Vietnam Discovery

15 days - A fantastic holiday that includes visiting remote mountain villages and visiting cultural sights & cities across Vietnam...

• Hanoi (2 nights)
• Sapa (3 nights including sleeper train)
• Halong Bay - overnight on luxury junk
• Hue (2 night)
• Hoian - My Son (2 night)
• Mekong delta
• Can Tho (1 night) & Chau Doc (1 night)
• Saigon (3 nights)
• Guaranteed departure minimum 2 people

View Itinerary

Price & Departure dates

Day 1 Hanoi (D)

Arrive at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport and then transfer to hotel for check-in and tour-briefing. Later we have an Orientation tour of central Hanoi and the exciting Old Quarter with its 36 specialised 'Guild Streets.' You'll experience Hoan Kiem Lake, the old French colonial section, and the magnificent Opera House. In the evening a dinner with traditional Vietnamese cuisine to welcome you to Vietnam. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi - Lao Kai - Sapa (B)

Morning sightseeing of the city's most outstanding historical and cultural sites, including The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, President Ho's House on Stilts, and Ba Dinh Square. The tour continues to the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature, in order to gain an understanding of two guiding forces in Viet Nam culture, Buddhism and Confucianism. Before departing on the Night Express to Lao Kai (Sapa), a performance of the National Water Puppet Theatre is highlighted. Overnight on the train in 4-person soft-berth deluxe comfort with Air-conditioner.

Day 3 Hanoi - Lao Kai - Sapa (B, L)

Early morning arrival at Lao Kai, then transfer upland to the town of Sapa. A short walk out of town for a great view of Viet Nam's highest mountain range, Fan Si Pan, filled with terraced rice paddies and deep valleys. Enjoy the incredible mountain vista and a captivating musical show by local artists. Back to town, settle in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring this exotic region, visiting the unusual markets, and getting acquainted with the different ethnic hill tribes such as the H'mong, Red Zao, Zay, and others, Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4 Sapa - Hanoi (B)

An entire day to enjoy the natural wonders of Sapa and learn more about the varied cultures of the region's Hill People. You'll have ample opportunity to visit different villages of the H'mong, Red Zao, and Zay people, and especially Muong Hoa Valley. Home visits are included, and be sure to bring your cameras. This is a Photographer's paradise. Walking by foot, hill-climbing, trekking, or taking it easy by jeep is optionally offered for your sense of adventure, or convenience. In the late afternoon, you take the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 5 Hanoi - Halong (B, L, D)

We arrive early in Hanoi and have enough time to visit the remarkable Flower Market before breakfast. Afterwards, we journey to Ha Long. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Lunch aboard and then visit the Cave of Marvels, the Island of Titov, the Luon Lagoon. Famous as a recognised world wonder and protected World Heritage Site, the bay includes strange rock formations, caves, and numerous islands jutting out of the surrounding emerald waters. Dinner and overnight on a private junk on the emerald green waters of Ha Long Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands.

Day 6 Halong -Hanoi - Hue (B, L)

We continue exploring Halong Bay till 11:30. Bid farewell to the magical seascapes and transfer to Noi Bai International airport for our flight to Hue. We take a detour enroute to the 500 year pottery village of Bat Trang.

Met upon arrival at Hue airport and transfer to your hotel for check in. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7 Hue (B, L, D)

Hue was once the capital city of Vietnam and still retains much of her ancient charm: Regal architecture, leisurely pace of life, quintessential cuisine, and so on. This morning we start with a boat trip on the Perfume River to Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon we visit the elaborate mausoleum of emperor Tu Duc and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. To round off the evening, a sample of royal dinner is perfect. Overnight in Hue.

Day 8 Hue - Danang - Hoian (B, L)

Leave Hue after breakfast by road for Da Nang via the scenic fishing village of Lang Co and drive over the famous Hai Van Pass. Stop in Da Nang to visit the beautiful Non Nuoc Beach. On the road from Da Nang to Hoian visit five sacred hills known as the Marble Mountains containing dozens of Buddhist shrines. Proceed to Hoian for hotel check-in. Overnight in Hoian.

Day 9 Hoian-My Son (B)

We pay a morning visit to the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom, My Son. Here, 40km southwest of Hoian, in a lush green valley, are dozens of red brick towers and sanctuaries dating from between the 7th and 13th centuries. On the way back to Hoian stop to visit Tra Kieu, formerly known as Simhapura or the Lion Citadel, the capital of Champa between the 4th and 8th centuries. Some of the finest sculpture in Da Nang's Cham Museum originated from here. In the afternoon, we visit the quaint town of Hoian. Once an international seaport, as major Asian trading port in the 17th and and 18th centuries, Hoian's architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. We will explore its narrow lanes and historic architecture, calling at the colorful shop-houses for the unexpectedly good bargains of silk wares. Overnight in Hoian

Day 10 Hoinan - Danang - Saigon (B)

This morning we will travel to Danang to visit the Cham Museum and Marble Mountain before continuing by air to Saigon. Upon arrival you will receive warm welcome from your local English speaking guide and transfer to the Hotel. Here we walk the busy and interesting Dong Khoi area, admiring the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Unification Palace and the colonial Post Office, etc. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 11 Saigon - Chu Chi tunnels (B, L)

Visit Cu Chi underground tunnel network in the morning, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the Vietnam War. It is advisable to wear clothes which you won't mind getting dirty if you intend to be adventurous and go underground yourself! We then head for Tay Ninh to witness the noon services of adherents to Caodai Sect, in a beautiful edifice called Holy See Temple. Return to Saigon for noontime break then a leisurely walk in the famous Chinatown, visiting Lady Hau Pagoda along the way. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 12 Saigon - Vinh Long - Can Tho (B, L)

We travel deep into Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on the water - a photographer's paradise. We explore the intricate waterways by sampan, local farm houses and fruit orchards, riding bicyles around. We arrive in Can Tho in the afternoon and take a spin around this city to experience the waterfront at Ninh Khieu Quay, bustling, and exciting with Hau River life. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 13 Can Tho-Chau Doc (B, L)

Early morning we take a boat-ride to visit the extraordinary river market of Cai Rang. Famous as one of the largest on the complex of water-ways that comprise the Mekong Delta. The boat tour is capped off with a visit to My Khanh Village, a genuine Delta village that is typical of the region. Move on to Chau Doc for overnight stay.

Day 14 Chau Doc - Saigon (B, L)

In the morning we visit Sam Mountain, a complex of temples and pagodas, in this region near the Cambodian border. We continue to the Tinh Bien, the market by the border with Cambodia. We then return to Saigon for the evening, with lunch en route.

Day 15 Saigon - Departure (B)

Free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Small Group Departure Dates & Price

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).
• Selections of superior/deluxe (generally 4 star)
• Overnight on the train in 4-person soft-berth deluxe comfort with Air-conditioner. (possible sharing with others)
• Sightseeing tours including entrance fee by professional English-speaking tour guide.
• Meals as specified in the itinerary.
• Air conditioned transportation and bottle water on coach.

Price Does Not Include

• International flight.
• Visa letter of ariival fee (please contact us for details).
• Travel Insurance.
• Tip for driver and Guide.

Flights: We can obtain international flights in various seat class's with many reputable airlines. We can also provide flights from many UK regional airports. Depending upon availability and route we will try to arrange direct flights when possible, however allocation can be limited. If you wish to be booked on a particular airline, please specify at the time of booking (supplement may apply). Alternatively, for the cheapest deal we recommend you book your international flights at time of booking, as this can save you £££s off your final holiday price.

Accommodation: We take a great deal of time and effort to source our hotel selection in each city for our travellers enjoyment. We can arrange hotels in all standards depending upon your requirements, however the standard hotels are superior 4 star. We also monitor our established hotel selection continually based upon each of our customers feedback received over the years. Please visit our Hotel page for full accommodation details.

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

Other operation fact: Our tour is arranged on a small group basis average 8 people per group, as we feel this gives our travellers more flexibility and enjoyment. By reducing the group size our experienced local guides are able to get to know you all individually and show you the true beauty of Indochina. Also unlike many companies we do not cancel tours and Guaranteed Departure based upon minimum 2 people.

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.