Essential Vietnam Guided Tour

Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Saigon - Can Tho

Duration

13 days

Tour Type

Private

Price From

£2,260 pp

Overview: Essential Vietnam Tour

This 13-day guided tour explores Vietnam from north to south, combining historic cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, scenic landscapes, and everyday life along the Mekong Delta. Experience traditional culture, historic landmarks, local villages, bustling markets, and the country’s diverse landscapes along the way.

Tour Highlights:

Discover Hanoi’s historic landmarks, including the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, Temple of Literature, Museum of Ethnology, and atmospheric Old Quarter
Cruise Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk, spending a full day and night among its spectacular limestone islets
Explore the former imperial capital of Hue, including the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tu Duc’s mausoleum, and traditional craft villages
Visit the historic village of Phuoc Tich and travel across the scenic Hai Van Pass before exploring UNESCO-listed Hoi An
Discover Saigon’s major landmarks and delve into wartime history at the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels
Experience life in the Mekong Delta, from family workshops and tropical orchards to a sampan ride and the bustling floating market at Cai Rang

From Hanoi and Halong Bay to Hoi An, Saigon, and the waterways of the Mekong Delta, this tour offers a comprehensive journey through Vietnam’s culture, history, and landscapes.

Day 1 - UK Departure

Today is the start of our private tour of Vietnam by departing London Heathrow for our international economy flight to Hanoi.

We can also arrange departures from your local airport at no extra cost.

Day 2 - Arrival in Hanoi

We’ll be greeted by our guide upon arrival and take private transfer to the hotel for check-in and tour briefing. After we have rested we’ll take an orientation tour and a chance to acclimatise ourselves if time permits.

A scrumptious welcome dinner awaits us tonight!

Dinner

Day 3 - Hanoi

Today we’ll be touring the most outstanding attractions of Hanoi. First, we pay a visit to the complex of memorials to Ho Chi Minh to know the amazing life of the founder of modern Vietnam. We then continue to the Temple of Literature to gain an understanding of one of the driving forces in Vietnam culture.

Our next stop is the Museum of Ethnology which exhibits a large collection of artefacts about the 54 ethnic groups in the country. We then enjoy a rickshaw ride through the lively Old Quarter, a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers still trade the way they have done for centuries. The rickshaw tour ends up at an old house on Ma May Street, an example of dwellings in the 19 century.

To complete our first full day we get to watch a performance of the water puppetry, the famed traditional art form created by village farmers around the Red River Delta region – unique but widely known.

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 4 - Hanoi / Halong Bay

Today we journey east to Halong Bay, the greatest natural wonder of Vietnam, through the Red River Delta, where we see daily Vietnamese village life.

On arrival, we board a beautiful traditional junk (ancient Chinese ship) and spend a full day and night cruising the bay’s 3000 magnificent limestone islets. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal prepared by our on-board chef.

Later there is the opportunity for an evening swim from the side of the boat before we turn in for the night on our luxurious boat.

NOTE: Kayaks are available if specified at time of booking.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5 - Halong / Hanoi to Hue

Wake up this morning to fresh coffee before further cruising and sightseeing. En route the junk weaves through more rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further!

We disembark after lunch and return to Hanoi with our guide and driver for a late afternoon/early evening flight to Hue in Middle Vietnam.

On arrival at Hue airport we meet up with our local guide and driver and enjoy a private transfer to the hotel.

Brunch

Day 6 - Hue

After breakfast we set out on a full day tour to look into the beauties of Vietnam’s former capital city.

We first take a tour of the Imperial Citadel, workplace and home of the Nguyen Emperors, a complex of palaces and temples built in the early 19th century and a recognised UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site.

Next site is the beautiful Thien Mu pagoda on the bank of the Perfume River.

After lunch, we visit a typical garden house of Hue city, which was built according to precise rules of geomancy. Experience the serene and pleasant feelings it might bring. We continue to the grand mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc on a serene hill, which nicely reflects Vietnamese thinking about life after death. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of Nguyen dynasty and the French colonial invasion.

We finish the days sightseeing with a visit to nearby villages crafting incenses and conical hats. A wonderful photograph opportunity!

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 7 - Hue to Hoian

This morning we journey in the direction of Phuoc Tich – a 500 years old village which is known for its dozens of wooden houses beautifully decorated with flowers, bonsai gardens and lush orchards. Surviving the savages of time, these old houses of the village are almost intact until this moment.

Enjoy lunch of rural fares then depart Phuoc Tich for Hoian. We will be passing through the quiet, white sandy beach of Lang Co, climbing over the scenic Hai Van Pass to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas in Vietnam as we look out over the central coastline.

Upon our arrival in Danang, make a short stop to visit Cham Museum and its well-preserved collection of statues, before continuing to Hoian and check-in at the hotel.

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 8 - Hoian

This morning we’ll be on foot exploring the ancient quarter of Hoian, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its historic role in international trade, unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes.

The sites we will visit include the Japanese Bridge, a Sino-Vietnamese merchant house, a Chinese Temple, the Central Market, and the Culture Museum.

Later there will be time for independent exploration and shopping opportunities.

Breakfast

Day 9 - Hoian to Saigon

Today we have a private transfer to the airport for our short flight to Saigon in the morning.

On arrival our guide will be waiting to greet you and take you for a tasty lunch of “Pho” noodle soup in the famed restaurant “Pho 24”.

In the afternoon, we’ll be visiting the best known sites in the very centre of Saigon, taking in the Reunification Palace, the War Museum, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office, the Opera House, Ben Thanh Market, etc.

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 10 - Saigon / Cu Chi Tunnels

This morning we travel to Cu Chi to explore the legendary network of underground combat tunnels. This incredible system, covering almost 250km in length, served as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living quarters for Vietnamese fighters throughout the wartime. Known as the “Iron Triangle” during the war of the 60’s, the story of Cu Chi is one of struggle, determination against all odds, and eventual victory. Now the tunnels are a major site of interest for tourists and historians, and those interested in Vietnam’s military history.

After the tunnels we return to town and enjoy the balance of the day at own leisure.

Breakfast

Day 11 - Saigon / Mekong Delta

After breakfast today we leave Saigon behind and journey into the Mekong Delta, a world that lives and works on the waters!

After an 80 km drive, we arrive in My Tho town and take a boat to an insular village to visit family workshops producing handicrafts and candy from coconut. Tasting seasonal tropical fruits in an exuberant orchard, we ride a horse cart to a typical Delta house and enjoy folk music by amateurs. Ride a local sampan through the small canals and side arms of the river to further experience river life.

For lunch we’ll sample regional specialities such as Elephant Ear Fish, Rice Ball, etc.

After a pleasant break we travel to Can Tho, the largest city in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, for the night.

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 12 - Mekong Delta / Saigon

This morning we take a boat to visit the extraordinary market of Cai Rang. Being the largest market on the complex of waterways that comprise the Mekong Delta, Cai Rang receives hundreds of boats packed with local produces gather every morning. Boats come from all sides, offering fruits, vegetables, plants, foods, etc. Sellers advertise their wares by hanging samples high atop bamboo poles so that their customers can find from afar. Our boat tour ends up at an orchard where we’ll see and taste tropical fruits.

We then drive back to Saigon for the night. A visit to the Chinese quarter of Saigon, noted for the ornate Thien Hau temple and the bustling Binh Tay Market, can be arranged upon request.

Breakfast

Day 13 - Saigon departure

It is time to say “tạm biệt” (goodbye) and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Breakfast