Vietnam & the Mekong
Explore the north of Vietnam and Halong Bay before cruising the Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta is often referred to as ’Vietnam’s rice bowl’. The rich agricultural land supports a thriving population of farmers, who make their living amidst the abundant waterways. Having explored the north and the delights of Halong Bay, board a river boat to discover one of Vietnam’s most wonderful locations, full of floating gardens, tranquil tributaries and bonsai gardens.
2 night Hanoi • 1 night Halong Bay cruise • 2 nights Hue • 4 nights Hoi An • 2 nights Saigon • 1 night Mekong Delta cruise
Day 1: Depart the UK
Depart the UK for your overnight flight to Hanoi.
Day 2: Arrive at Hanoi
You will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.
Stay: 2 nights at Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel
Day 3: Hanoi City Tour
Explore Hanoi on a cyclo city tour 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. Ccontinue your tour with a visit to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, which has now been 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 since 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.
Day 4: 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 through the bay. Visit an interesting floating fishing village with the opportunity to interact with fishermen who have been living in the bay for almost three generations and spend some time exploring the bay or swimming before enjoying cocktails while watching sunset. In the evening dine in style inside Tien Ong cave.
Stay: Ginger Cruise - 1 Night / Ginger Cabin
Day 5: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Hue
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 back to Hanoi in order to take a flight to Hue.
Stay: 2 nights at La Residence Hotel & Spa
Day 6: Hue City Tour
Embark on a full 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 the tombs of the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, Tu Duc and the second last emperor, Khai Dinh. In the afternoon travel by Dragon Boat along the Perfume River to the much-revered Thien Mu Pagoda, Hue’s oldest and most beautiful of these structures. You will also have the chance to visit Dong Ba market before returning to your hotel.
Day 7: Hue - Hoi An
Drive south to Hoi An. The small town of Hoi An is the perfect place to break your journey midway through Vietnam. Located on the country’s magnificent central coast, this one-time trading port retains an old world ambience and a rich historical quality that resulted in its recent listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stay: 4 nights at The Nam Hai, Hoi An
Days 8-10: Hoi An
Spend three days at leisure in and around Hoi An enjoying the Old Town and relaxing on the nearby beaches.
Day 11: Hoi An - Danang - Saigon
Transfer to Danang airport for your flight to Saigon.
Stay: 2 nights at Caravelle Hotel
Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) - Cu Chi
Spend the morning on 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 13: Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be
Journey south to Cai Be, in the heart of the Mekong Delta. After boarding your boat, relax on deck as you cruise through the maze of tributaries and canals that make up this amazing region. Stop to visit some of the small villages on the banks of the river, an opportunity to appreciate the way of life and hospitality of the local inhabitants, before enjoying a cocktail on board as the sun sets.
Stay: 1 night Bassac Cruise - Cabin type: run of house
Day 14: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City
Enjoy breakfast on deck as you cruise past bustling floating markets and picturesque scenery. Transfer to a smaller sampan and experience first hand the vibrant Cai Rang floating market and nearby gardens before concluding your tour at the Mekong city of Can Tho. There you will be met by your driver for the drive back to Saigon Airport for your onward flight.
Vietnam & the Mekong itinerary map
Prices from
Prices from: £3,395 to £4,405 per person, twin share
Valid for Travel: 01 August 2011 to 24 December 2012.
Package includes: Return international economy flights with Vietnam Airways from London, 13 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 WEX102433.
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