Vietnam & Laos: Homestays & Houseboats
20 days
from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai
From
$ 1376
Duration20 days
Explore some of Southeast Asia’s greatest highlights on this 20-day tour. Start your adventure in Ho Chi Minh City and spend some time getting to know your CEO and group. Make your way from city to city, exploring local markets, relaxing on the beach, or visiting historical sites (or all of it if you’re really ambitious). You’ll get the chance to hike in Vang Vieng, cruise the Mekong, visit the Doi Suthep temple, or catch a Thai boxing match before you go home. We promise you’ll find time to sleep.
This tour is operated by
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Duration: 20 daysService level: Basic
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Starts in: Ho Chi Minh CityPhysical Grading: Light
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Ends in: Chiang MaiAges: 18+
Tour Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Once the capital of South Vietnam, this sprawling metropolis is now the country’s commercial centre.
Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Ho Chi Minh City.
Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrive at any time.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. Please check with your travel agent or local Vietnamese Embassy regarding requirements.
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang
Discover the energy of Vietnam's biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk and continue exploring with free time. Overnight train to Nha Trang.
During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Meals: B
Day 3: Nha Trang
Optional activities in Nha Trang include a boat trip to nearby islands for some snorkelling or, perhaps, a fun-filled all-day beach party.
Arrive in Nha Trang in the morning with plenty of time to explore local shops and markets, relax on the beach or visit nearby historical sites.
This evening, go on a street food crawl with the group and CEO to get to know more about the delicious local specialties.
This evening, go on a street food crawl with the group and CEO to get to know more about the delicious local specialties.
Day 4: Nha Trang/Da Nang
In the evening, take an overnight train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An.
Free time in Nha Trang. Overnight train to Hoi An.
During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Meals: B
Day 5: Da Nang/Hoi An
From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.
Get your bearings with an orientation walk before free time in the afternoon. Opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
Day 6: Hoi An
Enjoy a noodle-making demonstration and local lunch at the G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles Project. Later, opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town with free time.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Hoi An/Huế
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, or take a cruise along the Perfume River.
Meals: B
Day 8: Huế/Hanoi
Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi.
End place: Hanoi
Meals: B
Day 9: Hanoi/Ha Long
Start place: Hanoi
Arrive early morning to bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Transfer to a private bus and head to the beautiful and famous Halong Bay.
Visit Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave visit.
End place: Ha Long
Meals: L
Day 10: Ha Long/Hanoi
Start place: Ha Long
Get to know Hanoi with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter.
End place: Hanoi
Meals: B
Day 11: Hanoi
Start place: Hanoi
Spend time exploring Hanoi.
End place: Hanoi
Day 12: Hanoi/Vientiane
Start place: Hanoi
Explore a bit of Hanoi in the morning before an afternoon flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There is a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by tuk-tuk.
Visit Laos' most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worthwhile, to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong.
Visit Laos' most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worthwhile, to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong.
A short flight brings the group to the capital city of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the golden stupa of That Luang, or scour the markets.
End place: Vientiane
Meals: B
Day 13: Vientiane/Vang Vieng
Start place: Vientiane
A picturesque drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song river amidst rice fields and limestone karsts.
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.
End place: Vangviang
Meals: B
Day 14: Vang Vieng
Start place: Vangviang
Why not explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of Vang Vieng as the sun sets over the river.
Free time to explore Vang Vieng. Opt to explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk.
End place: Vangviang
Meals: B
Day 15: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang
Start place: Vangviang
This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.
End place: Luang Prabang
Meals: B
Day 16: Luang Prabang
Start place: Luang Prabang
Traditional Laotian culture is to give daily alms to monks. Monks are only allowed to eat food which has been donated to them before noon. On one of your mornings here, you may decide to rise with the sun, and watch one of the most important religious ceremonies in Laos. This is simply an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
Witness the giving of alms to the Buddhist monks and visit the night market. Opt to take a cooking class, visit temples or cool off at Kuang Si Waterfalls.
End place: Luang Prabang
Meals: B
Day 17: Luang Prabang/Muang Pakbèng
Start place: Luang Prabang
We board our boat for the two-day journey up the mighty Mekong River making our way to Chiang Khong.
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving at a village homestay for the night.
The evening meal is eaten together in one of the houses. The food is typically Laotian - very simple yet delicious. A vegetarian option is always served and the second option is typically a pork stirfry.
End place: Muang Pakbeng
Meals: B, D
Day 18: Muang Pakbèng/Chiang Khong
Start place: Muang Pakbeng
This morning we re-board our boat and continue our leisurely cruise along the river before arriving at the Laos/Thai border and crossing to Chiang Khong in the late afternoon.
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.
End place: Chiang Khong
Meals: B, L
Day 19: Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai
Start place: Chiang Khong
Departing Chiang Khong after breakfast, we drive to Chiang Mai where you have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan.
Drive to Chiang Mai. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.
End place: Chiang Mai
Day 20: Chiang Mai
Start place: Chiang Mai
Depart at any time.
End place: Chiang Mai
Inclusions
Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch, Hoi An Your G for Good Moment: Mekong River Homestay & Baci Ceremony, Muang Pakbèng Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Ho Chi Minh City Your Discover Moment: Luang Prabang
- Halong Bay boat cruise with lunch
- Street food crawl (Hoi An)
- Orientation walk around Hanoi's Old Quarter
- Slow boat on the Mekong
- Temples of Luang Prabang
- Witness the giving of alms (Luang Prabang)
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
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Transport
Local bus, Air-con bus, Train, Walking, Tuk tuk, Local boat, Junk boat, Plane -
Accommodation
Simple hotels (twin-share) (5 nts), Hostels (multi-share) (10 nts), Sleeper trains (3 nts), Homestay (1 nt)