North Vietnam & Laos Adventure -11 Days

After breakfast, embark on a full-day exploration of Hanoi, a city with over 1,000 years of history. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered leader, followed by his stilt house and the Presidential Palace. Explore the iconic One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university. Tour the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, showcasing the cultures of 54 ethnic groups. After lunch, take a 1-hour cyclo tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and the bustling Old Quarter, browsing vibrant market streets. Conclude the day with a traditional water puppet show at a local theater, a captivating art form for all ages. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, drive 90 km south to Ninh Binh, admiring rural landscapes en route. Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient imperial capital, and explore the temples of Kings Dinh and Le, learning about their heroic resistance against Chinese invasions. After lunch at a local restaurant, board a small boat in Tam Coc to glide through stunning karst landscapes and limestone caves. Cycle for an hour along quiet roads, passing villages, rice paddies, and rocky outcrops in Tam Coc and Bich Dong. Check into your hotel in Ninh Binh and relax. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

After breakfast, transfer to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its emerald waters and limestone islands. Arrive around noon, enjoy lunch, and board a luxurious cruise. Sail through the bay’s dramatic karst scenery, surrounded by thousands of forested islands. In the afternoon, explore hidden coves or relax on deck. Savor a delicious dinner onboard, followed by evening activities like karaoke, sundeck relaxation, or squid fishing. Overnight on the cruise.

Wake early for morning exercises on the sundeck and breakfast amidst Halong Bay’s serene beauty. Continue cruising, capturing photos of the bay’s iconic islands. Participate in a Vietnamese cooking class onboard, learning to prepare local dishes. Enjoy a farewell lunch before disembarking at noon. Transfer back to Hanoi, arriving in the afternoon. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast, transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Upon arrival, meet your local guide and begin exploring this UNESCO World Heritage city. Visit Wat Sene, the city’s oldest temple, and Wat Xieng Thong, a masterpiece of Luang Prabang architecture with its tiered roof and mosaics. Continue to the stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. In the late afternoon, embark on an upstream Mekong River cruise, enjoying panoramic countryside views and interacting with locals. Savor dinner onboard while watching a traditional Lao dance performance, then return to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Optionally rise early to witness Luang Prabang’s alms-giving ceremony, where saffron-robed monks collect offerings (inform your guide in advance to participate respectfully). After breakfast, stroll through Luang Prabang’s streets, observing local life. Cruise along the Mekong River to the sacred Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha statues. Visit a nearby village to see rice wine production and learn about rural Lao life. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, one of Laos’ most picturesque sites. Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, travel to an elephant camp surrounded by lush forests. Enjoy a memorable elephant ride through jungles and streams, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, guide your elephant to the Nam Khan River for a bathing experience. Take a traditional longboat to Tad Sae Waterfall, relaxing in its clear waters. Drive back to Luang Prabang for dinner and rest. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, drive 3 hours north to Vang Vieng, a serene town along the Nam Song River, known for eco-tourism. Stop at traditional villages like Ban Mo, Hine Heum, and Lao Lum en route. After lunch, explore Vang Vieng’s Tham Jang Cave, a 19th-century defense bunker with panoramic views. Visit a biology plantation and the Lao Lum village of Ban Pha Tang. Enjoy a boat trip on the Nam Song River, then continue driving to Vientiane. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, begin a full-day tour of Vientiane, Laos’ elegant capital. Visit Wat Sisaket, home to thousands of Buddha statues from the 16th to 19th centuries, followed by Wat Ho Prakeo, once housing the Emerald Buddha, and That Luang Stupa, Laos’ most significant monument. Admire the Presidential Palace (exterior only) and Patuxay Monument, a tribute to Laos’ independence. After lunch at a local restaurant, drive 45 minutes to Buddha Park, featuring over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. Stop at the Mekong Friendship Bridge en route. Visit the Laos Disable Women’s Development Centre to observe handicraft production. Conclude the day with a sunset stroll along the Mekong River, enjoying a drink or snack. Overnight in Vientiane.

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Vientiane at your leisure. Depending on your flight schedule, transfer to the airport for your departure, concluding an enriching 11-day adventure through North Vietnam and Laos.