On Arrival into Ho Chi Minh City, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel for the following two nights. After checking in, freshen up and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. In the evening you will head out for dinner at a local restaurant.

Silverland Yen, Ho Chi Minh City

Dinner

This morning you will take a journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi regions, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels built first as a defence against the French, and later expanded during the American War. It was from here that the North Vietnamese waged their guerrilla warfare and you will marvel at their ingenuity and resilience.  See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a late lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to explore the highlights of the city with your local guide. Visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Ho Chi Minh City Government during the American War. Continue to the History Museum, which houses an excellent display tracing the origins of the indigenous Vietnamese and the Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of the city.

Silverland Yen, Ho Chi Minh City

Breakfast and lunch

On arrival at Danang Airport, you will be met by our Central Vietnam local guide. En route to Hoi An, visit the Cham Museum in Danang then continue the short distance to Non Nuoc Beach, immortalised for many by the US television show named ‘China Beach’ and still one of the most spectacular beaches in Asia.

After a stop at the beach, head to the Marble Mountains and trek up to the top, passing through caves and temples on the way to ‘Heaven Gate’. There are spectacular views from the various lookout points of Non Nuoc Beach and Da Nang city below.

Afterwards continue to Hoi An and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Boutique Hoi An

Breakfast and lunch

This morning, head to the historic town centre for a walking tour which includes a visit to the Chinese communal houses and some of the pagodas, the unique Japanese covered bridge and the remnants of traders and a bygone era with their beautifully preserved ancient houses. You will also have the chance to visit the Hoi An local market or shop for art at one of the numerous galleries and enjoy the riverside ambience.

Boutique Hoi An

Breakfast and lunch

The morning is at leisure for last minute shopping or to perhaps visit the nearby beaches, before travelling to Danang airport for your flight to Hanoi. On arrival, you’ll be greeted and transferred to your hotel, in the evening enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

La Siesta Hotel, Hanoi

Breakfast and dinner

This morning set off to see the city highlights including the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum complex where the former leader lies in state, followed by the colonial style former Governors’ residence and the aptly named One Pillar Pagoda.

After lunch see the restored Opera House, before taking to the streets on a walking tour around the Ancient Quarter where you will see the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and stroll around the warren of bustling streets with their small shops selling all manner of goods – a souvenir hunter’s delight!

La Siesta Hotel, Hanoi

Breakfast and lunch

On arrival into Luang Prabang, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, head out with your local guide to see some of the sights that have made this town the World Heritage Jewel that it is!

Begin with a personal blessing by a monk who will perform a traditional ceremony by sprinkling water, jasmines and flowers over you which is believed to cleanse bad spirits and bring good luck. Then visit Vat Visoun with its impressive stupa, Vat Aham which is one of the city’s major tutelary shrines, and Wat Mai which is famous for its five-tiered roof built in the traditional style of Luang Prabang.

Phou Sii hill stands right in the centre of this small city. Climb its 350 steps to enjoy commanding views for many miles in each direction. Sunset can be enjoyed with a cold drink at one of the cafes located along the Mekong River.

This evening, head out for a delicious dinner at Tamnak Lao restaurant for a great introduction to Luang Prabang style Laotian cuisine. After dinner, take a tour around Luang Prabang’s fabulous night market with your local guide, where there is an overwhelming selection of local handicrafts on offer.

Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang

Dinner

After breakfast at the hotel head off with your guide to visit Wat Xieng Thong – often said to be Luang Prabang’s most beautiful temples. After visiting the temple begin the road journey out of Luang Prabang town to visit Kuang Sii Waterfalls passing through very scenic Laotian countryside, with rice paddies and many ethnic minority villages along the way. On arrival at Kuang Sii you can visit the ‘Bear Rescue Centre‘ where they conserve the black bears in the northern part of Laos. At Kuang Sii Waterfalls, if water levels permit, there is time to enjoy a refreshing dip in the falls. These beautiful falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool, turquoise pools.

Enjoy a local style lunch at the waterfalls, before returning to Luang Prabang town. En route, it is possible to stop at the village of Ban Phanom, a weaving village populated by Lu minority people that originally came from Sipsongpanna in Southern China.

On your return to Luang Prabang, the remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang

Breakfast and lunch

Start the day early with one of the most memorable sights of Luang Prabang – ‘Tak Bat’. At dawn hundreds of saffron robed monks move silently through the streets to collect alms (offerings of food). Your guide will explain the background behind this ritual which is still very much a part of everyday life and you will have the chance to make ‘merit’.

After breakfast back at your hotel, take a boat trip along the Mekong River to the Pak Ou caves. En route it is possible to stop at small riverside Ban Thin Hong weaving and fishing village, where you have an opportunity to interact with the locals and learn about rural Lao life and handicrafts. You are welcomed in the village with the traditional Laotian Baci ceremony. ‘Baci’ plays an important role even today to welcome or farewell, bring good luck and ward of bad spirits for any major event in the life of local people.

Then continue along the river to the Pak Ou caves, which contain many thousands of Buddha images that were placed here by local people since 16th century after King Setthathirat found the caves and declared them a holy spot. After exploring the caves and lunch at a local restaurant, its time to return to your boat and begin the journey back to Luang Prabang town where this afternoon is at leisure.

Maison Dalabua, Luang Prabang

Breakfast and lunch

Visit the National Museum which displays an impressive collection of personal artefacts of the former royal family, before transferring to the airport for your short flight to Vientiane.

This afternoon you will visit the Patouxai Victory Monument which was inspired by the Arc De Triomphe in Paris as well as Wat Sisaket which is the oldest original temple in the city. There will be a visit to Wat Phra Keo and That Luang, the most revered shrine in Laos finishing off with a stroll through Talaat Sao food and vegetable market to experience daily Laotian life.

Salana Boutique, Vientiane

Breakfast

Time to bid farewell to this magical country as you transfer to Vientiane Airport for your onward flight.

Breakfast