Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia's most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. You'll meet your travel comrades and have a free evening to explore. Oh yes, this is the right way to get your Vietnam trip started.

Ho Chi Minh City To Mekong Delta
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that's a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam.

Mekong River Delta
Our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river's fringes can vary. We'll visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam's famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local homestay.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Catch Your Own Dinner
Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.

See artisans at work
Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies.

After an early breakfast we'll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam's staggering past.

Ho Chi Minh City
Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam's biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Best part? There'll be a few more Contiki travellers joining us this evening. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam's culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Crawl through C? Chi Tunnels
Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war.

This morning we'll put on our discovery boots, hitting up the highlights of Ho Chi Minh on a city walking tour and then checking out the harrowing but important War Remnants Museum. Later, we'll catch a flight to the coastal town of Nha Trang.

Nha Trang
Golden sand beaches and big night-time energy, that’s Nha Trang. We’ll roll into the hotel this evening, then it’s straight out for a beachside dinner with the crew. After that, the night’s yours to turn up the fun on the dance floor (optional, of course. But strongly encouraged).

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Highlights
Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace.

Pay Respects at the War Remnants Museum
A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife.
Fly to Nha Trang
Passports at the ready folks.

Nha Trang
Good news - we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience.

Overnight Train to Hoi An
Tonight, we'll head north via our overnight train - where you'll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.

Day Highlight
Cruise & Swimming Day Trip

Overnight Train to Hoi An
Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, we'll be waking up in Da Nang and driving on to Hoi An this morning.

Hoi An
Join a guided bike tour with a local expert as you ride through the vibrant town, visiting the iconic Japanese Bridge, exploring a traditional ancient house and experiencing the sights and sounds of the central market. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Guided Cycling: Hoi An Ancient Town
This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro!

Tasty Vietnamese Cooking Class

Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.

Day Highlight

Ride the Hand-Made Bamboo Basket Boats
Float (and spin) through the serene Bay Mau Coconut Forest of Vietnam in one of the traditional Bamboo Basket Boats. Sing on the boat. Catch some crabs. Nothing beats a good boating experience.

Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang airport…

Da Nang
Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town.

Hanoi
Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens. We’ll head straight to KOTO for a feel-good feast that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam, then jump into culture mode at the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first-ever university). Next up: the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a major landmark with big history behind it. Tonight’s yours to do Hanoi your way, or level it up with an optional Hanoi After Dark Vespa ride for street-food stops and neon-lit city vibes.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Included Flight Da Nang to Hanoi
Next stop, Hanoi. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time.

Get a Unique Dining Experience at KOTO Restaurant MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Step inside KOTO Restaurant and enjoy a high-quality meal with a twist where you’re helping young, at-risk Vietnamese trainees sharpen their hospitality skills. KOTO (AKA Know One, Teach One) is Vietnam’s first social enterprise, offering a 24-month free training program for disadvantaged youth, with a special focus on empowering women.

By eating here, you’re supporting more than just a meal. KOTO equips trainees with hospitality, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills, opening doors to long-term careers and breaking cycles of poverty. Each year, over 100 young people get a shot at realising their dreams—all while serving up delicious, expertly crafted dishes.

Learn at the Temple of Literature
Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’.

See the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Take a look at the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. This is where he, along with his party, declared the independence of Vietnam.

See Hanoi after dark via Vespa
Climb on the back of a classic Vespa and watch Hanoi light up at night. With local drivers at the helm, you’ll zip through buzzing neighbourhoods, stop at local restaurants, and see the city from a whole new angle.

Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam's show-stopping natural beauty.

Ninh Binh
Do you see them? Those lush landscapes are calling. This afternoon, you can jump on an optional Bike & Boat adventure out in Van Long, cycling through local villages before cruising the rivers by sampan through “Ha Long Bay on land” scenery. Prefer to keep it chill? The rest of the day is yours to breathe in the fresh air, soak up the greenery, and keep your eyes peeled for birds along the way.

Day Highlight

Bike and Boat Van Long

Ninh Binh
Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one).

Halong Bay
A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of 'oh wow's', but it only gets better as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift around the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgettable moments and experiences.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Catch a Serene Sunrise at the Mua Cave
Cool tropical breeze. Lush-green landscapes. And an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the shimmery silhouette.

Chill at Ti Top Island
Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes

Stay on a Junk Boat
The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course!

Kayaking on Halong Bay

Halong Bay
Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat - the views don't get much better than this.

Hanoi
After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow - this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Stroll around the Sung Sot Caves
Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?

Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi! Exchange hellos with your Contiki fam as we hop onto an overnight bus. Let the journey begin...

Overnight Bus
It’s the first night, and you're already travelling like a local! This is your chance to get to know your fellow travellers before tucking into your beds for the night.

Overnight Bus
Morning! The sun's yet to rise, so you've some time to catch some more sleep at our local homestay, and grab breakfast too.

Ha Giang Loop
This morning, we’ll hop into our van and hit the road en route to Dong Van. This world-famous route is packed with incredible views. On our drive, you’ll see the Heaven Gate, Twin Mountain, Tham Ma slope and even visit an ancient palace - all while being surrounded by lush green valleys all the way through. Plus, we'll make a quick stop to meet the people working to preserve the craft of H'mong linen weaving.

Dong Van
It’s been a looong day! What better way to end it than by devouring delicious local food with your crew. Then, it’s off to your cosy, cosy beds for the night.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

See the Heaven Gate
Check out the incredible views from Heaven Gate - a popular stop off on the Ha Giang loop.

Check out the Tham Ma Slope
Stop by to get a view of the winding roads that resemble a massive snake making its way down the slope!

Visit the H'mong King Palace
Walk like a royal around this ancient palace that's made with green pebbles, pine woods, terra-cotta tiles and even sugarcane! (Seriously.)

Help Support Local Communities & Learn about H'mong Linen Weaving MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Meet the incredible women at the Lung Tam Linen Cooperative who are working to preserve the craft of H'mong linen weaving. You'll see all the complicated stages of weaving, learn how they make high-quality fabric here and support local communities too.

Dong Van
Rise and shine! After breakfast, you’ll join a local guide for an exhilarating trek to the Ma Pi Leng peak.

Ma Pi Leng Peak
It’s trek time! Today, we’ll hike along the Sky Path, enjoying views of the cascading limestone cliffs, Hmong villages and cornfields along the way. And after a delicious lunch, we’ll take a boat cruise to our campsite. But not before checking out the magnificent Tu San Canyon, ofc.

Nho Que
Riverside camping anyone? We’ll check into our overnight tents (that open up to breathtaking views of the Nho Que river). Enjoy dinner and music with your crew before resting your trek-tired limbs for the day.

Day Highlight
INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

Take an Incredible Trek through the Sky Path
Lace up your boots! You'll take a challenging but short trek towards the Ma Pi Leng peak, passing by H'mong villages on the way.

Grab a Scenic Lunch
Feast on a delicious lunch with incredible views of the Nho Que river. It's a photo ops hotspot!

Cruise through the Tu San Canyon
Go with the flow on a local boat cruise as you check out one of South Asia's largest canyons.