VIETNAM TOUR
12-DAY VIETNAM EXPERIENCE TOUR FROM HO CHI MINH CITY TO HANOI
08.09.2023
Looking for the full experience tour of Vietnam? This 12-day Vietnam tour takes you through Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Hanoi & Halong Bay with plenty of action and highlights to immerse yourself into this enchanting culture.
Picture yourself relishing the rice region of Mekong Delta by taking a traditional boat through floating markets & local fruit farms, stopping in exciting & iconic hot spots & popular local foodie haunts for a true Vietnam travel experience.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
FROM €1,851 PER PERSON
Based on twin room sharing
21 APRIL TO 2 MAY 2024
Other dates available at the same price
ACCOMMODATION
9 nights in hotels + 2 nights in Special Stays
TRANSPORTATION
Private coach + internal flights included
MEALS
11x Breakfast - 3x Lunch - 2x Dinner included
TEAM
Expert Trip Manager + Local Guides
ITINERARY
Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia’s most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories.
This evening you’ll meet your travel comrades and explore the Ben Thanh markets, offering the freshest traditional Bánh mì, Pho and Bia hơi. Oh yes, this is the right way to get the Vietnam trip started.
Stay: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Ho Chi Minh City
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that’s a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam.
Mekong River Delta
Though this isn’t the first time we are seeing the Mekong Delta, our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river’s fringes can vary. We’ll see floating markets, visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam’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.
Stay: Bay Thoi Homestay (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Included experiences:
- Catch your own dinner: Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.
- See artisans at work: Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies.
Mekong River Delta
After an early breakfast we’ll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh, detouring past Viet Cong’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 Vietnam’s staggering past.
Ho Chi Minh City
Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam’s biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam’s culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).
Stay: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Included experiences:
- Crawl through Cu Chi Tunnels: Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war.
Ho Chi Minh City
With some traditional R’n’R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We’ll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea.
Nha Trang
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.
Stay: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Included experiences:
- Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Highlights: Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace.
- Pay Respects at the War Remnants Museum: A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife.
- Fly to Nha Trang: Passports at the ready folks.
Nha Trang
Good news – we’re kicking it in Nha Trang for another night. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach saving your energy for seaside bar fun as the sun sets.
Stay: Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Optional experiences:
- Cruise & Swimming Day Trip: 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. Try some snorkelling, jump off the boat into the water or catch some sun on the deck, relax & hang out with your group.
- Mud Bath & Hot Springs Experience: Relax with a warm mineral mud bath & hot spring experience in Vietnam’s resort town of Nha Trang, which are said to have medicinal and cosmetic qualities. Afterwards, enjoy the heated mineral pools and high pressure water messages.
Nha Trang
After a zippy flight north & a short coastal drive we find ourselves in a canal town overflowing with beauty and ancient history.
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 onto a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
Stay: Le Pavillon Paradise Hoi An Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Included experiences:
- Fly to Hoi An: Next stop, Hoi An. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time.
- Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter: Immerse yourself in all the crazy sights and sounds, then take a photo by the ornate Japanese bridge.
- Guided Cycling – Hoi An Ancient Town: This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro!
Optional experiences:
- Tasty Vietnamese Cooking Class: 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 An’s UNESCO World Heritage listed Ancient Town.
Hoi An
Visit the stunning Marble Mountain to learn more about religion in Vietnam, poke around in galleries & market stalls – the best shopping in Vietnam in our opinion, and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. That’s how your free day in Hoi An could roll.
Stay: Le Pavillon Paradise Hoi An Hotel & Spa (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Optional experiences:
- Marble Mountains Tour: Take a tour of the breathtaking Marble Mountains, a temple getaway that holds some beautiful statues of Buddha, Vishnu, and other statues. Marvel at the beautiful views overlooking Da Nang and the beach nearby.
Hoi An
Though we’ll have grown content with Hoi An life, this morning the show must go on. After all, the former imperial town of Hue has invited us over, and we’d be foolish to turn it down.
Hue
Intricately decorated pavilions, lotus flower ponds, and colourful artworks mark our first sightseeing venture in Hue. Totally in awe of the Imperial Palace, we move on to the 7-story Thien Mu Pagoda & learn of the horrific history of the Hue Buddhist massacre as well as taking in a cyclo ride to see the city from a whole new angle.
Stay: The Asia Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Included experiences:
- Cross the Hai Van Pass, Hue: Probably one of the world’s best road trips. You’ll feel like you’re climbing up into the clouds.
- Cyclo ride in Hue: Always secretly wanted to go on one of these? Us too. But watch out for the shell shocked tourists!
- Hue’s Ancient Highlights: Visiting Thien Mu Pagoda and Imperial Citadel will give you goose bumps, as they conjure up visions of an ancient world.
Optional experiences:
- Hue Street Food Walking Tour: This tour samples around 12 different local dishes! From the very weird to the simply delicious. Local guide, transfers and some beer included. You’ll get to taste a variety of seafood, meat & vegetarian specialties. And of course…dessert!
Hue
Today we fly out of Hue in the direction of Vietnam’s time capsule capital. A trio of influences and filled with romance, 2 nights here will see us utterly smitten.
Hanoi
With an epic fusion of French, Chinese & Vietnamese influence, you’ll easily fall in love with Hanoi. Our time will be spent weaving through a maze of 36 trading streets filled with colourful goods for sale, and unwinding in the walled gardens of the Temple of Literature. Later, why not take a stroll to the famous Train Street for an egg coffee or check out the quirky shows at the Water Puppet Theatre before topping the night off with a few Bia Hoi’s.
Stay: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
Included experiences:
- Flight Hue to Hanoi: Next stop, Hanoi
- Learn at the Temple of Literature: Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’.
Hanoi
After a Hanoi history 101 lesson we move on to Halong Bay where a night on a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site awaits.
Halong Bay
A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of ‘oh wow’s, 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. We will pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.
Stay: Junk Boat (special stay)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Included experiences:
- Stay on a Junk Boat: The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course!
- Chill at Ti Top Island: Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes
Additional experiences:
- Kayaking on Halong Bay: Cruise through caves, glide along the glass-like waters & maybe even stop at a secluded beach to explore. No strenuous Olympic level activity here, just you, your guide, & the serenity of the bay. Excursions last for about one hour.
Halong Bay
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 don’t get much better than this.
Hanoi
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.
Stay: Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Included experiences:
- Stroll around the Sung Sot Caves: Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?
Hanoi
Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out and make plans to reunite sometime soon – Latin America, perhaps?
Meals: Breakfast
Travelling with young children or teenagers? Then this Vietnam Family Adventure trip might be just for you!
Disclaimer: prices are true at the time of publishing and may change at the provider’s discretion. All reservations must be made through the booking links provided, from which we may earn a small commission. For more information visit our FAQ’s.