Vietnam & Laos Luxury Escape – 16 Days

After breakfast, journey to Cai Be in the Mekong Delta. Explore Tan Phong Island by biking or strolling through village paths, observing orchards, schools, pagodas, and traditional homes. Watch artisans weave dried water hyacinth into baskets and hats. Cruise smaller canals by rowboat for a serene experience, then cross the Mekong River to An Binh Island. Visit a homestay, sip tea while enjoying traditional music, and tour workshops crafting rice paper, coconut candy, and pop-rice. Discover brick kilns where locals create pottery from clay. Drive to Can Tho for a luxurious overnight stay. Overnight in Can Tho. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Rise early for a boat trip to the vibrant Cai Rang Floating Market, the Mekong Delta’s largest, where locals trade goods from colorful boats. If time permits, visit the historic Binh Thuy Ancient House. Return to your hotel for leisure time until checkout, then drive back to Ho Chi Minh City with lunch en route. Check into your hotel and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Depart at 8:00 AM for the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 50-km underground network pivotal during the Vietnam War. Watch an introductory video, explore safe tunnel sections, and enjoy cassava and tea. Optional activities include firing real bullets at the shooting range (US$3/bullet, not included) or shopping for souvenirs. Return to Tan Son Nhat Airport for a flight to Quy Nhon. Upon arrival, transfer to your beachfront hotel to unwind and savor local seafood at your leisure. Overnight in Quy Nhon. Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Quy Nhon, lounging on pristine beaches, exploring coastal trails, or indulging in spa treatments at your luxury resort. Overnight in Quy Nhon. Meals: Breakfast

Transfer from your hotel in Quy Nhon to the station for a scenic journey aboard the Vietage Luxury Train to Hoi An. Relax in opulent cabins, savor gourmet refreshments, and enjoy panoramic views of Vietnam’s coastline and countryside. Arrive in Hoi An, check into your premium hotel, and spend the evening exploring the charming Ancient Town at your own pace. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast

Join a Farming & Fishing Eco Tour at Tra Que Village, assisting farmers with land preparation, seaweed fertilization, and watering. Cycle through the countryside, observing rural life, then board an eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Try traditional net fishing and paddle a bamboo basket boat through coconut palm-lined waterways. Enjoy lunch onboard, featuring vegetables from Tra Que. In the afternoon, explore Hoi An Ancient Town on a walking tour, visiting the Japanese Covered Bridge, Pottery Museum, Tan Ky Old House, Cantonese Congregation, and Chinese-style pagodas. Overnight in Hoi An. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Travel by vehicle to Hue along Highway 1A, stopping to admire Lang Co Beach and Danang’s skyline. Visit Marble Mountains, symbolizing the five elements. Arrive in Hue, check into your hotel, and enjoy lunch. Journey to Tam Giang Lagoon, Southeast Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. Visit Uncle Ho’s Memorial Area in Duong No Village, preserving memories of Ho Chi Minh’s early life, and explore the ancient Ru Cha Mangroves. Cruise the lagoon by sampan to Sam Chuon, kayaking and visiting traditional fishing structures like “Cho houses.” Savor a seafood break with local specialties, including seafood pancakes and Chuon wine. Capture the lagoon’s purple-hued sunset before returning to Hue. Overnight in Hue. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Begin at 8:00–8:30 AM with a Dragon Boat cruise on the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most iconic temple. Explore the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty. Visit Dong Ba Market to observe local life and shop for souvenirs. After lunch, tour the ornate tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, blending Eastern and Western architectural styles. Conclude at the Conical Hat Village, famous for its iconic hat-making and incense stick crafting, preserving Hue’s cultural heritage. Return to your hotel by 4:30 PM. Overnight in Hue. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Transfer to Hue’s airport for a flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and begin a half-day tour. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the Mausoleum (exterior), Stilt House, Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh Museum, and One Pillar Pagoda. Explore the Temple of Literature, a historic Confucian sanctuary. Enjoy a 1-hour cyclo tour through the French-inspired Old Quarter, browsing markets and galleries. Watch a traditional Water Puppet Show. In the evening, embark on a street food walking tour, sampling Pho, Banh Cuon, egg coffee, and more. Visit Dong Xuan Market and end at a hidden café overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake, immersing in Hanoi’s vibrant weekend scene (especially if it’s Friday). Overnight in Hanoi. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart Hanoi (8:00–8:30 AM) by shuttle bus for Halong Bay. At Tuan Chau International Marina, board Emperor Cruises at 12:00 PM, enjoying a welcome lounge and briefing. Savor a set lunch at the Panorama Restaurant while cruising past limestone karsts. Visit Sung Sot Cave, the bay’s largest, and Luon Cave for a bamboo boat ride amid ferns and orchids. Join a cooking demonstration and afternoon tea on the sundeck. Dine on an à la carte menu at the Royal Palace Restaurant, followed by squid fishing. Overnight on the cruise. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start with a Vovinam exercise session at 6:00 AM and a light breakfast. Visit Titov Island, named after a Soviet astronaut, for swimming or hiking to panoramic views. Enjoy brunch at Can Chanh Restaurant while cruising back to Tuan Chau Marina, arriving at 11:15 AM. Transfer directly to Noi Bai Airport for a flight to Luang Prabang, Laos. Check into your luxurious hotel upon arrival and relax. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Optionally rise before dawn to participate in the sacred alms-giving ritual, offering food to saffron-robed monks (notify your guide in advance; dress modestly). Return for breakfast or join locals for noodle soup. Visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, showcasing Lao artifacts, and Wat Xieng Thong, a masterpiece of Laotian architecture. Explore the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (closed Mondays) and Wat Visoun, home to the Watermelon Stupa. After lunch, transfer to MandaLao Elephant Sanctuary for an in-depth introduction to elephant behavior. Prepare digestive treats, cross the Nam Khan River by longtail boat, and feed the elephants alongside mahouts. Trek 1 km with the elephants along Hoy Kang stream, then enjoy snacks on MandaLao’s scenic deck. Return to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Spend the morning at Living Land Farm, a community-based rice farm in idyllic countryside. Try farming activities like rice planting or relax on the traditional Lao rice house balcony, surrounded by rice terraces and organic gardens. Visit workshops for bamboo weaving, blacksmithing, and sugar cane processing, and tour the organic garden to learn about traditional herbal medicine. Enjoy lunch at the farm. Journey to Kuang Si Waterfall, stopping at Ban Na Ouane H’Mong Village and Buffalo Dairy Farm for a guided tour, buffalo feeding, milking demonstrations, and tastings of ice cream and cheese. Hike through Kuang Si’s national park, passing the Asian Bear Rescue Center, and swim in the turquoise pools. Return to Luang Prabang. Overnight in Luang Prabang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Board the Le Grand Cruise at Le Calao pier by 6:30 AM (arrive by 6:15 AM). Cruise upstream on the Mekong River toward Pakbeng (8–9 hours), enjoying a continental breakfast. Stop at Pak Ou Village to visit the Tam Ting Caves, home to thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues. Savor lunch onboard. Arrive in Pakbeng around sunset, check into Le Grand Pakbeng, and dine on the terrace overlooking the Mekong. Overnight in Pakbeng. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enjoy an early breakfast and board the Le Grand Cruise by 6:30 AM for the second leg upstream to Houeixay. Stop at a Khmu ethnic minority village to observe rural life along the Mekong. Lunch is served onboard. Arrive in Houeixay around 5:00–5:30 PM, concluding your luxurious Vietnam and Laos journey. Optionally continue to Chiang Rai, Thailand, or arrange onward travel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch