Vietnam Highlights

from USD 1285 for 14 days

Visiting: Vietnam

What a great way to travel the length of this incredible country. This trip is suited for those who prefer independence to move at your own pace and at a price to suit. Relax on Whale Island or Nha Trang and enjoy the hospitality of our homestay.

Detailed Description Show brief

Day 1 - HANOI

Arrive and check into your hotel. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and the other members of the tour. (No meals.)

Day 2 - HANOI

Free day to explore Hanoi. You may like to visit the fascinating Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, amble through the winding streets of the Old Quarter, or relax in a café by Hoan Kiem Lake. In the late afternoon we board the overnight train to Hue. (B) Approx. 12 ½ hrs train journey

Hanoi
From the moment you arrive in Hanoi, its charm starts to work magic on your senses. From the continuous buzzing of the motorbikes to the exotic smells, sights and sounds of the old side streets you’ll be enchanted by this unique capital city. In the heart of the Old Quarter the maze streets takes you past impossibly narrow tube houses, picturesque pagodas tucked down alleyways and areas that still sell the merchandise the roads were named after. When the whirlwind of life proves too much you can sink back into one of many cafés that hark back to Hanoi’s French influence, or experience a moment of peace by the lakes that are dotted throughout the city. A visit out to the mausoleum complex of the legendary Ho Chi Minh is a definite must, if only to experience the unbelievable number of Vietnamese who still make the trip to Hanoi to pay their respects to ‘Uncle Ho’. One of the highlights of Hanoi is the sheer variety of food available – everything from cook-your-own hotpots to the famous Cha Ca fish dish and the numerous pho stalls selling noodle soup. Hanoi is a fantastic place to pull up a stool, order a local beer - bia hoi - and soak up the character of the place as you watch the world go by.

Day 3 to Day 4 - HUE

Arrive and transfer to our hotel. We have one and a half days in Hue, famous for its stunning architecture and the Perfume River, which flows slowly through the centre of the city. Hue was recently given the prestigious World Heritage status by UNESCO. Optional tours are available on the Perfume River, or to the Demilitarized Zone (US$15) or Bach Ma National Park (US$80). (Day 3 – No meals, Day 4 - B)

Hue
In Hue you are reminded that Vietnam was not just a war zone but a country with a rich Asian history of pomp and grandeur. The most relaxing way to explore the region is to join the dragon boats that ply the waters of the Perfume River. Just upstream is the Heavenly Lady Pagoda – a tall tower on the river bank made famous in countless silk paintings and the intricate weavings of Hue’s conical ‘poem’ hats. Further along you’ll stumble across the elaborate tombs of the Nguyen Emperors. Set in a stunning vista of lily ponds and rolling hills, the richly decorated resting place of the second Emperor Minh Mang is truly worthy of a man who (allegedly) fathered 142 children. It’s great to wander the city and enjoy the fabulous food with its delicate flavours and careful preparation of even the most basic of dishes. There are so many delicious specialities of this region you’ll never eat the same thing twice, but the best-known is banh khoai, a kind of pancake.

Day 5 - HOI AN

Travel to Hoi An via the spectacular Ocean Cloud Pass, Danang and China Beach. (B) Approx 4 hours driving

Day 6 - HOI AN

A full day at leisure in Hoi An. Option to visit the historical site of My Son (US$5 plus entrance fee), or hire a bicycle to explore (US$1).(B)

Hoi An
It is very easy to settle into the pace of life in the beautiful town of Hoi An - it’s as if the place was caught in a time warp from the 16th century and people still attend to the simple ritual of life in such a diligent way. If you‘re lucky enough to visit at full moon time you'll witness the whole town lighting up colour lanterns to float down the river, but if not there's still a wonderful Vietnamese dancing concert every night. Early risers can head down to the banks of the Thu Bon River to witness the drama of the fish market and then later sample the produce over a supper of Hoi An specialities – including the spectacular grilled fish in banana leaf. The town is known for its many tailors – you can order a whole new wardrobe for a fraction of the cost at home, have a pedicure, manicure and massage in Tran Phu Street, visit many fantastic art galleries around town and finally head to one of the bars or cafés for a drink overlooking the water.

Day 7 to Day 8 - WHALE ISLAND

Transfer by road and boat to secluded Whale Island, so named because of the sperm whales which can sometimes be spotted off its shores. Two days to swim, laze on pristine beaches or go snorkelling amidst lovely coral gardens. In the evening, there is time to relax at the beach bar - the perfect place to watch the sun go down with a cocktail in hand. Day 7 - Approx. 10 hours driving. (Day 7 – BD, Day 8 - BLD)

Whale Island
Away from the noise and activity of the mainland here you can enjoy complete rest and relaxation. Development on the island has been limited to one lovely little resort, so it easily retains the feel of a real island hideaway. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place to wander, or find a quiet spot on the beach to relax and swim in the warm waters. There are daily excursions to the nearby coral gardens for snorkelling. You will spend your time here feasting on the superb cuisine served by our French and Vietnamese hosts, soaking up the tropical atmosphere. As you relax on a bamboo chair, sipping a cocktail in the waterside bar watching the magical sunset over the South China Sea, you won’t want to leave.

Day 9 - NHA TRANG

Late departure from this paradise island and travel south towards Nha Trang, a laid back beach resort. Approx. 2 hours driving. (B)

Day 10 - NHA TRANG

There’s time to check out the town or the beach before we board the overnight train to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Approx. 7½ hrs train journey. Optional boat trip (US$8), or visit to the local mud bath (US$10). (B)

Day 11 - SAIGON (HO CHI MINH CITY)

Arrive in Saigon and transfer to the hotel. There’s a host of things to do in this exciting city and some interesting excursions for those who want to venture further afield. Visit the famous Cu Chi tunnels (US$12 plus entrance fee). (No meals)

Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
The name Saigon conjures up many images and it isn’t long before this buzzing, vibrant city draws you in. From first light the streets gradually fill with early morning exercise fanatics, pots of pho noodle soup bubble away ready for the breakfast rush and by mid-morning the wide tree-lined boulevards are packed with thousands of motorbikes. The smell of Vietnamese coffee emanates from street cafés and as the day progresses, men sit drinking tea or bia hoi and playing frantic games of Chinese chess. Evidence of the colonial past can still be seen as baguettes and coffee are served outside crumbling French villas. Saigon – as it is popularly known despite being renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1975 – has masses to offer: from wartime history in the War Remnants Museum or the former government buildings of the Reunification Hall to the stunning pagodas of nearby Cholon (Chinatown) and the chaotic local markets that sell everything from chopsticks to chickens. You can find any number of places to eat out, but perhaps the best way to soak up the atmosphere is to visit a pavement pho stall and dine out with the locals.

Day 12 - MEKONG DELTA HOMESTAY

Today we head south to the Mekong Delta. Here the mighty river splits into a labyrinth of channels before disgorging into the South China Sea. We spend the day exploring the area by boat and on foot. This is a great opportunity to learn about life in the Delta. Tonight we are guests of a local family. (BLD) Approx. 3 ½ hrs driving

Mekong Delta & Homestay
Making its way from the plateau of Tibet through China, Laos and Cambodia, the Mekong fans out as it reaches Vietnam, originally forming nine tributaries that gave the delta region its Vietnamese name Cuu Long (meaning nine dragons). Once aboard a little wooden boat you’ll find yourself in amongst the water highways that are used to transport everything from schoolchildren to mountains of rice husks and baskets of glisteningly ripe fruit. The delta supports a mass of cottage industries and at every turn there are people making rice paper, or piling pots into smoking kilns and bashing out tools for harvesting the plentiful supply of rice. After chilling out in a hammock over lunch you’ll get to jump in a row boat and don a conical hat for a peaceful trip downstream (supervised by an experienced rower).

Home for the night is courtesy of a local family in a house on the edge of the river where their amazing hospitality has to be experienced to be believed. After exploring the area, feasting on an excellent dinner and washing it all down with rice wine, watch the fireflies flicker across the water and have the sounds of the river soothe you to sleep. We sleep in army-cot style bed complete with basic bedding and a mosquito net. Shower facilities are also available to help freshen up for the following morning of discovering life around this beautiful region.