Highlights of Vietnam
Operated by: Trafalgar
12 Days from $2,875 per person
Locations Visited
Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City ...more Halong Bay, Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City-
Day 1
ARRIVE HANOI (2 NIGHTS)
Relish the warm embrace of Vietnam and her welcoming people, who will touch you with their humility and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your journey across this intoxicating land. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetisers.
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Day 2
HANOI SIGHTSEEING
This morning is dedicated to the revolutionary leader who fanned the flames of Vietnam's independence. We begin our day with a visit to the final resting place of "Uncle Ho", the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A short walk from here, we'll find Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, where we'll 'Dive into Culture' exploring the grounds surrounding the humble abode of Vietnam's most famous son. We'll continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, to gain insights into Hanoian culture. After lunch, we'll embark on a cyclo tour, weaving through the lively Old Quarter past colourful shopfronts and street food vendors. Enjoy an evening at leisure or consider joining one of our recommended Optional Experiences.
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Day 3
HANOI - HALONG BAY CRUISE
We leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where we'll board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for our leisurely cruise. After lunch on board, we'll take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses. We return to our Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.
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Day 4
HALONG BAY - HANOI - DANANG - HOI AN (3 NIGHTS)
The graceful practice of T'ai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a 'Local Specialist' on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You'll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay's quiet beaches and, if you're feeling energetic, a brisk walk to catch one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
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Day 5
HOI AN SIGHTSEEING
'Dive into Culture' this morning, embarking on a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An. Embrace its charm of yesteryear - the narrow lanes, colourful marketplaces and ancient temples providing insights into the Vietnam of old. See the old merchant houses and 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before visiting Thanh Dong Organic Village where you'll spend some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines. Kick back and enjoy a relaxing foot massage that will set the pace for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
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Day 6
HOI AN
Spend the morning exploring Hoi An on your terms or simply relax at your hotel. Your choice of activities this afternoon could see you learn how to craft your own colourful lantern or gain insights into life as a local fisherman (subject to weather conditions). Create a work of art to bring your home luck and happiness, or cast your net wide for the catch of the day - the choice is yours.
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Day 7
HOI AN - HUE (2 NIGHTS)
The healthy flavours of Vietnamese cuisine take centre stage as we travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. We'll have an opportunity to savour the dishes we've prepared for lunch before returning to Hoi An. This afternoon, our journey takes us over Hai Van Pass en route to Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam during the decades-long war. We continue to Danang for a visit to the Cham Sculpture before arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, for our overnight stay.
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Day 8
HUE SIGHTSEEING
We'll navigate the busy streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo en route to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once home to Nguyen emperors. From here, we drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Boarding a local dragon boat next, we cruise along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son where we'll 'Connect with Locals' and meet a family member for a Be My Guest lunch to gain a glimpse of their life in this historic house. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences.
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Day 9
HUE - HO CHI MINH CITY (3 NIGHTS)
A short flight this morning brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, where you'll enjoy some time at leisure before lunch at KOTO restaurant. Your visit will 'Make a Difference' to this non-profit social enterprise that provides training to disadvantaged young people in the hospitality industry. The iconic sights of Ho Chi Minh are revealed on a walking tour of Dong Khoi Street next. See the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville. Then, wander up to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. Continue to the War Remnants Museum where you'll have a vivid glimpse of the war through the eyes of the locals. Your final stop today is Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in old Saigon, before arriving at your hotel.
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Day 10
MEKONG DELTA
The mighty Mekong beckons today, as we take a day trip to My Tho, a nearby Delta market town. We'll transfer to a small sampan boat and navigate the maze of small canals before stopping for a Regional Meal of delicious Mekong Delta specialities. After a short walk along village roads, we'll visit the house of a former soldier, a 'Local Specialist' who survived fighting the Khmer Rouge. Indulge in the family's colourful stories and learn how they make a living crafting rice paper, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.
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Day 11
HO CHI MINH CITY
We'll delve into Vietnam's turbulent history from the previous century, boarding a private speedboat to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels built to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. We'll explore the underground compounds with a VC veteran and gain an understanding of the history of the tunnel, which once served as living quarters and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City, we'll enjoy some free time this afternoon. Later, we'll 'Dive into Culture' during a visit to the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, followed by a Farewell Dinner.
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Day 12
DEPART HO CHI MINH CITY
Our discovery of the iconic and unexpected highlights of Vietnam at its end, we'll take a transfer to the airport for our onward flight.
Price Includes
Dining Highlights
- 11 buffet breakfasts
- 5 lunches (including Connect with Locals)
- 3 dinners
First class travel Highlights
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
- Luxury air-conditioned coach or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- Hand-picked Insider Experiences
- Optional Experiences and free time
- Porterage and local charges included
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
Sightseeing Highlights
- CITY TOUR of Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City
- VISIT Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel in Hue, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels
- SEE Red Beach in Danang
Dates & Prices
Airfare is not included, but can be added to quote upon request-
Definite Departure
| Price | Discount | Availability | Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Request Quote Call 1-877-622-9109 Book Now |
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Hanoi
My Village Show
See the activities of northern Vietnam village life recreated by dance, acrobatics and bamboo props in the ‘My Village Show.’ It delicately illustrates the poetic Vietnamese village through its stunning ‘cirque’ approach and contains traditional Vietnamese folk games, dances and circus acts performed with traditional music playing in the background combined with artistic lighting. Traditional daily activities of villagers and festive celebrations are demonstrated by performers and musicians in farmers’ clothing. Transfers to/from your hotel are included.
Adult Price: $30
Visit to Hang Trong Painting Artisan
Named after one of Hanoi’s specialized streets, Hang Trong paintings belong to one of Vietnam’s dying arts. These festive and vividly eye-catching tapestries became popular from the end of the 19th century through to the start of the 20th century. Take a walk through the narrow alleyways of the old quarter of Hanoi and visit the home of a 66-year-old artisan who is devoted to preserving this traditional craft. He is one of seven children from a family who for three generations has specialized in creating Hang Trong paintings. Interact with him and learn about the techniques and the time and effort he is putting into preserving the tradition. On the way back to the hotel make a stop at Hang Trong Street which is part of an artisan neighborhood and was once famous for selling these paintings.
Adult Price: $20
Water Puppet Show
Enjoy a traditional evening Water Puppet performance in a local theater. This northern Vietnamese art form beautifully illustrates scenes of rural life and natural history and began approximately a thousand years ago, possibly in the flooded rice fields of Vietnam. Puppeteers stand in waist-high water and manipulate their charges in such a way that you can’t help but be swept up in the legend being told. Each short sketch in the performance relates to the daily life of the people.
Adult Price: $12
Hoi An
My Son Temples
My Son is one of the foremost Hindu temple sites in South East Asia. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important religious site and place of worship. A 1.5-hour drive from Hoi An will bring you to My Son where there are 20 monuments still standing today. The temples are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by the impressive Cat Tooth Mountain. Stroll around this UNESCO listed temple complex and learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilization before returning to Hoi An.
Adult Price: $20
Hue
Bamboo Paper Art Workshop
Truc Chi which is a type of paper made from bamboo pulp is a new form of art in Hue created by a young talented artist and his colleagues after many years of research, study and practice. Using bamboo as the only material, they make paper using traditional methods and then turn them into various detailed and unique creations. The aim of the Truc Chi artists is to make the paper symbolic of Vietnam, just like ‘washi’ paper is of Japan. Visit a Truc Chi workshop, interact with the artists to understand more about the artwork's process and later, try creating your own Truc Chi drawing to take home as a souvenir.
Adult Price: $30
Royal Dinner at Ancient Hue
Royal cuisine served at the Nguyen Emperors’ banquets were legendary. Tonight, dress up in traditional Royal costume like King, Queen & Mandarins. Savor an unforgettable dinner with typical Royal dishes at an Ancient Hue restaurant. The restaurant, with its distinctive ancient houses, offers a glimpse of the city’s splendid past. There is nothing better than enjoying a delicious meal while listening to melodious music and having the feeling of being treated like Royal dignitaries.
Adult Price: $87
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