PRIVATE TOUR: In 10 memorable days, see the best of vibrant Vietnam. Explore Hanoi’s enchanting Old Quarter and the Imperial city of Hue. Experience life in the fast lane in Ho Chi Minh City and take time out in Hoi An. Spend a night aboard a Junk in breathtaking Halong Bay, cruise the scenic Mekong Delta and more on this exciting Southeast Asian adventure!
Trip Highlights
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Itinerary
Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon can be spent exploring the wide, tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture and the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake. This evening enjoy dinner before attending a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance.
Overnight: Hanoi
Hanoi City Tour
To begin our holiday, why not opt for a traditional Vietnamese breakfast, with a bowl of steaming Pho at one of Hanoi's most popular eateries. After enjoying the national dish we take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, a focal point for many of the local residents who gather there each day to practice Tai Chi, play badminton and do aerobics. We’ll then visit a local coffee shop to observe how Hanoi locals enjoy sipping Vietnamese bitter sweet coffee at Café Giang.
Our exploration of Hanoi today includes the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university dating to 1070, Ho Chi Minh’s humble “stilt house”, the French colonial Governor’s Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda. A short drive into the countryside leads us to Van Giang village, where we'll attend a cooking demonstration hosted by a local family. After a delicious lunch we return to Hanoi and embark on a cyclo (rickshaw) tour of the winding alleys that make up the atmospheric Ancient Quarter, otherwise known as the 36 Streets of Hanoi.
The remainder of today is at your leisure, why not opt for for the “Taste of Hanoi” tour, a walking tour of the city to discover the unique flavours of Vietnamese cuisine. Or for those looking to immerse themselves in the local culture, there is an optional Water puppet show on offer, this traditional art originated from the Red River Delta and has developed over the ages.
Overnight: Hanoi | Breakfast, Lunch
Crusing on Halong Bay
Hanoi - Halong Bay. Early this morning journey north to Halong Bay (approx 4 hours drive), stopping for refreshments en route. UNESCO Listed Halong Bay is undoubtedly one of Vietnam's most spectacular regions. Thousands of karst limestone and jungle covered peaks and isles, rise dramatically out of the emerald waters of the bay. Spend the day cruising around the islands onboard a traditional Junk boat. Stopping to explore caves and coves and to swim in the emerald waters. You can also take a row boat to visit the floating fishing village of Vung Vieng - where you'll gain a fascinating insight into the daily life of the local people. Enjoy a cooking demonstration on board before tucking into the scrumptious buffet lunch and set dinner whilst onboard.
Overnight: Halong Bay Junk | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Halong Bay to Hue
Halong Bay - Hue. Enjoy the fresh air and the gentle breeze of the bay this morning as you relax onboard the Junk. There will be more opportunities to swim and explore hidden caves before returning to port.
Our next stop is Dong Ho Village, famous for its long-preserved art of making pictures. We’ll visit a studio in village, where you can watch the procedure of carving and printing these paintings and learn about the local folk tales represented in the paintings. Onward to Hanoi Airport for our evening flight to Hue in central Vietnam, where upon arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Hue | Breakfast
Hue & the Perfume River
Enjoy a full day tour of Hue including a boat trip on Perfume River (Huong River) to Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang tomb. Thien Mu Pagoda is an octagonal tower of seven tiers that rises majestically over the Perfume River. Continue to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, an incredible complex which consists of 40 palaces, temples and pavilions, designed on a symmetrical axis. Later, we visit the Imperial Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City which was created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy free time for some “retail therapy” at Dong Ba Market before transferring back to the hotel. Why not opt for a sunset cocktail on Vong Canh Hill this evening.
Overnight: Hue | Breakfast, Lunch
Ancient Hoi An
Hue - Hoi An. This morning we continue our journey by road to Hoi An via spectacular Cloudy Pass. A stop is made in Danang to visit the Cham Museum, once centre of the ancient Cham civilization. UNESCO Listed Hoi An is a former merchant trading post, famed for its beautifully preserved Chinese, Japanese and European architecture. Picturesque Hoi An has managed to retain its traditional character and charm, with its cobbled streets, markets and row upon row of tailors shops. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour around the cobbled streets of this ancient town, which was once of the busiest trading ports in Asia.
Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast
Free day in Hoi An
Spend a day at leisure in this enchanting riverside town or head to the nearby An Bang beach.
Alternatively there's an optional cooking class or a half day excursion to My Son, the holiest and evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites. Here at the ancient Kingdom of Champa you can see the burial tombs of the Cham royals and national heroes.
Overnight: Hoi An | Breakfast
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City today and transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, though still referred to as Saigon to all but city officials is Vietnam's most lively, modern and cosmopolitan city. In the afternoon discover the highlights of the city on a guided tour, taking in the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only as renovating), the Central Post Office and Chinatown. End the day with a visit to the sobering War Remnants Museum.
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City | Breakfast
The Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Can Tho. Explore the beautiful Mekong Delta today! Early this morning drive to Cai Be and board a traditional Sampan boat at around 10:00am to explore the peaceful waterways. During the boat trip, visit a local cottage industries making bricks, producing rice paper and Mr. Sau Khanh’s house - who has been collecting antiques which include ancient and valuable ceramics, pottery pieces like bowls, dishes and vases, to ceiling lights, sculptures and Buddha statues. In the afternoon we travel onto Can Tho for the night.
Overnight: Can Tho | Breakfast, Lunch
Ho Chi Minh City
Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Morning cruise along the Mekong's small and picturesque tributaries where we will visit the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market. Take in the beautiful scenery and watch the locals going about their daily lives along the Mekong canals. Then return to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to the airport in time for your international flight.
If you'd like to extend your stay in Ho Chi Minh City we recommend exploring the Reunification Palace and taking a day trip to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
Breakfast, Lunch
Prices & Dates
The 'Twin Share' price is per person when there are 2 persons sharing a room. The 'Single Room' price is applicable when a single room is required. Prices are based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply.
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In Brief
