Classic Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City


enquire now 10 Days From NZD $1,499 pp twinshare
Small group
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Sail through limestone karsts aboard a traditional junk boat and walk the streets of imperial capitals. From vibrant Hanoi, the natural beauty of Halong Bay, the atmospheric imperial capital of Huế, and the charms of Hoi An to the modern day life of Saigon, experience the energy of Vietnam in 10 jam-packed days. An experienced Chief Experience Officer will lead you to must-see highlights with time in between to do your own thing.

  • Experience bustling Hanoi
  • Sail on a junk boat through Halong Bay
  • Shop in romantic Hoi An
  • Squeeze through the Cu Chi tunnels
  • Sip Vietnamese iced coffee
  • People-watch in hectic Ho Chi Minh City

Travel Style: Classic

All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.

Service Level: Standard

Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.

Physical Rating: 2 – Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Small group experience; Max 18, Avg 14.

Age requirement: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

ITINERARY 

Map of the route for Classic Vietnam: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Day 1 Hanoi

Arrive at any time.

There are no planned activities today until an evening welcome meeting. After the meeting, opt for dinner out with the group.

Day 2 Hanoi/Ha Long

Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner.

Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.

In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars..

Day 3 Ha Long/Huế

Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue.

Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the “Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour” activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.

Day 4 Huế

Guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda.

Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.

While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.

Opt to pre-book the “Hue Motorbike Tour” activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

Day 5 Huế/Hoi An

Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An’s many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins.

Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.

With three nights here, there’s plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.

Day 6 Hoi An

Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a G Adventures-supported project.

Day 7 HOI An

Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.

There’s plenty to see and do in Hoi An, and we wanted to make sure that you had some time to take it all in. Feel free to relax or try optional activities like learning about Vietnamese cuisine with a cooking class, trying your hand at making traditional lanterns, and visiting the ruins of My Son. Your CEO has more ideas if you need them. Just ask!

Day 8 Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City

Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic city.

Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.

Day 9 Ho Chi Minh City

Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City.

With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city’s Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.

Day 10 Ho Chi Minh City

Depart at any time.

What’s Included

Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Meeting – Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Discover Moment: Hoi An. Halong Bay caves entrance. Halong Bay boat cruise with seafood lunch and dinner. Imperial Citadel and Tomb entrance (Huế). Cu Chi Tunnels entrance and tour. Internal flight. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Images courtesy of G Adventures 

GADV – AVCH