Independent Tour: Highlights of Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh

Private transfer from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to your booked accommodation in downtown Hanoi by air-conditioned vehicle. Located 30 kilometres south of the airport, the transfer will take approximately 40 minutes to reach your hotel.

Overnight accommodation in Hanoi included

Meet your guide in your hotel lobby ready for your full day tour of Hanoi. The morning starts at the historic Ba Dinh Square, where Vietnam’s journey to independence started. Here, Ho Chi Minh famously declared the nation’s freedom, and the iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum now stands as a solemn tribute. With your guide, paying respects to the nation’s beloved leader and learning about his pivotal role in liberating Vietnam from French colonial rule is almost a given.

Continue in the late morning to the Temple of Literature, Hanoi’s oldest university. The grounds are widely known for their ancient architecture, as a homage to Confucius. Afterwards, delve into the challenges of Vietnamese women’s history at the fascinating Vietnamese Women’s Museum. This award-winning museum offers a glimpse into women’s lives throughout the ages and women’s empowerment in Vietnam.

This full day in Hanoi is concluded with a sweet treat. A local must-try, Vietnamese egg coffee brings forward a unique culinary blend in a charming coffee shop. From here, enjoy the comfort of your journey back to your booked accommodation in downtown Hanoi.

Breakfast included at the hotel.

Lunch included at the local restaurant.

Overnight accommodation in Hanoi included.

After breakfast, guests are transferred by shuttle bus to the enchanting Ha Long Bay to board a traditional junk boat and set sail through this UNESCO World Heritage site. A speedboat will take you to your cruise ship, welcoming you with a refreshing drink and a comprehensive cruise briefing. As you cruise through the stunning Lan Ha Bay, you can savour a delicious lunch featuring authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

After lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit Titov Island, named after the Russian cosmonaut. Choose between hiking to the summit for breathtaking panoramic views or relaxing on the island’s beach. En route before dropping anchor for the evening, explore the awe-inspiring Luon Cave by bamboo boat or kayak (optional; surcharges may apply), cited for its remarkable rock formations and crystal-clear waters.

Before dinner is served, guests can join a spring roll-making class or spend the evening at one of the vessels’ treatment rooms (optional; surcharges may apply). As the sun sets over Ha Long Bay, a delectable meal complements the end of a great day there.

Breakfast included at the hotel.Lunch and dinner included on board. Additional charges may apply for optional services and drinks.

Overnight accommodation on Cruise included.

Considered one of the best starts of the morning aboard a Ha Long Bay Cruise, it takes part in a Tai Chi session as soon as the sun rises. After breakfast, tour the renowned Sung Sot Caves, one of the region’s treasures. One of the country’s impressive collections of stalactites and stalagmites adorning the cavern is considered a natural marvel incomparable with any other cavern system. It is recommendable wearing non-slippery shoes as the path in and out of the Sung Sot Caves may be slippery.

Once you return to the Ha Long Bay cruise, brunch will be served as the captain and his crew sail back to Ha Long Bay’s main harbour before continuing the overland journey to Hanoi and the capital’s railway station. Here, board the overnight train to Da Nang aboard a private cabin.

Breakfast and brunch are included on board the cruise. No dinner included

A welcome by your representative on early morning arrival at Da Nang’s central railway station. From here, the short transfer time from Da Nang to your accommodation in Hoi An will take less than 30 minutes. The remainder of the morning is at leisure.

In the late afternoon, you will hit the Hoi An streets for a culinary exploration of Central Vietnam, which is recognized as one of the most coastal towns. Together with your local guide, you will explore the stories behind Hoi An’s icon cuisine at renowned eateries, starting with Madam Khanh’s of one of the best places for “banh mi”, a perfect blend of French and Vietnamese flavours; this local restaurant is well respected for maintaining traditional methods and recipes. Here, you will learn the art of making delicate white rose dumplings before enjoying “Cao La” soup.

Next, stop at a 250-year-old ancient house for an immersion into the authentic side of Hoi An life. Before returning to your Hoi An accommodation, we round off your culinary journey with green bean cake and Vietnamese coffee.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide at your hotel lobby before heading out to Hoi An’s Ba Mu Gate, an entryway that holds historical significance. The gate continues to represent an important passage in time and for welcoming explorers. From here, walk towards the famous Japanese Bridge, a remembrance of eastern architecture when Japanese traders settled here. The bond Hoi An has with the Land of the Rising Sun remains solidified with the presence of this accessible bridge.

One of Hoi An’s hidden gems is a communal house located off the beaten path. Entering its grounds is like taking a step into the past, where stories and sagas remain and retain their value. This unique house is situated in a narrow alley and is one of the town’s most well-maintained historical landmarks.

Via the Folklore Museum, a stunning collection of what once and remains traditionally Hoi An, we end the day with a visit to a coffee shop, tucked away off the main town streets. Rounding off this Hoi An day with a freshly brewed coffee in this immersive setting, before being guided back to your accommodation, forms the perfect scene for an unforgettable day.

Breakfast included.

Overnight accommodation in Hoi An included.

A day at leisure to explore Hoi An at your own pace.

Hoi An, a remarkable gem of a town, is a testament to Vietnam’s rich history. A former trading post that once hosted a convergence of merchants from China, the Netherlands, France, Japan, Portugal, and Arabia during the span of the 16th to 18th centuries, Hoi An stand renowned for its meticulously restored architecture, locally crafted silk, and delectable array of noodles and seafood.

As you stroll through the pedestrian-only streets of this ancient seaport, it’s easy to lose yourself in a vision of the 18th century, when Hoi An was one of Asia’s most bustling trading hubs. The town’s blend of various Asian and European architecture reflects its cosmopolitan past, offering visitors a glimpse into a Vietnam that has vanished elsewhere.

Breakfast included

Overnight accommodation in Hoi An included.

After breakfast and checking out of your Hoi An accommodation, transfer to Da Nang’s domestic terminal for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in the city before starting the afternoon with an in-depth exploration of Ho Chi Minh City’s prominent landmarks.

The afternoon starts with a visit to the Reunification Palace, a historical landmark filled with intriguing artefacts, followed by one of the city’s most outstanding examples of traditional architecture – its central post office, designed by Gustave Eiffel. Sending a postcard is almost a given.

Via the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, head down into Dong Khoi Street, a famous literary setting where history continues to flow. Another historical site that is not amiss is the War Remnants Museum, which describes how daily life moved during wartime at a secret location. To end a day in style, one must head out to the rooftop of the famous Rex Hotel for a sunset drink before returning to your hotel.

Breakfast included.

Transfers to/from airports included. Economy class air ticket between Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City included.

Overnight accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City included

After breakfast at the hotel, an early morning start from Ho Chi Minh City brings clients down south to My Tho, one of the main gateways for the Mekong Delta. The scenic ride takes approximately two hours before one spots the contours of the majestic Mekong.

Upon arrival, clients will take a private boat to navigate the river and visit islands such as Tan My and Thoi Son to interact with locals as they move around traditional floating fish farms – a quintessential Mekong Delta sight, often left aside.

The sailing journey takes you deeper into the intricate mangrove-laden stream on a traditional rowing boat. The rich vegetation covering large parts of the Mekong are a sight to behold and after the boat ride, you’ll head out onto the mainland for an adventurous journey on a bike through some of the tropical fruit orchards.

Lunch is served at a local restaurant right in the heart of the Mekong Delta. Served with locally sourced and fresh ingredients. Additionally, demonstrations on making local pancakes will also add a unique flavour to the experience.

Throughout the remainder of the afternoon, guests may even have a sneak peek into a local loom to see how artisanal weavers make some of the finest fabrics.

At the end of the afternoon, catch a leisurely cruise back to the disembarkation point before heading back to downtown Ho Chi Minh City and your booked accommodation.

Breakfast and lunch are included.

Overnight accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City included.

An early morning departure from your Ho Chi Minh City hotel sets the tone for one of the most memorable experiences outside the city – the Cu Chi Tunnels, once a stronghold of the Viet Cong. Upon arrival, watch a brief video about the lives of soldiers who resided there during the war. The narrow tunnels were pivotal in several strategic operations, including the renowned 1968 Tet Offensive, and did not escape damage.

The tunnels served not only as living quarters but also as supply routes and hospitals for thousands of guerrilla fighters. Many succumbed to malaria and other diseases there, while a few were even born or married. Today, they are regarded by some as a testament to the Vietnamese people’s resilience. The journey includes a drive through the countryside and stop at an organic farm to comprehend the true meaning of “farm-to-table”. These fertile grounds offer an insight into organic farming, local herbs, spices, and vegetables, and showcase the art of mushroom cultivation. After these visits, enjoy a wholesome lunch, primarily prepared with fresh ingredients produced on the farm, before returning to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in the early afternoon. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Breakfast and lunch are included

Overnight accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City included

Private transfer from your booked accommodation from one of the city’s main districts to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport by air-conditioned vehicle. Located 7 kilometres north-west of this central district in the former capital, the transfer will take approximately 30 minutes to reach the departure hall for your flight.

Breakfast included.