About this offer

Discover Vietnam’s kaleidoscope of fascinating history, hospitable people and picturesque landscapes on a 15-day Premium adventure. Learn the mysteries of the Viet Minh in Ho Chi Minh City, explore the beautiful lakes and boulevards of Hanoi and get a glimpse of rural life as you cruise through the Mekong Delta. Experience historic temples, spend a night beneath the stars on Halong Bay, enjoy delicious banquets and learn what it means to be local. This journey will take you off the well-trodden track and leave you with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

What's Included?
Meals: 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 3 dinners
Transport: Boat, Plane, Private Minibus
Accommodation: Hotel (13 nights), Overnight boat (1 night)

Why you’ll love this trip:
• Uncover Vietnam's astounding history during a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City, stroll the historic streets of charming Hoi An and discover the French influence of the northern city of Hanoi.
• Experience the beauty of Halong Bay from the comfort of a traditional style junk boat – your Feature Stay accommodation. Enjoy a candlelit dinner on deck and soak in the magnificent landscape.
• Sit down to a soul-stirring Exclusive Experience – a Hat Xam performance in Hoi An. This ancient musical art form is rarely seen today and dates back over 700 years to the Tran Dynasty.
• By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Vun Art. Donations help them empower people with disabilities in Vietnam by providing vocational training and employment opportunities.

Other Information:
Max Group Size: 12
Min Age: 15
Physical Rating: 2/5

Flights From Manchester 

Itinerary

Day 1 • Ho Chi Minh City 
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City where you’ll meet a local representative at the airport for the private transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet the group at a welcome meeting at 6 pm, then head out for dinner with your local leader. When you arrive at the restaurant, you’ll step straight into a piece of Vietnamese history – originally an opium refinery built in 1861, this building still holds subtle nods to its past. Feast on a menu filled with classics and southern Vietnamese favourites, like pho (noodle soup) and bun thit nuong (grilled pork and noodles).

Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals: Dinner
Included activities: Complimentary Arrival Transfer, Ho Chi Minh City - Welcome Dinner, Fast Track Airport Service on Arrival

Special information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Due to its central location and distinct building styles, hotel rooms in Ho Chi Minh City tend to be quite compact.

Day 2 • Mekong Delta
Kick off your first full day of the trip with a visit to the Mekong Delta – a network of rivers and canals with floating markets and rice paddies. After breakfast, drive south towards this region via Ben Tre. Here, you’ll board a private boat to cruise the delta, stopping at some coconut gardens to visit a local home where you can sample tropical fruits and coconut jams. After, return to the waterways of the delta on sampans (small rowing boats) and row past the coconut trees and stilt houses that flank the river. Back on land, take a tuk-tuk tour around the villages for a glimpse at rural life and learn how the coconut industry is woven into the community here. Have lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a free evening.

Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included activities: Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Day 3 • Ho Chi Minh City
This morning, head on a half-day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 km) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. As you explore this labyrinth, you’ll be guided by a war veteran who will share a first-hand account of life during the war. He will also share his in-depth knowledge of the tunnel system. Your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what underground life must have been like. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps visit the renowned TV chef Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam House Restaurant for an elevated, modern twist on traditional Vietnamese cuisine.

Accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels with war veteran

Day 4 • Ho Chi Minh City - Hoi An
This morning, see Ho Chi Minh City through the eyes of a local during a bus and walking tour with your leader. Visit the Reunification Palace to learn about the end of the war and then take a sobering trip to the War Remnants Museum after stopping by the Notre Dame Cathedral. Stroll the city’s streets and notice the many French buildings along the way, including the main post office and Ho Chi Minh City Hall, modelled on Paris’ Hotel de Ville. Later this afternoon, fly to Hoi An – a riverside town in central Vietnam.

Accommodation: Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum, Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

Day 5 • Hoi An
Join your leader on a walking tour this morning to discover Hoi An’s heritage-listed ancient architecture and unique mix of influences. With its charming low-tiled houses and tranquil feel, this is a delightful town to wander around. Start by visiting an opulently decorated historic house that was once home to a prominent trader. Then, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, stop by the Chinese Assembly Hall and pay a visit to a local museum to learn more about the history you’ve uncovered on the walk. After, sit down to a lunch with the group. This afternoon, you’re free to make the most of Hoi An and its surrounding areas. Your leader can provide suggestions if you need inspiration!

Accommodation: Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included activities: Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Optional activities: Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD39

Day 6 • Hoi An
Once a significant port of the Champa Kingdom, Hoi An remains home to many Cham descendants today. This morning, your leader will guide you through the My Son Sanctuary – a collection of temples constructed by the Kings of Champa that date back to the 4th century. Learn about the ancient architecture of this UNESCO World Heritage site and see the craters created by American bombs during the war. After exploring the temples and serene surroundings, experience an Apsara dance performance featuring sparkling traditional costumes, panpipes and drums. When you return to Hoi An, the afternoon is free for you to explore further – maybe visit one of the many tailor shops and get a custom outfit or relax by the pool at your hotel.

Accommodation: Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Hoi An - My Son Tour

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Day 7 • Hue
Head for Hue this morning – the former imperial capital and hub of Vietnam's historic past. On the way, pass through the Hai Van Pass – a scenic, mountainous stretch of highway with views across Lang Co Beach. Arrive in Hue and discover its eclectic mix of busy streets and peaceful beauty. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, including the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost completely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War, but its humble, foliage-covered ruins stand as a testament to its proud history. Here, your leader will share insights into the devastating damage endured during the war.

Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Hue - Imperial City half day guided tour

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Day 8 • Hue
Ready your appetite as today you’ll be diving into Hue’s culinary scene. First up, head to a street food eatery for bun bo Hue (this spicy noodle soup is usually made with beef and pig knuckles and is an absolute must-try). Next, meet a local chef and explore the market where you can taste and smell all the herbs and ingredients that bring local dishes to life while learning about the culture of Vietnamese cuisine. Stop for lunch, then continue to the chef’s home and discover how to cook up dishes using the fresh ingredients from the market. Later, visit the Thien Mu Pagoda – an active Buddhist monastery and unofficial symbol of Hue that dates back to 1601. You’ll also visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, with its beautiful lake, frangipani and pine trees and the Imperial Citadel.

Accommodation: Pilgrimage Village Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included activities: Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue - Market Tour and Cooking Class, Hue - Bun Bo Hue breakfast

Day 9 • Hanoi
Fly from Hue to Hanoi today. Settle in when you arrive and then get your bearings with a leader-led walk, where you’ll wander the ancient 36 Streets to discover shop-lined alleys that sell everything from souvenirs to silk clothing. In the afternoon, join your group again for a traditional Hat Xam performance. Hat Xam is a Northern Vietnamese art form that originated in the Tran Dynasty. Originally performed by blind performers, it was enjoyed by local working-class audiences until the late 1950s, when a wave of communism deemed all art forms to be corrupting influences. This style of performance is rare today, but you and your group will be taken to a private clubhouse for an exclusive performance, which is one of the few places where such artists still perform acoustically.

Accommodation: Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast
Included activities: Hanoi - Hat Xam performance, Hanoi - Old Quarter Tour

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 1 hour.
Your departure today will most likely be in the morning but can vary a little depending on flight schedules.

Day 10 • Mai Chau
Leave Hanoi this morning in a private coach transfer to Mai Chau. This peaceful town is situated in a valley and surrounded by green mountains, making it famous for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hill tribe communities. Admire the views, fuel up over lunch and visit Vun Art – a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make art pieces with recycled silk scraps. Then, spend some time learning the story of the vibrant Muong ethnic group, native to this region, at the Muong Museum. Check into your accommodation in the afternoon and enjoy some free time to unwind and relax.

Accommodation: Mai Chau Hideaway Lake Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included activities: Mai Chau – Muong Museum, Mai Chau - Vun Art NGO Visit

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Day 11 • Mai Chau
Today, your leader will take you on a walk through a series of Mai Chau villages. Along the way, you’ll pass terraced rice fields and traditional stilted houses, before getting an up-close view of traditional cotton textile making and hearing a local artisan’s insights into Thai garment craftsmanship. Next, you'll learn how to make Ruou Can, a traditional fermented rice wine, as well as the cultural significance behind each step of the process. After a lunch hosted by a local family, the rest of the day is free for you to spend as you wish. Relax at your hotel or speak with your leader about optional activities in the area.

Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included activities: Mai Chau - Village Visit

Day 12 • Hanoi
Head back to Hanoi this morning for a guided half-day tour of the city with your leader, gaining insights into the city’s history during visits to the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda and the former residence of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s most famous revolutionary. Enjoy lunch at KOTO restaurant – an Intrepid Foundation supported program that teaches disadvantaged youth hospitality skills. The evening is yours to spend as you wish. Walking is a great way to explore the city, especially if you're interested in its many lakes and parks. You'll see that this northern capital can be quieter than its southern counterpart, and the West Lake, north of the main city, is an ideal place to interact with the locals and relax by its banks.

Accommodation: Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included activities: Hanoi - Temple of Literature, Hanoi - One Pillar Pagoda & HCM stilt house, 
Hanoi - KOTO lunch

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Day 13 • Halong Bay
Today, you’ll drive to Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Heritage site where karsts and islets create a spectacular sight. There’s no better way to appreciate the bay’s beauty than by boat – your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening. Carefully designed with traditional touches and modern amenities, you can sit back in comfort as you weave through the limestone islets, karsts and caves. The sights you will visit vary, but you may stop at a vibrant fishing village to learn about local life or a cave to appreciate its interesting rock formations with your leader, then you’ll retire to the boat for a seafood lunch. In the afternoon, you’ll have opportunities to swim, kayak or simply relax on the beach. This evening, dine on the boat’s deck and watch the sun go down.

Accommodation: The Au Co Cruise or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included activities: Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
Optional activities: Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Your main luggage can be left in the hotel in Hanoi.

The itinerary is subject to slight variations based on weather conditions and local regulations.

Some sights are accessed via staircases and pathways can be a little uneven and slippery, so good walking shoes or sandals will be useful.

Swimming in the bay from the boats is banned. Kayaking is restricted to designated zones within the bay.

Your wooden boat has twin-share cabins with en-suite facilities and air-conditioning. Due to the limited cabins on board, the single supplement is excluded and accommodation will be on a twin-share basis.

Local authorities only permit a limited number of boats to stay overnight in Ha Long Bay. To ensure all travellers can be accommodated on board available boats, on occasion you will stay on a larger boat (with up to 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. Or, your group may be split across different vessels, in which case a group leader will be present on each boat, and the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same. To arrange the best possible boat, the overnight on Ha Long Bay may be moved 1 day prior due to availability. If this is the case, you’ll tour Hanoi the day after the Ha Long Bay overnight cruise.

Day 14 • Hanoi
In the morning, enjoy breakfast on board the boat and perhaps take part in some optional Tai Chi to start off the day. Sail back to the port, disembark and travel back to Hanoi. Arriving back in the capital, enjoy some time to wander around and enjoy some of the city’s attractions that you may have missed the first time. You can shop on Hang Gai Street or perhaps enjoy some afternoon tea at the Metropole Hotel. In the evening, join your group and leader for a final dinner in a Hanoi restaurant, sharing stories and reflecting on the highlights of your adventure with your newfound friends.

Accommodation: Signature by M Village Tho Nhuom Hotel or similar (1 night)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included activities: Hanoi - Farewell Dinner, Halong Bay - Tai Chi
Optional activities: Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Day 15 • Hanoi
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Hanoi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional activities: Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD29, Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) - USD355, Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) - USD432