18 DAYS. SOUTHERN, CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VIETNAM

Vietnam, a country known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant street food scene, is also steeped in a rich cultural heritage that is waiting to be explored and experienced. From its ancient traditions to its thriving art scene, Vietnam offers a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences for your clients, allowing them time to delve deeper into the country’s cultural roots. The Vietnamese experience will not only leave them in awe but will also give them a profound understanding of Vietnam’s historical and cultural significance.

This is a tour that is currently delivered by agents whose clients require a less structured tour delivering more free days to explore the markets, street food options and the local hospitality.

Outline Itinerary

1. Arrive HCMC
2. HCMC
3. HCMC
4. Hoi An
5. Hoi An
6. Hoi An
7. Da Nang
8. Da Nang – Hue
9. Hue
10. Hue
11. Dong Hoi
12. Quan Binh
13. Quan Binh
14. Hanoi
15. Hanoi
16. Ha Long Bay
17. Hanoi
18. Depart Hanoi

DAY 1

WE ARRIVE IN HO CHI MINH CITY (HCMC)

Vibrating with energy, innovation and traffic – lots of traffic – Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the economic heart of Vietnam and the main hub of the southern region. A freewheeling, cosmopolitan metropolis, HCMC’s dynamic cityscape draws together old and new Vietnam in the most compact of spaces, representing the city’s past as well as its future.

We head out and explore the thriving Street Food Market where we’ll have dinner. Then it’s time to rest our heads and get excited for tomorrow’s adventure!

DAY 2

HO CHI MINH CITY

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, be ready for a 9am departure to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels.  This system was dug by the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam during the Indochina War and the Vietnam War.

CU CHI TUNNELS

The underground tunnel system was a way for soldiers to move undetected and launch surprise attacks. The tunnel system is about 200 km long and includes a clinic, a kitchen, a storage room and an office and has ventilation systems into the bushes. The tunnels were built on the land known as “steel land”, located at the end of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. During the 1968 Tet Offensive, the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam used this system of tunnels to attack Saigon. When visiting the Cu Chi tunnels, you will learn how Vietnamese guerrillas worked, built, lived and fought in the tunnels, watch precious documentaries about the war and how the Vietnamese army and people won against modern and advanced weapons with only the will of the nation.

DAY 3

HO CHI MINH CITY

Free exploration day

DAY 4

HCMC  CITY TO HOI AN

We start the day with another great breakfast before making our way to the airport for an 11am flight to Da Nang.

We’ll stop for lunch COCO CASA

 before a short drive down to Hoi An and check into our hotel where you can relax, have a swim or head out for a stroll around town.

Free time around the Ancient Town. At night the area is lit up by lanterns so its a beautiful chance to get some great photos and witness the vibrancy of the area at night. Rickshaw transport can be arranged for those needing a ride instead of walking.

DAY 5

DAY 6

HOI AN

Full Itinerary available on enquiry

TOUR RED BRIDGE

TOUR TAILORS

We then spend the afternoon exploring more of the Ancient Town where you can shop, get some tailor made clothes, visit a local bar and just soak up this pretty little town.

DAY 7

DA NANG

Full Itinerary available on enquiry

DAY 8

DA NANG – HUE

After breakfast it’s time for another special highlight of our tour. We board the train and make our way to Hue over the Hai Van Pass. The pass  is between Da Nang and Lang Co and is often listed among the top train journeys in the world.

The Hai Van Pass was built to get around the headland on the coast that forms one side of Da Nang Bay. This mountainous section separates Thua Thien Hue province from Da Nang City. While the Hải Vân Tunnel has shortened the trip for vehicle traffic, the train still follows the same alignment from when it was first built over 100 years ago.

DAY 9

Full Itinerary available on enquiry

DAY 10

HUE

Full Itinerary available on enquiry

DAY 11

HUE -DONG HOI

Full Itinerary available on enquiry

DAY 12

Full Itinerary available on enquiry

DAY 13

PHONG NHA

Be treated to amazing scenery with self designed houses, churches, limestone mountains covered with evergreen trees and view the herds of water buffalos grazing by the river. When we reach the cave’s mouth the boat’s engine is shut down and we weave our way into the big cave where you can push your imagination to its limit seeing the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites in various shapes and colours that will simply blow your mind! A truly superb experience!

After lunch we make our way out to the Rice Fields to meet a wonderful family and visit their house and farm. Mingle with the lovely locals and get involved in some pretty unique options such as Riding Buffaloes and Herding Ducks. This is a very memorable and emotional visit meeting the family and in particular the father who fought in the Vietnam war and has the scars to prove it!‍

We head back and check into our lovely accommodation and get set for another memorable meal together.

DAY 14

Quan Binh – Hanoi

Rise and shine, have breakfast and get set as we make our way to the airport ready to catch a flight to Hanoi.

DAY 15

HANOI ‍

Once landed we’ll enjoy another great lunch then spend some time having a look around the old town immersing ourselves in the culture of this vibrant and busy city.

TOUR HN

DAY 16

HA LONG BAY

Today we explore another UNESCO World Heritage Site. We pack our bags and travel to Ha Long.  We check in on the 5-star cruise and put our feet up.  Once rested, we enjoy a delicious lunch on the cruise, while the boat takes us through the forest of caves and rocky islands in Ha Long.

We visit Sung Sot Cave, the most beautiful and largest cave in Ha Long Bay, named ” Grotte des surprises ” by the French.  We stop at Titop Island for a swim, as well as climb to the top of Titop Island to see Ha Long Bay from above.

We end this magical day, watching the sunset over Ha Long Bay before enjoying dinner on the cruise enjoying a fabulous evening together which may involve some karaoke!

Accommodation: Onboard  5-Star Cruise Boat

DAY 17

Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

If you wish you can wake up early and be treated to a beautiful sunrise. We’ll dine for breakfast before the option of kayaking on Ha Long Bay.  We then pack our bags before heading back to Hanoi.

This afternoon you have free time to explore the city, go shopping or simply just soak up the lovely accommodation and rest up for the afternoon. We will head out for our final night together as a group before heading to bed or for those keen, can head out and experience a little bit of the nightlife.

‍DAY 18

HANOI – HOME