Vietnam Tour North To South

Upon arrival transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. 

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 available : (payable locally)

One hour cycle tour

Walking tour through Old Quarter

Dinner with a Hanoi Family

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

After boarding the boat you will start a relaxing overnight cruise passing bizarre rock formations. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of outstanding natural beauty, known in Vietnamese as 'dragon descending to the sea'.

After a sit down 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. Post dinner, you may choose to enjoy fresh air and star gazing outside 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 its own knowledgeable guides. Itineraries vary depending on the individual 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. The overnight train is based in a private four-berth compartment (two upper and two lower berths) with air-conditioning and shared restrooms. For those taking the overnight train, 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 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, or those taking the overnight train option arrive into Hue train station at approximately 10:35 am, and you will be picked up for lunch, before continuing with a half day tour of Hue.

You will 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's Royal Tomb, construction of the tomb was meticulously carried out starting whilst the Emperor 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 a photo stop at Marble Mountains before driving the short distance south past the famous Non Nuoc Beach on to the enchanting town of Hoi An listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site.

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

In the morning you will enjoy a short boat ride across the river to visit local artisans at a boat builders' yard then spend a little time exploring a pottery and brick-making village.

You'll then return to Hoi An where your guide will take you on a stroll through the exceptionally well preserved Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.   Most of the buildings still have their original wooden frames including historical monuments and the fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures and you will have the chance to visit some of these historic houses and places of worship.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Drive to Danang airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, the south's vibrant economic centre.

Upon arrival you will be transferred to the city centre where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant Your afternoon orientation tour will take you past some magnificent sights from the French colonial period such as Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office. Continue with a visit to the photo gallery Couleurs d'Asie by Rehahn - the famous French photographer.

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 you will embark on the journey to Can Tho a charming city often dubbed the heart of the Mekong Delta. Sit back and enjoy the lush green view of vast rice paddies and waterways which make up this beautiful landscape.

Your evening is at leisure. You may want to wander around the night market in the city centre or opt for an optional private guided evening street food tour to experience the city nightlife and sample local delicacies.

After an early start, visit the fascinating floating market at Cai Rang where local farmers trade their products directly from the water.

After breakfast at your hotel you will take a drive to Cai Be to board a Mekong river cruise to Lady Five canal where you can enjoy a sampan ride before returning to your Mekong Queen boat to cruise to the floating market .  

Disembark and walk to visit the old church and craft factories, afterwards board the cruise and head towards the village entrance for lunch at a local home.

After lunch continue cruising with stops enroute to visit a local brick factory (subject to availability), a roof leaf sewing household, a local rice wine making family and a rice husking factory. During these visits you will have opportunity to appreciate the Mekong Delta’s hospitality through interaction with local farmers, sip tea and share their stories of life in the Mekong Delta.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for early evening where the rest of your stay is at leisure.

Transfer to Ho Chi Minh City airport for your onward journey, or alternatively extend your stay in Vietnam.