Destinations: Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cu Chi Tunnels
Destinations: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Hoi An, Da Nang, Cu Chi T...
Discover Vietnam’s sublime emerald waters, ancient towns, flavoursome cuisine and diverse cultures during a 12-day luxury small-group tour (max. 16 travellers). Home to lush landscapes, labyrinthine towns and mouthwatering cuisine, Vietnam is a world of contrasts, exceptional experiences and sensory overload. Uncover it all while staying in five-star accommodation, sharing your experiences with a small group of like-minded travellers. Accompanied by English-speaking local guides, cruise peaceful rivers, traverse stunning scenery by coach, enjoy included domestic flights and visit Vietnam’s highlights, including UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, temples and attractions.
Be awe-struck by Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, explore the grand architecture of Vietnam’s most atmospheric town, Hoi An, learn of the country’s long and illustrious royal history in Hue and gaze over a surreal seascape dotted with limestone islands from the deck of a traditional junk boat on an overnight cruise of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
Your journey takes you to: Hanoi — Hạ Long Bay — Hue — Da Nang — Hoi An — Ho Chi Minh City.
Destinations: Hoi An, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Cu Chi Tunnels
Destinations: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Can Tho, Hoi An, Da Nang, Cu Chi T...
On a private excursion, discover the colourful history of Vietnam’s capital, rich with culture thanks to an eclectic mix of influences — including French, as is evident in the old colonial buildings and tree-lined boulevards. You’ll also learn about the life and times of former Prime Minister Ho Chi Minh, who played a key role in the nation’s journey towards independence.
Meet your local guide in the morning and embark to sights including a walk around the grounds of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s Stilt House, the Presidential Palace, Hoa Lo Prison and the One Pillar Pagoda (note: some sights may be closed).
In the afternoon, explore a Ly Dynasty temple dedicated to the God of the North, and enjoy an in-depth experience of the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first university, built in the 11th century) with an expert in Vietnamese culture, history and education. Finish the day with a ride on a three-wheeled cyclo through the network of narrow, 15th-century streets of the Old Quarter, and stroll beside Hoan Kiem lake.
Today, leave the city behind to discover one of the wonders of Vietnam on an overnight cruise in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed waters of Hạ Long Bay. Be sure to have an overnight bag packed in anticipation (your remaining luggage will be kept at the Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi – MGallery). Upon arrival to Hạ Long City (a two-and-a-half-hour drive with a break en route), meet the crew before boarding the beautifully crafted sailing vessel, styled after a traditional Vietnamese junk boat. After a quick safety briefing and refreshing welcome drink, enjoy lunch as the dramatic beauty of the bay unfolds around you, with hundreds of limestone karsts majestically rising out of the emerald waters.
In the afternoon, visit a floating pearl farming village and learn how pearls are harvested and processed here. Afterwards, choose to venture out on a kayak (at own expense) or stay on the boat for afternoon tea. Continue onwards to Sung Sot Cave to see this impressive cavern, before being invited to join a cooking demonstration with the onboard chef. This evening, enjoy dinner followed by an evening at leisure, where you can try your hand at squid fishing, watch a movie, stargaze or tuck in early.
Wake to the peaceful sounds of the gentle breeze and water lapping against the boat before enjoying an optional tai chi session on the sundeck. Later, visit Ti Top Island, where you will be able to climb to the top of the hill for a spectacular view over the bay. Breakfast is served while cruising back to the pier.
After disembarkation, be transferred to Hanoi Airport for your flight to Hue. On arrival, take a private transfer to the hotel with your local guide and check in to Pilgrimage Village Boutique Resort & Spa.
After breakfast, visit The Imperial City, a walled palace and well-preserved remnant of the vast citadel and royal quarters that once existed on the site. In the early 19th century, Emperor Gia Long consulted geomancers to source the best location to build a new palace and citadel, and this site was chosen. Tens of thousands of labourers were recruited to dig the 10km moat and earthen walls that form the outer perimeter of the citadel. Then, visit the Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities, a museum dedicated to Vietnam’s imperial past and arts of the era. Next, take a short drive to visit the Tomb of Tu Duc — designed by the Emperor himself — as well as an incense-making village and the French-influenced tomb of the 12th Emperor Khai Dinh.
After lunch at a local restaurant, enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, before stopping at Dong Ba to discover a traditional Vietnamese market.
Leave the charms of Hue behind as you embark on a scenic overland journey to Hội An. On the way, pass Lang Co Beach, drive to the top of Hai Van Pass and see My Khe Beach in Da Nang. After checking in, the rest of the day is at your leisure.
Early this morning, head to a small farming village to meet a local vegetable farmer and learn about organic and traditional methods. After a refreshing welcome drink, experience a typical day on the farm and learn about various equipment and its uses. Then, join the farmers in the field, fertilising the soil for sowing or crop cultivation. Next, pick some vegetables and herbs and head to the kitchen to begin preparing a local specialty, before enjoying your self-made light snack.
Afterwards, explore the charms of Hội An by foot. Stroll through winding streets and past rows of traditional houses — including the Old House of Tan Ky and the traditional Fujian Assembly Hall. Cross the impressive 400-year-old Japanese covered bridge and continue to a local studio that makes traditional lanterns to learn the centuries-old craft and make your very own.
After breakfast, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed My Son Sanctuary, one of the most significant examples of Hindu influence in Southeast Asia. Consisting of dozens of red brick towers and temples, this elaborate complex is the former capital and religious centre of the Champa kingdom, dating between the seventh and 13th centuries.
The rest of the day is enjoyed at leisure.
This morning, transfer to Da Nang International Airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and time at leisure.
Today, gain insight into Ho Chi Minh City’s dynamic past on an excursion. Uncover stories at the Reunification Palace, the former palace of President Thieu and his predecessors. Today a museum and venue for official receptions, it features the private rooms of the president, the ‘War Room’ where the strategies of the South Vietnamese forces were organised, and the room where the North Vietnamese army finally took control in 1975. Then, visit your choice of the History Museum or the War Remnants Museum. Later, learn of Vietnam’s spiritual side at the Cao Dai Temple.
After lunch at a local restaurant, drop by Vietnam’s exciting Chinatown, known locally as Cho Lon. Explore a neighbourhood market and taste some of their traditional specialities before enjoying a cup of Vietnamese coffee at a charming local café. Continue further to discover an incense-filled temple built in 1809 and learn about Chinese religious rites and customs. Make an offering to the temple and light a spiral incense cone before continuing to a nearby district to meet artisans who create small Buddhist amulets and statues used for worship, making your way through a nearby street that houses over 180 Chinese medicine stores.
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before heading one-and-a-half hours northwest to explore one of the region’s most well-known wartime landmarks – the Củ Chi tunnels. Located in an area known during the American War in Vietnam as the ‘Iron Triangle’, the intriguing network of underground tunnels — which are several stories deep in some areas — provided shelter and an effective source of infiltration for the Viet Cong.
On a private tour, hear fascinating personal stories before descending into one of the tunnels. Afterwards, visit a local terracotta factory before returning to Ho Chi Minh City. At night, come together for one final farewell dinner with an included drinks package.
Wave goodbye to Ho Chi Minh City this morning as your 12-day tour comes to an end with a transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN).
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Update 19 December 2024: Amendments & Cancellations section updated, please see below.
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Pre- & Post-Tour Accommodation Pre- and post-tour accommodation can be booked to extend your stay before or after your tour by contacting our Tours Concierge Team at tours@luxuryescapes.com.
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