Excellent
Classic Vietnam
PRIVATE TOUR: In 10 memorable days, see the best of vibrant Vietnam. Explore Hanoi’s enchanting Old Quarter and the Imperial city of Hue. Experience life in the fast lane in Ho Chi Minh City and take time out in Hoi An. Spend a night aboard a Junk in breathtaking Halong Bay, cruise the scenic Mekong Delta and more on this exciting Southeast Asian adventure!
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysStarts
HanoiEnds
Ho Chi Minh CityRange
PrivateTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeingGroup Size
Minimum age
5 yrs, accompanied by an adultDeparts
Any day of the yearHotel Rating
SuperiorCountries
VietnamArrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesMeals included
Breakfast: 9, Lunch: 5, Dinner: 1Excellent
4.4 out of 5 based on
275 reviews
Tour Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Hanoi
Day 1 - Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon can be spent exploring the wide, tree-lined streets of Hanoi, resplendent with French colonial architecture and the scenic Hoan Kiem Lake. This evening attend a traditional Vietnamese water puppet performance.
Day 2 - Hanoi City Tour
Day 2 - Hanoi City Tour
This morning there is an optional 'Good Morning Hanoi' excursion that can be booked locally. On this excursion start the day sampling a traditional Vietnamese breakfast, with a bowl of steaming Pho at one of Hanoi's most popular eateries. After enjoying the national dish take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake, a focal pointfor many of the local residents who gather there each day to practice Tai Chi, play badminton and do aerobics. End the excursion with a visit a local coffee shop to observe how Hanoi locals enjoy sipping Vietnamese bitter sweet coffee at Café Giang.
Take in the highlights of Hanoi on a guided tour today, including the Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university dating to 1070, Ho Chi Minh’s humble “stilt house”, the French colonial Governor’s Palace and the 11th century One-Pillar Pagoda. A short drive into the countryside takes you to a village on the outskirts of Hanoi where you'll enjoy a cooking demonstration hosted by a local family. After a delicious lunch return to Hanoi and embark on a cyclo (rickshaw) tour of the winding alleys that make up the atmospheric Ancient Quarter, otherwise known as the 36 Streets of Hanoi.
The remainder of today is at your leisure, alternatively you can book an optional “Taste of Hanoi” walking tour of the city to discover the unique flavours of Vietnamese cuisine.
Day 3 - Crusing on Halong Bay
Day 3 - Crusing on Halong Bay
Hanoi - Halong Bay. Early this morning journey north to Halong Bay (approx 4 hours drive), stopping for a refreshment break en route. UNESCO Listed Halong Bay is undoubtedly one of Vietnam's most spectacular regions. Thousands of karst limestone and jungle covered peaks and isles, rise dramatically out of the emerald waters of the bay. Spend the day cruising around the islands onboard a traditional junk boat. Stopping to explore caves and coves and to swim in the emerald waters. Enjoy a cooking demonstration on board and tuck into a scrumptious lunch and dinner.
Please note: the cruise itinerary and schedule is subject to change and dependent upon weather conditions.
Day 4 - Halong Bay to Hue
Day 4 - Halong Bay to Hue
Halong Bay - Hue. Enjoy the fresh air and the gentle breeze from the top deck this morning as you relax onboard the junk and cruise around different parts of the bay. Brunch is served onboard.
Check out at around noon time and transfer back to Hanoi airport, stopping en route in Bac Ninh to visit Dong Ho Village. Dong Ho Village is famous for its long-preserved art of making pictures. Visit a studio in village where you can watch the procedure of carving and printing these paintings and learn about the local folk tales represented in the paintings. Onward to Hanoi Airport for your evening flight to Hue in central Vietnam. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 5 - Hue & the Perfume River
Day 5 - Hue & the Perfume River
Enjoy a full day tour of Hue including a boat trip on Perfume River (Huong River) to Thien Mu Pagoda and Minh Mang tomb. Thien Mu Pagoda is an octagonal tower of seven tiers that rises majestically over the Perfume River. Continue to the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, an incredible complex which consists of 40 palaces, temples and pavilions, designed on a symmetrical axis. Later, visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden City which was created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Enjoy free time for some “retail therapy” at Dong Ba Market before transferring back to the hotel.
Day 6 - Ancient Hoi An
Day 6 - Ancient Hoi An
Hue - Hoi An. This morning continue your journey by road to Hoi An via spectacular Cloudy Pass. A stop is made in Danang to visit the Cham Museum, once centre of the ancient Cham civilization. UNESCO Listed Hoi An is a former merchant trading post, famed for its beautifully preserved Chinese, Japanese and European architecture. Picturesque Hoi An has managed to retain its traditional character and charm, with its cobbled streets, markets and row upon row of tailors shops. This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour around the cobbled streets of this ancient town, which was once of the busiest trading ports in Asia.
Day 7 - Free day in Hoi An
Day 7 - Free day in Hoi An
Spend a day at leisure in this enchanting riverside town or head to the nearby An Bang beach.
Alternatively there's an optional cooking class or a half day excursion to My Son, the holiest and evocative of Vietnam’s Cham sites. Here at the ancient Kingdom of Champa you can see the burial tombs of the Cham royals and national heroes.
Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City
Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Fly to Ho Chi Minh City today and transfer to your hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, though still referred to as Saigon to all but city officials is Vietnam's most lively, modern and cosmopolitan city. In the afternoon discover the highlights of the city on a guided tour, taking in the Notre Dame Cathedral (outside only as renovating), the Central Post Office and Chinatown. End the day with a visit to the sobering War Remnants Museum.
Day 9 - The Mekong Delta
Day 9 - The Mekong Delta
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Can Tho. Explore the beautiful Mekong Delta today! Early this morning drive to Ben Tre and board a traditional Sampan boat at around 10:00am to explore the peaceful waterways. During the boat trip, visit a local cottage industries making bricks, producing rice paper and Mr. Sau Khanh’s house - who has been collecting antiques which include ancient and valuable ceramics, pottery pieces like bowls, dishes and vases, to ceiling lights, sculptures and Buddha statues. In the afternoon we travel onto Can Tho for the night.
Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City
Day 10 - Ho Chi Minh City
Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City. Morning cruise along the Mekong's small and picturesque tributaries where we will visit the bustling Cai Rang Floating Market. Take in the beautiful scenery and watch the locals going about their daily lives along the Mekong canals. Then return to Ho Chi Minh City mid afternoon and transfer to the airport in time for your international flight.
Please note: Flights should not depart before 17.00hrs. If you'd like to extend your stay in Ho Chi Minh City we recommend exploring the Reunification Palace and taking a day trip to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
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Hotels
Prices & Dates
'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults.
Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel. Please bear this in mind if comparing prices as we always aim to deliver exceptional value. Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 our more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.
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4.4 out of 5 based on 275 reviews