There are many beautiful and fascinating places to discover in Vietnam on this 11-night private tour, from the serene UNESCO site Ha Long Bay to Hanoi's rich cultural heritage and traditional buildings. Soak up the local culture, taste the regional specialities and enrich yourself with this extraordinary trip.

To return home rested and relaxed, choose a 3, 5 or 7-night seaside stay on the exotic island of Phu Quoc.

11-night tour:

• Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
• Day 2: Hanoi
• Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
• Day 4: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Da Nang - Hoi An
• Day 5: Hoi An
• Day 6: Hoi An
• Day 7: Hoi An - Da Nang - Phu Quoc Island
• Day 8: Phu Quoc Island
• Day 9: Phu Quoc Island
• Day 10: Phu Quoc Island - Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City
• Day 12: Departure

If you choose the extended itinerary, with a 3, 5 or 7-night stay on Phu Quoc Island:

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital and second-largest city of Vietnam. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Southeast Asia and serves as the political, cultural, and economic centre of the country.

• Arrival in Hanoi
• Your guide will meet you at Noi Bai Airport
• Transfer to city centre hotel (rooms available from 2 pm)
• Overnight stay

DAY 2: HANOI

Spend the day exploring the highlights of Hanoi, with a trip to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh, the beautiful botanical garden of the Presidential Palace and Tran Quoc pagoda - Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, located on a small island of West Lake. Spend the afternoon at the Temple of Literature, a rare example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture.

• Breakfast
• Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Temple of Literature
• Lunch
• Overnight stay

Please note: Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed on Mondays, Fridays and every afternoon.

DAY 3: HANOI – HA LONG BAY

Arrive at Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped with rainforests. 

• Breakfast
• Shuttle bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (departure around 7:45 am, without guide)
• Cruise trip with a welcome drink
• Lunch
• Dinner on board
• Overnight stay

Please note: The itinerary is subject to change due to port authorities, travel conditions or weather.

Tour this mystical place by boat, gliding past hidden caves, secluded beaches, and fascinating geological formations along the way.

• Tai Chi practice on sun deck at sunrise
• Brunch
• Limousine shuttle bus to Hanoi Airport
• Domestic flight to Da Nang
• Private transfer to hotel in Hoi An
• Overnight stay

DAY 5: HOI AN

Hoi An is known for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian streets and typical local cuisine. You will see some of the historic merchant and burgher houses, ancient pagodas and traditional places of worship with influences from Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architecture.

Enjoy your scooter tour and explore the off-the-beaten-track rural corners of Hoian, like a local. Pass by picturesque fields and idyllic countryside scenery with rice paddies and farming pastures. Continue to a neighbourhood café for a freshly brewed drip coffee.

• Breakfast
• Motorbike tour of Hoi An
• Overnight stay

Day 6: Hoi An

• Breakfast
• Enjoy spending the day at leisure
• Overnight stay

Phu Quoc, also known as Pearl Island, remains largely untouched, offering a more secluded and authentic experience. The forests and pristine white sandy beaches make Phu Quoc an ideal place for hiking, diving and snorkelling.

The same itinerary as the 11-night tour applies for all tours, until Day 9.

3-NIGHT STOPOVER IN PHU QUOC:

DAYS 10-12: PHU QUOC ISLAND

Throughout your tour, you’ll stay in the following 4* and 5* hotels, with the option to upgrade to 5* accommodation only (or similar).

4* and 5* hotels:

Hanoi: The Q 4* 
Ha Long: La Regina Grand 5* 
Hoi An: Legacy Hoi An 4*
Ho Chi Minh: Silverland Jolie 4*
Phu Quoc Island: Sol by Melia 4* or Movenpick Phu Quoc 5*

5* hotels only:

Hanoi: Pan Pacific 5* or Melia Hotel 5*
Ha Long: La Regina Grand 5* 
Hoi An: Little Oasis 5* 
Ho Chi Minh: Mai House 5* 
Phu Quoc: Chen Sea Resort & Spa Phu Quoc 5* or similar

If the hotels listed above are unavailable, you will be provided with comfortable accommodation in similar hotels. Local standards apply.

Additional benefits:

Enjoy the company of an English-speaking local guide during your trip, and make the very most of your stay. 

Stay connected on the move with this exclusive mobile internet offer, perfect for modern travellers. Activate your included eSIM and enjoy connection wherever you go. Easily share your internet connection with friends and family without limits.

Please note: 3GB of internet data represents around 30 hours of web browsing/audio streaming or 3 to 4 hours of video streaming/social networking/video calls.

Discover Saigon's vibrant nightlife on a vintage Vespa, exploring its lively neighbourhoods, sampling local street food and enjoying live music in trendy cafés and bars.

Discover Phu Quoc’s authentic charm with visits to local pepper and bee farms, a serene kayak ride on the Cua Can River, and a peaceful escape to the starfish-dotted shores of Rach Vem fishing village.

Treat yourself to a moment of well-being with a treatment session in a traditional Vietnamese Spa. For 2 hours, enjoy a local therapeutic massage offering an authentic experience of traditional Vietnamese culture.

Nestled in the northern heart of Vietnam, Hanoi boasts a history that stretches over a millennium, making it a captivating blend of ancient traditions and modern vitality. Its dynamic culture, picturesque landscapes, and warm hospitality invite exploration. Whether wandering through bustling streets or peaceful temples, Hanoi offers a remarkable journey into the soul of Vietnam.

Must-sees:

• The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where the leader’s embalmed body rests, is a poignant tribute to Vietnam’s revolutionary history.
• The serene Hoan Kiem Lake, surrounded by temples and parks, offers a tranquil escape in the city's heart.
• The Temple of Literature, an ancient site of education, is a stunning example of Vietnamese architecture and heritage.

Culinary culture:

Hanoi is renowned for its culinary offerings, with street food playing a central role in the city’s vibrant food culture. Indulge in pho, a fragrant noodle soup, or enjoy the iconic banh mi, a fusion of French and Vietnamese ingredients. For a more authentic experience, seek out lesser-known dishes such as bun thang, a delicate noodle soup, or cha ca, a local fish dish. Eating here is an exploration of flavours, from spicy to savoury, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic adventure.

Dive deeper:

For those seeking a richer cultural experience, venture beyond the main tourist sites. Explore the lesser-known Museum of Ethnology, where diverse tribal cultures of Vietnam are beautifully displayed. Take a walk through the Old Quarter’s labyrinthine streets, where centuries-old architecture mingles with local craft shops. A boat trip to the Trang An Landscape Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provides a scenic backdrop to Hanoi’s cultural and natural beauty.

Good to know:

The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). The city experiences a humid subtropical climate, with the best times to visit being between September and November, when the weather is mild and pleasant. Hanoi is well-connected by a comprehensive public transport system, but taxis and motorbike rentals are also convenient options for navigating the city.

Hội An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.

Must-sees:

• The Ancient Town: Offering winding streets, traditional architecture, and iconic lanterns.
• The Hoi An Market: filled with fresh produce, local crafts, and street food.
• An Bang Beach: Perfect for unwinding, swimming, or enjoying fresh seafood by the shore.

Culinary culture:

Try the iconic cao lau, a unique noodle dish made with thick noodles, pork, and herbs. Hoi An is also famous for white rose dumplings, delicate steamed dumplings filled with shrimp or pork, and banh mi, the Vietnamese sandwich that blends French and Vietnamese ingredients. 

Dive deeper:

To dive deeper into the fascinating heritage, visit a local cooking class where you can learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes using fresh ingredients from the market. 

Good to know:

• The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND).
• Hoi An has a tropical climate, with the best time to visit being between February and May, when the weather is dry and mild.

Phu Quoc, an island paradise in the Gulf of Thailand, offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural authenticity. Once a quiet retreat, the island is now a vibrant destination for both relaxation and adventure. Lined with white sandy beaches and surrounded by lush tropical jungle, Phu Quoc invites exploration beyond its burgeoning tourist spots.

Must-sees:

• Long Beach, with its tranquil waters and sunsets, remains one of the island's most stunning stretches of sand.
• The untouched beauty of Sao Beach provides a peaceful retreat, far from the bustling crowds.
• The Vinpearl Safari, a sprawling wildlife reserve, offers a glimpse into the island’s diverse ecosystem.

Culinary culture:

Phu Quoc’s cuisine is defined by its fresh, coastal ingredients, with nuoc mam (fish sauce) being a key element. Locally made and globally revered, this high-quality fish sauce is an essential flavour in the island’s dishes. Seafood lovers will delight in freshly caught fish, crab, and shrimp, often grilled or prepared with fragrant herbs. For a truly local experience, visit one of the many beachside restaurants for a dinner of grilled fish or a delicious bowl of pho. The island is also famous for its black pepper, which adds a distinct flavour to both dishes and souvenirs.

Dive deeper:

For those keen to explore further, Phu Quoc offers a range of off-the-beaten-path experiences. Explore the island’s lush jungles on foot or by motorcycle, discovering hidden waterfalls and remote fishing villages. Dive beneath the surface to explore the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, or take a boat tour to nearby islands. The island’s National Park is also home to a wealth of biodiversity, perfect for nature enthusiasts.

Good to know:

The Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the official currency. Phu Quoc enjoys a tropical climate, with the best time to visit being from November to March, when the weather is dry and mild. While tourism infrastructure is growing, there are still plenty of untouched areas. Public transport is limited, so renting a motorbike or using taxis is recommended for getting around the island.