Do you want to discover these two neighbouring countries, different in their cultural complexities but both possessing a grandiose nature and competing in kindness in their welcome? Whether you are more into history and culture or nature and adventure, here are two 15-day Vietnam - Laos tour ideas that will inspire you and make you crave.

15-day Vietnam – Laos tour around the essentials

For this 15-day Vietnam – Laos tour around the essentials, we suggest you embark on this adventure in Ho Chi Minh City, the capital of southern Vietnam, better known as Saigon. It’s a city constantly in the bustle, offering a fine range of colonial architectural remains and fascinating museums. By plane, then you can go to Hue, the former imperial capital of the Nguyen lords, listed by Unesco, as a true cultural, artistic, religious and gastronomic centre of the country.

Then along the Mandarin Road via the famous Cloud Pass, you will reach the lovely town of Hoi An. A veritable open-air museum listed by Unesco, a magnificently well-preserved example of a city that was a merchant site from Southeast Asia from the 15th to the 19th century. Here, we enjoy history, culture, beautiful walks in superb countryside, hours of idleness on the beach and inventive and well-balanced cuisine. Still, by plane, you reach Hanoi, the fascinating thousand-year-old capital of Vietnam. With architectural treasures, bustling streets, incredible street food and an amazing cultural scene, Hanoi is definitely one of the most captivating Southeast Asian capitals.

Before leaving Vietnam, what could be better than taking a cruise in Halong Bay? A two-day cruise with an overnight stay aboard a traditional junk so you can make the most of this UNESCO-listed jewel of nature. Sailing in the limestone wonderland of Halong is undoubtedly the best way to end your trip to Vietnam.

Then you go to Laos by plane, to Luang Prabang, a city with incredible charm, also classified by Unesco. This former royal capital on the banks of the Mekong, a living centre of the Buddhist tradition in Laos, with an exceptionally well-preserved urban landscape, seduces visitors with its cultural, natural and gastronomic riches as well as its unique atmosphere imbued with Buddhist serenity.

This 15-day Vietnam – Laos tour around the essentials will end in Vientiane, the peaceful Laotian capital. The city is full of Buddhist temples and pagodas, including the most sacred of them: That Luang. Built in 1566 after King Setthathirath made Vientiane the new capital of the kingdom of Lan Xang, That Luang, under its vast golden stupa is believed to contain a Buddha's hair.

15-day tour of Vietnam – Laos off the beaten track

Here is an example of a 15-day Vietnam – Laos off-the-beaten-track circuit that will allow you to discover these two countries beyond their tourist facade. It’s a journey rich in discovery, emotion and encounters that begins in the monastic city of Luang Prabang. The former capital of the kingdom of Laos for several centuries enchants you because of its wonderful natural setting, its rich historical and cultural heritage, its colonial heritage and its nonchalance. After visiting centuries-old temples and pagodas, we invite you to discover the surroundings of Luang Prabang by kayak, on foot and by bike, and to meet one of the emblems of the country: the elephant.

Then, by road following the Nam Ou River, a tributary of the Mekong, you go to Nong Khiaw. Located in a tangle of limestone peaks, this small river town is appreciated for its sublime natural setting and for its nature-oriented activities and encounters with the ethnic minorities who inhabit the region such as the Khmu and the Hmong. Going up the Nam Ou River on a traditional wooden boat, you reach the charming Muang Ngoi river village where you will also enjoy a breathtaking natural setting. Always going up the river by boat through magnificent landscapes, you reach Muang Khua and from there, you will go on a walk to discover the timeless villages of the O’ Pa, O’ Ma, Si La, Si Da, Ho, Lo Lo etc. ethnic groups. 

After these colourful encounters, you can change of atmosphere by going by road to Vietnam, more precisely to Dien Bien Phu to discover the remains of one of the largest and most important battles of the 20th century and which sounded the death knell of the 'French Indochina. Let's take advantage of being in northern Vietnam to admire the incredible rice terraces of the Sapa region and discover one of the region's colourful ethnic markets.

From Sapa, drive towards Hanoi, stopping overnight at the edge of Thac Ba Lake, just to take a bowl of zen before leaving to explore Hanoi, the capital overflowing with energy but also with curiosities. Finally, we invite you to conclude this 15-day Vietnam - Laos tour in style with a delicious cruise in Halong Bay, the largest marine karst in the world classified as a UNESCO natural heritage site.

Best season: the month of April is a good time to do this 15-day Vietnam – Laos tour. In mid-April, you can attend the Buddhist New Year festivities in Laos, as for Vietnam, the weather is pleasant throughout the territory and the rice fields of the northern region are adorned with a beautiful green coat.

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