Meals

There are 12 breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners included on this trip. For many, the culinary offerings in Vietnam are a highlight. Across the country, the influence of the Chinese and French is still strong and you’re just as likely to be offered a banh mi (stuffed baguette) as you are a flavour-packed bowl of pho (noodle soup). Be sure to seek out the national beverages: Vietnamese coffee is served iced and sweet with condensed milk, a real sugar and caffeine hit, and beer hoi (local beer, brewed daily) is served on most street corners in the north out of large plastic jugs that are perfect for sharing. Food is cheap in Vietnam and you can generally avoid the spicier dishes if you wish. Western food is readily available almost everywhere, except for the night in the Mekong Delta. Vegetarian meals are widely available; however, the offering is fairly similar in most places. Please advise at the time of booking if you have any dietary requirements.

Others

Boat trip around stunning Halong Bay Hanoi city tour including the Old Quarter In Hue visit the Imperial Citadel, the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tu Duc Mausoleum The historic trading town of Hoi An Crawling through the Cu Chi war tunnels Exploring the Mekong Delta by boat Experiencing mouth-watering cuisine

Transport

Throughout the tour we use a private coach/minibus, usually with air conditioning. Road conditions are generally good and improving all the time in Vietnam. However, progress can be slow in the main cities due to traffic. The trains are normally on time, but you may experience delays and departure times can change without notice. Boats are used at various points in the itinerary; these are nearly always private and vary from converted trawlers to small riverboats. Tet holiday period (Vietnamese New Year) During the Tet holiday period (9-15 February 2024 and 28 January-3 February 2025) and two weeks either side of Tet, our itinerary is subject to minor change as, despite booking hotels and trains in advance, rooms and seats are difficult to obtain during this busy festive period when people are travelling home to celebrate with their families. It is unlikely changes will occur and, if they do, it is likely we just need to use alternative accommodation.

Guide

Our Vietnamese leaders are very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality. There’s no better way to experience Vietnamese culture than letting a local guide show you around.

Accommodation

The accommodation on this trip provides an adventurous variety of places to stay. We stay in hotels for 10 nights. We also spend one night on a junk boat cruising Ha Long Bay and one night in a homestay in the Mekong Delta. Finally, we have one night on the Reunification Express, a sleeper train that takes us from Hanoi to Hue. The accommodations we typically use are on the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a few of the notable places we stay on this trip. Ha Long Bay cruise Board a traditional junk boat to cruise among the magnificent limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay. Each of the twin-share cabins has air conditioning and a window out to sea, while the boat has a rooftop deck with chairs – this is where most of our travellers tend to gather for views over the bay. There’s also a dining room with glass windows so we can continue to admire this extraordinary landscape during lunch and dinner. Reunification Express Our sleeper train takes us from Hanoi to Hue – a classic journey in this part of the world. It’s an essential part of the tour, linking two special destinations without flying or a lengthy coach trip. However, trains in Vietnam are not luxurious and it’s best to come prepared to maximise your experience – we’ve found extra warm layers to combat the air conditioning and ear plugs can provide a little more comfort! We stay in mixed-gender soft-bed berths, usually four passengers per berth. The trains here are safe but, as with any trip, we recommend you keep valuables with you. Snacks are normally offered on board and most trains have Western-style facilities, but some are equipped with squat toilets. Mekong Delta homestay Our time in a guesthouse allows us to experience true Delta hospitality, as we are looked after by local people and stay by the Mekong River. The rooms are relatively basic; bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided, while there are shared bathroom facilities with a shower. The real highlight though is the hospitality of our hosts, the lush garden, and the food (homemade southern Vietnamese cuisine). Worth knowing Single supplements are available (on request) but only for 10 nights of the trip (hotel nights). Please advise your sales representative at the time of booking if you would like to request a single supplement. Private bathroom facilities are not available at the Mekong Delta homestay or the overnight sleeper train. The accommodation listed in each location on the day-to-day itinerary are the standard hotels used. However, there may be some departures where groups stay at similar hotels of the same standard and quality.

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Others

— Travel Insurance — Single accommodation (available on request) — Visas or vaccinations

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Start Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Hanoi

The day is free to recover from the flight or stroll down broad tree-lined avenues dating from the French period. There is a faded colonial feel to the Vietnamese capital, where baguettes and good coffee are sold from doorways of grand buildings from a past era. This evening, we have a welcome briefing followed by an optional group dinner at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Day 2 Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (Breakfast)

Today, we embark on a sightseeing tour of Hanoi, which includes: a visit to the Temple of Literature; the site of the oldest university in Vietnam; Hoa Lo Prison; and the Old Quarter. Another stop is the grounds of the Presidential Palace, where former prime minister Ho Chi Minh refused to live in the grand structure for symbolic reasons. We visit his traditional Vietnamese stilt house here. In the evening, there is the option to watch a traditional water puppet show. Accommodation: Babylon Grand Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Day 3 Day 3: To Ha Long Bay; Overnight On Traditional Junk Boat (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: To Ha Long Bay; Overnight On Traditional Junk Boat (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Today, we visit an icon of Vietnam: Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage site where some 3,000 limestone peaks break through emerald waters to create a mystical, magical landscape. To get there, we rise early for the approximately four-hour drive and, upon arrival, board a traditional junk sailing boat, which is also our home for tonight. After launching, we enjoy a seafood lunch on deck and drift among the forested pinnacles. We also stop at a beach where we can hike up to a viewpoint (it’s quite steep but the vistas are worth it), plus there’s time for a swim in a small sectioned-off area. Additionally, an optional kayaking trip (extra cost) may be available depending on weather conditions. Back on board, we can pull up a chair on the top deck and watch the sunset together, perhaps with a cold drink from the bar. When it’s time for bed, we have the comforts of twin-share cabins with private bathrooms. Accommodation: Overnight boat
Day 4 Day 4: Cruise; Return To Hanoi; Overnight Train To Hue (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Cruise; Return To Hanoi; Overnight Train To Hue (Breakfast)

We continue to cruise around Ha Long Bay, admiring those limestone pinnacles once more, before returning to port mid-morning. We then have a four-hour drive back to Hanoi, where we have a little free time, before transferring to the train station. Here, we board the Reunification Express for our overnight train ride to Hue, 428mi (688km) to the south. Accommodation: Overnight train
Day 5 Day 5: Arrive Hue; Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Arrive Hue; Sightseeing

Arriving mid-morning in Hue, we transfer to our hotel to freshen up. In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel, the standout attraction in the city. Inside its 6mi (10km) long walls are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins, and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City, where only the emperor, his eunuchs and concubines were allowed. The Forbidden Purple City was almost destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric and the bomb holes a testament to the destruction wreaked upon the country. We also visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, a centre for anti-government protest in the early 1960s. It houses the Austin car that transported monk Thich Quang Duc to Saigon where he burned himself in protest against the president. The photograph of his self-immolation in 1963 was printed in newspapers around the world. Accommodation: Park View Hotel (or similar)
Day 6 Day 6: Visit Historic Tu Duc Mausoleum; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Visit Historic Tu Duc Mausoleum; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

After breakfast, we visit the tomb of Tu Duc, one of the most extravagant mausoleums of the great Nguyen emperors. Designed by Tu Duc himself, it was completed in 1867 but the excessive nature of the project sparked unrest and even an attempted coup. After, we head back to Hue, where we have a free afternoon to explore the historic centre or relax by the river and absorb the sights. Accommodation: Park View Hotel (or similar)
Day 7 Day 7: Journey To Hoi An Via Da Nang (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Journey To Hoi An Via Da Nang (Breakfast)

Leaving Hue, our 81mi (130km) drive passes through the beautiful peninsula of Lang Co, between a crystalline lagoon and the Eastern Sea, and then passes over the Hai Van pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds) where the views are stunning. In Da Nang, we stop for lunch before we climb Marble Mountain, where we explore large caves used by the Viet Cong as a hospital base during the war. From the mountain peak, there are fantastic views over My Khe beach and the countryside leading to Hoi An, where we spend the next three nights. Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Day 8 Day 8: Walking Tour Of Hoi An; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Walking Tour Of Hoi An; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

This morning, we have a walking tour of Hoi An, the original European trading port in Vietnam, which dates to the mid-16th century. It is now a living museum, with attractive wooden merchants’ houses and pagoda-style temples with Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European architectural influences. It is also a marvellous place to wander around and enjoy the thriving riverside market and great silk clothes shopping. This afternoon is free. One popular option is to jump on a bike for a ride through the countryside, passing local markets, schools and villages before continuing to Cua Dai beach (3mi/5km). Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Day 9 Day 9: Visit My Son; Free Afternoon In Hoi An (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Visit My Son; Free Afternoon In Hoi An (Breakfast)

This morning, we visit My Son, the spiritual home of the Cham civilisation, where Cham kings were buried as early as the fourth century. Although bombing has destroyed much of the site, there are several interesting stone towers and sanctuaries. Upon returning to Hoi An, the rest of the afternoon is free to carry on enjoying this historic town. Accommodation: Hoi An Sincerity Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Day 10 Day 10: Fly To Ho Chi Minh City; Walking City Tour (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Fly To Ho Chi Minh City; Walking City Tour (Breakfast)

We drive to Da Nang and then fly to Ho Chi Minh City, an exciting and absorbing metropolis where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a bustling free-market city where almost anything goes. This afternoon’s walking city tour includes a visit to the Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and War Remnants Museum. The museum has an interesting photographic record of the Vietnam War but please be aware that some of the images are very graphic. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)
Day 11 Day 11: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

Today, we head north to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a mazey subterranean network that stretches some 75mi (121km) over three levels. Though construction started in the late 1940s, they became infamous during the Vietnam War, when Viet Cong fighters used them to hide, spring surprise attacks through trapdoors, and store food and weapons. Now, they provide an extraordinary look into the hardships faced throughout the war. During our visit, we see tank and aircraft remnants and visit the war re-enactment zones to learn more about the conflict. We also have the chance to explore the tunnels themselves; though they were once very narrow, some areas were widened to allow tourists to explore the system. If you don’t like tight spaces, you may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine! In the afternoon, we return to Ho Chi Minh City and the rest of the day is free for individual exploration. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)
Day 12 Day 12: Mekong Delta Boat Ride; Overnight In Homestay Guesthouse (Breakfast,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Mekong Delta Boat Ride; Overnight In Homestay Guesthouse (Breakfast,Dinner)

In the morning, we drive (approximately 2hr 30min to 3hr) to the Mekong Delta, which produces most of the country’s fruit, sugarcane and coconuts, earning it the nickname: the rice bowl of Vietnam. At the Delta city of Vinh Long, we take a wooden boat on the mighty Mekong River to Cai Be. En route, we pass many orchards and friendly locals also travelling by boat and stop to see cottage industries, such as rice paper and coconut candy, with a chance to sample the local produce. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner on an island and enjoy Delta hospitality. We spend the night at a simple guesthouse built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided. Accommodation: Mekong Delta homestay
Day 13 Day 13: Walk Through Orchards; Return To Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Walk Through Orchards; Return To Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

This morning, we walk through orchards and navigate small canals in a traditional wooden sampan. Later, we rejoin our boat to rendezvous with our vehicle for the journey back to Ho Chi Minh City via a little-visited Cao Dai temple used by devotees of this indigenous religion, which fuses all the great religions of east and west. Accommodation: Huong Sen Hotel (or similar)
Day 14 Day 14: End Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: End Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

Our Vietnam adventure comes to an end after breakfast. However, you can continue your journey of discovery in Southeast Asia by joining our Angkor Wat extension, where we head to Cambodia to explore the key sites in Phnom Penh, including Angkor, one of the world’s great archaeological sites.

+11

14 days tour

Vietnam Adventure

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Vietnam Adventure

Day 1: Start Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (Breakfast)

Day 3: To Ha Long Bay; Overnight On Traditional Junk Boat (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 4: Cruise; Return To Hanoi; Overnight Train To Hue (Breakfast)

Day 5: Arrive Hue; Sightseeing

Day 6: Visit Historic Tu Duc Mausoleum; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

Day 7: Journey To Hoi An Via Da Nang (Breakfast)

Day 8: Walking Tour Of Hoi An; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

Day 9: Visit My Son; Free Afternoon In Hoi An (Breakfast)

Day 10: Fly To Ho Chi Minh City; Walking City Tour (Breakfast)

Day 11: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels; Free Afternoon (Breakfast)

Day 12: Mekong Delta Boat Ride; Overnight In Homestay Guesthouse (Breakfast,Dinner)

Day 13: Walk Through Orchards; Return To Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

Day 14: End Ho Chi Minh City (Breakfast)

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