From capitals ancient and modern to Hoi An town, the Mekong, rural mountain landscapes and an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay.
Flight – 1 night
Ho Chi Minh City – 3 nights
Hue – 2 nights
Hoi An – 2 nights
Hanoi – 2 nights
Ha Long Bay – 1 night
Ninh Binh – 2 nights
Flight – 1 night
Vietnam is not only historic and scenically beautiful, but also thought provoking and moving. In central Vietnam, the palace and tombs of the former capital, Hue, are reminiscent of the Forbidden City and Terracotta Army in China, whilst Ha Long Bay more than equals the scenic beauty of Guilin. Hoi An old town and the Mekong waterways are a pleasing contrast to the modernity of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
In Hanoi, traditional Chinese influences and French colonial architecture combine with numerous temples and the narrow streets of the Old Quarter whose traders have specialised in local silk, jewellery and handicrafts for centuries.
Ha Long Bay, meaning the “Bay of the Descending Dragon”, is home to almost 2000 limestone islands and islets, each topped with dense jungle vegetation and rising spectacularly from the ocean. Although only two of the islands are permanently inhabited, many are hollow with enormous caves and grottoes and some support entire floating villages of fisherman. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, Ha Long Bay’s ethereal beauty has survived the ravages of history.
The Cu Chi tunnels and Presidential Palace with helicopter and exhibition present a snapshot of the ‘American War’, as they call the ‘Vietnam War’, and the Ho Chi Minh memorial is reminiscent of Mao or Lenin.
The water puppet show and a village dinner provide contrasting but rewarding experiences.
Culture & Natural Wonders
Jules Verne Sightseeing
4 UNESCO Heritage Sites
4 Lunches & 4 Dinners
Local Expert Guides
Enjoy a medley of cruises on the Saigon River (dinner), Mekong River, Thu Bon River, Perfume River, Tam Coc in Ninh Binh and at Ha Long Bay (overnight).
Day 1 Fly overnight from Heathrow via Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Day 2 Transfer to the 4-star Novotel Saigon Centre (early check-in) for three nights. Visit the Reunification Palace and History Museum and see Notre Dame Cathedral, Opera House and General Post Office.
Day 3 Visit the underground tunnel network of Cu Chi. Dinner cruise on the Saigon River. (B, D)
Day 4 A scenic drive through the Mekong Delta to Vinh Trang Pagoda and My Tho for a cruise on the Mekong River. (B, L)
Day 5 Fly to Hue for two nights at the 4-star Senna Hue Hotel. Visit the Imperial Citadel. (B)
Day 6 Visit the tombs of the Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Cruise on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. Village dinner with a local family. (B, D)
Day 7 Cross the Hai Van Pass to Danang to visit the Cham Museum. At Hoi An, a walking tour visits merchants’ houses and the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Two nights at the 4-star Allegro Hoi An Hotel. (B)
Day 8 Visit the My Son ruins of the Champa Kingdom. Thu Bon River cruise visiting Kim Bong and Thanh Ha villages. (B)
Day 9 Fly to Hanoi and transfer to 5-star Hotel Hanoi Du Parc for two nights. (B)
Day 10 Visit Ho Chi Minh’s home and Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, Ethnological Museum, Temple of Literature, History Museum, Hoan Kiem Lake and old quarter. Water puppet show. (B)
Day 11 Drive to Ha Long Bay (3 hrs). Overnight Ha Long Bay cruise with seafood lunch. Visit a variety of islands and caves. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Further cruising with brunch, then transfer to Ninh Binh (3 hrs) for two nights at the 4-star Esmeralda Hotel. (B)
Day 13 Visit the Tam Coc Caves by sampan row boat, an area known as the Ha Long Bay on land, Bich Dong Pagoda and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu with temples from the Dinh and Le dynasties. (B, L)
Day 14 Visit to Duong Lam ancient village and lunch with a local family and visit the Mong Phu temple. Continue to Hanoi for dinner and freshen up. Transfer to Hanoi airport for return flight to London Heathrow. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Arrive early morning.
Notes
Some visits are on foot including uneven surfaces and inclines.
A 4-star hotel located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 247 comfortable and contemporary designed rooms with a stunning city view, air-conditioning, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A 4-star boutique hotel located in the centre of Hue, near the Imperial Citadel, Truong Tien bridge and Dong Ba market. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). 129 comfortable contemporary designed rooms with astunning city view, air-conditioning, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
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A 4-star hotel situated in the heart of the ancient town. Restaurant, bar, pool, gym, spa and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
A charming 5-star hotel surrounded by Thong Nhat Park in the Hai Ba Trung district in Hanoi. Restaurants, bar, gym, outdoor pool, spa and WiFi (free). 256 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Emeralda Resort is nestled in the Van Long Natural Reserve and surrounded by spectacular mountains. Restaurants, bars, pools, gym, sauna and spa. 172 air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Bhaya Cruises is the largest and most reputed cruise operator in Halong Bay. Established in 2007, it is the first company to introduce the overnight cruise service with innovative ships and unsurpassed customer service.
Bhaya Classic vessels are being the very first overnight cruise in Halong Bay since 2007 with an amazing mix of oriental style with contemporary design. Four wooden boats with 14-20 deluxe cabins incorporate modern state-of-the-art facilities to serve passengers to the most comfort while bringing about mystery feeling of featured oriental culture. The vessels offer a dining room, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, bar, spa and spacious sundeck. Cabins are air-conditioned with private facilities, Panoramic window, hairdryer and mini-bar.
Thursdays
per person in a twin/double room
Vietnam Airlines from Heathrow
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
Single supplement £835
Flight Options
London-Ho Chi Minh City/Hanoi-London
Vietnam Airlines Premium Economy - On request
Vietnam Airlines Business Class - On request
Extension Options
Extra nights (pre tour) - Ho Chi Minh
Novotel Saigon Centre
(per night) £75
Single supplement £70
Arrival transfer add £20
Privately Guided
Add £495 per person
Tour Only
Save £400
Arrival transfers add £20
Departure transfers with group included
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 12 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 4 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, overseas airport taxes, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
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