Sightseeing Trips in Vietnam

Essential Vietnam

Your first glimpse of Vietnam in 8 Days/7 Nights

Trip starts in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon and ends in Hanoi. Can be ideally combined with one of our treks.

Day 1 - Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City-Cu Chi-Ho Chi Minh City
A morning city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquerware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling Chinatown. In the afternoon, visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B)

Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City-Danang-Hoi An-Hue
After breakfast transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17 th and 18 th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Leave Hoi An early in the afternoon for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 4 - Hue
A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 5 - Hue-Hanoi-Halong
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to Hanoi, the modern day capital of Vietnam. Transfer by road to Halong on arrival in Hanoi. Overnight in Halong. (B)

Day 6 - Halong-Hanoi
A morning cruise in a private junk on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands. The cruise ends with a fresh seafood lunch on board. Return to Hanoi by road in the afternoon. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)

Day 7 - Hanoi
A full day city tour of Vietnam’s capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. After lunch in town continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. In the evening enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi. (B)

Day 8 - Depart Hanoi
Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight. (B)

Included

• Accommodation in hotels with meals as described
• tour guide
• all transfers in AC vehicles
• entrance fees
• domestic flights

Grand Vietnam Tour

14 Days/13 Nights

Trip starts in Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon and ends in Hanoi. Can be ideally combined with one of our treks.

Day 1 - Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2 - Ho Chi Minh City-Cu Chi-Ho Chi Minh City
A morning city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, a lacquerware factory and Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling chinatown. In the afternoon visit the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietnamese resistance fighters during the long struggle for independence. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B)

Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City-My Tho-Ho Chi Minh City
A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City’s streets. Take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. For lunch sample the local delicacy, Elephant’s Ear Fish. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L)

Day 4 - Ho Chi Minh City-Dalat
Leave Ho Chi Minh City after breakfast for a scenic drive through rubber and tea plantations en route to the cooler climes of Dalat, 300km from Ho Chi Minh City. Established as a hill station at the beginning of the century, Dalat is reminiscent of an alpine town with its French chalets and pine forests. An afternoon of sightseeing in Dalat takes in the art deco former summer residence of Emperor Bao Dai, the old Dalat Railway Station, Xuan Huong Lake, the Central Market and Lam Ty Ni Pagoda where a Buddhist monk, Vien Thuc, produces his abstract paintings and writes poetry. Overnight in Dalat. (B)

Day 5 - Dalat-NhaTrang
Leaving for Nha Trang after breakfast, the road descends to the arid coastal city of Phan Rang. Break the journey here to visit the 13 th century Po Klong Jarai Cham Towers perched high on a rocky hill surrounded by prickly pear cacti. After Phan Rang Highway One turns north and follows the coast past salt ponds and vivid green rice fields to Nha Trang. On arrival in Nha Trang transfer to hotel. An afternoon city tour includes the Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda with its enormous white Buddha statue. Overnight in Nha Trang. (B)

Day 6 - Nha Trang-Quy Nhon
A morning boat trip on Nha Trang bay visits some of the nearby islands and there are opportunities to swim and snorkel in the clear warm waters. After a fresh seafood lunch return to shore to check out of the hotel for the scenic drive to Quy Nhon, 240km up Highway One.
Transfer to hotel on arrival. Overnight in Quy Nhon. (B,L)

Day 7 - Quy Nhon-Hoi An
Leaving Quy Nhon after breakfast continue northwards up Highway One to Hoi An, breaking the journey to visit My Lai Massacre Memorial near to Quang Ngai. Arrive in Hoi An early in the afternoon. Hoi An was a major Asian trading port in the 17 th and 18 th centuries and its architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit former merchants’ houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)

Day 8 - Hoi An-Hue
The morning is free to browse for souvenirs in Hoi An or perhaps hire a bicycle to ride to the nearby Cua Dai Beach. Leave Hoi An early in the afternoon for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 9 - Hue
A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Overnight in Hue. (B)

Day 10 - Hue-Hanoi-Haiphong
Transfer to Hue Airport after breakfast for the short flight to Hanoi, the modern day capital of Vietnam. Transfer to Haiphong, Vietnam’s third largest city, on arrival in Hanoi. Haiphong still has many impressive examples of classic European colonial architecture in its town centre. An afternoon city tour along the wide boulevards includes a visit to Hang Kenh Tapestry Factory and the Du Hang Pagoda, founded over three centuries ago. Overnight in Haiphong. (B)

Day 11 - Haiphong-Halong-Haiphong
After breakfast transfer by cyclo to the harbour. Board the hydrofoil for the 55-minute journey to Cat Ba Island, the largest in the bay. At Cat Ba board a private boat for a cruise among some of the 3,000 limestone islands that are scattered throughout this spectacular bay. The cruise includes a fresh seafood lunch. Return to Haiphong by hydrofoil in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel. Overnight in Haiphong. (B,L)

Day 12 - Haiphong-Hanoi
Leave Haiphong after breakfast and return to Hanoi by road. Transfer to hotel on arrival. The afternoon is at leisure in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (B)

Day 13 - Hanoi
A full day city tour of Vietnam’s capital. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum and the Temple of Literature. After lunch in town continue to the Museum of Ethnology and end the afternoon with a visit to the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. In the evening enjoy a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi. (B)

Day 14 - Depart Hanoi
Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight. (B)

Included

• Accommodation in hotels with meals as described
• tour guide
• all transfers in AC vehicles
• entrance fees
• domestic flights

Highlights of Vietnam

11 Days/10 Nights

Trip starts and ends in Hanoi. Can be ideally combined with one of our treks.

Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. After lunch in a local restaurant begin the trip with a 20-minute tour of the 36 streets of Hanoi’s famous Old Quarter by cyclo, the Vietnamese version of the rickshaw. Dinner at a typical Hanoi restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi. (L,D)
Day 2 - Hanoi-Hoa Lu-Hanoi
A 70km drive through rural northern Vietnam to the site of Vietnam’s first capital, Hoa Lu. Take a sampan on a river through the rice paddies to the grottoes of the sacred Tam Coc Caves and visit the Bich Dong Temple. Enormous limestone karsts jut out from the green rice fields giving rise to this place’s other name, ‘Halong on Land’. After lunch in a local restaurant visit the temples dedicated to the emperors of the Dinh and Le dynasties before returning to Hanoi. Dinner and overnight in Hanoi. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Hanoi-Haiphong-Halong
After breakfast visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Palace of the former Governor of Indochina, the wooden stilt house where Ho Chi Minh lived for the last years of his life and the One Pillar Pagoda. In the afternoon transfer by road to Haiphong, Vietnam’s third largest city. Haiphong still has many impressive examples of classic European colonial architecture in its town centre and after lunch there is time for a city tour before continuing to Halong. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Dinner is in a local restaurant. Overnight in Halong. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Halong-Hanoi
A morning cruise lasting around five hours in a private junk on the emerald green waters of Halong Bay, among the 3,000 spectacular limestone islands. The cruise ends with a fresh seafood lunch on board. Return to Hanoi by road in the afternoon. In the evening, before dinner at a local restaurant, experience a traditional form of entertainment in northern Vietnam at a water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.
(B,L,D)
Day 5 - Hanoi-Danang-Hoi An-Hue
After breakfast transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17 th and 18 th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. After free time for shopping and lunch in a local restaurant, leave Hoi An early in the afternoon for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Arrive in Hue late in the afternoon and transfer to hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in Hue. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Hue
A boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River visits Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, and the mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc, in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. After lunch in a local restaurant visit the Imperial Citadel, from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, and Dong Ba Market, famous for selling the best conical hats in Vietnam. In the evening a chance to dress up in period costume for one of the highlights of Hue, the Royal Dinner. Overnight in Hue. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Hue-Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast transfer to Hue Airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel on arrival. A city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Saigon Post Office. After lunch in a local restaurant continue to Thien Hau Pagoda and Binh Tay Market in the city’s bustling chinatown. Dinner in one of the city’s many restaurants.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Ho Chi Minh City-My Tho-Ho Chi Minh City
A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City’s streets. For lunch sample the local delicacy, Elephant’s Ear Fish. Visit the beautiful Vinh Trang Pagoda and take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards on Thoi Son Island. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Ho Chi Minh City-Phan Thiet
After breakfast visit a lacquerware factory before departing by road for Phan Thiet. The scenic 200km drive north on Highway One passes through the bustling city of Bien Hoa before cutting through dense rubber plantations. Nearer to Phan Thiet the terrain changes to arid semi-desert with cactus plants and strange looking dragon fruit trees. Arrive in Phan Thiet in the late morning and check into hotel. After lunch, the rest of day is free to relax by the pool or on the sandy beach. Overnight in Phan Thiet. (B,L)
Day 10 - Phan Thiet
A full day at leisure in the resort or on the beach. Free activities on offer include swimming, volleyball, table tennis and the use of a gym. Other activities that must be paid for include water skiing, wind surfing and golf. Overnight in Phan Thiet. (B)
Day 11 - Phan Thiet-Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast in Phan Thiet return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch before transferring to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight. (B,L)

Included

• Accommodation in hotels with meals as described
• tour guide
• all transfers in AC vehicles
• entrance fees
• domestic flights