Immerse yourself in the incredibly unique Vietnamese culture with our 10-day introduction to its highlights. Cruise stunning Halong Bay, roam UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An and trek to Ho Chi Minh!
It comes as no surprise that Vietnam has been described by Lonely Planet as an “enthralling travel icon.” In the hurtling time capsule of this once war-ridden country, life is continuing to prosper and adapt with the fast pace of its thriving cities. Like a true and resilient icon, Vietnam has kept with the times by coinciding with the old and new, whilst combining originality with adventure. With vivacious temples, waterways and much more, Vietnam is the star holiday destination of Southeast Asia.
Discover how Ben Thanh Market and the ancient remnants of Champa Kingdom effortlessly entwine with the modern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Venture deep beneath the jungle to the tunnel of Cu Chi, covering almost 250 km it is a stark reminder of the determination and resilience of the Vietnamese people. End this thrilling adventure by crossing over the sparkling emerald-green waters of Halong Bay where according to legend, dragons created the limestone islands to protect the Bay from the wild ocean.
What's Included:
- We take care of Travel with Return International Flights from the UK
- All Private airport/ train station Transfers with English Speaking Reps
- 2-Night Stay at Saigon River Boutique Hotel (Certificate of Excellence)
- Sightseeing of Ho Chi Minh City's fascinating sights
- Venture to the brilliance of the Vietnam War’s Cu Chi Tunnels via Tour
- Enjoy a hassel-free Domestic Flight from Saigon to Da Nang
- 4-Night Stay at the River Beach Resort in Hoi An (Certificate of Excellence)
- Be swept away via Domestic Flight from Danang to Hanoi
- 3-Night Stay at the The Meracus 1 Hotel (Traveller’s Choice Winner) in Hanoi
- Set out in style on a One Full-day Halong Bay Cruise Excursion with Lunch
- A cruise is the perfect place for a party with Free Bottle of Wine Worth £25 On Board
- Guided Walking Tour in Hanoi covering Ho Chi Minh Complex, Presidential Palace, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem Lake.
- A relaxing 40-Minute Foot & Body Massage at the SF SPA in Hanoi after walking tour
- Enjoy fantastic atmosphere at the amazing Water Puppet Show
- Daily Breakfast included with each hotel stay
Holiday Highlights:
Drift the emerald waters of Halong Bay and go for a snoop through any of Hanoi's many markets!
- Be sure to visit the Jade Emperor, a spectacular example of a Taoist Pagoda
- If seeking adventure visit the bustling markets and pagodas in Cholon
- Savour a variety of Vietnamese cuisine from the South and North
- Explore The Kingdom of Champa’s Hindu spires and structures from the 7th - 17th century
- Weave through Hanoi’s Old French Quarter and visit the One Pillar Pagoda
- Shop for handicraft, art and jewellery at incredible prices
- Explore the sea grottoes, lakes and coves with the beaches of Halong
- Challenge yourself on the many golf courses found in the cities
River Beach Resort is located in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site-Hoi An, where the De Vong River meets the South China Sea, right at the heart of Cua Dai Beach. The property is set amidst picturesque rice paddies and well-preserved houses in the ancient town of Hoi An.
The Hotel offers 85 luxurious guest rooms, ranging from deluxe, superb deluxe rooms to executive, family and presidential suites. All are fully equipped with modern facilities and comforts. Each rooms has a private balcony or terrace and offers views of the river, pool, garden or countryside. Rooms and facilities for the disabled are also provided.
Enjoy resort's private beach at Cua Dai, a mere 2 minute walk from the hotel where umbrellas, sun loungers, towels and refreshments are provided.
The hotel is located right in the city centre of Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel is situated a 5-minute drive from popular attractions like the Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica, the Opera House and the War Remnants Museum. The Ben Thanh Market and Ho Chi Minh Fine Arts Museum are within a 5-minute walk away.
Decorated by an elegant style, modern and all rooms have windows. The rooms are fitted with comfortable bed and furnishings, and feature a 32-inch flat-screen TV, a safety box and a minibar. All bathrooms have a hairdryer and free toiletries for guests’ convenience. The suite has a sauna and a bathtub. Each room provides separate sleeping and sitting area with LCD television 32 inch, one double bed with 2 soft pillows and beautiful clean duvets. In addition, the room is included a mini bar and complimentary tea and coffee so absolutely you can take a rest with your favorite drinks even in your room.
The restaurant serves a selection of Vietnamese and Western dishes. It also has a buffet breakfast daily. A 24-hour room service is available on request.
This property also has one of the best-rated locations in Ho Chi Minh City!
The Hotel is conveniently located in Old Quarter Hanoi , where you can just step out and feel the true life of the over -1000-year-old beautiful city distinguished by the historic places and the mish-mash of the narrow streets. While just taking a few steps you will be in the heart of Vietnam – the Hoan Kiem Lake – only to discover stories of the magic turtle and the legend King Ly Thai To who once founded the city.
The hotel is a modern building sitting perfectly in contrast with old ones in the surrounding. The lobby and the spacious lounge are gracefully designed with exquisitely carved natural stones complimenting the ultra modern comfortable rooms.
Day 1 ARRIVAL – HO CHI MINH CITY
On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, you are met by our English speaking representative and are transferred to hotel.
The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, is the center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. The DAY is at leisure to unwind yourself or you can stroll around the down town to explore the different local ways of life.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2 HO CHI MINH CITY - GUIDED SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Breakfast at hotel. Morning: A half day city tour of the Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, visits include the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, the Chinatown and the former Presidential Palace.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 3 HO CHI MINH CITY – A GUIDED CU CHI TUNNELS TOUR – EVENING FLIGHT TO DA NANG – TRANSFER TO HOI AN
Breakfast at hotel. You’ll be picked up from the hotel then transferred about 30km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town.
Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from where the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Cu Chi tunnels consist of more than 200km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels, the tunnels are between 0.5 to 1m wide, just enough for a person to crawl along. It’s a must visit site when in Saigon.
Back to Ho Chi Minh City and later a transfers to the Tan Son Nhat airport for a departure flight to Da Nang VN124 (17:05 – 18:20)
Upon arrival at Da Nang airport, you’ll be welcomed by our English speaking representative & will be driven to your hotel in Hoi An for a check-in.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 4 HOI AN – COMBINATION OF BEAUTIFUL BEACHES & A GRACIOUS TOWN
Breakfast at the Hotel. Whilst you are in Hoi An you’ll be free to relax at hotel, take a dip in the pool, go to the beach or explore the gracious Hoi An town
Hoi An flaunts Casuarina-lined white sandy beaches, the right balance of great restaurants and bars, green lawns, island views, year round swimming in the tropical East Sea and much more that will make your visit worth while. Unlike many beach destinations there is something to do whatever the season.
Beyond the beaches, historic Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage, the 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent. Whether you’ve as little as a DAY or as long as a month in the town, it’ll be time well spent.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 5 HOI AN – AT LEISURE
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Day is at leisure to relax at the hotel, swim in the sea or explore the town.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 6 HOI AN – AT LEISURE OR TAKE AN OPTIONAL TOUR TO MY SON SANCTUARY (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Breakfast at the hotel, the DAY is at leisure or you can take up an Optional tour to My Son Sanctuary:
At 8.00 am our guide and driver are ready in your hotel’s lobby for the half day tour
Vietnam’s most evocative Cham site, My Son, lies 40km southwest of Hoian, in a bowl of lush wooden hills towered over by the aptly named "Cat’s Tooth Mountain".
It has been recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List and richly deserves its place on the tourist map. It is the former capital of the ancient Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the second to the thirteenth century. Their religion was primarily derived from Indian Hinduism.
My Son is considered to be one of the best-preserved Cham structures in Vietnam. It is comprised of seventy Hindu-like towers and temples dating from the second century. This site is a Must-See for those people who are interested in architecture and ancient civilizations.
Return to the hotel in the afternoon, evening at leisure
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7 HOI AN – HANOI & WATER PUPPET SHOW
After Breakfast at hotel. You will be transferred to the Da Nang Airport for a short flight to Hanoi. You will be met by our English speaking representative at the Noi bai airport and will be transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.
Our chosen hotel is located in central Hanoi close to the Hoan Kiem lake, you’ll be free to walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake or in the old quarters streets to see the daily activities of the locals as well as the hundred-year-old houses built in French style.
Late evening, you’ll have a chance to experience a very special water-puppet show nearby your hotel.
This art is unique to North Vietnam but has recently found fame on stages all over the world, so it’s a rare treat to see the puppets perform in their original location at the Water Puppet Theatre. Performances are accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra playing traditional music using drums, wooden bells, horns, bamboo flutes and cymbals.
There are also authentic Vietnamese operatic songs taking the audience on a journey of ancient village life, agricultural harvests and dances of mythical creatures. Most shows also feature the famous Legend of the Restored Sword of King Le which tells the tale of Hoan Kiem Lake and the giant tortoise.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 8 HANOI FULL DAY GUIDED TOUR TO HALONG
After an early breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a Halong Bay Cruise excursion, Between 7:50 - 8:40: Our cruise's shuttle bus and tour guide pick you up from your hotel in Hanoi old quarter, It is about a 3.5 hour drive to Halong Bay.
12:15: Arrive in Bai Chay tourist wharf, welcomed by crew on our cruise and enjoy welcome drinks, take photos
12:45: Sailing forward to stunning scenery with thousands of limestone mountains and have seafood lunch while cruising through the emerald water passing by the Dog Stone, the Burning Incense Islet. Stop at fishing village for kayaking – we will provide the equipment, you will have 30 - 35 minutes to explore some grottoes and islets by yourself.
After that we visit Fighting-Cock rock and the Heavenly Palace (Thien Cung cave) - which has opened to the public since 1998 with stalagmites and stalactites. Back to Cruise. You are served cold tissues and fresh fruits.
16:15: Back to Tourist wharf and get on the coach to Hanoi.
20:00: Arrive Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 9 HANOI - PRIVATE GUIDED WALKING TOUR
After having breakfast at hotel, a guide will take you from the hotel to commence a walking tour to visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which contains the mausoleum of the nation’s founder Ho Chi Minh, the Presidential Palace and the Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts.
Close to this complex is the One Pillar Pagoda, whose origins date back to the foundation of city. Follow it with a visit to the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam.
Later on, we will take a short visit at Hilton Prison where Vietnamese soldiers captured & detained American pilots from 1967 till 1973. Back to the Hoan Kiem Lake area to see the picturesque Red Bridge. The evening will be at leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 10 HANOI – TRANSFER TO THE NOI BAI AIRPORT FOR YOUR FLIGHT BACK HOME
After having breakfast at hotel, you have the morning free to do some last minute souvenir shopping. Later, depending on the flight departure time you will be seen off at the airport 3 hours prior by our English speaking representative.
- Our endeavor will always be to confirm the hotels listed in the package chosen, however in rarest of cases where we are not able to confirm certain hotel(s), like for like alternatives will be provided.
- We recommend that you buy a travel Insurance as any costs incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political unrest etc. are not included and will be passenger’s responsibility.
- Accommodation will be on twin sharing basis unless otherwise stated
- The package is non-refundable for any inclusion items not used/taken
- Anything not included in the package will be chargeable
- The itineray can also be booked in reverse
- Mandatory supplement will be applicable for Xmas and New Year's period
EXCLUSIONS
- Visa stamping fee on arrival
- My Son Sanctuary tour is optional and can be added for £39 per person
- Travel Insurance
- Single supplements
- Other foreign language guide
- Tip, drinks and other personal expenses
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions
Please note - The activities on Day 8 and Day 9 may have to be swapped depending on the availability of Halong Bay Cruise.
