DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive Vientiane
Arrive at Wattay Airport and transfer to your hotel. Visit the city’s major historic sites and landmarks including Wat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Wat Prakeo (which once enshrined the Emerald Buddha now in Bangkok), Wat Simuang, That Luang, the Patousai Monument, and the central market. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane – Luang Prabang (Air); Luang Prabang city tour (Road)
We transfer to the airport for a brief morning flight to the mountain kingdom of Luang Prabang. This former royal capital has retained its small-town charm offering a glimpse into its unchanged way of life. Visit the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Sen, Wat Visun and climb to the summit of Mt. Phousi for a stunning panorama of the town and the Mekong River. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 3: Pak Ou Caves in Luang Prabang (Boat)
Travel on a long-tailed boat on the Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves where hundreds of gilded and wooden Buddha statues are housed inside a towering limestone cliff. After a picnic lunch on the banks of the Nam Ou River, visit the riverside village of Ban Hang Sae to observe the making of rice wine and a textile weaving demonstration. Overnight in Luang Prabang. (B)

Day 4 : Luang Prabang – Xieng Khuang (Air); Xieng Khuang city tour (Road)
Morning transfer to the airport for a 40-minute flight to Xieng Khuang. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and begin exploration of the Plain of Jars where mysterious giant stone jars are scattered over an area of several hundred square metres. The jars range from 1 to 2.5 metres in height dating back 2,000 years are assumed to be funery urns or storage containers. Visit several nearby H’mong villages en route back to Xieng Khuang. Overnight in Xieng Khuang. (B)

Day 5 : Xieng Khuang – Vientiane (Air)
Visit the local market before transferring to the airport for a morning flight to Vientiane. Transfer to the hotel with remaining time free for own exploration. Overnight in Vientiane. (B)

Day 6 : Vientiane – Savanakhet (Air); Savanakhet – Hue (Road)
Early morning transfer to Wattay Airport for flight to Savanakhet @06:00 – 07:05. Upon arrival, take a long drive of around 6 hours to the Lao Bao border between Laos and Central Vietnam. Walk across the border to reach the DMZ area and continue another 3 _ hour drive to the former capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty of emperors from 1802 till 1945, Hue city. Free at leisure upon arrival and an optional Royal dinner. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 7 : Hue city tour (Boat & Road)
A full day of sightseeing in and around Hue. Take a dragon boat upstream to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s most reserved religious monument standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower, then continue by car to visit the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen emperors once ruled Vietnam. Afternoon, spend time visiting the two elaborate mausoleums of Emperor Tu Duc, and Khai Dinh by road. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 8 : Hue – Danang – Hoi An (Road)
Drive from Hue for 2 _ hours to Danang via the fishing village of Lang Co for photosnaps before ascending the scenic Hai Van Pass where a spectacular panorama of the central coastline can be viewed at the summit. Upon arrival in Danang visit Cham Museum and Marble Mountains, Hoa Vang chopstick making village before continuing to Hoi An for another half an hour drive. In the afternoon, start a walking tour of the ancient town center to take in the former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market with its stalls brimming with tropical specialities. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)

Day 9 : Danang – Saigon (Air); Saigon city tour (Road)
Transfer to the airport in Danang for an early flight to Saigon. Transfer to hotel upon arrival. In the afternoon, do the city tour of Saigon including visits to Saigon’s historic landmarks including the Old Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, former Presidential Palace and Cholon, the city’s bustling Chinatown and the herbal market along Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street. Overnight in Saigon. (B)

Day 10 : Saigon – My Tho (Hydrofoil); My Tho – Can Tho (Road)
Today is a full-day excursion to My Tho in the Mekong Delta, take 07:30 a.m hydrofoil from Saigon to Tien Giang. Upon arriving in My Tho at 09:30, visit the military snake farm before boarding our private sampan for a river cruise on the upper part of the Mekong River visiting the floating fish market. Continue the boat trip, visit the bonsai, fruit garden to taste diverse types of fruit, tea mixed with bee honey. Lunch is at the Ngoc Gia Trang Restaurant in the verdant garden, followed by a visit to a wine factory and local homes. We end the trip by taking a small sampan ride through the winding and tiny canals (subject to the water level) offering a close-up view of daily river life. Leave our boat at 1:30 p.m. to take a car to Can Tho with stop at Bang Lang stock sanctuary in Thot Not to watch the lively stocks coming back the garden for the night. Overnight in Can Tho. (B, L)

Day 11 : Can Tho – Saigon (Boat & Road)
Morning board the Vo Lai boat for a 3 hour cruise to Cai Rang and Phong Dien, 2 big floating markets with stops at a Bun Tau noodle factory and and a short trek before arriving at a rice husking mill. You can even try passing one of the many fragile monkey bridges along the canals. Leave our boat at a dock opposite Cai Rang market. Hop into our car for a drive to Phung Hiep biggest floating market for taking photos of this lively activity. Back to Saigon in the afternoon. (B, L)

Day 12 : Departure day.
Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight. End of services. (B).

Included Services:

• Accommodation in shared twin rooms with daily breakfast
• All private transfers and tours with English/French speaking guide
• Transportation by air-conditioned van/minibus/coach
• Boat trips (as specified)
• Domestic Flights VTE-LPQ-XKH-VTE-ZVK, DAD-SGN  (Note: airfare is subject to increase without prior notice)
• Entrance fees, Service charges, room tax and baggage handling

Not Included:

• Visa fees
• International flights to reach/depart destination and any other flights not specifically mentioned as included
• Optional tours and other tours & meals than mentioned in the program
• Airport taxes
• Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.