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Tour & Northern Vietnam Adventure 13 days Itinerary

Itinerary Overview Includes & Excludes Detail Itinerary

I. Itinerary Overview

Time Destination Activities Meals Day 1 Hanoi Arrival Welcome to Hanoi. Transfer from the airport to hotel. - Drive out towards the magnificent Halong Bay. Enjoy the Day 2 Hanoi – Halong Bay B, L, D romantic scenery while cruising amongst the islands. Spend the morning exploring Halong Bay then transfer back Day 3 Halong Bay – Hanoi B, L to Hanoi. Enjoy the green space of Mai Chau. Easy trek combined Day 4 Hanoi – Mai Chau B, L with home stay in villages of Thai people. Drive to Son La along winding mountain roads via Pha Din Day 5 Mai Chau – Dien Bien Phu Pass with breathtaking view. Stop en route to visit villages of B, L ethnic people and orchards, tea farms in Moc Chau plateau. Explore historical battle field in Dien Bien Phu where marked the end of French colonial occupation in 1954; Day 6 Dien Bien Phu including the base of the Command of Dien Bien Phu B Campaign, Dien Bien Phu Museum, A1 Hill and Bunker of the French General De Castries. Drive along the peaceful Muong Thanh Valley, cross the Dien Bien – Cross border to Muang border into Laos and continue to Muang Khua for lunch Day 7 B Khua – Nong Khiaw stop. Arrive in Nong Khiaw, a charming rustic little town on the bank of the Ou River, in the afternoon. Drive along the River heading to the sacred Pak Day 8 Nong Khiaw – Ou Caves. Enjoy the cruise along from the cave to B village of Ban XangHai and downstream to Luang Prabang. City tour full day, visit temples in Luang Prabang which are well-known for their beauty as well as historical and religious significance, weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong Day 9 Luang Prabang B and Ban Xienglek, climb Phousi Hill which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Mekong River. Drive 7 hour to in Xieng Khouang Province. Day 10 Luang Prabang – Phonsavan Along the way we will stop for photo opportunities and visit B, L various hill tribe villages. Visit local market, MAG (de-mining organization) exhibition before heading out to see the great stone wonders of Xieng Xieng Khuoang - - Day 11 Khuang, the Plain of Jars. After that, explore the old capital B Muang Khoun of Muang Khoun and nearby villages of the H’mong and Thai Dam peoples. Fly from Phonsavan to - capital city of Laos. Take a sightseeing tour, visit some the most important landmarks Day 12 Phonsavan - Vientiane in the city like Sisaket, Wat Ho Phra Keo, national B symbol and Patuxay - the "Arc de Triomphe" of Vientiane. Free until transferring to the airport for flight home or to next Day 13 Vientiane departure B destination.

II. Includes & Excludes

Includes

AC land transfer in Car/ Minivan Accommodation shared in Twin/Double room with daily breakfast. Local English speaking guide. Meals as stated in the itinerary (B: Breakfast ; L: Lunch ; D: Dinner) All sightseeing tickets. Vietnam visa Approval letter (single entry). Services charges and government tax.

Excludes

Domestic flight: 100 USD/pax EARLY Check in & LATE Check out at hotel Peak season surcharge & compulsory dinner in the accommodation. International flights & departures taxes Beverage Personal expenses, tips and gratuities Travel insurance Other services are not mentioned above

III. Detail Itinerary

Day 1 Hanoi Arrival

Warmly welcome upon your arrival in Hanoi. Your local guide will meet you at the airport for a transfer to your hotel

in the city center. In the afternoon, walking around Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple, listen to a special legend story about Hoan Kiem Lake. You will have a chance to take an hour-cyclo tour around Hanoi Old Quarter

through its charming streets. In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show - a traditional art form with distinctive

culture identity of Vietnam. End the puppet show, back your hotel by your own and relaxing the rest of day. Meals: NA Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Activities: Welcome to Hanoi. Transfer from the airport to hotel. Transportations: Car

Day 2 Hanoi – Halong Bay

Leave Hanoi this morning and head straight to Halong bay a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000

islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin (180km – 3.5 - 4 hour driving). After arriving at

noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an overnight cruise on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh

seafood. Lunch and dinner are served on boat. Overnight on board. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Halong Bay cruise Activities: Drive out towards the magnificent Halong Bay. Enjoy the romantic scenery while cruising amongst the islands. Transportations: Cruise

Day 3 Halong Bay – Hanoi

Wake up early in the morning to enjoy aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After tea break, the boat continue

to cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations of Halong Bay. Enjoy this more isolated bay’s

spectacular and unique islands of the bay. Return to Halong harbour around noon for a transfer back to Hanoi

center. Arrive Hanoi center around 16.00pm. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi Activities: Spend the morning exploring Halong Bay then transfer back to Hanoi. Transportations: Car

Day 4 Hanoi – Mai Chau

Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi at 8:00 by private car to Mai Chau, on the way stop to visit Van Phuc Silk Village,

which is famous for traditional silk products. Reach Mai Chau at about noon. Enjoy lunch in a traditional village. In

the afternoon, we will walk surrounding rice paddies and villages around Mai Chau, discovering the natural beauty

of the valley and see how local people working, plan and harvest water rice (option visit village by bicycle). Walk back to the village, relaxing and dinner with local traditional food. After dinner, you will have a chance to see

special tradition Thai’s dance until late evening. Overnight in the stilt house with the friendly Thai ethnic people. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Homestay in Mai Chau Activities: Enjoy the green space of Mai Chau. Easy trek combined with home stay in villages of Thai people. Transportations: Car

Day 5 Mai Chau – Dien Bien Phu

Have breakfast with your host family before drive to Son La. Let’s stop en route to visit villages of various tribes

including the H’mong, Thai, Muong and Dzao and orchard, tea farm in Moc Chau plateau – Vietnam’s premier tea-

growing region, before reach Son La (200km from Mai Chau) for a late lunch. In the afternoon, continue along

winding mountain roads through North Vietnam’s stunning countryside. The most picturesque scenery here is Pha

Din Pass - a charming and dangerous pass at elevation 1,300m with breathtaking view. According to local legend,

“Pha Din” means the connection between Heaven and Earth. On arrival, check in your hotel and spend rest of day

at leisure. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Muong Thanh hotel in Dien Bien Phu Activities: Drive to Son La along winding mountain roads via Pha Din Pass with breathtaking view. Stop en route to visit villages of ethnic people and orchards, tea farms in Moc Chau plateau. Transportations: Car

Day 6 Dien Bien Phu

Dien Bien Phu is a famous historical battle field, where the Vietnamese successfully defeated the French, marking

the end of French colonial occupation in 1954. Start the day early with a visit to the local market where you will

meet charming Thai tribes in their traditional costume, purchasing their farm products. The next is military base

and historical site of the . We drive 30 minutes out of city to the base of The Command of Dien

Bien Phu Campaign (Muong Phang) – Located in a primitive forest in Muong Phang commune to the commanding

bunker of General Commander-in-chief Vo Nguyen Giap and Hoang Van Thai. In the afternoon, we will visit Dien

Bien Phu Museum – Built at 1984 on the occasion of the year 30th after Dien Bien Phu Victory before visiting A1

Hill - the most important camp of the French and Bunker of the French General De Castries. Some free time of your

own in the afternoon relaxing. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Muong Thanh Hotel in Dien Bien Phu Activities: Explore historical battle field in Dien Bien Phu where marked the end of French colonial occupation in 1954; including the base of the Command of Dien Bien Phu Campaign, Dien Bien Phu Museum, A1 Hill and Bunker of the French General De Castries. Transportations: Car

Day 7 Dien Bien – Cross border to Muang Khua – Nong Khiaw

After breakfast, we drive along the peaceful Muong Thanh Valley to the Tay Trang border gate to Laos where your

Laotian tour guide and driver are await for you.(It may take some 30 minutes for Immigration and customs

processes). Crossing the border, we continue drive to Muang Khua, a one-horse border town located on the banks

of the Nam Ou River. It depends on the time you may choose the lunch stop at Pak Nam Noy or drive 1 and half

hour more to Ban Na My. In the afternoon we continue the journey to Nong Khiaw – a charming rustic little town on

the bank of the Nam Ou River. It is squeezed in between some of the most fantastic limestone mountains north of

Laos. Note: The Tay Trang border gate immigration normally closes for lunch between 12:00 - 13:30. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw Activities: Drive along the peaceful Muong Thanh Valley, cross the border into Laos and continue to Muang Khua for lunch stop. Arrive in Nong Khiaw, a charming rustic little town on the bank of the Ou River, in the afternoon. Transportations: Car

Day 8 Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang

Have breakfast in the hotel then take a pleasant walk around the village, enjoying a great views over the Nam Ou

river or visit a small temple complex in the center of town. We continue the journey of 2 hours drive passing

picturesque scenery along the Nam Ou River and beautiful mountainous setting heading to Pak Ou Caves —a

pantheon of gold Buddha statues tucked into the nooks of the limestone cliffs. Enjoy the cruise along Mekong from

the cave to village of Ban XangHai, learn how locald make Lao Lao (Lao whisky) and Lao Hai (Lao wine), before

continuing this way down the Mekong to Luang Prabang. Check in at the hotel then relaxing at your hotel. In the

evening, you can walking around the quaint streets and enjoy the sunset over the river or visit to the local night

market in the city centre. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang Activities: Drive along the Nam Ou River heading to the sacred Pak Ou Caves. Enjoy the cruise along Mekong from the cave to village of Ban XangHai and downstream to Luang Prabang. Transportations: Car

Day 9 Luang Prabang

Your guide will pick you up from your hotel after breakfast. This full day guided tour explores the rich culture and history of Luang Prabang. Start the day to visit to the quaint Royal Palace Museum, which gives a good overview of

the local history. We then begin our temple tour taking in some the city’s most beautiful structures, including the

country’s most historic and enchanting temple , with its roof sweeping low to the ground,

representing the classical Luang Prabang style, as well as the unique Wat Mai, with its five tiered roof and Wat

Visoun, known as ‘The Water Melon Stupa’ due to its shape. In the afternoon we visit the excellent Arts and

Ethnology Centre which gives us a great insight into the ethnic mix and culture of Laos. We then visit the weaving

and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek. Our final stop of the day is a climb Phousi Hill, which offers

a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Luang Prabang and the Mekong River. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang Activities: City tour full day, visit temples in Luang Prabang which are well-known for their beauty as well as historical and religious significance, weaving and textile villages of Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, climb Phousi Hill which offers a spectacular sunset and a panoramic view over Mekong River. Transportations: Car

Day 10 Luang Prabang – Phonsavan

Today we drive from Luang Prabang to Phonsavan in Xieng Khouang - gateway to the mystery Plain Of Jars, passing

through Laos’ pristine countryside. This is over 7 hours drive with spectacular views of rain forests and mountain

ranges. Along the way we will stop for photo opportunities and visit various hill tribe villages. On arrival, check-in at

your hotel and relaxing by your own. Note: the long drive today, our guide will mention this issue again a day in

advance for necessary preparation). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavan Activities: Drive 7 hour to Phonsavan in Xieng Khouang Province. Along the way we will stop for photo opportunities and visit various hill tribe villages. Transportations: Car

Day 11 Xieng Khuoang - Plain of Jars - Muang Khoun

Today, you will start to visit Phonsavan’s bustling central market. Visit the MAG (de-mining organization) exhibition

before heading out to see the great stone wonders of Xieng Khuang, the Plain of Jars. First we will explore Site 1

where hundreds of large stone jars lie scattered about the enchanting plateau. Next, is the forested area of site 2

and a short scenic trek to Site 3, passing through the Thai Dam and Laos Leum village. Enjoy an afternoon tour of

the old capital Muang Khoun and nearby villages of the H’mong and Thai Dam peoples. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Phonsavan Activities: Visit local market, MAG (de-mining organization) exhibition before heading out to see the great stone wonders of Xieng Khuang, the Plain of Jars. After that, explore the old capital of Muang Khoun and nearby villages of the H’mong and Thai Dam peoples. Transportations: Car

Day 12 Phonsavan - Vientiane

Have breakfast before a short flight from Phonsavan to Vientiane. Our driver and guide will meet you at the airport

and take you to your hotel in the city center. After a short rest, we will have a sightseeing tour of Laos’ eccentric

capital, visiting all the city’s key attractions. Start the tour to visit Vientiane’s oldest temple, Wat Sisaket, filled with

over 2,000 ceramic, gold, and silver Buddha images. Next we visit Ho Phra Keo—the royal temple that once housed

the famous —, before continuing on to Laos’ most significant national monument Pha That Luang.

We conclude our tour at Patuxay, known as "Arc de Triomphe" of Vientiane. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane Activities: Fly from Phonsavan to Vientiane - capital city of Laos. Take a sightseeing tour, visit some the most important landmarks in the city like Wat Sisaket, Wat Ho Phra Keo, national symbol Pha That Luang and Patuxay - the "Arc de Triomphe" of Vientiane. Transportations: Airplane

Day 13 Vientiane departure

Have breakfast at the hotel and then enjoy a free morning at your leisure before driving to the airport to catch your

departure flight home. Meals: Breakfast Accommodation: NA Activities: Free until transferring to the airport for flight home or to next destination. Transportations: Car