Vietnam and Laos Itinerary: The Most Classic from 7 to 14 Days

Vietnam and Laos are two incredible destinations, and if you want to exploring both, our 7 to 14 days Vietnam and Laos classic itinerary is a great place to start.

For a short trip, the 7-day itinerary covers the must-see highlights; If you have more time, the 10-day journey allows you dive deeper into local culture and nature; And for those expecting a full experience, a 14-day Vietnam and Laos adventure will take you to discover hidden gems and enjoy some relaxing time.

With more time, it’s easy to extend your journey into nearby countries like Thailand, Cambodia, or Myanmar to make your Southeast Asia trip even more exciting.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most popular routes and local favorites, and then you can experience the true magic of Vietnam, Laos, and beyond!

7 Days for a Vietnam and Laos Itinerary: the Shortest Trip

With careful planning, a seven-day journey is sufficient to see the main attractions of both Vietnam and Laos. It’s a wise decision to spend three days in Luang Prabang, Laos, and four days in Hanoi and Halong Bay, Vietnam.

Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, is where the entire journey begins. Walking along the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake, and a traditional tricycle tour of the old district is typically included in a Hanoi tour to see local everyday life and sample street cuisine. Apart from these pursuits, Hanoi offers more attractions that are worth seeing.

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is one of the most well-known structures and may offer a comprehensive grasp of Vietnam’s history; Tran Quoc Pagoda, which is situated on the shores of West Lake and contains Buddhist significance, is a must-visit attraction in Vietnam; The Temple of Literature is the earliest university in Vietnam and one of the most prominent historical sites in Hanoi; One Pillar Pagoda is a landmark structure that is can’t be missed and well-known for its unique architectural style.

Halong Bay is an important component and is located fairly near to Hanoi. The ideal choice is to go on an overnight Halong Bay cruise to explore the cliffs, islands, caverns, and grottoes, engage in thrilling sports like swimming, kayaking, or sightseeing, and spend a restful night on the boat.

Halong Bay is a must-visit place when visiting Vietnam.

Luang Prabang is where most of the three days in Laos are spent. When in Laos, be sure to attend a weaving workshop taught by a weavers, visit the Weaving Villages of Ban Xiengkhong and Ban Xienglek, learn about the country’s unique ethnic culture at the Art and Ethnology Center, and experience local life at Luang Prabang’s night market.

Wat Sene is the oldest temple in Luang Prabang; Wat Xiengthong is a representation of Laos’ classical architecture; Wat Visoun is the oldest Buddhist temple in Laos and also the city’s religious art museum. Other attractions in Luang Prabang include the Royal Palace Museum, which holds many fascinating Lao traditional cultural relics.

There are further highlights in Laos besides the city views: Lao rice wine and rice whiskey, which are delicious, produced in Ban Xanghai Village; The most stunning waterfall in Laos is Kuang Si Waterfall; the Bear Rescue Sanctuary has constructed three bear huts to house 25 rescued bears; and Pak Ou Caves are home to hundreds of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes that have been painted in gold.

7 Days Glimpse of Vietnam and Laos Tour
Tour Route: Hanoi – Halong Bay – Luang Prabang

Kuang Si Waterfall is the most stunning waterfall in Laos.

10 Days for a Vietnam and Laos Itinerary: Explore More Highlights

A 10-day vacation will provide you with a fuller experience with both Vietnam and Laos, since you may go from south to north in Vietnam to see additional must-visit places like Hoi An and Saigon. Your trip in Vietnam should be extended to seven days, which includes four days in Hanoi and Halong Bay, one day in Hoi An, and two days in Saigon; and then three days in Luang Prabang, Laos.

The well-preserved architecture of Hoi An Ancient Town, which is renowned for blends several cultural components. The Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky House, an old traditional structure, and Hoi An Market, a local market with street food stalls and handicrafts, are all worth a visit in Vietnam. You may enjoy a leisurely stroll at night since the streets are lighted by colorful lanterns.

Saigon offers the following famous sights to see: Discover the defense systems built during the Vietnam War in the Cu Chi Tunnels; the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is considered to be the architectural symbol of Ho Chi Minh City and is among the world’s 19 most gorgeous churches; Being the biggest post office and the oldest colonial structure in Vietnam, the Saigon Old Post Office is a must-see destination.

The Mekong River cruise near Saigon is a must-go in Vietnam. It allows you to paddle through the lush forest, take in the picturesque and culturally distinctive areas along the river, and spend your time exploring floating villages.

10 Days Classic Vietnam and Laos Highlights Tour
Tour Route: Saigon - Hoi An - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Luang Prabang

10 Days Vietnam and Laos Highlights Tour Package

Saigon – Hoi An – Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise – Luang Prabang

The lanterns lit up at night in Hoi An Ancient Town are very beautiful.

2 Weeks for a Vietnam and Laos Itinerary: Perfect to Visit Hidden Gems

A two-week journey to Vietnam and Laos gives you more time to see some of the countries’ attractions. Four days in Hanoi and Halong Bay, one day in Hoi An, two days in Saigon, and one day in Hue comprised the eight days spent for a Vietnam tour; while a Laos tour could cover six days, with five days in Luang Prabang and one day in Vientiane.

Thien Mu Pagoda, the unofficial symbol of Hue City, was built in 1601; Tu Duc Tomb, the tomb of the fourth king of the Nguyen Dynasty; Minh Mang Tomb, the tomb of the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty; and the Imperial City of Hue, a magnificent complex in the style of a fortress, are some of the city’s highlights.

It is advised to spend two extra days in Luang Prabang, such as the Elephant Village Camp. Experience becoming a mahout one-on-one here by visiting the elephant community, feeding the elephants, getting up close and personal with them, bathing your own elephant in the Nam Khan River, and engaging in other unexpected activities.

Another worthwhile destination in Laos is the Living Land Rice Farm, where you can plant rice seedlings in knee-deep muck, observe the rice production process, and learn how to operate a buffalo to plow the field. Along with helping to harvest veggies, herbs, and husk rice, you may simply just sit on the covered balcony and take in the view.

There are a lot of amazing places in Vientiane that you can visit: Pha That Luang Stupa is a massive golden pagoda constructed in the third century; Patuxay Monument honors people who battled against French colonial control for independence; and Buddha Park, also called Xieng Khuan, is home to more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu monuments.

15 Days Essence of Vietnam and Laos Tour
Tour Route: Saigon - Vinh Long - Can Tho - Saigon - Danang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Vientiane - Luang Prabang

22 Days Vietnam and Laos Relax Tour

Saigon - Can Tho - Nha Trang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Halong Bay - Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Luang Prabang

Pha That Luang Stupa is a massive golden pagoda.

Extend Your Vietnam and Laos Tour Itinerary to Neighboring Countries

If you have the time, it’s a good idea to continue your journey to nearby countries like Cambodia, Thailand, or Myanmar after visiting Vietnam and Laos. To experience the beauty of Southeast Asia and enjoy the local way of life, it is quite simple to fly directly to these countries.

Here we provide a reliable local travel agency for Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Laos and Myanmar tours, with an emphasis on private car travel that fit your interests and budget at the best local pricing.

The bustling Luang Prabang night market.

Conclusion

What you want to see and how much time you have will determine which Vietnam and Laos itinerary is best. Both nations will leave you with priceless memories, whether you choose to spend seven days seeing the main attractions, ten days exploring other cities, or two weeks exploring undiscovered treasures. For even more exciting adventures, you can add Cambodia, Thailand, or Myanmar to the Vietnam and Laos itinerary.

With these itineraries and attractions, you can plan the ideal route and make the most of the vacation! Plan your Vietnam and Laos tour today and prepare for an amazing journey! If you have any other questions or information you want to know, just contact us.