Vietnam Discovery: Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An & Hanoi

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City! Upon arrival to the airport enjoy a private transfer into town to relax into your hotel for the next few nights. Spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure!

Accommodation: Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel 

Synonymous with the Vietnam War and a testament to the determined spirit of the Vietnamese, the underground network of passages at Cu Chi is a fascinating day trip out of the city. Work on the tunnels began during the war against the French in the 1940s and over the next 25 years as the conflict with America escalated, they were improved and expanded to create an underground city of meeting areas, storerooms, living quarters and much more.

After 2-hour drive from Saigon, upon arrival, there is the option to go below the surface and visit sections of the tunnels first hand. The more adventurous may go deeper and your guide will be on hand to give guidance on the degree of expected difficulty. Return to city for lunch at a local restaurant. Starting the city tour with a visit to the historic former Presidential Palace. This landmark gained its place in history as the first North Vietnamese tanks passed by, signifying the end of the Vietnam War.

Take a walk along Book Street, passing by the Notre Dame Cathedral, and stop by one of the local stands to purchase a Saigon postcard. Then visit the colonial-era Post Office, featuring classic Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial designs. Take the opportunity to admire the stunning architecture of a bygone era and send a postcard to your family back home.

Next, either walk or drive to the War Remnants Museum, primarily focuses on the Vietnam War but also showcases exhibits dating back to the French colonialist period and the first Indochina War.

Enjoy one last morning breakfast in the city before heading back to the airport to depart Ho Chi Minh City for the stunning scenery of Hoi An. After arriving at the Da Nang Airport, enjoy your private transfer to Hoi An and your stop for the next few nights. Check into your new room and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring at your leisure.

Accommodation: Hoi An Historic Hotel 

Kick start your day with a full breakfast for the energy needed to discover the town. Lounge by the beach or sample the street food, but the day is yours to enjoy.

This Hoi An evening tour is part night excursion, part street food adventure. Experience the ancient town nightlife the way locals do, all from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Hop on a Vespa and dive into rustic yet colorful culinary scene. Zoom through the hidden alleys, seeking out lesser-known stalls serving authentic Hoi An dishes while enjoying river view. This evening’s culinary tour by vintage Vespa scooter begins with a drink and a small selection of street food nibbles to wet the appetite. Then, heading off around sunset, you will ride pillion along the riverfront and through the backstreets of this ancient town, sampling scrumptious and flavorsome specialties along the way. After sampling two of Hoi An’s most famous dishes, White Rose (translucent white dough filled with spicy minced shrimp or pork) and special crispy wontons, it’s time to head to the river and travel by slow boat to nearby Cam Nam Island. Join with locals in a rustic setting and enjoy a delicious seafood starter and a glorious view of the Thu Bon River with Hoi An in the background. Zipping along the riverfront, a Vietnamese-style hotpot in a lively local restaurant is next on the agenda, before moving onto the last venue on the itinerary. A welcome addition to Hoi An’s vibrant dining scene, the final stop this evening is a Vietnamese restaurant beautifully located in the heart of paddy fields. Sample succulent BBQ specialties accompanied by cold beer and rounded off with a delicious dessert of Banh Flan, a light version of creme caramel inherited from the French. Fit to burst, you will be ridden back to your hotel.

Wave goodbye to the beauty of Hoi An as you make your way via airlines to the classic sights of Hanoi. Enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your next hotel and spend the day touring the town at your own pace. 

Accommodation: Aira Boutique Hanoi Hotel 

Leaving Hanoi early this morning, you will be driven to Halong City, a journey time of approximately 2.5 hours. On arrival, you will transfer to a junk (a traditional sailing ship) for your cruise on Halong Bay. Translated as the Bay of Descending Dragons and located in the Gulf of Tonkin, the mystical landscapes of Halong Bay are one of Asia's most iconic sights. Some 1,600 islands and islets form a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars (known as karsts), lush islands and emerald waters and the day is spent discovering this national treasure. There will be opportunities to stop at some of the numerous grottoes and caves on the islands and explore on foot. Ascending one of the surrounding hills will afford memorable panoramic views of the verdant islands and shimmering waters below. One of the most beautiful places on earth, this magnificent feat of nature rarely fails to impress. Breath-taking beyond words, Halong Bay is justifiably one of the world's natural wonders and more than deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status. A mouth-watering lunch will be served on board during the cruise. After disembarking the boat in the afternoon you will return to Hanoi by private vehicle, where you will arrive in the early evening.

Set off today with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a remarkable construction where Vietnamese people express their profound love and gratitude to the great leader (closed Monday & Friday weekly and all afternoons). Then stroll around the serene grounds while learning about Ho Chi Minh's life and legacy. There is an option to visit the nearby iconic One Pillar Pagoda, built-in 1049. Continue to the Temple of Literature, a serene retreat from the busy streets outside. It is known as the first national university in Vietnam and the symbol of Vietnamese architectural values. Cap off the excursion strolling through the labyrinthine alleyways of the Old Quarters. This oldest continuously developed area of Hanoi was once an important centre of commerce where goods were sold on the street name of a particular guild. Stop at a roadside coffee shop, mingle with the locals and enjoy the daily life passing by.

It's time to bid a fond farewell to the captivating sights of Vietnam. Enjoy one last morning meal before setting off for the airport to catch your returning flight home.