Float on the sparkling emerald waters of Halong Bay on a traditional Vietnamese Junk.
Float on the sparkling emerald waters of Halong Bay on a traditional Vietnamese Junk. Glide past hidden islets, giant limestone karsts and colourful fishing villages, stopping only to gain insight into the lives of the local fishermen at Cua Van and to practice T'ai Chi in exquisite surroundings.
Relish the warm embrace of Vietnam and her welcoming people, who will touch you with their humility and entrepreneurial spirit throughout your journey across this intoxicating land. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception with drinks and local appetisers.
This morning is dedicated to the revolutionary leader who fanned the flames of Vietnam's independence. We begin our day with a visit to the final resting place of "Uncle Ho", the imposing Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. A short walk from here, we'll find Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, where we'll 'Dive Into Culture' exploring the grounds surrounding the humble abode of Vietnam's most famous son. We'll continue to the Temple of Literature, the first university for the sons of Mandarins, to gain insights into Hanoian culture. This afternoon, we'll embark on a cyclo tour, weaving through the lively Old Quarter past colourful shopfronts and street food vendors. Enjoy an evening at leisure or consider joining one of our recommended Optional Experiences to watch a show that uses the ancient art of water puppetry to story-tell the daily lives of Vietnamese people.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Afternoon Foodie Tour
Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique culture. Take a leisurely walk with a local foodie to the Old Quarter. Taste the national Vietnamese dish - Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup) and then wander around a local market to enjoy the sights, sounds and aroma from the numerous kinds of food on offer. Sample some Banh Duc – cooked rice powder with Vietnamese spices followed by a visit to a little shop selling many different types of traditional Northern cakes such as Com cake (young rice) which is considered to be a part of every Hanoians’ childhood. Continue to a small alley to get an idea of the typical “tube houses” of Hanoi and afterwards stop at Banh My Lan On to try their famous bread with Pâté. Later enjoy some Vietnamese desserts and cap off your walk by tasting a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee.
Adult Price: $26.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Visit to Hang Trong Painting Artisan
Named after one of Hanoi’s specialized streets, Hang Trong paintings belong to one of Vietnam’s dying arts. These festive and vividly eye-catching tapestries became popular from the end of the 19th century through to the start of the 20th century. Take a walk through the narrow alleyways of the old quarter of Hanoi and visit the home of a 66 year old artisan who is devoted to preserving this traditional craft. He is one of seven children from a family who for three generations has specialised in creating Hang Trong paintings. Interact with him and learn about the techniques and the time and effort he is putting into preserving the tradition. On the way back to the hotel make a stop at Hang Trong Street which is part of an artisan neighbourhood and was once famous for selling these paintings.
Adult Price: $20.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Water Puppet Show
Enjoy a traditional evening Water Puppet performance in a local theatre. This northern Vietnamese art form beautifully illustrates scenes of rural life and natural history and began approximately a thousand years ago, possibly in the flooded rice fields of Vietnam. Puppeteers stand in waist-high water and manipulate their charges in such a way that you can’t help but be swept up in the legend being told. Each short sketch in the performance relates to the daily life of the people.
Adult Price: $12.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
HANOI - HALONG BAY CRUISE
We leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where we'll board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for our leisurely cruise. After lunch on board, we'll take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses. We return to our Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.
The graceful practice of T'ai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a 'Local Specialist' on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You'll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay's quiet beaches and, if you're feeling energetic, a brisk walk to catch one last view of scenic Halong Bay before your drive to Hanoi Airport to catch your flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Hoi An.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Royal Hoi An
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 5
HOI AN SIGHTSEEING
'Dive Into Culture' this morning, embarking on a walking tour around the ancient town of Hoi An. Embrace its charm of yesteryear - the narrow lanes, colourful marketplaces and ancient temples providing insights into the Vietnam of old. See the old merchant houses and 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before visiting Thanh Dong Organic Village where you'll spend some time helping local farmers and learning about their daily working routines. Kick back and enjoy a relaxing foot massage that will set the pace for the rest of the day and evening at leisure.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
My Son Temples
My Son is one of the foremost Hindu temple sites in South East Asia. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important religious site and place of worship. A 1.5-hour drive from Hoi An will bring you to My Son where there are 20 monuments still standing today. The temples are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by the impressive Cat Tooth Mountain. Stroll around this UNESCO listed temple complex and learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilisation before returning to Hoi An.
Adult Price: $20.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 6
HOI AN
Enjoy some free time this morning to explore Hoi An further or simply relax at your hotel. Your choice of activities this afternoon could see you learn how to craft your own colourful lantern or gain insights into life as a local fisherman (subject to weather conditions). Create a work of art to bring your home luck and happiness, or cast your net wide for the catch of the day - the choice is yours.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Day 7
HOI AN - HUE (2 NIGHTS)
The healthy flavours of Vietnamese cuisine take centre stage as we travel by boat to the Red Bridge Cooking School to learn about the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food. We'll have an opportunity to savour the dishes we've prepared for lunch before returning to Hoi An. This afternoon, our journey takes us over Hai Van Pass en route to Red Beach, where the American Marines first landed in Vietnam during the decades-long war. We continue to Danang for a visit to the Cham Museum before arriving in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, for our overnight stay.
We'll navigate the busy streets of Hue on the back of a cyclo en route to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel, once home to Nguyen emperors. From here, we drive to Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue's best-preserved religious monument. Boarding a local dragon boat next, we cruise along the Perfume River to the house of the former Princess Ngoc Son where we'll 'Connect With Locals' and meet a family member for a 'Be My Guest' lunch to gain a glimpse of their life in this historic house. The afternoon is ours to enjoy at leisure or consider joining one of our Optional Experiences.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Optional Experience
Bamboo Paper Art Workshop
Truc Chi which is a type of paper made from bamboo pulp is a new form of art in Hue created by a young talented artist and his colleagues after many years of research, study and practice. Using bamboo as the only material, they make paper using traditional methods, and then turn them into various detailed and unique creations. The aim of the Truc Chi artists is to make the paper symbolic of Vietnam, just like ‘washi’ paper is of Japan. Visit a Truc Chi workshop, interact with the artists to understand more about the artwork's process and later, try creating your own Truc Chi drawing to take home as a souvenir.
Adult Price: $30.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 9
HUE - HO CHI MINH CITY (3 NIGHTS)
A short flight this morning brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, where you’ll enjoy some time at leisure before lunch at BLOOM restaurant. Your visit will 'Make A Difference' to this Culinary Vocational Training facility developed by the charity ‘Aid to Children Without Parents’ that provides training to disadvantaged young people in the hospitality industry enabling them to become self-reliant. The iconic sights of Ho Chi Minh are revealed on a walking tour of Dong Khoi Street next. See the Opera House and the former Hotel de Ville. Then, wander up to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, designed by the renowned Gustave Eiffel. Continue to the War Remnants Museum where you’ll have a vivid glimpse of the war through the eyes of the locals. Your final stop today is Ben Thanh market, one of the earliest surviving structures in old Saigon, before arriving at your hotel.
Trip Summary Accomodation IconHotel - Sofitel Saigon Plaza
The mighty Mekong beckons today, as we take a day trip to My Tho, a nearby Delta market town. We'll transfer to a small sampan boat and navigate the maze of small canals before stopping for a lunch of delicious Mekong Delta specialities. After a short walk along village roads, we'll visit the house of a former soldier, a 'Local Specialist' who survived fighting the Khmer Rouge. Indulge in the family's colourful stories and learn how they make a living crafting rice paper, before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for an evening at leisure.
We'll delve into Vietnam's turbulent history from the previous century with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, an immense network of connecting underground tunnels built to protect the Viet Cong guerrillas from the French air and ground sweeps. We'll explore the underground compounds with a VC veteran and gain an understanding of the history of the tunnel, which once served as living quarters and housed hospitals, food and weapons caches. Returning to Ho Chi Minh City by private speedboat, we'll enjoy some free time this afternoon. Later, we'll 'Dive Into Culture' during a visit to the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s, Mr. Henry Cabot Lodge, followed by a Farewell Dinner.
Our discovery of the iconic and unexpected highlights of Vietnam at its end, take a transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Afternoon Foodie Tour
Eating on the street is a very typical activity for Hanoians and makes up an important part of the city’s unique culture. Take a leisurely walk with a local foodie to the Old Quarter. Taste the national Vietnamese dish - Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup) and then wander around a local market to enjoy the sights, sounds and aroma from the numerous kinds of food on offer. Sample some Banh Duc – cooked rice powder with Vietnamese spices followed by a visit to a little shop selling many different types of traditional Northern cakes such as Com cake (young rice) which is considered to be a part of every Hanoians’ childhood. Continue to a small alley to get an idea of the typical “tube houses” of Hanoi and afterwards stop at Banh My Lan On to try their famous bread with Pâté. Later enjoy some Vietnamese desserts and cap off your walk by tasting a cup of Vietnamese egg coffee.
Adult Price: $26.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Visit to Hang Trong Painting Artisan
Named after one of Hanoi’s specialized streets, Hang Trong paintings belong to one of Vietnam’s dying arts. These festive and vividly eye-catching tapestries became popular from the end of the 19th century through to the start of the 20th century. Take a walk through the narrow alleyways of the old quarter of Hanoi and visit the home of a 66 year old artisan who is devoted to preserving this traditional craft. He is one of seven children from a family who for three generations has specialised in creating Hang Trong paintings. Interact with him and learn about the techniques and the time and effort he is putting into preserving the tradition. On the way back to the hotel make a stop at Hang Trong Street which is part of an artisan neighbourhood and was once famous for selling these paintings.
Adult Price: $20.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Water Puppet Show
Enjoy a traditional evening Water Puppet performance in a local theatre. This northern Vietnamese art form beautifully illustrates scenes of rural life and natural history and began approximately a thousand years ago, possibly in the flooded rice fields of Vietnam. Puppeteers stand in waist-high water and manipulate their charges in such a way that you can’t help but be swept up in the legend being told. Each short sketch in the performance relates to the daily life of the people.
Adult Price: $12.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 5
My Son Temples
My Son is one of the foremost Hindu temple sites in South East Asia. For the Cham civilization that ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th century, My Son was an important religious site and place of worship. A 1.5-hour drive from Hoi An will bring you to My Son where there are 20 monuments still standing today. The temples are set in a verdant valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by the impressive Cat Tooth Mountain. Stroll around this UNESCO listed temple complex and learn about the Cham culture, architecture and civilisation before returning to Hoi An.
Adult Price: $20.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 8
Bamboo Paper Art Workshop
Truc Chi which is a type of paper made from bamboo pulp is a new form of art in Hue created by a young talented artist and his colleagues after many years of research, study and practice. Using bamboo as the only material, they make paper using traditional methods, and then turn them into various detailed and unique creations. The aim of the Truc Chi artists is to make the paper symbolic of Vietnam, just like ‘washi’ paper is of Japan. Visit a Truc Chi workshop, interact with the artists to understand more about the artwork's process and later, try creating your own Truc Chi drawing to take home as a souvenir.
Adult Price: $30.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
11 breakfasts, 5 lunches (including Be My Guest), 3 dinners
Trip Summary Transport Icon
On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
CONNECT WITH LOCALS
Enjoy lunch at one of the great remaining garden houses of Hue where you will gain insight into the lives of a local family and admire their fascinating collection of artifacts and mementos from the days of the former Royal Empire. (Day 8)
STAYS WITH STORIES
Stay on a traditional style Vietnamese Junk boat for an overnight cruise in Halong Bay. (Day 3)
DIVE INTO CULTURE
Visit Ho Chi Minh's house in Hanoi (Day 2), the colourful market of Hoi An (Day 5), the Cham Museum in Danang (Day 7) and the home of the former American Ambassador to South Vietnam in the 1960s (Day 11). Join a Lantern Making Workshop or a Fishing Life Tour to learn about the lives of the local fishermen and have a go at casting your own fishing net (Day 6).
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Have lunch at BLOOM restaurant, developed by the charity ‘Aid to Children Without Parents’ it provides training to disadvantaged young people in the hospitality industry (Day 9).
LOCAL SPECIALISTS
in Halong Bay (Day 3) and the Mekong Delta (Day 10)
Sightseeing highlights
Experience Ti Filled Icon
CITY TOUR of Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City
Experience Ti Filled Icon
VISIT Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, the Imperial Citadel in Hue, the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels
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VIEW the Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office in Ho Chi Minh City
Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
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Luxury air-conditioned coach or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Optional Experiences and free time
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
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Handcrafted Highlights
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LIVE, UNEDITED & INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS REVIEWS
Highlights of Vietnam Trip Reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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All Around Excellent Service!
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5
Everything was excellent! Each experience we had felt like a valuable and memorable one. The bus coaches were clean and comfortable, and the hotels were superb. We talked with other in the airport/hotels who were going on similar trips through other travel agencies and it definitely seemed like the items in our itinerary were ones you could only get through Trafalgar- and they were amazing experiences I am so grateful for!
Our service was AMAZING! Our travel director was extremely knowledgeable and helpful if we needed anything or had any questions at all. Our coach drivers helped us feel safe and the local specialists were so kind and welcoming. All staff throughout the trip were warm and welcoming as well. Overall the service was incredible!
Our guide ( Kha) was awesome and very knowledgeable. He had a great personality. He gave us a list of things we could do / places to eat when arriving before the tour began ( in case we didn’t have any plans) I loved that we had a small group for the tour. The hotels were very nice. It was so nice to have down time to do things we wanted. Everything went very smooth.
More than expected, because it was “less than expected”! (Read on...)
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5
The hotels, included buffets and food were all superb. The activities were well picked, interesting and relevant to the area. Really felt like we got our money’s worth...and then some.
Firstly, all transfers and connections were flawless. The hotels were all better than anticipated and the activities/local lunches and included fare etc.were all excellent. The amount of group vs. on-our-own time was perfect for us. Having daily free time and certain meals to seek and enjoy on our own was a welcome quality. This really eliminated our concerns gained from past tours where we’ve felt attached at the hip to a group with no time of our own whatsoever. This tour provided the best of both worlds...a tour with all the details well attended to, and also much time to attend to our own wanderings as well. But most importantly our guide “KHA” was efficient in attending to the details, knowledgable, as well as entertaining. (He added a LOT to our experience) Kha felt more like a friend, than a professional tour guide, although the tour was professionally managed and overseen by him. In short we really enjoyed and felt fortunate that Kha was our guide. We enjoyed our entire trip very much.
It was varied, interesting and covered the main places of interest. Having a 3-day stay midway (at Hoi An), with free time, provided a welcome opportunity for recharging our batteries.
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Trip Notes
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Flights: Prices include internal airfares and taxes for flights: Hanoi to Danang and Hue to Ho Chi Minh City and are accurate as of 1st June 2019.
Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum will be closed early September to mid November.
Vietnam and the Temples of Angkor: Delve deeper into the culture of this region by extending your trip to see the unmissable sights of Angkor and Siem Reap. Vietnam and Cambodia Uncovered: Extend your journey beyond Vietnam to experience the highlights of Cambodia, from its unmissable sights of Angkor Wat to its capital city of Phnom Penh.
Visas are generally required for Vietnam for some nationalities. Please contact the consulate/embassy for further information.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.
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You’ll be travelling in Autumn, Winter or Spring, and this itinerary has been enhanced for you to enjoy the unique experiences these seasons offer.
