When to go
January-February and October-November
Price
From £2,595 pp (including flights) | Private: £2,995pp (including flights)
Flight time
12hrs 23mins 12hrs 30mins
Introduction
Discover the rich history and unique heritage of Vietnam with a guided group tour. Explore the East Gate to the Imperial City within the Citadel of Hue, journey across the wonderfully diverse and far-reaching mountains and rice terraces, and treat yourself to a wealth of culinary delights, in the form of tasty summer rolls and beef noodle soup, to name a few. Elsewhere you will tour the Mekong Delta, explore the Vietnam War-era Cu Chi tunnels, and take an overnight cruise across the peaceful region of Lan Ha Bay.
Good For
At a Glance
Duration
13 days & 10 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,595pp (including flights) | Private: £2,995pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Cu Chi Tunnels – Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Superior & Luxury
Accommodation
Grand Hotel/ Caravelle Hotel | Pilgrimage Village / Azerai La Résidence | Boutique Hoi An Resort (Hotel Royal Hoi An for luxury category) | Mövenpick
Hotel / Sofitel Legend Metropole | Indochine / Heritage
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 12 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi
Extensions
Tour + beach stay, 4 days and 3 nights | Tour + Ankor Wat temples, 4 days and 3 nights from £595
Highlights
Tour the Hanoi Military History Museum, Meet a Former NVA Pilot
Learn about the history behind the military force of Vietnam, by exploring a mix of decommissioned, captured, and destroyed military vehicles used by invading countries. The museum also includes various factual objects and artifacts, which serve as proof of the country’s historic struggle over the past 100 years and more.
Take a Cruise Across the Lan Ha Bay
Made up of 300 karst islands and limestone sea rocks, Lan Ha Bay is a beautifully and surprisingly desolate region which is an appealing place to visit for tourists seeking peace and serenity. During your stay in Vietnam, you will take an overnight cruise across 400 square meters of clear waters, featuring pristine beaches, towering cliffs, and hundreds of species of flora and fauna.
Enjoy an Authentic Meal at the Restored Home of the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue
The Ngyun Dynasty, the last Vietnamese dynasty, operating from 1802 to 1945, was dominated by the Nguyen family. The Nguyen ruled over southern Vietnman as a mostly independent authority during the 17th and 18th centuries, before emperor Gia Long rose to power in 1802. Today, the royal home of the Nguyen dynasty has been accurately restored, giving tourists the chance to dine in this historically and culturally significant place.
Explore the Mekong Delta’s Waterways for a Full-Day Trip
Take a journey across the longest river in Southeast Asia with a memorable full-day trip. During the trip you will get to see and visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, walk through the Sa Dec Port, and visit the countryside. Truly a remarkable journey that will leave you breathless, wanting more and more.
Recommended Hotels
Grand Hotel / Caravelle Hotel | Pilgrimage Village / Azerai La Résidence | Boutique Hoi An Resort (Hotel Royal Hoi An for the luxury category) | Mövenpick Hotel / Sofitel Legend Metropole | Indochine / Heritage.
Sample Itinerary
Discover the Rich, Dark, and Inspiring History of Vietnam
In this itinerary you will get an idea of what to expect when you visit Vietnam. Your journey to this beautiful region of Southeast Asia will take you to the crystal-clear waters of Lan Ha Bay, the origin of the last dynasty to ever rule Vietnam, and the waterways of the Mekong River. You will also get the chance to experience authentic Vietnam cuisine, composed of delectable beef noodle soup dishes, scrumptious Bánh Mì’s, and Mì Quảng which is part salad, part soup.
Day 1: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City
Take an overnight flight from London direct to Ho Chi Minh City. Regional connections are available by request.
(N)
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive in the morning, and then be transferred to the Grand Hotel / Caravelle Hotel (or similar) for 2 nights. In the afternoon you will take a city tour, which will take you to various points of interest, such as the Reunification Palace, the Notre Dame cathedral, the War Remnants Museum, and even a former safe house used by the Viet Cong. You will then enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
(D)
Day 3: Mekong Delta
Composed of floating boats, houses, and markets, the Mekong Delta is a water wonderland. Here, you will enjoy a full-day journey across the many rivers, canals, and streams that make up the Mekong Delta. You will then take a trip to Cai Be, a floating market full of crowded boats and water trading, and then get a chance to walk across the countryside.
(B, L)
Day 4: Cu Chi Tunnels
Take a morning drive through the Vietnamese countryside and make your way to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a large network of tunnels built in the late 1940s as a means of communication between villages during the war against the French. Then, you will continue to the airport, and take an afternoon flight to Hue. Here you will stay at the Pilgrimage Village / Azerai La Residence for 2 nights. In the evening you will enjoy a dinner at a restored royal home of the Nguyen dynasty.
(B, D)
Day 5: Hue
In the morning, you will visit the Hue citadel which, for over 100 years, from 1802 to 1945, was the capital of Vietnam. This stunning complex, built in the style of the Forbidden City in Beijing, is home to various pavilions, temples, and courtyards. You will then continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, a religious site that contains beautiful ancient architectural structures, and then take a short cruise on the Perfume River back to the city center. In the afternoon, you will visit the tombs of the Nguyen emperors, Khai Dinh and Tu Duc, a place that not only preserves the lives of these Nguyen Kings but also painstakingly recounts one of the most significant historical periods of Vietnam, particularly the impact that French colonialism had on the country.
(B)
Day 6: Hue • Danang
Enjoy a splendid morning drive over the incredible Hai Van Pass (if weather permits) to Hue. Along the way, you will visit the Museum of Cham Sculpture in Danang, which features the largest collection of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world. The afternoon is then yours to enjoy at your own leisure. From there, you will enjoy a 3-night stay at the beachfront Boutique Hoi An Resort (or the Hotel Royal Hoi An for luxury category travellers).
(B, L)
Day 7: Hoi An
In the morning, take a tour to the ruined temple of My Son, a cluster of abandoned and partially ruined Hindu temples. Then enjoy lunch at the Streets International restaurant, a social enterprise initiative that empowers the youth across Vietnam by offering sustainable programs for street children. Then in the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour across the former trading port of Hoi An, giving you the chance to get lost in the Old Town and treat your tastebuds to authentic local cuisine.
(B, L)
Day 8: Hoi An
A day of leisure, giving you the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. You can also participate in optional classes at the Red Bridge Cooking School, which offers 1 half-day tour and 1 deluxe day tour every day of the year. Payments must be made locally on the day of class participation.
(B)
Day 9: Fly to Hanol
Fly to Hanol and transfer to the Mövenpick Hotel / Sofitel Legend Metropole for a 2-night stay. There are optional evening excursions to a water puppet show, which must be paid locally on the day.
(B,L)
Day 10: Hanol
Take a morning tour of the Museum of Ethnology, Hoan Kiem Lake, the Ngoc Son temple, and the Temple of Literature. The museum is home to a wealth of historically significant artifacts, objects, and artwork. In fact there are over 15,000 artifacts, 2,190 slides, 42,000 photographs, 237 audiotapes, 373 videotapes, and 25 CD-ROMS. In the afternoon you will visit the Ba Dinh Square, walk outside the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, and then visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a historic Buddhist temple built in 1049. Then you will continue to the Military History Museum, and meet former NVA pilot Nguyen Hong My, the first Mig 21 pilot to shoot down an American fighter jet in 1972.
(B, L)
Day 11: Cruise on Lan Ha Bay
Enjoy a memorable cruise across the beautiful, slightly desolate, and peaceful region of Lan Ha Bay. Located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Lan Ha Bay is home to gorgeous towering cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and white sandy beaches. You will then stay overnight onboard the Indochine / Heritage.
(B, L, D)
Day 12 and 13: Fly to London
In the morning you will continue your cruise in Lan Ha Bay, and then disembark and drive to Hanoi. You can then enjoy your stay at a hotel room for the rest of the day, before you depart in the early evening for the airport and fly direct to London, with you arriving back home the next day.
(B) (N)
