Day 1
- Travel to Hanoi - Vietnam
Depart for Vietnam, flying to Hanoi.
Day 2
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Welcome to Hanoi! Cyclo taxi to Water Puppet Show
Transfer to Hanoi
Morning
Following our arrival in Vietnam, we will be transferred with guide assistance to our hotel in Hanoi, our tour base for the next two nights.
Traditional Puppet Show & Dinner
Evening
Later this evening, let’s enjoy a cyclo (three wheeled bicycle taxi) ride to a theatre to watch a traditional Water Puppet show, followed by dinner at a local restaurant. Our Vietnam adventure has begun!
Meals that are included.
Please note:
Meals – While in Vietnam some lunches and dinners are included. These are set menu meals in local restaurants or hotels providing an opportunity to experience local dishes, traditional flavours, and appreciate the culinary preparations found across Vietnam.
Day 3
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Good Morning Vietnam! Guided tour of Hanoi
Guided Hanoi City Tour
Morning
Good morning Vietnam! Let’s explore Hanoi on a full day guided excursion. We will see some of its most fascinating sites. We walk past the monumental tomb of Ho Chi Minh’s (Uncle Ho) Mausoleum, (viewed from the outside) and the simple wooden house where he lived and worked (viewed from the outside), and the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist Temple sitting within a lake. Also included in our tour is a visit to the world-famous 11th century Temple of Literature and the former Hỏa Lò Prison. We will finish our day with a walking tour of the Old Quarter and the area around the beautiful Hoàn Kiếm Lake.
Lunch is included today, at a local restaurant.
At Leisure in Hanoi
Evening
Let’s take a break to enjoy our surroundings at leisure, perhaps take a stroll along the lake, or watch the locals going about their daily life. There are many bars and restaurants that offer great views over this bustling city. If our Hanoi stay coincides with a weekend, we can even wander through the night markets and perhaps find a bargain. Our expert local guide will be happy to advise on activities and places to discover.
Day 4
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Transfer to Ha Long Bay & Set Sail - UNESCO Beauty
Experience a Sail Around Ha Long Bay
Full Day
After breakfast, we’ll depart Hanoi and travel to the magnificent Hạ Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drive will take approximately two and a half hours. On arrival we’ll set sail on a leisurely cruise, taking in the scenic beauty of Ha Long Bay.
Lunch is included during our cruise.
During the cruise, we’ll visit some of the caves and grottos of the spectacular limestone islands and take the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the serene blue waters and towering rock formations of the bay. It’s no wonder that this location has been used as a setting for many movies.
At Leisure
Evening
After disembarkation from our cruise, we set off on the drive to our hotel in Ha Long Bay and check in for the night. Let’s relax and unwind after our magical voyage and enjoy dinner (included) at our hotel tonight.
Day
5
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Fly from Hanoi to Danang Transfer to Hoi An
Arrive Danang Airport and Transfer to Hoi An
Morning
After breakfast we will take a drive of approximately two and a half hours to Hanoi Airport for our flight to Da Nang in central Vietnam. There will be a stop along the way for lunch (included).
On arrival at Da Nang airport we will transfer by coach to our hotel in Hoi An, our base for the next three nights, with a journey time of approximately forty-five minutes. After check in, we can enjoy dinner at our hotel (included), relax after our journey and look forward to discovering Hoi An and its surroundings.
Day 6
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Fall in Love with Hoi An Ancient Old Town
Take in the Beauty of Hoi An on a Guided Walking Tour
Morning
Let’s explore more! Today we’ll set off on a morning boat tour on the Thu Bồn River, where we will be able to witness the fascinating daily activities of the local people who live along its banks.
In the afternoon, let’s continue our sightseeing with a guided walking tour of Hội An, where there will be an opportunity to see the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
At Leisure in Hoi An
Afternoon
Time to see more, at our own pace! The rest of our afternoon will be at leisure to explore this fascinating and beautiful town or relax at the beach.
Hoi An is a perfect place for the keen photographer, with colourful buildings, rice paddy fields, markets and interesting people among the subjects to capture as holiday memories. Opening hours permitting, a visit to the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum is recommended, to view stunning images of some of Vietnam’s ethnic tribes people dressed in splendid traditional costume.
For coffee connoisseurs this will be the perfect opportunity to try an egg coffee, or a Cafe Sua Da (iced coffee) Vietnamese-style. Vietnam is famous for its coffee and it is simply delicious!
Day 7
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Savour a Cooking Class and Guided Tour of Hoi An
Discover Hoi An on a Guided Tour
Morning
After breakfast, let’s embark on a guided excursion into the Hội An countryside, where we will visit a typical village and see the farmers working their fields and gardens and gain an insight into their daily life.
Savour a Vietnamese Cooking Class
Afternoon
After our farm tour, let’s join a hands-on cookery class for our lunch, to learn about traditional Vietnamese cooking methods and recipes. Our cookery class experience will include a talk on the art of Vietnamese gastronomy, vegetables, herbs, spices and how to use them. After the lesson, we can enjoy the meal we have skilfully prepared!
Day 8
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Travel to Hue & Perfume River Cruise
Transfer to Hue
Morning
After breakfast, we’ll set off from Hoi An to Hue. The drive will take approximately four hours, with a stop for lunch (included) along the way. On arrival in Hue, let’s join our expert guide and discover Hue on a city tour, visiting the walled fortress of the Imperial Citadel and the 19th century Tomb of Tu Duc.
Perfume River Cruise
Evening
We’ll finish our day with a cruise along the Perfume River (named because falling orchids gave the water a pleasant scent) to Thiên Mụ Pagoda, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
After dinner, we’ll transfer to our hotel in Hue for an overnight stay.
Day 9
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Fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Ho Chi Min at Leisure
Full Day
Today, we’ll transfer to Hue Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Min City (Saigon) where we will spend the next four nights. After checking in at our hotel there will be some time at leisure to settle in and get to know our surroundings. Dinner is included tonight at a local restaurant.
Day 10
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Experience Ho Chi Minh Highlights
Saigon Guided Excursion
Morning
Today we begin to uncover the wonders of Ho Chi Min City (Saigon). First stop on this morning’s guided tour is at Reunification Palace (formerly Presidential Palace) an important historical landmark. After that, we take a short walk to the Notre Dame Cathedral, past the French Colonial Post Office (under renovation) and other prominent buildings. Our final stop this morning will be at the Jade Emperor Pagoda, before enjoying a light lunch at a local restaurant (included).
Explore Temples and Markets
Afternoon
After lunch, we continue our excursion, moving on to Cholon, Ho Chi Minh City’s largest Chinatown. Here we’ll uncover historic and cultural treasures including Cha Tam Church (from the outside as it is often closed), Thien Hau Temple and the authentic Binh Tay market. The tour ends with a visit to a small Cao Dai Temple. The rest of the evening will be at leisure, to relax after a memorable day of sightseeing in Ho Chi Min City.
Day 11
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Uncover the Cu Chi Tunnels
Explore The Cu Chi Tunnels
Morning - Half Day
Today we will embark on an excursion to discover the Chu Chi network of underground tunnels. These tunnels were the location of many of the Viet Cong’s military campaigns during the Vietnam War (or American War, as it is called in Vietnam). The tunnels were used as hiding places during combat; also serving as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food storage and living quarters for the Vietnamese fighters.
For those preferring to remain above ground, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above. The more daring among us can enter some of the tunnels with our guide. As this requires crawling along on hands and knees in the darkness of the tunnel, it is certainly not for the faint hearted!
Lunch is included today.
At Leisure
Evening
Returning from our excursion to the Cu Chi tunnels in the late afternoon, let’s enjoy an evening at leisure and perhaps dine out in one of the city’s many restaurants. Our expert guide will be happy to offer suggestions and recommendations to make the most of your time in this bustling city.
Day 12
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At Leisure in Ho Chi Minh City
Free Time in Ho Chi Minh City
Full Day
Let’s enjoy a day at leisure in Ho Chi Minh City, for independent exploration.
Those who are interested in the history of the Vietnam war might visit the War Remnants Museum, to view exhibits that include fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, plus many graphic photos - a stark reminder of Vietnam’s history not so long ago.
Parks in the city provide an enjoyable space for a stroll and a glimpse of local life, for example, city dwellers playing đá cầ, a form of foot badminton. Now is also the perfect time for shopping!
Our knowledgeable guide will be happy to suggest free time activities to suit our interests.
Day 13
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Transfer to Mekong Delta - Can Thou
Guided Excursion of The Mekong Delta
Morning
Today we bid farewell to Ho Chi Min City and set off on a full day guided excursion to Cai Be, known for its large floating markets. Our journey will take around two hours. On arrival, we’ll take a cruise on the mighty Mekong Delta, in a motorised sampan boat. We’ll have the opportunity to sample some local seasonal fruit during lunch (included) at a local farmer’s home, before continuing our leisurely cruise to Vinh Long. After the cruise, we transfer to Can Tho and check into our hotel for an overnight stay.
Free Time in Can Tho
Evening
Enjoy some time at leisure in Can Tho and join your fellow travellers for dinner at your hotel (included).
Day 14
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See More at Cai Rang Market & Return Home
Visit Cai Rang Market & Khmer Temple
Morning
This morning, let’s uncover more of Vietnam during one last cruise. We’ll visit the bustling market town of Cai Rang and enjoy a Sampan ride through its colourful floating market, with hawkers jostling for space to sell their wares, including everything from exotic fruit and vegetables to plastic sunglasses. Then let’s travel deeper into the Delta area, to see one of its most spectacular temples, the Khmer monastery of Kh'leng. This temple is inhabited by a group of young Buddhist monks and is also a learning centre for members of the Khmer race that have remained there for centuries. The monks study English and Vietnamese and are keen to talk to foreign visitors.
At Leisure
Afternoon
We’ll have some free time this afternoon, before our transfer to Ho Chi Min City Airport and check in for our homeward flights. A light meal on the way to the airport is included.
Departing Vietnam, we will reflect on a treasure trove of memorable moments from our Highlights of Vietnam tour.
D
ay 15
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Arrive Home
