Highlights Of Vietnam - 13 Days / 12 Nights
• Hanoi: 2 nights
• Halong Bay: 1 night
• Hué: 2 nights
• Hoi An: 2 nights
• Ho Chi Minh City: 3 nights
ITINERARY
Day 1: Your home to Hanoi
Depart from your home on your overnight flight to Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi
Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy a traditional water puppet show before a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Stay: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Day 3: Hanoi
This morning, visit the monumental marble mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, his former residence – the One Pillar Pagoda – and the 11th-Century Temple of Literature. This afternoon, visit the iconic Ngoc Son Temple which occupies a tiny island on Hoan Kiem Lake. Admire elegant French Colonial architecture during a cyclo ride through the narrow streets of the evocative Old Quarter which was once a thriving centre for craftsmen. Visit a traditional coffee shop to enjoy a taste of Vietnamese egg coffee, a sweet drink made with egg yolk and condensed milk, before embarking on a Street Eats tour. Begin at Bia Hoi corner where you can pull up a stool and enjoy a local beer. Continue through the Old Quarter, sampling street food while learning about traditions and mingling with locals. Enjoy a flame-grilled barbecue of beef, chicken, tofu and vegetables on skewers followed by a sweet treat from the city’s best-known ice-cream parlour.
Stay: Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Hanoi to Halong Bay
Today is one of the tour’s highlights – a cruise in beautiful Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drive to Halong City (approx. 3 hours, 105 miles) and board a junk. Enjoy lunch while gliding past limestone peaks and islands in the bay. This afternoon, transfer by tender to the Tien Ong cave where human bones and artefacts dating to 10,000-8000 BC were discovered. You can also see beautiful stalagmites and stalactites here. A viist to Trinh Nu Cave offers a chance for sunbathing or swimming on a stunning private beach. Return to the ship to join a cooking demo before admiring the sunset over the bay. Dinner is served on board.
Stay: Bhaya Cruise (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Halong Bay to Hué
Early risers can join a t’ai chi exercise on the deck (6.30am) as the sun rises over the bay. After a light breakfast, continue cruising the bay and enjoy brunch as you make your way back to the harbour to disembark. Transfer to Hanoi airport (approx. 3 hours) for your evening flight to the Imperial City of Hué (approx. 1¼ hours).\ Stay: Pilgrimage Village (or similar).
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Hué
A full day of cultural exploration begins with a cruise along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and the UNESCO-listed Imperial City, a walled fortress and palace that was the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802 to 1945. During a short cycling tour of the ancient village of Thuy Bieu you can enjoy a glimpse into local life. Join a local family in one of the city’s ancient garden houses – traditional timber houses set in landscaped gardens. Learn about their lifestyle and join them in preparing an authentic home-cooked meal, using fresh ingredients from the garden. Have a relaxing herbal footbath before heading back to the city and shopping for bargains at the historic Dong Ba Market.
Stay: Pilgrimage Village (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 7: Hué to Hoi An
Journey south to the charming town of Hoi An. The drive is incredibly picturesque, taking you past Lang Co Beach and over the winding Hai Van Pass, otherwise known as the ‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds’ (approx. 3 hours, 75 miles). Weather permitting, the views of the coast, mountains and local villages are spectacular. Hoi An has a unique heritage and striking blend of French Colonial and Asian architecture. Begin your walking tour of this UNESCO-listed Ancient Town which was once a thriving port. Visit the beautifully ornate Fujian Assembly Hall and the Jinshang Temple which is dedicated to the goddess of the sea. Pass the Old House of Tan Ky, the home of an 18th-Century merchant, and cross the iconic 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. End your afternoon with a relaxing boat trip along Thu Bon river. Approx. journey time: 2 hours.
Stay: Almanity Hoi An Wellness Resort (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Hoi An
Enjoy a whole free day. You may prefer to relax on a white-sand beach, explore local art galleries or soak up the vibrant atmosphere during a stroll along the river bank.
Stay: Almanity Hoi An Resort & Spa (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to Danang (approx. 1 hour) for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (approx. 1½ hours). A half-day city tour takes in the Central Post Office, which was designed by renowned French architect, Gustave Eiffel, and the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. Admire grand colonial buildings as you stroll along Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat) which featured in Graham Greene’s novel, The Quiet American. Continue heading towards the Saigon River to see the elegant Saigon Opera House which sheltered French citizens fleeing North Vietnam in 1954. Stop at the Reunification Palace and discover the country’s turbulent past at the poignant War Remnants Museum.
Stay: New World Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City
Journey southwest to the town of Cai Be in the heart of the Mekong Delta for another highlight – a cruise on the mighty Mekong River. Board your boat and witness life on and around the water as you pass floating markets. Navigate a maze of narrow canals and visit a local family, watching as they use centuries-old methods to produce rice paper.
Stay: New World Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City
Today you’ll have the chance to explore the remarkable underground network of tunnels at Cu Chi which served as a hideout and home for scores of Vietnamese insurgents during the war (approx. 1½ hours). Return to the city this afternoon for time at leisure. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner on the Bonsai Cruise as it glides along the Saigon River.
Stay: New World Saigon Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, you have the day at leisure. You have the option of booking a day room so that you can relax before transferring to the airport for your overnight return flight to your home, or you may choose to extend your holiday.
Meals: Breakfast
Stay longer
2021 Beaches of Vietnam 3 nights
Enjoy a three-night stay at La Veranda Resort Phu Quoc, MGallery by Sofitel and make the most of the superb sandy beaches on Vietnam's largest island.
ABOUT THIS TOUR
Is this for you?
This tour is great if you're looking for an overview of Vietnam which visits iconic sights and natural wonders such as Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta, along side the major cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. It can easily be combined with a beach stay
Good to know
• For guests over 16 (unless travelling on a private journey, where the minimum age is 12)
• Average group size of 10 guests
• A maximum of 18 guests
• Journey times do not take into account stops or local traffic conditions
• We recommend travelling with no more than one suitcase and one day bag
• A good level of fitness is required
Accommodation on tour
We’ve selected comfortable hotels that are centrally located for sightseeing or offer a peaceful escape from the cities. Pilgrimage Village is a countryside retreat just outside of Hué. The charming rooms feature private balconies and facilities include a pool, spa and free yoga and t’ai chi classes. During your overnight Halong Bay cruise you can enjoy an authentic stay on board the Bhaya Classic, a traditional-style wooden junk. In Ho Chi Minh City, the New World Saigon Hotel, recently refurbished, is just steps from the famed Ben Thanh market.
Solo travellers
Single room supplement from 720 EUR
DATES & INCLUSIONS
Tour dates
14/10/2021, 25/10/2021, 15/11/2021
Included in price
• Quality accommodation
• Insightful local tour leaders
• Hand-picked itineraries
• Flexible arrival times
• Small groups
• Porterage and guide tips
• Meals where most convenient (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• All specified flights
Upgrade your tour
Private tour
Upgrade to a private tour with a local tour leader on the same itinerary, departing on the date of your choice from 645 EUR per person
Excursions
Day-use room
Pre-book a day-room before your return flight