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Hey, 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 because of the 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 Lodge
Day 7 – In a single day Ha Lengthy Bay cruise – Paradise Magnificence (Ebook right here)
Days 8, 9 – Hanoi, staying at JM Marvel, non-compulsory tour to Ninh Binh
Day 10 – Vientiane, Laos, staying at S2 Boutique Lodge
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 tackle 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 will be scorching 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 just isn’t usually that chilly in Hanoi. Vientiane was fairly scorching as nicely, and Luang Prabang was a bit colder however nonetheless a lot hotter than Hanoi. Through the day, it was round 24-28 levels and at evening, it was a bit chilly.
It’s robust to pinpoint one of the best time to go to Vietnam and Laos because it actually will depend on what you wish to see and do. We selected December because it was the one time we might 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 in the course of the winter season. If we had travelled in October, for instance, we might 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 the easiest way to journey round Vietnam and Laos?
Travelling round Vietnam is inexpensive for those who 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. When you’ve got restricted time, you’ll have to buy flights, which is usually a bit costly. Nonetheless, we discovered inside flights with Vietnam Airways to be dependable and good general.
To journey from Vietnam to Laos, you should fly. We flew with Lao Airways, and it was fairly an expertise. I like to recommend making an attempt to fly with one other airline, even when the tickets are a bit costlier. Nothing mistaken with the service – I simply felt that the airplane was not in one of the best situation and was in all probability 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 pace practice that connects these two cities, though shopping for tickets is considerably problematic. You possibly can solely do it in individual (as of early 2023), and it’s onerous to purchase them and not using a native fee app (they don’t settle for money or international playing cards). Though, hopefully, it is going to change quickly!
When travelling inside cities in Vietnam, we advocate utilizing Seize, an Asian model of Uber. It’s dependable and really inexpensive. 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 couple of hours between 6 AM and 11 AM. It gave us a while to calm down and relaxation earlier than exploring the town.
We checked in early on the Hammock Ben Thanh lodge, which is located in a unbelievable location for exploring the town – Ben Thanh neighbourhood! It’s surrounded by cafes, eating places, and points of interest, and many of the main sights are inside strolling distance. It’s additionally fairly fashionable and inexpensive!
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 also be well-known for its pretend luggage and watches. For lunch, we tried the normal Vietnamese sandwich, Bahn Mi – probably the greatest locations for Bahn Mi was situated steps away from the lodge – you’ll be able to all the time see the big queue outdoors, but it surely strikes shortly and is 100% value it!
Later within the night, we loved a road meals tour on bikes with native college students, which was a unbelievable expertise. In case you can solely do one factor in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, I like to recommend taking this road meals tour! You possibly can examine the costs and availability right here.
Sightseeing & having fun with Ho Chi Minh Metropolis from above
The subsequent day, we headed to Little Hanoi Egg Espresso to attempt the normal Vietnamese Egg Espresso, a novel espresso with an egg inside (a must-try for those who eat eggs!). Afterwards, we took a stroll across the upscale a part of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis the place many of the boutiques are situated – and noticed the Folks’s Committee Constructing and The Opera Home.
We visited the Bitexco Tower Statement Deck, which presents a unbelievable view of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis. It was 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 amazing view – one of the best view within the metropolis! In addition 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 the town, the place we visited the Sai Gon Central Publish Workplace and Notre Dame Cathedral. The submit workplace is free to go to and has a working submit workplace and memento retailers. 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 elements to contemplate, from worth to location and, finally, whether or not we needed a small lodge or a resort. In the long run, we determined to choose a resort as a result of we simply needed to relaxation for a couple of days, as Ho Chi Minh Metropolis is tiring and a bit hectic!
We picked a resort known as Salinda, which was voted Phu Quoc’s finest resort a couple of occasions. I can positively advocate it!
Issues to do in Phu Quoc:
In case you’re trying to unwind and calm down in Phu Quoc, the Salinda Resort is the proper spot. You possibly can 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, for those who’re up for some journey, you’ll be able to lease a motorcycle and tour across the island. Alternatively, listed below are some prime actions to do in Phu Quoc:
- Go to the bustling evening market in Phu Quoc, the place you’ll be able to attempt some superb Vietnamese road meals and purchase souvenirs. It’s solely a 9-minute taxi trip away from the Salinda resort.
- Ebook a scuba diving or snorkelling tour to find the colourful coral reefs and numerous marine life round Phu Quoc. You possibly can pre-book this tour prematurely right here.
- Take a guided tour of Phu Quoc Nationwide Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, to discover the luxurious forests and spot uncommon wildlife.
- Try the historic Phu Quoc Jail Museum to study concerning the island’s previous in the course of the Vietnam Warfare and achieve perception into the resilience of the Vietnamese folks.
Additionally, for those who’re within the temper for some superb cocktails, there’s a speakeasy bar situated simply throughout the street from the Salinda resort that we liked and extremely advocate!
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 via Seize app to our lodge, JM Marvel. Nonetheless, it took a while for the taxi to reach.
In December, Hanoi’s climate will 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 after we returned from Laos. It is strongly recommended to pack heat garments, resembling 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 advisable by many journey guides. They provide conventional Vietnamese dishes with a novel twist.
After dinner, we visited the well-known practice monitor cafes to observe the trains go by. The world is a pedestrian-only road with practice tracks operating within the center, surrounded by cafes and retailers. When the practice approaches, everybody must clear the road and keep within the cafes/retailers 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 prematurely is essential, as many cruises can promote out weeks prematurely. Once we tried to e-book the Athena cruise a month forward of time, there was no availability, so we went with the Paradise Magnificence cruise as a substitute. 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 choose 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’ll be able to go to a museum, a big pearl store, a couple of cafes, and a bathroom.
After arriving on the lodge for check-in at 11:20 AM, we acquired totally different colored bracelets that dictated your boarding time. Since we acquired 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 accessible on the primary day and 1 exercise on the second day.
We determined to skip the kayaking and pearl farm go to because of the 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 subsequent morning, we visited the most important 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. In case you’re desirous about reserving an identical cruise, you’ll be able to examine 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 below are a few of 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 in the course of the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties. Contained in the Citadel, you will discover palaces, temples, and residences constructed in numerous 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 will pay 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 beautiful structure, tranquil gardens, and a wealthy historical past. This website is a must-visit for anybody desirous about Vietnamese tradition and historical past.
Another locations I like to recommend visiting in Hanoi embody Hoan Kiem Lake, surrounded by lovely parks, temples, and historic buildings, and the Previous Quarter, a glimpse into Hanoi’s previous and an amazing place to expertise the town’s vibrant tradition.
In case you nonetheless have time and power left, I recommend visiting the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, the place you’ll be able to study concerning the nation’s 54 ethnic teams via interactive reveals and demonstrations and take a road meals tour to pattern the native delicacies and expertise the bustling ambiance of Hanoi’s evening markets. Nonetheless, for those who already took road meals in Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, it is likely to be slightly bit repetitive. In case you desire to take a sightseeing tour, this superb Hanoi tour by classic bike is likely one of the best-rated within the metropolis!
You can even take a day tour to the beautiful Vietnamese countryside – to Ninh Binh – one of the vital lovely locations in Vietnam! You possibly can examine 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’ll be able to decide whichever works higher for you after which regulate the itinerary primarily based on that.
Laos could 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 also 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 general (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 Fashionable Boutique Lodge as our in a single day lodge, and it was fairly inexpensive however very removed from in every single place. Nonetheless, distances in Vientiane are massive (the town could be very unfold), so no matter the place you keep, you’ll have to ask for a couple of taxis.
Listed below are a few of 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: Referred to 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 beautiful views of the town.
- Wat Si Saket: This lovely temple is likely one of the oldest in Vientiane and encompasses a beautiful courtyard crammed with 1000’s of Buddha statues.
- Buddha Park: Simply outdoors the town, this park is house to greater than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues, together with a large reclining Buddha. It’s an amazing place to spend a day exploring and taking within the serene ambiance.
Additionally, the evening 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 inexpensive garments with misspelt logos. There are many locations to eat close by, in order that is likely to be a bit extra fascinating!
Days 11 – 13: Luang Prabang
On the morning of the following day, we took a brief inside flight to Luang Prabang. Whereas we initially needed to purchase the practice, we weren’t positive we might be capable of safe it as tickets are inclined to promote out and it was not attainable to purchase them on-line. To keep away from risking dropping at some point in Luang Prabang, we determined to pay a bit extra and get an inside flight as a substitute.
The place to remain in Luang Prabang?
Lastly, let’s discuss lodging and the place to remain in Luang Prabang. We stayed on the Bel Air Resort with beautiful 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 apart from the airport had been throughout the river), we needed to cross a really scary bridge. Not the stunning Bamboo bridge, however the Previous French Bridge that regarded prefer it was on the breaking point, with lacking picket planks and nails protruding in every single place. Not like the Bamboo bridge, this bridge was very excessive within the air, and any fall would have been deadly.
As an alternative, I like to recommend staying on the following locations:
Luxurious resorts: If cash just isn’t an issue, these resorts could be an incredible possibility: Burasari Heritage, Rosewood, 3 Nagas
Mid-range motels and resorts: The Belle Rive, Angsana Maison
Very inexpensive 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) seems 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 total 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’ve got 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 accessible, from luxurious to easy boats. Head to Khem Khong Avenue, and also you’ll discover many boat house owners providing their providers. We discovered a flyer for a $5.5 per individual 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 beautiful views. It may well get chilly, however blankets had been offered. Don’t miss this distinctive and unforgettable expertise!
If you need a fancier expertise, you’ll be able to e-book a dinner cruise with a 3-course dinner right here >>
Stroll the Unesco Heritage-protected a part of Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang grew to become a UNESCO world heritage website in 1994 and that was completely deserved – Luang Prabang could be very fairly. Top-of-the-line issues you are able to do in Luang Prabang is to put on comfy sneakers and for for a stroll or a motorcycle trip across the Previous City – there are many lovely streets!
Go to the evening market on Sisavangvong Street
Sisavangvong Street is essentially the most well-known, busy and in style road in Luang Prabang. It will get particularly crowded within the night, round 6 PM, when the evening market opens. The evening 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 below are another superb issues to do in Luang Prabang in 3 days:
- Attempt native road meals (proper at the beginning 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 possibly can both get there by bike, purchase a tour or rent a taxi that may await you there for 3-4 hours for $20. Alternatively, you will get there by boat for those who 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 might want to pay 10,000 kips ($0.6) per individual to cross the bridge, but it surely’s completely value it.
- Climb Mount Phou Si – there are many stairs to climb. Nonetheless, the views from there are nicely value it. The ticket to enter the higher a part of Mount Phou Si prices circa $1 per individual.
- See essentially the most lovely temples in Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang has so many beautiful temples, monasteries and stupas. Essentially the most lovely is undoubtedly Haw Pha Bang, situated proper on the backside of Mount Phou Si.
- Observe the Alm Giving ceremony with the Buddhist monks – for those who’re an early chicken 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 (do-it-yourself sticky rice) to the monks. Nonetheless, except you’re a Buddhist, you shouldn’t take part. As an alternative, you’ll be able to quietly observe the ceremony. You can even take photographs (and not using a flash), however ensure 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 dashing wherever. I hope that after 3 days in Luang Prabang, you’ll really feel well-rested and prepared for an extended journey house!
When you’ve got time between your flight to Hanoi and your flight again house, you’ll be able to 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. In case you’re planning this journey in summer season, for instance, it’s value checking the climate in all these locations and see if visiting them nonetheless is sensible (it might be the center of the wet season, for instance)
I’ve acquired a number of requests to offer a short abstract of all of the essential 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 inside flights. I like to recommend flying with Vietnam Airways
Taxis: Seize
SIM card: you’ll be able to both purchase one on the airport or purchase a multi-country sim like Drimsim that works in plenty of totally different locations all over the world
Plug sort: use this adaptor
Excursions: road meals tour of Ho Chi Minh Metropolis by bike with native college students, Ninh Ninh Tour, Classic bike Hanoi sightseeing tour, Luang Prabang cruise with a 3-course dinner
Ha Lengthy Bay cruise: e-book right here
Accommodations: Hammock Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, Salinda Resort Phu Quoc, JM Marvel Hanoi, The Belle Rive Resort Luang Prabang
When you’ve got any questions, be happy to DM me at @lizatripsget – I would be capable of assist!
Another articles you may discover helpful:
Hanoi vs Ho Chi Minh Metropolis: for those who can solely go to one metropolis in Vietnam
18+ superb issues to do in Luang Prabang
