Introduction
The Vietnam Highlights Tour is the perfect way to have a taste of Vietnam’s best in a short amount of time. Experience the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, relax and soak up the rays on the beach in Nha Trang, hit Hoi An with it's many beautiful historic buildings by bike and discover the amazing scenery of Hue. Later, chill out among the amazing limestone formations of Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk boat.
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour (B, L)
Day 3: Mekong Delta In A Day to Ben Tre (B, L)
Day4: Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang (B,L)
Day 5: Nha Trang (B)
Day 6: Nha Trang - Da Nang - Hoi An (B,L)
Day 7: Hoi An Ancient Town (B,L)
Day 8: Hoi An Free Day (B)
Day 9: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue (B, L,D)
Day 10: Hue Expore (B,L)
Day 11: Hue - Hanoi (B, L)
Day 12: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B,L,D)
Day 13: Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
Day 14: Hanoi - Departure (B)
Day 1: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
You will be met at the HCMC Airport by your guide, who will take you to your hotel for check in. You'll have free time to relax or explore, then have dinner at your own expense. Overnight stay in HCMC.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City Tour ( B, L)
You will begin your urban experience in bustling HCMC (formerly Saigon), the country's commercial centre and home to a growing number of upscale restaurants and shops. You will visit Chinatown, the Thien Hau Pagoda, the Reunification Palace, the Opera House and the Hotel de Ville. If you desire, you can also visit the moving War Remnants Museum.
Next up, you will explore the colourful outdoor markets and Dong Khoi Street, the city's main shopping boulevard with shops selling clothes and accessories by new Vietnamese designers, hill tribe crafts, high-quality linens, and housewares. You will surely be ready for another relaxing overnight stay in HCMC making your own arrangements for dinner.
Day 3: Mekong Delta In A Day to Ben Tre (B, L).
Ben Tre is the best option for a day trip to the Mekong Delta from Saigon since it is only around 2 hours away, and 15 minutes from My Tho. However, this wonderful destination retains an authenticity which has been somewhat lessened in nearby My Tho.
This picturesque and friendly Mekong Delta town has historically seen very few travellers, but the recent opening of a bridge connecting Ben Tre and My Tho has made it far easier for day trippers to visit from Saigon.
Our "Mekong Delta In A Day" cruise excursion starts at 8:00 am from the lobby of your hotel in Saigon with a drive to Ben Tre. While there, you can take a walk along the waterfront lined with French era shops and houses, and you'll see plenty of coconuts being unloaded from boats for dispatch around the country. Then jump on a boat for a couple of hours of cruising on the Mekong River. You will enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, or on board. The excursion will end at around 4:00 pm when your vehicle awaits you for your transfer back to Saigon. Make your own dinner arrangements tonight.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh city - Nha Trang (B).
Transfer to the airport and flight to Nha Trang for a two night stay. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 5: Nha Trang (B)
A free day for leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.
Day 6: Nha Trang - Da Nang - Hoi An (B,L).
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel followed by free time before your transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7: Hoi An Ancient Town (B,L).
Enjoy breakfast at your resort and free time for beach relaxation.
In the afternoon, your guide will take you to Hoi An Ancient Town. From the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An was a thriving international port frequented by Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab traders, who came to trade in the high quality silk which is still produced in the region. Today, Hoi An is a relaxing resort, popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, skilled tailors and numerous cafes. Immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this sleepy riverside town. Take a short walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the Ancient Town centre, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, the Chinese Assembly Hall, the 200-year old Tan Ky Ancestral House and the famous Japanese Bridge.
Then, transfer out of the town for a unique sunset experience beside the local fisherman. The special part of the day for a local Hoi An fisherman is in the late afternoon, setting out into the Cua Dai Sea with expectations of a bountiful catch. Watch the passing parade of the local fishing fleet setting out to sea and the magic of the sun slowly sinking in the western sky. Our tour also offers you the opportunity to experience paddling the curious and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boat. Back onboard, you can enjoy the setting of the sun and the day’s end with refreshments including cold beer, soft drinks and complimentary Vietnamese snacks.
Day 8: Hoi An Free day (B)
Free time to relax on the beach, finalize your shopping or explore the Ancient Town on your own. Or you can contact our travel Consultant for more activities such as the Eco Tour, a cooking class, a Street Food Tour, etc. (surcharges apply).
Day 9: Hoi An - Da Nang - Hue (B, L,D)
You will leave Hoi An for another World Heritage site, Hue, via the Hai Van Pass. You will stop to visit the Marble Mountains and a handicraft village before arriving in Hue where you will tour sites including the Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum and Dong Ba Market.
In the evening you will enjoy the fine cuisine of Hue at a local restaurant and then have an overnight stay.
Day 10: Hue Expore (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will board a private boat and go cruising on the romantic Perfume River. Being the ancient capital, Hue is surrounded with many tombs of emperors past, and a visit to some of these tombs will be on the itinerary for today. The charming Lady Pagoda (Thien Mu Pagoda) will be the first stop and from here you will cruise further to ornate Minh Mang's Tomb. You will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing to visit Khai Dinh's Tomb. Overnight in Hue.
Day 11: Hue - Hanoi (B, L).
Transfer to the airport for a flight to Hanoi, the colonial capital city, famous for it's tree lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and classic pagodas and temples.
In the afternoon you will explore Hanoi, from the fascinating Old Quarter to hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquer-ware, embroidered linens, furniture, bamboo, cooking utensils, ceremonial objects and more. You can also shop for impressive modern art in the city's many galleries after visiting Hanoi's main cultural attractions, including the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 12: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B, L,D)
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then you will then leave Hanoi by private vehicle at 8:30 a.m., arriving at the jetty around 12:30 p.m. You will set off on a deluxe cruise and enjoy a welcome drink after check-in.
A fresh seafood lunch will be served at 1 p.m when you will begin a 3.5 hour cruise through mystic Halong Bay to see the amazing karsts and their many different formations. You will also see Mat Quy (Monster's Face) Islet, But Moc Islet, Cap De Islet, Trong (Drum) Cave, Trinh Nu Cave and a floating fishing village, with its unique way of life. Then, you will head to Luon Cave and enjoy swimming, sunbathing at Ti Top Beach or climb the peak of the mountain for a breath taking panoramic view of Halong Bay. You will enjoy another seafood feast for dinner, and for the night owls, there is an option of night fishing before your overnight stay aboard.
Day 13: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B, L)
Rising to the gentle sounds of the bay waters, you will have time for an early morning dip, followed by breakfast. Sitting on the upper deck, you can relax while taking in the breathtaking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the emerald water of the bay.
After breakfast, you can explore Sung Sot Cave, swim and relax. While brunch is being served, you will cruise back to the jetty passing more of the Bay's famous rock formations. You will then rejoin your car and drive back to Hanoi for an overnight stay.
Day 14: Hanoi - Departure (B).
There is no activity planned for today, so you are free to enjoy some souvenir shopping or just relax until transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
Remarks:
1. All of our itineraries can be tailor-made to suit your requirements, allowing us to create the perfect holiday just for you. Please click on the “Tailor this trip" button and complete the requested information for us. Upon receipt, our travel consultant will customize the best value vacation for your kind consideration. Please note: Changes CAN be made to the itinerary after our initial quote, but may result in a price change also!
2. We are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. In Indochina in particular (Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos) hotel prices make up the major expense of your holiday. Therefore, we would like to clarify how we define these charges:
· Boutique & character hotels: from $50-$80 USD per room/ per night
· Comfort = 3 star hotels from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/ per night
· Superior = 4 star hotels from US$ 80 - US$ 110 per room/ per night
· Deluxe = 5 star hotels from US$120 - US$ 190++ per room/ per night
· High-end = Best of the best hotels fr om US$ 250++ per room/ per night
Things to Bring:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothes suitable for activities such as cycling and for long drives. Prepare for all kinds of weather. Bring a scarf, hat/cap, sun screen, sun glasses, a light waterproof jacket or umbrella, swimsuit and insect repellent. The weather is normally hot from May to October in Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An but Saigon and Mekong Delta are hot the whole year around.
You should bring cash with you, preferably in Vietnamese Dong because the banking system doesn’t always function well. US Dollars and Euro are accepted in many places too. You should bring your medications with you although there are pharmacies in all destinations, if you do get sick.
Don't want the fun to end?
Why not combine this tour with Cambodia tours, Laos tours, Myanmar tours or spend a few days in the tropical paradise that is the Viet Nam coast? We take care of everything from flights to transfers and accommodation so that you can relax and enjoy your holiday. Explore our other destinations or speak with your personal Travel Consultant for some expert advice on suitable combinations.