Classic Vietnam and Beach Break 15 days (ATD-V03)

On arrival at Hanoi International Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver and guide, and transferred in a private vehicle to your hotel for check-in. You will have some time free to rest and relax after your flight.

Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast, dive into the sights, sounds, and aromas of Hanoi. Start with Ho Chi Minh Complex including his Mausoleum (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed all afternoon, every Monday & Friday, and from late September until December), the Presidential Palace, the historic Stilt house, and the One Pillar Pagoda.

Continuing on your journey through Hanoi, you head to Tran Quoc Pagoda (which means “Stabilizing the Nation”), the oldest pagoda constructed in the sixth century in the Westlake and also a famous attraction for pilgrims.

From there, you will proceed to the Temple of Literature. Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or “mandarins”.

Around 12.30: you will have lunch at a local restaurant. Following lunch is aa short drive to the Museum of Ethnology, a museum of the 54 officially recognized Ethnic Groups in Vietnam (Ethnology Museum is closed every Monday).

Return to the City center to visit Ngoc Son Temple and Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart and soul of Hanoi.

End up your day with a fun cyclo/ rickshaw ride through the French Quarter and then enjoy a Water Puppet show, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form depicting scenes from rural life and episodes of national history.

Around 18.00 – 18.30, return to your hotel where the rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hanoi

After breakfast you will leave the busy streets of Hanoi behind, bound for the serenity of Halong Bay where you will discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscapes. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.

Once there, you’ll be welcomed aboard your traditional-style Vietnamese Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bay’s rocky islands and hidden caves.

After lunch on board, you will take a small boat transfer to the Tien Ong Cave and Cua Van Fishing Village, whose residents still live in traditional floating houses.

Return to your Junk boat for a cooking demonstration with the chef or enjoy a mesmerising sunset on the top deck before enjoying a scrumptious dinner and a peaceful overnight stay in this UNESCO-listed natural wonder.

Note: If your time permits, we would highly recommend an additional night on board which gives you a lot more time to relax and take in the amazing landscape. You’ll get to cruise deeper into the Bay where it’s more beautiful and less crowded. 

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board in Halong Bay

The graceful practice of Tai 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

Time will be on your own for dinner and hanging around in Hanoi till meeting your driver and transfer to the train station to catch the overnight train to Hue.

Train Hanoi to Hue: 22.20 – 10.50+1

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight on train (soft sleeper cabin with AC)

Arrive in Hue by late morning, you will be picked up by your driver and transferred for check-in. You will be free to rest after the train ride.

Around midday, your guide and driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer you to a local Buddhist Monastery where you will get the chance to grab a delicious vegetarian lunch with humble monks.

You will spend the rest of the day exploring Hue’s famous royal tombs, illustrious examples of the Grand Dynasty’s past, and garden houses. First, you head out of town to visit Emperor Minh Mang’s tomb, one of the most beautiful and majestic tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty. The next stop will be the Emperor Khai Dinh’s Tomb, an impressive monument situated in an imposing site nestled high on the mountainside.

Pause at a local workshop where you can see how incense sticks and traditional conical hats are made. Interact with the local people and try your hand at making some incense sticks.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon where the balance of the day is at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hue

After breakfast, you will continue exploring Hue. Your day will start with a short visit to Thanh Toan Village where we can see the lively morning market. This is where the locals come to by their daily food. The nearby area is the 300-year-old Thanh Toan bridge and a Cultural Museum where you can visit and talk to the locals.

Take a traditional dragon boat trip on poetic Perfume River, stop to visit Thien Mu (Celestial Lady) Pagoda. This iconic seven-story pagoda is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the city, overlooking the River. You will also see the Austin car which took Monk Thich Quang Duc to HCMC where he famously set himself on fire in 1963 as a dramatic protest against the unfair treatment of Buddhists by the Diem regime. The photo of his self-immolation is one of the most well-known images of the war.

Continue on to the Royal Complex, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty, the last Monarchy of Vietnam from 1802 – 1945. You will explore the ancient and atmospheric walled Citadel which contains the former Imperial Palace and the Forbidden Purple City. Wind your way to Cat Tuong Quan Zen House. It’s a perfect combination of architecture, culture, and people. Here you will have a chance to learn about Hue culture, experience Qigong and do meditation.

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will drive south to Da Nang and Hoi An. During the trip, you will enjoy one of the most scenic drives over Hai Van Pass, where you can stop to enjoy the spectacle of the coastline, Lang Co Beach and Da Nang city. Reaching Da Nang, you will climb up the Marble Mountain, a cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble in Da Nang. It’s also a well-known pilgrimage site with peaks, caves, tunnels, and temples all just waiting to be discovered. Reaching the summit, you will enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Da Nang city below.

Continue to drive to the nearby town of Hoi An. From the 16th to the 18th century, Hoi An was a thriving international commercial port. Today it is a quaint riverside town popular with tourists for its eclectic architecture, tailor shops, and cafes.

Arrive and check into your hotel. Then spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight in Hoi An

A charming town, Hoi An is perfect for you to spend a day wandering around, exploring things by yourself. You can visit the tailor shops and have clothes made to measure within 24hrs at reasonable prices. Enjoy swimming and relaxing at An Bang beach, 5km away from Hoi An Old town. You can also join our recommended optional experience below.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to Danang Airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). You’ll meet your guide on arrival and drive straight to your hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon, your guide will show you the most interesting sights that Ho Chi Minh City has to offer. Depart from your hotel to the Reunification Palace; this beautifully preserved palace was the residence of the President of the Republic of Vietnam. On April 30th, 1975 the American War officially came to an end here. Proceed to the War Remnants Museum, where you can see countless artifacts, photographs, and pictures documenting the second Indochina war.

Continue to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, dating back from the late 19th century. Those are the best examples of classical French colonial architecture. Next will be Jade Emperor Pagoda, nestled in a quiet enclave in downtown HCM City, the Pagoda offers a calming sanctuary from the bustle of the busy streets outside

The final stop will be Ben Thanh Market where you can practice your bargaining skills while shopping for souvenirs. You’ll find some of the friendliest, liveliest, most convivial people in the city here.

Finish the tour and return to your hotel where the evening will be on your own.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in HCM City

After breakfast, we will travel over 70 kilometers to the legendary Cu Chi Tunnels, which was built by the Viet Cong in the war battles for the South of Vietnam. The tunnels are a sobering insight into the dedication of the Viet Cong who lived almost entirely underground in the narrow and claustrophobic tunnels, for up to 10 years!

Upon arrival, you will have a chance to watch a brief video that will introduce you to the Cu Chi tunnels, followed by a walk through the reserve. In this walk, you can see the Secret Entrance to the tunnels, workshops for the handmade weapons, the clinic bunker, the commander bunker, the meeting bunker and the kitchen bunkers, which are all open and above ground. Nearby is a chilling exhibition of the traps and weapons used during the war.  You can experience the Cu Chi tunnels by crawling inside to see how difficult life must have been, and discover the 3 levels underground.

For those who do not like the claustrophobic atmosphere, you will not have to crawl into these tunnels! The small replica displayed outside will give you a perfect example of what the interior looked like.

Finish the tour and return to HCM City around noon. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in HCM City

After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred to Cai Be town where you will embark on a cruise trip discovering the tributaries of the Mekong River.

Upon arrival, you will be met and greeted and check into your cozy cabin. As lunch is served, the boat starts cruising. Sit back and watch the fantastic scenery and the daily life of the Mekong Delta people.

During the boat trip, you will disembark for a guided leisurely walk through the local villages and the surrounding fruit orchards and rice fields. Meet the friendly locals and taste the local produce and fruits.

Get back on board and enjoy a drink at the bar or relax on the sundeck as the sun sets over the magnificent water landscape of the Mekong River. Finally, the boat will anchor for the night. The day will end with a delicious onboard dinner. You’ll stay overnight on board in your comfortable cabin.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight on board in Mekong River

After breakfast on board, you will continue to cruise the Mekong River before you head back to the wharf where your vehicle will be waiting to take you back to HCM City.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in HCM City

You will end your holiday with a relaxing stay on one of the beautiful tropical beach resorts in Mui Ne. To experience local life, you will take the day train about 4hrs from HCM City to Phan Thiet, then you will be transferred about 20km more to Mui Ne.

With a first-class ticket, you’ll get a comfortable reclining seat with air-con and use of the train’s food cart. The train offers many great views and time away from the noisy horns and traffic.

Arrive and check in to your resort in Mui Ne, regarded as a paradise of dazzling blue water, golden sands, and red dunes. You will spend three fantastic nights here to relax and chill out.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mui Ne

Enjoy your free day at the beach resort.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mui Ne

Another free day in Mui Ne.

Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Mui Ne

Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Ho Chi Minh International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.

Meals included: Breakfast