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Hi there, there! On this article, I’ll share our itinerary for two weeks in Vietnam in Laos, from Ho Chi Min Metropolis to Luang Prabang, that includes one of the best of those two superb nations. Laos is likely one of the most tough nations to go to in Asia as a result of lack of worldwide flights to Laos, but it surely’s fairly straightforward to get there from Vietnam. Therefore, we determined to mix Laos and Vietnam in a single journey!
Right here’s a brief overview of our itinerary for Vietnam and Laos in 2 weeks:
Days 1, 2 – Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, staying at Hammock Inn Ben Thanh
Days 3, 4, 5 – Phu Quoc island, staying at Salinda Resort
Day 6 – afternoon in Hanoi, staying at JM Marvel Resort
Day 7 – In a single day Ha Lengthy Bay cruise – Paradise Magnificence (Guide right here)
Days 8, 9 – Hanoi, staying at JM Marvel, optionally available tour to Ninh Binh
Day 10 – Vientiane, Laos, staying at S2 Boutique Resort
Days 11-13 – Luang Prabang, Laos, staying at The Belle Rive Resort
Day 14 – Flying again to Hanoi
Earlier than we dive into our itinerary, let me handle a few FAQs:
Vietnam and Laos in a single Journey FAQs
What’s one of the best time to go to Vietnam and Laos? When did we go to?
Vietnam and Laos are each all-year-round locations, however summer season may be sizzling and humid. We visited throughout winter, in December and January, and had one of the best climate within the southern cities of Phu Quoc and Ho Chi Minh. Nonetheless, it was unusually chilly in Hanoi, with temperatures solely reaching 15-16 levels. This was an uncommon incidence as December will not be usually that chilly in Hanoi. Vientiane was fairly sizzling as nicely, and Luang Prabang was a bit colder however nonetheless a lot hotter than Hanoi. Throughout the day, it was round 24-28 levels and at night time, it was a bit chilly.
It’s powerful to pinpoint one of the best time to go to Vietnam and Laos because it actually relies on what you wish to see and do. We selected December because it was the one time we may take break day for the journey over the Christmas holidays. Consequently, we labored round this time and selected locations with one of the best climate throughout the winter season. If we had travelled in October, for instance, we’d have needed to modify our itinerary and select totally different locations to go to in Vietnam.
We determined to skip the center of Vietnam, particularly the Hoi An space, because it will get very wet within the winter.
What’s one of the best ways to journey round Vietnam and Laos?
Travelling round Vietnam is reasonably priced in case you take buses and trains, however you’ll want greater than per week to take action. In any other case, you’ll spend most of your time travelling from one place to a different. If in case you have restricted time, you’ll have to buy flights, which generally is a bit costly. Nonetheless, we discovered inner flights with Vietnam Airways to be dependable and good total.
To journey from Vietnam to Laos, you could fly. We flew with Lao Airways, and it was fairly an expertise. I like to recommend attempting to fly with one other airline, even when the tickets are a bit dearer. Nothing improper with the service – I simply felt that the airplane was not in one of the best situation and was most likely retired by North American or European airways within the 90s and was flying in Laos since then. Fortunately for us, nothing occurred on all the three flights we had with Lao Airways, however I wouldn’t fly with Lao Airways once more.
Additionally, you don’t have to fly from Vientiane to Luang Prabang – there’s a velocity prepare that connects these two cities, though shopping for tickets is considerably problematic. You may solely do it in particular person (as of early 2023), and it’s laborious to purchase them and not using a native cost app (they don’t settle for money or international playing cards). Though, hopefully, it would change quickly!
When travelling inside cities in Vietnam, we suggest utilizing Seize, an Asian model of Uber. It’s dependable and really reasonably priced. You should use my referral hyperlink to put in it.
With out additional ado, let’s begin our itinerary for Vietnam and Laos in 14 days:
2 weeks in Vietnam and Laos itinerary: from Ho Chi Min Metropolis to Luang Prabang
Days 1 and a couple of: Ho Chi Minh Metropolis
Exploring Bên Thanh and attending the road meals tour
Our flight from London to Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was direct, touchdown at 5 AM. Since we couldn’t sleep on the airplane, we booked an inexpensive lodge close to the airport to relaxation for a number of hours between 6 AM and 11 AM. It gave us a while to calm down and relaxation earlier than exploring town.
We checked in early on the Hammock Ben Thanh lodge, which is located in a unbelievable location for exploring town – Ben Thanh neighbourhood! It’s surrounded by cafes, eating places, and points of interest, and a lot of the main sights are inside strolling distance. It’s additionally fairly trendy and reasonably priced!
We explored the Central Market and its fruit, tea, and sweets sections, the place we bought some edible souvenirs. Ho Chi Minh’s Metropolis Central market can be well-known for its pretend luggage and watches. For lunch, we tried the standard Vietnamese sandwich, Bahn Mi – top-of-the-line locations for Bahn Mi was positioned steps away from the lodge – you possibly can all the time see the massive queue exterior, but it surely strikes shortly and is 100% price it!
Later within the night, we loved a road meals tour on bikes with native college students, which was a unbelievable expertise. For those who can solely do one factor in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I like to recommend taking this road meals tour! You may verify the costs and availability right here.
Sightseeing & having fun with Ho Chi Minh Metropolis from above
The following day, we headed to Little Hanoi Egg Espresso to strive the standard Vietnamese Egg Espresso, a novel espresso with an egg inside (a must-try in case you eat eggs!). Afterwards, we took a stroll across the upscale a part of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis the place a lot of the boutiques are positioned – and noticed the Folks’s Committee Constructing and The Opera Home.
We visited the Bitexco Tower Statement Deck, which affords a unbelievable view of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. It was once Vietnam’s tallest constructing earlier than the Landmark Tower was constructed. We additionally went to the Clean Lounge Espresso Bar by Nest on the Landmark Tower and loved the cocktails and desserts with an awesome view – one of the best view within the metropolis! Additionally they had one of the best cocktails and desserts we’ve tried in Vietnam!
Our final cease in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was the outdated a part of town, the place we visited the Sai Gon Central Put up Workplace and Notre Dame Cathedral. The submit workplace is free to go to and has a working submit workplace and memento outlets. Notre Dame Cathedral is a working cathedral that dates again to the center of the nineteenth century and is likely one of the oldest surviving buildings within the metropolis.
Days 3-5: Phu Quoc
The place to remain in Phu Quoc:
Selecting a lodge in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis was a lot simpler than choosing a resort in Phu Quoc! There have been many components to contemplate, from value to location and, finally, whether or not we wished a small lodge or a resort. Ultimately, we determined to select a resort as a result of we simply wished to relaxation for a number of days, as Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is tiring and a bit annoying!
We picked a resort known as Salinda, which was voted Phu Quoc’s finest resort a number of occasions. I can positively suggest it!
Issues to do in Phu Quoc:
For those who’re seeking to unwind and calm down in Phu Quoc, the Salinda Resort is the proper spot. You may spend most of your time lounging on the seaside, swimming within the sea and within the afternoon, take a stroll down the excessive road and go to a therapeutic massage or espresso store, for instance.
Nonetheless, in case you’re up for some journey, you possibly can lease a motorcycle and tour across the island. Alternatively, listed below are some high actions to do in Phu Quoc:
- Go to the bustling night time market in Phu Quoc, the place you possibly can strive some superb Vietnamese road meals and purchase souvenirs. It’s solely a 9-minute taxi journey away from the Salinda resort.
- Guide a scuba diving or snorkelling tour to find the colourful coral reefs and various marine life round Phu Quoc. You may pre-book this tour upfront right here.
- Take a guided tour of Phu Quoc Nationwide Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to discover the plush forests and spot uncommon wildlife.
- Try the historic Phu Quoc Jail Museum to be taught concerning the island’s previous throughout the Vietnam Battle and achieve perception into the resilience of the Vietnamese folks.
Additionally, in case you’re within the temper for some superb cocktails, there’s a speakeasy bar positioned simply throughout the street from the Salinda resort that we beloved and extremely suggest!
Day 6: Hanoi
On the sixth day of our Vietnam and Laos journey, we flew to Hanoi within the afternoon, leaving us with the morning to benefit from the resort and swim. The flight from Phu Quoc to Hanoi took virtually 2 hours and was longer than the one from Ho Chi Minh Metropolis to Phu Quoc. After we landed at round 3 PM, we took a taxi that we booked by way of Seize app to our lodge, JM Marvel. Nonetheless, it took a while for the taxi to reach.
In December, Hanoi’s climate may be fairly unpredictable. Throughout our keep, the temperature was 14C levels on the primary day, 16 levels on the second day, and 21 levels per week once we returned from Laos. It’s endorsed to pack heat garments, comparable to a light-weight, packable goose climate jacket from Uniqlo. On our first night in Hanoi, we dined at Duong’s restaurant, which is a well-liked spot really helpful by many journey guides. They provide conventional Vietnamese dishes with a novel twist.
After dinner, we visited the well-known prepare monitor cafes to observe the trains go by. The realm is a pedestrian-only road with prepare tracks working within the center, surrounded by cafes and outlets. When the prepare approaches, everybody must clear the road and keep within the cafes/outlets because the trains go very near the folks. We then strolled round Hanoi’s centre, loved some milk tea, and headed again to our lodge, JM Marvel, to relaxation early for our early pick-up for the Ha Lengthy Bay cruise.
Day 7: In a single day Ha Lengthy Bay Cruise
Reserving your Ha Lengthy Bay cruise upfront is essential, as many cruises can promote out weeks upfront. After we tried to guide the Athena cruise a month forward of time, there was no availability, so we went with the Paradise Magnificence cruise as an alternative. The company offered a free switch service to the cruise and again, which was very useful, and the minibus was fairly comfy.
We had been picked up from our lodge foyer round 8:25 AM after which drove to a different lodge close by to select up one other couple. The journey to Ha Lengthy Bay took round 2-2.5 hours, with a technical cease on the Pearl Museum, the place you possibly can go to a museum, a big pearl store, a number of cafes, and a rest room.
After arriving on the lodge for check-in at 11:20 AM, we obtained totally different colored bracelets that dictated your boarding time. Since we bought black bracelets, we had been among the many final ones to board at 12:20 PM and needed to wait within the lodge foyer for an hour. On board the Excellence Ha Lengthy Bay cruise, there have been 2-3 actions out there on the primary day and 1 exercise on the second day.
We determined to skip the kayaking and pearl farm go to as a result of chilly climate however loved the go to to Titov Island, which included a pleasant seaside and nice views of Ha Lengthy Bay. There was a free cooking class throughout sundown and reside music after dinner. The following morning, we visited the biggest and most well-known collapse Ha Lengthy Bay, adopted by breakfast and checkout by 9:30–10 AM.
General, the 2-day, 1-night Ha Lengthy Bay cruises are extra like 24 hours, and we had been again in Hanoi by 1:30 PM. For those who’re keen on reserving an identical cruise, you possibly can verify the costs and availability right here.
Days 8-9: Hanoi
On our final 2 days in Vietnam, we had loads of time to discover Hanoi, so we determined to do some sightseeing. Listed here are among the landmarks that I like to recommend visiting:
- The Imperial Citadel is likely one of the oldest and most spectacular buildings in Hanoi. It was the political centre of Vietnam for over 13 centuries and served because the capital of the nation throughout the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties. Contained in the Citadel, yow will discover palaces, temples, and residences constructed in several intervals, every reflecting distinctive architectural types and cultural influences.
- The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is the ultimate resting place of Vietnam’s most well-known chief. Guests pays their respects to Ho Chi Minh and find out about his life and legacy.
- The Temple of Literature is a historic temple devoted to Confucius, with gorgeous structure, tranquil gardens, and a wealthy historical past. This web site is a must-visit for anybody keen on Vietnamese tradition and historical past.
Another locations I like to recommend visiting in Hanoi embrace Hoan Kiem Lake, surrounded by lovely parks, temples, and historic buildings, and the Previous Quarter, a glimpse into Hanoi’s previous and an awesome place to expertise town’s vibrant tradition.
For those who nonetheless have time and vitality left, I counsel visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the place you possibly can be taught concerning the nation’s 54 ethnic teams by way of interactive reveals and demonstrations and take a road meals tour to pattern the native delicacies and expertise the bustling ambiance of Hanoi’s night time markets. Nonetheless, in case you already took road meals in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, it could be slightly bit repetitive. For those who desire to take a sightseeing tour, this superb Hanoi tour by classic motorcycle is likely one of the best-rated within the metropolis!
You can too take a day tour to the gorgeous Vietnamese countryside – to Ninh Binh – probably the most lovely locations in Vietnam! You may verify the costs and availability right here.
Day 10: Exploring Vientiane
In your tenth day of the Vietnam and Laos journey, it’s time to lastly fly to Laos! There are flights to each Vientiane and Luang Prabang from Hanoi, so you possibly can decide whichever works higher for you after which alter the itinerary based mostly on that.
Laos may be very totally different from Vietnam regardless of being so near it. Laos resembles Thailand far more – the languages are very related, and the tradition can be a bit related (and so is the meals).
Vientiane is a really quiet capital – it doesn’t have that many automobiles and it’s fairly calm total (in comparison with Hanoi, which by no means sleeps). We spent a day in Vientiane and did a little bit of sightseeing. We picked S2 Trendy Boutique Resort as our in a single day lodge, and it was fairly reasonably priced however very removed from all over the place. Nonetheless, distances in Vientiane are massive (town may be very unfold), so no matter the place you keep, you’ll have to ask for a number of taxis.
Listed here are among the finest issues to see in Vientiane:
- Pha That Luang: This golden Buddhist stupa is crucial nationwide monument in Laos and an emblem of the nation’s Buddhist religion. It’s believed to comprise a relic of the Buddha and is surrounded by lovely gardens.
- Patuxai: Often known as the “Arc de Triomphe of Vientiane”, Patuxai is a grand monument in-built honour of those that fought for independence from France. Guests can climb to the highest for gorgeous views of town.
- Wat Si Saket: This lovely temple is likely one of the oldest in Vientiane and incorporates a gorgeous courtyard full of hundreds of Buddha statues.
- Buddha Park: Simply exterior town, this park is house to greater than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues, together with a large reclining Buddha. It’s an awesome place to spend a day exploring and taking within the serene ambiance.
Additionally, the night time market within the coronary heart of the outdated city, proper subsequent to the Mekong, is an fascinating market to go to. Nonetheless, there isn’t a lot to purchase there except you’re searching for very reasonably priced garments with misspelt logos. There are many locations to eat close by, in order that could be a bit extra fascinating!
Days 11 – 13: Luang Prabang
On the morning of the following day, we took a brief inner flight to Luang Prabang. Whereas we initially wished to purchase the prepare, we weren’t positive we’d be capable of safe it as tickets are likely to promote out and it was not attainable to purchase them on-line. To keep away from risking shedding at some point in Luang Prabang, we determined to pay a bit extra and get an inner flight as an alternative.
The place to remain in Luang Prabang?
Lastly, let’s speak about lodging and the place to remain in Luang Prabang. We stayed on the Bel Air Resort with gorgeous river views. Nonetheless, the placement wasn’t one of the best as a result of each time we would have liked to go someplace (all of the locations aside from the airport had been throughout the river), we needed to cross a really scary bridge. Not the beautiful Bamboo bridge, however the Previous French Bridge that seemed prefer it was on the breaking point, with lacking wood planks and nails protruding all over the place. Not like the Bamboo bridge, this bridge was very excessive within the air, and any fall would have been deadly.
As a substitute, I like to recommend staying on the following locations:
Luxurious resorts: If cash will not be an issue, these resorts can be a tremendous choice: Burasari Heritage, Rosewood, 3 Nagas
Mid-range accommodations and resorts: The Belle Rive, Angsana Maison
Very reasonably priced however fairly good place to remain in Luang Prabang: Villa Ouis
Finest issues to do in Luang Prabang in 3 days:
Whereas 3 days in Luang Prabang (which is just a bit greater than a village) appears like a variety of time, it’s really not! There are such a lot of issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang. If you wish to see the complete record, I wrote this text concerning the 18+ superb issues to do in Luang Prabang >>
Right here I’ll simply concentrate on the actions we now have loved essentially the most in Luang Prabang:
Sundown cruise alongside the Mekong River
A sundown cruise alongside the Mekong River is a must-do exercise in Luang Prabang. There are many choices out there, from luxurious to easy boats. Head to Khem Khong Avenue, and also you’ll discover many boat homeowners providing their providers. We discovered a flyer for a $5.5 per particular person sundown cruise from Svan Mekong Cruises and had been fortunate to have the boat all to ourselves. With bean luggage and cosy seats, we had been in a position to take pleasure in our drinks and snacks whereas admiring the gorgeous views. It could get chilly, however blankets had been offered. Don’t miss this distinctive and unforgettable expertise!
In order for you a fancier expertise, you possibly can guide a dinner cruise with a 3-course dinner right here >>
Stroll the Unesco Heritage-protected a part of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang turned a UNESCO world heritage web site in 1994 and that was completely deserved – Luang Prabang may be very fairly. The most effective issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang is to put on comfy sneakers and for for a stroll or a motorcycle journey across the Previous City – there are many lovely streets!
Go to the night time market on Sisavangvong Street
Sisavangvong Street is essentially the most well-known, busy and common road in Luang Prabang. It will get particularly crowded within the night, round 6 PM, when the night time market opens. The night time market in Luang Prabang has loads of stalls promoting garments, souvenirs and artwork. I’d say it’s primarily geared toward vacationers, but it surely’s a must-visit attraction anyway.
Listed here are another superb issues to do in Luang Prabang in 3 days:
- Strive native road meals (proper firstly of the Night time Market, there’s a everlasting road meals market. The most well-liked dish in Laos is Laap – a meat or fish salad, which is scrumptious however very spicy. Truly, most dishes in Laos are very, very spicy!)
- Go to the Kuang Si waterfall – one of many primary points of interest of Luang Prabang, 45 minutes away from the city. You may both get there by motorcycle, purchase a tour or rent a taxi that may anticipate you there for 3-4 hours for $20. Alternatively, you may get there by boat in case you purchase a tour.
- Stroll the bamboo bridge throughout the Nam Khan River – it’s solely open 6 months a yr and will get rebuilt yearly because it will get destroyed as soon as the water ranges rise. You have to pay 10,000 kips ($0.6) per particular person to cross the bridge, but it surely’s completely price it.
- Climb Mount Phou Si – there are many stairs to climb. Nonetheless, the views from there are nicely price it. The ticket to enter the higher a part of Mount Phou Si prices circa $1 per particular person.
- See essentially the most lovely temples in Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang has so many gorgeous temples, monasteries and stupas. Probably the most lovely is undoubtedly Haw Pha Bang, positioned proper on the backside of Mount Phou Si.
- Observe the Alm Giving ceremony with the Buddhist monks – in case you’re an early hen and also you wish to observe a novel, lovely ceremony that is essential to locals, head to the Previous City round 5:30 AM. It’s a ceremony the place native Buddhists supply alms (selfmade sticky rice) to the monks. Nonetheless, except you’re a Buddhist, you shouldn’t take part. As a substitute, you possibly can quietly observe the ceremony. You can too take pictures (and not using a flash), however be sure you’re not in the way in which and never obstructing anybody.
Day 14: Fly again to Hanoi and residential
Although there are such a lot of issues to do in Luang Prabang, it’s a excellent vacation spot for stress-free. It’s quiet, the distances are small, and nobody is speeding anyplace. I hope that after 3 days in Luang Prabang, you’ll really feel well-rested and prepared for an extended journey house!
If in case you have time between your flight to Hanoi and your flight again house, you possibly can discover one other a part of Hanoi that’s the closest to the airport, subsequent to the Chùa Kim Liên temple! There are many issues to see and do there!
Abstract and helpful hyperlinks to your journey to Vietnam and Laos:
I hope you loved this itinerary for two weeks in Vietnam and Laos and located it helpful! As I discussed earlier than, we visited Vietnam and Laos in winter, December-January, to be exact, and our itinerary was dictated by the climate in these locations. For those who’re planning this journey in summer season, for instance, it’s price checking the climate in all these locations and see if visiting them nonetheless is sensible (it could possibly be the center of the wet season, for instance)
I’ve obtained a number of requests to offer a quick abstract of all of the necessary and helpful hyperlinks used on this submit for different articles that includes our itineraries, so right here’s an outline of helpful hyperlinks for this itinerary for two weeks in Vietnam and Laos:
Flights: Skyscanner for the flights to Vietnam and inner flights. I like to recommend flying with Vietnam Airways
Taxis: Seize
SIM card: you possibly can both purchase one on the airport or purchase a multi-country sim like Drimsim that works in plenty of totally different locations world wide
Plug kind: use this adaptor
Excursions: road meals tour of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis by motorcycle with native college students, Ninh Ninh Tour, Classic motorcycle Hanoi sightseeing tour, Luang Prabang cruise with a 3-course dinner
Ha Lengthy Bay cruise: guide right here
Lodges: Hammock Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Salinda Resort Phu Quoc, JM Marvel Hanoi, The Belle Rive Resort Luang Prabang
Another articles you would possibly discover helpful:
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh Metropolis: in case you can solely go to one metropolis in Vietnam
18+ superb issues to do in Luang Prabang
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