Explore Northern Vietnam and Laos in 17 Days

Welcome to Vietnam!

After arriving in Hanoi, your driver will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Then, you will have free time to explore the city center and immerse yourself in the charm of this millennium city.

Hanoi Opera House

Included: Transportation, Accommodation.

You will spend one day exploring the most important cultural and historical sites in Hanoi: The Temple of Literature – a symbol of feudal education, and one of Hanoi’s landmarks, Tran Quoc Pagoda – the oldest pagoda in the city, located on the edge of West Lake. In Ba Dinh Square, explore the former palace of the governor of Indochina and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.

Ba Dinh Square

This day also includes visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which houses 15,000 ancient and contemporary artifacts showcasing the history of the local people.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

You will go to Halong Bay, the most beautiful bay in Vietnam, and the magical scenery of Asia. After arrival, you will board a traditional sailboat for an exciting cruise.

Visit Bai Tu Long in the northern part of Halong Bay and admire picturesque islands and islets of various shapes. Explore the magnificent caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, where stalagmites and stalactites from thousands of years ago can be found.

Kayaking in Halong Bay

Enjoy kayaking and swimming in the magnificent water of Cap La (if weather permits). Relax on the upper deck in the late afternoon, participate in a cooking demonstration on board, and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch and dinner.

You can rest and enjoy activities such as card games or night fishing at night.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Get up early, witness the unique and magnificent first ray of sunlight on the limestone pillars of Halong Bay, and participate in Tai Chi classes on the terrace.

Then, you will explore the Vung Vieng fishing village by boat or kayak and may meet the locals.

After having lunch on the sailboat, you will disembark and return to Hanoi.

Vung Vieng Fishing Village

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, brunch.

Today, you will travel to the northern mountains on the border between Laos and China, where various ethnic minorities reside, such as Thai, Hmong, Dao, Dzay, Tay, and Nung.

The picturesque road along the Red River offers a panoramic view of tea gardens and other crops. You will visit Thanh Son, explore tea gardens, and learn about local agricultural techniques.

Muong Lo Basin

Arrive at Nghia Lo, a small town located in the Muong Lo Basin, where you will be welcomed by a Thai family. You will rest and then ride your bike around the village and the surrounding fields.

You will meet with the villagers to learn about their traditional customs and clothing. Dinner and overnight stay in the traditional stilt house of the host family.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After bidding farewell to your host, you will head to Mu Cang Chai, renowned for its stunning rice terraces. From June to September, the landscape is most eye-catching, with hills and fields covered in green and yellow rice.

Stunning Natural Landscape from Khau Pha Pass

The tour will stop at Khau Pha Pass, which overlooks the Tu Le Valley, and the Hmong Villages of Pan Tan and De Xu Phinh, which are renowned for their beautiful terraced fields, especially during the harvest season.

In the late afternoon, you will hike for an hour through pine forests and lush vegetation to reach a small ecological hut on the mountain where you can spend the night.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

You will continue the road to Sapa, a former French mountain resort located in the northern mountains, passing through Than Uyen and Tan Uyen, and taking photos in the endless tea garden hills.

Climbing up the winding 4D highway, one can see the magnificent scenery of Hoang Lien Son mountain range. In Sapa, start hiking through the exotic scenery of the Muong Hoa Valley.

Sapa – A Misty Town

You will visit minority villages along the valley, including Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai of the Black Hmong, and Ta Van of the Dzay. Get to know the local people working in the rice fields and understand their daily life.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning, you will explore Hang Da and Sa Seng, a beautiful mountainous region east of Sapa. This region with green valleys and various cultures has been truly protected.

Strolling through the karst rocks of Hang Da, visiting small villages, and observing agricultural activities. You will continue into the Sa Seng Valley, flanked by mountainous, passing through forests and streams.

Magnificent view from O Quy Ho Pass

Continue to Lai Chau, passing through O Quy Ho Pass, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam, to enjoy the panoramic view.

Arrived overnight in Lai Chau.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast, you will head to Dien Bien, a small town near the Laos border, passing through Muong Lay.

At Dien Bien, you will visit the historical sites of the French presence in Vietnam (1858 – 1954): General Vo Nguyen Giap’s headquarters, General Catries’ bunker, A1 Hill, French soldier monument, and War Museum, which contains many documents and artifacts. Arrive at the hotel later in the afternoon.

A1 Hill, Dien Bien

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Today, you will be transferred to the Tay Trang border post between Vietnam and Laos. Complete immigration formalities and enter Laos. When you arrive, you are greeted by a local guide and set off to Muang Khua, a small town in northeastern Laos.

Muang Khua, Laos

Strolling along the main street, shops are selling Chinese-made products and local wooden and bamboo handicrafts on both sides. You can rest for the rest of the day.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner.

You will board a ship and sail downstream along the Nam Ou River, which originates from the Chinese border and flows southward into the Mekong River in the northern Luang Prabang.

The picturesque scene of Nong Khiaw Village

Stop at Muang Ngoy, a small village located in the spectacular Nam Ou Valley. You will continue on to Nong Khiaw, a picturesque village located on both sides of the Nam Ou River.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

This day will start with heading to Nam Ou Village and then taking a local boat across the Mekong River.

Visit the Pak Ou Caves located at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, where thousands of Buddha statues are enshrined.

Pak Ou Caves

Stop at a village that specializes in producing rice wine. You will continue along the South River or head to Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

You will wake up early to observe the locals offering sacrifices to the monks. After breakfast, you will explore Luang Prabang (the former capital of Lane Xang Kingdom) and visit important cultural and historical sites: Wat Visoun with its impressive Sinhalese-style stupa, Wat Xieng Thong and the Royal Palace.

Kuang Si Waterfall

In the afternoon, you will go to Kuang Si Waterfall, nestled in lush vegetation. At the end of the afternoon, you will return to Luang Prabang.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Today, you will be transferred to Elephant Village Camp to experience feeding elephants, explore the village, and visit elephant hospitals, museums, galleries, and cow dung paper mills.

Laos Elephant Village

You will learn to communicate with elephants. Take a traditional Laotian longboat to Tad Sae Waterfall to relax or swim (swimsuit recommended). You will enjoy a buffet lunch at the campsite (vegetarian available).

In the afternoon, you will go to the train station and head to Vang Vieng. A private driver will greet you upon your arrival and take you to the hotel.

Included: Transportation. Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng train ticket, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

In the morning, you will explore the picturesque town of Vang Vieng, located along the banks of the Nam Song River and renowned for its stunning natural scenery, often likened to “Halong Bay of Laos”.

Tham Chang Cave

You will visit the famous Tham Chang Cave, which is a historical refuge against Chinese invaders. You will also discover Tham Nanga, also known as Angel Cave, filled with impressive stalactites. Before heading to Vientiane, enjoy a refreshing rest in the Blue Lagoon. This inclusive capital is located along the Mekong River, blending the influences of Laos, Thailand, China, Vietnam, and France.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

You will spend a day exploring the rich cultural and historical sites of Vientiane. Visit the iconic Phat That Luang, a symbol of Buddhism and Laotian sovereignty, as well as Wat Ho Phra Keo, the former royal temple that is now a sacred art museum.

Wat Ho Phra Keo

You can explore the Buddha Statue Museum at Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple in Vientiane, and marvel at over 1000 Buddha Statues.

Admire the Patuxai Monument, the Laotian version of the Arc de Triomphe. To end the day, you can take a walk along Fagnum Avenue on the banks of the Mekong River at sunset.

Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visit fees, Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Your last day will be free and you can enjoy Vientiane. You can revisit your favorite places, relax by the Mekong River, or shop at the last minute.

At that time, you will be transferred to the airport to board the departing flight and end your unforgettable trip to Vietnam and Laos within 17 days.

Included: Transportation, Meals: breakfast.