Highlights and hidden gems of Vietnam

Helping a tea plucker, exploring hidden alleyways, cruising the Mekong Delta, taking a city tour by jeep, taking tea on your balcony with a beautiful view: whatever you want to get out of your trip to Vietnam there is an itinerary for you.  We work closely with our partners to ensure you get the most out of every trip.  This 3 week journey, created with the help of our trusted partners, The Experience Group, will give you a wonderful feeling of discovery in one of the most fascinating of the South East Asian countries.

Days One and Two

Fly to Hanoi via Ho Chi Minh City

Stay for 3 nights

Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam has stayed remarkably intact despite several periods of war. It’s this history of conquest which has created an interesting cultural melting pot, from the early Chinese invaders to the impact of the French colonial era. Walking around the city itself is no easy task as motorbikes hurtle in all directions but if you make it to the “Old Quarter” you will find a charming maze of streets each named after the trade it supplies such as jewellery, medicines, clothing and much more. Hanoi is one of Asia’s great cities.

Head out lin the afternoon for a half day jeep tour with your private guide and driver which will take you to the Westlake area. You will see and learn about contrasting traditional residential villages and new architecture in the developing areas.  Visit rarely seen pagodas where daily worship is still practiced and enjoy the ambience and culture of these religious sites. After visiting a traditional Ao Dai Fashion House you will continue driving through the city to the Museum of Ethnology where there is a chance to explore the cultural heritage and diversity of Vietnam. From here, experience Hoang Hoa Tham Street which is full of bonsai, flower and pet shops, before enjoying the Old Quarter from a unique perspective. After stopping for a coffee at a great vantage point, you will drive back to your hotel via the lake and Opera House.

Day Three

Depart from your hotel towards Hoan Kiem Lake where you can sample a traditional Vietnamese coffee before starting a fascinating walking ‘voyage of discovery’ amongst the labyrinth of hidden alleyways that intersperse the 36 Streets of the Old Quarter. This is ‘secret’ Hanoi; far from public view where a dark single file passage opens to a secret pagoda or a unique historical gem. Discover hidden water wells, ancient staircases, delight at the fascinating and innovative architecture and enjoy a refreshing drink at a ‘locals only’ store. Photo opportunities abound as your guide will share with you not only the history but daily rituals and regimes that will intrigue and amaze. Getting lost… and found again in these hidden alleyways is a truly rewarding and special experience.

Following on from your exploration of the alleyways, meet a local street food guide and explore the bustling markets of the Old Quarter. A walk through the early afternoon market presents ample opportunities to experience the real taste of Vietnam – let your curiosity and your appetite lead the way. Your guide is on hand to offer advice and recommendations on some of the exotic delicacies on offer but make sure you come with an open mind and a healthy appetite as this may well prove one of the best culinary experiences of your entire trip. With a seemingly endless choice of sweet and savory snacks available, as well as a dizzying range of drinks, be prepared to eat a lot!

Head back to your hotel around 3pm and enjoy a relaxed afternoon.

Day Four

This guided walking tour around Hanoi’s urban tracks provides the opportunity to immerse yourself in the daily life of those who live and work along the city’s main railway line. The tour navigates the narrow streets of the old town, which are dissected by Hanoi’s main railway artery. Accustomed to the deafening noise of the passing trains, the residents go about their daily chores – cooking, cleaning and raising their families – almost oblivious to the slow moving trains.

The walk leads you to the historic Long Bien Bridge, built at the beginning of the 20th century. It was severely damaged by bombardments during the Vietnam War due to its strategic position (it was the only bridge at that time across the Red River and connecting Hanoi to other provinces). You will pass the ageing Long Bien railway station and enjoy a bit of interaction with the street vendors before sitting back to enjoy a cold drink.

Day five

Journey from Hanoi to Tam Coc

Stay for 1 night

Ninh Binh is just inland from the famous Halong Bay and a useful base for exploring the Vietnamese countryside.  The town itself is rather dusty and unattractive however to the south, lies the nearby village of Tam Coc which is famous for its limestone cliffs and karst scenery. In the opposite direction sits one of Vietnam’s ancient capitals, Hoa Lu. Not much remains of this 10th century royal city apart from some intricate archways and the atmospheric dynastic temples of Dinh Tien Hoang, Nhat Tru Temple and Le Dai Hanh.

On arrival to Ninh Binh take a gentle cycle ride through the beautiful Van Long Nature Reserve and be mesmerised by the beautiful landscape of mountains, caves, green rice fields and small villages.

In the Van Long forest, there are 457 species of plants and 39 species of animals including the languor, Tibetan bear, loris and red-faced monkey so keep your eyes peeled! Peddle through the countryside visiting temples, pagodas, local homes and markets along the way.

Before returning to your hotel in the afternoon take the option of climbing the stairs to the Hang Mua summit for aerial views of the incredible limestone karst scenery.  Explore Bai Dinh Pagoda, one of the largest Buddhist pagodas in South East Asia.

Day Six

Ninh Binh to Ha Long Bay Pier

Stay for 2 nights (cruise)

Ha Long Bay, an impressive UNESCO World Heritage site, is steeped in myth and legend. Ha Long means the ‘descending dragon’.  The story goes that Vietnam was sent a family of dragons as protection against invaders. The dragons spat out jewels and jade from their mouths which transformed into the islands and islets you can now see spanning the bay. The best way to appreciate the famous picturesque ocean karst topography of this area is to board a boat and cruise around the bay.

After boarding your boat at Hon Gai international harbor enjoy a welcome drink and have a cruise briefing. Set sail through the stunning Bai Tu Long Bay cruising past striking rock formations and tiny islands. You can enjoy lunch at Yen Duc local village before visiting the dazzling Thien Canh Son Cave; a secluded cavern carpeted with glittering stalactites.

You will also have the chance to visit Hon Co Island where you can kayak or simply relax on the white sandy beach. Dinner will be served on board where you can sit back, relax and watch the sun set behind the karst peaks of the bay.

Day Seven

The next morning breakfast will be taken on deck so that you can fully enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of Halong Bay in the early morning. You’ll set sail around the beautiful waters of Bai Tu Long Bay, discovering hidden lagoons and have the chance to kayak if you wish.

Lunch is a BBQ served on Wild Beach, before your journey to the dazzling Thien Canh Son Cave; a secluded cavern carpeted with glittering stalactites.

Dinner again will be served on board, where you can sit back, relax and watch the sun set behind the karst peaks of the bay.

Day Eight

Enjoy your final breakfast on deck with a glorious backdrop before your visit to Vung Vieng fishing village by rustic row boat. Later, an a la carte lunch will be served on board as you sail back to the harbour, where you will disembark at midday.

Fly to Hue

Stay for 2 nights

Hue, the national capital between 1802 and 1945, is one of Vietnam’s most engaging cities. Despite many of its best buildings being destroyed during the Vietnam War, Hue still retains the feel of a small and relatively peaceful town with its canals, lakes and lavish gardens. For historical insight head to the once formidable Imperial City along the north bank of the Perfume River. To the east is Phu Cat, the original merchants’ quarter now filled with ‘shophouses’ and pagodas.

Day Nine

This morning you will take in three of Hue’s most iconic landmarks; the Perfume River, the Imperial Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda. Travelling by boat presents the perfect mode of transport to enjoy these famous sights and provides some lovely views of the city. After a chance to explore both sites, the afternoon then sees you transferring by road to the imperial tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty lying on the outskirts of the city.

Day Ten

Hoi An

Stay for 3 nights

This private transfer takes you to Hoi An by the spectacular Hai Van Pass (Cloud Pass), the highest traversable road in the country. The three and a half hour journey traverses some of the most spectacular scenery in the region, as you climb above the rice fields and fishing villages of Hué before descending towards the beaches and coastline of Danang.

Hoi An is a delightful, charming town just south of Da Nang. Many foreign influences can be detected from when this ancient town was the main port of the Cham kingdom and a major player in international trade. Today, the Old Town is a beguiling place for a stroll – you’ll find a maze of shops, art galleries, restaurants and literally dozens of tailors. One of the highpoints of Hoi An is when the sun goes down and handmade hanging lanterns start to light up the sky.

Day Eleven

Hoi An gets very busy in the afternoon so an early morning visit is the best way to get a feel for the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town without the crowds. Start out at around 8am today with a call into a rooftop café to enjoy a coffee whilst watching the ancient town come to life below.

Take in the atmosphere as you weave in and out the streets and alleys lined with preserved old merchant houses, bougainvillea, temples and markets. You will visit the iconic 400-year-old Japanese Bridge and the waterfront, where colourful fishing boats bob up and down on the Thu Bon River. Visit a local house located in a hidden alleyway where you can try one of best known cakes in Hoi An – Banh It la Gai. There will also be time to peruse the numerous boutiques and galleries. Before returning to your hotel, stop for lunch at Morning Glory Restaurant, one of the town’s top restaurants.

The afternoon is free for you to relax at leisure at your hotel.

Day Twelve

Enjoy a day at leisure at your hotel

Day Thirteen

Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Stay for 1 night

Ho Chi Minh City (still commonly known as Saigon) is the largest and most contemporary city in Vietnam. It’s a city of stark contrasts where you’ll find yourself navigating through bustling, local markets in the shadow of modern skyscrapers. Once you have tackled crossing the shoals of beeping motorbikes – no easy task – there are many sights to see. Despite Vietnam’s turbulent past, Ho Chi Minh City retains a number of historic buildings which show the combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and European influenced architecture.

The bustling Ben Thanh Market provides an authentic taste of Saigon life. One of the city’s most iconic symbols, it is a lively mass of character and colour with market stalls piled high with all manner of fruit, veg, meats and spices. A vast array of goods are for sale including colourful flowers, exotic fruits and beautiful Vietnamese cloths and silks. Joining your local guide for a stroll through the bustling streets, enjoy exploring the market, bargaining for souvenirs and tasting the local food before returning to your hotel later in the evening.

Day Fourteen

The Mekong Delta

Stay for 1 night (cruise)

One-third of Vietnam’s annual food yield comes from the Mekong Delta even though the flatlands are only a small portion of the country’s overall land area. As well as providing sustenance, the river is teeming with all forms of transportation ranging from huge sampans to easy rowing boats. The region as a whole is a hive of activity, commerce and Vietnamese ingenuity.

Board the Bassac Boat at Ninh Kieu pier, check into your cabins and enjoy a welcome drink as you are introduced to the ship and crew. You will depart downstream of the Hau river, with lunch served en route. Your first stop will be the Tra On floating market where local hawkers sell a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables and other goods. The boat will then turn into the Nicolai canal heading towards Mang Thit and Co Chien. Enjoy the stunning scenery of rice and sugar cane fields and lush woodland along the banks of the river, with a drink on deck or at the bar as the sun sets. Dinner will be served before the boat anchors for the night on the Mang Thit river

Day Fifteen

This morning the boat will continue on its journey towards Cai Be. Breakfast is taken on deck to make the most of the beautiful riverside scenery. Crossing the Co Chien river, the boat will head along the Cho Lach canal, weaving through the traffic of sand and rice barges and cruising past fruit-drying stalls and historic wooden shipbuilding yards.

Transfer to Saigon

Day Sixteen

This morning, journey out of the city centre to the Cu Chi region, where you will visit the vast underground network of tunnels.  These tunnels were first built as a defence against the French and later expanded during the American war. See secret trapdoors, underground kitchens, living areas and meeting rooms. Explore deeper tunnels still or, if you prefer, there is ample opportunity to view excavated areas from above.

Lunch will be at Quan An Ngon in Saigon, where you will have the opportunity to try many Vietnamese street food dishes. In the afternoon, visit the former Presidential Palace which served as the headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American War. Continue to the Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the city centre, and other historic buildings around the city including the History Museum and War Remnant Museum.

After a chance to relax and freshen up at your hotel, your guide will take you to one of the most hip bars in Saigon where you can relax with drinks and take in some great views of the city.

Day Seventeen

Along the coastal road to Nha Trang in south-eastern Vietnam, the coastal towns Mui Ne and Phan Thiet have both been transformed by tourism in recent years. Strong winds from the sea make Mui Ne an ideal spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing, whilst Phan Thiet city is known as the ‘land of dragon fruit’. The most notable sight in both these seaside spots however is the colourful fishing boats bobbing about in their harbours.

Enjoy the resort and your last couple of days in Vietnam.

Days Eighteen to Twenty

At leisure

Day Twenty One

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh airport for your flight to London

Day Twenty Two

Arrive in London

This itinerary is an example of how you could experience Vietnam.  We can of course tailormake your ideal trip so do pop in and see us or get in touch to chat through what you would like to do.

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