Vietnam Laos Package Tour 16 Days

We pick you up at the hotel after breakfast and transfer you to Cai Be. The program will start with a visit to Tan Phong Island for biking/walking on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church,  pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can have some stops to see how they wave the dried water hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, and shoes... Then, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy a peaceful time. Next, we back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, the Mekong River, to come to  An Binh Island. While we travel on a handmade canal to homestay, we can walk around this orchard & enjoy some cups of tea while listening to the traditional music in the ancient house. After that, we walk into the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice and enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. It’ll give you an unforgettable experience. One  more thing to do on this trip is visiting the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise transfers us back to Vinh Long city where we take our own vehicle  to Can Tho and spend our night here. Overnight in Can Tho Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Early morning today, we will take the boat trip to visit the famous Cai Rang Floating Market with the busy  sense right at the time. This is a biggest floating market in Mekong Delta where we can see the daily life and  local people selling their products on boats. If the time permits, we can visit Binh Thuy Ancient House here. After that, you will be back to the hotel and have free time until check out. At noon, we will head back to Ho  Chi Minh City and have lunch en-route. Arrive at our hotel in the afternoon and have free time at leisure. We  will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

At 8.00 AM, we will be met by local tour guide and driver at the lobby of hotel then depart to Cu Chi Tunnel  for our half day visit. Cu Chi Tunnels is 50 km far from the city center. It’s located in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi  Minh city. These are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels that were the location of  military campaigns during American wars. This area is now a “should-not-be-missed” site for all visitors  traveling to Vietnam. We will watch a short introduction video showing the foundation, activities… of Cu  Chi tunnels and people lived here in the past then we will crawl all the safe parts of the tunnel system; enjoy  some special cassava and tea that served free in the tour. Later, we can go to the shooting range where we  can try to fire real bullets: (costs US$3/bullet) or free for shopping at the souvenir shops. Back to Tan Son Nhat Airport at noontime. On your arrival, the hotel’s car will pick you up from here and we transfer you to the hotel to relax. After  check-in, you can spend time lying on the beach and enjoy some delicious seafood in some local restaurants  here. Overnight in Quy Nhon Meals: Breakfast 

Today is a free day. Overnight in Quy Nhon Meals: Breakfast 

From Anantara Quy Nhon, we transfer to the station and depart the Vintage train to Anantara Ho Meals: Breakfast 

We have an early start this morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get a personal insight into the local farming communities. We set about joining the  farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river  and watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs. Following this, we will begin our leisurely  cycling tour through the countryside witnessing local Vietnamese rural life first hand. Late morning we will  board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for a river cruise. Here we will meet and witness local fishermen  working their craft, before enjoying a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then transfer to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race and ride down a coconut palm lined waterway.  Lunch today, is on board our boat, which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village. After lunch, we have some free time to wander around Hoi An town center and we then start our walking  tour around the ancient town to visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old  house, the Cantonese congregation, the Silk Street of Hoi An, the temples and pagodas of Chinese  appearance. Then we transfer back to Hoi An for overnight accommodation. Overnight in Hoi An Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

After breakfast at the hotel, we travel by vehicle to Hue along scenic highway 1A. Along the way, we will  stop to contemplate north to Danang city and the stunning views North, to Lang Co Beach. Spend time  visiting the Marble Mountain – the five elements of the Universe (water, wood, air, fire and earth). We will  arrive in Hue in the afternoon and have the rest of the day free at leisure. You will spend the night at a hotel  in Hue. After enjoy delicious lunch. It’s time for harmony with nature and drink a cup of lotus tea and enjoy pomelo  jam bring you moments to relax. Before departure to Tam Giang lagoon by car. Firstly, stop visiting Uncle  Ho memorial area at Duong No village. This is a place to keep many memories about Uncle Ho, the period  when he and his family come here to live and study. In particular, the cottage, the communal house of Duong  No, Ben Da, Am Ba, … imprinted with memories of Uncle Ho. Continue visiting Ru Cha mangroves. This is  a primeval forest with an area of about 4 hectares and exists more than 100 years ago. We will get on boat (sampan) and cruise to Sam Chuon area to start your trip on Tam Giang lagoon. It’s the  largest brackish water lagoon in Southeast Asia and have a chance to discover the biggest part of Tam Giang  lagoon. On the late afternoon, this is the wonderful moments to take your photos. Floating on the water, you will have time to see the changes of time and life as well as the local life of fishing village. An interesting to  play kayaking on the lagoon and visit “Cho house”, nò, sáo…  Enjoy a seafood break at Chuon Lagoon with local specialties “Seafood pancake with “Kinh” and Chuon wine  of soaked crab”. Then out boat will take you around Tam Giang Lagoon to see beautiful sunset on the  Lagoon. The most beautiful moments on the lagoon are at sunset when it turns purple. Our hunting sunset photos at Tam Giang lagoon around 18:00 then Our car will take you back to your hotel  in Hue. Thank you and say goodbye. Overnight in Hue Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Around 8.00 – 8.30 am, we pick you up at the hotel in Hue to start our journey. The first place of our trip is Thien Mu Pagoda - The oldest pagoda in Hue city. We go there by Dragon boat to have a different look at  the fabled Perfume River and also fully admire the beauty of Thien Mu pagoda from afar. After that, we  explore the Imperial Citadel – The home of Vietnam & the last royal dynasty - the Nguyen Dynasty.  Famously being one of Vietnam’s seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Imperial City of Hue has long  been a must-see attraction for tourists visiting a hidden charm of Vietnam. Following, we go to Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people. It’s relatively clean, with ample  space, and most of what's sold will fit in your suitcase. This place is designed for locals so you can pick up  some cheap and tasty eats. The market ranges from raw foods to t-shirts and the usual stuff you find at  tourist markets. After lunch, we continue to visit Tu Duc & Khai Dinh King’s Tomb - a blend of Western and Eastern  architecture. Khai Dinh designed his tomb himself, after exposure to France, and surely Chinese aesthetics,  and it is very different from most other temples with nice colors, and beautiful fusion costumes (although  he set a trend if you look at newer temples). This place will suitable for someone who likes history. The view  is amazing, if try you can get a lot of perfect pictures. You will be impressed by the majesty and symmetry  of the architectural constructions. One more place on this trip is Conical Hat Village, an incense stick-making village. It has been a well-known  trademark in Vietnam and around the world. When it comes to Hue’s traditional villages, conical hat village  is one of the most well-known brands. It is dedicated to preserving Hue’s distinctive cultural attractiveness.  At around 4:00 – 4:30 pm, we go back to your hotel. Tour ends Overnight in Hue Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

From Hue, we transfer to airport for the flight to Hanoi. Welcome up on arrival by local tour guide and driver then we transfer to hotel to check-in. After a short  rest, we will drive to the Ho Chi Minh complex where we will spend time at Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum  (outside), his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and One Pillar  Pagoda. Followings we visit the Temple of Literature, which originally built as a temple to Confucius. Then, we enjoy a 1-hour cyclo tour of the French inspired "old quarter". We will be free for shopping in  the old quarter ranges from markets through to designer boutique stores to amazing contemporary art  galleries. We will then sit down to enjoy a performance of the city’s famous Water Puppets. Then, we  transfer back to hotel and start a walking tour around the old quarter of Hanoi along different streets, try  to taste many kinds of local food such as beef/chicken noodle soup, oil-fried pastry, tofu, rice pancake,  pillow cake, sweet soup, stuff pancake with pork, draught beer… and one of our best surprised is a stop at  Dong Xuan whole sales market where we know many kinds of ingredients being sold. Last but not least is our happy ending at a hidden coffee in the Old Quarters enjoy its famous ‘egg coffee’ in  a pleasant surrounding overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake. Fortunately, as it’s Friday so there’s night market and  walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake. It would be a great chance to immerse in the local life of the local at  weekend here. After the tour, we return back to hotel in old quarter Hanoi. These are the famous street foods that you can try in Hanoi: 

• Bánh Cuốn - Steamed rice paper rolls
• Bún Ốc - Vietnamese freshwater Snails Noodle
• Bún Riêu Cua - The Hearty Crab Soup Noodle (Not suitable for people allergic to crustacean shells) o Bún Cá - Noodle soup with fish
• Bánh Xèo & Nem Lụi - Crispy pancakes and lemongrass pork skewers
• Miến Xào Lươn - Glass noodles with eel
• Bánh Đa Trộn - Mixed flat rice noodles
• Bánh Tôm - Hanoi shrimp cakes
• Chả Rươi - Fried Worm (Based on season)
• Bánh Gối - Crispy 'empanadas'
• Mỳ Gà Tần - Chicken noodles in herbal broth
• Chè - Colourful Sweet Dessert Soup
• Lẩu - Vietnamese Hot-pot (Such as Thai Hot Pot, Hearty Crab Hot Pot, Beef Hotpot, Mixed Hot Pot, ...)
• Steaky Rices - Corn Sticky Rices, Green Sticky Rice Sticks, sticky rice with caramelized pork and eggs, etc)
• Egg Coffee or Green Bean Egg Café

Overnight in Hanoi Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

08.00 – 08.30 Hotel pick-up for trip on new highway to Tuan Chau International Marina, Halong City (if  you book our shuttle bus). 11.30 – 12.00 Upon arrival at Emperor Cruises, located at No.28B of Tuan Chau International Marina, our  team will welcome you in our lounge before boarding. 12.00 – 12.15 Our Cruise Director will assist you with boarding to start cruising in Halong Bay. 13.15 – 14.00 A set lunch menu will be served at our Panorama Restaurant on the 03rd deck. Enjoy  delicious Vietnamese food while admiring the grace of the bay. 14.45 – 16.30 Visit “Sung Sot” Cave (Surprising cave) – the biggest and the most beautiful cave in Halong  Bay & Luon Cave. Sitting on a bamboo boat rowed by a local, you can see a variety of plants such as ferns,  cycads, Benjamin’s fig trees, and many beautiful orchids. 17.00 – 18.30 Attend the Afternoon tea with music and Canapes on Sundeck and join in the cooking  demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking in a truly stunning setting. 19.30 – 21.00 Enjoy our A La Carte course menu for dinner at Royal Palace Restaurant on board as you  experience the charm of Halong Bay at night. 21.00 – 22.00 Try your luck with interesting activity at night – Squid fishing. Overnight on cruise Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

06.00 – 06.30 Enjoy Vovinam exercise in the sunshine morning on sundeck. 06.45 – 07.15 Enjoy a light breakfast including tea, coffee, pastries, cookies, and fresh juices… at our luxury restaurant. 07.15 – 08.30 Visit Titov island was named by Uncle Ho, after Gherman Stepanovich Titov - the Soviet astronaut who visited in 1962. Enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach or climbing the steps of the Rock to  the top of the island. A magical panoramic view of Halong Bay will surprise you there. 08.30 – 09.15 Finish packing all the luggage and check out. 09.30 – 10.30 Enjoy brunch at A La Carte in Can Chanh restaurant on the 1st floor while cruising back to  the mainland. 11.00 – 11.15 Arrive at Tuan Chau International Marina and Emperor Cruises lounge for disembarkation  on your onward journey. From Tuan Chau, we transfer to Noi Bai Airport directly for the flight to Luang  Prabang. On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel Overnight in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Elephant (B, L) You have the option to wake up before dawn to witness and participate in offering alms to hundreds of saffron robed monks – an awe-inspiring sight. Please tell your guide a day in advance if you wish to make an offering  so he/she can prepare some food for you to hand over to the monks. This early morning ritual dates back  generations in Laos. Watch the town come to life in the morning then return to the hotel for breakfast or join  the locals for a bowl of delicious noodle soup after the alms giving ritual. (If you do not wish to make an offering,  please keep an appropriate distance and observe the ritual in silence. Dress appropriately – shoulders, chest  and legs should be covered).   After breakfast at hotel, we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace displays a lovely  collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right  through the last sovereign. Continue to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the  ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. Afterthat, we will visit the Traditional Arts and  Ethnology Center (close on Mondays) where you are able to observe valuable artifacts and traditional  clothing and implements from each of the 20 ethnic minority groups which inhabit the Luang Prabang area.  Next, we will visit Wat Visoun, the holiest temple of the city, which was entirely rebuilt in 1887 after being  destroyed by the invading Black Flags from Southern China. In the courtyard of Wat Visoun stands the  Watermelon Stupa shaped like the fruit from which it takes its name. Afternoon, meet tour guide and transfer to MandaLao, we will get an in-depth introduction into elephant  behavior and communication. Then hand on preparing special treats for the elephants that help in their  digestion. Fun hands-on time preparing tasty food we only feed the elephants in the afternoon. After that, we cross the Nam Khan river by longtail boat for the first introduction to our elephants.  MandaLao guides introduce guests to our elephants and mahouts, providing background on our elephants.  We feed the elephants the special treats we prepared for the elephants. We will take a short 1 Km trek up  Hoy Kang stream side by side with these gentle giants. This trek is flat and can be catered to clients’ needs. After a few more treats head back across the Nam Khan river to MandaLao. Enjoy the afternoon with snacks  on our beautiful deck. Return to Luang Prabang Overnight in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

 Spend a morning on a community based living rice farm situated in the idyllic countryside, surrounded  by mountains and rice paddies. Experience the life of a farmer and try your hand at some of the activities.  Or just view it all from the comfort of our traditional Lao rice house balcony, which is surrounded by rice  terraces and our organic vegetable farm. All can join in and there are great photo opportunities. While there,  spend some time to visit some local handicraft workshops like bamboo weaving, blacksmith work, and  sugar cane processing. Finally, join a tour of the organic garden with explanation on how natural herbs are  used in traditional medicine. Lunch at Living Land Farm. After lunch, transfer by private vehicle to Khouang Si waterfall. On the way, you can visit to the Lao ethnic  minority group at Ban Na Ouane Village, H’Mong Village and also visit Buffalo Dairy Farm where you  will have chance to join a scheduled tour of the farm, cuddle up to the beautiful Buffalos, give them a bath  or feeding them, hands on milking demonstration and learn how to milk a buffalo, also trying some tasty  ice-cream and cheese. Once at the waterfalls, take a leisurely hike through the national park towards the Khouang Si waterfalls and pass by the Asian bear rescue center. You will enjoy feeling the mist of the  cool, turquoise waters of the different waterfalls. Swimming in the refreshing waters is possible. Overnight in Luang Prabang Meals: Breakfast, Lunch