Vietnam Explorer

Hanoi City Tour

Begin the day by being greeted by your private English-speaking guide for a visit to the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, an imposing monument of marble and granite built to house the preserved body of beloved revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh.

Next, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple built of wood in 1049 in the shape of a lotus blossom and set on a single stone pillar. Continue on to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century.

This afternoon, visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology, which houses an extensive collection of traditional costumes and artefacts from Vietnam’s 54 ethnic minority groups. Drive back to central Hanoi for a walking tour through the famed Old Quarter known for its ‘36 streets of 36 wares’ named after the original 36 artisan guilds that date as far back as the 13th century.

The day concludes with a water puppet performance, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta.

Breakfast and lunch included

Hoa Lu and Tam Coc

Depart Hanoi for a comfortable private drive to Tràng An. Known for its spectacular landscape of limestone karst peaks, the sheer vertical walls abruptly rise 200 metres (656 feet) above the surrounding land and water. Dense rainforest covers the landscape, clinging to the cliffs and peaks, blending naturally with rice paddies and rivers, creating a picturesque patchwork of colour.

Visit Vietnam’s ancient capital of Hoa Lu, once a centralised feudal state from the end of the 10th century, and the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties, surrounded by rice paddies.

Continue to Tam Coc, also known as “Halong Bay on Land”, where a skilled rower will take you on a two-hour slow journey on winding rivers and canals. Enjoy views of beautiful karst formations while entering three natural caves formed under hills on the way back to Tam Coc for lunch, before returning to Hanoi late afternoon.

Breakfast and lunch included

Halong Bay

After breakfast, you leave Hanoi for a 2.5-hour comfortable car ride to Halong Bay. The scenery of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into bizarre shapes, is truly an iconic image of Vietnam.

An overnight boat trip is the best way to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see. As you arrive at the jetty in Halong City around noon, proceed with check-in formalities.

After lunch, you set sail toward the bay while enjoying some site visits and activities (depending on each boat’s itinerary) or relaxing on board. Toward the end of the day, your ship sets anchor for the night among the karst formations.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included
Overnight in Halong Bay – you can choose your cruise standards below

Hanoi - Danang

The sun rises on Halong in the morning, and breakfast is served while the vessel cruises slowly back towards port. Disembark and transfer with your English-speaking driver to Hanoi airport for your onward flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, your English-speaking driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in, where the rest of the day will be at leisure.

Breakfast included
4 Nights in Danang – you can choose your hotel and standards below

Day at Leisure

Relax and unwind from touring at your own pace in Danang. Spend some time exploring the laid back vibe of Danang by enjoying a leisurely day at the beach, exploring local villages, or simply sampling some of the local food.

Breakfast included

Ba Na Hill with Golden Bridge / Day at Leisure

Depending on your chosen standard, Comfort travellers will enjoy their time in Danang at leisure.

Deluxe and Indulgence travellers will set out for Ba Na Hill with their English-speaking private guide and driver. Ba Na Hill is full of flora, fauna, and rare animals like Crested Argus, Asian Black Bear, and Northern Buffed-Cheeked Gibbon. Located at an elevation of 1,487 meters, it has cool temperatures all year round.

Ride on a modern system of cable cars to get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area, before visiting some old French villas, a nearby Suspension Bridge, and a stunning Mountain Peak that extends 1,400 meters above sea level.

Next, walk along the famous Golden Bridge, supported by giant hands, you’ll feel like you are walking in the clouds.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to Danang.

Breakfast included
Lunch included for Deluxe and Indulgence

Cooking Experience / Day at Leisure

Depending on your chosen standard, Comfort travellers will enjoy another day at leisure in Danang, whereas Deluxe and Indulgence travellers will be introduced to the Red Bridge Cooking School, one of the highlights of the culinary scene in Hoi An!

Deluxe and Indulgence travellers will meet their chef and other guests at Hai Café in the Ancient Town for a brief introduction to the school; then meander through Hoi An’s colourful central market with your chef and take in all its sights, sounds, and aromas. Learn how to select fresh produce and ingredients essential for Vietnamese cuisine. Embark on a relaxing 20-minute boat trip along the Thu Bon River to arrive at the school. After a tour of the herb garden, join a hands-on cooking class led by an expert instructor and learn how to prepare delicious dishes you’ll savour afterwards in the lovely restaurant overlooking the river. Enjoy a short local cruise back to Hoi An town before returning to your Danang hotel, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Breakfast included
Lunch included for Deluxe and Indulgence

Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City

Today, your English-speaking driver will collect you from your hotel for a transfer back to Danang airport and an onward flight to Saigon.

Upon arrival, your private English-speaking driver will meet you and transfer you to your Ho Chi Minh City hotel for check-in, where the rest of the afternoon will be at leisure.

This evening, get ready for a fascinating ride on vintage Vespa scooters to discover the busy streets of Saigon after dark, with a delicious local food tasting in the most authentic local restaurants. Continue to zig-zag through the hustle and bustle of streets before ending your night at a cozy speakeasy to taste signature cocktails or mocktails.

Breakfast and street food style dinner included
3 Nights in Ho Chi Minh City – you can choose your hotel and standards below

The Mekong River Delta

This morning, depart with your private English-speaking driver and guide for Ben Tre (a town in the Mekong River Delta). At the pier, embark on an exciting motorboat excursion that takes you deeper into the countryside via smaller canals.

After crossing back over the river, visit An Bình Island and its handmade canal while enjoying lunch at a local homestay. Walk around this orchard and enjoy some cups of tea while listening to traditional music played by local musicians in an ancient house.

Travel with your guide to a local village to enjoy some sweets and hot tea, or even take a bike ride through the streets of this small town. See how local artisans create beautiful potteries from clay in brick kilns. The cruise will end at Vinh Long city where you will begin the private journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Breakfast and lunch included

Ho Chi Minh City

With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps. Despite its modernity, Saigon maintains a solid link to the past, and today, you will enjoy taking in some of Saigon’s historic landmarks with your local private English-speaking guide.

Begin at the Notre Dame Cathedral (built in 1883), a red brick edifice with twin campaniles constructed from materials imported from France.

Venture across the square to the Central Post Office and the former Presidential Palace. Continue to the War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. (Please note that some of the displays are very graphic.) While there, practice your Vietnamese with your guide to learn about daily life in Saigon before returning to your hotel, where the rest of the day is at your leisure.

Breakfast and lunch included

Depart Vietnam

Enjoy some free time at leisure before being transferred by your English-speaking driver to the airport for your onward flight. Depending on your chosen airline, most flights will arrive in Australia the following morning.

Breakfast included