Vientiane›Luang Prabang›Hanoi›Ninh Binh›Baia di Halong›Hue›Danang›Hoi An›Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)›Ben Tre
Servizi
Esperienze
città
cultura e tradizione
natura
paesaggi
popolazioni locali
Da sapere
Penali default
100% penale nei 30 giorni precedenti l'inizio viaggio
Partenze disponibili
Nov 2026
Dic 2026
Gen 2027
Feb 2027
Mar 2027
Garantito
Starts from
12 days / 11 nights - from Vientiane to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
Characteristics
Collective tour in English include meals (v. the fee includes) departures are guaranteed (min 2 participants). Subject to availability
Important notes
Hotel types planned:
Standard category Vientiane: Lao Poet Luang Prabang: The Sanctuary Hanoi: Hanoi Pearl Hotel / Silk Path Luxury Hanoi Halong: MILA (Hermes Cruises Group) / La Regina Classic / Swan Cruise Hue: Alba Spa Hotel Hoian: Hoi An Central Boutique / Little Residence Hoian Saigon: Edenstar Saigon Hotel / Equatorial Hotel / Sila Urban Hotel
Superior category Vientiane: Crowne Plaza Luang Prabang: Souphattra Hanoi: Grand Mercure Halong: Orchid Classic Cruise Hue: Indochine Palace Hoian: Little Hoian Riverside Hotel / Allegro Hoi An / Little Oasis Hoi An Saigon: Mai House Hotel.
Flight to Vientiane (not included): it is possible to arrive at any time.
Flight from Saigon (not included): it is possible to depart at any time.
The scheduled times are indicative; the exact times will be confirmed locally by the guides.
Laos visa fee: 40 USD, can be obtained on arrival (further details will be provided upon booking).
Visiting Vietnam: starting from July 2015, an entry visa is no longer required. The exemption is valid for stays not exceeding 45 days.
Children: not allowed on the group tour under the age of 5.
Tips: although not mandatory, tips are recommended for all those who provide a service such as guides, drivers of any means of transportation used, porters. It is a sign of appreciation that makes them proud and gratifies them for the work done. As an indication, the amount to consider per person per day is about 5 USD for the tour guide and 3 USD for the driver of the vehicle used for transportation. For the rest of the services provided, the amount of the tip is at the discretion of the traveler.
Meals
Legend: B breakfast, L lunch, D dinner.
Itinerary
Giorno 1 — Vientiane
After immigration formalities, passport control, baggage retrieval, and customs, you will be greeted by a local guide and transferred to the hotel. The room is available starting from 14.00. The rest of the day available.
Treno
Giorno 2 — Vientiane → Luang Prabang
Breakfast. In the morning, visit of Vientiane. The capital of an ancient kingdom, the city was destroyed by the Siamese invasions of 1779 and 1828. Today, following the avenues laid out during the French colonial period, you reach the Patuxai, a triumphal arch erected in the 1960s and inspired by the famous Parisian model. Next, a visit to the country's most sacred temple, the That Luang, whose stupa holds relics of the Buddha and which has become the symbol of Laos par excellence. The route continues with the Sri Saket Monastery, one of the few buildings spared by the Siamese invasions, and with the Haw Phra Kaew, the ancient hall that once housed the venerated Emerald Buddha, today kept in the Royal Palace in Bangkok. Lunch not included. In the afternoon, transfer to the railway station. On board modern high-speed trains, which cross the mountains through tunnels and over daring bridges recently built by the Chinese, you reach Luang Prabang in just a few hours. Capital of the glorious Kingdom of Lan Xang – which once stretched between present-day northern Laos and north-eastern Thailand – the city was for centuries one of the most influential centres of South-East Asia and a beacon of Buddhism. Witness to this are the hundreds of temples that dot its compact historic centre, set between the mighty Mekong, one of Asia's great rivers, and the Nam Khan river. Arrival and accommodation at the hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Giorno 3 — Luang Prabang
Breakfast. On board the traditional, iconic local "tuk-tuks" (motorised rickshaws) you reach the port of Luang Prabang, where you board typical river boats to travel up the mighty Mekong as far as the famous Pak Ou caves, which house thousands of Buddha statues. The journey takes approximately 1h45 (the time varies according to the season). Along the way, stops are made in some craft villages set along the river banks: in one of them they produce "Laao Lao", a high-strength rice spirit considered an authentic symbol of Laotian culture; in others they work silk, rice paper and paper made from mulberry bark. Lunch in a local restaurant. The return to Luang Prabang, helped by the current, takes about an hour of navigation. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Volo
Giorno 4 — Luang Prabang → Hanoi
Breakfast. The day begins at dawn, taking part in one of the city's most evocative and representative events: the monks' alms round. In silence and on foot, they walk through the alleys of the historic centre collecting the offerings of the faithful. Visitors can watch the ceremony or, if they wish, take part by offering food (optional, not included). The utmost respect for local traditions and rules is recommended, following the guide's instructions. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. In the morning, visit of the historic centre of Luang Prabang. On board the typical local tuk-tuks you reach the Royal Palace, today the National Museum, which houses the famous golden statue of the Phra Bang Buddha, the country's sacred effigy. The visit continues at Wat Xieng Thong, the most venerated royal monastery in Luang Prabang, where the ashes of King Sisavang Vong are kept. The last stop is the climb up Mount Phousi, from which you can admire a wide panorama over the city; at its summit stands the small temple of Wat Chom Sri. Lunch not included. Transfer to the airport for the international flight to Hanoi. Arrival in Hanoi, meeting with the local assistant and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Auto
Giorno 5 — Hanoi → Ninh Binh → Hanoi
Breakfast. Depart early to explore one of the most beautiful natural sanctuaries in Vietnam and Asia in the calm of the early morning: Trang An Nature Park, which constitutes the central and largest part of the mountain complex known to the world as "the terrestrial Halong Bay". UNESCO has indeed included it among the world heritage sites. Mighty cliffs rise from the surrounding countryside, reaching heights of up to 200 meters. They are crossed by vast waterways that over the millennia have carved a dense network of caves of various sizes and lengths, allowing navigation throughout the entire area. The exploration of the place is done by rowing small boats that, thanks to their tiny dimensions, allow access even to the narrowest caves. At the end of the navigation, lunch will be served in a local restaurant and then return to Hanoi, estimated to arrive around 2:30 pm. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and a city with a millennial history. You will visit the "Temple of Literature", an ancient religious center and "university of worship". Then you will reach the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the father of modern and unified Vietnam (which can only be admired from the outside), and then the Presidential Palace (external visit). You will then transfer to the Old Quarter and its bustling, picturesque, and exotic market. The Old Quarter surrounds the Central Lake (Hoan Kiem Lake or "Lake of the Returned Sword") on three sides, with a small island in the center where the sacred Ngoc Son Temple stands. Visit the temple and free time to enjoy the bustling and picturesque life of the neighborhood. Return to the hotel at the end of the visits. Dinner free.
PLEASE NOTE: (*) small four-seater rowing boats are used. The guide joins the boat trip only if there is room on the boat, depending on the total number of participants.
Auto
Giorno 6 — Hanoi → Baia di Halong
Breakfast. Early in the morning departure for Halong Bay. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular places in Vietnam. Almost 2000 islands, islets, cliffs, and rocks dot the bay, and just as many follow the coast up to the border with China. The legends surrounding the bay and the hyperboles used to describe it create very high expectations, which can be somewhat disappointed because this stretch of coast is also one of the most industrialized regions in Vietnam and the bay is cut in half by the route of merchant ships, not to mention the large number of tourist boats. The months from November to March are the coldest and rainiest. That being said, the scenery provided by the caves where stalactites and stalagmites create the most extraordinary settings, the water, and the shimmering of phosphorescent plankton is very suggestive. I board a traditional wooden junk boat, which navigates through a myriad of islands, islets, cliffs, and rocks, within which caves open up where stalactites and stalagmites create the most extraordinary scenery. Lunch and dinner on board are based on fish and seafood.
Please note: the Italian-speaking guide is not on board the junk. The various visits and activities are managed by the expert English-speaking staff. Depending on the vessel used, the programmes may vary slightly.
Volo
Giorno 7 — Baia di Halong → Hanoi → Hue
Early in the morning, enjoy the opportunity to practise Tai Chi on the ship’s deck. Tea, coffee and pastries will be available. The cruise then continues with further exploration of the bay. At 9:30 am, the bay visits come to an end and check-out from the cabins takes place. Brunch will be served on board before disembarkation at around 11:00 am. Afterwards, transfer to Hanoi Airport for the flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Hue Airport, meet the local representative and transfer to the hotel. Dinner and evening at leisure.
Giorno 8 — Hue
Breakfast. At 8:00 AM, departure with the guide for a visit to Hue, the seat of the great Capital of the Annamite Kingdom under the Nguyen Dynasty. At that time, Hue was the most influential city in Southeast Asia, rivaled in importance only by Bangkok and Mandalay. Besides their power and influence, the Nguyen emperors of the 19th century are also remembered for the superb beauty and grandeur of their tombs, which were built in the hilly areas south of the great Song Huong, the “Perfume River.” Of particular interest is the funerary complex of Emperor Tu Duc. Not far from the imperial tomb lies Thuy Bieu, a charming rural village that offers a glimpse into the relaxed daily lifestyle typical of central Vietnam. Cross the village on an engaging bike tour, with several stops to enjoy the local atmosphere. One stop will be at the home of a painter who decorates the famous Vietnamese conical hats, which will be given as gifts to participants. Lunch will then be hosted in the private home of a local family. Afterwards, return by car to the historic center of Hue, located north of the great river. The Imperial Citadel was its heart. Even today, long artificial canals connected to the river surround it within a gigantic quadrilateral-shaped island which, together with its massive walls, served defensive purposes. At the center of the Citadel stood the “Forbidden City,” laid out according to a typically Chinese design. Today, among its ruins, it is still possible to admire the audience hall, entirely constructed of finely carved wood, along with various administrative and religious buildings. Nearby is also the typical local Dong Ba Market. Along the route to the Citadel, stop at the sacred Thien Mu Pagoda, dedicated to a distinctly local version of Mahayana Buddhist worship. The evening will instead be dedicated to the vibrant atmosphere of street food! Through a gastronomic tour (departure from the hotel by 7:30 PM) aboard the typical cyclo, ride through the bustling streets of the city center in search of the finest local delicacies. The first stop will be at a small stall where you can taste pancakes with grilled pork. Afterwards, sample local desserts made from sweetened bean soups. Return to the hotel at the end of the visits.
Auto
Giorno 9 — Hue → Danang → Hoi An
Breakfast. At 8:00 AM, departure from Hue heading south toward Danang Province (approximately 100 km, 2 hours and 30 minutes). The two provinces are separated by a natural barrier formed by an extension of the Annamite Range reaching all the way to the sea. Arrival in Danang, the third largest and most populous city in the country, which in recent years has experienced continuous economic development. Danang is home to the important Cham Sculpture Museum, dedicated to the ancient Cham people, an Indianized culture that settled in what is now central-southern Vietnam from the beginning of the first millennium AD. Visit the museum and then continue towards the ancient town of Hoi An (30 km, 45 minutes), once an extremely important port along the main Asian maritime trade routes connecting China and Japan with the rest of the continent. Shipping companies from various origins established real logistical centers in Hoi An, making it a meeting point of different cultures, traditions, customs, and lifestyles. Today, UNESCO has declared the entire historic center of Hoi An a World Heritage Site. Before reaching Hoi An, stop at Tra Que, an inland village famous for its vast vegetable gardens stretching as far as the eye can see. Enjoy a walking tour through the gardens to collect fresh vegetables needed to prepare a delicious lunch during a local cooking class. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of the ancient quarter of Hoi An, visiting the “Japanese Bridge,” the old merchants’ houses, and the temples of the Chinese clans, including the Fujien Assembly Hall. Accommodation at a hotel near the historic area. Dinner at leisure and free evening.
Volo
Giorno 10 — Hoi An → Danang → Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Breakfast. Check-out and transfer with driver only to Danang Airport for the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport in Saigon, meet and greet with the local staff and transfer to the hotel. Check-in to the rooms (officially available from 2:00 PM). In the early afternoon, visit the famous War Remnants Museum, where the history of the Second Indochina War, better known as the “Vietnam War,” is retraced through an extensive and detailed collection of photographic images. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of District 1, the heart of the city. During the walk, admire from the outside several colonial-era buildings constructed at the end of the 19th century, including Notre Dame Cathedral (closed for renovation works until early 2027; external visit only), the Opera House, and the building that now houses the Central Post Office. The tour will also include the large complex of the Reunification Palace. Return to the hotel at the end of the visits. Meals on your own and free evening.
PLEASE NOTE: a new ruling by the managers of the War Museum in Saigon prohibits tour guides from speaking aloud inside the museum. In compliance with this new regulation, the guide will give visitors full explanations before entering the museum.
Auto
Giorno 11 — Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) → Ben Tre → Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Breakfast. Around 8 o'clock departure heading south, towards the area known as the "Mekong Delta". Here, a quarter of the entire Vietnamese population lives. After about two hours of transfer, we will reach the port of Hung Vuong, near the famous town of Ben Tre. From here, we will sail on a motorboat along one of the main branches of the Delta, until we reach a remote rural area crossed by a dense network of narrow canals covered with vegetation, where we will change boats and opt for a small rowing Sampan. The navigation continues, admiring the lush vegetation alternating with coconut palm plantations, until we reach a local homestay for lunch with local specialties. During the navigation, there will be several stops to admire local farmers and artisans at work, including those involved in coconut processing, for example. To fully explore the Ben Tre area, it will also be necessary to move around with typical tuk-tuks. Lunch and return to Saigon, where we estimate to arrive in the late afternoon.
Giorno 12 — Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport with your guide at the locally indicated time. End of the tour.
Price includes
Local guide during visits
Entrances, visits and excursions as per the itinerary
Accommodation at the scheduled hotel (or similar)
Meals: 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners
Domestic flights
Price does not include
Opening fee and Zero Risk coverage
Medical-luggage-cancellation insurance
Unmentioned meals, beverages and extras in general
Christmas or New Year's Eve dinner (mandatory supplement)
Tip
Porterage
Entry visa in Laos US$ to be paid at the border
Flights and airport taxes
Everything not expressly mentioned in "The fee includes"
Notes
ROOMS: Triple rooms are always double rooms with an additional bed, often smaller than the two existing beds; triple rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking. Requests for smoking rooms, connecting rooms, adjacent rooms, higher or lower floors, etc., are always on request and not guaranteed. TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Participants must ensure before departure that they have the necessary and valid documentation for entry into the countries visited during the tour. HOTEL FINAL LIST: indicated in the travel documents HOTEL, CHECK-IN: as a rule, rooms are assigned starting from 2-3 pm; any early check-in is at the hotel's discretion. The request for a guaranteed early assignment requires booking an extra night prior to arrival. HOTEL, CHECK-OUT: The room must be vacated in the morning, by the time indicated by the hotel; the surcharge for late check-out is equal to 50% of the extra night for check-out by 6 pm; for check-out after that time, an additional night will be charged. HOTEL / ITINERARY, CHANGES: The organizing company reserves the right to modify the itinerary and/or hotels with others of similar or higher category, means of transportation, etc., if required by unforeseen circumstances and necessary for the safety and normal continuation of the trip. Furthermore, when it is not possible to accommodate all participants in the same hotel, the group will be divided among different hotels of equal category. TIMETABLES: departure times are indicative and depend on the number of hotels from which pick-ups are scheduled for each day; the pick-up start time indicates when customers should be ready in the lobby for departure; in hotels reached last, a wait of at least fifteen minutes or more compared to the indicated time is likely. The return times to the hotel are purely indicative and variable depending on a considerable number of factors including the time dedicated to visits and the intensity of traffic. PUNCTUALITY: we recommend respecting the scheduled times. No refunds are provided for services missed due to customer delays. TIPS: not included, at the discretion of the tourist MEALS: not included unless specified. REFUNDS: There are no refunds for parts of the tour or excursions not carried out due to force majeure; in any case, no refund is due to the customer who decides to interrupt the trip or stay. TRANSFERS: not included unless specified; if included, they are exclusively for/from the hotels scheduled for the tour on the days of the tour's start/end; in case of extending the stay, for transfers to/from other hotels, or for arrivals/departures from other airports, a supplement applies. The supplement always applies if the passenger is traveling alone. Requests for booking transfers not included or for different hotels must be received at least 3 weeks before departure, or an additional urgency supplement will be applied.
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