Embrace Vietnam & Laos Adventure

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known at the Reunification palace, was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing the beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, the historic Central Post Office. Followed by the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum, the museum has a vast display of both Indochina wars.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you will transfer to Cu Chi Tunnels – the historic site where Vietnamese soldiers used as a shelter during wartime. This fantastic network stretches over 250 km and is the shelter of Vietnamese soldiers during the wars. The system was served as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living areas for Vietnamese fighters throughout the war. Take your time to descend into the tunnels to discover the wonderful tunnels and the harsh conditions of Vietcong guerrillas. Back to the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Meet your guide at the hotel after breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City for a journey to the serene Mekong Delta, where daily life flows to the rhythm of the river.

As you reach My Tho, step aboard a traditional boat and cruise along the Mekong River, gliding past riverside villages and local craft workshops. Witness how coconut candy and rice popcorn are made, then hop into a small sampan for a tranquil paddle through narrow palm-shaded canals.

Continue to Thoi Son Islet, where you’ll explore its lush gardens and gain insight into life along the delta.

A countryside-style lunch awaits, featuring regional specialties prepared with fresh local ingredients.

After your meal, enjoy a leisurely bicycle ride through the quiet village paths or relax at a riverside café, soaking in the slow rhythm of delta life.

In the late afternoon, return to Ho Chi Minh City, bringing back serene memories of one of Vietnam’s most iconic and timeless landscapes.

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel and some free time at leisure until your transfer to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang. On arrival, you’ll be greeted by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An. Check-in is available from 14:00, leaving the rest of the day free for you to relax or begin exploring this charming town at leisure.

Your adventure begins at 8:30, meet your local guide and kick off your countryside journey with the experience of a colorful Ba Le market. Let's gain some tips on how to deal with local sellers and choose ingredients for the meals.

Following your friendly local guide to the charming Cam Thanh Coconut Village, a tranquil spot also known as Hoi An Coconut Village, nestled among emerald palms and winding waterways. Here, you'll meet residents and hear fascinating stories about their lives and traditions, an intimate window into rural Vietnam.

Then, take to the water for a hands-on experience with nature and community. Try your hand at traditional round net and cast net fishing and “Purple Crabs” in the canal, glide through coconut canals in a bamboo basket boat, and even join in a friendly basket boat race, which is a highlight for many visitors!

Since you have a fun-filled morning, visit a local family’s home where a warm welcome drink awaits. Roll up your sleeves for a lively Vietnamese cooking class, where you’ll prepare authentic dishes alongside four delicious side plates. Savor your creations over a relaxing lunch and take home recipes that are sure to impress family and friends.

Around 12:30 PM, return to your hotel for a well-earned rest, with wonderful memories and new culinary skills in hand.

Menu: (vegetarian menu available upon request)

1. Appetizer: Papaya Salad
2. Starter: Deep-Fried Spring Roll
3. Main Course: Vietnamese Pancake
4. Main Course: Braised Chicken in Clay Pot
5. Side Dishes: Morning Glory, Steamed Rice, Dessert

NOTE: We accommodate vegetarian and other dietary requirements upon request

At around 7:30 – 8:00 AM, your guide and minivan will pick you up from your hotel for a scenic drive to Ba Na Hills. Upon arrival, you’ll board the renowned cable car system, one of Southeast Asia’s longest and most modern, offering panoramic views of Da Nang’s coastline.

Begin at the Golden Bridge, a surreal walkway cradled by giant stone hands, then wander through the romantic Jardin D’Amour Gardens and pause at Linh Ung Pagoda, marveling at the serene Goddess of Mercy statue that watches peacefully over the hills.

As the cable car takes you higher, the charming French Village comes into view. This whimsical setting offers not only lively street performances but also quiet corners like the Nine-Floor Goddess Shrine. After enjoying a buffet lunch, you will board the Lava Train for a fun ride to new highlights such as Helios Waterfall and the Moon Kingdom. In the afternoon, thrill-seekers can play over 90 exciting games at Fantasy Park before returning to the city by cable car.

• Includes: A two-way hotel pickup and drop off, English-speaking tourguide, return cable cars, buffet lunch Golden Bridge, Le Jardin D’amour, Fantasy Park, Moon Caste, French Village,...A bottle of water
• Trip excludes: Special services in Fantasy Park: Wax Statue Museum, France Wine Cellar entrance & wine, Roller Coaster game, climbing game, or some games with prizes, 10D movie, personal expenses and services not mentioned above

Free at your leisure before being transferred to the airport (without tour guide) to take your domestic flight to Hanoi. 

Welcome to Hanoi, you will be collected by our local guide at Hanoi Airport and transfer to hotel for check-in. The room is at your disposal from 14.00 onwards. The balance of the day is at your leisure. Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Enjoy a full breakfast and meet your guide starting to uncover the history and spirit of Hanoi.

Begin with a visit to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the resting place of Vietnam's beloved national leader. You will have a chance to view the embalmed body of President Ho Chi Minh, then walk down to the peaceful garden and visit the stilt house and the Presidential Palace, where he lived and worked from 1954 to 1969

Pause at the One Pillar Pagoda, a lotus-shaped sanctuary that has stood as a symbol of purity for centuries, before moving on to the Museum of Ethnology that you will admire interactive exhibits reveal the vibrant traditions of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups.

Break for a delightful lunch at the local restaurant, featuring authentic Vietnamese flavors

This afternoon, you will head to Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, beautifully reflected in the waters of West Lake, blending ancient architecture with a serene lakeside setting. At the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, stroll shaded courtyards and ancient pavilions that offering a glimpse into the depth of the Vietnamese people's studious spirit that stretches back nearly a thousand years.

Conclude at the thought-provoking Hoa Lo Prison, once used by French colonists and later by North Vietnam, where exhibits bring to life powerful stories of endurance and resilience.

Return to your hotel by late afternoon. Dinner is by your own arrangement. Your room is available until 12:00 PM, and the rest of the evening is free for you to relax or prepare for the next leg of your journey. Later, you’ll be transferred to Hanoi Station to board the overnight train to Sapa.

Suggested train: Chapa Express or similar (Hanoi–Sapa, 4-berth sharing cabin), departing at 10:00 PM and arriving at 5:50 AM the following morning.

NOTE:

• The Ho Chi Minh Complex is closed on Mondays to Fridays, and from June to August. Only exterior photography is allowed during these periods
• The Vietnamese Women’s Museum is an alternative to the Vietnam Ethnology Museum, which is closed on Mondays

Your overnight train arrives at about 6:00, where your guide awaits to greet you. From here, a scenic 1.5-hour drive carries you through misty valleys and winding mountain roads toward Sapa. Upon arrival, enjoy a refreshing shower, hearty breakfast, and short rest at a local restaurant before your adventure begins. Please note that hotel check-in is available from 14:00

At 14:15, take a short drive to Y Linh Ho and begin your trek through cascading rice terraces and along the gentle flow of Muong Hoa Stream. The trail leads to Lao Chai, home of the Black Hmong people, where sweeping views of the majestic Hoang Lien Son Mountains unfold before you, then continuing onward to Ta Van village, inhabited by the friendly Zay ethnic minority. The total trekking distance this afternoon is about 9 kilometers and lasts for roughly 3.5 hours.

By late afternoon, settle into your homestay and meet your Dzay host family. As the sun sets behind the mountains, soak up the rustic charm of village life. Try your hand at cooking local dishes alongside your hosts before sharing a warm family-style dinner. In the evening, you may choose to join other travelers at a nearby bar for music and socializing, or simply enjoy the peace of your mountain retreat. Overnight at homestay.

Wake up to the gentle sounds of village life and enjoy breakfast prepared by your host family. At 8:45 AM, begin your trek through golden rice fields and lush landscapes, perfect for capturing postcard-worthy photographs. Your journey carries on through a lush bamboo forest, revealing panoramic views of Giang Ta Chai, home to the Red Dao people. The trek spans about 4 kilometers and lasts approximately 2 hours.

Continue to cross the Giang Ta Chai Bridge to meet your bus back to Sapa town. Around noon, refresh with a shower at a hotel, followed by lunch and free leisure time.

13:30, regroup with your fellow travelers at the hotel, and by 14:00, board a comfortable limousine for your return to Hanoi. The drive includes two relaxing comfort stops before reaching the capital around 20:30–21:00. Upon arrival, your guide bids you a warm farewell at the drop-off point.

Arrival in Hanoi early in the morning. You will have a day-use hotel to have breakfast and take a rest before leaving for Halong Bay by shuttle bus, arriving around noon. Visiting the bay, you will experience the magic of the wonderful wonder of the world. 

From the harbor, board our boat for a cruise among the numerous limestone karst rising from the emerald water. Make a stop en route to visit a grotto of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites and anchor for a relaxing swim in a hidden cave. Meals will be served on the cruise. Overnight on the cruise.

After breakfast, enjoy your time to swim, sunbathe and relax in the fascinating background of the bay. After lunch on board – around 11.30am, transfer back to Hanoi to check in the hotel. Dinner on your own. Overnight at the hotel.

Free at your leisure before being transferred to the airport (without tour guide) to take your regional flight to Luang Prabang. The room is at your disposal until noon time. 

Once arrival in Luang Prabang, you will be warmly welcomed and transferred to the hotel to check in. The balance of the day will be at your leisure, Meals on your own. Overnight at the hotel. 

Rise early to witness the morning alms-giving ceremony (Tak Bat), Laos’s sacred morning ritual, as saffron-robed monks move silently through Luang Prabang, receiving rice and offerings from locals and mindful travelers. For those wishing to participate, local vendors provide the essentials, including a Lao sash (sabai) and sticky rice. If you prefer to observe, please do so from a respectful distance and refrain from flash photography to preserve the sanctity of this centuries-old ritual. Afterward, stroll through the lively morning market before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

The day continues with visits to some of Luang Prabang’s most treasured temples: the ancient Wat Visoun with its graceful stupa, the tranquil Wat Aham, and the richly decorated Wat Mai.

Later, step aboard a boat for an upstream cruise on the Mekong River, gliding past peaceful landscapes and riverside villages. A highlight of the day is the Pak Ou Caves, two impressive limestone grottoes that house thousands of Buddha images left by devoted pilgrims over centuries. Along the way, stop at Ban Xanghai to taste traditional Lao rice wine and Ban Xang Khong, known for its handmade Saa paper crafted from mulberry bark. Return to Luang Prabang for an overnight stay.

Your day begins a guided exploration of Luang Prabang’s spiritual heart. Step inside Wat Sene, the city’s oldest temple, and followed by the elegant Wat Xieng Thong, its walls gleaming with the famed Tree of Life mosaic in colored glass. At the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, you’ll walk through rooms filled with artifacts that tell the story of Laos’s royal past and timeless culture.

Afterward, enjoy some free time to wander through the town’s charming streets and artisan shops before we set off to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfalls. Here, you can swim in turquoise pools, stroll shaded forest paths, or simply admire the cascades tumbling through lush greenery.

Lunch is on your own.

Returning to Luang Prabang, board a gentle Mekong River cruise, and soaking up panoramic views of the tranquil countryside as the sun begins to dip. As the day draws to a close, climb Mount Phousi, long celebrated as the most beautiful place to catch the sunset in Laos. From the gilded stupa at its summit, capture sweeping views of the city and the sky shifts through shades of gold and crimson while the Mekong winds silently below. End the day browsing the vibrant Night Market, where stalls brim with handmade textiles and local crafts. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel before bidding farewell to the serene charm of Luang Prabang. Depending on your flight schedule, a private driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward journey or flight home. Please note that hotel check-out time is at noon. End of services. vietnamtour.co.za wishes you safe travels and hope to welcome you again on another adventure.