ARRIVAL DANANG - HOI AN
Arrive at Danang airport, meet and greet with your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An for check-in (check-in time: 14:00 onward).
Free at leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An.
HALF DAY HOI AN CITY TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel.
Free at leisure in the morning.
Hoi An, also Faifo, is a city in Vietnam, located on the coast of the Vietnam’s Central Sea. With approximately 120,000 inhabitants, Hoi An is recognized as a World heritage site by UNESCO. Hoi An ancient town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
Spend the afternoon with your local tour guide in Hoi An ancient town and visit of Hoi An market, Tan Ky ancient house, Thien Hau pagoda and Japanese bridge before enjoying dinner at local restaurant (on your own).
Overnight in Hoi An
(B)
HOI AN FREE AT LEISURE
Breakfast at your hotel. Free at leisure for your own discovery.
Overnight in Hoi An
Our recommended Optional Touring:
✓ Half day joining “Fisherman tour” (transfers, tour guide, boat, lunch included)
08:00 Starting from your hotel to the ferry, take a wooden boat transferring to Cam Thanh water coconut village. Learn about the daily life of Vietnamese fishermen, their families and their community. Board on boat and commence cruising on the Cua Dai River. Join in local fisherman on the river and experience on round net or cast net. Learn how to paddle the Vietnamese unique bamboo basket boat. Explore the now tranquil coconut-palm flanked waterways of a past war and hear of the extreme conditions endured by soldiers of both sides. Have lunch at local family house in the village or on boat. Relax and transfer back the hotel. ✓ Half day Joining “Tra Que village” tour (transfers, tour guide, lunch included) Take the bicycle for 20 minutes riding the bicycle from your hotel to Tra Que village Welcome drink and Foot massage. Take a trip around the vegetable garden and join the farmers in preparing the land and fertilizing it with seaweed from the local lake. Continue doing some next steps such as: raking the ground, sowing, watering greens, picking greens and many more gardening activities. Then spend the rest of the morning working the land in the time-honored way, before breaking to prepare lunch with a local family. Your lunch with consist of many local delicacies including” Tam Huu” spring roll, Banh xeo or local pancake of people’s middle region. After your lunch and the exertions of the morning, take an even more traditional
Vietnamese post-prandial nap before learning how to harvest and wrap the vegetables. The tour finishes at around 1pm.
(B)
HOI AN – HALF DAY BA NA HILLS GOLDEN HANDS BRIDGE
Private half-day “Ba Na Hills & the Golden Hands” 08:00 Pick up at Pullman hotel and transfer to Ba Na Hill (around 42 km from Danang) Take Cable Car which gains 5 world scores to Ba Na Hills station. Stop at By Night station to visit Vong Nguyet Hills, Linh Ung pagoda, and The Old Villas of French. Continue moving up by cable car to the Nui Chua Mountain – the top of Ba Na range, visiting Nginh Phong top, Le Nim Villas, Orchid Garden… Experience the hill climbing train (the first and unique funicular in Vietnam) and visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), the flower garden Le Jardin D’amour, and Linh Ung Pagoda. You should not miss walking on the Golden Bridge amid the foggy hills of the mountain, enjoying the gorgeous view of Da Nang City. Return to Da Nang city along Red Beach Bay. End the tour at your hotel.
Overnight in Hoi An
(B)
HOI AN FREE AT LEISURE
Breakfast at the hotel and free at leisure. Above optional tours are at your disposal.
Overnight in Hoi An
(B)
FLIGHT DANANG / HANOI
Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Hanoi.
Arrival to Hanoi, meet and greet with your English-speaking guide, and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
Free at leisure for your own discovery.
Overnight in Hanoi.
(B)
HALF DAY HANOI CITY TOUR
Breakfast at your hotel.
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has a unique harmonious blend of old Vietnamese traditions with modern French style; a contradictory place where modern meets very ancient qualities of Asian lifestyle. Hanoi is a very chaotic city, yet it maintains an elegant and graceful element. It has been growing around the historic old quarter in a positive way, conserving a friendly link with the existing architecture of old times; there is no ugly contrast, on the contrary, the buildings that are true relics are highlighted and well-preserved across town.
In the morning, visit of Ho Chi Minh’s complex; One Pilar Pagoda and temple of Literature.
Free at leisure in the afternoon.
Overnight in Hanoi
Our recommendation:
✓ Walking street food tour in the Old quarter of Hanoi (tour guide, Food specialist, food tasting included)
Let an insider led the way to some of the best food stands and eateries in Hanoi’s Old Quarter. You’ll observe local life while filling up on flavors that make Hanoi a culinary destination.
+ Private street food walking tour of Hanoi with a personal foodie guide
+ Discover street food stands and family restaurants among multiple choices
+ Fill up on ten different dishes - enough for lunch or dinner
(B)
HANOI FREE AT LEISURE
Breakfast at your hotel and free at leisure the whole day for your own discovery.
Overnight in Hanoi
Our recommendation:
✓ 4 hours Joining Vespa tour “Hanoi's Insider” (Vespa & Vespa drivers, tour guide, drinking water, snacks included)
‘Discover the real Hanoi’ Let our drivers guide you through the iconic narrow streets of this incredible capital city on our vintage Vespas. Explore unique places off the beaten path and soak up the atmosphere as we experience the local lifestyle.
We start off with a welcome drink and enjoy the most spectacular view of the capital. Navigating through the streets of the bustling Old Quarter, we explore the picturesque murals on Art Street. Then heading off to Long Bien Bridge and surrounding areas. Next our journey takes us to a bustling and vibrant open market to shop with the local people from Hanoi. After zooming through narrow alleyways, we reach the crash site of an American B-52 bomber in a city lake and learn of the city’s more recent history before visiting a peaceful Buddhist temple set in the most beautiful gardens. Our last stop is a tranquil green oasis at a miniature Kumquat farm (seasonal) or we learn about the ancient tradition of making tea at the home of a Vietnamese Tea Master.
✓ Rickshaw tour 30 minutes in the Old quarter in Hanoi (1 person/rickshaw)
✓ 1 hour Water puppet show at Thang Long theatre (transfers on your own)
(B)
HANOI – HALONG & OVERNIGHT CRUISE
Breakfast at your hotel. Check out and transfer to Halong and start the cruise 3 days / 2 night
DAY ONE: HANOI – HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY IN CAT BA ARCHIPELAGO 12:00 Welcome to Heritage Cruises Lounge at No.28 of Tuan Chau International Marina for refreshments before boarding for the cruise 12:30 Board the Heritage Cruises boat and enjoy a welcome drink as you receive a cruise briefing, safety instructions, and check-in to your suite. Lunch is served at L’Indochine Restaurant. 12:40 Heritage Cruises takes you to contemplate the magnificent sceneries made from the limestone mountains of Lan Ha Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago. This bay is untouched and remote, as not many cruise boats use this route. 15:30 The cruise vessel approaches the Ba Trai Dao (Three Peach beaches) (upon the weather) or Tra Bau area in Lan Ha Bay, a natural frontier between the provinces of Halong and Haiphong. This secret hideaway has beaches, caves, and coves, plus the spectacular natural beauty of about 400 islands. Guests can try kayaking or simply swimming in the crystal clear water of the bay. 17:30 Return to Heritage Cruises, enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. 18:30 Activities include afternoon tea and the chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class 19:30 A memorable dining experience will be offered at the restaurant, with local food in an intimate and romantic setting. 21:30 Enjoy evening views of the bay at the bar on the top deck. Try your hand at squid fishing. The bars are open until late. Overnight onboard.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
HALONG CRUISE
DAY TWO: HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY HIDEAWAY 06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck, followed by coffee, tea, and pastries. 8:30 Transfer to a speedboat to visit Viet Hai Village. Take a bicycle ride or electric car through a rainforest tunnel that leads to a rice-field vista. Visit a traditional house in a village deep in a national park where you can observe the lifestyle of the local people and enjoy lunch in the village. Return to the speedboat to visit Lan Ha Bay. 13:30 Visit the Cat Ba Archipelago, cruise through Cai Beo floating village and then go to the Ba Trai Dao beaches where you can explore the secret trail and beaches, enclosed by vertical cliffs (if the weather and tide permit) or just swimming and kayaking in Tra Bau area. 15:30 Return to Heritage Cruises to enjoy cocktails, beer, and fine wine as the sky changes color. 17:30 Enjoy life aboard the vessel or in your suite, and with a cocktail in hand watch the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. The chef will lead a Vietnamese cooking class 19:30 Enjoy a fine-dining experience in the main restaurant 21:30 Welcome the night at the bar on the top deck, or try squid fishing. The bars are open late. Overnight onboard
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
HALONG – HANOI & FLIGHT TO LUANG PRABANG
DAY THREE: HALONG BAY – HANOI 06:15 Start the day with a session of Vovinam on the sundeck. 06:45 Have a light breakfast on board. 07:15 Head off in a bamboo boat to explore the Dark and Bright Cave to enjoy the sparkling stalactites on the ceiling and feel the soul of the surrounding nature. 9:00 9:30 Return to the boat for checkout 10:00 Enjoy brunch while cruising back to the mainland 11:00 Return to Tuan Chau Marina and disembark for your onward journey.
Your tour guide will pick you up and transfer to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.
Suggested flight: by Vietnam airlines or QV flight – flight schedules to be advised
Meet your Lao English-speaking tour guide and driver at the arrival hall. S/he will help with the transfer to your hotel.
Check-in and free time at leisure.
Dinner at own expenses. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Bouang – a cozy Asian eatery located on the main street in Luang Prabang. The concept – Asian street foods meets French Bistro. The décor is inspired by years of travel and a local market obsession. Open brick work, long wooden mirrors, bamboo baskets and colored enamel plates create a vibrant backdrop to try the creative cuisine.
(B,Br)
LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel.
8.30am: This morning, we start the exploration of the historic town of Luang Prabang.
First, with The National Museum that used to be the former Royal Palace. Inside the complex of the National Museum, you will see the “Prabang” sacred golden statue, giving its name to the town. Try to spot a very rare piece of rock inside… it comes from the US and was a state gift coming… from the Moon! For car lovers, head to the garage and spot the antique state cars, including some American and French models.
Then visit Vat Visoun, famous for its watermelon-shaped stupa and the adjacent Vat Ahan that shelters the geniuses of Luang Prabang.
And the Heuan Chan Heritage House being a perfect example of Luang Prabang traditional building, made of wood on poles, at the back of Vat Xieng Mouane.
Proceed next to the barding of your private wood slow boat for a leisurely-paced cruise (about 4.5 hours) on the Mekong.
Lunch will be served onboard.
Northward Luang Prabang you will disembark after about 2 hours to visit the Pak Ou Caves. There, thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crowded into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimeters to the size of a human.
During your cruise, you can relax, soaking up the beauty of the Mekong’s sceneries.
Return to town.
Drop by the beautiful Vat Xieng Thong, one of the most emblematic temples in Laos. It is located at the top of the peninsula, where the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers meet.
Around 5pm, ascend on foot up to the summit of Mount Phou Si. The hill commands great views over the town, the Mekong and the Nam Khan rivers and the mountainous ranges. It takes you 328 steps to reach the top, and at sunset set, the changing colors of the sky are particularly spectacular. The light reflecting on the golden spire of the temple at the top is also beautiful. The stairs are lined up with flamboyant and frangipani trees providing a deserved shade as you walk up and down Once back to ground level, stop at the awakening Hmong minority people Night Market. It is held daily in the streets around the National Museum. Villagers come here to sell their handicrafts
Return to the hotel.
IMPORTANT: Please see with your tour guide if you want to wake up early tomorrow to witness and/or attend Tak Bat.
Dinner at own expenses.
(B,L)
LUANG PRABANG
Breakfast at the hotel.
5.15am: At your discretion: Head by Tuk-Tuk to the peninsula to witness and attend alms giving. 5.40-6.15am - Long lines of monks and novices stroll the street of the town center to collect their daily food subsistence from the worshippers. This ancient ritual is locally known as “tak bat”.
Continue with a visit to the open-air food market that is held daily in the streets nearby the former Royal Palace. Lao people still like buying fresh food. While fridges are widely spread in households, people prefer going to local markets and returning home with fresh ingredients. You will surely also spot unsavory rarities such as nutria, bats, ant eggs, and many other curiosities.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
8.30am: Meet your driver and guide and head to Kuang Si waterfalls, located 32 km south-west of Luang Prabang. En-route you will make stops to visit ethnic minority villages. Kuang Si is a good place to get more familiar with endemic and endangered Asian Black Bear at the Rescue Center.
It is also possible to hike to the top of the falls via a steep trail, and if the weather is good, you might enjoy a swim in the crystal clear water ponds at the foot of the falls.
Return back to town and continue to visit Ock Pop Tok weaving center, on the bank of the Mekong River. This afternoon, at own discretion, your guide and driver will escort you to Rosewood Luang Prabang Resort. Please see directly with the local therapists for some moments of indulgence.
Guide and driver stay in stand-by. Return to the hotel by van.
End of afternoon at leisure.
Dyen Sabai restaurant around a traditional Lao barbecue, locally called “sin dat”. A real Lao culinary experience where you grill your own meat on a metallic dome over a bracero while boiling your broth as well in which you add your own ingredients such as herbs, vermicelli, spices, etc…
(B,L)
LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel and check out. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for your departure flight home.
(B)
