Magical Vietnam

12 days - A leisurely paced holiday that includes visiting a wealth of scenic areas & cultural sights across Vietnam...

• Hanoi (2 nights)
• Halong Bay - overnight on luxury junk
• Hoian - (3 nights)
• Hue (1 night)
• Cu Chi tunnel
• Can Thou (1 night)
• Mekong River cruise
• Saigon (3 nights)
• 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.

Day 2: Hanoi (B)
Today we'll be on a full day tour to discover the most outstanding attractions of Hanoi. First we pay a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho Chi Minh to know his amazing life. Continue to the Single Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature to gain understanding of the two driving forces in Vietnam culture.

Afternoon we visit the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection of artifacts about the cultures of the 54 ethnic groups in the country. Next we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter, a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at an old house on Ma May Street, an example of dwellings in the 19 century.

Later we walk through the busy traffic to the water puppet theatre and enjoy a performance of the famed traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region.

Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B, L, D)
This morning we journey east to Halong Bay, Vietnam's greatest natural wonder. Board a beautiful traditional luxury 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. Stay overnight aboard.

NOTE: Kayaks are available if specified at time of booking.

Day 4: Halong - Hanoi - Danang - Hoian (B, L)
Wake up to fresh coffee then further cruising and more sightseeing. En route the junk weaves through impressive rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further!

Disembark and return to Hanoi for a flight to Danang in Middle Vietnam. Meet up with our local guide upon arrival and drive 35 km along the scenic coast to the quaint town of Hoian for the night.

Day 5: Hoian & Danang (B)
This morning we'll be on foot exploring the ancient quarter of Hoian, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its historic role in international trade, unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, a Chinese Temple, the Central Market, and the Culture Museum.

There'll be time for independent exploration and shopping opportunities, which many of our guests prefer as Hoian is a very good place to find interesting gifts. This is also the place that you can have a suit or dress tailor-made (usually ready in 24 hours).

Optional tour of herb village: take a bike ride or car depending on your preference through the rural scenery of Hoian to a small vegetable planting village located on the banks of Tra Que lagoon (5km - 15mins cycling from Hoian). Tra Que village has been known for its special aromatic herbs such as mint and basil. Join local people in their daily work of planting and watering vegetables. Learn to cook some local specialties, for example "Tam Huu" - a set of shrimps, pork and aromatic herbs, and then enjoy lunch. Tour finishes around 14:00 PM. We can re-arrange your morning walking tour to suit.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoian (B)
Free day to relax in Hoian and enjoy the hotels ammenities, the local beaches.

Day 7: Hoian - Hue (B, D)
We leave Hoian and travel overland to Hue, the former capital of Vietnam, This visiting the Cham sculpture museum, the Non Nuoc Beach and Marble Mountains in Danang, climbing over the breathtaking Pass of Ocean Clouds and passing by the scenic beach of Lang Co.

In Hue we'll be exploring the former Imperial Citadel, a complex of palaces and temples built in the early 19th century and a recognized UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. We also take a leisure boat trip on the scenic Perfume River and visit Thien Mu pagoda. Round off the evening with Hue cuisine and folk music.

Day 8: Hue - Saigon (B)
We visit the tomb of Emperor Minh Mang and a garden house belonging to a member of the royalty before our flight to Saigon. Upon arrival we continue our sightseeing with the former Presidential Palace, War Remnant Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the Opera House, the City Hall, and Ben Thanh Market.

Day 9: Saigon- Caodai Temple -Cu Chi Tunnels - Saigon (B, L)
Our tour today includes a visit to the opulent Holy See Temple of Caodai Sect in Tay Ninh. Caodai is a fascinating Vietnamese religion combining aspects of Christian, Buddhism, Muslim, Taoism and Confucius into a single religion. There's a chance to observe the impressive noon service of adherents.

Early afternoon we travel to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network of underground combat tunnels where our guide will explain how the Vietcong survived and fought during the Vietnam War. Known as the "Iron Triangle" during the war of the 60's, the story of Cu Chi is one of struggle, determination against all odds, and eventual victory. Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam's military history.

Day 10: Saigon - My Tho - Can Tho in Mekong Delta (B, L)
We leave the hustle and bustle of Saigon behind and journey to Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on the waters. Arriving in My Tho, a prosperous town just 80 km from Saigon, we take a boat to an insular village to visit family workshops producing handicrafts and candy from coconut. Tasting seasonal tropical fruits in an exuberant orchard, we ride a horse cart to a typical Delta house and enjoy folk music by amateurs.

Proceed by local sampan through the small canals and side arms of the river to further experience river life. For lunch we'll sample regional specialties such as Elephant Ear Fish, Rice Ball, etc… After a pleasant break we travel to Can Tho where we take a spin around Ninh Kieu Quay - bustling and exciting with river life on Hau River.

Day 11: Can Tho - Saigon (B)
Early morning, we take a boat to the extraordinary market of Cai Rang. Famous as one of the largest markets on the complex of waterways that comprise the Mekong Delta, hundreds of boats packed with local produces gather and make for an exciting maze. Boats come to us from all sides, offering fruits, vegetables, plants, foods, etc… Sellers advertise their wares by hanging samples high atop bamboo poles so that their customers can find from afar. It is a great view of how commerce actually happens in the Mekong.

The boat tour is capped off with an orchard visit and we return to Saigon. We'll have ample time to relax in Saigon or further discover the city independently.

Day 12: Departure (B)
Free until transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

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

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).
• 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.