Vietnam & Laos on a Shoestring Adventure Tour

Explore some of Southeast Asia's greatest highlights on this 20-day tour. Start your adventure in Ho Chi Minh City and spend some time getting to know your CEO and group. Make your way from city to city, exploring local markets, relaxing on the beach, or visiting historical sites (or all of it if you're really ambitious). You'll get the chance to hike in Vang Vieng, cruise the Mekong, visit the Doi Suthep temple, or catch a Thai boxing match before you go home. We promise you'll find time to sleep.

Highlights

Explore vibrant cities, shop in quaint Hoi An, float among the karsts of Halong Bay, explore Phong Nha's underground cave and river network, discover sleepy Laos, cruise the mighty Mekong River, learn how to make noodles at a G Adventures
supported enterprise, spend the night at a local village homestay, visit the stunning temples of Luang Prabang, Sample local fare on a street food crawl through Hanoi

What's Included

Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch, Hoi An Your G for Good Moment: Mekong River Homestay & Baci Ceremony, Muang Pakbèng Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group Your Discover Moment: Ho Chi Minh City Your Discover Moment: Luang Prabang. Halong Bay boat cruise with lunch. Street food crawl (Hoi An). Orientation walk around Hanoi's Old Quarter. Slow boat on the Mekong. Temples of Luang Prabang. Witness the giving of alms (Luang Prabang). Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Simple hotels (twin
share) (5 nts), hostels (multi
share) (10 nts), sleeper trains (3 nts), homestay (1 nt).

Meals Included

13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 dinner

Transport

Local bus, air
con bus, train, walking, tuk tuk, local boat, junk boat, plane.

About our Transportation

Train travel in Vietnam is very basic and train cleanliness is often not a priority for train staff. Sleeper trains normally have 4 seats per compartment, which convert into sleeping bunks (two upper and two lower). A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although many people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. At times, passengers of different genders may be required to share a sleeper train berth and/or share a compartment with people not travelling in your group. Simple food is available on the train but many people like to stock up on freshly baked bread, cheese and fruit prior to departure. Water should also be bought before the journey. Train journeys in Vietnam are an experience and allow you to get a real taste of Vietnam.

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting
we think it's the best of both worlds.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $250 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15
20 minutes with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10
15kg/22
30lb. Suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones. If your trip involves overnights in homestays, villages or camping then you usually have the opportunity to rent sleeping bags if need be instead of bringing them with you.