Vietnam and Laos Combo: 14 Days
Two weeks combining northern Vietnam, an overland border crossing into Laos, Luang Prabang, and a flight south to HCMC.
Vietnam and Laos share a long mountainous border, a complicated war history (the Ho Chi Minh trail ran through Laos; American bombing made Laos the most-bombed country in history), and remarkably few easy land connections. The classic combination is northern Vietnam followed by a flight to Luang Prabang then a flight back to HCMC. Adventurous travellers can use the overland crossing via Dien Bien Phu.
The shape of the trip
Hanoi 3, Mai Chau or Sapa 2, Hanoi 1, fly to Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang 3, Vientiane 2 (optional), fly to HCMC, HCMC 2. Total 14 days.
Day-by-day
| Day | Base | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hanoi | Arrive, Old Quarter |
| 2 | Hanoi | Temple of Literature, Ho Chi Minh complex |
| 3 | Mai Chau | 3-hour drive, ethnic White Thai village stay |
| 4 | Mai Chau | Cycle through valley, bamboo dancing evening |
| 5 | Hanoi | Return, organise flight to Laos |
| 6 | Luang Prabang | Fly Hanoi-Luang Prabang (1.5 hours), evening market |
| 7 | Luang Prabang | Royal Palace, Wat Xieng Thong, Kuang Si waterfalls |
| 8 | Luang Prabang | Alms-giving dawn, Pak Ou caves boat trip |
| 9 | Vientiane | Fly Luang Prabang-Vientiane (45 min), Patuxai, COPE Centre |
| 10 | Vientiane | Buddha Park, Pha That Luang |
| 11 | HCMC | Fly Vientiane-HCMC (1.5 hours), district 1 |
| 12 | HCMC | War Remnants, food tour |
| 13 | HCMC | Mekong day trip |
| 14 | HCMC | Final morning, fly home |
Drop Vientiane to add 2 more nights in Luang Prabang (worth it) or to add a HCMC-Cu Chi day.
The overland alternative
Adventurous travellers can skip the Hanoi-Luang Prabang flight and go overland via Dien Bien Phu. Flight Hanoi-Dien Bien (1 hour), then a long bus day Dien Bien-Muang Khua (Lao border crossing at Tay Trang/Sop Hun), then boat or bus to Luang Prabang via Nong Khiaw. This takes 2-3 extra days but is one of South-East Asia's most remote, scenic overland journeys.
Caution: the Tay Trang/Sop Hun crossing is operational but small and slow. Border opens 7:30am-5pm. Bring USD cash for Laos visa on arrival. The route can close during heavy rain (June-August).
Visa logistics
Vietnam: e-visa online before travel, USD 25 single-entry or USD 50 multi-entry. Multi-entry needed if you re-enter Vietnam after Laos.
Laos: e-visa USD 50 online or visa on arrival USD 30-42 (varies by nationality) cash plus a passport photo. The Hanoi airport flight uses standard visa-on-arrival or e-visa.
Both passports need 6 months validity and a blank page each.
Laos in brief
Luang Prabang: UNESCO heritage town, the slow heart of Laos. Sleepy, beautiful, surrounded by mountains and the Mekong. The dawn alms-giving (monks walking the streets to receive food offerings) is the iconic image; participate respectfully or watch from a distance. Kuang Si waterfalls are the half-day side trip.
Vientiane: the capital, slow even by Lao standards. Mostly a transit stop for Buddhist temples and the COPE Centre (about unexploded ordnance from American bombing). 1-2 nights is enough.
Vang Vieng (not in this itinerary): the river-tubing party town from the 2000s has cleaned up and now markets to hiking and ballooning. Worth 2 days if you have time.
How to get between segments
- Hanoi to Mai Chau: 3-hour private car (USD 100-150 with driver).
- Hanoi to Luang Prabang: Vietnam Airlines or Lao Airlines, 1.5 hours, USD 150-280.
- Luang Prabang to Vientiane: 45-minute flight USD 80-130, or 6-hour bus, or 12-hour overnight train on the new Chinese high-speed line.
- Vientiane to HCMC: 1.5-hour flight via Vietnam Airlines, USD 150-280.
Estimated cost
Per person, mid-range:
| Item | USD |
|---|---|
| Accommodation 13 nights | 500-1,000 |
| Vietnam and Laos visas | 60-100 |
| Three international flights (HAN-LPQ, LPQ-VTE, VTE-SGN) | 350-650 |
| Local transport, private cars | 200-350 |
| Activities, entries | 150-280 |
| Food and drink | 250-380 |
| Total (excluding international flights to/from home) | 1,510-2,760 |
When to do this trip
November-February is the dry, cool window. Both Vietnam's north and Laos are pleasant: clear skies, cool mornings, warm afternoons. March-April gets hot in Laos (35 C+). May-October is wet; Laos rains are heavy and can disrupt road and river travel. December-January are the most popular months in Luang Prabang; book accommodation early.
What it skips
- Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An).
- Hạ Long Bay. Can be added with 2 extra days.
- Southern Laos (Pakse, Bolaven plateau, 4000 Islands). Add 5-7 days for that.
Practical notes
Lao kip is the local currency but Thai baht and USD are widely accepted in tourist areas. ATMs work in major towns. Lao food is similar to Thai (sticky rice, laap, larb, papaya salad) with French baguettes from the colonial era. The pace in Laos is genuinely slower than Vietnam; do not over-pack the schedule.
Internet in Laos is patchier than in Vietnam; do work-essential calls before crossing the border.
Related: Hanoi, HCMC, vietnam cambodia combo, vietnam thailand combo, vietnam two weeks.
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