Hanoi To Ho Chi Minh Tour

On arrival in Hanoi, transfer to your hotel for one night.
As the capital of Vietnam for almost a thousand years, Hanoi is considered to be the cultural centre of Vietnam, where every dynasty has left behind their imprint. Even though some relics have not survived through wars and time, the city still has many interesting cultural and historic monuments for visitors and residents alike.

Optional tours: (payable locally)
One hour cyclo tour
Walking tour through Old Quarter
Dinner with a Hanoi family

After an early breakfast, depart your hotel for Halong City and your bay cruise.

After boarding the boat, you will start a relaxing overnight cruise passing impressive rock formations along the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay.
The outstanding natural beauty of this bay, known in Vietnamese as 'dragon descending to the sea' is true Vietnam must see.

After lunch, enjoy a private guided excursion to Sung Sot Caves, floating village or swimming in the bay. Once the sun has set your boat will drop anchor for the night. A cooking demonstration may take place before dinner is served.

After dinner, you may choose to enjoy fresh air on the sundeck, play board games, or retire to your cabin for a comfortable night's sleep after a long day.

Note: Our tour guide will not accompany you on-board, however each boat has their own knowledgeable guides. Itineraries vary depending on the boat's programme.

You are welcome to join in an early morning Tai Chi session on the sundeck (depending on your boats programme), and watch the sunrise in the bay. Enjoy breakfast on board before disembarking the boat, and heading back to Hanoi for an orientation tour visiting the old quarter which is known as the city’s historical centre.

You have the choice to stay in Hanoi for another night, or experience rail tracks of Vietnam overnight aboard the SE3 Reunification Express from Hanoi to Hue. For the overnight train you will stay in a private four-berth compartment (two upper and two lower berths), with air-conditioning and shared restrooms. Dinner will be enjoyed at a restaurant before transferring to Hanoi railway station.

If you are staying another night in Hanoi dinner is not included.

Notes for when taking the overnight train from Hanoi to Hue:
• Tour guide will not accompany those taking the overnight train option
• Train schedule is subject to change (ETD: 22:00 hrs)
• Shared restrooms only available at either end of the carriages

Spend the morning at leisure before checking out of your hotel and transferring to the airport for your flight to Hue.
For those that have taken the overnight train option will arrive in Hue around 10.50 am, and picked up for lunch.

Enjoy a half day tour of Hue and visit the Imperial Citadel, this royal complex has been officially recognised by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Continue by road to visit Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady pagoda an active Buddhist monastery originating from 1601, and afterwards take a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to the city pier.

In the morning, visit Tu Duc Royal Tomb.
Construction of the tomb was meticulously carried out, starting while the king was still alive in order to ensure his comfort in the next life.

Your journey continues southbound to Danang over the famous Hai Van Pass with a green view of the stretch of Truong Son mountain range on one side, and a spectacular sea view on the other, followed by lunch in a local restaurant.

This afternoon visit Cham Museum and en route take a photo stop at Marble Mountains, before driving the short distance south past the famous Non Nuoc Beach, and onto the enchanting town of Hoi An, listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

Upon arrival in Hoi An, check in the hotel and rest of the day will be at leisure.

You will have plenty of time to explore the ancient town of Hoi An and its surroundings today.

Hoi An was once one of the major trading centres of Southeast Asia and its rich history is apparent in the mixed Chinese-Vietnamese architecture where low tiled roof houses line narrow streets. The original structure of some of these streets is virtually intact with many of the houses constructed using rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs. 

Take a short boat ride across the river to visit local artisans from a stop at a boat builders' yard to spending time in a pottery and brick-making village. 

Return to town for a walking discovery tour through the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site of Hoi An Ancient Town where you will have the chance to visit some of the historic merchant and community houses, places of worship and explore the famous Japanese covered bridge.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Drive to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Today's Ho Chi Minh City is the bustling and vibrant economic centre of the south.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City transfer to the city centre for lunch at a local restaurant.

After lunch take an orientation tour in the city to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, both landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City's colonial past. 

Continue with a visit to the photo gallery Couleurs d'Asie by Rehahn - the famous French photographer. On the show are two different sides of the artist's works: images of Vietnam and his work from other countries as well as fine art photography. 

Drive to Cu Chi district this morning to visit the amazing complex of underground tunnels at Cu Chi. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels.

You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.

After lunch, enjoy some free time before transferring to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your evening flight.

Or why not extend your stay in Ho Chi Minh City to explore more of this vibrant city.