9 Days Vietnam Classic

Day 1: Hanoi – Arrival [–]

Upon arrival at Hanoi International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, enjoy some free time at your leisure. Meals are at your own expense. Overnight is in Hanoi. NOTE: The standard airport pick-up time is between 07:00 and 19:00. If you need a pick-up outside those hours, the surcharge will be communicated at the time of booking.

Day 2: Hanoi, Full Day City Tour [B,L,–]

Breakfast is included. A day of fascinating exploration starts with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (exterior only) and the former president’s stilt house where Uncle Ho lived from 1958 to 1969. We then head to the iconic One-Pillar Pagoda and the Museum of Ethnology. In the afternoon we visit the Temple of Literature; Ngoc Son Temple; Hoan Kiem Lake. We then take a fun stroll around the Old Quarter to explore 36 old streets before heading to a traditional coffee shop to enjoy a glass of refreshing Bia Hoi, locally brewed beer. Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is to your own expense. Overnight is in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay [B,L,D]

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Our tour of magical Ha Long Bay takes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has over 3,000 limestone islets rising from the clear emerald waters, many of them containing picturesque grottoes. Our excursion starts with a drive to the Bay (160km, approximately four hours) for the overnight cruise. The boat leaves the pier at between 12.30-1 pm, with lunch served immediately after departure. Then we are free to discover magical Ha Long Bay which is known as the ‘dragon descending into the sea.’ Optional activities include swimming, kayaking, cooking demonstrations and night squid fishing. You will enjoy dinner and overnight on board. NOTE: The cruise itinerary and schedule are subject to seasonal weather conditions. Please note that the Asian Trails tour guide will not accompany the group on board. An English-speaking guide from the cruise ship will be available to assist passengers throughout the boat trip.

Day 4: Ha Long – Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An [Brunch]

We continue the cruise through magical Ha Long Bay with brunch on board until we dock at 12 noon and proceed to Hanoi International Airport via highway (130km, approx. 2.5-hour driving) for the flight to Da Nang. Lunch and dinner are to your own expense. Overnight is in Hoi An. NOTE: The regular flight for the seat-in-coach transfer is HAN-DAD (departure time approximately 16:00pm or 17:00 pm. Schedule flight subject to availability and may change without prior notice). In the case that your own arrangement flight arrives in Da Nang later than our flight schedule seat-in-coat tour (a gap not more than one hour), a surcharge will be applied for private transfer no guide from Da Nang to the hotel in Hoi An.

Day 5: Hoi An, Half Day Sightseeing [B,L,–]

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Today we undertake a fascinating walking tour to discover the historic town of Hoi An which used to be a prosperous seaport city during the 16th to 18th centuries. Its sizeable community of foreign merchants resulted in unique architectural styles with Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. We visit Phuc Kien Hall, the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house and a silk workshop. Lunch is at a local restaurant and dinner is to your own expense. Overnight is in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue [B, L, –]

Breakfast is included at the hotel. After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Hue, through the spectacular Hai Van Pass (if weather permits) but first visit the impressive Marble Mountain where you will discover a wonderful pagoda hidden in a cave on the way to Da Nang. In the afternoon, we visit the Imperial Citadel and Dong Ba Market. Lunch at local restaurant and dinner is to your own expense. Overnight is in Hue.

Day 7: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City [B, L, –]

Today we enjoy a boat trip on the Perfume River and then then visit Thien Mu Pagoda and Tu Duc Tomb. We then embark on a short cyclo tour to an ancient village near Hue to immerse ourselves in the greenery of the “Garden City”. You will be welcomed to an ancient garden house where the host family will not only share with you their lifestyle and traditions – they will invite you to enjoy an authentic home-prepared meal with ingredients sourced from their garden. Then enjoy a relaxing herbal footbath sourced from plants in their garden. We then transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we transfer to the hotel. Breakfast is included at the hotel. Dinner is to your own expense. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City. NOTE: The regular flight for the seat-in-coach transfer is HUI–SGN, with an approximate departure time of 17:00. Please note that this schedule is subject to availability and may change without prior notice. If you choose a different flight, a surcharge will apply for a private transfer from Ho Chi Minh City Airport to the hotel.

Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City, Half Day Sightseeing [B,–, –]

Breakfast is included at the hotel. Today we tour the War Remnants Museum, the Central Post Office and walk outside of the Reunification Palace, with free shopping time at the central Ben Thanh Market, or Le Cong Kieu Street, which has stores selling antiques and then Yersin Market. Lunch and Dinner is to your own expense. Overnight is in Ho Chi Minh City. NOTE: Please note that the Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral is currently under renovation and will not be accessible for visits.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure [B, –, –]

After breakfast is at the hotel, we transfer to Ho Chi Minh City International Airport and the conclusion of this tour. NOTE: The standard airport pick-up time is between 07:00 and 19:00. A surcharge will apply for pick-ups outside these hours and will be communicated at the time of booking.