Join In Tour of Vietnam - 9 Days / 8 Nights

Day 1 - (Saturday): Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi, welcome by your guide and transfer to hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2 - Hanoi (B,L)

A full day tour of Hanoi. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. This city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum (from outside - closed Mondays and Fridays plus Oct-Nov) and his house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, Quan Thanh Temple and Tran Quoc Pagoda on the edge of West Lake. 

After lunch at a local restaurant, continue with a visit to the Ethnology Museum to give you an overview of the ethnic diversity of Vietnam.

End the day right in the heart of Hanoi with a visit to the 'Lake of the Restored Sword'  and exploring Hanoi's Old Quarter, also known as the '36 streets', on foot, a great way to see this very typical area of Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3 - Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)

0800 depart for the 3.5-hour drive to Halong Bay. Journey there through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta, observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers as they work the rice fields, take pigs to the market on motorbikes and plough the fields with their water buffaloes. Arrive from Hanoi late morning and welcome at the pier. Check-in procedures and transfer to your boat for the overnight journey into the Bay.

Lunch is served on board as you cruise into Halong Bay. Cruise by rock formations with such names as Sail, Dog and Dinh Huong (incense pot). Towards the end of the day set anchor for the night as the sun sets followed by dinner.

Overnight on Halong Bay.

Day 4 - Halong Bay - Hanoi - Danang - Hoi An (B)

On your return to Halong City enjoy brunch as your boat weaves its way back to the dock. Upon disembarkation your driver will meet you for the transfer back to Hanoi.

If time allows return to Hanoi otherwise straight to the airport.  

Drive to Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi for the 1-hr flight to Danang. On arrival your private vehicle will be waiting for you for the 40-minute transfer to Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 5 - Hoi An - Hue (B,L)

Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle have changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants' homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, a Chinese communal hall and the colourful market.

Leave Hoi An after lunch for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

In Danang stop for a visit of the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world before climbing over the 'Pass of Ocean Clouds' and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel.

Overnight in Hue

Day 6 - Hue (B,L)

A full day visit of the former imperial capital of Vietnam starts with a boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to Hue's best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda. From here we continue to the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Cyclo ride through the Quarter just outside the Citadel. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon visit the mausoleum of former Emperor Tu Duc with its tranquil setting of gardens and lakes followed by the elaborate European influenced mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh.

Overnight in Hue

Day 7 - Hue - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the 1-hr flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals. A full day city tour takes in the city's bustling Chinatown and begins with a visit to the Thien Hau Temple. Continue to lively Binh Tay Market. See the incredible display of fresh produce that is offered and simply stroll through the market seeing and enjoying the variety of goods for sale.

After lunch visit the War Remnants Museum and the former Presidential Palace. From there stroll by some of the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Notre Dame Cathedral (from outside), Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), the Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall (your vehicle will be available at all times). 

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)

The colorful floating market, vast emerald rice fields and lush back waterways; these are the things that make Cai Be such a desired destination. After driving 2.5-hours from Ho Chi Minh cruise the many tributaries of the Mekong to visit Cai Be floating market, wonder through vibrant tropical fruit gardens as well as visiting home cottage industries making 'pop' rice.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City Departure (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight.