12 days tour

Vietnam Experience (12 Days)

Vietnam Experience (12 Days)

This tour includes:

Flights

Internal flight included. *** All other flights are not included.

Others

Danang: Do I need a visa to enter Vietnam? Your visa requirements can change according to your citizenship (and also according to the length and purpose of your visit). Generally, most of our travellers need to apply for an e-visa prior to arrival in Vietnam. But we always recommend that you check out our visa guide for accurate information. Danang: What is the best time to visit Vietnam? Vietnam is wonderful to visit year-round. But the best time to visit depends on what you wanna do, and where in Vietnam you wanna go.Generally, April & May are thought to be the best months to visit Vietnam because of the beautifully bright weather. Between December and March is a slightly cooler period. So if hiking, or city-dwelling is what you want, thatโ€™s the best time to visit. And if you wanna avoid the crowds, off-season tends to be between April and June or September to November. Danang: What is the currency used in Vietnam? The currency used in Vietnam (that can buy you a wholesome, delicious bowl of Pho) is the Vietnamese dong (โ‚ซ). Danang: What is the local food like in Vietnam? Planning to visit Vietnam to taste all the wholesome flavours? Arenโ€™t we all?Youโ€™ll find plenty of street food stop-offs, serving up freshly made gems including rice, noodle and battered pancake-based dishes, plus the world-famous Pho. Pork is a common feature of Vietnamese cuisine. Generally, Vietnamese food isnโ€™t too spicy (except if your dish has fresh chillies in it!) Oh, and the best thing about the food here? Itโ€™s very very cheap. Danang: What should I wear in Vietnam? Weโ€™ll be visiting some traditional tourist hotspots - so donโ€™t forget to keep your shoulders covered (itโ€™s customary in Vietnam, and will probably be insisted). For all that beach exploration, itโ€™s generally acceptable for tourists to dress in the swimwear of their choice.Vietnam tends to get very hot & humid, so make sure you pack lots of loose-fitting clothes made from a lightweight and breathable material. Big up the baggy shirts! Danang: What is the etiquette for tipping in Vietnam? Tipping is pretty common in Vietnamโ€™s tourism and hospitality sectors. Usually youโ€™ll pay 10% of the total bill, which will amount to roughly $1-5. Danang: Where multiple optionals are offered in one day, can I do them all or do I have to pick just one? On some days, the Free Time Add-Ons will be during different times. So youโ€™ll be able to do them all! But on some days, you might have to pick just one. Donโ€™t worry, your Trip Manager will do their best to manage all of this for you, and will be able to give you all the details you might need. Danang: What are the luggage restrictions? You can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29โ€ x 20โ€ x 10โ€), with a max weight of 20kg (44lbs) โ€“ plus one piece of hand luggage suitable as a carry-on for flights. Since our trips have included flights, your luggage needs to meet the weight & security restrictions imposed by airlines. On this trip, itโ€™s necessary to use an overnight bag on the occasional nights when itโ€™s not possible to access your luggage (overnight trips to Special Stays). Itโ€™s a good idea to bring an overnight bag, or hand luggage thatโ€™s big enough to double up as an overnighter when needed. Danang: Do we visit the Golden Hands Bridge in Da Nang? Currently, the Golden Hands Bridge isnโ€™t included on our itinerary. But that means, you get a free day to explore Hoi An - which you REALLY donโ€™t wanna miss out on.The Bridge is part of a theme park called โ€˜Sun World Ba Na Hillsโ€™ and is about a 2-hour drive away from where we stay in Hoi An (and tends to be incredibly crowded!). But if you really wanna visit the bridge, you can always ask your Trip Manager whoโ€™ll sort it out for you! Mekong River Delta: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies. Ho Chi Minh City: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war. Ho Chi Minh City: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list โ€“ Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace. Ho Chi Minh City: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife. Ho Chi Minh City: Passports at the ready folks. Hoi An: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Donโ€™t forget your Go-Pro! Da Nang: Next stop, Hanoi. But before we hit the streets, itโ€™s time to hit the sky one more time. Hanoi: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine โ€“ dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius โ€“ is known as โ€˜Vietnamโ€™s first universityโ€™. Hanoi: Take a look at the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. This is where he, along with his party, declared the independence of Vietnam. Ninh Binh: Cool tropical breeze. Lush-green landscapes. And an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the shimmery silhouette. Halong Bay: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes Halong Bay: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course! Halong Bay: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the โ€˜mammothโ€™? Hanoi: Gorge on a delicious, high-quality meal crafted by trainees looking to fine-tune their hospitality skills. The KOTO Community provides guidance, training and career prospects to the underprivileged young people of Vietnam.

Meals

11 Breakfast (B) 4 Lunch (L) 2 Dinner (D) Danang: How much money should I budget for on this trip? When you travel with Contiki, your accommodation, in-country transport and breakfasts are all included with the cost of your trip. So when it comes to budgeting, you only need to worry about your shopping! Luckily, Vietnam is heralded as an extremely affordable tourist destination too. As a rough guide, you should easily get by on US $50-80 a day. Mekong River Delta: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.

Accommodation

9 nights in Hotels, 2 nights in Special Stays

Guide

Expert Trip Manager + Local Guides

Transport

Private Coach, Junk Boat

Hygieneprotocol

All guests travelling with Contiki 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. For guests travelling with Contiki from 1 January 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are highly recommended, but no longer required. Please note that regardless of time of travel guests will need to comply with specific vaccine and/or booster requirements imposed by airlines and/or authorities in the destination visited, as well as requirements for accessing restaurants and venues, which may be more restrictive than above. It is guestsโ€™ responsibility to ensure that they comply at all times with these requirements. No refunds will be given if guests are unable to undertake some or all of their vacation due to their failure to comply with these requirements.

Not included:

Others

Other activities and services not included.

Optional

Mud Bath Excursion (US$17) Luxuriate in a mud bath before relaxing in the sun to allow the mud to work itโ€™s magic. Next scrub the mud off in a warm mineral shower. Top it all off with a long soak in a thermal hot pool. Bliss!! Cruise to offshore islands to swim and snorkel (US$20) This cruise is the perfect way to explore some of the South China Sea & get a good look at Nha Trang & the surrounding islands from the water. Stop off at Hon Mun, where cliffs rise steeply out of the turquoise waters & try some snorkelling or jump off th Vietnamese cooking class and dinner (US$20) With the guidance of a local master chef, learn to cook delicious street food favourites (like spring rolls) & popular Vietnamese family dishes in an old French-style colonial building. Situated in the centre of Hoi Anโ€™s UNESCO World Heritage listed Old T Marble Mountain (USD $15.00) Group Photo at Hueโ€™s Imperial Citadel (US$6) Keep your travel memories fresh with a photo of your Contiki group in front of one of Vietnamโ€™s national icons โ€“ the Imperial Citadel of Hue, palace to the former Emperors of Vietnam. Street Food Walking Tour

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Vietnam Experience (12 Days)

  • Day 1 Day 1: Start Ho Chi Minh City
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Start Ho Chi Minh City

      Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asiaโ€™s most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. This evening youโ€™ll meet your travel comrades and explore the Ben Thanh markets, offering the freshest traditional Bรกnh mรฌ, Pho and Bia hฦกi. Oh yes, this is the right way to get the Vietnam trip started.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta

      Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy thatโ€™s a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam. Our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this riverโ€™s fringes can vary. Weโ€™ll see floating markets, visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnamโ€™s famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local guesthouse.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Mekong Delta To Ho Chi Minh City

      After an early breakfast weโ€™ll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh, detouring past Viet Congโ€™s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnamโ€™s staggering past. Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnamโ€™s biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnamโ€™s culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).

  • Day 4 Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang

      With some traditional Rโ€™nโ€™R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. Weโ€™ll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea. Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life - this is Nha Trang. This afternoon why not book in for a mineral mud bath and hot thermal spring experience before heading out to dinner with your crew. Ah, the good life.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Overnight Train To Hoi An
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Overnight Train To Hoi An

      Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience. Tonight, weโ€™ll head north via our comfy overnight train - where youโ€™ll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Hoi An
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Hoi An

      Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, youโ€™ll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Hoi An
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Hoi An

      Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnamโ€™s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that youโ€™ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, weโ€™ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Hoi An To Hanoi Via Da Nang
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Hoi An To Hanoi Via Da Nang

      Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But weโ€™re heading to Hanoi, so thereโ€™s hardly an excuse to not be excited. Weโ€™ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nangโ€ฆ Fasten your seatbelts, folks. Weโ€™ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town. Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens! We bet youโ€™re starving from all that travel. Thatโ€™s why weโ€™ll head straight to the KOTO restaurant - a unique dining experience that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. And with our tummies happy and full, weโ€™ll visit the Temple of Literature (AKA Vietnamโ€™s first-ever university.) But the sight-seeing doesnโ€™t end there. Itโ€™s time to make our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to a Vietnamese revolutionary leader. In the evening, youโ€™re free to explore the capital however you like.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Hanoi To Ninh Binh
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Hanoi To Ninh Binh

      Next up, weโ€™re heading to the epicentre of Vietnamโ€™s show-stopping natural beauty. Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnamโ€™s legendary army jeep and letโ€™s get going. Spend the day cherishing the crisp air and greenery. And if you love bird-watching, make sure to have your binoculars ready at all times.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Ninh Binh To Halong Bay
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Ninh Binh To Halong Bay

      Up and about at the crack of dawn today! Weโ€™re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly donโ€™t wanna forget your camera for this one). A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of โ€™oh wowโ€™sโ€™, but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. Weโ€™ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Halong Bay To Hanoi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Halong Bay To Hanoi

      Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views donโ€™t get much better than this. After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Hanoi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Hanoi

      Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out & make plans to reunite sometimes soon - Latin America perhaps?

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 18 / Max: 35

This experience is exclusive for travelers from 18 years old, ID must be showed.

Select a country to define if the visa is required