Essential Vietnam

10 days - visiting a wealth of scenic & cultural sights across Vietnam.

• Hanoi full day tour (2 nights)
• Halong Bay - overnight on luxury junk
• Hue (2 nights)
• Hoian (2 nights)
• Saigon full day tour (2 nights)
• Cu Chi tunnel
• Mekong Delta
• Guaranteed departure
• Beach extension available

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi

Meeting & greeting at the airport upon your arrival and transfer to hotel for check-in and tour briefing. If time permits we will take an orientation tour around central Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi (B)

Today's full day tour includes Ho Chi Minh Memorial complex, taking in his mausoleum, the Presidential Palace and his idyllic wooden home built on stilts. Next we continue to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, and become acquainted with Vietnam's two major religions, Buddhism and Confucianism. In the afternoon we visit the fascinating museum of Ethnology, which includes full size replicas of amazing ethnic minority tribal buildings found across Vietnam.

Later we explore downtown Hanoi including Ngoc Son Pagoda on Hoan Kiem lake and Ma May Street in Hanoi's Old Quarter to see a classic example of late 19th-century architecture. Afterwards we proceed to West Lake to see the beautiful Tao Sach Pagoda and enjoy coffee on a floating café. Free time in the evening allows you to walk along the historic French colonial Old Quarter of Hanoi. The Old Quarter provides a wonderful shopping experience and has a choice of many excellent restaurants. Overnight in Hanoi

(Optional evening tour to see the famed water puppet theatre, a traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region. Ask for prices & details at time of booking).

Day 3: Hanoi-Halong (B, L, D)

After breakfast we journey east to Vietnam's greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay. We board our beautiful traditional wooden junk and spend a full day and night cruising the bay's 3000 magnificent limestone islets. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal and later there is opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat. Kayaks are also available if specified at time of booking. Overnight on luxurious boat.

Day 4: Halong - Hanoi - Hue (Brunch)

Wake up to fresh coffee and take a small boat to a nearby sandy cove beach for an opportunity to relax and have a morning swim. For a great photo opportunity it is well worth walking up to the hill top pagoda which overlooks the entire Halong bay. Afterwards we return for a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to mystical dragons!

After brunch on board disembark and return to Hanoi and board an evening flight to Hue. Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue (B, D)

This morning we take a boat ride on the serene Perfume River to see the best known pagoda in Middle Vietnam, Thien Mu. Our tour also includes visiting the impressive Tomb of former Emperor Tu Duc and the beautiful Royal gardens.

In the afternoon we see the ruins of the former Royal residence, Forbidden City, and Dong Ba Market. Overnight in Hue.

Day 6 Hue - Danang - Hoian (B)

After breakfast we leave Hue for Hoian. En route we'll pass the Ocean Clouds Pass and China Beach area before visiting the fascinating Cham Museum. We stop for lunch in Danang City, which is 40 km from Hoian then visit the Marble Mountains and marble carving village at its foot. Finally we arrive at the quaint merchant coastal town of Hoian. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 7 Hoian (B, L)

In the morning, visit Hoi An town, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-style trading house. Then taking a bike ride through the rural scenery of Hoi An to a small vegetable planting village located on the banks of Tra Que lagoon (5km - 15mins cycling from Hoi An). Tra Que village has been known for its special aromatic herbs, mint and basil; leaves of those plants are smaller than usual, however they have a very particular aroma. Join in with local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Then learn to cook some local specialities, for example "Tam Huu" - set of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs and enjoy what you have done after cooking. Back to the hotel and free at your leisure. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 8 Hoian - Danang - Saigon (B)

Transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City. Welcome at the airport and transfer to the city for lunch. After that, depart to Cu Chi where you will visit the amazing tunnel network built by Vietnamese fighters during the Vietnam War with America. Return to hotel at the end of the day.

We then visit the opulent Holy See Temple in Tay Ninh as well as the noon service of Caodai Sect. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 9: Saigon - Mekong Delta (B, L)

This morning we drive to the prosperous town of Vinh Long in the heart of the Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on the water. We'll have an exciting boat trip to experience the floating market of Cai Be.

Next we continue by sampan along small canals and narrow side arms of the Mekong River to observe the daily life along the river banks, visiting fascinating workshops where villages produce coconut sweets and rice crackers.

Our final destination is the beautiful Binh Hoa Phuoc Island. On the island we visit orchards of tropical fruits and for lunch we sample delicacies of the region, such as Elephant Ear fish.

After lunch we return to Vinh Long Town for our transfer back to Saigon. On arrival, transfer to visit Thien Hau pagoda and China town. we explore the busy and interesting Dong Khoi area, admiring the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the colonial Post Office, etc. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 10: Saigon - UK (B)

Transfer to the airport for your flight departure. Extension of stay in Saigon can be arranged upon request.

Beach Extension is available: Please visit our Beach Extensions page for full details.

Small Group Departure Dates & Prices

Prices are based upon a small group tour excluding international flights from UK. As an agent for airline consolidators, we can obtain your international flights at a competitive rate to suit your preferred departure date. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Hotel upgrade to 5-Star is available and private tailor-made tours can also be arranged.

Price Includes (The prices shown are 'per person')

• All flights within Vietnam including airport tax.
• All airport/hotel transfers where specified (private transfer).
• Sightseeing tours by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Selections of standard or superior quality hotels
• Entrance fees
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Mini Water provided on coach
• Air conditioned transportation
• Guaranteed Departure

Price Does Not Include

• International Flights: We are happy to provide flights with full ATOL Protection.
• Visa letter of ariival fee (please contact us for details).
• Visa stamping fees at Airports
• Travel Insurance.
• Tip for driver and Guide.

Meals: As stated in itinerary, B = breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner

FAQ and further Tour information
Please see our FAQ page for further essential tour information.

The itinerary is designed according to the most updated information of the flight available, although occasionally the sequence in which cities are visited and duration of time spent in each city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control. The above itinerary highlights the main attractions that are to be visited each day. Further places of interest may be visited during your stay, which will provide unique ethnic and cultural handcraft shopping opportunities. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the itinerary, although we will act in your best interests to handle any amendments. Please refer to the booking form for detailed terms & conditions.