Far East Encounter – Vietnam

Hanoi - Halong Bay - Hoi An - Saigon

Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Private

Price From

£2,130 pp

Overview: Far East Encounter – Vietnam

Discover the highlights of Vietnam on this fascinating 10-day journey from Hanoi to Saigon. Explore historic landmarks and vibrant markets, cruise spectacular Halong Bay, wander the UNESCO-listed streets of Hoi An and uncover Vietnam’s wartime history at the Cu Chi Tunnels before experiencing the traditional river life of the Mekong Delta.

Tour Highlights:

Explore Hanoi’s charming French colonial boulevards and Embassy Rows by cyclo
Visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, traditional stilt house and One Pillar Pagoda
Discover the historic Temple of Literature and its importance to Vietnamese culture
Walk through Hanoi’s atmospheric Old Quarter and visit the traditional Ma May Street house
Explore Hang Be Market and enjoy an evening performance of traditional water puppetry
Journey through the picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta
Cruise overnight through spectacular Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk
Admire Halong Bay’s limestone islets, caves and beautiful waters
Explore the UNESCO-listed ancient merchant town of Hoi An
Discover Hoi An’s narrow colourful lanes, historic architecture and traditional silk wares
Fly to vibrant Saigon and explore its French colonial and historic landmarks
Visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the French Post Office, Reunification Palace and Dong Khoi Boulevard
Discover the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about their role during the Vietnam War
Explore Cho Lon, Saigon’s lively Chinatown, and visit the ornate Pagoda of Lady Hau
Travel to My Tho and experience traditional life along the Mekong River
Visit Phoenix Island and discover local coconut handicrafts and sweets
Enjoy fresh tropical fruit, traditional music and homemade honey tea
Take a horse-drawn cart and boat through the Mekong Delta’s small canals and waterways

From the historic streets of Hanoi and dramatic landscapes of Halong Bay to the timeless charm of Hoi An, energetic Saigon and peaceful waterways of the Mekong Delta, this journey brings together Vietnam’s culture, history, scenery and local traditions in one memorable adventure.

Day 1 - UK Departure

Today we begin 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

On arrival you will meet your guide and take private transfer to your hotel, centrally located in this amazing city, for check-in.

This evening meet your guide for a tour briefing at your hotel before dinner at one of the city’s finest restaurants. After dinner, transfer back to your hotel for overnight.

Dinner

Day 3 - Hanoi

This morning we tour Hanoi’s charming French colonial boulevards and the Embassy Rows by a cyclo ride. Our tour includes Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the house on stilts and The One Pillar pagoda. Next, visit the ancient Temple of Literature to gain an understanding of one of the driving forces in Vietnamese culture, Confucius.

In the afternoon we explore Hanoi on foot, walking through the lively Old Quarter, a series of 36 ancient streets where peddlers trade their wares the way they have done for centuries. Visit an old house that’s typical of dwellings in the Old Town in Ma May Street and then walk through Hang Be market to the famed water puppet theatre for an evening show.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4 - Hanoi to Halong Bay

Today we journey east through picturesque rice-farming villages of the Red River Delta to Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay. Once you reach the bay the rest of the day is at leisure aboard the junk (ancient Chinese sailing ship) to explore this extraordinary piece of Vietnam. Cool breezes, opal water, magnificent limestone islets, amazing caverns, exotic seafood, kayaking, boating and fishing all make it unforgettable.

We spend overnight in our cabin aboard.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5 - Halong Bay to Hoi An

Wake up to a perfect sunrise with fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before disembarkation at 11:30. We bid farewell to Halong Bay and head straight back to Hanoi airport for a late afternoon flight to Danang in Middle Vietnam.

Meet up with our local guide at Danang airport and continue with private transfer by road to the little tranquil town of Hoian for overnight.

Brunch

Day 6 - Hoi An

Today after breakfast we explore this charming and wonderfully preserved merchant town that retains Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European influences from its flourishing old days. We will walk narrow colourful lanes, admire historic architectures, and hunt for the unexpectedly good bargains of silk wares.

Afternoon is free at leisure to explore this wonderful town, recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its historic role in international trade, unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes.

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 7 - Hoi An to Saigon

This morning we leave Hoian for Danang and fly to Saigon, the largest and most dynamic city in Vietnam. We will be welcomed by our guide on arrival and take private transfer to the centre of Saigon.

We’ll have our lunch in local style, a tasty bowl of “Pho” noodle soup at “Pho 24”.

Afternoon time will be for visiting the city’s various architectural highlights such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, French Post Office, Reunification Palace, colonial Dong Khoi Boulevard, etc.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 8 - Saigon / Cu Chi

We start today with a drive out of the city to Cu Chi amazing tunnel system built by communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War. This incredible system, covering almost 250km in length, was shelter to over 16,000 Vietcong guerrillas during the wars. Initially started in 1948 to provide shelter against the French air and ground sweeps, the network went on to serve as communication routes, storage facilities, hospitals and living quarters for Vietnamese fighters throughout the wartime. We can even descend into the tunnels to learn more about the tunnel life.

After lunch in Cu Chi we return to Saigon and delve into the hustle and bustle of Cho Lon, Saigon’s Chinatown. There we’ll see a have-all market and the elaborately ornate pagoda of Lady Hau.

Breakfast

Lunch

Day 9 - Saigon / Mekong Delta

Today we enjoy a day trip to My Tho to sample life on the Mekong River.

My Tho is a prosperous town of 170,000 inhabitants, famous for its extensive orchards and immense rice fields. We’ll ride a local boat on the criss-crossing waters of the area to the orchards on Phoenix Island, where local handicrafts and sweets from coconut are being produced. Enjoy fresh seasonal fruits and traditional live music and songs performance and relax under the restaurant’s garden canopy.

Take a horse cart ride to a farm to taste some homemade honey-tea and proceed by boat through the small canals and side arms of the river to observe the daily life along the river banks.

We return to Saigon late in the day for the night.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 10 - Departure from Saigon

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

Breakfast