Vietnam: A 9-Day Tour of Hanoi, Hoi An and More with Ha Long Bay Cruise
Imagine gliding through emerald waters, exploring ancient towns and embarking on adventures through lush green landscapes. Now, pack your bags and set off to spend nine unforgettable days in the verdant oasis of Vietnam. Discover the delicious food and diverse culture of this country, as you tour through Vietnam’s most famous and vibrant cities: Hanoi, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh City. Set off to cruise through the waters of Ha Long Bay, and visit the most incredible sites this stunning country has to offer. Includes air-conditioned transportation, gratuities for your driver and expert English-speaking tour guide with sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary.
You will be captivated by the surreal natural beauty, culture and diverse history of sprawling Vietnam over nine spellbinding days on this unmissable tour, taking you to Hanoi’s oldest pagoda, the emerald seascape of limestone in Ha Long, Hoi An’s atmospheric Old Town and Hoi Chi Minh City’s Củ ChiTunnels.
What you’ll love…
The Experiences - From the emerald bays of Ha Long to the tunnel dwellers of Ho Chi Minh City
Delve into mesmerising Vietnam in Hanoi as you pay homage to ‘Uncle Ho’ at the immense Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and visit the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, built on wood on a single stone pillar to resemble a lotus blossom. Revel in the photogenic beauty of Tran Quoc Pagoda - Hanoi’s oldest pagoda standing tall over the shores of the West Lake - and uncover Quoc Tu Guam: the Temple of Literature and Vietnam’s first University, built in the 11th century.
Be enraptured by the spellbinding emerald beauty at the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay with exquisite limestone karsts rising from jade waters with a cruise excursion, gliding past monolithic islands on a junk boat.
Marvel at the beauty of the magnificent Marble Mountain, admiring the five craggy outcrops topped with brilliant pagodas and continue to Hoi An, where you’ll be guided past grand architecture and beguiling riverside, across colourful bridges and down winding alleys in the Hoi An Ancient Town, home to Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and centuries-old warehouses painted in a distinctive golden hue.
Savour a full free day to unearth the hidden gems of Hoi An on your own - perhaps with a cold pint in Bach Dang Street, lined with rows of simple beer stalls and some of the best river views in town (additional costs apply).
Step back in time as you unearth the 17th-century splendour of the enigmatic Japanese Covered Bridge in the heart of the Old Quarter, visit the persevering, 300-year-old Chinese Temple and cross the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before exploring a 19th-century former merchant’s home.
Experience life as a Vietnamese fighter during the long struggle for independence and reunification as you venture underground through the labyrinthine Củ Chi Tunnels, an expansive 200km network of tunnels. Gain sobering insight into the atrocities and brutal effects of war at the War Remnant Museum and enjoy a beautiful glimpse into the bygone era at the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, before getting amongst the thriving atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market.
Your Package Includes:
- Eights-nights of four-star accommodation in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, including a Ha Long Bay junk boat cruise
- Domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang
- Daily breakfasts, five lunches and one dinner including authentic local cuisine
- Visits to Vietnam’s top attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hoi An Old Town and Củ Chi tunnels and a cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter
- All sightseeing and entrance fees as stated on the itinerary
- Private air-conditioned transportation throughout the tour, as per the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities for the driver and expert English-speaking guide
Your tour starts in Hanoi (HAN) and ends in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Regular flights are available with carriers including Cathay Dragon, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia, IndiGo, Sri Lankan and more.
Airport transfers are not included in your package, please plan accordingly.
Arrive any time on Day 1 and depart any time after breakfast on Day 9.
You MUST complete your booking form within 48 hours of booking. Following its completion, our Tours Concierge will be in touch to assist with any additional arrangements – including flights.
A visa may be required to the destination you are visiting. It is each travellers responsibility to ensure they are holding a current visa. Please take the time to visit our preferred vendor website Visa’s Direct to assist you with any visa application requirements and processes. If you require any supporting documentation when applying for your visa please let us know and we would be more than happy to assist. Click here to visit their website.
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi
Welcome to Hanoi. After arriving at the airport, make your own way to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: La Vien Hotel, Hanoi
Meals: None
Day 2: Hanoi orientation tour
Pay homage to ‘Uncle Ho’ at the immense marble Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and a reconstruction of his home this morning, before strolling through the labyrinthine streets to the nearby One Pillar Pagoda, built of wood on a single stone pillar to resemble a lotus blossom.
Later, continue to the photogenic Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi’s oldest pagoda standing tall over the luminous eastern shores of the West Lake, before visiting Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Guam - the Temple of Literature and Vietnam’s first University built in the 11th century - and capping off the afternoon with traditional locale fare for lunch at a historic restaurant.
Optional Activity:
Cap off the evening with a traditional cyclo ride through the winding streets of the Hanoi Old Quarter, before embarking on a phở-nomenal culinary tour of Vietnam’s street food, including Phở with specially assorted dishes and drinks. Awaken the taste buds with Phu Cuon (Phở rolls), Phở CienPhong (fried Phở), Phở Ap Chao, PhởXao (stir fry Phở) and Phở Tron, before a sweet, savoury and chilly Phở cocktail (AU$59pp).
Overnight: La Vien Hotel, Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay cruise
The spellbinding emerald beauty of the World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay’ awaits today. Wind through the countryside over four hours and, upon arrival, embark on your junk boat cruise of this immense natural wonder, gliding past monolithic limestone islands and exquisite limestone karsts rising from jade waters. Onboard, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to explore unexplored grottoes hidden by the towering cliffs.
Overnight: Ha Long Plaza, Ha Long Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Ha Long Bay - Return to Hanoi and fly to Da Nang - Transfer to Hoi An
Bid farewell to Ha Long Bay this morning, as you return to Hanoi. Upon arrival, you’ll board a short flight to Da Nang and embark on a Panorama tour of the magnificent Marble Mountain, admiring the five craggy marble outcrops topped with brilliant pagodas.
After, continue your journey to the Hoi An Ancient Town, past grand architecture and beguiling riverside with colourful bridges and winding alleys decorated with lively Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and centuries-old tea warehouses painted in a distinctive golden hue, connected by brightly coloured lanterns strung from wall to wall.
Overnight: Hadana Belle Maison, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Hoi An Free Day
Unearth the 17th-century beauty of the enigmatic Japanese Covered Bridge in the heart of the Old Quarter, perhaps enjoy a cold pint in Bach Dang Street - lined with rows of simple beer stalls and some of the best river views in town - or rent a bike and cycle your way through Hai Ba Trung Street into the pristine golden oasis of An Bang Beach today. All of Hoi An is at your leisure today, so go out and discover it!
Optional Activity:
If you’re stuck for ideas, you could join an optional tour to Tra Que Organic Garden, where you’ll cycle to a local farm, stroll through the lush garden and, if you wish, join the farmers in fertilising, sowing, watering and harvesting, before joining a cooking demonstration of local delicacies including Banh Xeo - salty local pancake. Savour your authentic Vietnamese pancake in the garden, before pampering your feet with a traditional foot massage (AU$59pp).
Overnight: Hadana Belle Maison, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Hoi An sightseeing tour - Ho Chi Minh City
Step back in time today as you visit the persevering, 300-year-old Chinese Temple and cross the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, before exploring a 200-year-old Vietnamese former merchant’s home. Come afternoon, you’ll transfer to the airport for your short flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City - Củ Chi Tunnels and City Tour
Experience life as a Vietnamese fighter during the long struggle for independence and reunification this morning as you venture underground through the labyrinthine Củ Chi Tunnels, an expansive 200km network of tunnels. Later, gain insight into the atrocities and brutal effects of war at the War Remnant Museum, also home to displays of military equipment.
Afterwards, enjoy a beautiful glimpse of the bygone era at the 19th-century Notre Dame Cathedral, modelled after the Paris monument and made with materials imported exclusively from France, before admiring the Central Post Office, modelled to look like a giant railway station with old telegraph booths still inside.
The evening is then yours to get amongst the thriving atmosphere of Ben Thanh Market, Vietnam’s oldest market.
Overnight: Muong Thanh Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh City Free Day
Take advantage of your last full day in Ho Chi Minh City to discover at your leisure. You could perhaps stray overt to Thủ Thiêm Bridge to look at the breathtaking skyline, stroll through back alleys in search of authentic eats and at night, perhaps visit Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street, alive with crowds out enjoying the cool evening air and admire the intriguing architecture and street artists.
Optional Activities:
No visit to Vietnam can really be complete without a meander down the iconic Mekong Delta. Why not join an optional hop-on, hop-off riverboat excursion along the riverbanks, while your attentive crew serves cold drinks and seasonal fruit. On the mainland, you’ll see how locals expertly peel coconut husks and make coconut-leave-swab, before cycling and taking a tuk-tuk through peaceful villages to visit a local family. Enjoy an optional lunch in a riverside restaurant with unmissable Mekong delicacies (AU$109).
If you’re more of a history buff, you could visit the Bangkok Grand Palace (AU$79) or the ethereal Floating Market (AU$139pp).
Overnight: Muong Thanh Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Your whirlwind Vietnam adventure comes to an end today as you make your own way to the airport for your flight home.
The ’7 day change of mind guarantee’ does not apply for Tour bookings. Due to the high demand and limited departures, any cancellation/refund requests must be made within 48 hours of purchase. Otherwise, the standard Refund Policy applies.
After you have made your booking, please follow the instructions on your confirmation email and ensure you complete your traveller information details within 48 hours.
Valid for select departure dates:
5 March 2020
2, 16, 23, 30 April 2020
7, 14, 21, 28 May 2020
11 June 2020
23, 30 July 2020
13, 27 August 2020
10 September 2020
8, 15, 22, 29 October 2020
5, 12, 19 November 2020
Important: Please allow for travelling time from India. International flights are not included in your package and must be purchased separately. It is your responsibility to make your own travel arrangements and ensure that you arrive in Vietnam on your chosen tour start date.
Domestic flight luggage allowance: Included luggage allowance is a maximum of 15kg per person for all included internal domestic flights. Luggage in excess of 15kgs will be payable direct to the airline at check-in.
Instant Booking: To secure your dates at purchase, click ‘Instant Booking’ and select your preferred package. Once your preferred package is selected you’ll click through to ‘Choose Your Dates of Travel’ and will be able to enter your preferred tour commencement date.
Twin-Share Package: The package is valid for ONE PERSON aged 18 years or older (based on twin share). If you are travelling with another person you must purchase TWO PACKAGES, otherwise, an additional single traveller surcharge of AU$600 will apply. Single travellers will get their own room throughout the tour.
Maximum tour capacity is 40 people, minimum tour capacity is two people.
Age policy: passengers must be a minimum of two years and above to join the tour.
Please note: no child discounts apply for any children (aged two up to 11 years) travelling with their parents. Children travellers aged 11 years and under must be supervised by a parent or adult guardian at all times.
Please note: Packages are not transferrable to any other person. The tour order, itinerary and departure dates cannot be changed after the tour has been confirmed in writing. Any changes to the confirmed reservation will incur an AU$150 change fee per person and it is subject to the tour provider’s approval/discretion, payable directly to the tour provider.
After you have made your booking, please follow the instructions on your confirmation email and ensure you complete your traveller information details within 48 hours.
Tour includes accommodation at the following hotels or similar:
**Hanoi-**Lan Vien Hotel or similar
Ha Long Bay - Halong Plaza or similar
Hoi An - Hadana Belle Maison or similar
Ho Chi Minh City - Muong Thanh Saigon or similar
Arrival and departure transfers are not included in your package, please plan accordingly.
Travellers should have a good level of physical fitness and mobility and must be able to negotiate uneven surfaces, climb stairs and board boats. Please note that we do a lot of walking around historical sites and use public transport at times to travel between sites and to/from our hotel so please be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes.
Your passport must be valid at least SIX months beyond the return date of your intended stay overseas.
Dining inclusions do not include beverages (unless otherwise stated) and menu options are subject to change.
Additional expenses such as (but not limited to) international flights, visa fees, travel insurance, airport transfers, additional activities and anything not listed on the itinerary are not included with this package.
Travel insurance is compulsory. We suggest purchasing travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package.
Strictly no refunds for this package for amendments and change of date.
Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or on existing reservations.
Any unused portion of the package is non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for other services or cash.
Please Note: Disability access is limited during the tour, please consider this when making your booking.
Before making a reservation, please ensure that the name on the reservation is the same as it appears on your passport. An error may result in a name change penalty. Luxury Escapes accepts no responsibility for accuracy of name on the travel documents.
The value and comparative savings have been determined based on published rack rates and the value of inclusions. Please be advised that rack rates may not be reflective of actual rates being charged, dependent on the timing and manner of your booking and therefore are only indicative of the level of saving.
Occasionally our itineraries are updated prior to departure to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers’ feedback as well as updates from our ground operators. Please note that while we operate successful tours in this region throughout the year, some changes may be necessary due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route. The order and timing of included activities may also vary from time to time.
All activities and services are subject to availability.
Please note: this tour is NOT operated by Luxury Escapes.
Please note that full terms and conditions apply.