Vietnam – Laos 9D8N

08.30: You will be picked up from your hotel. Then we will head to Ha Long Bay. You may enjoy the landscape of the Red River Delta along the way

11.30: Upon arriving in our lobby in Tuan Chau Marina, you may take a short stretch while our staff arranges all registration with the local government.

12.00 – 12.30: The cruise captain and staff will welcome you onboard after a short tender transfer. While enjoying a refreshing welcome drink, a short cruise briefing and safety instructions will be given.

12.30 – 13.00: the cruise voyages to Ha Long Bay – one of the New Seven Nature Wonders of the World. Lunch is served on board while the cruise passes via amazing limestone karst formations that rise up out of the sea in an impressive manner. 

14.00 – 14.30: You will leave the cruise to explore Sung Sot Cave (also known as Surprise/ Amazing Cave), one of the biggest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay. 

15.00: Returning to cruise, the trip will continue to Ti Top Island. Here, you can watch the magnificent view over either the Gulf of Tonkin or swim in the emerald green and cool water.

17.00: After a long day, this is the ideal time to enjoy energizing drinks and snacks by joining ‘Happy Hour’ or Cooking Class on the sundeck

19.30: Sumptuous Dinner is served. Enjoy delicious local food prepared and served for you by our wonderful onboard catering staff. 

20.30: After dinner, various activities including karaoke, and squid fishing are organized. Or you can just laze around with exhilarating drinks from our bar. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure.

Overnight on the cruise

06.15 – 07.00: Breakfast is served. It can be a great idea to enjoy the meal with the magnificent view of the sunrise in Ha Long Bay.

8.00 -9.30: The cruise gets closer to the center of the Natural Preservation Area. Join our guide on a short trip to Luon Cave. This magic work of nature shows you the formation of karst mountains. You can discover this time masterpiece by kayaking on your own. If you are lucky, you can catch great photos with mischievous monkeys jigging up and down around the cliffs.

9.30: our staffs on Cruise welcomes you back on board and it is time for checking out.

10.00: Whilst cruising back, delightful lunch will be served.

11.35: We return to the quayside in the south of the bay, where our visitors disembark in Tuan Chau Marina. Transfer to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel for check in.

Overnight in hanoi

On arrival in Vientiane Capital, you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. After a short rest, we see the major sights of the capital; including the oldest Wat Sisaket, the temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image. On the way to Lao’s national precious heritage, the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, we stop enroute to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, which is well known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph. We watch the sunset by the Mekong Riverside and spend the evening here absorbing the city at night. 

Overnight in Vientiane 

After breakfast at the hotel , you have free time at leisure till our guide and car come to pick up and transfer  to the International Wattay Airport for your domestic departure flight to Xieng Khouang . which was devastated by American bombing between 1964 and 1973. Upon arrival, we transfer out to visit the Plain of Jars, an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of large stone jars are littered all over the plateau. We also have time, this afternoon seeing the old capital of Muang Khoun Province and the nearby villages, home to the Hmong hilltribe and Tai Dam people. They have an interesting local culture and a colorful history. 

Overnight in Phonsavanh- Xieng Khoang

Early morning, we visit the Central Market of Phonsavanh to watch the different hilltribe people barter and exchange merchandises. We then head out this small town towards Luang Prabang, enroute we stop off to see the Buddha images in Thampra, a site more than 200 years old, and various Hmong and hilltribe minority villages along the way. Really nice and friendly people welcome you to their villages.

After a photo stop, we continue driving uphill, enjoying the splendid natural scenery of the mountains, the forest and landscape. After a tea or coffee break at Sala Phoukhoun, where the borders of Vientiane-Xiengkhouang-Luang Prabang meet as a T-Junction. The journey will take us over mountainous regions until we approach Luang Prabang. 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 Laos. After checking into hotel, ( if time permits) , we can visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham , we then climb up to the top of Mount Phousi to explore the sacred, gilded stupa as well as capture a beautiful view of the city and the Mekong River at sunset. From there, we visit the Night Market, where you can browse a lovely selection of handmade textiles, made by the local people and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. 

Overnight at Luang Prabang 

After breakfast at the hotel, Transfer to enjoy a short-guided tour of the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low representing the classical architecture of Luang Prabang. We then embark on a private boat journey upstream along the Mekong River, which also gives us a beautiful view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims. En route, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where the local speciality of rice wine is produced. On our way back to Luang Prabang by the same boat before arriving , the boat will stop at village then we take a short walk to Ban Chang Khong , a village is well known for its hand weaving and Sa paper making then return to town for your free at leisure. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast at the hotel , you will have free time till our guide and car come to pick up at your hotel and private transfer to the Luang Prabang Hi-Speed Railway Station or  the International Luang Prabang Airport for domestic flight to Vietniane .Upon arrival in Vientiane, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in then we drive out of town for the morning tour, starting at Buddha Park. The drive takes around 45 minutes, along a road which serves as an important link between the Lao capital and Thailand. Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuang, this unusual park is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Lao shaman. After visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane and free time at leisure , Overnight in Vientiane .

After breakfast at the hotel , you will have free time at leisure till our guide and car come to pick up at your hotel then provide a private transfer to the International Watttay Airport for your departure flight. Trip ends