Overview
This 12-day tour of Vietnam includes visits to the cultural capital of Hanoi, the stunning natural scenery of Halong Bay, the charming town of Sapa, the bustling Ho Chi Minh City, and the picturesque Mekong Delta. You will experience the unique culture and attractions of each location, immersing yourself in the sights, smells, and sounds of Vietnam. This tour is customized to provide you with the most intriguing highlights of Vietnam.
Highlights
- Experience the diverse flavors of Hanoi's cuisine through a guided walking street food tour
- Be mesmerized by the breathtaking views of Halong Bay on a remarkable overnight cruise
- Explore the charming town of Hoi An and its intriguing colonial architecture
- Discover the impressive Cu Chi Tunnels, a massive historical site that takes you back in time.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival in Hanoi, you will be picked up by our guide and driver and taken to your hotel in the heart of the city. You’ll have the rest of the day to explore the vibrant streets and admire the colonial architecture at your own leisure.
Spend the day at your own leisure to relax and enjoy the amenities of your hotel.
In the evening, participate in a walking tour to explore the bustling streets of Hanoi and taste the delicious local cuisine. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and take you to the starting point of the tour. Walk along the old and narrow streets and immerse yourself in the lively world of street food vendors.
The tour includes a visit to a famous local restaurant where you can sample “Bánh Cuốn,” a favorite dish among Hanoians made with rice flour and filled with ground pork and ear mushrooms. You’ll also stop at a traditional spot to try a famous sweet soup from the Hanoi Old Quarter called “Chè,” followed by a bowl of Pho, a popular dish unique to Hanoi. Then, head to a local market to observe the bustling local scenes and various local products. Indulge in the highlight of the street food tour, Bun Cha, and savor the true taste of Hanoi with a cup of “Bia Hoi” (fresh beer) and a special flavor of “Café Trung” (egg coffee).
After a three-hour street tour, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel for a restful sleep.
Note: The menu for the tour may vary day-to-day.
Today, embark on a remarkable trip to Halong Bay, which is renowned for its thousands of spectacular limestone islets scattered throughout the bay.
In the morning, our shuttle bus will transport you through the picturesque landscape of rice fields as we drive through the countryside and the lush land of the Red River Delta.
Upon arrival at the pier around noon, board our luxurious cruise where you will be welcomed by the captain and crew with a refreshing drink and a briefing on the cruise.
After settling into your cabin, enjoy a delectable lunch while the ship sails towards the bay, passing by various verdant mountains and mysterious caves.
Spend your time swimming in the turquoise water or climbing up to the top of the limestone cliffs for a panoramic view of the bay, or you can even kayak around the karsts. Later, return to the ship and sail towards a peaceful anchorage spot.
In the evening, unwind with a refreshing cocktail on the sundeck, admiring the breathtaking scenery, followed by dinner featuring delicious Vietnamese cuisine with your fellow passengers.
After dinner, participate in a range of entertaining activities such as playing games, squid fishing, or watching movies while enjoying your time onboard.
Begin your morning early with a serene Tai Chi session on board to refresh your mind and body in the serene and peaceful surroundings.
As the ship sails through the mesmerizing scenery of limestone karsts and caves, savor a delicious breakfast.
Following breakfast, prepare to check out from your cabin. While cruising back to the harbor, enjoy the beautiful views and relax on board.
Brunch will be served on board before reaching the harbor. Once back at the pier, transfer back to Hanoi by shuttle bus, with an estimated arrival time of 5:00 PM.
Today is a day for you to explore the city of Hanoi at your own pace. You can visit popular tourist attractions such as the Temple of Literature, Hanoi Complex, Hoan Kiem Lake, and Ngoc Son Temple. Alternatively, you can explore the vibrant streets of Hanoi with its colonial-era buildings. If you wish to have a late check-out, please feel free to ask the hotel staff. Your room will be available until noon.
In the evening, our driver will take you to the Hanoi Train Station for an overnight train to Danang on the SE3 train departing at 19:25 and arriving at 11:28 the next day. You will have a comfortable sleeping bed with air-conditioning in your train cabin. This is a unique way to experience the beauty of Vietnam and to gain insight into the local lifestyle as you interact with friendly locals on the train.
Hoi An is also known for its delicious local cuisine, so don’t forget to try some of the specialties such as Cao Lau, a dish made with noodles, pork, and fresh herbs, or Banh Mi, a Vietnamese sandwich with various fillings like grilled pork or chicken, vegetables, and sauces.
If you are interested in learning more about the town’s history and culture, you can visit some of its landmarks such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese, and the Quan Cong Temple.
In the evening, the town becomes even more charming with colorful lanterns illuminating the streets and the river. Take a stroll along the Thu Bon River and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere or join a cooking class to learn how to make some of the local delicacies.
At 8.00am, your guide and driver will come to pick you up from the hotel in Hoian to take you on a day trip to My Son Holy Land. The drive is scenic and offers spectacular views of the Hoian rivers, mountains, and beautiful islands. On the way, you can take a photo stop at a fishing village to observe the vibrant local scenes of market traders selling their catch.
Eventually, you will reach My Son, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient architectural complex dates back from the 4th to 15th century and is considered one of the most beautiful and renowned temple complexes in Southeast Asia.
Following a traditional dance performance, you will start your tour of the Cham ruins, walking along a path bordered by jungle. During the exploration, your guide will provide information about the religious site’s long history.
Around mid-noon, you will return to Hoian for a romantic boat ride on the Thu Bon River. During this 2-hour boat trip, you will glimpse various traditional villages, including Duy Hai village, Tra Nhieu weaving village, Kim Bong carpentry village, and Cam Thanh coconut village.
After the boat ride, you will return to your hotel to relax. The remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy at your own pace.
Today, you have the entire day to yourself to discover the wonders of this ancient town in your own way. Take a leisurely walk through the historic streets to immerse yourself in the timeless culture, history, and local charm of this place. Alternatively, you can rent a bike to easily explore the town, with stops along the way to visit ancient temples and pagodas, purchase a beautiful handmade lantern, or relax with a cup of coffee while taking in the scenic views of the Thu Bon river.
Spend your final day in Hoian enjoying the town’s charm and beauty. You can take a leisurely walk through the old streets and visit the ancient temples and pagodas, admire the unique architecture of the town, and capture memorable photos of the stunning landmarks. Alternatively, you can indulge in some shopping and pick up a beautifully handcrafted lantern or enjoy a cup of coffee while admiring the scenic Thu Bon riverside.
After your free time, you will be transferred to Danang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon your arrival, our driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for check-in.
Today is a day off for you to explore the lively city of Ho Chi Minh at your own pace. There are plenty of activities to choose from, such as indulging in tasty street foods, shopping at large shopping centers, or immersing yourself in the local way of life around the city.
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel at 8:30 AM for a trip to Cu Chi Tunnels, a highly recommended destination for anyone visiting South Vietnam. This massive underground system served as a shelter for Vietnamese soldiers during wartime, and you’ll have the opportunity to experience what it was like by exploring the facilities and learning about the harsh conditions faced by the Viet Cong.
After the tour, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City, and the rest of the day is free for you to spend at your leisure.
We hope you had a great time exploring Vietnam! Today is your last day, and you have the entire day to enjoy the city at your leisure until it’s time to head to the airport for your onward flight. You may want to do some last-minute shopping, visit any places you may have missed or simply relax before your departure. Our driver will pick you up from your hotel at the scheduled time and transfer you to the airport.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- Double/twin share accommodation with daily breakfast
- Air-conditioned vehicle used for mentioned tours and transfers
- Overnight train from Hanoi to Danang in a shared cabin with 4 soft berths
- Halong Bay Overnight Cruise package included as per itinerary
- Local guides who speak English
- 1 bottle of water provided per person per day during tours
- Meals included where mentioned, with B for breakfast, L for lunch, and D for dinner
- Entrance fees included
- Domestic flight included.
Exclusions
- International flight ticket
- Vietnam visa fee at 30 USD per person
- Single supplement surcharge
- Other meals than mentioned
- Other services than mentioned
- Drinks, other than water on activity days
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
- Travel insurance