VIETNAM HIGHLIGHTS
Overview
Indulge in all of Vietnam’s coolest spots in just 10 days. Experience the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City & Hanoi. Relax and soak up the rays on a beach in Nha Trang. Hit Hoi An by bike. Or explore the lush landscape of Ninh Binh on a legendary army jeep. It’s vibrant. It’s tropical. It’ll leave you with unforgettable memories.
Included/Excluded
- Your accommodation, essential trip transport, and a good handful of meals are included in the cost (on most trips we offer breakfast every day, plus a hand-picked selection of authentic and tasty meals)
- A number of meal times are left open for you to explore a region and its foodie offerings in greater detail, so budgeting for your taste in non-catered meals is important.
- Travel insurance and visas
- Flights to and from your starting and ending points
- We offer Free Time Add-Ons, which are additional experiences
- Meals not mentioned
Day 1: Start Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City:
- Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia’s most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. You’ll meet your travel comrades and have a free evening to explore. Oh yes, this is the right way to get your Vietnam trip started.
Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City To Nha Trang
Ho Chi Minh City:
- With some traditional R’n’R on our afternoon agenda, the morning can be used to put on our discovering boots. We’ll dabble in history and religion before taking flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea.
Nha Trang:
- Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life – this is Nha Trang. This afternoon why not book in for a mineral mud bath and hot thermal spring experience before heading out to dinner with your crew. Ah, the good life.
Vien Dong Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast included
Included Experience:
- Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Highlights
- Pay Respects at the War Remnants Museum
- Fly to Nha Trang
- Mud Bath & Hot Springs Experience
Day 3: Overnight Train to Hoi An
Nha Trang:
- Good news – we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience.
Overnight Train to Hoi An:
- Tonight, we’ll head north via our comfy overnight train – where you’ll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.
Overnight Train
Breakfast included
Additional Cost Applies:
- Cruise & Swimming Day Trip
Day 4: Hoi An
Overnight Train to Hoi An:
- Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, you’ll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.
Hoi An:
- With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Breakfast included
Included Experience:
- Guided Cycling: Hoi An Ancient Town
Additional Cost Applies:
- Tasty Vietnamese Cooking Class
Day 5: Hoi An
Hoi An:
- Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.
Qualia De Hotel Hoi An (Previously Le Pavillon Paradise) (or similar)
Breakfast included
Additional Cost Applies:
- Ride the Hand-Made Bamboo Basket Boats
Day 6: Hoi An to Hanoi via Da Nang
Hoi An:
- Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang…
Da Nang:
- Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town.
Hanoi:
- Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens! We bet you’re starving from all that travel. That’s why we’ll head straight to the KOTO restaurant – a unique dining experience that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. And with our tummies happy and full, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature (AKA Vietnam’s first-ever university.) But the sight-seeing doesn’t end there. It’s time to make our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to a Vietnamese revolutionary leader. In the evening, you’re free to explore the capital however you like.
Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch included
Included Experience:
- Included Flight Da Nang to Hanoi
- Get a Unique Dining Experience at KOTO Restaurant MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Learn at the Temple of Literature
- See the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Day 7: Hanoi to Ninh Binh
Hanoi:
- Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam’s show-stopping natural beauty.
Ninh Binh:
- Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnam’s legendary army jeep and let’s get going. Spend the day cherishing the crisp air and greenery. And if you love bird-watching, make sure to have your binoculars ready at all times.
Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel & Resort (or similar)
Breakfast included
Additional Cost Applies:
- Tour Ninh Binh in the Legendary Vietnamese Army Jeep
Day 8: Ninh Binh to Halong Bay
Ninh Binh:
- Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one).
Halong Bay:
- A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of ‘oh wow’s’, but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.
Junk Boat (Special Stay)
Included Experience:
- Catch a Serene Sunrise at the Mua Cave
- Chill at Ti Top Island
- Stay on a Junk Boat
Additional Cost Applies:
- Kayaking on Halong Bay
Day 9: Halong Bay To Hanoi
Halong Bay:
- Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat – the views don’t get much better than this.
Hanoi:
- After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow – this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.
Hanoi Larosa Hotel (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch included
Included Experience:
- Stroll around the Sung Sot Caves