Vietnam & Laos Grand Discovery – 16 Days Private Tour Led by Women
Day 1: Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your female guide and transfer by private vehicle to your 4-star hotel. Enjoy a welcome lunch before relaxing or exploring central Ho Chi Minh City. Discover Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Walking Street and the vibrant local atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy an authentic Southern Vietnamese dinner. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City & Cu Chi Tunnels
After breakfast, travel to the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and explore underground passageways, hidden rooms and wartime facilities. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch. Visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Central Post Office. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3: Mekong Delta – Ben Tre Experience
Travel from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta. Cruise along the Ben Tre waterways and visit coconut workshops, traditional brick kilns and local family businesses. Enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through coconut gardens followed by a peaceful sampan journey beneath water coconut palms. Have a Mekong-style lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for dinner. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang – Hoi An
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Continue by private vehicle to Hoi An Ancient Town and check into your 4-star hotel. Enjoy lunch before relaxing along the Thu Bon River or exploring the lantern-lined streets. Visit the riverside area around Japanese Covered Bridge before enjoying a Central Vietnamese dinner. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An Ancient Town & Cam Thanh Basket Boat Adventure
Explore Hoi An Market and continue with a walking tour through Hoi An Ancient Town. Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall, old merchant houses and traditional temples. After lunch, travel to Cam Thanh Coconut Village for a basket boat experience through the nipa palm waterways. Meet local fishermen and discover traditional river life before dinner. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hanoi
Enjoy breakfast and free time in Hoi An, with options including An Bang Beach, a countryside cycling tour, Vietnamese cooking class or My Son Sanctuary. After lunch, transfer to Da Nang International Airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and relax. Enjoy dinner featuring authentic Northern Vietnamese cuisine. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 7: Hanoi Cultural Discovery
Begin your Hanoi sightseeing with the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum area, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House and One Pillar Pagoda. Continue to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to discover the cultures of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups. After lunch, visit the Temple of Literature and enjoy a cyclo ride through Hanoi Old Quarter. End the afternoon with a traditional Water Puppet Show before dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 8: Hanoi – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise
Depart Hanoi after breakfast and travel through the Red River Delta toward Halong Bay. Board your premium overnight cruise and sail among the spectacular limestone islands and emerald waters. Enjoy a gourmet lunch followed by kayaking, cave exploration, swimming or relaxation on the sundeck. Watch the sunset over Halong Bay before enjoying a fresh seafood dinner. Overnight aboard the luxury cruise.
Day 9: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Start the morning with Tai Chi on the cruise sundeck while watching the sunrise over Halong Bay. Enjoy breakfast as the boat continues through the limestone scenery before returning to the harbor. Travel back to Hanoi with lunch en route. Spend the afternoon exploring Hanoi Old Quarter, visiting local cafés or shopping for Vietnamese handicrafts. Enjoy a farewell dinner in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi – Luang Prabang, Laos
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang. Meet your Lao guide on arrival and transfer to your 4-star hotel. Enjoy lunch before exploring Luang Prabang’s UNESCO-listed historic center, including traditional temples, French colonial buildings and the Mekong riverside. Visit the evening market before enjoying a traditional Lao dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 11: Pak Ou Caves & Traditional Villages
Visit Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong before boarding a private Mekong River boat toward Pak Ou Caves. Explore the sacred limestone caves filled with thousands of Buddha images. Continue to Ban Xang Hai, known for traditional Lao rice whisky, before visiting Ban Xang Khong and Ban Xieng Lek for silk weaving and Saa paper crafts. Return to Luang Prabang for sunset and dinner. Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 12: Ethnic Villages & Kuang Si Waterfall
Travel to Ban Long Lao Nong, a Khmu community, and Ban Long Lao Song, a Hmong village, to discover traditional lifestyles and local customs. Continue through the countryside to the spectacular Kuang Si Waterfall with its turquoise pools and forest trails. Enjoy time to explore or swim before returning to Luang Prabang. Climb Mount Phousi for panoramic sunset views over the city and Mekong River. Dinner and overnight in Luang Prabang.
Day 13: Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng
Visit Wat Visoun, Wat Aham, Wat Mai and the National Museum at the former Royal Palace. After lunch, board the high-speed train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy views of the dramatic limestone mountains surrounding the Nam Song River. Spend the evening relaxing or exploring the riverside area. Dinner and overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 14: Tham Jang & Tham Phoukham Caves
Explore Tham Jang Cave before continuing through the countryside and rice fields toward Tham Phoukham Cave. Discover the impressive limestone formations and meet local villagers along the route. Enjoy time at the natural blue lagoon surrounded by tropical scenery. Return toward Vang Vieng and relax beside the Nam Song River. Watch the sunset over the limestone karsts before dinner. Overnight in Vang Vieng.
Day 15: Vang Vieng – Vientiane
Travel by express train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane after breakfast. Explore Wat Sisaket, Wat Prakeo, That Luang Stupa and the Patuxay Monument in the heart of the Lao capital. Continue to Buddha Park beside the Mekong River to see its remarkable collection of Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. Enjoy time exploring local markets and artisan shops before a final Lao dinner. Overnight in Vientiane.
Day 16: Vientiane – Departure
Enjoy your final breakfast in Vientiane before free time for shopping, cafés or a final walk around the city. Visit a local handicraft market or explore the Mekong riverside depending on your departure schedule. Enjoy a farewell lunch before your private transfer to Wattay International Airport. Dinner can be arranged at a local restaurant or provided as a packed meal depending on your flight time. Your 16-day Vietnam and Laos journey concludes in Vientiane.