Indochina travel, Vietnam Laos classic tour, Indochina tours

LE NGUYEN TRAVEL

INTERNATIONAL TOUR OPERATOR LICENCE No 0474/TCDL - GP LHQT

Day 1: Ha Noi arrival (B)
On arrival at Noi Bai Airport, you are met and transferred to hotel. Ha Noi , Vietnam's capital,
is a stylish and gracious city that retains an unique old world charm and some Asia ‘s most
striking colonial architecture. The many lakes and parks make for relaxing atmosphere. If
time permits we enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets
named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 2: Ha Noi (B)
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site
contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and
the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose
origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with a trip to the Temple of
Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive
Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and
the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese
history, are not to be missed. We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of
Hoan Kiem. In front of this lake is the famous water puppet theatre where we will see a
fantastic performance. O/N in Ha Noi.

Day 3: Ha Noi - Sapa (B)
An early morning start to drive along the Red River to Sa Pa. The roads are bumpy at times,
but various scenic landscape changing from the delta area to the Tonkinese Alps make for
an interesting journey. At an elevation of 1,500 meters, Sa Pa was once a hill resort of
French administrators when the summer heat became unbearable. The remoteness and the
simple lifestyle of ethnic minority people are a highlight of Sa Pa although conditions are
basic. After checking into hotel in Sapa we can soak up the fresh climate as much as we
want by spending time to wander around this hill town. The ethnic people are frequently
seen on the main street of Sapa and small vendors along the street sell local textiles and
handicraft. O/N in Sa Pa.

Day 4: Sapa ( B )
The range of Phan Si Pan boasts Vietnam’s highest mountain and lends an alpine feel to
the area surrounding this hill station. Today we have enough time to visit the bustling Sa Pa
Market where the Red Dao, Black Hmong, Tay and Xa Pho ethnic minorities converge from
the nearby mountainsides and valleys to trade their goods and buy provisions. We then get
well off the beaten track as we embark on a walk to explore this beautiful mountain region.
Along the way we traverse several rustic villages and see many mountaineers doing their
daily works such as logging, herding buffalo and tilling the field. The blend of verdant
mountain backdrop and colourful population makes for an unimaginable view. O/N in Sa Pa.

Day 5: Sapa - Bac Ha ( B )
Upon leaving Sapa we set off on our scenic drive through the border town of Lao Cai to the
colourful Sunday Market at Bac Ha. This market also attracts a wide variety of ethnic
minority groups including the Variegated Hmong, Dao, Phu La, La Chi and Tay. They still
retain their age old cultural traditions and are recognisably distinct from each other by their
dress. The experience of this congregation is colorful and unique. After the market we enjoy
a walk around the area, visiting the Hmong King’s former residence and Ban Pho where the
villagers make the potent local maize alcohol. O/N in Bac Ha. (B)

Day 6: Bac Ha - Ha Noi ( B )
The return journey begins as we depart Bac Ha Town and pass through the verdant and
rugged mountain scenery to Hanoi. These back roads are a great way to explore the real
Vietnam. We see very few other travellers, mostly rural dwellers who are just as interested in
finding out about our lives as we are of theirs. The drive is very long , but we can can make
many stops along the way to stretch our legs and take wonderful photographs. O/N in Ha
Noi.

Day 7: Ha Noi - Perfume pagoda - Ninh Binh ( B )
An interesting drive through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to the Perfume
Pagoda, which is not just one pagoda but many shrines and sanctuaries built into
mountainsides. This famous complex of pagodas is also one of Vietnam great pilgrimage
sites. On arrival we enjoy a leisurely boat excursion on the Yen River past the spectacular
landscape of flooded rice fields and undulating mountains. After two hour river trip we
embark on a rugged walk uphill to explore some of the many pagodas and the sacred
grotto of Huong Tich. We then drive to Ninh Binh, our final destination. O/N in Ninh Binh.

Day 8: Ninh Binh - Hai Phong
The capital of Vietnam during the Dinh and early Le Dynasties is Hoa Lu, which however
has left its legacy in the form of two small temples, each one nearly a thousand years old.
After a short drive we visit these two remaining structures, dedicated to the Dinh and Le
Rulers , then climb 200 steps to the top of Ma Yen mount for a fantastic view over the
surrounding areas. The next stop of our trip is Tam Coc which is surnamed “ Inland Halong
Bay”. We take a boat trip on a river through the quiet and peaceful landscape of rice fields
surrounded by limestone formations to the grottoes of Tam Coc. Upon leaving this site we
commence our scenic drive to Hai Phong, the biggest port town of northern Vietnam. O/N in
Hai Phong.

Day 9: Hai Phong - Ha Long ( B / L )
Heading out of town we travel by roads to Ha Long Bay, truly one of Vietnam’s most
impressive scenic sights. On arrival we embark on a boat for a memorable trip around the
bay which will give us a chance to explore the picturesque scenery blending with the sky
and some 3,000 limestone islands, rising amazingly from the clear and emerald water. The
limestone karst formations are littered with beaches, grottoes and beautiful caves. Along the
way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and an enjoyable visit to one of
the many hidden grottoes beneath towering cliffs. After a seafood lunch on board we
continue our exciting cruise and have time for another swim. O/N in Ha Long.

Day 10: Ha Long Bat Trang - Ha Noi ( B )
The very good roads make our journey back to Hanoi much more pleasurable. Today we
have plenty of time to observe the rural landscape and visit the riverside village of Bat
Trang, where distinctive ceramics are made and used throughout the delta region for over
500 years. The vitality of this village is still blown up by the hundreds of pottery kilns on fire
day and night. We stroll around various cottage industries and watch craftsmen forming,
painting and glazing their products in traditional ways. The reminder of the day will be free to
explore Hanoi's older quarters or simply to relax. O/N in Hanoi.

Day 11: Ha Noi - Vientiane ( B )
An impressive way to commence the day is a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake at dawn, where
hundreds of people come to do their morning exercise (optional). After breakfast we have
free time until transferring to airport for a flight to Vientiane. The charming and fascinating
capital of Laos, Vientiane is located on the banks of the Mekong River. This small city
conjures up exotic images, with the curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French
influences. A city tour includes Wat Sisaket, the oldest temple still standing in Vientiane. The
following sight is the former royal temple of Haw Pha Kaew, which previously housed the
famous Emerald Buddha Image. We also visit the imposing Patouxai Monument well known
as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe on our way to the great sacred structure of That Luang
Stupa. O/N in Vientiane.

Day 12: Vientiane - Luang Prabang ( B )
The royal capital of the former Lane Xang Kingdom, Luang Prabang with its gleaming
temple roofs, fading colonial architecture and stunning mountain backdrop retains an
unique charm rarely found in all Asia. This morning we take a short flight to Luang Prabang.
There is plenty to see in this delightful town, some of which are the impressive stupa of Wat
Visoun, the shrine of Wat Aham and Wat Mai with five tiered roofs. We include these sights
in a half day guided tour which ends with a climb to Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of
the town and the Mekong River. There are 329 steps leading us on zigzag way past various
temples to the sacred, gilded stupa of Wat Phousi at the summit. O/N at Luang Prabang.

Day 13: Luang Prabang - Pakou - Luang Prabang ( B/L
Today we continue seeing this town with the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, which nestles at
the meeting of the Mekong and the Nam Khan River. The temple structures are decorated in
various ways with gilded stuccoes and doorways while the main sim has a marvellous 'tree
life' mosaic pattern on an outer wall. We board a boat for a leisurely trip on the Mekong
River, stopping en route at Ban Xang Hai to visit the distillation of local rice wine. Upon
leaving this village we wave our wave through the stunning mountain landscape to the
mysterious Pak Ou Caves. They are crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha
statues of various shapes and sizes, all brought there by devout villagers. After the river trip
we drive towards Ban Phanom and visit the hand weaving. O/N in Luang Brabang.

Day 14: Luang Prabang - Vientiane ( B )
The exploration of Luang Prabang would not be complete without a visit to the national
museum at the former Royal Palace. This interesting structure displays a lovely collection of
treasures and artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the
early kings right through the last sovereign. We then spend our time wandering through the
charming streets until transferring to the airport for a short flight back to Vientiane. On
arrival we head out to see the impressive Friendship Bridge which links Laos and Thailand,
and the Buddha Park. This landmark represents a blend of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures
created by mystical monk on a parkland located by the Mekong River. A perfect way to
round off the day is to watch the spectacular sunset over the Mekong River from one of
riverside bars. O/N in Vientiane.

Day 15: Vientiane - Departure ( B )
There is a free time for your own exploration of the city and catching up on some shopping
areas. The trip ends after your transfer to the airport for departure.

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