Highlights of Vietnam

Price Includes

What's Included

• - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
• - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
• - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
• - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
• - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
• - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
• - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
• - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
• - Optional Experiences and free time
• - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
• - Flights from Hanoi to Danang and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City.

Dining Summary

• - 3 Dinners (D)
• - 11 Breakfasts (B)
• - 3 Lunchs (L)
• - 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
• - 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Dive Into Culture

• Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hanoi.
• Visit the colorful market of Hoi An.
• Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net.
• Visit the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s.

Iconic Experience

• Travel past the colorful shopfronts and street food vendors of Hanoi's Old Quarter on a cyclo tour.
• On a sightseeing tour of the city of Hanoi, see the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature.
• Start your day on beautiful Ha Long Bay with a yoga class lead by a Local Specialist. 
• Learn about the daily work routines of local farmers at Thanh Dong Organic Village. 
• Travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food.
• See Hue by land and water today. Enjoy a cyclo tour past the Imperial Citadel and Thien Mu Pagoda before boarding a local dragon boat. 
• Enjoy the sights of the French colonial-era buildings and even a former CIA residential block as you partake in a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City.
• Cruise along the canals of My Tho in a small sampan boat during your visit to this market town.
• After a stroll through the streets of My Tho, meet a local family in their home. Hear stories from your Local Specialist about surviving the Khmer Rouge and learn about the family's handicraft, making paper. 
• Gain insight into a difficult period of Vietnam's history as you join a Vet Cong veteran for a visit to the Cu Chi tunnels, developped to protect Viet Cong guerillas. 

Trafalgar Difference

• Stay on a traditional style Vietnamese Junk boat for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay.

Be My Guest

• Enjoy lunch at one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue where you will gain insight into the lives of a local family and admire their fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®

• Have lunch at KOTO restaurant, which supports those affected by poverty to provide opportunities and a vocational education in the hospitality sector.

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.

Hang Trong Painting Experience (Available on Day 2)

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: $22 Water Puppet Show (Available on Day 2)

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: $16 Afternoon Foodie Tour (Available on Day 2)

Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique culture. Take a leisurely walk with a local foodie to the Old Quarter. Taste the national Vietnamese dish - Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup) and then wander around a local market to enjoy the sights, sounds and aroma from the numerous kinds of food on offer. Sample some Banh Duc – cooked rice powder with Vietnamese spices followed by a visit to a little shop selling many different types of traditional Northern cakes such as Com cake (young rice) which is considered to be a part of every Hanoians’ childhood. Continue to a small alley to get an idea of the typical “tube houses” of Hanoi and afterwards stop at Banh My Lan On to try their famous bread with Pâté. Later enjoy some Vietnamese desserts and cap off your walk by tasting a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee.

Adult Price: $39 Secrets of Sticky Rice (Available on Day 2)

In the traditional culture of Vietnamese people, the process of making traditional sticky rice cake ‘Banh Chung’ is the opportunity for the family to come together. Meet a young chef, the daughter of one of the most prominent chefs of Hanoi, at Hang Be market. Stroll around the market and buy ingredients before a hands-on experience making Banh Chung. While waiting for the Banh Chung to be well-cooked, learn how to make another specialty of Hanoi, Banh Goi. This crispy pillow dumpling can be found in many street food stalls around town. Later, enjoy the aromas from the leaves of the Banh Chung and the sweet salty Banh Goi served with some fresh herbs and fish sauce for dipping.

Adult Price: $78 Silk Grafting at Van Phuc Silk Village (Available on Day 2)

Step into a world of art, culture, and meaningful impact with Vụn Art's extraordinary tour. Get ready for a captivating journey to the enchanting Van Phuc silk village in Vietnam. Feel the warmth of a heartfelt welcome as you immerse yourself in the fascinating tale of Vụn Art and the centuries-old traditions of this silk village. Witness the magic unfold as you delve into the secrets of silk-grafting production, guided by the skilled artisans of Vụn Art. In a hands-on, 90-minute experience, discover your creative side while crafting exquisite masterpieces. By joining us on this incredible journey, you're not just embracing Vietnam's cultural heritage but also empowering People with Disabilities through vocational training and meaningful employment. So, come along and be a part of this noble cause while exploring the captivating wonders of Vụn Art and Van Phuc village!

Adult Price: $33 My Son Temples (Available on Day 5)

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: $29 Sunset on Tam Giang Lagoon (Available on Day 8)

Embark on a charming journey towards Thuan An beach. Begin with a visit to the Uncle Ho memorial area in Duong No village, where cherished memories of the revered leader reside. Next, explore the captivating Ru cha mangroves, a pristine forest spanning 4 hectares and boasting a history of over a century. Hop aboard a traditional sampan boat and set sail to the enchanting Dam Chuon area, immersing yourself in the Tam Giang lagoon—the largest brackish water lagoon in Southeast Asia. Marvel at the unique "Cho house," nò, and sáo structures along the way. Savor a delectable seafood dinner at Chuon Lagoon, indulging in local specialties like the mouthwatering seafood pancake served with a side of Kinh boat charm. Conclude the day with a tranquil boat ride around the lagoon, where the majestic sunset paints the sky with vibrant hues, leaving an indelible mark on your heart.    

Adult Price: $49 Enamel Art Tour (Available on Day 8)

Enamel (phap lam) plays a huge part in Vietnamese history, particularly in Hue where enamelware was used for imperial structures and royal families during the Nguyen Dynasty. The art form, taking the name Hue phap lam showcased local artisan inventiveness, the independent spirit of the Vietnamese culture, economy and politics. After becoming lost in existence after nearly 200 years, Hue people are starting to relive this traditional fine art. Meet with the artisan Mr. Triet Do, a famous expert at Enamel Hue and learn about his endeavor to restore this way of art by combining industries of many sectors of handicrafts. Take the opportunity to see the complete process of making a stunning Phap Lam product, manually create your own or pick up one as a decorative souvenir gift.

Adult Price: $43