Full Moon Festival, Hoi An - 10 Days

Southeast Asia

Full Moon Festival – Celebrate with the locals and watch as thousands of colourful lanterns are released on the river and into the night sky, Halong Bay – Cruise around limestone islets on a deluxe junk boat, kayak, swim and explore the remarkable caves, Hoi An – Travel on the famous Hai Van Pass and explore highlights of the UNESCO-Listed city including the Japanese Bridge, Ho Chi Minh City – Explore the city on a guided walking tour and visit the sobering War Remnants Museum, Hanoi – Ride through the old French Quarter on cyclo rickshaws to visit Ly Thai To Park and the Opera House, Hue - Discover the ancient walled Citadel, the iconic seven story Thien Mu Pagoda and the Royal Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Tra Que Village - Take a leisurely bike ride into the countryside, learn how to farm the land and enjoy a fun hands-on cooking lesson, Mekong Delta - Cruise the maze of waterways on a sampan, visiting local cottage industries and Dong Hoa Hiep Island

Availability

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

Departure dates & prices

Sep Wed 11 2024 to Sep Fri 20 2024

Available

From
$2,535*

Enquire

What's included

Breakfast daily, 4 lunches and 1 dinner .

7 nights 4 star and special class hotels and 1 night aboard deluxe junk boat (private en suite cabin).

Lantern making in the home of the Ha Linh family in Hoi An and releasing our lanterns onto the river.

Economy class flight: Danang to Ho Chi Minh City .

1 overnight sleeper train Hanoi to Hue in basic 4 berth cabin (or opt to fly - see Add-ons for details).

Guided sightseeing - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City.

Halong Bay Junk boat cruise - opt to swim, kayak and explore caves.

Bicycle ride to Tra Que village and cooking demonstration.

Sampan boat trips in the Mekong Delta.

Airport arrival transfer day 1 and departure transfer day 10.

All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles.

Escorted by an English speaking Vietnamese tour guide.

Itinerary

Day 1, Hanoi
Wednesday 11th September 2024. Welcome to Hanoi, perhaps the most graceful, atmospheric and exotic capital city in Asia. Airport to hotel arrival transfer. This morning offers free time for you to explore the wide tree lined avenues, beautiful lakes and ancient pagoda's and thriving old city.

Meeting our guide at 2pm we set of on foot to explore Hanoi's charming Old Quarter 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 browse and learn about the history and traditions of Vietnam's Full Moon Festival. There may even be deliciously sweet traditional Mooncakes to be shared.
No meals included.
Day 2, Halong Bay
Hanoi - Halong Bay. After breakfast this morning we leave Hanoi and transfer to the crown in Vietnam's scenic crown - the incredibly beautiful Halong Bay. We'll explore the jade waters studded with karst islands aboard a traditional wooden junk boat and after embarkation there's time for lunch soaking up the views.

This afternoon we will visit the spectacular Tien Ong Cave which was opened to the public in 2010, with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites. Later this evening back on board, watch a Vietnamese cooking demonstration held on the sundeck before settling down for a sumptuous seafood dinner.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner included.
Day 3, Halong Bay
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 '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 boarding the train (4 berth sleeper cabin, basic standard) on the 'Reunification Express' railway line to Hue. An option to fly from Hanoi to Hue is also available.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 4, Hue
Upon arrival to Hue we embark on a guided sightseeing tour of the 19th-century Nguyen empire capital. We visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, home to the oldest monastery in the city, whose 21m high tower has become something of a symbol for Hue and the citadel. Within the citadel is the Imperial Purple Palace, an exact copy of the Forbidden City in Beijing, with its impressive ramparts, formal moats and imperial palaces, some of which lay in ruin.

In the countryside lies the Royal Tombs of the Nguyen kings, here we'll view the elaborate mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc. As the sun sets there's an optional cruise in a long boat along the gentle Perfume River, beautifully illuminated at night.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.
Day 5, Hoi An
Hue - Road of the Ocean Clouds - Hoi An. Today we take the scenic Hai Van Pass (Road of the Ocean Clouds), which offers magnificent views of beaches to one side and lush hills to the other. En route we stop for a walk along China beach, featured in Francis Ford Coppola's movie 'Apocalypse Now'. Perhaps enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea before continuing our journey south along the coast to Hoi An.

The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with it cobbled streets, traditional homes and tiny shop houses is a perfect place to lose yourself in a by gone era. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia's best bespoke tailors (whose services come at a nominal price), all can be found here.

On a short walking tour of the enchanting historical town, we'll visit 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 optional 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, Hoi An
Today marks the height of the Full Moon Festival and we will be celebrating with the locals. This morning we ride by rickshaw to a local home on the outskirts of Hoi An where we will learn about the family's long tradition of lantern-making and handcraft our own lanterns for tonight's festivities. Heading into town we explore the local market stalls and authentic lantern shops before free time to visit 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 river and lighting up the night sky.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 7, Hoi An
A leisurely bicycle ride into the countryside, leads us to Tra Que village this morning. Here we discover age old farming practices and learn about traditional medicine. It's a fun hands on experience today as we don conical hats and test our farming skills in the fields. Then we watch an entertaining cooking demonstration and help to cook up a tasty lunch.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.
Day 8, Can Tho
Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho. Early morning flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Drive to the Mekong Delta. Often referred to as the 'rice bowl' of Vietnam, the fertile Mekong Delta is famous for its abundant harvests of tropical fruits, flowers and rice, as well as it fantastic views while boating along the canals. Taking our sampan from Cai Be we cruise through the maze of waterways watching the hubbub of daily life on the river. Passing colourful trading boats, house boats and children swimming we stop to visit some of the local cottage industries that produce popcorn, coco candies and paper along the way. Lunch is served today in a traditional wooden home on Dong Hoa Hiep Island.
1 breakfast, 1 lunch, no dinner included.
Day 9, Ho Chi Minh City
Can Tho - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City. Early today we visit the ever lively Cai Rang floating market. Watch as melons, pineapples, fresh greens, sacks of rice and children's toys get tossed from one sampan to another at great heights and speed before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City. Once called the Pearl of the Orient, modern Ho Chi Minh City is a thriving metropolis on the move. Sleek sky scrapers, gourmet restaurants, designer malls and swanky bars and spas are scattered between ancient pagodas, colonial era landmarks and lively street markets. On our walking tour of the city we see the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office before visiting the sobering War Remnants Museum. Evening at leisure.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.
Day 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Friday 20 September 2024. Today offers free time in Ho Chi Minh City till your departure transfer to the airport. Opt for a relaxing foot massage, shop for souvenirs at Ben Thanh Market or visit the grand Independence Palace, with its secret bunker and military command centre beneath!

You could also extend your stay and join us on a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels Here you can go underground to explore the vast network of tunnels and hideouts used by Viet Cong guerrilla fighters, see booby traps, trap doors or test your skill with an AK 47 at the firing range.
1 breakfast, no lunch, no dinner included.

Terms & conditions / all prices subject to availability

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 24 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

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.