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Laos & Vietnam: From the Mekong to Along Bay

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Set off on a journey between two worlds, in the heart of mystical Asia. Between the majestic panoramas of Laos and the iconic landscapes of North Vietnam, this journey invites you to an exceptional immersion, rich in traditions, encounters and discoveries.

Main advantages of the travel

Discovery of Duong Lam and home-stay immersion in Mai Hich
Vientiane and sunset on the Mekong River
Hiking and sacred caves in Vang Vieng
Mekong cruise and Pak Ou caves
Kuang Sy Falls and ethnic villages around Luang Prabang
Lan Ha Bay and intimate cruise for up to 18 participants

An exceptional stay in the heart of Asia

Leave on an exceptional journey organized by our volunteers at Nevers-Moulins through Laos and North Vietnam, two Southeast Asian lands where ancestral traditions, mystical landscapes and authentic encounters punctuate daily life. Between mist-shrouded mountains, rice terraces, Buddhist temples and charming colonial towns, this itinerary plunges you into the heart of a deeply human culture.
Laos and North Vietnam, lands of spirituality and living traditions

Your journey begins in Laos, a land of calm and gentleness, where landscapes seem frozen out of time. In Vientiane, a peaceful capital bordered by the Mekong River, you discover temples bathed in gold, majestic Buddhas and a serene atmosphere that reflects the Laotian soul. Then comes Luang Prabang, a gem listed by UNESCO, where you witness the morning ritual of offerings to the bonzes, where the turquoise waterfalls of Kuang Si contrast with the misty mountains, and where each pagoda tells a thousand-year-old story.
Encounters, nature and Buddhist heritage

As the journey unfolds, you plunge into the heart of an authentic culture: ethnic villages nestled in greenery, bustling traditional markets, handicrafts handed down from generation to generation. The landscapes of northern Laos unfold with rice terraces, peaceful rivers and mist-shrouded valleys. You'll share special moments with local people, guided by a rare and sincere spirit of hospitality. Between unspoilt nature, traditions and a gentle way of life, Laos reveals a delicate and bewitching beauty.
North Vietnam, between sacred mountains and world heritage

The next leg of your journey takes you to North Vietnam, a land of powerful contrasts. In Hanoi, a thousand-year-old city, peaceful lakes rub shoulders with colonial alleys and vibrant neighborhoods, while Halong Bay or its land-based version offer spectacular panoramas classified by UNESCO. The karsts rise out of the water or rice paddies like natural sculptures, creating a mystical setting where you feel tiny in the face of nature.
Between mountains, rice paddies and minority peoples

In the mountainous regions, you'll meet ethnic groups with unique traditions, dressed in colorful embroidery and living to the rhythm of the seasons. Hikes through the valleys take you to the heart of some of Asia's most beautiful rice terraces. It's a journey of emotions, made of authenticity, smiles and exchanges that leave a lasting impression on those who venture.
An exceptional itinerary of spirituality, landscapes and ancient cultures

This trip to Laos and Northern Vietnam is a total immersion in the heart of two countries where spirituality, nature and history blend harmoniously. Between Buddhist temples, traditional villages, spectacular panoramas and human encounters, each day reveals a new facet of Southeast Asia. An itinerary designed for those passionate about cultural discovery, lovers of great landscapes and travelers in search of the meaning of a journey where wonder is constant and memories imperishable.

The day-by-day programme

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Day 1

PARIS - SINGAPORE - VIENNA

Meet at Roissy CDG airport in the morning (meeting and flight times to be announced).

Welcome by your guide - Assistance with boarding formalities for your scheduled flight to Vientiane (flight with stopover in Singapore).

Services and overnight on board.

Day 2

VIENTIANE

Arrival at Vientiane international airport around midday.

After customs formalities and baggage claim, meet your local English-speaking guide and transfer to town.

Lunch at a local restaurant, then transfer to your hotel.

Depart with your guide for an initial city tour to discover local life, then on to the Patuxai, the "Laotian Triumphal Arch", a monument erected in memory of war victims. At the end of the walk, you'll be taken to the banks of the Mekong as the sun sets.

You can admire the river as it changes color with the waning sun.

You'll then enjoy a "Beerlao" (a local beer brewed in Vientiane) in the city's typical "soune bia" beer garden.

Dinner at a local restaurant and return to your hotel - overnight stay

Day 3

VIENTIANE - VANG VIENG

Breakfast at the hotel, then off to visit the city's main monuments, including Wat Sisaket, Vientiane's largest and most beautiful temple.

You'll continue with a visit to the temple of Wat Phra Keo, built in 1565 for the famous Emerald Buddha.

You'll then discover Pha That Louang, a masterpiece of Laotian architecture.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, transfer by bus to Vientiane station.

You'll board the high-speed train to Vang Vieng, passing through grandiose landscapes of karst mountains and rice paddies.

On arrival in Vang Vieng, transfer to hotel. Vang Vieng is nestled in an exceptional natural setting, with spectacular limestone cliffs, caves and winding rivers.

At the end of the day, enjoy a sunset cocktail. Enjoy a special moment on a rooftop bar as the sun sets behind the karst mountains. A magical, soothing interlude to end the day.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Day '

VANG VIENG

Breakfast at the hotel before heading north from Vang Vieng to the peaceful Hmong village of Ban Phathao, nestled in a landscape of rice paddies and spectacular karst formations.

This is where your immersive hike begins, along trails winding between cultivated fields, lined with tall tropical trees and alive with the daily life of the local people.

Your route takes you first to Tham Loup cave, a deep, mysterious cavern renowned for its impressive stalactites, then to Tham Hoi cave.

These caves bear witness to the importance of the underground world in Lao culture. You will then reach the temple nestled in the Sacred Elephant cave, whose silhouette evokes, according to tradition the trunk of the emblematic animal.

Return to Vang Vieng.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

In the late afternoon, you'll board a boat for a trip on the Nam Song River.

This short cruise plunges you into an enchanting landscape, where the karst cliffs plunge into the calm waters, reflecting the golden light of the late day, offering you a moment of pure contemplation, in one of Laos' most emblematic natural settings.

Dinner at restaurant - Overnight at hotel.

Day 5

VANG VIENG - LUANG PRABANG

Breakfast at the hotel, then transfer to the station to take the high-speed train to Luang Prabang.

On arrival, you'll be greeted by your guide and taken directly to the jetty on the banks of the Mekong to begin a magnificent cruise to the famous Pak Ou caves.

You'll stop off at the charming village of Ban Muang Keo, famous for its artisanal production of lao-lao, the local rice alcohol.

You'll take part in a workshop to create floral offerings for Buddhist monks, a delicate art full of symbolism and spirituality.

Afterwards, enjoy a tasty lunch prepared with fresh local produce.

In the afternoon, you'll continue your excursion to the sacred Pak Ou caves, located at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou rivers.

Once there, you'll discover these two caves housing several thousand Buddha statues, deposited there over the centuries by the faithful, testifying to the religious fervour of the Laotians and the historical importance of the site.

After the visit, return to Luang Prabang by boat.

In the late afternoon, you'll be welcomed into a traditional house to take part in a Baci ceremony, a rare and authentic moment in Laotian culture.

This age-old animist ritual, still practiced today, aims to call the souls (or khwan) back into the body, in order to restore balance and inner peace.

After the ceremony, you'll enjoy a hearty Laotian dinner at a local's home, a chance to sample local specialties.

Return and overnight at your hotel.

Day 6

LUANG PRABANG

At the crack of dawn, early risers have the opportunity to experience a unique moment of spirituality: the Tak Bat ceremony.

You'll join a Luang Prabang temple to witness this ancestral tradition.

The locals kneel along the sidewalks, holding offerings of food for the saffron-robed monks.

The scene, both simple and solemn, offers a rare glimpse into the daily piety of the Laotians. After this spiritual immersion, take time to explore the Luang Prabang market.

Between the stalls of freshly picked vegetables, Mekong fish and local specialties, you'll be immersed in the intimacy of Laotian daily life.

Back to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast.

Then it's on to Ban Nong Heo, a peaceful Khamu village nestled in the Laotian countryside.

Here, life still follows the rhythm of the seasons: water buffalo slowly crossing the paths, children running between houses on stilts, blacksmiths and farmers going about their chores.

After this initial discovery, you'll begin a hike through rolling countryside.

Forests, banana and sugar cane plantations line the path, and your guide may even cut a few stalks to offer you their sweet, thirst-quenching juice.

The route takes you to Ban Thapene and the spectacular Kuang Sy Falls, one of the natural gems of northern Laos.

You can relax in the park's shaded areas or take a dip in the natural pools.

Lunch in a small local restaurant near the falls.

Afternoon return to Luang Prabang.

En route, you'll stop off for a rice-growing tour at the Living Land Farm.

Accompanied by local farmers, you'll discover the 13 stages of the rice-growing cycle.

Then stop off at the Traditional and Ethnic Arts Center (TAEC), a living museum dedicated to the diversity of Laos' ethnic groups.

In the evening, you'll head to the night market for a typical Laotian dinner.

Choose from a wide range of street food stalls offering grilled meats, aromatic soups, vegetarian dishes and local specialties.

Return and overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

LUANG PRABANG HANOI

Breakfast at the hotel, then explore the heart of Luang Prabang by tuk-tuk.

Accompanied by your guide, you'll discover the city's emblematic sites: Mount Phousi, the sacred hill that dominates Luang Prabang.

After climbing the 328 steps, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular panorama.

A serene experience.

The Royal Palace, now the National Museum, which houses a precious collection of objects that once belonged to the royal family. Vat Xieng Thong, temple of the royal city.

Vat Visoun, Luang Prabang's oldest temple, That Makmo.

Vat Mai, an elegant 8th-century sanctuary.

Lunch in a local restaurant to sample tasty Lao dishes before leaving this spiritual city.

In the afternoon, transfer to Luang Prabang airport for your flight to Hanoi.

Arrival in Hanoi, welcome by your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel.

Dinner at restaurant - Overnight at hotel.

Day 8

HANOÏ

Breakfast at the hotel, then departure with your guide for an unmissable visit: the Temple of Literature, a veritable jewel of Vietnamese heritage.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, you'll take a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the "Lake of the Restituted Sword".

You'll then visit Ngoc Son temple, built in the 18th century on a small, shady island in the lake.

Accessible via the graceful red wooden The Huc bridge, the temple pays homage to several emblematic figures of Vietnam: Van Xuong, deity of the learned, Tran Hung Dao, strategist and national hero who repelled the Mongol invasions in the 13th century, and La To, patron saint of doctors. doctors.

The afternoon continues with a cyclo-pousse ride through the heart of the historic "36 Guilds" district.

This labyrinth of lively alleyways plunges you into a Hanoi of another time.

To round off a day full of discoveries, you'll enjoy a Vietnamese coffee in an establishment set up along the famous Train Street, a narrow alleyway where the train literally passes within centimetres of the houses.

This unusual venue has become a Hanoi landmark, combining railway spectacle with local conviviality.

Dinner at restaurant - Overnight at hotel.

Day 9

HANOI / DUONG LAM / MAI HICH

Early breakfast at the hotel.

You'll then take the road to Duong Lam. This ancient village, classified as a national historic relic, is considered a rare example of Vietnamese rural urbanism preserved in its traditional state.

Duong Lam is distinguished by its laterite houses - typical of the region - some of which date back over 400 years.

You'll continue the tour by bicycle, through the village's rice paddies and bucolic paths. Your first stop is the Mia pagoda, founded in the 15th century and famous for housing over 280 Buddhist statues.

Then pedal to the mausoleum of Phung Hung, an 8th-century national hero. Lunch in a traditional wooden house.

In the afternoon, you'll set off again for the village of Mai Hich. Surrounded by rice paddies and lush hills, this village is inhabited by the White Thai ethnic group, known for their stilt houses and hand-embroidered costumes.

On arrival, move into your guesthouse, a traditional house converted into comfortable accommodation.

Dinner with the locals, using fresh produce from the garden.

Overnight in your guesthouse.

Day 10

MAI HICH / THUNG KHE / MAI CHAU

Breakfast at the guesthouse. At daybreak, you'll set off on a leisurely bike ride through the white Thai villages surrounding the hamlet of Mai Hich.

You'll be invited to meet the locals, discover their local crafts and talk about their way of life, still deeply linked to the cycles of nature and ancestral traditions.

Lunch at a local's home, cooked with local produce.

In the afternoon, you'll take the road to Mai Chau, nestled in a lush green valley.

On the way, a stop is made at the Thung Khe pass, nicknamed the "white rock pass".

From here, the view over the Mai Chau valley is spectacular: a patchwork of rice paddies, thatched roofs and jungle-covered mountains.

Check-in at the hotel, where you'll have time to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Dinner at the hotel.

After dinner, enjoy a traditional Thai minority dance performance. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 11

MAI CHAU / CUC PHUONG / NINH BINH

Breakfast at the hotel, then off to discover the Mai Chau valley on board an electric cart, before taking the road to Cuc Phuong National Park.

Inaugurated in 1962, it is Vietnam's first national park and the country's largest nature reserve.

It is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and prehistoric remains.

On arrival, you'll start with a visit to the Endangered Primate Rescue Center, which is working to preserve several rare species such as the Delacour langur and the white-cheeked gibbon.

You'll continue with the turtle conservation program.

Finally, a stroll through the botanical garden will allow you to observe the indigenous flora, including century-old trees, rare orchids and medicinal plants.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

You'll then take a forest road to the heart of the park. From here, you'll set off on a guided hike through the primary rainforest, discovering a wealth of flora and fauna.

Along the way, an unassuming path leads to the Son Cung cave, adorned with sparkling stalactites and steeped in mystery: it is said to have been home to prehistoric man thousands of years ago.

At the end of the day, you'll be back on the road, heading for Ninh Binh, often referred to as "Ha Long Bay on land".

Check-in at hotel.

Dinner at restaurant - Overnight at hotel.

Day 12

NINH BINH / NAM DINH

Breakfast at the hotel.

You'll then take the road to Van Long Nature Reserve, a 3,000-hectare expanse of peaceful canals, shimmering lakes and limestone rocks sculpted by time.

On arrival, board a traditional bamboo boat for a silent river cruise.

Lunch in restaurant.

In the afternoon, drive on to Nam Dinh, then on to Giao Thuy, home to Xuan Thuy National Park.

This remarkable wetland was the first mangrove in Vietnam to be classified as a Ramsar site. From here, you'll embark on a bike ride through a region deeply attached to its religious and artistic traditions.

Your route will take you first to the impressive Pham Phao church, in the heart of a village famous for its craftsmen who make copper instruments.

You'll be welcomed into the home of a master craftsman.

The walk continues to the village of Hai Minh, birthplace of traditional painters. Here you'll be welcomed by Mr. Pham Van Nghe, who will open the doors of his studio to introduce you to the Vietnamese style of painting.

In the evening, you'll attend a performance of Chau Van singing (Classified as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO since2016), a sacred art born in the Red River delta.

Dinner and overnight in a guesthouse.

Day 13

NAM DINH / LAN HA

Breakfast.

Early morning drive to Lan Ha.

On arrival, transfer to your cruise ship for a unique experience. On board, you'll be offered a welcome drink to kick-start your immersion in the bay.

Lunch as the boat glides gently over the clear waters of Lan Ha.

You can admire the impressive karst formations that dot the landscape, between turquoise waters and sheer cliffs.

You'll then explore the unspoilt Tra Bau region, a natural gem renowned for its poetic scenery and rare marine beauty.

After a relaxing moment on the boat's terrace, you'll be treated to a culinary demonstration.

Dinner served in the boat's restaurant. In the evening, you can take part in squid fishing. Night on board.

Day 14

LAN HA / HANOI / PARIS

A gentle start to the day with a Tai Chi session on the boat's terrace, as the sun rises over the bay.

Breakfast on board, then off to visit Cat Ba island, where you'll discover Trung Trang cave, one of the island's most impressive, renowned for its thousands of stalactites in a variety of shapes.

Brunch served on board as the boat sails back to port.

Disembarkation, then drive to Hanoi.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Services and overnight on board (stopover in Singapore).

Day 15

PARIS

Arrival in Paris in the morning. Assistance with baggage claim.

End of our services.

Réservez

Book your travel

Duration

15 days 12 nights

Laos & Vietnam: From the Mekong to Along Bay

Main advantages of the travel

An exceptional stay in the heart of Asia

Laos and North Vietnam, lands of spirituality and living traditions

Encounters, nature and Buddhist heritage

North Vietnam, between sacred mountains and world heritage

Between mountains, rice paddies and minority peoples

An exceptional itinerary of spirituality, landscapes and ancient cultures