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BEST OF NORTHERN INDOCHINA (Vietnam/Laos) - 14 Days / 13 Nights

CODE: EX.R-ERT/BNI
ARRIVE HANOI
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI (B)
A full day city tour of Vietnam's capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology, the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. In the evening enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI - HAI PHONG - HA LONG - HAI PHONG (B, L)
An early start to drive to Hai Phong, Vietnam's third largest city and gateway to Halong Bay, 100km to the east of Hanoi. On arrival board the hydrofoil for the 55 minutes journey to Cat Ba Island, the largest in the bay. At Cat Ba board a private boat for a cruise among some of the 3,000 limestone islands that are scattered throughout this spectacular bay. The cruise includes a fresh seafood lunch. Return to Hai Phong by hydrofoil in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hai Phong.

HAI PHONG - HANOI (B)
Hai Phong still has many impressive examples of classic European colonial architecture in its town centre. A morning cyclo tour along the wide boulevards includes a visit to Hang Kenh tapestry factory and the Du Hang Pagoda, founded over three centuries ago. Return to Hanoi in by road after lunch in Hai Phong and transfer to hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for relaxing or shopping for souvenirs. Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI - SAPA (B)
Leave Hanoi by road for the picturesque day's journey to Sapa, in the far north western corner of Vietnam. There are many photo opportunities along the way and after a lunch stop at Yen Bai visit Black Dao and Flower H'mong villages en route. Arrive at Lao Cai in the late afternoon where you can gaze across the Red River at China on the opposite bank. From Lao Cai the road winds up the terraced hillsides to Sapa, a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam's most colorful ethnic groups. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Sapa.

SAPA (B)
A morning walking tour of Sapa visits the busy market where Red Dao, Black H'mong and other hill tribes converge from the surrounding countryside to sell their embroidery, silverware and handicrafts and to buy provisions. In the afternoon visit some of nearby hill tribe villages, such as Cat Cat or Ta Fin. Overnight in Sapa.

SAPA (B)
Light trekking or mountain bike riding to further explore the rustic villages scattered among the valleys and hillsides. Overnight in Sapa.

SAPA - HANOI (B)
Return to Hanoi after breakfast via Lao Cai. Transfer to hotel on arrival in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI - HOA LU - HANOI (B)
A 70km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam's first capital, Hoa Lu. After visiting the two remaining sanctuaries of the ancient citadel, take a sampan on a river through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields double check to this place's other name, "Halong on Land". Overnight in Hanoi.

HANOI - VIENTIANE (B)
At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for onward flight to Vientiane.  Arrive in Vientiane, the peaceful capital of the People's Democratic Republic of Laos. After transferring to the hotel there is time for an afternoon city tour taking in Vat Sisaket with its thousands of miniature Buddha statues, Vat Phra Keo, Vat Simuong, That Luang Monument and Vientiane's own Arc de Triomphe, the Patouxai or Anousavari Monument. Overnight in Vientiane.

VIENTIANE - LUANG PRABANG (B)
Transfer to Wattay Airport for a morning flight to the former royal capital, Luang Prabang. Transfer to hotel before setting out to explore some of the sights of this peaceful, provincial city There is little traffic on the dusty Luang Prabang roads and monks in orange robes scurry in all directions carrying umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun. The former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, Vat Xieng Thong, Vat Sen, Vat Visun and Mount Phousi with panoramic views over the city should not be missed. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

LUANG PRABANG-PAK OU CAVES-LUANG PRABANG (B, L)
A full day boat trip on the mighty Mekong River to visit the mysterious Pak Ou Caves. Thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues are crammed into the two caves carved out of a towering limestone cliff. They range in size from a few centimeters to the size of a man. After a picnic lunch, visit a riverside village where rice wine is produced and the village of Ban Phanom, where traditional Lao textiles are woven on ancient wooden looms. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

LUANG PRABANG - VIENTIANE (B)
An early morning visit to Luang Prabang Market before transferring to the airport for flight to Vientiane. Transfer to hotel on arrival. The afternoon is free for more exploration or souvenir shopping. Overnight in Vientiane.

DEPART VIENTIANE (B)
After breakfast visit the Morning Market before transferring to the airport for departure flight.


TOUR INCLUSION OF:
  • Flight from Vientaine - Luang Prabang and Luang Prabang - Vientaine.
  • Round-trip transfers between airport and hotel.
  • Accommodation with daily breakfast.
  • English or French or Vietnamese speaking local guides.
  • Land transportation by air-conditioned vehicles with driver.
  • Boat trip if mentioned in the itinerary.
  • Entrance fees for mentioned visits in the itinerary.
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary as (B) is breakfast, (L) is Lunch, (D) is Dinner.
TOUR EXCLUSION OF:
  • Flight from Hanoi - Vientiane (~115 USD)
  • Airport departure taxes and surcharges.
  • Visa stamping fee.
  • Personal expenses as telephone, laundry, etc.
  • Others meals are not mentioned in the "inclusion of" above.
OPTIONAL:
  • Add-on international airfare from interior U.S. cities.
  • Add-on other flights if mentioned in the "exclusion of".
  • Travel Insurance.

 

1820 West 3600 South, Suite #C
Salt Lake City, UT 84119 - U.S.A.
Tel: (801) 973-4163 - Fax: (801) 973-2545
E-mail: tours@vietlinktravel.com