Tour Code: HLV Prices start from: $6,050 Ex Australia 20 Days Duo of unspoiled and culturally colourful nations
Combine a Laos travel tour with a Vietnam travel tour to create the ultimate Asian adventure. Discover the mountains and traditions of Laos, with visits to antique temples, ancient remains and caves. Witness the variety of Vietnamese culture and scenery and the highlights of Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An and Saigon. These two special countries are still unspoiled and unique, leaving a lasting memory.
Laos Map [enlarge]
SAT: AUSTRALIA/VIENTIANE
Depart Australia on Thai Airways to Vientiane via Bangkok. Transfer to Settha Palace Hotel for two nights. (Melbourne passengers depart one day earlier.)
SUN: VIENTIANE
Orientation tour of Laos’ capital city. Visit That Luang Stupa – the country’s most important national monument. See Wat Sisaket, Wat Si Muang Temple, considered the home of the guardian spirits of Patuxai and Patuxay Monument a large structure similar to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Also visit the Talat Sao Market. This afternoon make a stop at Buddha Park before returning to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1
MON: VIENTIANE/VANG VIENG
Travel north by car through the scenic province of Vientiane to Vang Vieng where you will stay overnight at the Vansana Hotel. This small town is nestled in a scenic bend in the Nam Song River. The west bank of the river is lined with tunnels, caverns and limestone cliffs. Visit Nam Ngum Lake, a man-made reservoir for a hydroelectric power dam that generates most of the electricity sold in Thailand. Enjoy a relaxing cruise on Nam Ngum Lake.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1
TUE: VANG VIENG/PHONSAVANH
Visit Than Phu Thao cave and Tham Xang cave, known as ‘elephant cave’ as it contains elephant-shaped stalactites. Continue to Phonsavanh (Xieng Khuang) for two nights.
WED: PHONSAVANH
Visit the Plain of Jars, where huge jars up to 1000kg each are scattered about in at least a dozen groupings. Stop at Muang Khoun, an ancient capital founded by Chao Noi Muang.
THU: PHONSAVANH/LUANG PRABANG
Transfer to Luang Prabang for three nights at La Residence Hotel.
FRI: LUANG PRABANG
Visit the beautiful Wat Xieng Thong with its golden gates and colourful murals. After exploring the temple, travel by boat to the confluence of the Mekong River and the Ou River to reach the famous Pak Ou Caves. These popular limestone caves are reached through a series of steps and are filled with a variety of Buddha images. Also visit the former Royal Palace, now Laos’ National Museum and continue onto Wat Mai. End your day by climbing Phousi Hill for a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding countryside. Stop at the evening hill tribe market before enjoying dinner at the Coconut Garden Restaurant.
SAT: LUANG PRABANG
Visit Wat Aham and Wat Visunalat, considered one of the oldest operating temples in Luang Prabang. Travel onto Kuang Si waterfall, located in a perfect natural setting near Luang Prabang. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you watch the waters tumble over multi-tiered limestone formations into a series of turquoise pools. This afternoon visit Ban Xom village know for its cotton production and Ban Xang Khong where traditional Sa paper is made.
SUN: LUANG PRABANG/HANOI
Fly to Hanoi for three nights at the Intercontinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel. Enjoy a cyclo tour through the bustling streets of the Old Quarter. Watch the skilled puppet masters at the Water Puppet Theatre near Hoan Kiem Lake before dinner at Koto Restaurant, owned by respected Australian-Vietnamese Jimmy Phan who helps street kids gain work and independence in the hospitality industry.
Meals: Breakfast 1 | Dinner 1
MON: HANOI
A full day excursion to beautiful Halong Bay, acknowledged as one of the natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a leisurely cruise through the emerald green waters from which thousands of islands and grottoes rise majestically towards the sky. Whilst on board enjoy a delicious seafood lunch.
TUE: HALONG BAY EXCURSION
Morning visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before setting off on a walking visit to the colourful markets with a chef from the Hanoi Cooking Centre to search for the freshest ingredients. On return to the Hanoi Cooking Centre, your chef will demonstrate the preparation of mouth watering Vietnamese dishes followed by lunch. Your afternoon tour will include a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s wooden cottage and the One Pillar Pagoda. Early this evening, visit an artist gallery where you will enjoy a welcome drink as you browse the impressive display and finish with a dinner at the Press Club Restaurant.
WED: HANOI/HUE
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Hue where you will stay for two nights at the La Residence Hotel. This evening enjoy dinner at the Y Thao Garden Restaurant.
THU: HUE
Visit the Imperial Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. Take a boat along the Perfume River, marvelling at the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and Thien Mu Pagoda, regarded as the most beautiful in Hue. Stop off at Dong Ba market.
FRI: HUE/HOI AN
Journey south to Hoi An, a charming ancient town and a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Your journey will take you via Danang along the mountain roads which offer spectacular views of the coastline. Enroute stop at Non Nouc Beach and the Cham Museum. Stay at the Boutique Hoi An Resort for one night and this evening enjoy dinner at the Secret Garden Restaurant.
SAT: HOI AN
Described as a “living museum”, Hoi An is brimming with unique charm and tranquility. Enjoy a walking tour and see architecture built by traders from a bygone era. Watch the preparation of traditional 'pho' noodles and enjoy the lunch that follows. Visit the Japanese covered bridge and a Chinese communal house, shop for art and enjoy the riverside ambience. Take a boat on the Thu Bon River and visit Thanh Ha to see locals producing beautiful pottery.
SUN: HOI AN/SAIGON
Transfer by vehicle to Danang where you will join your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel Saigon Plaza for three nights. A cocktail reception at the historic Rooftop Garden Bar of the Rex Hotel will be arranged.
MON: SAIGON
This morning you will travel by coach to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Constructed by Viet Cong fighters during the Vietnam War, these tunnels ran directly under military bases and were used both as shelters and to stage surprise attacks. Explore the city, visiting the Reunification Palace, History Museum or Revolutionary Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office and Dong Khoi Street. Stop at Cholon (Chinatown) and Ben Thanh Market, the central market of Saigon and one of the liveliest areas in the city. In the evening enjoy a wonderful dinner at Annamite Restaurant.
TUE: MY THO EXCURSION
A full day at bustling My Tho in the Mekong Delta. Visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, a beautiful temple and sanctuary for orphan and needy children. Explore the islands of the Mekong by boat, stopping at an orchard to enjoy fruit and tea. Observe the daily life of Vietnam’s rural people.
WED: SAIGON/AUSTRALIA
Your Vietnam and Laos travel tour ends today when you farewell Vietnam and transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.
Meals: Breakfast 1
THU: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA
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