We Love —
- Discover the diverse beauty of Vietnam from the tranquil scenery at Ha Long Bay to the incredible incredible architecture in Hanoi, and the bustling nightlife of Ho Chi Minh!
- Choose 4* or 5* accommodation for a tailor-made stay as well as an unforgettable night on a boat in Halong Bay.
- This offer comes with the opportunity to add a 3-night extension to the Angkor Temples
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Your Itinerary In Brief —
Throughout the duration of your private tour, you will have the unique opportunity to explore some of Vietnam's cultural and historic highlights, as well as witnessing the magnificent landscapes and natural beauty this country has to offer. To make the adventure last a bit longer, go for offer 2 with the extension of 3 nights to the Angkor Temples in Cambodia.
During their tour, our members will follow the itinerary as seen below.
12 nights
Day 1: Arrival 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 – Hue
Day 7: Hue
Day 8: Hue – Ho Chi Minh
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh
Day 11: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh – Departure
3-night extension to Angkor Temples in Cambodia:
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh – Siem Reap visits
Day 13: Siem Reap – Angkor Temples
Day 14: Siem Reap – Floating village on Tonle Sap Lake – Apsara school visit
Day 15: Siem Reap – Departure
Your Itinerary —
Day 1-3: Hanoi - Village Visit - Ha Long Bay
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
After a long flight, you will arrive in the thousand-year-old city of Hanoi. Your driver will transfer you to your hotel in the city centre. Spend the rest of the day at leisure and enjoy an overnight stay in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi City - Village Visit (Breakfast and Lunch included)
After breakfast, visit a local bronze casting village 45 minutes south of Hanoi. Then, visit the hidden 300 year old village and immerse in rural life and ancient Vietnamese architecture. Make a stop at the village market and finish by stopping at an ancient pagoda built in the 1600s. Here, enjoy a prayer ceremony for a good life and then enjoy a vegetarian lunch made from natural ingredients.
Return to Hanoi downtown to visit Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university). After lunch in a local restaurant, visit Vietnam Museum of Ethnology which offers an insight into the 54 different ethnic groups of Vietnam (closed every Monday, this museum will be replaced by the Museum of Vietnamese Women). Then visit Hanoi Train Street, a global top attraction. The railway was first built in the Vietnamese city in 1902 by French Colonists. Stop at the Opera House for photos while your guide will provide a quick glance of the French architecture. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included)
After breakfast, leave your hotel between 8.30-9am and take a 3.5 hour shared shuttle bus, accompanied by a local English speaking guide, to Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site – where thousands of spectacular limestone islets and grottos rising from the clear emerald Gulf of Tonkin.
Upon arrival, transfer to a junk for a cruise around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. Cruise through many stone islets, floating villages, small beaches. Visit a floating fishing village before free time to relax or swim. Enjoy dinner on board. Overnight on board in Ha Long Bay. Note: The itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or availability of boat.
Day 4 - 5: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An
Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An (Breakfast & Brunch included)
Tai Chi class is available on the sundeck for early risers, then enjoy breakfast while the boat cruises around Ha Long Bay. Upon return to land at around 10.30 -11am, your transfer vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi where you will meet a private driver to drive you to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang, you will be welcomed by a guide and transfer to Hoi An town. Check in to your hotel and spend overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An (Breakfast & Lunch included)
Take a guided walking tour around Hoi An Ancient Town - a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Visit the Japanese covered bridge, Chinese assembly hall, a typical Vietnamese merchant’s house, one of the interesting museums and the local market. The next visit is to home of a craftsman in the old streets. Here you’ll have a brief introduction to the history, shape and color of the lanterns as well as stages of making them. After that you can make a lantern by your own. Lunch in a local restaurant.
Enjoy a leisure boat trip along Thu Bon river to Hoi An’s countryside. Exchange boat for bicycle and start cycling through winding village roads while enjoying the idyllic countryside scenery. Stop at a local shipbuilding workshop, before continuing your ride where you will learn about the diversity of local plants and herbs and visit the home of some local families making rice wine, rice noodles, and rice paper. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6-8: Hoi An - Hue with optional excursion to Golden Bridge - Ho Chi Minh
Day 6: Hoi An - Hue with optional excursion to Golden Bridge (Breakfast Included)
After breakfast, there will be freetime to relax or discover Hoi An. At 1pm, you will be driven to Hue. On the way there, you will cross the Hai Van Pass which offers a superb panorama of the central coastline.You will also have the chance to visit a traditional fishing village. Arrival in Hue after a 3 hour drive, check in hotel before free time. Overnight in Hue.
Today, there will be an optional excursion to the Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hill – Da Nang city, which will cost about £38 per person (entrance fee, guide, transfer included). For the excursion, drive about 1.5-hour from downtown Hoi An to Ba Na Hill, a scenic mountainous area. Arrive at Ba Na Hills cable car station and experience the feeling of walking in the clouds when you walk on the Golden Bridge which seems to be supported by a pair of giant hands jutting out of the mountain.
Day 7: Hue (Breakfast & Lunch Included)
Today, enjoy a short transfer from your hotel to the Imperial Citadel - an UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Then drive out of the city to visit the Royal Tu Duc tomb, the most impressive of all the royal mausoleums. After, drive back to downtown Hue with a stop en route at a family-run workshop to learn how incense sticks are made. Lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, tour An Hien Garden House, originally the residence of Emperor Duc Duc’s 18th daughter. Continue your visit to Thien Mu pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Conclude your memorable day by a leisure boat trip on Perfume River. Return to your hotel after the tour. Overnight in Hue.
Day 8: Hue - Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast Included)
Free time until the transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will pick you up from the airport and then take you to the hotel to check in and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 9-10: Ho Chi Minh - Cu Chi Tunnels - Mekong Delta - Can Tho
Day 9: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnels – City tour
Formerly known as “Saigon” before 1975, Ho Chi Minh City today is Vietnam’s commercial centre that never sleeps. Enjoy a 1.5 hour drive to the Cu Chi tunnels. The tunnel complex was dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide from troops, and also served as communication routes as well as hospitals and living quarters for guerrilla fighters throughout the American war. Visit the underground villages to better understand the tunnels’ history and the Vietnamese’s resilience during the combats. Return to the city center for lunch at a local restaurant.
After, enjoy a half-day city tour to see the main attractions of Ho Chi Minh City, including the Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. End the day at the bustling Ben Thanh Market to enjoy some shopping. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10: Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre/Mekong Delta – Can Tho (Breakfast & Lunch Included)
Today, escape from the high-energy city and set off for a memorable day of exploring the Ben Tre province, the gateway to the Delta, by the charming Apricot Boat for a slow journey that shows you all of the colourful aspects of the Mekong Delta: beautiful natural landscape filled by tropical fruit farms and rice paddies.
On-shore excursions to the home of a tropical fruit farmer, then travel through the narrow village lanes by traditional tuk-tuk or bicycle passing through sleeping village, local cottage industries, canals, and fruitful orchards. Followed by a ride on a traditional rowing boat through the network of narrow canals typical of the Mekong Delta. Enjoy a tasty lunch with Mekong Delta specialties at the peaceful Apricot Riverside restaurant and then head out to Can Tho. Overnight in Can Tho.
Day 11-12: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh
Day 11: Can Tho – Cai Rang Floating Market – Ho Chi Minh (Breakfast & Lunch Included)
This morning, depart your hotel and travel to the riverfront directly across from the famed Cai Rang floating market. Enjoy a local cup of traditional coffee, while having the opportunity to take some colorful pictures. Then, you are taken to a nearby rice noodle factory, where you can view the manufacturing process. Travel to a small village on the outskirts of Can Tho where you visit a Cacao farm, meet the owner, and view the whole process of making chocolate from bean to bar. Moving on you will be driven to the Can Tho Museum (closed on Monday, Friday, and weekend afternoons), which is home to more than 5000 objects and historical relics. This is the largest museum in the Mekong Delta, showcasing the agriculture and river life of the region. Drive back Saigon after the tour. Check in hotel and relax. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh - Departure
Breakfast at your hotel, free on your own to relax until transfer to the airport in a good time for the return flight. Note: Check out time is usually at 12 noon, however it is possible to have a later check-out at an extra cost and depending on availability.
Optional 3-Night Extension in Cambodia: Day 12-13: Ho Chi Minh - Siem Reap - Angkor Temples
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh - Siem Reap (Breakfast Included)
Breakfast at your hotel, then free time to relax until the transfer to the airport to fly to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel for check-in. Enjoy a free evening. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 13: Siem Reap - Angkor Temples (Breakfast & Lunch Included)
After breakfast, get ready for a very special and busy day exploring some of Angkor’s most beautiful temples. You will start from the West Gate, then discover the ancient capital of Angkor Thom (12th century), see the South Gate, Bayon Temple – unique for its 54 towers decorated with over 200 smiling faces of Avolokitesvara, Baphuon Temple: lying just to the north of Bayon, a pyramidal representation of mythical Mont Meru, the Royal Enclosure, Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King.
We continue to visit the incredible Buddhist Temple Ta Prohm (12th century) embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees. Lunch at a restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the famous temple: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat has been a World Heritage Site since 1992, famous for its beauty and splendor. Back to hotel to relax. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 14: Siem Reap – Floating Village – Flooded Forest – Apsara School visit - Departure
Day 14: Siem Reap - Floating Village - Flooded Forest – Apsara School visit (Breakfast & Lunch Included)
After breakfast, transfer to the pier of Tonle Sap Lake to take a motorboat trip to Kompong Phluk. Depending on the water level, you will arrive at this floating village after 30 minutes. Wander around and then visit the traditional pagoda. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere, then donate the school supplies bought on site to the children of the local school. Embark on a flat-bottomed dugout then start your trip in the flooded forest.
Return to Siem Reap downtown. Note: The boat ride on the Tonle Sap is not recommended during the dry season (March to July) due to the lack of water. During this period, this tour can be replaced by the Cambodian campaign visit: Take the Tuk Tuk to explore one of the local villages where you can see the daily activities of the locals. Many children and adults will offer friendly smiles and say "Hello" during your visits to their village. After that, transfer to visit a local market.
Have lunch in a local restaurant before the afternoon tour. Then, visit a local school of art and take in the ancient art of Apsara performance. Home to about 70 talented children in various Khmer Arts, the school aims to keep the Khmer culture alive. You will have a great opportunity to get to know how young adults are trained in this ancient art. Head back to hotel and enjoy free time. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 15: Siem Reap - Departure (Breakfast Included)
Breakfast at your hotel before free time to relax until the transfer to the airport for the return flight. Note: Check out time is 12:00, it is possible to have a check out late with the supplement and according to the room availability.
Your Tour Hotels —
4* Hotels and 5* Hotels
Maximum room capacity
For this trip to Vietnam you will have the choice between Superior category (4*) or Deluxe category (5*) hotels. At each stage you will put your suitcases in a Standard Room with meals included as per itinerary.
Superior 4* Category Hotels:
Hanoi - The Chi Boutique Hotel 4* or Similar
Ha Long Bay - Huong Hai Sealife Cruise 4* or Similar
Hoi An - Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An or Similiar
Hue - Eldora Hotel or Similiar
Ho Chi Minh - Central Palace Hotel or Similiar
Can Tho - TTC Premium Can Tho hotel or Similar
Extension to Angkor Temples
Siem Reap - Sakmut Boutique hotel or Similar
Deluxe 5* Category Hotels:
Hanoi - Peridot Grand hotel or Similar
Ha Long Bay - Indochina cruise or Similar
Hoi An - Allegro Hoi An. A Little Luxury hotel or Similar
Hue - Pilgrimage Village resort or Similar
Ho Chi Minh - Nikko Saigon hotel or Similar
Can Tho - Vinpearl Can Tho hotel or Similar
Extension to Angkor Temples Phu Quoc
Siem Reap- Angkor Palace Resort or Similar
Your Board Basis
Throughout the Authentic Vietnam tour, you will enjoy a meal plan according to the program including breakfasts, 1 brunch, 8 lunches (excluding drinks) and 1 dinner (excluding drinks). When choosing offer 2, breakfast and 2 lunches (excluding drinks) are included during the extension to Angkor Temples. During your stay, you will have the opportunity to discover the richness of Vietnamese gastronomy. Take the time to savor colorful and refined dishes that will delight gourmets and perfectly suit all tastes.
Your Journey —
Flights:
You may choose from Economy or Premium class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process. The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers:
Return transfers are included for flight-inclusive offers. For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.
Welcome to Hanoi —
Your Destination
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.