Vietnam and Laos Explorer 15 Days / 14 Nights

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to your hotel in the heart of the city. The rest of your day is at leisure to relax and recover from your flight.

Begin your day with a journey to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, an intricate underground network used by the Viet Cong during the war. Learn how these tunnels served as living quarters, supply routes, and military operations bases. After lunch, return to Ho Chi Minh City to explore its key landmarks: the sobering War Remnants Museum, the elegant Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the colonial Central Post Office. Take a short stroll along Dong Khoi Street before diving into the local atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market. Return to your hotel in the evening.

Escape the city for a full-day adventure in the Mekong Delta. From Cai Be, cruise past floating markets and visit family-run workshops making coconut candies and rice paper. Continue to Tan Phong Island where you can bike or take a rowing boat along peaceful canals. Interact with local farmers and observe traditional crafts like weaving hyacinth baskets or thatching roofs. Enjoy Mekong hospitality with tea and traditional music in a lush garden before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, continue by road to Hoi An. In the afternoon, explore Hoi An’s UNESCO-listed Ancient Town on foot, marveling at its unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences. Highlights include the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, ancient pagodas, and vibrant markets nestled within lantern-lit streets that echo a rich multicultural heritage.

This immersive day offers an authentic glimpse into rural life in Hoi An. Begin by cycling through scenic rice paddies and tranquil villages, where water buffalo roam freely. At a local organic farm, try your hand at planting vegetables and watering crops alongside friendly farmers. Then, board a traditional boat to learn fishing techniques, including casting nets and paddling a unique bamboo basket boat (Thung Chai) through coconut palm waterways. These same canals once served as hiding places during wartime. After a fresh seafood lunch, enjoy a peaceful ride back and relax at your hotel.

Spend your day as you wish—relax by the pool, explore Hoi An at your own pace, or choose from curated optional experiences:

• Vespa Countryside Adventure: Discover rural Hoi An by vintage scooter, visit boatyards and mat weavers, cross bamboo bridges, sip local coffee, and end with a seafood lunch by the beach.
• Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge: Ride a record-breaking cable car to the famed Golden Bridge, suspended by giant stone hands, and enjoy panoramic views and historical sites like Linh Ung Pagoda.
• Cooking Class at My Grandma’s Home: Visit a local market before learning to prepare Hoi An specialties in a serene village setting. End with a homemade lunch in a beautiful garden

Whatever you choose, your evening is free to enjoy Hoi An’s enchanting charm.

After breakfast, travel north through stunning coastal scenery, crossing the dramatic Hai Van Pass with sweeping views of Lang Co Beach. Upon arrival in Hue, the former imperial capital, begin your tour at the vast Citadel complex. Walk through the Noon Gate into the Forbidden Purple City, exploring ancient palaces, royal courtyards, and the iconic Thai Hoa Palace. Cross the Perfume River to modern Hue, ending at Dong Ba Market—a lively hub for local life and cuisine.

Cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, one of Vietnam’s most iconic religious sites. Continue to the majestic tombs of Emperor Minh Mang and Emperor Khai Dinh—each reflecting distinct architectural and cultural values, from classical Sino-Vietnamese elegance to eclectic French-Vietnamese fusion. In the evening, ride pillion on vintage Vespas through Hue’s atmospheric streets to taste its signature dishes. Savor lemongrass skewers, sizzling pancakes, beef noodle soup, sweet desserts, and local beer while engaging with Hue’s warm culinary culture.

After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to the airport for your short flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, meet your guide and head into the city. The rest of the day is yours to relax or take a short walk around the hotel to get a first feel of Vietnam’s capital.

Rise early to join locals in their morning routines around Hoan Kiem Lake—Tai Chi, dancing, or quiet strolls. Enjoy a steaming bowl of “pho” for breakfast, followed by egg coffee at a rooftop café. Continue through the bustling Old Quarter, visit an ancient tube house, and learn to cross Hanoi’s lively streets. Highlights include Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (outside), the Temple of Literature, and the Fine Arts Museum. At lunch, try “bun cha” or a delicious banh mi. End the day like a local, sipping fresh beer at a roadside bar with pickled snacks and peanuts.

Optional Add-on:

• Moon Garden Homestay: A countryside escape with cooking class, cycling to ancient villages, and herbal foot baths in a lovingly restored traditional home.
• Duong Lam Ancient Village: Walk through a historic village to explore old houses, local temples, and sample handmade snacks. Optionally visit Van Phuc Silk Village en route.

Depart for Ha Long Bay and board your elegant wooden cruise ship. Enjoy a welcome drink and delicious lunch as you glide past striking limestone karsts and islets. Visit Surprise Cave with its impressive stalactites, then relax on deck before joining a Vietnamese cooking class. Dinner is a buffet of local and international favorites. Cap the night with board games, squid fishing, or simply admiring the stars over this UNESCO-listed seascape.

Greet the day with sunrise Tai Chi on deck, then kayak to Luon Cave, nestled among limestone cliffs. Visit Titov Island for swimming or a panoramic hike. Enjoy a hearty brunch as you cruise back to port. Return to Hanoi and fly to Luang Prabang, Laos, a serene city of golden temples and colonial charm. Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for a restful evening.

At dawn, you may join locals in the sacred ritual of Alms Giving, offering rice to saffron-robed monks. After breakfast, stroll through the bustling Phousi Market before heading to Kuang Si Falls. Cool off in the turquoise pools and visit the Bear Rescue Sanctuary. After a picnic lunch, cruise the Mekong River to the ancient Pak Ou Caves, filled with thousands of Buddha images. End the day with an optional visit to Ban Phanom, famed for traditional weaving.

Today’s journey takes you deep into Laos’ diverse ethnic heartland. Visit Hath Hient village, known for iron knife making, then continue to Khmu and Yuan communities surrounded by rice paddies. After a picnic lunch by the serene Nam Pa River, explore the Hmong village of Ban Long Lan, learning about their organic coffee, herbal medicine, and mountain farming techniques. On your way back to Luang Prabang, stop at Ban Xang Khong, a village known for traditional paper-making.

Spend your final morning discovering Luang Prabang’s historic core. Visit the Royal Palace Museum and sacred temples like Wat Xieng Thong, Wat Visoun, and Wat Aham. Climb Mount Phousi for sweeping views of the city and Mekong River. Afterward, transfer to the airport for your departure flight, marking the end of a memorable Indochina journey.