Timeless Trails of Vietnam & Laos – 8 Days

After breakfast, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, showcasing the lifestyles of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups through artifacts and full-size village models. Drive to central Hanoi to explore the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 to honor Confucius. Enjoy lunch at Bun Cha Huong Lien, a local favorite famously visited by President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain. In the afternoon, tour the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and One Pillar Pagoda, set in a traffic-free zone of gardens and monuments. Visit Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake, accessed by a vibrant wooden bridge. End with a leisurely walk through the Old Quarter, savoring egg coffee or street food amid colonial architecture. Return to the hotel with your guide or stay to dine independently. Overnight in Hanoi.

Drive 3 hours to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Board a cruise around noon and sail through Bai Tu Long Bay, admiring limestone islets. Explore Thien Canh Son Cave, with its twinkling stalactites and panoramic views. Relax with swimming or kayaking, then enjoy a varied lunch and dinner on board, featuring innovative cuisine. Overnight on the cruise.

Start with a Tai Chi session on the sundeck, accompanied by tea and coffee. Cruise to Vung Vieng Fishing Village, exploring by bamboo boat to observe local life. Visit a Pearl Farm to learn about pearl harvesting and browse souvenirs. Disembark around noon and transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Upon arrival, your local guide escorts you to a centrally located hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, tour the Royal Palace Museum (closed Tuesdays), home to historic Lao artifacts. Visit Wat Sene, Wat Xieng Thong with its classic low-sweeping roofs, Wat Visoun’s impressive stupa, and Wat Aham’s shrine. In the afternoon, explore the Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about Laos’ ethnic diversity, then visit the weaving villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek. Return to the city to see Wat Mai, then climb Mount Phousi for a sacred stupa and sunset views over the Mekong River. Stroll the vibrant Luang Prabang Night Market, immersing in local life. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Optionally rise early to observe or participate in the alms-giving ceremony, where monks collect offerings (notify your guide a day prior for offerings or purchase on-site; dress modestly and behave respectfully). Visit Phousi Market, buzzing with tropical fruits, handicrafts, and unique items like dried buffalo skin. Drive to the countryside, stopping at the Hmong village of Ban Quay and the Lao village of Ban Ou to learn about ethnic hill tribes. Arrive at Ban Thepene, a Khmu village near Kuang Si Waterfall, and enjoy lunch. Hike through the rainforest to the falls, swimming or relaxing in turquoise pools. Visit the Kuang Si Bear Sanctuary, home to rescued Asiatic black bears. End at Wat Siphouthabath to watch the sunset. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Cruise the Mekong River toward Huay Xai, enjoying a continental breakfast on board. Stop at Pak Ou Village at the Nam Ou River’s mouth to explore the Pak Ou Caves, known as the Caves of a Thousand Buddhas, filled with countless Buddha statues. After a buffet lunch, visit a hill tribe village to observe traditional Lao whiskey production. Cruise back to Luang Prabang around sunset, savoring dinner and the serene river views. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, enjoy free time to explore Luang Prabang’s markets or relax. Your driver transfers you to Luang Prabang International Airport for your departure flight, concluding an unforgettable 8-day journey.