PRICE: 669 USD/people with group 20 people
PRICE: 889 USD/people with group 4 people
DAY 1: SAIGON ARRIVAL
Depart today from India for Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Touchdown at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and meet up with your driver and local guide who will transfer you to your accommodation. There are no planned activities today, so settle into your hotel or step out on your own to discover this metropolis of over nine million people and possibly even more motorbikes and scooters.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Grand Saigon or similar
DAY 2: CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR (B)
Today, journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels (approximately 60 kilometres) that were constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the country’s long fight for independence. On arrival, watch a short introduction video to learn more about their construction before exploring a section of tunnels used as hospitals, schools, kitchens, weapon storage, command centres and living quarters. The hidden tunnel system was an excellent way for the Vietcong to move around the countryside undetected by foreign troops and was, at one stage, home to around 10,000 people. View the remains of American tanks and numerous bomb craters before returning to Ho Chi Minh City where you will have the option of being dropped back at the hotel, or at the nearby War Remnants Museum (entrance not included) where you can make your own way back to the hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Grand Saigon or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 3: SAI GON – DA NANG (B)
Today, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Da Nang International Airport (approximately 90 minutes). Upon arrival, be met by your local guide and drive onwards to the ancient coastal city of Hoi An (approx. 50 kilometres). On arrival in Hoi An, check in to your accommodation. Later this afternoon, head out on an introductory walking tour of the fascinating UNESCO heritage Hoi An Ancient town.
Set off with your local guide on a walking tour to discover the ancient town of Hoi An. Start with a visit to the Museum of History and Culture, which showcases relics that span 2,000 years of Hoi An’s rich history. Gain an insight into the local heritage and view several Cham artifacts and photographs before continuing to the Japanese Covered Bridge, constructed in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link it with the Chinese quarters. Stroll through the central market, discover various fresh and dried ingredients used to create delicious Vietnamese food and meet some of the local vendors. Step into the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, dedicated to Thien Hau, the sea goddess. Finally, uncover the unique architecture of Tan Ky ancient house. Built over two centuries ago, the design highlights the influence of both European, Vietnamese and Chinese styles.
Finish the day back at the hotel for an evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 4: HOI AN FREE (B)
Today, enjoy a day free at leisure to explore this fascinating town. Alternatively, you can take the opportunity to join an optional tour (not included).
Optional Activity: Ba Na Hills & Golden Bridge Full-Day Tour – 110 USD/people
Early this morning, you will be picked up from the hotel and will travel to Ba Na Hill Station on the outskirts of Da Nang. Take a cable car to Sun World Ba Na Hills to enjoy fantastic views. You will visit an old French cellar (Debay Ancient Wine Cellar), a flower garden – Le Jardin D’amour, Linh Ung Pagoda, a wax statue museum and the iconic Golden Bridge. Afterwards, enjoy free time exploring this resort park and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, return to Hoi An, where you may enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Optional tour prices are listed on the Important Info section.
Overnight: Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 5: HOI AN FREE (B)
Spend the day exploring the city on your own or alternatively choose one of the optional activities listed below (not included).
Optional Tour: Discover My Son UNESCO World Heritage Listed Site – 50 USD/people
Depart early for the journey to My Son (approximately 40 kilometres, 75 minutes), one of the most extensive collections of Cham remains and a UNESCO World Heritage Listed site. My Son was once the capital and religious centre of the Champa Kingdom and is believed to be the longest-inhabited archaeological site in Indochina. Wander through what remains of the 7th to 13th century BC temples that once stood here and imagine the influence of the former kingdom. Located in a valley overlooked by Hon Quap (Cat’s Tooth Mountain) and covered in thick jungle, these mountains are the source of the Thu Bon River, a holy river that flows through the site. Return to Hoi An after lunch at a local restaurant (included). Optional tour prices are listed on the Important Info section.
Optional Tour: Explore Local Market & Cooking Class – 40 USD/people
This afternoon, head to Hoi An’s colourful local market and soak in the buzzing atmosphere, breathe in the aromas, and take the opportunity to interact with the local sellers. Accompanied by your local chef, purchase some ingredients in your cooking workshop. Continue to Tra Que, a picturesque village a short distance from the centre of town, and meet some of the farmers. Before stepping inside to start your workshop, learn more about this community farm project and the traditional techniques, including fertilising with seaweed. Watch as the chef guides you through several home-style recipes, including a savoury pancake wrapped in rice paper, before sitting down to savour your dishes. Optional tour prices are listed on the Important Info section.
Overnight: Hoi An Rosemary Boutique Hotel & Spa or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 6: DANANG – HOI AN – HANOI (B)
After breakfast, return to Da Nang International Airport (approximately 50 kilometres) for your flight north to Hanoi (approximately one and a half hours). Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.
Later this afternoon, join a walking tour to discover real life in Hanoi. Visit a local market and mingle with the vendors, stroll around the picturesque West Lake and enter Quan Thanh, a sacred Taoist temple and Cua Bach Parish Church, a Roman Catholic church built in the early 20th century by the French administration and one of the most beautiful in Hanoi. Return to your accommodation, where you may enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.
Overnight: Flower Garden Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 7: HANOI – HALONG (B/L/D)
This morning, depart Hanoi and journey past farmlands and rice paddy fields to Ha Long Bay (approximately 190 kilometres). Embark on board your traditional junk-style vessel for an overnight cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Halong Bay. Settle into your deck chair and cruise through the picturesque emerald waters, marvelling at the towering limestone karst islands.
Enjoy a lunch before participating in some afternoon activities such as swimming, relaxing on a remote beach, climbing to the top of a lookout for fantastic panoramic views, or taking a boat into a secluded bay. Cruise further into the bay to visit a Pearl Farm before watching a traditional Vietnamese cuisine cooking demonstration, followed by dinner on board. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks.
Please note: Packing an overnight bag only for your cruise is recommended. The rest of your luggage will be securely stored, or you can take all your belongings if you’d prefer.
Overnight: Le Journey Cruise or similar, Halong Bay
Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
DAY 8: HALONG – HANOI (B/L)
Early risers can take part in a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast, climb aboard the tender for a visit to Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), a colourful grotto of giant stalactites and stalagmites. Return to the boat and enjoy a short cooking class where you will learn to prepare local delicacies such as spring rolls. Enjoy a light brunch on board, followed by a relaxing trip back into port, where you will disembark and return to Hanoi. Upon arrival back in Hanoi, check into the hotel for an evening at leisure. Alternatively, choose one of the optional evening activities listed below (not included).
Optional Activity: Water Puppet Performance & Vietnamese Dinner – 40 USD/people
Sit back and watch a traditional and unique performance of water puppetry originating in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. Each show lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes lively, illustrative Vietnamese pastoral scenes, rural daily life, and fairy legends. Afterwards, head into the Old Quarter and feast on a dinner of authentic dishes such as Goi Cuon Tom Thit (fresh rice paper roll with prawn and pork), Pho bo (noodle soup with beef), Bun Cha (BBQ Vietnamese pork meatballs with noodles), Goi Ga Hoa Chuoi (banana blossom salad with chicken) and Che Nep Dua (sticky rice in coconut cream). Optional tour prices are listed on the Important Info section.
Please note: Dinner may be enjoyed before the show depending on the water puppet performance.
Overnight: Flower Garden Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch
DAY 9: HANOI – SAPA (B/D)
This morning you will be driven to the mountainous town of Sapa (approx. 5 hours). Sapa is a picturesque town located in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountains of Northwestern Vietnam. A popular trekking base, it overlooks the picturesque terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley. Hill tribes and ethnic minorities, such as the H’Mong, Tay and Dao, make up much of the town’s local population.
This afternoon take an afternoon walk through the tiered rice paddy fields to Ta Van Village to learn more about the local ‘Zay’ people. This walk is of basic/moderate difficulty (approx. 7km) along well-formed trails and cobbled steps. Please note: the terrain on this walk is undulating but has no demanding ascents or descents. Alternatively, choose to enjoy the afternoon at leisure to discover the town of Sapa.
Overnight: Sapa Highland Resort & Spa or similar, Sapa
Meals included: Breakfast; Dinner
DAY 10: SAPA – CAT CAT
After breakfast, begin another walking journey with a visit to two villages of the H’Mong people (Catcat and Xin Chai). Continue your walk to see the impressive Tien Sa Waterfall and a hydroelectric power station established during the French occupation. Take in stunning landscapes of green forests and rice fields on the walk back to Sapa. Today’s walk is of basic/moderate difficulty (approx. 7km) along well-formed trails and cobbled steps.
Please note: the terrain on this hike is undulating but has no demanding ascents or descents.
The H’Mong/Mong are an indigenous people in Asia. The H’Mong began a gradual southward migration from China in the 18th century due to political unrest and to escape Chinese threats. They are one of the largest ethnic minorities in Vietnam.
Please note: For those not interested in walking, you are welcome to enjoy the day at leisure in Sapa.
Overnight: Sapa Highland Resort & Spa or similar, Sapa
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 11: SAPA – HANOI (B)
Today, you will transfer back to Hanoi on an approximately 5-hour journey. Departure at 9:00 am from Sapa
Overnight: Flower Garden Hotel or similar, Hanoi
Meals included: Breakfast
DAY 12: HANOI DEPARTURE (B)
Today brings to an end your Vietnam journey. At the appropriate time, receive a transfer to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport for your onward flight to Australia.
Please note:
• Standard check-out time is 11:00, and luggage storage is available at the hotel if you have a flight departing later in the evening.
Tour Only Package: Your adventure concludes at the end of the tour. Please make your own arrangements for your onward journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
