Lao & Northern Vietnam Tour 10 days

Destination: Vientiane - Luang Prabang - Hanoi - Ha Long - Sapa

Highlights: Admire the spectacular sceneries and unique cultures of the two close neighbors. This trip is well designed for travellers who'd love to visit sites rich of history and architecture in Vientiane, UNESCO World Heritage Site of Luang Prabang, busy attracting Hanoi, magnificent Ha Long Bay and colorful hill tribe in Sapa. You'll have the chance to enjoy beautiful view of the countryside, bustling places and unique traditions owned by each spots you leave your footprint.

Code: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, G = Guide

Day 1: Vientiane arrival

Upon arrival Vientiane capital of Lao at Wattay international Airport, you are met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After that, you’ll start to visit the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you’ll stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane's own Arc de Triumph. Your next visit will be the National Museum (Revolutionary Museum) where varied antique items and legend of Laos’s history fighters and leaders displace from the ancient times to new revolution period. Your overnight stay will be in Vientiane.

Day 2: Vientiane/Luang Prabang (B)

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll drive to visit the Central Market call 'Morning Market' where you can find the antique items for collection, well handmade textile and gift away items. Later on, you’ll drive to the airport to board a short flight to Luang Prabang, which is perhaps the best - preserved traditional city in Southeast Asia. UNESCO registered 1995 as World Cultural Heritage City. The tranquility and charm of this town with its splendid natural scenery and cultural sights make it one of the most delightful places to visit in Asia. On arrival, you’ll be transferred to hotel. After a short rest you’ll visit   Wat Mai, Wat Sene then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as viewing a beautiful panorama sunset over this once royal ancient city and the Mekong River. You are then strolling around to see the Street Night Bazaar, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang/Pak Ou Cave (B)

Breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be taken to a short-guided tour seeing the city's oldest temple of impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. You’ll then board a boat embarking upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes. Along the way, you’ll stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. And take a short drive to Ban Phanom, well known for its hand weaving with natural dyes. You’ll return to the city by late evening for observing the sunset at Wat Siphouthabath. Your overnight stay will be in Luang Prabang.

Day 4: Luang Prabang/Hanoi (B, D, G) 

After breakfast at your hotel, you'll then be free until you'll be picked up to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you'll be met and driven to your hotel. 

17.15: You'll be picked up to watch the Water Puppet show an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and a good, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture.

18.30: Your Welcome Dinner will be served at one of the good local restaurant.

You'll spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 5: Hanoi city tour (B, L, G)

9.30 - 10.30: You’ll visit Ba Dinh Square, where silent sentries guard the marble and Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum where Ho Chi Chi lies in state (closed on every Monday & Friday and October & November). You’ll see the simple cottage where Uncle Ho lived and worked. You’ll continue to visit the One Pillar Pagoda and hear the legend of its construction, born from the love of an emperor in the 11th Century.

10.30 - 11.00: You’ll drive to visit the serene Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, on the banks of Hanoi’s West Lake.

11.00 - 12.00: You’ll also call the Temple of Literature, built in 1070 and the dedicated to Confucius, it is a serene retreat from the busy streets outside and later become Vietnam’s first university.

12.00 - 13.30: Lunch at local restaurant

13.30 - 15.30: Visit the Ethnology Museum for an overview of Vietnam’s 54 distinct ethnic

15.30 - 16.15: Pass by Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake , also known as Lake of Restored Sword from the legend that surrounds it en-route to one of the city’s fascinating museums.   

16.15 - 17.15: You’ll then take to the streets by cycle ride tour of the Ancient Qurter of 36 streets District. This densely populated corner of the city was once a centre of commerce where goods were sold under the street name of a particular guild. Still a thriving community of sellers today, you’ll see streets name such as Sugar Street, Tin Street and Paper Street. Ancient homes and temples are interspersed with stores in this souvenir hunter’s paradise.

You’ll spend the night in Hanoi.

Day 6: Hanoi/Ha Long (B, L, D, G)

10.00: You'll take a short break at Hong Ngoc Embroidery workshop.

10.30 - 12.00: You'll continue driving to Ha Long Bay.

12.00: You’ll board your boat, a wooden junk built from the model of the old Vietnamese court vessels with sails, a wide transom and rectangular superstructure, that will take you first to the busy World Heritage area and then to some of the less well-known grottoes and caves. Weather permitting, you’ll be able to swim, fish, climb a hill for an overview of the Bay’s remarkable seascape. All your meals will be provided on board, usually based on fresh seafood.

You'll spend the night on the boat.

Day 7: Ha Long/Hanoi/Lao Cai (B, L, D, G)

8.00 - 8.30: You'll venture into some of the sea level caves in a small sampan.

8.30 - 11.45: You’ll spend the morning cruising Ha Long Bay, followed by lunch just before docking to the harbour.

11.45 - 15.00 You’ll drive back to Hanoi for your refreshment at your hotel.

You'll then check out at around 18.00 for your dinner at one of a famous restaurant with colonial building.

20.30: Your guide will escort you to Hanoi railways station to board an evening train to Lao Cai.

You'll spend the night on the train.

Day 8: Lao Cai/Sapa (B, L, D, G)

5.15 - 6.30: You'll be met by your tour guide at Lao Cai Station and have a breakfast at the local restaurant.

6.30 - 11.30: You'll be picked up to visit a market frequented by ethnic minority peoples. Although it’s quite a long drive, the landscape is attractive and the ethnic markets are a fascinating experience. Unlike those in the tourist areas, the markets that we choose are for not only buying and selling, but also meeting places for ethnic minority people to meet and exchange news. There will be plenty of colour and authentic costumes, but very little to buy as souvenirs unless you want to barter for a water buffalo or a sack of fertiliser!

11.30 - 12.30: You'll have picnic lunch at local restaurant.

12.30 - 15.30: Drive to Sapa, a scenic mountain area with high peaks, rivers, valleys and hillside terracing. The villages are traditional and are typically tucked away at the bottom of the hill slopes. Most of the villagers wear traditional costumes. The rest day will be free to explore Sapa town by yourself. You’ll spend the night in Sapa.

Day 9: Sapa/Lao Cai (B, L, G)

8.00 - 8.30: Breakfast at your hotel

8.30 - 11.30: You’ll hike down a scenic valley calling in at the H’mong ethnic minority villages on the way. You'll then be driven by Jeep to visit Lao Chai village - the village of Black H’mong people.

11.30 - 12.30: You'll have picnic lunch.

12.30 - 14.30: You'll take a Russian Jeep to visit Ta Van village - the village of Day people and then visit Red Dao ethnic minority people of Giang Ta Chai village.

14.30 - 15.00: You'll return to Sapa to refresh at a local standard hotel.

16.00 - 17.00: Escorted to Lao Cai station. You’ll have dinner by yourselves. You'll then take an overnight sleeper train at 20.00 back to Hanoi. You’ll spend the night on the train.

Day 10: Hanoi departure (B, G)

On arrival at the station in the early morning, you'll transfer to the hotel for breakfast. You'll then be picked up to the airport for your departure flight.

Prices per person in US$:

Valid until December 31, 2011

Surcharge for peak season of hotels are not inclusive in the prices above.

Hotel list for Five Stars standard 

• Vientiane: Settha Palace Hotel (***** located right in the city centre, within walking distance of the commercial district, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions)

• Luang Prabang: Villa Maly Hotel (***** is an exquisite boutique hotel, ensconced by a profusion of tropical flora)

• Hanoi: Melia Hotel (***** modern high-rise building in one of Hanoi’s leafy boulevards in the city centre, uninspiring bland architecture, but high-quality facilities, restaurants, and service, ten-minute stroll from the city centre, Deluxe room)

• Sapa: Victoria Sapa Hotel (**** the best hotel in Sapa, indoor swimming pool/fitness centre in separate building, Superior room)

Hotel list for Four Stars standard

• Vientiane: Novotel Hotel (****  ideal location for business trips and holidays) or similar

• Luang Prabang: Villa Santi Hotel (**** located in the heart of the World Heritage Site with walking distance to many historical sight seeing places such as the former Royal Palace, Mont Phousy, ancient temples, local handicraft shopping area, dining area, Mekong River and Nam Khane River)

• Hanoi: Silk Path Hotel (**** in the Old Quarter, Deluxe room) or similar

• Sapa: Chau Long Hotel (*** overlooking the beautiful valley) or similar

Hotel list for Three Stars standard

• Vientiane: Sengtawan Riverside Hotel (*** in the city centre, Standard Room) or similar

• Luang Prabang: Manoluck Hotel *** city centre, Standard Room) or similar

• Hanoi: Thang Long Opera hotel (*** in the city centre, Innova Superior room) or similar

• Sapa: Holiday Sapa Hotel (*** in the the centre of town) or similar

Hotel list for Two Stars standard 

• Vientiane: Hotel Lao (** city centre)  or similar

• Luang Prabang: Haysoke Hotel (** city centre, Standard Room) or similar

• Hanoi: Van Mieu Hotel (** city centre) or similar

• Sapa: Thai Binh Sapa Hotel (** in the centre of town)

Creating Unique Touring Experiences with Gia Linh Travel
All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a tour to your individual specifications.