Day 1 & 2: (Sunday - Monday, 08 - 09 May, 2016) – Enroute

Report to Houston Intercontinental Airport by 8:00 p.m. and proceed to ticketing counter.  Depart Houston, TX on our flight to Taipei.  Lose one day crossing the International Dateline.

Day 3: (Tuesday, 10 May, 2016) – Ha Noi

After a short layover in Taipei, we depart for Vietnam.  At Ha Noi's Noi Bai Airfield, we proceed through immigration, retrieve our bags, clear customs, board our motorcoach, and cross the Red River and its dikes as we enter Ha Noi.  We will check into our hotel where we will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore on your own.  Dinner at a local restaurant tonight.

Meals: B (in flight) /_/D

Hotel: Gondola

Day 4: (Wednesday, 11 May, 2016) – Ha Noi to Dien Bien Phu

This morning we travel to Noi Bai airport for our flight to Dien Bien Phu.  Upon arrival, tour guide will take us to visit the Dien Bien Revolutionary Martyr Cemetery.  Continue a short distance to visit French Soldiers Cemetery.  On the way we visit the Victory Monument at the D1 Hill, travelers will have chance to see the old Muong Thanh Bridge still preserved closed to motorized traffic and the bunker where Chief Artillery Commander Pirot committed suicide.
(Vietnam Airlines VN-1702   10:50/11:55)

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Muong Thanh Diem Bien

Day 5: (Thursday, 12 May, 2016) – Dien Bien Phu to Lai Chau

After breakfast, we depart for Lai Chau.  It is a long journey through fantastic mountainous scenery.  On the way, we can visit ethnic villages of Red H'Mong, Kho Mu and Zdao people.  We will overnight in Lai Chau.

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Muong Thanh Lai Chau

Day 6: (Friday, 13 May, 2016) – Lai Chau to Sapa

The drive today is the highlight of this trip.  The road is a bit bumpy at times but it compensates by the magnificent scenery of the surrounding fertile valley, pristine rivers and high mountains - the photographer's dream.  The 25 miles drive to Sapa goes up the Chin Co pass and Tram Son pass, the highest pass in Vietnam with the view to Fansipan Peak - The roof of "Indochine".  Arriving in Sapa, we will visit Siver Waterfall, the ruins on Stone church and local market in Sapa.

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Sunny Mountain

Day 7: (Saturday, 14 May, 2016) – Sapa

Start a trekking* day to Lao Chai and Ta Van Villages down in Muong Hoa Valley.  Enjoy the spectacular views towards Fansipan - the highest peak of Vietnam and Indochina.  Trek through the villages of Black H'mong ethnic minority to get to know the way they weave and embroider their colorful clothes.  Have a break in a local restaurant for lunch then keep going down to enjoy the prettiness of rice fields and reach Ta Van Village where the Dzay ethnic people inhabit.  Later in the afternoon time we are back to Sapa and climbing Ham Rong Mountain.    * (Trekking involves a 1 to 2 hour walk up and down hills over uneven terrain.)

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Sunny Mountain

Day 8: (Sunday, 15 May, 2016) – Sapa to Lao Cai to Ha Noi

In the morning, we take a scenic drive to visit the Bac Ha Market, one of the liveliest and crowded weekly markets in this mountain region.  At afternoon time, we are driven back to Lao Cai.  Have a short visit to a border market and the Holy Mother Temple before catching the overnight train back to Ha Noi.  Overnight on train.

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Overnight on board Train

Day 9: (Monday, 16 May, 2016) – Ha Noi to Ha Long Bay

Early morning pick up from train station then transfer to mini hotel for breakfast and shower.  In the morning, depart Ha Noi for Ha Long City.  On arrival embark the deluxe junk for 2days/1 night cruising tour around picturesque Ha Long Bay - the World natural heritage.

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Overnight on board Boat (Syrena)

Day 10: (Tuesday, 17 May, 2016) – Ha Long Bay to Ha Noi

Continuing Ha Long Bay tour on boat.  After brunch on boat, we check out and head back to Ha Noi

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Gondola

Day 11: (Wednesday, 18 May, 2016) – Ha Noi

Today we begin or sight-seeing tour around ancient Ha Noi - the capital of Vietnam for almost 1000 years:  We will visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes the Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Presidential Palace as well as Ho Chi Minh's House.  Afterwards we will visit the Temple of Literature.  After lunch we visit the Vietnam Ethnology museum, Restored Sword Lake and Ngoc Son Temple.  After that, we take an hour cyclo tour around Old French Quarter.  In the evening we will enjoy the Water Puppet show - an unique traditional art of Vietnam.

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Gondola

Day 12: (Thursday, 19 May, 2016) – Ha Noi to Luang Prabang, Laos

This morning we travel once again to Noi Bai airport, this time for our flight to Lua Prabang, Laos.  Meet upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, transfer and check-in to your hotel.
(Vietnam Airlines VN-031   12:25/13:45)

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Ramayana

Day 13: (Friday, 20 May, 2016) – Luang Prabang to Pak Ou to Luang Prabang

After breakfast, take a traditional riverboat for a 2-hour cruise up the Mekong River to Pak Ou, at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, to visit the sacred caves of Tham Ting and Tham Phoum, home to hundreds of Buddha statues.  On the way, visit Sang Ha Village where sticky rice wine is distilled.  Return to Luang Prabang & excursion to visit Ban Xang Khong Village (weaving & paper making village).  Then, enjoy the sunset along the Mekong River at Wat Phabath Tai and spend some time strolling through the H'Mong market.

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Ramayana

Day 14: (Saturday, 21 May, 2016) – Luang Prabang to Ha Noi

After breakfast, visit Wat Mai Temple, which was the residence of a Buddhist patriarch until 1975, before climbing Phousi Hill for an outstanding view over the former Royal capital and the Mekong River & visit the National Museum (formerly the Royal Palace) with its collection of personal artifacts of the Lao Royal Family.  Visit Wat Xieng Thong, regarded as the most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang with low sweeping roofs.  Then time at leisure until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
(Lao Airlines VN-2904   17:10/18:10)

Meals: B/L/D

Hotel: Gondola

Day 15: (Sunday, 22 May, 2016) – Departure

For those opting for one of our fabulous post tours, your day begins as we bid our new friends a happy journey home.  After breakfast, those heading home transfer to Noi Bai Airfield for the flight to Taipei.  Departing from Taipei, we gain a day enroute to the continental United States by re-crossing the International Dateline, arriving in Houston at approximately 11:05 p.m. this same day.

Meals: B/L/D (in flight)