Vietnam & Laos at Glance 7 days 6 nights

Rise with the sun and partake in one of Laos' most sacred traditions, the daily morning almsgiving. Over 200 Buddhist monks depart from temples in the early morning, moving lightly on their bare feet, to receive offerings from devotees in the old quarter of Luang Prabang. Next, you will experience the local way of life at the temporary morning market, where the locals exchange their daily catch for rice, vegetables, fish, or chicken.
After breakfast, embark on a city tour beginning with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong, an architectural masterpiece featuring a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics, including a beautiful tree of life and glass montage on the rear temple wall. Explore the Royal Palace Museum, built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. After that, you will enjoy lunch at Tamarind, a top-rated restaurant offering some of the best local food in Luang Prabang.
Drive along the Mekong to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to discover the rich diversity of Laos' ethnic minorities, with traditional costumes, tools, and artifacts on display. Later in the day, climb to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of a gilded stupa and a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River.

In the evening, savor dinner at a local restaurant with traditional dance and folk songs, providing the best way to experience Laos culture. The tour ends with a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. Spend the night in Luang Prabang, rejuvenated and ready for the next day's adventures.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After a delicious breakfast, you'll head out to the Elephant Village Camp located 15 kilometers from Luang Prabang. Upon arrival, a local guide will greet you and provide a brief introduction to Lao elephants and their unique herds. You will then meet your own elephant and take care of them, starting with feeding them and spending some time getting to know them better.

Next, you'll explore the Elephant Village Camp, which includes a hospital, museum, gallery, and even a dung paper-making facility. You'll then enjoy an impressive experience of being a Mahout, where you'll have a one-on-one experience with your elephant. Afterward, embark on a 2 km trek on foot along the exclusive Trail of Falls, passing through the diverse jungle landscape.

Enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch in the forest, with vegetarian options available. Then, continue the Trail of Falls with another 1 km trek leading up to Tad Sae Waterfalls, where you can relax or swim in its natural pools (water levels vary with seasonal conditions). Finally, ride a traditional longtail boat from the waterfall back to the Elephant Camp, where you can observe traditional fishing and local river life.

In the mid-afternoon, you'll return to your hotel downtown, and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Stay overnight in Luang Prabang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will be escorted to the airport for a brief flight to Hanoi, your next destination.

Welcome to Hanoi, the vibrant capital of Vietnam! Upon arrival, you will be met by a private transfer and taken to your accommodation in the heart of the city. As you navigate the bustling streets, you'll hear the cacophony of motorbikes, the hum of bicycles, and the buzz of small restaurants.

In the evening, you'll savor your first taste of Vietnam at a charming restaurant located in a French Colonial building. Afterward, you'll embark on a night tour of the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Beginning at the Doan Mon, or Main Gate, you'll enter the Cam Thanh, or Forbidden City, where the king's residence was located. Your guide will provide you with a comprehensive history of the site's architecture and function. You'll also witness a traditional dance performance above an archaeological excavation site from the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties. You'll have the opportunity to explore an exhibition hall of rare antiquities, some dating back more than 1,000 years.

At Kinh Thien Palace, you'll pay homage to King Ly Thai To, who relocated the country's capital from Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh province to Dai La, which he renamed Thang Long in 1010, as well as other monarchs who contributed to the capital's development.

The final stop of your tour is the archaeological site at 18 Hoang Dieu Street, where you'll experience a laser light show showcasing exquisite antiquities from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. You'll also participate in a game where you'll have to identify typical objects from past feudal dynasties.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Upon seeing your private tour guide and driver in the hotel lobby, your tour of Hanoi begins with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, an opportunity to pay homage to Uncle Ho and learn about his remarkable life. However, please note that the mausoleum is closed on Mondays and Fridays. Visitors are required to dress modestly, covering their knees and shoulders. Adjacent to the mausoleum is the Presidential Garden, while the One Pillar Pagoda takes only 30 minutes to visit. Next, you will discuss the next tourist attraction with your guide and decide on two from the following options: the Temple of Literature, the Fine Arts Museum, Hoa Lo prison, Military Museum, and the Ethnology Museum. After that, lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will be taken to Hidden Gem, a Vietnamese coffee shop that is notable for its use of recycled materials in its furniture. Plastic bottles, tires, paint containers, and parts of motorbikes and tractors are all incorporated into the decor in an effort to promote environmental sustainability. A cup of Vietnamese egg coffee is a must-try here.

Later in the day, you will embark on a walking tour at Dong Xuan, Hanoi's largest covered market. Dozens of street vendors sell a wide variety of produce, including fresh seafood, exotic fruits, and spices. Your English-speaking local guide will provide you with an in-depth understanding of Vietnamese food culture, including the history and ingredients of popular northern dishes. After exploring the market, you will venture onto the streets to try local snacks, such as fresh spring rolls and crispy pancakes. You will also get a chance to sample bun cha, a dish featuring grilled pork and fresh rice noodles. Finally, you will finish off with traditional sweet cakes made from local herbs or a little cup of fresh fruit mixed with greasy coconut milk. With your newfound appreciation of Hanoi's street food, the tour will conclude, and you will be returned to your hotel for the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Halong Bay is undoubtedly an iconic image of Vietnam, with thousands of limestone islands jutting out of the emerald sea in peculiar shapes. An overnight boat trip is the ideal way to experience this must-see destination.

To begin your journey, you will say farewell to Hanoi and make your way through the fertile farmlands of the Red River Delta to the legendary Halong Bay. The journey takes approximately three hours, with a 20-minute stop included. Upon arrival at the Halong City jetty, you will proceed with check-in formalities before receiving a warm welcome aboard your cruise. As you enjoy a delectable lunch, the boat will begin cruising through the mystical bay.

In the mid-afternoon, various activities will be available for you to explore every corner of the bay. Each cruise operates a distinct itinerary, with caving, kayaking, rowing boats, and swimming among the most popular options. As the day winds down, the cruise will anchor among the karst formations for the evening. Dinner will be served on board, and you will spend the night in the tranquil waters of Halong Bay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your day with a breathtaking sunrise over Halong Bay, followed by breakfast onboard your boat. You will then continue to explore the stunning landscape of the bay before returning to the dock.

Once back on land, you will begin your journey back to Hanoi, where you will have some free time to shop or explore the city on your own. You may want to visit some of the attractions you missed or revisit some of your favorites.

In the late afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. As you say goodbye to Vietnam, take with you memories that will last a lifetime.