Full Moon Festival Express - 8 Days

Southeast Asia
Loading...
Full Moon Festival – Celebrate this unique experience with the locals and release lanterns into the night sky, Halong Bay – Cruise around the beautiful bay onboard a traditional junk boat and explore the remarkable caves, Hanoi – Ride on rickshaws to see highlights of the city and stroll through the ’36 Streets’ of the Old Quarter, Hoi An – See the highlights of the city including the famous Japanese Bridge and take a stroll along My Khe Beach, Tra Que Village – Cycle into the countryside for a hands-on farming experience and enjoy a fun cooking lesson, Hue – Discover the ancient walled Citadel, the Purple Palace and the iconic seven story Thien Mu Pagoda

Availability

From 2024-09-11 to 2025-09-30

Departure dates & prices

Dates Availability Price
  • Sep Wed 11 2024 to Sep Wed 18 2024
    Available
    From
    $1,555*

What's included

Breakfast daily, 3 lunches and 1 dinner .
5 nights 4 star and special class hotels and 1 night aboard deluxe junk boat (private en suite cabin).
1 overnight sleeper train Hanoi to Hue in basic 4 berth cabin (or opt to fly - see Add-ons for details).
Lantern making in the home of the Ha Linh family in Hoi An and releasing our lanterns onto the river.
Guided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue and Hoi An.
Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim, kayak and explore caves.
Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cooking demonstration.
Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure transfer day 8.
Escorted by an English speaking Vietnamese tour guide.
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles.

Itinerary

  • Day 1, Hanoi
    Wednesday 11th September 2024. Hello Hanoi! Arrival transfer from Hanoi airport to our hotel. This morning is free for you to relax or explore Vietnam's enchanting capital. At 2pm meet your guide and set of on foot to explore Hanoi's captivating Old Quarter which is known as the '36 streets of the old Hanoi'. There is Silver Street, Silk Street, Comb Street, Paper Street and importantly Hang Ma street where we'll learn about the history and traditions of Vietnam's Full Moon Festival and perhaps sample some tasty traditional Mooncakes.
    No meals included.
    Day 2, Halong Bay
    Hanoi - Halong Bay. This morning we travel to heavenly Halong Bay - the jewel in Vietnam's crown. Here we board a comfortable junk boat to explore the emerald waters of the bay which is dotted with limestone peaks. Enjoy lunch with a view on board.

    This afternoon we visit the spectacular Tien Ong Cave, which was opened to the public in 2010. Marvel at the stunning stalagmites and stalactites before we return to our junk boat for the evening. Watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.
    1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
    Day 3, Floating villages and cyclo rides
    Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue. Early birds can start the day with a relaxing Tai Chi class on the sundeck or a traditional massage - the perfect way to start the day. Before heading back to port we'll explore by kayak the Floating Village of Cua Van, which is home to generations of fishing families. Here we'll see the traditional and colourful floating wooden houses and the locals going about their daily lives.

    On arrival back into Hanoi mid-afternoon we'll explore the maze of streets in the French Quarter on our very only cyclo (rickshaws), taking in highlights such as the Opera house and Ly Thai To Park. We then swap our wheels for a leisurely walk through the '36 streets of the old quarter', named after the numerous guilds that once set up shop on a particular street from silk tailors to traditional medicine shops.

    Later this evening there's a chance to freshen up before we board the overnight train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 4, Hue
    This morning we arrive into the imperial city of Hue and enjoy a guided tour of the 19th-century capital. Highlights of the tour include the city's oldest monastery, the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda with its 21-metre-tall tower and the walled fortress of the Imperial Purple Palace.

    This afternoon we head out of the city to the incredible ornate Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, which lie in a valley surrounded by pine forest. Here we'll see the mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. This evening there is the option to enjoy a leisurely sunset cruise on the Perfume River.
    1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 5, Hoi An
    Hue - Hoi An. We drive via the spectacular Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds) along the coast to Hoi An this morning. Stopping en route for a walk along My Khe beach, nicknamed 'China Beach' by the Americans during the war, the beach featured in Francis Ford Coppola's film 'Apocalypse Now'.

    This afternoon we arrive into the historic riverside town of Hoi An. Hoi An is best explored on foot and a short walking tour introduces us to this enchanting town with highlights including the Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese Assembly Hall, 200-year-old Tam Ky house, former merchants' homes and the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge.

    During your stay in Hoi An, we offer a unique Hoi An Street Eats add-on, which explores the city's most popular local haunts. Cruise the city the way the locals do, by vintage Vespa and enjoy lots of tasty Vietnamese Cuisine. Book early with your reservation consultant, as numbers are limited.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 6, Full Moon Festival
    Today marks the height of the Full Moon Festival and we will be celebrating with the locals. This morning we take rickshaws to a local home on the outskirts of Hoi An where we learn about the family's long tradition of lantern-making and handcraft our own lanterns for tonight's festivities. Heading back into town we explore the local market stalls and authentic lantern shops. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and explore the town and its wonderful array of shops. Consider getting some clothes made at one of the many great tailor shops, take a row boat down the river or spend the afternoon relaxing by the hotel swimming pool.

    Tonight we make our way to the water's edge with hundreds of locals to release our lanterns and enjoy the spellbinding spectacle of hundreds of sparkling lights sailing down the river and lighting up the night sky.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 7, Tra Que farming experience
    This morning we take a scenic bike ride through the countryside to Tra Que village where we learn all about the age old farming techniques and assist with tending the fields. It's a hands on experience and after we've tested our farming skills we enjoy a fun and interactive cooking demonstration. Make sure you follow the chef's instructions carefully because you'll be eating the food that you prepare for lunch!
    1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.
    Day 8, Hoi An
    Wednesday 18th September 2024. Today marks the end of your time in Vietnam. A departure transfer will be provided to take you to Danang airport in time for your onward flight.
    1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
  • The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 02 April 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
  • Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes, surcharges and visa fees specific to your departure date or flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or by BPAY.
  • Payments made in store by credit card will incur a surcharge (see Booking Terms and Conditions for further details).
  • These prices are a guide to the best price and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details..
  • We receive payment from third party travel service providers when you use us to book travel and travel-related products and services with them on your behalf.
  • Our liability to you is limited in certain situations, and we may charge you a cancellation fee(s) in certain circumstances. See our booking terms and conditions for further details.
  • We may provide your personal information to third parties, including travel service providers with whom you make a booking. See our privacy policy for further details.

Tell us about your travel plans

Loading...

Why choose Flight Centre?


Not only do we have an incredible, worldwide team with decades of experience and a genuine passion for travel, we also have the widest choice of travel options covering tours, cruises, holiday packages and more. Flight Centre gives you free holiday planning and personalised service, Interest Free* Holiday Finance so you can book now, pay later, and 24/7 worldwide customer care on 133 133.