Travel to Indochina, you can’t miss to see the wonderful scenery of the Northern Vietnam and Laos, especially the border cross between North Vietnam and Laos is amazing, very scenic area off the beaten path. The first site is Hanoi with filled with cultural and historical sites including Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple Literature, Ethnology Museum, Water Puppet show. Following day, take the traditional wooden junk in Halong Bay to explore caves, life of floating fish villages.

Then discover some ethnic hill tribes in the mountain areas – Sa Pa with the beautiful terraces rice paddies combine with cool weather to make a must-see destination. Drive along road with breathtaking scenery of mountains to Dien Bien and then crossing the border to the Laos area. Muong Khua is a beautiful, peaceful spot halfway up the river between Nong Kiaow and Hat Sa in northern Laos, from here taking the traditional boat through Muang Ngoi and Nong Khiaw to discover the life and spirit of two bank sides living and have the opportunities to enjoy beautiful landscapes.

The final is in Luang Prabang with its palm-lined riverbanks, terracotta roofs, golden stupas and saffron-robed monks all come together to form a picture postcard increasingly difficult to find in Southeast Asia.

Highlights:

- Experience Hanoi gracious capital with the fascinating streets of the Old Quarter, visit the ancient Temple of Literature and enjoy an evening performance of Hanoi’s famous water puppets.
- Take the picturesque boat tours through emerald waters and limestone isles
- Have great chance to explore the customs, traditions and way of life of the Vietnamese hill tribes
- Get the closer see daily life of some ethnic minorities such as Red and White Hmong, Kho Mu and White Thai in Pasa & Dien Bien Phu.
- Across the border between Vietnam & Laos to explore the one of the most remote areas of Northern – Muang Khua.
- Sail down Nam Ou River on the traditional boat to Luang Prabang to enjoy  beautiful landscape and lime stone mountains.
Take in the best sites & off the beaten track places from the monasteries & fading colonial architecture of Luang Prabang.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)
Arriving at Noi Bai airport in Hanoi, you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. You’ll have time to relax after your journey before a welcome dinner at a good restaurant in a colonial building. In the evening, you’ll have tickets for a performance of traditional Water Puppetry (an art form unique to northern Vietnam, and an interesting, light-hearted introduction to its rural culture). Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City (B, L)
Today we enjoy a full day city tour starting with the Ho Chi Minh Complex. This famous site contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh (closed on Friday, Monday and from 5 Oct to 5 Dec 08) the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts. Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. We follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam and the impressive Ethnologic Museum, dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. The beautiful West Lake and the History Museum with an excellent collection of artifacts illustrating the Vietnamese history are also highlight of our trip. We visit these sights before continuing to the peaceful lake of Hoan Kiem and visit Ngoc Son temple and take a cyclo tour in Hanoi old quarter. Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay (B, L, D) 
Drive to Halong bay through the lush of Red River vegetation. Arrival Halong bay pier and check-in registration, board our boat for a stunning cruise amongst towering limestone backdrop while enjoying lunch on board. The cruise will take you by exotic islets with shapes of Dog, Incense Urn, Sail, Fighting Cocks, which are naturally formed by process of erosion between the see water and lime stone mountains. Arrive Surprise Cave and explore the by bay kayak, paddle to Luon cave, this cave is a natural tunnel thrusts through a mountain's foot and leads to an exotic lagoon surrounded by mountains covered by dense jungle. Seafood dinner and optional night paddle. Overnight on Halong Junk 

Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Night train to Lao Cai (B)
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. Brunch will be served onboard. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Hanoi. Tonight we take overnight train journey to Lao Cai (soft sleeper & AC cabin of 4 pax). Overnight onboard

Day 5: Lao Cai – Sapa – Cat Cat Village (B, L)
Morning, arrival in Lao Cai station, pick up and transfer to hotel in Sapa for freshen up and breakfast. You follow a road going downhill to Cat Cat village. You will stop by a waterfall and a hydro- electric station for a while before you trek (trekking) on a dirt trail through rice paddy terraced. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. The area is still covered by rain forest under protection of Hoang Lien National Park. You eventually arrive in Y linh Ho  village of Black H'mong minority, where you can take a rest in nice spot nearby  the beautiful river before climbing  toward a road and return to Sapa, Overnight at the hotel in Sa Pa

Day 6: Sapa – Lao Chai & Tavan (B, L)
We then embark on a lovely walk that will take us along buffalo paths and trails and through several hill tribe villages of Lao Chai and Tavan, home to H'mong, and Dzay people. This is a spectacular walking through stunning scenery inhabited by some of the friendliest people that you can meet along the way. Stopping for a picnic lunch on the way to the family in Ta Van village. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Sapa

Day 7: Sapa – Tam Duong – Paso (B, L)
The drive from Sapa to Pa so is one of the most scenery and mountainous stretch of road in the whole of Vietnam. From Sapa town, you will drive uphill to the highest pass (Heavens Gate Pass" which is in a height of 2000 meter. If the weather is clear the views here are magnificent. There are plenty of possibilities for making photo stops.40 km more we arrive Binh Lu where inhabit of many different of minorities. You will have chance to visit some villages surrounding and the market. You will have lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch the road weaves its way through the picturesque valley, past many small villages of Red and White Hmong, Kho Mu and White Thai ethnic minorities. Late after noon you reach to Paso the new head town of Lai Chau province. Overnight at the hotel in Paso

Day 8: Paso – Muang Lay – Sin Ho – Dien Bien (B, L)
You will start the trip today by driving back toward Tam Duong for a while, before take a right turn to a dirt road, which will lead you to Sin Ho. Again, the road today is also passing through the picturesque sceneries. Moreover  you will have chance to encounter with the minorities people as Nung, White Thai, Black Dao, Dao Tien...You will then arrive in Lai Chau. From Lai Chau to Dien Bien, you will have an easy ride on the nice road. Dien Bien Phu is well known through out the world as a battle field in the first Indochina War. The city, 45 km from the Laos border, locates in Muong Thanh Valley famous for its tasty rice and Thai minority traditional dance. Check in hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Dien Bien

Day 9: Dien Bien – Tay Trang – Muong Khua (B, L)
After breakfast, we visit the historical sites such as De Castrie’s bunker, the Dien Bien Phu museum, the A1 hill. After lunch, transfer toward Tay Trang, cross the border and meet the Laos guide, proceed to Muang Khua, one of the most remote areas of Northern. Muong Khua is a small town inhabited by Yunanese, Vietnamese and Lao. There are some colonial building can be found. The town is 45 km from Laos – Vietnam border, recently open to foreigner. In the rainy season, there will be several river crossings along this bumpy ride! Overnight at the hotel in Muang Khua

Day 10: Muang Khua – Muang Ngoi (B, L)
After breakfast, we embark on a long tail boat to cruise down on Nam Ou River from Muang Khua to Muang Ngoi. The long tail boat ride allows us to visit local villages nesting along the river sides. A picnic lunch is served on the river side. We have many opportunities to enjoy beautiful landscape.  We eventually arrive in Muong Ngoi, a small town surrounded by beautiful scenery and lime stone mountains. We stay overnight in a local guest house in Muong Ngoi

Day 11: Muang Ngoi – Nong Khiaw – Luang Prabang (B, L)
After breakfast, we continue cruising down the Nam Ou River. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before we arrive to Pak Ou Cave. The Nam Ou River feeds the mighty Mekong, facing infamous Pak Ou Cave or Tham Ting. After visiting the cave, we continue our boat trip on Mekong River to Luang Prabang. There is time to visit some of the villages a long the Mekong River. We may have an opportunity to enjoy the sunset while cruising downstream. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 12: Luang Prabang (B, L)
Morning we will visit the impressive stupa of Wat Visoun and the shrine of Wat Aham, Wat Mai. We then climb up to the top of Phousi Mount for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a beautiful sunset view of the city and the Mekong River. From there, we explore the Street Night Market, where you can find the lovely collection and handmade textile by local and hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang. We continue our visit to the temple of Wat Sene and the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represent the classical architecture of Luang Prabang temple. Lunch and afternoon we visit the National Museum at the former Royal Palace, which displays a lovely collection of the artifacts reflecting the richness of Lao culture dating from the days of the early kings right through the last sovereign, and the Central Market. Overnight at the hotel in Luang Prabang

Day 13: Luang Prabang – Departure (B)
You are free & easy until transferring to the airport for the flight to next destination. End of Asia King Travel’s Services.

Trip includes:

• Private English speaking guide
• Accommodation based on the twin sharing room with daily breakfast
• Transfers & transport by private vehicle
• All entrance fees
• Water puppet show in Hanoi
• Halong Bay cruise 2 days/ 1 night
• Boat cruise in Nam Ou river : Muang Khua – Muang Ngoi; Muang Ngoi – Luang Prabang
• Meals as indicated (B = Breakfast ; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
• Train in soft sleeper & ac carriage ( 4 pax) : Hanoi – Lao Cai
• Water & cool towels
• Government taxes & service charge

 
Trip doesn’t include:

• International flights
• International departure tax ( 10 USD/ pax in Laos)
• Vietnam visa stamp fee
• Lao Visa  (30 USD/ paxavailable at the airport )
• Vietnam visa : (compulsory)
• Travel insurance
• Admission fees during free time
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
• Personal expenses such