Welcome by the guide upon your arrival at the airport, and transfer by private car to the hotel

After the long flight and the challenges of jet lag, you'll first want to rest, ensuring you can enjoy your first day in optimal conditions

Welcome reception

During these friendly moments, over a refreshment and a welcome gift, you'll meet your travel consultant who personally worked on your itinerary

Enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride to discover:

• The colonial quarter with its charming architecture and tree-lined avenues
• Hoan Kiem Lake, its legend, and the lovely Ngoc Son Temple in the middle of the lake
• The maze of bustling streets filled with small shops in the heart of the famous and fascinating "Old Quarter of 36 Guilds" and its renowned Silk Street (Hang Gai)

To soak up the atmosphere of Hanoi, take a walking tour to explore:

• The Old Quarter of 36 Trades
• Colonial architecture: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel, the exterior of the Hanoi Opera House, and the exterior of the State Bank of Vietnam
• Overnight in hotel

We’ve selected the highlights of an in-depth tour of Hanoi

Everything is suggested, nothing is imposed! You choose

Based on your interests and timing, you can work with your guide to decide which visits to do and in what order! You can even fit it all in if you're an early riser!

• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
• The One Pillar Pagoda
• The Quan Thanh Temple and the Tran Quoc Pagoda
• The Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius and Scholars
• The Ethnology Museum, a marvel born from French-Vietnamese cooperation
• The Train Street: an astonishing sight where houses are built side by side, crossed by a railway, and residents live on the tracks. Kitchens, bars, restaurants – no matter... They know the train schedule, clear the way when it's time, and set everything back up after it passes!

In the evening: a Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a choir and traditional Vietnamese instruments

Performed by talented and skilled artists, this delightful show reveals Vietnam’s rich culture, from the legend of the dragon to multiple scenes depicting rural life

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi - Night Train - Lao Cai: 200 km - 4h

Round-trip travel from Hanoi to Ninh Binh in 4 hours

Departure in the morning through the Vietnamese countryside. The site of Tam Coc, often referred to as "the terrestrial Halong Bay," is set in an exceptional environment, featuring stunning landscapes of rocky peaks covered in vegetation rising from peaceful, lush rice fields. This is where many scenes from the film "Indochine" were filmed

In this area of rare beauty, you will board a small rowboat rowed by a woman. A delightful two-hour ride on the Ngo Dong River will enchant you in this serene and peaceful atmosphere, leading you to the Tam Coc caves, known as "the three caves"

This region is renowned for its culinary specialties, including Ninh Binh's com cháy (crispy rice) and goat meat

Your guide will be happy to share our recommendations for tasting these two specialties

A short bike ride will take you to Bich Dong Pagoda. If time allows and you're feeling adventurous, you can climb the steps carved into the rock to reach the pagoda and enjoy an exceptional view of the entire site

Next, you will take a short trip to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, under the Dinh and Le dynasties. You will visit the dynastic temples of Dinh and Le

Then, return to Hanoi

Around 8:30-9:00 PM, transfer by private car to Hanoi train station to take the sleeper train to Lao Cai

Overnight on train

Lao Cai - Sapa - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van

Early morning arrival at Lao Cai station

Enjoy breakfast at a brasserie with your private guide and driver

To help you get started on the right foot, we’ve arranged a room where you can freshen up with a shower and change before heading out.

Next, a private car transfer takes you to Sapa (around 1 hour) for a day of hiking around Sapa, meeting ethnic minorities in the heart of the rice fields

• Y Linh Ho village, in the Muong Hoa valley, is the starting point for the hikes
• Hike 6 kilometers through the terraced rice fields to the village of Lao Chai
• This small village is inhabited by the Black Hmong ethnic minority. Along the way, meet women from the village dressed in ethnic costumes. You will be touched by their kindness in walking a part of the way with you
• After lunch, take a short 2-kilometer walk to the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Giay ethnic group
• The people of Ta Van specialize in stone and wood carving. The women work with hemp, weave on looms, and prepare indigo blue dyes after harvesting the plant
• Overnight in hotel

Sapa - Bac Ha: 100 km - 3h

Other markets on different days (please contact us for more information)

• Visit the grand Bac Ha market that takes place on Sundays. It is the most colorful market in northern Vietnam. Although very touristy, it is also very authentic. The minority ethnic groups such as the Flower Hmong, Tay, and Phu La gather here for commercial and social exchanges. The market is full of excitement and vibrant colors
• The Hmong women wear outfits made up of large, elaborately embroidered skirts and black tops with shoulders and collars adorned with flashy embroidery. They are also adorned with beautiful silver jewelry
• Visit the baroque palace of H'Mong chief Hoang A Tuong, built in 1920 and well restored
• Visit another village - Ban Pho village. Meet with the colorful Hmong and Tay ethnic groups

Overnight in hotel

Sapa - Bus - Hanoi: 5h

In the morning, trek along a mountainous route where terraced rice fields follow one another. Sapa is an old hill station founded by the French at the beginning of the century. It is home to more than 30 ethnic minorities and boasts Vietnam's highest peak, Mount Fansipan, at an altitude of 3,143 meters. Visit the villages of Cat Cat and Shin Chai (Hmong village)

In the afternoon, take a three-hour excursion to Mount Ham Rong for a stunning panorama overlooking all of Sapa

Later, in Sapa, your guide will take you to the bus station for your return trip to Hanoi, which takes about 5 hours

You will travel in a very comfortable tourist bus, with two stops along the way where you can have dinner at various stalls offering hot dishes and snacks

Upon arrival at the bus station around 9 PM, you will be transferred to your hotel

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Fly - Luang Prabang: 1h30

Free time for your personal activities until the transfer by private car with driver (without guide) to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Luang Prabang

You will be welcomed upon your arrival at the airport and then transferred to your hotel in Luang Prabang

Luang Prabang is a city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site

Uncover the ancient religious capital of Laos, and be surprised by its serenity and spirituality by tuk tuk:

• Experience unforgettable moments by attending the procession of barefoot monks, who silently collect alms, dressed in their saffron robes, as they walk the streets of the city to collect their food
• Marvel at the Wat Xieng Thong, is the center of a small religious complex, considered the most beautiful Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang because of its elegant roof down to the bunk ground and the temple of Wat Visoun, the oldest temple in Luang Prabang, it houses numerous gold statues of Buddha
• Meander through the That Makmo, stone stupa and Vat Aham, a major shrines in the city dedicated to the ancestors of Laos
• Explore the National Museum (former Royal Palace) which displays a collection of personal artifacts of the royal family and the temple of Wat Mai, Buddhist temple, the largest and most richly decorated temples of Luang Prabang was the residence of a Buddhist patriarch before 1975
• See Ock Pop Tok Textile and meet the owner, he will explain his Cooperation in projects with small villages with regard to the rearing of silkworms, the silk production, weaving, dyes Laos silk: Silk Wild 100% scale

In the late afternoon, board the Nava Mekong, a traditional boat designed for cruising along the Mekong River. Enjoy the stunning landscapes that change color as the sun sets over the Mekong, with the mountains as a backdrop. Dinner is accompanied by a performance of traditional ethnic dances and music. The cruise ends around 9pm

Dinner included

Overnight in hotel

Luang Prabang - Kuang Si waterfall - Ethnic minority villages

Depart for the stunning Khouang Si waterfalls, located about 30 km from Luang Prabang

This journey will allow you to discover beautiful nature and traditional houses made of bamboo, wood, and palm leaves

The waterfall, nestled in lush tropical vegetation, forms lovely clear water pools perfect for swimming

Along the way, visit minority villages such as the H'Mong village of Ban Thinkeo and the Khamu village of Ban Thapaene

Visit the weaving village of Ban Xang Khong, where traditional Saa paper is produced from mulberry leaves

Enjoy free time to stroll through the night market, the H'Mong market, which starts at 5 PM

Local crafts are prominently featured with originality and variety

There are many small stalls offering prepared hot or cold dishes to help you discover authentic local cuisine

Overnight in hotel

Luang Prabang - Nong Kiaw - Boat - Muang Ngoy

We will leave the charming city of Luang Prabang and head toward Nong Khiaw, a relatively untouched and preserved region set in karst landscapes, home to ethnic groups living in near self-sufficiency

Before reaching Nong Khiaw, we will take a slight detour to visit the Lao Lu village of Banagnan, an exceptional weaving village specializing in cotton fabrics

We will arrive in Nong Khiaw in the early afternoon to board our chartered boat waiting at the dock for a two-hour cruise upstream on the Nam Ou River toward Muang Ngoi—a unique natural destination that truly deserves a visit during a trip to Laos

The scenery is breathtaking, and we will get our first glimpse of small fishing villages along the riverbanks, where the locals engage in subsistence farming and fishing

Enjoy a lovely two to three-hour stroll to explore the village of Muong Ngoy, a little slice of paradise with its traditional villages

Overnight in guest house

Muang Ngoy - Boat - Nong Khiaw - Boat - Luang Prabang - Pak Ou

After breakfast, enjoy a 1.5 to 2-hour walk to visit the villages of Ban Na and Ban Hoeiy Bor, where you'll discover exotic local life and meet the locals

Return to Nong Khiaw by boat for a one-hour cruise back to Luang Prabang

Transfer by private car to the village of Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou River, where you will visit the caves of the 1,000 Buddhas, Tham Ting and Tham Phum

A stop will be made to visit an ethnic minority village where Lao rice wine is traditionally produced. You will have the opportunity to taste this Lao rice wine

Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon

Overnight in hotel

Luang Prabang - Vang Vieng: 180 km - 5h

From the hotel, you will be taken to the boarding point to start a 1.5-hour slow boat cruise on the Mekong River, which will take you to the two sacred caves of Pak Ou, Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, nestled in the limestone cliffs overlooking the river at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou. These caves are highly revered in Laos and house thousands of statuettes

Along the riverbanks, you may have the chance to see some gold panners at work

After visiting Pak Ou, return by boat to the center. Along the way, you'll stop to visit the village of Ban Xang Hai, where you can observe women distilling traditional rice wine. Lao-lao is the most popular alcoholic drink in Laos, a 45° beverage made from cooked sticky rice, yeast, and water

Visit the village of Ban Xang Khong, about 3 km from the center of Luang Prabang. This village has specialized for years in the production and sale of silk and Saa paper (made from mulberry bark)

Transfer to Vang Vieng by private car

Overnight in hotel

Depart for the countryside of Vang Vieng, crossing beautiful landscapes and lovely rice fields while encountering the local population. You will visit Wat That, a temple located near the center of Vang Vieng, Laos

In the afternoon, enjoy a pleasant boat ride on the Nam Song River, surrounded by stunning karst rock formations reminiscent of Vietnam's Ha Long Bay. The banks of the Nam Song River reflect the true authenticity of Laos

You will also have the opportunity to contemplate the sunset over the river

Overnight in hotel

Vang Vieng - Vientiane: 130 km - 2h30

Depart for Vientiane, passing by Nam Ngum, a large reservoir created by the Nam Ngum River dam. We will enjoy scenic views along the route as we travel through spectacular countryside toward the mountainous region

On the way, we will visit the lively and colorful Dong Markkhai market, where various hill tribes come to exchange goods and buy supplies

Upon arrival in Vientiane, you will visit the impressive Patuxay Monument, known as the Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane, before continuing to the famous That Luang Stupa

Overnight in hotel

Vientiane - Fly - Hanoi: 1h

Free time for your personal activities until the transfer by private car with driver and guide to Vientiane Airport for your flight to Hanoi

You will be welcomed upon your arrival at the airport by your guide from Vietnam and the driver

Transfer to your hotel in Hanoi

Overnight in hotel

Hanoi - Halong Bay: 155 km - 2h30

Halong Bay, with its 1,969 islands bathed in the turquoise waters of the East Sea, was recognized as a "natural beauty" and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994

Halong means "descent of the dragon": according to legend, a dragon descended into the bay to tame the sea currents. With its powerful tail movements, it carved deep into the mountains. Then, it plunged into the sea. The water level rose, leaving only the highest peaks visible

Cruise through this mythical bay with its spectacular seascape!

• Departure from the hotel, private car transfer without guide to Halong Bay
• Welcome reception with a welcome drink late in the morning
• Check-in to private cabins
• Crew introduction by the captain
• Cruise begins while enjoying lunch

Lunch served in the dining room or on the outdoor deck, with an excellent menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by a qualified staff

You’ll admire this breathtaking scenery that surprises you at every moment. These islands with their surprising shapes that resemble animals, the jade-colored water, and the enchanting landscape that never gets old

You’ll be gently lulled by the breeze as you discover the infinite charm of the bay, gliding through this majestic site with its signature rounded peaks emerging between the blue sky and turquoise sea

• Sun loungers are available for you to admire the passing scenery
• Explore the Cong Do area
• Visit the Thien Canh Son Cave
• Cruise towards Hon Co Island
• Enjoy kayaking and a refreshing swim in the jade-colored waters of the Gulf of Tonkin (if possible)
• Dinner: Savor fresh seafood with an exquisite menu of carefully crafted dishes, beautifully presented, and served by qualified staff

Overnight on board

Halong Bay - Hanoi: 155 km - 2h30

Under the gentle morning sun, in an enchanting setting and a surprising calm, you'll enjoy your breakfast

• Discover the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng
• Morning cruise back to the port

Lunch on board the junk in the form of brunch will conclude this magnificent cruise

The entire crew will come to greet and thank you upon arriving at the port at 11 am

Return to Hanoi by private car

As soon as you disembark the junk, your driver will be waiting for you at the port. Drive to Hanoi

Overnight in hotel

Free time for personal activities until your private transfer to the airport (with driver, no guide) for your international departure flight