Explore North Vietnam and Laos in 11 Days

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai – Hanoi International Airport, our tour guide will be holding a welcome signboard with Bravo Indochina Tours & your name outside the baggage claim area and escort you to Hanoi downtown with a brief introduction en route. Check in hotel.
The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the tree-lined boulevards, French Indochinese architectures and tranquil lakes of this unique city.

The capital of Vietnam, a city that celebrated 1.000 years in 2010 has countless fascinating cultural and historic sites and our days’ tour will visit the highlights. See the grand Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh (viewed from outside; closed Mon and Fri and from Oct-Nov), the ‘icon of Hanoi’ – The One Pillar Pagoda, the beautiful Temple of Literature, West Lake’s Tran Quoc temple as well as the fascinating Ethnology Museum, the bustling Old Quarter, Ngoc Son temple and The Restored Sword Lake. Taking one hour cyclo tour around the Old Quarter to enjoy the beauty of Hanoi Old city. Enjoy a water puppet show in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Enjoy breakfast at hotel, we leave Hanoi for Hoa Lu – Tam Coc, enjoying the beautiful sceneries of the rural areas on the way. After arriving in Ninh Binh province, the guide takes you to visit Hoa Lu – the Ancient Royal capital of Viet Nam. We will visit Dinh king temple and Le king temple. In the 10th century, finding out the heroic histories of this two Kings in Chinese Wars.
After that, we go to Tam Coc (10 km far from Hoa Lu), you will have lunch at a nice restaurant before boarding a small boat to visit Tam Coc, meaning literally, “Three Caves”. With majestic limestone cliffs and mysterious yet inviting caves, as well as countryside sights, like peaceful streams, rice paddies, and deserted green fields, Tam Coc is definitely a must-visit attraction. Then, you will be transferred to hotel in Ninh Binh. Night at hotel.

In the morning, our driver and guide will pick up and transfer you to Halong Bay from your hotel. It will take roughly 2 hours to arrive Halong. Arrival at lunchtime, check in our luxury cruise and start your wonderful time in Halong Bay. Spend whole afternoon to enjoy magnificent sceneries around you, there are thousands of limestone islands standing in the middle of sea water, all of them are covered by a thick layer of green forest which make Halong bay more and more beautiful. Have lunch, dinner and stay overnight on boat.

Wake up early to enjoy fresh air of the sea, take part in some morning exercises on sundeck with our master. Then, have breakfast and our boat lift anchor to start cruising in the bay again. Keep camera ready on your hand to take the best photos of Halong Bay in the morning. Check out and have lunch on boat. Our boat finished cruising at the harbor and time to say goodbye Halong bay, catch our car/bus back to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi at around 4 pm

Today, you will be picked up from your hotel to Noi Bai International Airport for the flight to Luang Prabang. We enjoy a short-guided tour to see the city’s oldest temple Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong. We’ll also see visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrines of Wat Aham and Wat Mai. We then board an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside
Meet our driver and transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

An optional early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning alms-giving ritual to saffron-clad monks. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving this procession
See the beauty and hidden wonders of Laos on this Pak Ou Caves and Kuang Si Falls day tour. Follow your friendly local guide through the streets of Luang Prabang, then make your way along the Mekong River to the Buddha-filled caves of Pak Ou. You'll visit a rural village where locals make rice wine and see how indigenous people live. Next, head to the stunning waterfalls of Kuang Si and savor a picnic lunch in one of the country's most picturesque destinations.

After breakfast, we proceed to the Elephant camp out of town in the middle of unspoiled, natural green surroundings. After crossing the small riverPagoda you are introduced to our Asian Elephants and venture on a 30mins scenic journey through plantations and fields.

After breakfast, we will transfer you to Vang Vieng, a small tranquil town nestled on a river bend of Nam Song River. It sits amidst a stunning scenery, a mixture of quiet atmosphere and limestone outcrops. Take a bamboo raft along Nam Song River with its limestone cliffs and valleys. Vang Vieng is home to numerous caves. the most famous of which is Tham Jang cave, which served as the defense against Chinese invaders in the early 19th century. Overnight in Vang Vieng.

After breakfast, start walking around the bustling central market, then drive to Vientiane. After checking in hotel, we explore the capital by visiting the major sights including Wat Sisaket, which contains more than 8000 Buddha statues, Wat Ho Prakeo the former home of the Emerald Buddha statue and That Luang Stupa, the single most important monument in Laos. We also see the Patuxay (Lao Arc de Triomphe), which was built recently in commemoration of those who died during past wars and today it is the city’s main landmark. Overnight in Vientiane.

You will be picked up at your hotel in Vientiane in the morning to begin your private tour at the serene Wat Si Saket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion of 1828. It is one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, and its breezy teak-covered hallways are filled with thousands of miniature Buddha statues. Continue on to the nearby Wat Ho Phra Keo. As a religious museum, the temple displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also stop by the nearby Presidential Palace and appreciate the building from outside (going inside is not permitted). Get a good glimpse into the town’s colonial past as this building formerly served as the French governor’s palace. Visit Wat Si Muang, one of the most popular and venerated temples in Vientiane. Then move on to the Patuxai monument (Victory Gate), Laos’ version of the Arc de Triomphe, where you can climb the stairs to the roof for sweeping panoramic views of the city. Next, your tour takes you to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Constructed by King Setthethirat in the 16th century, the temple is resplendent as the sun shines upon its towering golden spire.

 Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then take a 45-minute drive to the Buddha Park. En route make a brief stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge, built by the Australian government in 1994, which links Laos and Thailand. On arrival, take a stroll around the Buddha Park (Xieng Khuan), filled with more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures built in 1958 by a Laos shaman. The concrete sculptures are unique and intriguing, sitting majestically in the peaceful park. Driving back to Vientiane, you'll stop by the Lao Disabled Women's Development Centre, which aims to bring knowledge and skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient and productive members of the community. The center focuses its efforts on helping people with disabilities gain independence and self confidence. A visit to the center provides you with the opportunity to talk to these women and to observe their skill at creating handicrafts such as hand-made paper. End your full-day tour of the capital along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls, if you like, before being transferred back to your hotel.
Transfers you to Wattay airport for departure. See you next time