Explore the unspoilt, diverse and engaging landscapes of Vietnam and choose to follow this with a relaxing beach escape in Thailand! 

Enjoy a private 8-night tour of Vietnam, and discover all its breathtaking landscapes and nature.  Continue your adventure in Thailand and choose an extension of 4-10 nights to relax at the beach.

YOUR ITINERARY

Tour:

Day 1: Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - Bat Trang ceramic village - city tour
Day 3: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hanoi
Day 4: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
Day 5: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi
Day 6: Hanoi - fly to Ho Chi Minh
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnel - city tour
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh - free day
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh - flight to Phuket

Extension in Thailand

4, 6, 8 or 10 nights at Khaolak Bhandari Resort & Spa 4*.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, welcome by our English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in the city center (note: check in time is from 2:00 pm).

If time permits, we invite you to have a very special traditional Vietnamese massage session at Sen Spa (the 2 hours treatment package includes a full body treatment with wormwood, a steam bath, a Jacuzzi with herbal bath leave...). Free time to relax.

Night in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI - BAT TRANG CERAMIC VILLAGE - DISCOVERY OF THE CITY CENTER

Breakfast at your hotel.

Today, spend half a day exploring Bat Trang village, located about 15 km southeast of downtown Ha Noi and famous for its beautiful porcelain artworks.

Upon arrival, visit the local market of Bat Trang where you can shop for temple offerings (flowers, fruits, incense sticks, votive papers, betel...). You will also have the opportunity to learn the Vietnamese language by meeting the locals at the market. Visit the Bat Trang temple and the communal house and discover why Bat Trang ceramics are famous in the country.

Stop at a family workshop that still uses traditional methods to make simple but sturdy ceramics for everyday use and chat with the artisans as they share their life stories. After learning the process of molding and sculpting clay pots, you will have the opportunity to test your skills and creativity by making your own pottery products with the guidance of skilled local artisans.

Continue to discover the ancient village of Bat Trang by walking through narrow streets, with many workshops and family temples. Stop at the ceramic market, explore the local trade and consider buying beautiful ceramic products for your friends and family. Lunch at the local house with specialties from Bat Trang village.

The afternoon begins with a visit to the complex dedicated to Ho Chi Minh (closed every Monday, Friday), the founder of the nation, containing Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum (outside), his house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the founding of the city.

Discover Hanoi's old quarter, which still retains its unique architecture as well as the enormous amount and diversity of products and daily life of its residents

Messy and crazy, this walk gives you an exciting chance to have a deeper encounter with the local life, out of a normal tourist designed program. Follow the most famous streets in the heart of the old quarter, then walk through dark and narrow alleys with a width suitable for only one average-sized Vietnamese.

Continue to discover the life along the railroad tracks that might seem surprising and curious to foreigners, but it's just life here. Every day, the trains pass by what otherwise functions as a narrow alley in this residential area, a normal routine for the people who live here. You will feel the mixture between the old and modern atmosphere of Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi

DAY 3: HANOI - NINH BINHLA HALONG BAY

This morning, enjoy a scenic drive to the land Halong Bay. This is a spectacular landscape of limestone karting peaks steeped in valleys, some of which are submerged, and surrounded by spectacular cliffs.

The first stop is Hang Mua (dance cave). Located inside Mount Ngoa Long, one of the highest mountains in the region, Hang Mua offers panoramic views of the rural villages, winding rivers and picturesque rice fields of the Tam Coc region, known as the "Ha Long Bay on earth". Challenge yourself by climbing the 465 uneven limestone steps to the highest point for great photo opportunities.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

Go for a sampan ride to discover the Thung Nham Bird Valley. Surrounded by rainforest on the limestone mountains, lush valleys and mysterious caves, mingling with grass and flowers, Thung Nham is home to many important birds (stork, heron, mallard...) and two other rare Red Listed species (flamingo, and phoenix). Glide through the picturesque landscape on a traditional rowboat to the soundtrack of oars dipping, and birds singing. Be sure to bring binoculars as you may encounter birds and other wildlife.

Visit the ancient capital of Hoa Lu and the embroidery village of Van Lam which has a long history of being famous for this traditional craft. Return to Ha Noi in the late afternoon.

Overnight in Ha Noi

Breakfast at your hotel. Around 8.00-8.30, departure from your hotel by boat bus (without guide). After 3 hours of travel, you will arrive at Ha Long Bay, the world natural heritage of our country.

Once arrived, board a beautiful boat to enjoy the welcome lunch and start your cruise on Ha Long Bay. You will then pass by islands and islets. Dinner on board. In the evening, night fishing service is available on request. Night on board.

Upon arrival, welcome aboard a comfortable boat. Enjoy a welcome drink and the crews give you brief information about the itinerary and the boat. Have lunch in the dining room and enjoy the view and the rock formation through the window. After lunch, join the activities: bamboo boat ride and swimming. Return to the boat, relax, enjoy the view and participate in a cooking demonstration on the deck.

Dinner will be served on the boat.

Overnight on boat in Halong Bay

Note:

This itinerary will be changed to suit the climate condition and boat availability.
English speaking guide to be shared on the boat only (no private guide for the trip Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi and on the boat)
Round trip transfers by bus from the boat for the trip Hanoi - Halong - Hanoi

DAY 5: HALONG BAY - HANOI

Wake up early to watch the sunrise over the sea (weather permitting) and join the Tai Chi session on the deck and enjoy the breathtaking view of the bay while the boat quietly sails in Halong Bay.

After breakfast, enjoy a trip to the cave. Then return to your cabin to freshen up and check out.

Enjoy a brunch on board while sailing back to the pier to disembark around noon and the shuttle will take you back to Ha Noi. Free time at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at your hotel, free time to relax until the transfer without guide to the airport for the flight to Saigon in late morning.

Upon arrival, welcome by our guide and transfer to your hotel. Free time for your personal discoveries in the city.

Night in Saigon

Optional: Motorcycle gastronomy (3 hours)

DAY 7: HO CHI MINH - CU CI TUNNEL - SAIGON CITY DISCOVERY

Breakfast at the hotel.

Originally dug as a base to organize guerrilla actions against the French, the Cu Chi tunnels were enlarged during the Indochina war to become an ingenious and incredible underground network designed to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from French air and ground raids. There are over 200 kilometers of underground complexes containing warehouses, kitchens, hospitals, dormitories and even schools, once occupied by over 10,000 people.

Today, 8:00 am, leave Ho Chi Minh City for a one and a half hour drive northwest to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, passing through urbanized areas and lush countryside typical of southern Vietnam. Visit the vast network of underground passages to get a glimpse of the history of the tunnels, life in the tunnels and the tenacity and ingenuity of the Vietnamese during the fighting.

Lunch at a restaurant.

This afternoon, you will go to the lively Chinatown, known locally as Cho Lon, with its colorful atmosphere and mysterious temples. Return to the city and visit one of Saigon's most historic sites, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office.

Today at 8:00 am, leave Ho Chi Minh City for an hour and a half drive northwest to the famous Cu Chi tunnels, passing through urbanized areas and lush countryside typical of southern Vietnam. Known as a huge 220km network of interconnecting underground tunnels divided into 3 levels at 6 meters, 8 meters and 10 meters deep underground, the famous Cu Thi tunnels were occupied by more than 10,000 people during the war. Visit the vast network of underground passages to get a glimpse of the history of the tunnels, life in the tunnels, and the tenacity and ingenuity of the Vietnamese during the battle.

Lunch in a restaurant

In the afternoon, you will visit Chinatown, the colorful textile market of Soi Kinh Lam, the Cha Tam Church where President Ngo Dinh Diem was seized after fleeing the presidential palace and the famous Chinese temple.

Night in Saigon

Note: Cu Chi tunnels have been widened in places for Western visitors, but they can still be dark, hot and claustrophobic inside, please take this into account if you don't like enclosed spaces. For those who choose to stay above ground, there are many easily accessible rooms and excavated areas to visit.

DAY 8: HO CHI MINH - FREE DAY

Free day at your leisure. You can explore the city on your own or book our optional tour.

Night in Saigon

Optional: Rustic charm of the Mekong Delta (Lunch)

DAY 9: HO CHI MINH - FLIGHT TO PHUKET

Breakfast at your hotel, free time to relax until transfer to the airport for the flight to Phuket (Departure time is around 12:00)

During your trip you will stay in a Standard Room and have the choice between 4* and 5* hotels.

4* Hotels:

Hanoi: Le Jardin de l'hôtel 4* or similar
Halong Bay: Indochine Cruise
Ho Chi Minh: Odis Hotel 4* or similar

5* Hotels:

Hanoi: Melia hotel 5* or similar
Halong Bay: Indochine Cruise 5* or similar
Ho Chi Minh: Nikko Saigon 5* or similar

Khaolak Bhandari Resort & Spa is a 4-star boutique resort located in Khao Lak on the idyllic west coast of Phang Nga province. Blending perfectly into its lush surrounding, the resort features local architecture made from local Thai materials, with an emphasis on Thai art, creating a peaceful oasis. The traditional buildings' peaked roofs stretch above a tropical garden of palm trees and emerald lagoons, with high wooden ceilings and Thai style influences. 

Bhandari The resort is located just a few steps from the pristine golden sands of Nang Thong Beach, and a short walk from Khao Lak village, there is plenty to see and do from beautiful beaches to local and Thai restaurants. 

Elegant, refined and comfortable, let yourself be charmed by your Deluxe Thai Style room and its modern yet natural decor. A real tropical oasis for a stay!

This offer is based on a Bed and Breakfast stay. 

Choose to upgrade to Half Board (breakfast and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excludes drinks) at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee.

Choose to upgrade Full Board Basis (breakfast, lunch and evening meal served in the main restaurant - excludes drinks) at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee.

Choose to upgrade All Inclusive stay (breakfast, lunch and evening meal served in the main restaurant with a selection of snacks and drinks) at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee. Please note, not all hotel food and beverage outlets may be applicable to your All Inclusive basis.

Bhandari Spa is a serene setting surrounded by lotus ponds and lush tropical gardens. Indulge in a pampering massage to beauty treatment to completely disconnect and relax. 

Year on year Vietnam is becoming a more popular holiday destination as people start to discover all that this beautiful and fascinating country has to offer. The attraction of a holiday to Vietnam is evident when you consider its unique cultural and historical heritage set in an unspoilt, diverse and engaging landscape. 

Whilst Vietnam is an extraordinary country to explore, an increasing number of tourists are going simply to relax; with over 3,000km of coastline, stunning white sand beaches and a number of luxury resorts.

Khao Lak, in Thailand's Phang Nga province, is a hidden paradise of sun, sea and sand, as well as lush tropical greenery, granite mountains and stunning waterfalls. Colourful temples, bustling markets, idyllic islands - whatever it is you're after, there is a good chance you will find it in this beautiful corner of Thailand.

Crystal blue water, warm tropical nights and cooling breezes coming off the Andaman Sea provide the ideal atmosphere to relax and unwind. Here you can visit outstanding islands offering splendid corals as well as seaweeds, sea flowers, corallines and various species of fish.