HANOI - HA LONG - MAI CHAU - XAM NUA - XIENG KHOANG - LUANG PRABANG - TAD SAE WATERFALL - VANG VIENG - KHMU VILLAGE - VIENTIANE - WAT SISAKET
 ( 17 Days 16 Nights )

Highlight

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•  Hanoi orientation
• Sightseeing Halong Bay
• Exploring Black H'mong  and White Thai minority people
• Walking on jungle
  
• Sightseeing at Mai Chau valley
• Luang Prabang orientation
• Visiting Elephant Camp
• Discovering the nature beauty of Vang Vieng
• Sightseeing Vientiane
• Visiting Buddha museum
• Exploring Pathu Xay or Victory Gate

Itinerary

Day 02 : Hanoi

Hanoi After breakfast in the hotel you will take an interesting guided city tour of Hanoi including Ho Chi Minh complex (the mausoleum, the house & garden and the museum) and One Pillar Pagoda, a unique ancient architecture. After here we move to Temple of Literature, the site of Vietnam's first university, dates back to 1070. Its peaceful gardens and pavilions ofer a relaxing respite from Hanoi's busy streets. Lunch in local restaurant.In the afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing cyclo tour in the ancient part of Hanoi. Walking down some small and lively street to see busy local market then join locals for green tea or coffee in local café. Free time for shopping. Overnight in Hanoi

"Cyclo" is three wheeled rickshaws, operated by pedal-power, with a seat attached to the front.

Day 03 : Hanoi - Halong Bay

Hanoi - Halong Bay Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. On the way we will have a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City we board a wooden boat for a fine seafood lunch and a short cruise to Thien Cung Cave. After a short exploration of the cave we start our kayaking time paddling through an amazing area of limestone islets. We will pass a floating village to reach Luon Cave, which is a tunnel thrusting through a mountain. Paddling through the tunnel to explore a beautiful secluded lagoon. We will meet the mortherboat, a junk in Chinese style, in front of the cave. Aboard the junk for dinner and overnight on the junk.

Day 04 : Halong Bay

Halong Bay After breakfast we start paddling to Van Chai Floating village and  then continue paddling to Dark Cave.Tide permitting, we explore this amazing cave by kayak. The cave is a 200m long, dark tunnel thrusting through a limestone mountain. The tunnel is the only entry to a secluded and beautiful lagoon. Lunch on support boat in front of the cave. After lunch we paddle to Ba Trai Dao Lagoon, along a stunning and fairly rough sea channel, to explore its beautiful beaches. Continue paddling to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Halong bay but much more interesting with lots of secluded beaches. Cruise back to Halong Bay for dinner and overnight on motherboat

Day 05 : Halong Bay - Hanoi

Halong Bay - Hanoi Breakfast on the junk and enjoy the sundeck of the junk while she navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Lunch on the junk before reach Halong Harbor for a drive back to Hanoi. On the way back to Hanoi we will have a stop in Dong Trieu Town for refreshment and visiting to a ceramic factory. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 06 : Hanoi - Mai Chau

Hanoi - Mai Chau Pick up at your hotel at and leave Hanoi for Mai Chau, the beautiful gate way to the mountainous area of northern Vietnam. On the way we will have a short stop for refreshment. Upon arrival in Mai Chau we will pick up our local guide and continue driving to Xa Linh Village, where we will have our lunch in a H'mong house before setting off on a beautiful trekking in the afternoon. After lunch we will begin our trek on the village's road and then walk on dirt path used by the locals. After 40nims we will reach Tra Day Village, home to a small community of Black H'mong minority people. From the Tra Day village we trek on rocky path to Hang Kia, a small and scenic village which is home to a group of Flower H'mong minority people. Tonight we will stay overnight with a H'mong family.

Day 07 : Mai Chau

Mai Chau After breakfast in the house we will say goodbye to the family and begin an exciting trekking day. Right after the village we will walk on jungle trail for one hour. The trail could be a bit wet due to the dense trees that keep sunlight away. After that we descend the hill passing farm and terraces. The scenery is stunning with mountains, terraces and expansive valley. During the trek we will some breaks for snack, rest, and photographing. After crossing a small river we reach a village of White Thai minority group, where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch, you may wish to have a short nap in the house. In the remainder of the day we will walk on village road to reach Buoc Village, a beautiful village of White Thai minority people. The road runs zigzag along the valley and through lots of scenic village. Tonight we will have dinner and stay overnight with a Thai family.

Day 08 : Mai Chau - Xam Nua

Mai Chau - Xam Nua After breakfast we say goodbye to the hosts and take a short walk to the pick-up point where we start driving west to Laos. Lunch on the way before arriving at the border. Crossing the border we will meet our Laotian guide and will be transferred to Vieng Xai to visit some big caves, which were used as bomb shelter for Lao Army leaders during American War. Continue to Xam Nua, where we spend the night in a small hotel. Overnight in Xam Nua.

Day 9 : Xam Nua - Xieng Khouang

Xam Nua - Xieng Khouang This morning we head to Xieng Khouang, the  capital of Phonsavan Province. The drive is long(6 hrs) but interesting as we drive through a mountainous area with stunning mountains, dense forest, winding rivers and rice terraces. Lunch will be in small local restaurant en route. Upon arrival in Xieng Khouang, we check in hotel and relax until dinner. If there is time, we can take a stroll around the town. Overnight in Xieng Khouang.

Day 10 : Xieng Khouang - Luang Prabang

Xieng Khouang - Luang Prabang After breakfast in hotel we take a short drive to the Plain of Jars, where we will see some hundreds of stone jar of different sizes laying on the fields. These stone jars date back from some thousand year ago and no one know what they were made for. From here we drive further west to Luong Prabang. Lunch will be served in local restaurant en route. We will arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon. After hotel check-in we can walk to the evening market. Overnight in Luong Prabang.

Day 11 : Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang Luang Prabang is a charming ancient town, which was  recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO thank to its outstanding historical and cultural value. Today we take our time to explore some of most important monasteries in town and the royal palace as well as the museum. A special afternoon tour brings us to some more remote places and markets. We learn about the history of Luang Phabang as well as about the kings family and their former life. Overnight in Luong Prabang.

Day 12 : Luang Prabang - Tad Sae Waterfall

Luang Prabang - Tad Sae Waterfall Leave the town after breakfast we will proceed to the Elephant Camp about 15 km out of town and in the middle of a green surrounding. After crossing the small river we will be introduced to asian elephants and go out for a scenic ride. Enjoy the new perspective and the wonderful nature on this 1,5 hr ride. Make our way through forests and along the Nam Khan river up to the waterfalls of Tad Sae. (in dry season we ride a village trail) After a visit and lunch break we will be instructed for the soft 4-hr kayaking back into town. Some easy rapids are along the way down to Luang Phabang and of course wonderful nature and great views. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 13 : Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng

Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng Another day through mountains and valleys and down to the small town of Vang Vieng which welcomes us with amazing limestone mountains laying along Song River and great outdoor activities. Lunch will be in local restaurant en route. Arrive in Vang Vieng in the afternoon. After hotel check-in we can take a stroll around the town or take a swim in Song River. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 14 : Vang Vieng - Khmu village

Vang Vieng - Khmu village Today we discover the nature beauty of Vang Vieng. We will be transferred shortly to the Khmu village of Viengsamay about 10 km north of Vang Vieng. From here we paddle down stream the Song River. On the way we stop to explore some stunning caves, take a short trek and visit to the Organic Farm, where mulberry tea and a variety of fruit wines are produced. Back to Vang Vieng Town. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

Day 15 : Vang Vieng - Vientiane

Vang Vieng - Vientiane A short transfer brings us into the capital of Laos, Vientiane. Still a small town it is the centre of politics and education. Many temples and monasteries invite for sightseeing as well as the national monument. In the afternoon we have free time to explore the town or just hang out on the bank of the magic Mekong which lies right in front of the city. Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 16 : Vientiane - Wat Sisaket

Vientiane - Wat Sisaket The city tour of Vientiane shows us the most exciting and interesting sights of this small and charming capital. Our sightseeing start with a visit to Wat Sisaket, the Buddha museum where more than ten thousand Buddha statues in the niches can be seen. Continue to Pathu Xay or Victory Gate ( Arc de Triumph ) was first built in1958 . Moving on to That Luang, the national symbol and recognized throughout the world. This biggest stupa is also a gathering place for national Buddhism ceremony.
Overnight in Vientiane. After lunch in local restaurant we drive to Centre Market and have free time to shop around or get back to hotel.

Day 17 : Vientiane

Vientiane. Relax until we are transferred to airport for flight home. Trip concludes

Tour price

Please contact us to have the best price info@opentour.vn

• If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure to Vietnam, Cambodia, we will help you to obtain visa on arrival easily
• Optional tours
• Surcharge early check in & late check out
• Tips for tour guide, driver
• Travel insurance
• International airfare to/ from Vietnam & International airport tax in Vietnam
• Expenditure of a personal nature, tips, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, emergency transfers & etc
• Others which are not mentioned in the inclusion

Remark

• As indicated: A/C= Air-conditioning, O/N= Overnight, B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
• Itinerary is subject to change depending on flights, road condition and room availability
• Rates are subjected to changed without prior notice.

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