. Then, you will discover the One Pillar Pagoda, a temple which rises from the centre of one pillar and is said to be have been built in the shape of a lotus. Finish your day with a stroll around the Fine Arts Museum; showcasing pieces from a range of historical periods.

Following a delicious local lunch, your afternoon will be spent at the fascinating Ethnologic Museum, where you can learn a bit about the many different ethnic minorities in Vietnam. After this, you'll be taken to visit the ancient Hoan Kiem Lake, where locals enjoy practicing their Tai Chi and Vietnamese aerobics. Today’s tour ends with a special tour where you may discover the picturesque Old Quarter by cyclo or rickshaw.

When the time comes, your guide will take you to the airport to continue your onward journey to Luang Prabang, a sleepy town with a blend of red-roofed Buddhist temples and French-colonial architecture nestled in the lofty green mountains. After check-in at your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to marvel in the mystique of this former mountain kingdom, perhaps exploring the local night market.

This morning, your journey of discovery begins with a serene cruise down the Mekong, idling past scenes of rural riverside life and spectacular mountain scenery until you reach the Pak Ou Caves. Nestled among the limestone cliffs where the Mekong and and Nam OU rivers meet, the caves are split into two: one called Tham Ting; and the other Tham Theung. Both are filled with thousands of Buddha images and statues which have been deposited here over the centuries.

A short distance away from Pak Ou Caves, we visit the village of Ban Xang Hai, which has for centuries made the clay jars which are used to ferment Lao wine. Nowadays, the village also specialises in producing a wide range of ‘Lao Lao’ whisky and ‘Lau Hai’ wine. Be sure to try just a little before we head back down to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon.

After your trip to the caves, enjoy private tour of the city, calling in at Wat Xiengthong, Luang Prabang’s stunning Golden City Temple, Wat Aham, with its depictions of Buddha’s life painted on the walls, and the Royal Palace Museum, where you’ll have the chance to learn more about Lao history and culture. In the evening, you’re free to relax, or do a little exploring on your own.  

You’ll start the day by observing the early-morning alms ritual of the saffron-robed monks that call this city home, perhaps even receiving a blessing. After breakfast at your hotel, you will head to explore more of Laos’ natural beauty at the stunning Khouang Si Waterfalls. After lunch in a local restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to visit a variety of Lao Minority Group villages, learning about their unique traditions and cultures, experiencing a totally different way of life. Spend the evening relaxing in your hotel, or venture out on your own.

Today is yours to relax until it’s time to head for airport for your ongoing flight, leaving this beautiful country with many wonderful memories and stories to share with your loved ones back home.

12–Day Laos and Vietnam Highlights

More Detail