Southeast Asia Family Adventure

🚗 Stéphane & Françoise Departure

Car from Cavaillon to Marseille airport

Parking Super eco

🎫 Check-in at Marseille airport

Security & wait for flight at 06:00 AM

🛫 Flight Marseille to Paris

Air France AF7347

🛬 Arrival in Paris

Wait for next flight at 11:35 AM

Have breakfast and rest

🛫 Flight Paris to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Airlines VN010

Try to sleep!

🚗 Caroline & Rafael Departure

Car from Santa Rosa to Manila airport

🎫 Check-in at Manila airport

Security & wait for flight at 04:05 AM

🛫 Flight Manila to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam Airlines PR591

🛬 Stéphane & Françoise Arrival

🇫🇷 Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

🛬 Caroline & Rafael Arrival

🇵🇭 Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City

🏨 Hotel Check-in & Breakfast

Sherwood Residence ***** - Check-in 02:00 PM

Breakfast at hotel or nearby café

🚶 Colonial Quarter Walking Tour

• Notre-Dame Cathedral (exterior - currently under renovation)
• Central Post Office (beautiful interior)
• Book Street (Nguyen Van Binh) - shaded, relaxed
• Opera of Saigon - French colonial architecture
• Nguyen Hue Street
• Saigon river

🍽️ Lunch - ?

☕ Coffee Break

The Cafe Apartment

⛩️ Jade Emperor Pagoda

Atmospheric Chinese-style temple with turtle pond, incense smoke, ornate decorations

🏛️ Optional: War Remnants Museum

Powerful historical museum about Vietnam War. Mostly outdoor displays, some graphic content.

Alternative for Rafael & others not interested: Return to hotel pool 🏊 or visit Saigon Zoo 🐅

⛩️ Cholon temples

Hội Quán Nghĩa An, Temple de Bà Thiên Hậu, Pagode Quan Am

🏙️ Bitexco Financial Tower - Saigon Skydeck

360° views of the city from 49th floor. Try to go for sunset.

🚶 Optional: Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Pedestrian street with lights, street performers

🛍️ Ben Thanh Market

Shopping: textiles, souvenirs, handicrafts

Tips: Bargain hard (start at 50%), watch belongings

🚶 (Optional) Riverside Walk & Independence Palace

Historical palace, air-conditioned, elevator available

🚕 Check Out & Transfer to Airport

Check-out to do at 12:00 PM

🛬 Flight to Da Nang

Vietnam Airlines VN136

🏨 Hotel Check-in

Amber Bay Hotel & Suites Da Nang ****

🏖️ Beach Morning at My Khe Beach

Swimming, relaxation, beach activities

🛕 Son Tra Peninsula – Lady Buddha

Wild peninsula, large white Buddha statue (67 m), panoramic view of the bay

⛩️ Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son)

Five marble/limestone hills with caves and temples

Highlights:

• Huyen Khong Cave (stunning natural light)
• Linh Ung Pagoda
• Buddhist sanctuaries in caves
• Panoramic views from top
• Elevator available ($1) to reduce climbing

🌉 Dragon Bridge Evening Visit

Walk along Han River waterfront

🚕 Depart for Ba Na Hills

45-minute drive to cable car station

🎡 BA NA HILLS Experience

• Cable Car Up: 20 minutes - world's longest cable car (Guinness Record!)
• Golden Bridge: Iconic giant hands holding bridge - MUST-SEE photo spot!
• French Village: Replica of French alpine village, beautiful architecture
• Fantasy Park: Indoor amusement park (included) - games, rides, arcade
• Linh Ung Pagoda: Beautiful temple at summit
• Debay Wine Cellar: French colonial wine cellar in caves

🚕 Return to Da Nang

Rest at hotel - everyone will be tired from full day

🏛️ Museum of Cham Sculpture

World's finest collection of Cham art (ancient civilization), air-conditioned, beautiful sculptures

🚕 Drive to Hoi An

Scenic coastal road, 45 minutes

🏨 Check into Hoi An Hotel

Khong Cam Garden Villas ***

🚶 Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour

• Japanese Covered Bridge: Iconic 400-year-old bridge (quick photo stop)
• Tan Ky Old House: 200-year-old merchant house, fascinating architecture
• Fujian Assembly Hall: Chinese temple, beautiful courtyard
• Museum of Trade Ceramics: Optional if interested
• Local Silk Lantern Workshop: Watch artisans at work

🏮 Lantern Boat Ride on Thu Bon River

Make a wish and release lanterns on the river

🚕 Depart for Coconut Village

20-minute drive

🥥 Coconut Village experience

• Basket boat ride through mangrove forest
• Boat dancing performance (exciting for Rafael!)
• Fishing demonstrations
• Making coconut leaf crafts

🚶 Hoi An Ancient Town Walking Tour

💆 Massage

🛍️ Night Market Along River

Shopping: lanterns, handicrafts, textiles, street food

🏖️ An Bang Beach

4km from town - quieter than Cua Dai Beach, nice beach clubs

Swimming, relaxing, beach activities

⛩️ My Son Sanctuary Half-Day Trip

Ancient Hindu temple ruins (UNESCO World Heritage) - Cham civilization 4th-13th century

Beautiful brick temples in jungle setting, traditional Cham dance performance (15 min)

🏨 Relaxed Morning

• Leisurely breakfast
• Last-minute shopping
• Pool/beach time

🚕 Transfer to Da Nang Airport

🛬 Flight to Hanoi

🏨 Arrive Hanoi & Hotel Check-in

San Premium Hotel ****

🚶 Hanoi Old Quarter Walking Tour

Start at Hoan Kiem Lake:

• Ngoc Son Temple (small temple on island, ~$1)
• The Huc red bridge (photo spot)
• Walk around lake (1.8 km perimeter, shaded, flat)
• Ancient House, 19th century house (87 Ma May Street)

36 Streets Exploration:

• Hang Gai Street (silk)
• Hang Bac (silver)
• Hang Ma (paper goods)
• Each street traditionally sold one type of product

☕ Coffee Break

Cafe Pho Co (hidden cafe with view of Hoan Kiem Lake) or Loading T Cafe (quirky, popular)

🎭 Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre

Traditional 1,000-year-old Vietnamese art form, 50-minute show with live music

Shows: 4:10 PM, 5:20 PM, 6:30 PM, 8:00 PM

🚂 Train Street

Famous Instagram spot - houses inches from train tracks (Ngo 224 Le Duan or Tran Phu Street)

Cafes where you sit and wait for train (trains pass 2-3 times/day - check schedule)

Best train times: 6:00-8:00 PM. 3 trains at 7:00 PM

🚌 Depart for Ha Long Bay

3.5-4 hours drive through countryside

🚢 Ha Long Bay Cruise

Cruise through 1,600 limestone islands rising from emerald waters

Activities typically included:

• Sung Sot Cave (Surprising Cave): Huge, impressive cave with ~100 steps
• Kayaking around karsts: Optional paddle through limestone formations
• Swimming at Ti Top Island beach: Optional beach stop
• Buffet lunch on boat: Seafood and Vietnamese dishes

🚌 Return Drive to Hanoi

⛩️ Temple of Literature (Van Mieu)

Vietnam's first university (1070 AD) - beautiful gardens, courtyards, pavilions

Giant turtle stelae (UNESCO Memory of the World), very peaceful

🏛️ Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex

Note: Mausoleum closed on Tuesdays, Fridays, and afternoons. Since today is Wednesday, it's OPEN!

• Mausoleum (exterior or quick viewing if open)
• Ho Chi Minh's Stilt House (simple house where he lived)
• One Pillar Pagoda (unique 11th-century temple)
• Presidential Palace grounds (beautiful French colonial)

⛩️ Tran Quoc Pagoda

Oldest temple in Hanoi on West Lake - beautiful lakeside setting.

⛩️ Quan Thanh Temple

Nearby, peaceful.Lakeside cafes in West Lake area.

☕ Egg Coffee Experience

Cafe Giang (original egg coffee since 1946) or Cafe Pho Co

Sweet, frothy egg coffee - must-try Hanoi specialty!

🏞️ Ninh Binh Day Trip

2 hours drive to "Ha Long Bay on Land"

Activities:

• Tam Coc Boat Ride: Row boat through rice paddies and limestone karsts (2 hours, rowers use feet!)
• Lunch: Local restaurant (goat meat specialty, other options available)
• Bich Dong Pagoda: Temple built into limestone mountain (less climbing)
• OR Mua Cave Viewpoint: 500 steps to top but INCREDIBLE 360° views

🚕 Transfer to Noi Bai Airport

🛬 Flight Hanoi to Luang Prabang

🏨 Arrive Luang Prabang & Check-in

Villa Oasis Luang Prabang ***

🚶 Walk in Old Town

🛍️ Luang Prabang Night Market

First walk through night market - handicrafts, textiles, lanterns, paintings

Very peaceful compared to Vietnam markets

⛩️ Wat Xieng Thong

Most beautiful temple in Luang Prabang (must-see)

• 16th century masterpiece with golden stupas and intricate mosaics
• Located at peninsula tip where Mekong and Nam Khan rivers meet
• Stunning Tree of Life mosaic on back wall

🏛️ Royal Palace Museum

Former king's palace, now National Museum

• Throne room and royal artifacts
• Phra Bang Buddha (sacred golden statue)
• Beautiful French colonial architecture

⛩️ Wat Mai

Golden temple near Royal Palace with beautiful golden bas-reliefs

☕ Coffee Break - Saffron Coffee

Excellent coffee and pastries in beautiful garden setting

🎨 Silver Ring Making Workshop 💍

Make your own silver engagement rings!

Recommended workshops:

• Ock Pop Tok (Living Crafts Centre) - jewelry workshops available
• Theptaro Handicraft - silver jewelry making

Everyone can participate and create their own ring design

🚐 Depart for Kuang Si Waterfalls

1 hour drive through countryside

🐻 Tat Kuang Si Bear Rescue Centre (en route)

Stop to see rescued moon bears

Interesting 15-minute visit, free entry (donations welcome)

💦 KUANG SI WATERFALLS

Stunning turquoise multi-tiered waterfalls with swimming pools

Activities:

• Swimming in multiple turquoise pools at different levels
• Walking trails to upper levels and viewpoints
• Rope swings and natural pools perfect for photos
• Changing rooms and life jackets available
• Optional: Hike to top of main waterfall (steep, challenging - for those interested)

🚐 Return to Luang Prabang

🏨 Rest / Pool Time

Everyone will be tired from swimming and sun

⛩️ Morning Temple Tour

Wat Visoun - Oldest temple in Luang Prabang with unique large stupa

⛩️ Wat Aham

Guardian spirits temple - atmospheric with beautiful gardens

⛩️ Wat Sene

Golden temple with Thai influence - stunning architecture

🛍️ Morning Market

Near Wat Mai - local produce, textiles, souvenirs

Less touristy than night market, authentic local atmosphere

🏖️ Free Time / Relaxation

Options:

• Pool time at hotel
• Traditional Lao massage (~€10/hour)
• Shopping in Old Town
• Relax at riverside cafe
• Utopia: Riverside bar/restaurant with beach volleyball, board games, relaxed vibe

🌅 MOUNT PHOUSI SUNSET CLIMB

328 steps to summit (100m high hill in center of town)

360° panoramic views of town, Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, surrounding mountains

Wat Chom Si temple at top

SPECTACULAR sunset views - one of Luang Prabang's highlights!

🛍️ Night Market

Final souvenir shopping on main street

Handicrafts, textiles, paintings, lanterns

🙏 TAK BAT - Alms Giving Ceremony (OPTIONAL)

Hundreds of saffron-robed monks walk barefoot through town at dawn

Locals offer sticky rice and food in sacred Buddhist tradition (centuries old)

IMPORTANT ETIQUETTE:

• Observe respectfully from across street OR participate properly
• If participating: buy alms kit from market, sit on mat, no talking, head lower than monks
• Don't touch monks, take photos respectfully (no flash)
• Women: no physical contact with monks
• This is NOT a tourist show - it's a sacred ritual

🏖️ Free Morning

Last-minute activities in Luang Prabang:

• Final souvenir shopping
• Visit any missed temples
• Relax at riverside cafe
• Take final photos of beautiful town

🏨 Check Out Hotel

🚄 Train to Vientiane

New Laos-China Railway - modern, comfortable 2-hour journey

Scenic route through mountains and countryside

🏨 Arrive Vientiane & Check-in

Urbanite Hotel ****

🚕 Grab to Pha That Luang

⛩️ Pha That Luang (Great Stupa)

Magnificent golden Buddhist stupa (16th century) - National Symbol of Laos

• Most important monument in Laos
• Beautiful gardens surrounding the golden structure
• Best photo spot in morning light

🚕 Grab to Patuxai

Short ride back towards hotel area

🏛️ Patuxai (Victory Monument)

Laos's "Arc de Triomphe" with Buddhist designs

Built from US-donated cement intended for airport runway!

Climb 7 floors for city views

⛩️ Wat Si Saket

Oldest surviving temple in Vientiane (1818)

• Thousands of Buddha images in wall niches
• Beautiful, peaceful atmosphere
• Well-preserved wooden structures

🏛️ Wat Ho Phra Keo

Next door to Wat Si Saket - former royal temple, now museum

Beautiful Lao religious art collection

🏛️ COPE Visitor Centre

Moving exhibition about UXO (unexploded ordnance) legacy in Laos

Educational, important to understand Laos's history from Secret War

Free entry (donations appreciated), optional documentary film (40 min)

🚕 Grab to Mekong Riverside

🌅 Mekong Riverside Sunset Walk

Walk along riverside promenade

Sunset views over Thailand (across the river)

Night Market sets up around 5:00 PM (textiles, handicrafts)

Beer Lao gardens / riverside restaurants

🚕 Grab to Buddha Park

25 km from city center

🗿 BUDDHA PARK (XIENG KHUAN)

Quirky sculpture park with 200+ concrete Hindu and Buddhist statues

Highlights:

• Built in 1958 by eccentric priest-shaman Bunleua Sulilat
• Famous 3-story pumpkin building - climb inside for views!
• Massive reclining Buddha
• Demon mouth entrance
• Very photogenic, unusual, fun atmosphere!

🚕 Grab Return to Hotel

🏨 Rest at Hotel / Pool Time

Afternoon break - it will be hot after Buddha Park

Relax, swim, nap, read

🛍️ Talat Sao (Morning Market)

Multi-story shopping mall/market

• Electronics, textiles, gold, souvenirs
• Good for last-minute shopping
• Air-conditioned upper floors

🏛️ Lao Textile Museum (Optional)

Beautiful traditional textiles, weaving demonstrations

Optional - only if interested in textile arts

🏨 Rest at Hotel

Relaxed afternoon - last full day

Pack, organize, relax by pool

⛩️ Wat Si Muang

City pillar temple - very important to locals

Active worship site, interesting to observe daily rituals

☕ Coffee Time

Joma Bakery Cafe or Common Grounds

Excellent coffee shops - last café visit in Laos

🏖️ Relaxed Morning

No rush - flight not until evening

• Pack luggage
• Last walk around neighborhood
• Final photos
• Relax at hotel

☕ Last Coffee/Snack

Joma Bakery - final café visit

Pastries, coffee, light snacks

🏨 Final Hours

Relax before departure

Spend time with family

Final preparations

🚕 Grab to Wattay International Airport

Transfer for Stéphane & Françoise only

🎫 Check-in at Marseille airport

Security & wait for flight at 06:00 AM

🛫 Flight Vientiane to Hanoi

Vietnam Airlines VN920

🛬 Arrival in Hanoi

Wait for next flight at 11:05 PM

🛫 Flight Hanoi to Francfort

Vietnam Airlines VN037

Try to sleep!

🛬 Arrival in Francfort

Wait for next flight at 08:35 AM

Have a light breakfast.

🛫 Flight Francfort to Marseille

Lufthansa LH1086

🛬 Arrival in Marseille

Immigration and get luggages.

🚗 Stéphane & Françoise return to Cavaillon

Car from Marseille airport to Cavaillon