This 10-day tour takes you down the length of Vietnam seeing the highlights as you go. From Hanoi with it’s busy streets and unique Old Quarter to Central Vietnam with historical Hue, well known Danang and charming Hoi An to the South with fascinating Saigon. Vietnam is truly an amazing country with so much to see and do, and with this 10-day tour you’ll see the highlights as well as some of the more out of the way places.
Day 1 Hanoi – Arrival
Arrive on your flight.
Arrive at Noibai airport Hanoi, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel.
Take a one-hour cyclo tour of this charming capital city through the scenic Colonial Quarter, the Old Quarter of “36 streets of 36 wares” and around Restored Sword Lake.
Attend a water puppet show to experience a truly traditional Vietnamese evening.
Your guide will take you to a local restaurant for dinner.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 2 Hanoi – City Tour
This morning start by discussing with your guide what you would like to do and see today. There are so many options that we like to leave it up to you and your guide to decide what suits you best. Some interesting highlights that you may want to consider are the Hanoi Hilton, where John McCain and other prisoners were held during the war, it now houses a museum; the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum where you can see Uncle Ho laid out to rest; or if you like art you can visit the Fine Art Museum or see which local galleries are offering shows.
The Temple of Literature is always a relaxing area to stroll through and is a great stop before or after lunch which you will have at KOTO, a restaurant benefiting at risk youths. Your guide will be with you all day so discuss what suits you and then have fun!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 3 Halong Bay – Day 1
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and you will take a private minivan with driver to Halong Bay (Approximately 31/2 hours). Arrive in Halong Bay and board a Vietnamese “junk” (boat) where you will have lunch.
Then take a fantastic cruise in Halong Bay, where the cast limestone islands rise vertically out of the water and you will wonder if you are dreaming or sailing into a movie set. Visit Dinh Huong, Ga Choi, Dog, and Snail Islands before continuing to Sung Sot cave. Jump in for a swim at Titov beach. Enjoy dinner on the boat followed by optional fishing and drinking of Vietnamese wine before heading to your air-conditioned cabin.
Overnight on Huong Hai Junk Board – Deluxe Room
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 Halong Bay – Day 2
After breakfast on the boat continue cruising this area known as one of the “Wonders of the World” to Man’s Head and Tortoise Islands. A small bamboo boat will take you to Luon Cave, then off to Bai Tu Long Bay, Toal Island, Bai Tho Mountain. Once you are back on board the boat will make its way to Halong City as you enjoy your lunch. Return to Hanoi in a private car, stopping en-route at Dong Trieu Pottery.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Hilton Opera Hotel – Deluxe Room
Day 5 Hue – City Tour
Transfer to Noibai airport for your onward flight.
You will be met on arrival at Hue and taken to check in at your hotel.
With your guide visit the old capital city, a World Cultural Heritage site. Visit the Royal Tombs of Emperor Khai Dinh and Tu Duc. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon take a 2 hour dragon boat ride across the triangle of the Perfume River, stop to visit Con Hen Island and Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue to Phu Cat quarter to enjoy the special glutinous cakes of Hue: Banh Me, Banh Nam and Banh Uot.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Pilgrimage Village – Villa Deluxe Room
Day 6 Hue – Danang – Hoi An
After breakfast enjoy the scenic 2 ½ hour drive to Danang where you will visit the Cham Museum, which has the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world.
Also visit the famous Marble Mountain and then have lunch at a restaurant overlooking the river. In the afternoon drive to Hoi An, a picturesque riverside town 30 km south of Danang that was one of South East Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th, 19th centuries. Have dinner at a Hoi An restaurant specializing in local delicacies like White Rose.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Hoi An Riverside Resort – Superior River View Room
Day 7 Hoi An – Day at Leisure
Have a free day to explore on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hoi An Riverside Resort – Superior River View Room
Day 8 Saigon – Arrival
Drive to Danang (an hour) where you will transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Arrive in Saigon and check into your hotel . Relax in your hotel before heading to dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight at Majestic Saigon Hotel – Colonial Room
Day 9 Saigon – City Tour
Our guides are the experts so we leave you in their hands to decide what you want to see and do today. There are some great markets if you are in the mood to shop or you can visit some of the museums like the History Museum, or some pagodas, like Thien Hau Pagoda and Jade Emperor Pagoda. A more somber attraction is the War Remnants Museum, a very powerful look at the Vietnam/American War. Chat with your guide and decide what suits you!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Majestic Saigon Hotel – Colonial Room
Day 10 Saigon – Cu Chi – Tay Ninh
Take a full day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels. On the way (about a 90 minute drive) visit a rice paper making village. Descend into the tunnels where the guerilla fighters constructed an amazing underground base! Enjoy lunch at a restaurant in Cu Chi. In the afternoon drive another 30 minutes to Tay Ninh to visit the Cao Dai Great Temple, a unique religion worshiping Jesus, Confucius and Buddha. Return to Saigon with an en-route visit to a country market.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Majestic Saigon Hotel – Colonial Room
Day 11 Saigon – Departure
You will be picked up and taken to the airport for your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate Starting at: $2,950 per person double with $2,400 single supplement
Price includes:
- Air tickets Hanoi – Hue / Danang – Saigon
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips
