SOLO OFFER: 11-day Classic Vietnam Tour - Flights Included

DAY 1, Sunday - Arrive in Ho Chi Minh

Depart for Vietnam. Arrive in Ho Chi Minh (formerly Saigon), the largest city in Vietnam. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh

DAY 2, Monday - Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Spend the morning at leisure or, join the optional half day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels. They were part of an underground tunnel network built by the Viet Cong to control a largely rural area near Saigon. The Cu Chi network includes 125 miles of tunnels with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, weapon factories, hospitals, shelters, and other tunnels. In the afternoon, embark on a guided tour in Ho Chi Minh City, which includes the neo-Romanesque Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office with its French style architecture, City Hall, and the magnificent Saigon Opera House. From here, visit lively Ben Thanh Market - where an unbelievable assortment of wares and crafts are sold under one roof. Continue to Dong Khoi Street, a major shopping thoroughfare in the center of the city. Early in the evening, enjoy a Welcome Drink and orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the exciting journey that lies ahead, followed by a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.

Optional: Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels (AM) 
Overnight: Ho Chi Minh 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3, Tuesday - Flight to Da Nang, Hoi An Walking Tour

Depart Ho Chi Minh on your flight to Da Nang, one of Vietnam's major ports, situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Travel south to the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An, where people still wear the "ao dais", Vietnam’s traditional dress. The ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the most important trading port in Southeast Asia in the 15th century. Its ancient past is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and magnificent private homes in the town's Old Quarter. Walking tour of this artistic jewel, with its century's old architecture, includes the gorgeous Phuoc Kien Pagoda, the 400-year-old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge, and the Ancient House. Afterward, continue to dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Hoi An 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Wednesday - Full Day in Hoi An

Spend a full day at leisure discovering all of the delights of Hoi An independently. Walk through the Old City, stopping at one of the city's many museums, or see artisans using age-old techniques to fashion a variety of crafts. Of special interest are the colorful and elaborate paper lanterns created by lantern artisans for which Hoi An is well known. Or, join the optional boat trip on the Thu Bon River visiting the Organic Village, including lunch. The boat trip begins at a local pier in the Old Town. You'll cruise down streams and past many fishing areas before arriving in Kim Bong village, home of traditional woodworking and boat building. Return to the mainland and drive to the Traque Organic Village for lunch. Here, you’ll learn about the many vegetables and herbs organically grown to support the people of Hoi An. After a Vietnamese culinary lesson and tasting, return to Hoi An.

Optional: Boat Trip on the Thu Bon River & Organic Village with Lunch 
Overnight: Hoi An 
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Thursday - Travel to Hue, Hue Imperial City Tour

This morning, travel to Da Nang, with stunning views of bowl-shaped Da Nang Bay. Drive by Marble Mountain, a village well-known for its sophisticated handmade marble products. Journey over the towering mountains to Hue, home to a wealth of palaces, temples, libraries, and museums. Take an afternoon tour of this former Imperial capital, modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing. Enter the Ngo Mon Gate, principal entrance to the Imperial Enclosure and the central passageway reserved for use by the Emperor. Continue to the Thai Hoa Palace with its spacious hallways and ornamental roof, the Halls of the Mandarins, the Nine Dynastic Urns, and the ruins of the Forbidden Purple City, once home to the royal family. Tonight, spend time at leisure to explore on your own or join the optional Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel. Enjoy a panoramic view of both the daily life and the architecture of Hue with a Trishaw (Cyclo) Tour. Later arrive at a family run restaurant within the Citadel and savor a multi-course dinner replica of the Royal Feast.

Optional: Cyclo Ride with Dinner at the Citadel
Overnight: Hue
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Friday - Full Day in Hue

Today is at leisure to explore Hue independently. Or, participate in the not-to-be-missed optional boat excursion on the gentle Perfume River, which explores the life along the banks of the ancient royal capital city. The river, with its shimmering blue color is dotted with a poetic landscape of boats, gardens, pagodas, towers and temples. The tour continues to the legendary Thien Mu Pagoda, on the north bank of the Perfume River, built in seven successive tiers. Then, a drive to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, final resting place of Vietnam's longest reigning emperor and to Khai Dinh, the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. Here, a vegetarian lunch will be prepared by Buddhist nuns of the Dong Thien Pagoda. Return to Hue.

Optional: Perfume River Boat Trip and Lunch at Dong Thien Pagoda 
Overnight: Hue 
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Saturday - Flight to Hanoi, Sightseeing en route to Halong Bay

Depart Hue on the flight* to sparkling Hanoi, cultural center of the country. Upon arrival, travel overland and through the lush Vietnamese countryside to picturesque Halong Bay, considered one of Vietnam's most celebrated attractions. As you approach, you’ll see thousands of limestone islands rising out of the sea creating a truly magical scene. Arrive at your hotel in Halong Bay for overnight.
*On some departures, the flight Hue-Hanoi may be changed to depart from Da Nang-Hanoi. Details will be provided locally by your Tour Manager.

Overnight: Halong Bay 
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8, Sunday - Cruise Halong Bay, Travel to Hanoi

Incredible views await you today! Halong Bay is considered one of the most breathtaking places on the planet, added to the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites and declared recently as one of the "New Seven Natural Wonders of the World". There are over 3000 islands in the emerald waters and over 1000 have their own names. Numbers of caves and grottos of all sizes and shapes are filled with small waterfalls, stalactites, and stalagmites. Sail on a traditional wooden boat on the tranquil bay with lunch served on board. Visit one of the caves. Afterward, drive to Hanoi, Vietnam's vibrant capital and check into your hotel. This city's history is tied to French colonialism - its architecture, cuisine and local culture still bear evidence of the French influence.

Overnight: Hanoi 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9, Monday - Hanoi City Tour & Evening Water Puppet Show

Today, visit the Museum of Ethnology, center for the preservation and exhibition of cultural heritage for over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam. In the evening, attend a performance of the world-famous Water Puppet Show, accompanied by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and Cheo (a form of opera). The show depicts a series of ancient Vietnamese folktales, acted out by puppets over a pool of water.

Overnight: Hanoi 
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Tuesday - Full Day in Hanoi

Spend a full day at leisure discovering Hanoi on your own, or, take the optional tour to the stunning Thay Pagoda and So Village, including lunch, also known as the "Pagoda of the Master". Nestled against the hillside in Sai Go Village, it shares its compound with the smaller Ca Pagoda. Here, you'll also see Thuy Dinh Stage, a water palace on Long Tri Pond, where the ancient form of water puppetry is performed. Continue to So Village, a well-preserved ancient village. Take a walking tour around the village with its traditional layout and small alleyways in-between the houses. Stop at one of the communal houses to meet villagers who earn their living from making noodles. Tonight, your journey to Vietnam ends with many lasting memories. Savor a Farewell Dinner with your fellow travelers and Tour Manager.

Optional: Thay Pagoda & So Village with lunch (AM) 
Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11, Wednesday - Depart Vietnam

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Advertised per-person pricing based on 15 Mar 2020 tour with return airfares from Sydney. Prices may vary and are subject to availability at time of booking.

Land only prices available on request.

Freecall our local travel team on 1300 414 198 for more details or to book your tour.

Hotels based on Sunday departure:
Accommodation will vary depending on departure day. Please enquire for more information on your preferred date. Hotels are subject to change.

• Liberty Central Saigon Centre Hotel, Ho Chi Minh
• Belle Maison Hadana Hoi An Resort & Spa, Hoi Ann
• Huong Giang, Hue
• Royal Lotus Hotel Halong, Halong Bay
• La Belle Vie Hotel, Hanoi

Is this trip right for me?

This moderately paced program features some group touring highlights with ample time to participate in a variety of optional tours that are available, or to explore on your own. Most city to city transfers are via flight. There may be a couple of early mornings, dependent upon your group’s flight schedule. Some optional tours will require walking for extended periods of time, walking over uneven terrain.