Overview
Special Offer Details
Journey through Vietnam’s timeless beauty—from the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquil waters of Halong Bay and the imperial heritage of Hue. Secure your spot today on this unforgettable experience.
This 12-day Vietnamese vacation takes you across the country from Hanoi to Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City. It features first-class accommodations and private tours.
Your journey begins in Hanoi, the Vietnamese capital and one of the most appealing and elegant capitals in Southeast Asia. A full day city tour will showcase the city’s historical landmarks and cultural appeal. During your tour, you’ll visit Ba Dinh Square, home to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which contains the embalmed body of the communist leader, the important Buddhist temple of One Pillar Pagoda, the former imperial citadel of Thang Long, your choice of a local museum, and the winding alleys and hidden shops of Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
From Hanoi, head for the coast and reach Halong Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world, known for its thousands of karst islands jutting out of the shimmering waters. You’ll board a traditional junk boat for an overnight cruise on the bay, visiting local caves and grottoes and enjoying the peerless view from the water. Back on the mainland, connect back to Hanoi and fly south to Hue in Central Vietnam.
Hue was once the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and is home to Vietnam’s greatest imperial treasures. A half day tour will take you through the city and along the Perfume River to explore its rich history and beautiful landmarks. Begin with a cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the tallest religious building in Vietnam, where you’ll disembark to explore for a bit before continuing to the Imperial Citadel, an opulent fortress that was home to royals before Vietnam was colonized, and the Royal Fine Arts Museum, which houses many of the greatest treasures.
Head along the coastline to Hoi An via the Cloudy Pass, stopping in the fishing village of Lang Co en route. In Hoi An, you’ll head on a walking tour through the old colonial township, which is widely-considered the most beautiful and relaxing resort spot in Vietnam. You’ll stroll alongside beautiful old colonial buildings and through lively markets, while also spotting landmarks such as the 400-year-old Japanese bridge. You’ll have two full days at leisure in Hoi An to relax on the beach and enjoy the pleasures of the township and nearby settlements. In the 1960s, the stretch of beach between Danang and Hoi An was known as “China Beach,” and it continues to be a popular beach haven for locals and travelers alike.
Head just north to the airport in Danang and fly south to Ho Chi Minh City, the largest city in the country and a sprawling metropolis formerly known as Saigon. A half-day tour will take you across the city to learn about the end of the Vietnam War, as well as Vietnam’s imperial past. During your tour, you’ll visit the Reunification Palace, formerly the Presidential Palace of South Vietnam, the Museum of Vietnamese History, and the Jade Emperor Pagoda, known for its intricate Taoist carvings and enchanting atmosphere. While based in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll also head outside of the city to explore the Mekong Delta, a lush region of rice paddies, fishing villages, and canals that is the rice bowl of the nation. Another day, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to see the elaborate network of underground fortifications and passages that allowed the Viet Cong to wage guerilla warfare during the Vietnam War.
At the end of your stay, connect to the airport in Ho Chi Minh City for your departure.
Highlights
Ho-Chi-Minh City – Hoi An – Hue – Halong Bay - Hanoi
Explore the magic of Vietnam on a journey from the streets of Hanoi to the tranquil waters of Halong Bay, before diving into the rich history of Ho Chi Minh City.
Departures
From Hanoi:
Departs Daily
Trip Includes
- Private arrival and departure airport transfers
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Hanoi
- 1 night first-class cruise accommodation on Halong Bay
- 2 nights first-class accommodations in Hue
- 3 nights first-class accommodations in Hoi An
- 3 nights first-class accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City
- Private overland transfer from Hue to Hoi An
- Private-guided Full Day City Tour in Hanoi
- Private-guided Half Day Perfume River Cruise to Thien Mu Pagoda and Imperial Citadel in Hue
- Private-guided Half Day Walking Tour in Hoi An
- Private-guided Full Day to Golden Bridge in Ba Na Hill Tour in Hoi An
- Private-guided Half Day City Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
- Private-guided Full Day Mekong Delta Full Day Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
- Private-guided Half Day Cu Chi Tunnels Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1), 3 Lunches, 1 Dinner
Trip Excludes
- Travel insurance
- International, domestic airfare & airfare taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Gratuities
- Optional excursions
- Items of a personal nature
- Passport & Visa fees, if applicable
Summary
Terms and Conditions
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
Hanoi Airport to Hanoi - The Old Quarter
La Siesta Classic Ma May
2 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Full Breakfast
With its imposing white exterior and warm Asian-inspired interior, La Siesta Classic Ma May is situated in the heart of the Old Quarter, close to Hoan Kiem Lake providing a luxuriously quiet oasis within the busy maze of streets. The property has 65 bespoke-designed guestrooms and suites, the Moonlight Sky Bar on the rooftop, La Spa and gym on the 3rd level and Red Bean Restaurant on the ground floor.
Visit Ba Dinh Square where silent sentries guard the marble mausoleum in which Ho Chi Minh lies in state. The interior of the mausoleum may be visited (closed Monday & Friday weekly and all afternoons). Continue to the modest stilted wooden bungalow where Uncle Ho lived and worked, before visiting Ho Chi Minh Museum. Dedicated to the father of the country, the museum chronicles the evolution of Vietnamese independence. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist pagoda with a history steeped in folklore. Continue to explore one of the city's many interesting museums- choose from Vietnamese Women Museum or Hoa Lo Prison or Fine Arts Museum, depending on your personal interests (please discuss with your tour guide at destination). Lunch is at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, stroll through Temple of Literature, a serene retreat from the busy streets outside. Built in 1070 and dedicated to Confucius, it became Vietnam's first university. Cap off the trip with a walk through the labyrinthine alleyways of the Old Quarters. This oldest continuously developed area of Hanoi was once an important centre of commerce where goods were sold on the street name of a particular guild. Stop at a roadside coffee shop, mingle with the locals and enjoy the daily life passing while tasting coffee.
This morning, transfer from your Hanoi hotel to Halong Bay. Upon arrival at Tuan Chau Island, transfer to the Paradise Sails. You will be greeted by the Paradise crew who will aim to provide you with the highest standards of service throughout the journey. Halong Bay is blessed with numerous grottoes, hidden pools and mystical islands and this afternoon, there will be the opportunity to disembark the boat and explore the region further. Off-boat excursions are usually by ship's tender although often there is the opportunity to discover the beautiful landscapes of the bay by bamboo rowing boat. Today's cruising program includes a visit to Titov Island and Luon cave. At sunset, Paradise Sails will anchor overnight. It is the perfect time to enjoy Happy Hour and a cooking class demonstration before sitting down to delicious dinner.
Meal
Dinner, Lunch
Paradise Sails Cruise
The Paradise Luxury features a classic wooden interior, a sophisticated dining room with intimately-placed furniture, an expansive sundeck filled with sun beds, and comfortable lounge areas exhibiting the best views of Halong Bay. The vessel offers 17 intricately designed cabins, an on-board spa, excellent food and professional stewards.
Hanoi - The Old Quarter to Hanoi Airport
Hue Airport to Hue
White Lotus Hue
2 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Buffet Breakfast
In a business district, this upscale hotel is a 5-minute walk from the Perfume River, 2 km from Thái Hòa Palace, and 15 km from Phu Bai International Airport. The sophisticated rooms provide Wi-Fi, TVs, minifridges, and kettles; some feature river views. The 2-bedroom family suites sleep up to 4 people and offer separate living rooms. Apartments add kitchenettes and free-standing tubs. There’s an outdoor pool with city views. Other amenities include 2 restaurants, a bright bar, and a coffee shop, in addition to a spa, a fitness center, and event space. A breakfast buffet is available.
Halong Bay to Hanoi
Rise early and start the day with a Tai Chi session on the Sundeck before enjoying a light continental breakfast. This morning you will visit Sung Sot cave, the most beautiful and largest cave in Halong Bay. Back on the ship, enjoy a full breakfast while cruising past Thien Cung and Dau Go Cave and the Fighting Cock Islet. Paradise Sails returns to Tuan Chau Marina and you will get transferred to your Hanoi Hotel.
Meal
Breakfast
Hue is a city steeped in rich history, particularly during the Nguyen Dynasty. The city boasts magnificent architectural works, temples, and Royal tombs with outstanding cultural and architectural values as a former capital city. This excursion commences with an interesting boat ride along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda with octagon shape with 7 floors. Seven is a sacred number according to Vietnam Buddhism. Take a leisurely walk to a private museum housed in a beautiful ancestral temple filled with pieces collected by a Vietnamese born German professor who teaches East-West comparative philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. After more than 50 years of living abroad, she followed her heart and returned to her hometown of Hue to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Hue's traditional cultural values. This museum is the first and only private museum dedicated to ancient artifacts fished out of the Perfume River. Next, visit the Imperial Citadel. Built between 1804 and 1833, this heavily fortified structure remains the heart of modern-day Hue, despite its tumultuous history. The fortress is still remarkably well-preserved and provides an incredible insight into the grandeur of Vietnam's past. Enjoy Lunch at a local restaurant before returning to hotel.
Depart Hue and travel overland through the most beautifully scenery in Vietnam as you traverse the Hai Van or "Cloudy Pass" to reach Lang Co Fishing village where you will enjoy a tour before traveling onwards to Hoi An.
Boutique Hoi An Resort
3 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Full Breakfast
Explore the rich heritage of Hoi An at Boutique Hoi An Resort and discover authentic Vietnamese cuisine and hospitality. The Boutique Hoi An Resort offers a variety of unique facilities and services. A large swimming pool surrounded by a tropical garden forms the centrepiece of the resort. The Hoi An spa is located next to the pool, and provides a haven for pure relaxation and rejuvenation. The resort is ideally located on Cua Dai Beach, only 5 minutes from Hoi An centre, 35 minutes from the airport and 30 minutes from the town of Da Nang.
Located 1,400 meters above sea level with a length of nearly 150 meters, the Golden Bridge is covered with a coat of metallic yellow paint. The structure is held aloft by two giant hands and designed to resemble a silk strip floating among white clouds. Greeted by your guide at your hotel, you are transferred about 1.5 hour drive from Hoi An to the bottom of Ba Na hill. First, experience an amazing view over the primitive forest from one of the longest cable cars from the foot of the hills to the peak. The eye-catching design is unique, with giant stone hands carrying the bridge. There are a variety of optional attractions to discover on your own. After your own lunch, walk to the summit of the mountain- the highest point of Ba Na hills, then visit Bell Tower and Nghinh Phong tower. The journey back to the foot of the hill will be by cable car as well, where the driver awaits for the transfer back to the hotel.
Nested along the central coast, Hoi An is a city that blends history, culture and natural beauty into a captivating destination. With its well-preserved ancient architecture of 15th-19th century, colorful lantern-lit streets, vibrant traditional textile workshops, Hoi An offers a journey back in time. Without most forms of motorized transport, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town of this ancient port is perfect for exploring on foot. Explore beautifully preserved old merchant houses, atmospheric temples, and lively market as you stroll through the back streets of this enchanting destination. Pay a visit to the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the busy waterfront, where colorful fishing boats bob up and down on the Thu Bon River. During the walk, make a stop at a market to taste well-known local green leaf cakes in Hoi An. Wrap up the tour by visiting a Tea House that supports disadvantaged youth. The majority of the staff are hearing impaired, making for a unique experience as you communicate your order of tea or coffee or home-made cookies by writing it down or using wooden blocks with words.
Hoi An - Beach to Da Nang Airport
Ho Chi Minh City Airport to Ho Chi Minh City - District One
Half Day Ho Chi Minh City Exploration
Starting the city tour with a visit to the historic former Presidential Palace. This landmark gained its place in history as the first North Vietnamese tanks passed by, signifying the end of the Vietnam War. Take a walk along Book Street, passing by the Notre Dame Cathedral, and stop by one of the local stands to purchase Saigon postcards. Then visit the colonial-era Post Office, featuring classic Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial designs. Take the opportunity to admire the stunning architecture of a bygone era and send a postcard to your family back home. Next, either walk or drive to the War Remnants Museum, primarily focuses on the Vietnam War but also showcases exhibits dating back to the French colonialist period and the first Indochina War.
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint
3 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Full Breakfast
Liberty Central Saigon Citypoint Hotel offers guests the utmost in quality, comfort and convenience. Located in the city centre, the hotel is within walking distance of Le Loi Boulevard, the Central Business District and thriving nightlife. In-house facilities include a restaurant, cafe, sky bar, rooftop swimming pool, health club, spa and cinema.
The Mekong Delta is a fertile region comprising farmland interlaced with countless waterways and coconut gardens. To explore agricultural river life, embark on a 2-hour drive from Saigon to Cai Be Jetty. Upon arrival at 10:00 am, board the Cai Be Princess, a traditional bamboo-covered wooden sampan. Once you arrive at Tan Phong islet, take a leisurely 5-km cycling trip through the villages and fruit gardens. During the ride, make stops to visit local cottage industries where families have kept traditional works for generations, such as rice paper, roof panels from water coconut fronts, and homewares from water hyacinths. While these venues may be busy sometimes, they offer a glimpse into the local economy. Back to Cai Be Princess boat where you will cruise to Phu An Village. The cruise ends at Le Longanier Restaurant, an exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river and surrounded by fruit trees. This ambiance gives you a sense of privileged life during Indochinese times. Lunch is served here, and after lunch, around 14.30, take a short walk along a small canal towards the Ba Bon Bridge, where your driver awaits to drive you back to Saigon.
Synonymous with the Vietnam War and a testament to the determined spirit of the Vietnamese, the underground network of passages at Cu Chi is a fascinating day trip out of the city. Work on the tunnels began during the war against the French in the 1940s and over the next 25 years as the conflict with America escalated, they were improved and expanded to create an underground city of meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters and much more. The tunnels allowed the Viet Cong to control a vital area of South Vietnam and at their height, extended for more than 200KM in length and stretched from what was then Saigon to the Cambodian border. Preserved as a memorial park, a small section of this remarkable network is open to the public and there is the option to go below the surface to visit the tunnel first hand. There is plenty of interest above ground as well and it is recommended to bring good footwear, sunscreen and a hat. Please note you may get a little dusty if you decide to go underground.
Ho Chi Minh City - District One to Ho Chi Minh City Airport
