Guide

An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

Meals

1 Welcome Reception (WR) 11 Breakfast (B) 4 Lunch (L) 1 Dinner (D) 1 Be My Guest (BMG) 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Transport

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

Accommodation

Melia Hanoi Pelican Cruise Royal Hoi An Imperial Sofitel Saigon Plaza

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Trafalgar through December 31, 2022 are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which may include a booster shot to keep the vaccination status current and valid, depending on the travel destination. Children not eligible for vaccination and/or booster at the time of travel must provide a verifiable and negative Covid-19 test result, taken within 72 hours prior to the start of the tour (taking time zones into consideration) for all tours departing until December 31, 2022. While highly recommended, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are no longer required for guests traveling with us from January 1, 2023 onward. It is your client’s responsibly to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destinations visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than the above. No refunds will be given if they are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to failure to comply with these requirements.

Others

Hue: Enjoy lunch at one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue where you will gain insight into the lives of a local family and admire their fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire. Hanoi: Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hanoi. Hoi An: Visit the colorful market of Hoi An. Hoi An: Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net. Danang: Visit the Cham Museum in Danang. Ho Chi Minh City: Visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s. Hanoi: On a sightseeing tour of the city of Hanoi, see the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. Hanoi: Travel past the colorful shopfronts and street food vendors of Hanoi's Old Quarter on a cyclo tour. Ha Long Bay: Journey across the World Heritage Ha Long Bay on a small boat. Visit a cultured pearl fishery where the pearl maker will explain the process from culturing, harvesting, and sculpting these precious gemstones and stop at the beautiful Ti Top beach. Ha Long Bay: Start your day on beautiful Ha Long Bay with a yoga class lead by a Local Specialist. Hoi An: Learn about the daily work routines of local farmers at Thanh Dong Organic Village. : Travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. Hue: See Hue by land and water today. Enjoy a cyclo tour past the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda before boarding a local dragon boat. Ho Chi Minh City: Enjoy the sights of the French colonial-era buildings and even a former CIA residential block as you partake in a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City. My Tho: Cruise along the canals of My Tho in a small sampan boat during your visit to this market town. My Tho: After a stroll through the streets of My Tho, meet a local family in their home. Hear stories from your Local Specialist about surviving the Khmer Rouge and learn about the family's handicraft, making paper. Ho Chi Minh City: Gain insight into a difficult period of Vietnam's history as you join a Vet Cong veteran for a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels, developped to protect Viet Cong guerillas. Ho Chi Minh City: Have lunch at Mai Sen restaurant, which supports those affected by poverty to provide opportunities and a vocational education in the hospitality sector. : Explore Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City : Visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel in Hue, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City and the Cu Chi Tunnels Halong Bay: Stay on a traditional style Vietnamese Junk boat for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay. : An expert Travel Director and professional Driver : Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted : All porterage and restaurant gratuities : All hotel tips, charges and local taxes : Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals : Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras : Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing : Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys) : Optional Experiences and free time : Flights from Hanoi to Danang and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City. An expert Travel Director and professional Driver Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted All porterage and restaurant gratuities All hotel tips, charges and local taxes Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing Optional Experiences and free time Flights from Hanoi to Danang and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City.

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Welcome To Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Welcome To Hanoi

Relish the warm embrace of Vietnam and her welcoming people, who will touch you with their humility and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your journey across this intoxicating land. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetizers.
Day 2 Day 2: A Day To Discover Hanoi Dive Into Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: A Day To Discover Hanoi Dive Into Culture

This morning is dedicated to the revolutionary leader who fanned the flames of Vietnam’s independence. We begin our day with a visit to the final resting place of “Uncle Ho”, the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A short walk from here, we’ll find Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, where we’ll Dive Into Culture exploring the grounds surrounding the humble abode of Vietnam’s most famous son. We’ll continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, to gain insights into Hanoian culture. This afternoon, we’ll embark on a cyclo tour, weaving through the lively Old Quarter past colorful shopfronts and street food vendors. Enjoy an evening at leisure or consider joining one of our recommended Optional Experiences to watch a show that uses the ancient art of water puppetry to story-tell the daily lives of Vietnamese people.
Day 3 Day 3: Set Sail For Halong Bay Stays With Stories
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Set Sail For Halong Bay Stays With Stories

We leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where we’ll board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for our leisurely cruise. Enjoy a buffet lunch of Vietnamese specialties whilst cruising through some of the most beautiful and quiet areas such as Incense Burner, Dog Stone Islet and Soi Sim Beach. After lunch we’ll visit a cultured pearl fishery where the pearl maker will explain the process from culturing, harvesting, and sculpting these precious gemstones. Followed if weather permitting a stop at the beautiful Ti Top beach where for those wishing to climb to the top will be rewarded with panorama views of the bay or you may choose to relax on the beach with its smooth white sand. We return to our Junk boat for a cooking class with the chef and enjoy a mesmerizing sunset on the top deck before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.
Day 4 Day 4: Onwards To Danang And Hoi An
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Onwards To Danang And Hoi An

The graceful practice of T’ai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. After breakfast transferred but tender to the Sung Sot Cave, one of the biggest cave in Halong bay with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. There will be time to relax on the sundeck and take in the last views of the bays landscape whilst cruising back to the Wharf before your drive to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An where you have the evening at leisure.
Day 5 Day 5: Uncover Historic Hoi An Dive Into Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Uncover Historic Hoi An Dive Into Culture

Dive Into Culture this morning, embarking on a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An. Embrace its charm of yesteryear – the narrow lanes, colorful marketplaces and ancient temples providing insights into the Vietnam of old. See the old merchant houses and 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before visiting Thanh Dong Organic Village where you’ll spend some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines. Kick back and enjoy a relaxing foot massage that will set the pace for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Day 6 Day 6: Local Life In Hoi An Dive Into Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Local Life In Hoi An Dive Into Culture

Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Hoi An further or simply relax at your hotel. Your choice of activities this afternoon could see you learn how to craft your own colorful lantern or gain insights into life as a local fisherman (subject to weather conditions). Create a work of art to bring your home luck and happiness, or cast your net wide for the catch of the day – the choice is yours.
Day 7 Day 7: Head To Hue Via Red Beach Dive Into Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Head To Hue Via Red Beach Dive Into Culture

The healthy flavors of Vietnamese cuisine take center stage as we travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. We’ll have an opportunity to savor the dishes we’ve prepared for lunch before returning to Hoi An. This afternoon, our journey takes us over Hai Van Pass en route to Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam during the decades-long war. We continue to Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum before arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, for our overnight stay.
Day 8 Day 8: See The Sights Of Hue Connect With Locals
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: See The Sights Of Hue Connect With Locals

We’ll navigate the busy streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo en route to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once home to Nguyen emperors. From here, we drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Boarding a local dragon boat next, we cruise along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son where we’ll Connect With Locals and meet a family member for a Be My Guest lunch to gain a glimpse of their life in this historic house. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences.
Day 9 Day 9: Journey To Ho Chi Minh City Make Travel Matter
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Journey To Ho Chi Minh City Make Travel Matter

A short flight this morning brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure before lunch at Mai Sen restaurant. Your MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience visit supports those affected by poverty to provide opportunities and a vocational education in the hospitality sector. The iconic sights of Ho Chi Minh are revealed on a walking tour of Dong Khoi Street next. See the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville. Then, wander up to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. Continue to the War Remnants Museum where you’ll have a vivid glimpse of the war through the eyes of the locals. Your final stop today is Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in old Saigon, before arriving at your hotel.
Day 10 Day 10: Meander Along The Mekong Delta
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Meander Along The Mekong Delta

The mighty Mekong beckons today, as we take a day trip to Cai Be town, in the heart of the Mekong Delta with the first stop today being at an ancient house dating back to the 19th century beautifully preserved and passed down through many generations of the family. We’ll transfer to a traditional sampan boat and navigate the maze of small canals to the unique Cai Be floating market where stall holders show their goods by hanging them on bamboo poles, stopping for a home hosted lunch of delicious Mekong Delta specialties. Before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.
Day 11 Day 11: Visit The Cu Chi Tunnels Dive Into Culture
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Visit The Cu Chi Tunnels Dive Into Culture

We’ll delve into Vietnam’s turbulent history from the previous century with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels built to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. We’ll explore the underground compounds with a VC veteran and gain an understanding of the history of the tunnel, which once served as living quarters and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City by private speedboat, we’ll enjoy some free time this afternoon. Later, we’ll Dive Into Culture during a visit to the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, followed by a Farewell Dinner.
Day 12 Day 12: Farewell To Ho Chi Minh City
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Farewell To Ho Chi Minh City

Our discovery of the iconic and unexpected highlights of Vietnam at its end, take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

12 days tour

Highlights Of Vietnam (12 Days)

This tour includes:

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Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Highlights Of Vietnam (12 Days)

Day 1: Welcome To Hanoi

Day 2: A Day To Discover Hanoi Dive Into Culture

Day 3: Set Sail For Halong Bay Stays With Stories

Day 4: Onwards To Danang And Hoi An

Day 5: Uncover Historic Hoi An Dive Into Culture

Day 6: Local Life In Hoi An Dive Into Culture

Day 7: Head To Hue Via Red Beach Dive Into Culture

Day 8: See The Sights Of Hue Connect With Locals

Day 9: Journey To Ho Chi Minh City Make Travel Matter

Day 10: Meander Along The Mekong Delta

Day 11: Visit The Cu Chi Tunnels Dive Into Culture

Day 12: Farewell To Ho Chi Minh City

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