16 Days Vietnam Echoes and Shores

Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta – Cu Chi Tunnels – Hue – Danang – Hanoi – Halong Bay - Phu Quoc

FRICE FROM

$960

DURATION

16 days

LANGUAGE

English Speaking Guide

TRANSPORT

Private Cars & Flight

Stories that run deep. Vietnam's past is never far away on this journey. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels and wartime stories reveal one chapter, while Hue takes you much further back into the world of emperors, royal palaces and elaborate tombs. Rather than simply looking at history from a distance, the journey gives you time to understand the people and events that have shaped the country.

A country of changing scenes. Part of the beauty of travelling through Vietnam is how quickly the surroundings can change. One day brings the quiet waterways and local homes of the Mekong Delta; another takes you along the mountain coast towards Hoi An. Further north, the landscape opens once again into the green waters and forested limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay - each place showing a very different face of the country.

Barefoot days in Phu Quoc. After days filled with culture, history and discovery, Phu Quoc is about having nowhere you need to be. Three free days leave the island entirely yours: long mornings by the sea, warm tropical waters and plenty of time to enjoy the beach at your own pace. A simple, unhurried ending to a journey that has crossed Vietnam from south to north.

16 days 15 nights vacation
$960
Per person
* Based on 3 star hotel category for 15-30 pax
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Include
  • Hotel accommodations listed in Itinerary.
  • English speaking guide.
  • Private vehicle and driver service with extra luggage vehicle.
  • Entrance fees for itinerary.
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary.
  • Service charge & Government Tax.
  • Bottled water and cold hand towels.
  • Vietnam Visa
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  • Flights not listed in Inclusions
  • Related travel documents.
  • Programs and meals not listed in the Itinerary.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Tips to the tour guide, driver and hotel bell boy, etc.
  • Travel insurance.
Children Policy
  • Infant below 2 years old sharing same room with parents is free of charge.
  • Child below 12 years old sharing same room with 1 ADL is charged for 90%.
  • Child below 12 years old with extra bed and sharing same room with parents is charged for 65%.
  • Child below 12 years old No extra bed & sharing same room with parents is charged for 55%
Other
information

Tipping For Guide And Driver (Compulsory)

  • For 01-04pax: US$ 5/pax/day
  • For 05-09pax: US$ 4/pax/day
  • For 10pax up: US$ 3/pax/day

Day by day itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City

Welcome to Vietnam! After you exit the aircraft, an airport representative will greet you with a signboard showing your name. Our guide and chauffeur will greet you and transfer you to the hotel to check in. Feel free to let the guide know if you need to stop along the way for currency exchange or visiting a convenience store. Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City) is a bustling metropolis of the South and the economic muscle of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, it was the main base center of the US military with the largest airport in the region. Prior to that, it was under French colonial rule and was an Asian hub of sea trade. The city is based in the Mekong River Delta region – the rice basket of Southeast Asia and where many exotic fruits are cultivated. Full of history and culture, Saigon will certainly be an interesting visit.

Meal: None

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2

Full Day Cai Be Handicrafts – An Binh Island – Vinh Long

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:30pm. Morning, our tour guide will pick you up at the hotel lobby and transfer you to Cai Be. The program will start with a quick visit of Cai Be town & the ancient church from the boat. Then, we'll come to Tân Phong Island for the rowing boat. They will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time under the shade of mangrove trees. Stop at local garden to enjoy some fruits with hot tea when listening to the traditional music. Then, start the biking trip on village paths to see the local daily life: orchard, school, church, pagoda, traditional houses... On the way, we can make some stops to see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products: baskets, bags, hats, wallets, shoes... (You can walk, but see less). Back to our boat to go across one of the longest rivers in the world, Mekong River, to come to An Bình Island. Travel on the handmade canal to Ut Trinh home & have lunch at this traditional house. After lunch, we can walk in the local village to visit the local workshop to see how to make rice paper, coconut candy, pop-rice... Enjoy some sweets with a cup of hot tea. Visit the brick kilns where you can see how the local people create beautiful potteries from clay. The cruise will end at the new boat station of Vinh Long city! Then, you transfer back to Saigon.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 3

Cu Chi Tunnels - War Remnants Museum - Fine Arts Museum

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 5:00pm. Experience a historical adventure underground as you explore the Cu Chi Tunnels today. After breakfast at the hotel, your private tour guide and chauffeur will pick you up and take you to the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh. There, you'll discover the amazing tunnel systems that the guerrillas used to fight in the Vietnam War. You'll see the various weapons on display and learn how the guerrillas survived and resisted the enemy in the war. You'll also get to see how they built an impressive underground network that stretched for more than 200 kilometers, and hear stories and facts about the Vietnam War from your tour guide. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try shooting some of the guns used in the war at a nearby firing range (extra charges apply). Then, you'll have the opportunity to see how rice paper and coconut candy are made, and taste some of the local delicacies. You'll enjoy jasmine tea and a boiled cassava root snack, which was a common food for the guerrillas during the war. You'll head back to Ho Chi Minh for your second stop on the Bourdain Trail - to experience traditional Cơm Niêu (regular rice) and Com Dap (red rice). It's a crisp rice pilaf baked in clay pots, which must be broken open to serve. Lunch will include a Corn and Crab Soup, Thit Kho - a classic braised pork dish in a caramelized sauce, Ga Xao Gung - a simple stir-fried chicken dish with ginger, and Bo Sot Tieu Den - a tender beef dish with black pepper sauce. In the afternoon, you'll visit the War Remnants Museum and the Fine Arts Museum. The War Remnants Museum showcases the impact and consequences of the war on the Vietnamese people, with exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and weapons. You'll see the effects of Agent Orange, napalm, and other chemical weapons, as well as the atrocities committed by the US and South Vietnamese forces. The Fine Arts Museum displays the works of Vietnamese artists, from ancient to contemporary times. You'll see sculptures, paintings, ceramics, and textiles that reflect the culture and history of Vietnam. You'll also learn about the challenges and opportunities that the Vietnamese art sector faces in the present and future.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 4

Flight to Hue - Hue Imperial Citadel - Dinner at Park Royal

In the late morning, you will transfer by flight to Hue. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport.

Approximate Schedule: 1:30pm – 6:00pm. Then our guide will take you to lunch at a royal residence. These imperial styled houses near the Royal Citadel feature beautiful gardens, intricate furnishings, and detailed ornaments at every turn. Each dish highlights different aspects of Hue traditional food enjoyed by the royalty. The brilliant food presentation will be sure to leave a fond memory with you of this family-owned garden and restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll press onward to see the famed Imperial Hue Citadel – the old capital of Vietnam. This Citadel has a moat and wall perimeter 10 km long. You'll be able to view its vast gardens and structure relics. Then you'll breach the outer perimeter of the Hue Imperial City. Inside, you'll see many of the national treasures and structures which have survived the Vietnam War. Venture further inside and you'll enter the Purple Forbidden City. This city was off limits to the commoners and could only be entered by the highest officials in Vietnamese government and royalty. Your driver will meet you on the other side of the city where you'll then be escorted to a stop at the Dong Ba Market where you can see local fruits and produce for sale. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Approximate Schedule: 7:00pm – 9:00pm. In the evening, transfer to Royal Park restaurant to enjoy a Hue Royal Cuisine experience: guests can enjoy a fine dining experience with specialties such as nem công (peacock spring rolls), chả phụng (phoenix-shaped patties), royal-style sticky rice, and a variety of soups and desserts once reserved only for royalty. The atmosphere is often enhanced by traditional music, royal costumes, and elegant decoration, giving visitors the feeling of dining like kings and queens.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day 5

Hue Tombs and Palaces by bicycle

Approximate Schedule: 8:00am – 4:00pm. Morning, after breakfast at your hotel, start riding a bike to Khai Dinh tomb. On the way, stop to take some photos on countryside scenery. When reaching Khai Dinh Tomb, start exploring the building which itself is far more elaborately designed than others of its era, being a mix of a number of architectural styles. The tomb is of a rectangular structure leaning against Chau Chu Mountain in the outskirts of Hue. The side walls are formed by the biggest sculptures of dragons in all of Vietnam. The tomb is home to an imperial audience court, featuring a reinforced concrete steel monument, as well as twelve stone statues representing bodyguards. Close to the top floor is the Khai Thanh Palace, featuring intricately designed glass and porcelain decorations on the walls. The ceiling of the palace is decorated with nine intricate dragons. The rear room of the palace is home to a temple containing Khai Dinh's grave, an altar to him as well as a statue of his likeness. After visiting Khai Dinh tomb, continue to ride to Tu Duc tomb, road is rough, but surely it will bring you fun experiences and mix with local life and nature. After 15 minutes, biking you will arrive at Tu Duc Tomb. While Khai Dinh's Tomb is noteworthy for its ornate extravagance, Emperor Tu Duc's tomb showcases a traditional elegance and many view it to be the most beautiful of Hue's royal tombs. Designed by Tu Duc himself, he is said to have preferred spending time in these serene grounds than at the palace. Lunch at local restaurant before riding to another famous imperial tomb of Hue - Minh Mang tomb. It is about 5km from Tu Duc tomb. Minh Mang tomb is a standard architectural complex consisting of 40 constructions (palaces, temples, pavilions, etc.) designed on a symmetric axis running from Dai Hong gate to the foot of La Thanh (Surrounding Wall) behind the Emperor's tomb. End the tour and return to Hue.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hue

Day 6

Road trip to Danang - Hoi An Ancient Town at dusk

Your tour guide will assist with checking you out of your hotel, and then you'll be transferred by vehicle for a scenic ride along the mountain coasts of Vietnam. This will take approximately 2.5 hours to arrive at your hotel in Danang. Start by riding through the mountains, valleys, countryside, and shorelines where you'll find numerous breathtaking scenes. Feel free to request your driver to stop for photos along the way. Then you'll continue to a summit where the clouds will meet you. In Chinese, the summit is referred to as 'Where the Clouds Meet the Ocean.' After you cross the summit, you'll approach a steep and narrow descent where you'll find the scenery surreal. Along the way, there is a stretch of road which overlooks a beautiful bay with a small fishing village, perfect for a Facebook portrait.

As you reach the base, you'll travel alongside the beaches of Da Nang where you'll see hundreds of traditional fishing boats scattered out along the water with beautiful mountains lining the horizon. Your tour guide and driver will escort you to your hotel for check-in.

Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:30pm. In the afternoon, transfer with our guide to Hoi An Ancient Town. This town features the 16th century Hoi An port town in its preserved state. You'll start the day visiting the Museum of Trade Ceramics. This museum houses art and pottery dating from the 1,500s to the 1,700s. Then you'll briefly visit the Chua Ong Pagoda, a temple from the 17th century which features China's influence in the region. You'll continue through the Ancient Town as the streets take on a magic of their own with old lanterns, French-style houses, intricately carved wooden doors and more. You'll take a stroll through the Old Tam Ky House to see its imperial styles meshed with French overtures. Continue on to stroll along the river and see traditional boats and locals on bicycles passing by. You'll then approach the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge has connected the Chinese and Japanese sides of town over the waterway for centuries. The old wooden structure has shown amazing resilience for more than 400 years. At dusk, enjoy walking along the riverside as old colorful lanterns light up the town. After you've finished the tour, return to the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

Day 7

Agent Orange Hospital visit - My Son Cham Ruins

Rise early to visit a local hospital in Da Nang dedicated to the victims of Agent Orange, where we will donate some soup for the survivors on your behalf. Feel free to pack some second-hand paperback children's books, which can be donated to their library. Then stop for breakfast at a local restaurant to try out Cao Lau. Cao Lau is a noodle dish that features thick and chewy rice noodles, sliced pork, fresh herbs and a thin gravy. The noodles are made by one family in Hoi An with a secret recipe passed down through many generations – requiring water from a specific well, lye solution from the ash of trees that come from a certain island nearby, and rice flower, which gives them a very distinct texture and flavor. Continue to My Son Holy Land, a UNESCO Heritage site and Vietnam's most important Cham site. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views lay the 1,100 years old My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden from living or development. The ruins lay in a beautiful surrounding mountainous landscape. You'll enter the temples while our guide gives you the history and stories of the Cham and the ruins they left behind. Afterward, you'll watch an Apsara show nearby the site, passed through the Cham tradition. The show features live music and colorful costumes. Return to the hotel for the rest of the day at leisure.

Stop for lunch with the guide to stop at a Bourdain favorite - Banh Mi Phuong is a famous sandwich shop in Hoi An, Vietnam, that serves crispy and delicious banh mi with various fillings. You can choose from pork, chicken, beef, cheese, egg, or vegetarian options, and enjoy the fresh and flavorful combination of meat, pate, pickled vegetables, and herbs in a soft and crunchy baguette.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

Day 8

Leisure Day

Today is at your leisure to enjoy the resort facilities or explore on your own. Feel free to take the hotel shuttle to explore Hoi An Ancient Town for some custom lanterns which are famed in Hoi An.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Da Nang

Day 9

Flight to Hanoi - Transfer to Ha Long - Emerald Isles of Lan Ha Bay

In the early morning, you will transfer by flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport. Then you will transfer to the Heritage Line's welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina. You will take a quick speedboat transfer to the luxurious floating home before starting your unique journey of exploring one of the wonders of nature – Lan Ha Bay and its main Island of Cat Ba. Enjoy your lunch which is served in the ship's nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Their live cooking in the open kitchen is a one of a kind experience – enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery. Relax on the terrace deck or on your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura which emanates from the surreal seascape. Enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the ship. As the cruise reaches the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, you will hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai Village. Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded on all sides by thick forests and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island's other villages and towns. The only access is via sea. The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next-door fields, growing rice of cause in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. You have a glimpse of local households and see how they make medicine organically from tree bark. Try various homemade liquors if you fancy. Back on board, you'll join a cooking demonstration to learn a few Vietnamese culinary secrets with the chef in the restaurant's big open kitchen (or any other alternative onboard activity). After dinner, you may enjoy watching the stars from the sundeck, watching a movie in the restaurant, or giving night squid fishing a try with the staff (subject to seasonal availability).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on cruise in Lan Ha Bay

Day 10

Sunrise at Lan Ha Bay - Hanoi Private Street food tour

Rise early for one of the best sunrises in the world. Then head to the sundeck for an invigorating Tai Chi session amongst a picture-perfect backdrop of karsts, sea, and nature. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room to start the day. It is time to lift anchors and continue with the cruise to a place called "Frog Lake", a secluded area which is perfect for your energetic morning excursion. Go for a refreshing swim in the bay or explore this captivating marine landscape via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets. Back on board and enjoy a hearty breakfast while cruising back. Bid the crew farewell and then transfer to Hanoi.

Approximate Schedule: 3:00pm – 6:00pm. Start the afternoon with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang (for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the "36 Old Streets and Guilds". Throughout the afternoon, you'll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon (grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien (crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha (BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs and spring rolls), Nem Cuon (fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the afternoon, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center. Return to the hotel for leisure time.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Day 11

Hanoi Highlights - Leisure

Approximate Schedule: 8:30am – 12:30pm. In the morning, you'll be transferred to see the Tran Quoc Pagoda. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat. Next, you'll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you'll enjoy a half hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top.

Next, you'll visit the One Pillar Pagoda - a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You'll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour - The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius teachings. After the tour, you will return to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Hanoi

Day 12

Flight To Phu Quoc

Today, you'll transfer by flight to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 13

Relax On The Beach

Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 14

Relax On The Beach

Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 15

Relax On The Beach

Today is at your leisure to relax at the hotel or explore the beach of Phu Quoc on your own.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phu Quoc

Day 16

Flight To Saigon - Farewell!

Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Saigon to catch your flight back home and bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!

Meal: Breakfast

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DESTINATION INFORMATION

Vietnam

The country has a rather variable climate, stretching 2,000 km from north to south and with approximately three-quarters of the country being mountainous. Tropical, hot, and humid. Monsoons divide the year into two seasons: a hot and rainy one from May to October/November, and a cool and dry one from December to April. There is a risk of typhoons between September and October, when the summer monsoon transitions into the winter monsoon. In the central part of the country, the monsoon season begins in July and ends in January.

1. Vietnam grants e-visas for citizens of all countries and territories with a 90-day stay duration and valid for multiple entry.

2. Citizens of 24 countries enjoying unilateral visa exemption can stay in Vietnam for up to 45 days.

The 24 countries include Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Finland, Switzerland.

Timezone: UTC +7

Vietnam uses the Vietnamese Dong (VND) for most daily transactions. While some places may accept USD or EUR, it’s not very common, so it’s always more convenient to pay in local currency.

Cash is still widely used, especially in local markets and small shops while credit cards are accepted at hotels, malls, and more upscale restaurants, sometimes with a small surcharge.

ATMs are easy to find in cities and tourist areas, so withdrawing cash is generally simple and convenient.

16 Days Vietnam Echoes and Shores

16 days 15 nights vacation
$960