Best of Vietnam
The perfect introduction to an emerging country and its highlights.
Vietnam is a fascinating country whose friendliness and openness belies its traumatic recent past. No longer held back by its past or politics, the country is well and truly on the rise. Bookended by two very different cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, it’s a country with a wealth of history and tradition. Travel between the two, taking in the cool mountain hill stations and splendid coastline along the way to get a flavour of this remarkable destination.
1 night Hanoi • 1 night Halong Bay • 1 night Hanoi • 1 Night Victoria Express Train • 2 nights Sapa • 1 night Victoria Express Train • 1 night Hue • 3 nights Hoi An • 3 nights Saigon
Day 1: Depart UK
Depart the UK on your flight to Hanoi
Day 2: Arrival at Hanoi
You will be met by our representative holding a signboard with your name on it and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.
Stay: Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong Bay
Journey east to Hon Gai, the gateway to amazing Halong Bay. Considered Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay boasts over 3,000 islands, which rise out of the sea to provide a spectacular natural environment. En route enjoy the captivating rural scenery and see fields of busy workers farming their rice fields using traditional methods of cultivation. Board a traditional Halong junk and set sail. Visit an interesting floating fishing village with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations. Spend some more time exploring the bay or swimming before enjoying cocktails while watching sunset. Dine in style inside Tien Ong cave.
Stay: Ginger Cruise - 1 Night / Cabin type: Ginger
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi
Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi class and an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay. Cruise past some of the best sites Halong Bay has to offer whilst enjoying a fantastic buffet brunch. View a hands-on cooking demonstration before cruising back to the dock and transferring to your hotel at Hanoi.
Stay: Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel
Day 5: Hanoi City Tour
Explore Hanoi on a city tour with a cyclo ride through the fascinating Old Quarter, 36 ancient streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the markets where peddlers continue to trade as they have done for centuries. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Quarter, dedicated to the father of modern Vietnam, Uncle Ho, to see his mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, his ’house on stilts’, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, which is now dedicated to Confucian worship. Also visit Tran Quoc and Ngoc Son Temples and then the ’Hanoi Hilton’, the nickname given to the place where U.S pilots shot down over North Vietnamese airspace were imprisoned during the Vietnam War, which has now been converted into a museum. Finish your day with a relaxing walk around Hanoi’s famous Hoan Kiem Lake, then return to your hotel or continue with your own exploration of this beautiful city. In the evening transfer to the train station in Hanoi to catch the overnight train to Lao Cai.
Stay: Victoria Express Train - 1 Night / Type: 4 berth cabin / Ticket
Day 6: Sapa
On arrival at Lao Cai train station you will be met for the 35 km drive up to Sapa. Passing spectacular mountain scenery you finally reach this charming town, set amongst the highest and most beautiful mountains in Vietnam. After breakfast on arrival, your leisurely morning begins with a brief guided tour of Sapa town and the local colourful market. The afternoon is free to relax or wander into town to explore things at your own pace.
Stay: Sapa Resort
Day 7: Sapa - Topas Ecolodge
Drive the short distance south towards Muong Hoa Valley, and then descend by foot through the largest terraced rice paddy area in the Sapa region. The walk takes you through the village of Lao Chai, home to the Black Hmong minority, then onto the village of Ta Van, inhabited by the Giay minority. You will have a great opportunity to observe the daily life and traditional hospitality of these people before continuing on to the remote Topas Ecolodge in Supan. This unique, eco-friendly lodge is situated on a small outcrop with unsurpassed views to the surrounding countryside and valley below.
Stay: Topas Ecolodge
Day 8: Topas Ecolodge - Sapa - Hanoi
From the Ecolodge set off on foot to the Red Dzao village of Dao Lech. Descend towards the Thanh Kim River, stopping en route to capture the most beautiful views of the valley. Cross the river and head up to the village to experience the daily life of the local people. In the afternoon, head back to Sapa for some free time before descending to Lao Cai and enjoying dinner at one of the local restaurants before boarding your overnight train for the return trip to Hanoi.
Stay: Victoria Express Train - Type: 4 berth cabin / Ticket
Day 9: Hanoi - Hue
Upon arrival, you will be picked up from Hanoi railways station and transferred to Hanoi airport for your flight to Hue. Upon arrival at Hue, you will be met by our representative.
Stay: La Residence Hotel & Spa
Day 10: Hue City Tour - Hoi An
In the morning undertake a half day city tour of Hue. Visit the impressive home of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors, the Citadel. Much of the Citadel was destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968 but is gradually being restored. Also visit Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful, and finish with a visit to the tomb of the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, Tu Duc. After finish touring in Hue, drive to Hoi An.
Stay: 3 nights at Life Heritage Resort Hoi An
Day 11: Hoi An
Free for you to spend at your leisure.
Day 12: Hoi An
Free for you to spend at your leisure.
Day 13: Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Saigon.
Stay: 3 nights Caravelle Hotel
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Cu Chi
In the morning take a walking tour of Saigon’s famous and historic city landmarks. The tour will take you through the heart of the city along Dong Khoi street (formerly Rue Catinat), past the Rex Hotel, Municipal Theatre and Notre Dame Cathedral. Stop at the site of the former US Embassy then tour inside the impressive Re-Unification Palace and War Remnants Museum. Travel to Cholon, the city’s bustling Chinese district, where you will visit the Binh Tay wholesale market and a colourful Chinese temple dedicated to the goddess of the sea, Thien Hau. In the afternoon, journey west from Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi. On arrival you will be guided through the famous tunnels used by the communist guerrillas during the Vietnam War. The tunnel network stretches over 250km and extends to three levels underground, providing you with a remarkable insight into the hardships, courage, determination and terror of a guerrilla war.
Day 15: Mekong Delta
Undertake a full day tour, traveling south from Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho, the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Known as the ’rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the Delta is the most fertile region in the country, and the main producer of rice and tropical fruits. From My Tho, board a boat and travel to one of the islands located in the middle of the Mekong River. On the island visit a fruit orchard and sample some of the local produce, before boarding a smaller sampan that winds along narrow canals. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit a local family’s house and enjoy their hospitality, sharing with them some tea or rice wine. After lunch in My Tho return to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Today you will be met by your driver for your transfer to the airport for your return/onward flight.
Best of Vietnam itinerary map
Prices from
Prices from: £2,969 to £4,229 per person, twin share
Valid for Travel: 01 August 2011 to 24 December 2012.
Package includes: Return international economy flights with Vietnam Airlines from London, 15 days tailormade touring as specified.
Terms & Conditions: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin/double room; prices are subject to availability and change; normal booking conditions apply.
Please note that surcharges may apply at peak times including Christmas and New Year.
To book, call 0845 643 6561
To book this travel offer, call one of our tailor-made travel experts now, quoting reference WEX102434.
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