Exploring Vietnam - 17 days
A full tour including flights from the UK
Country: Vietnam
Styles: Local colour,Scenic,Adventurous,Nature,Railway,River cruise
If you like outlandish adventures, then this tour is for you. Visit the ancient tribes of Vietnam, who continue to practice traditional daily rituals that will inspire and impress. You will travel on foot, by boat and train at various intervals, making the most of the terrain and vistas on view over-land. Other highlights include a tour of the battlefields that ended the first Indo - Chinese war, and a motorized sampan ride on the Mekong River to visit the orchards and Cai Be floating market.
Tour highlights
On your tour of Vietnam, you'll see the following highlights:
- The old world charm and bustling market streets of Hanoi
- Leisurely cruise on Halong Bay
- The Battlefields at Dien Bien Phu
- Traditional villages of Lai Chau
- Rural landscapes and village walks to meet the hill tribes
- Overnight on the superior Victoria Train
- The ancient city of Hoi An
- Charming and lively Ho Chi Minh City
- Cruise along the Mekong River to Cai Be floating market
Tailored to you
We can tailor this trip to your preferences. Request a quote online, or call us on 01249 467 163.
Extend your holiday
A great way to end your holiday in Vietnam is with a laid-back beach extension. Why not fly to the beautiful Phu Quoc Island for a few days of pure relaxation? It's just a short flight from Saigon. Or, combine your tour of Vietnam with Cambodia and spend a few days in Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor.
Here's a guide as to what you'll be doing each day. As with all our holidays, the itinerary can be 100% tailored to suit you by our specialist holiday advisors.
Day 1
Depart U.K
Day 2
Arrival in Hanoi
We'll pick you up at the airport and transfer to Hanoi. Why not take a pedicab tour in Hanoi ancient town (1 hour)?
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 3
Exploring Hanoi
After breakfast, take a full day city tour to the Temple of Literature, Uncle Ho's Mausoleum (except for Monday and Friday), Ho Chi Minh's House and Museum, Museum of Ethnology, lake of Restored Sword and Ngoc Son Temple. Enjoy a traditional water puppet show in the evening.
Overnight in Hanoi (B)
Day 4
Cruising in style on Halong Bay
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to Halong Bay, where you'll enjoy a refreshing cocktail upon boarding the Emeraude around noon at the Emeraude Pier in Halong. After checking in, have lunch at the restaurant. Cruise among hundreds of islets to discover unspoiled pockets of Halong Bay and its remote, floating fishing villages. Kayak or swim from the vessel's stern deck. At the Hang Trong anchorage, whet your appetite with an onboard cooking demonstration. After sunset, enjoy dinner at the restaurant, before retiring to your cabin for a good night's sleep or join the crew and learn squid fishing.
Overnight onboard the Emeraude cruise (SGL Superior Cabin) (B/L/D)
Day 5
Back to Hanoi
Wake up the next morning at sunrise, practice Tai Chi on the sundeck; feel the early morning salt water scent; bask in the early sun rising from behind the mountains. After an energizing western breakfast, check out around 9.30am and disembark at Emeraude Pier, savoring a highly memorable trip to Halong onboard historical Emeraude. Back to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi (B)
Day 6
Fly to Dien Bien Phu
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the airport for a flight to Dien Bien Phu. Pick up at the airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Dien Bien Phu (B)
Day 7
Discover the battlefields of Dien Bien Phu
After breakfast, take a tour of the battlefields that ended the first Indo - Chinese war.
Overnight in Dien Bien Phu (B)
Day 8
explore the traditional villages of Lai Chau
After breakfast, depart for Lai Chau, continuing through the beautiful mountain scenery to Tam Duong.
Overnight in Lai Chau (B)
Day 9
Beautiful scenery enroute to Sapa
After breakfast, continue through beautiful mountain scenery, stopping at Red Dzao and Mong minority villages en route to Sapa, a mountainous area of stunning natural beauty and diverse ethnic minorities. Visit a local market and trade with the minority groups in dazzling costumes. After lunch, depart for Sapa with more breathtaking vistas to be encountered en route.
Overnight in Sapa (B,L)
Day 10
Trekking rural Vietnam, followed by a rail transfer
After breakfast, you will have a full day trekking (15km) to the Ta Van village of Dzay people via Ninh Ho Valley and Lao Cai village, exploring the mysterious life of the local ethnic people. Take a leisurely walk to Cat Cat village. Then transfer to Lao Cai and board the superior Victoria Train for an overnight journey to Hanoi.
Overnight on board Victoria trains (B)
Day 11
Short flight to the 'Ancient City of Vietnam', Hoi An
Pick up at the train station and transfer to the Sunway Hotel for breakfast. Continue to the airport for a return flight to Da Nang. Pick up at the airport and transfer to Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An (B)
Day 12
Sights of historic Hoi An
Morning will be spent at your leisure. The afternoon will consist of a tour to My Son to see the Cham ruins or take a guided tour of historic Hoi An.
Overnight in Hoi An (B)
Day 13
A relaxing day in Hoi An
A day free for you to do as you please. Explore the ancient city, or relax on the beach.
Overnight in Hoi An (B)
Day 14
discover the charming and lively Ho Chi Minh City
Transfer to airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Afternoon: visit former Presidential Palace, Historical museum and Thien Hau temple in China town.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City (B)
Day 15
On the Mekong Delta
Full day tour to Mekong Delta in Vinh Long province. Take a motor sampan on the Mekong River to visit the orchards and Cai Be floating market. Back to Ho Chi Minh Hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city (B)
Day 16
Departure for return to the U.K
Transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for departure flight back to the U.K
Day 17
Arrive in the U.K
We asked our previous guests for their feedback and what the highlights of their trip were. Here's a selection of reviews:-
Thank you Faraway for creating a tour that really lets you experience the diversity of Vietnam. I particularly enjoyed the cruise on breathtaking Halong Bay and would have extended this part of the trip by a night or so. Miss P from Lankashire
We really enjoyed meeting the locals at the markets and minority villages along the way. You really get a taste of real life in rural Vietnam. But Hoi An on day 12 was just fantastic and my favourite place - I would definitely love to go back. Mr B from York
Really loved every minute of this holiday. The cruise on Halong Bay was outstanding well above our expectations. The cruise boat was impeccable and the service we received was second to none. We also enjoyed visiting the street markets of Hoi An and meeting such friendly Vietnamese people. Everything went incredibly well without any hitches, and all our guides and drivers were really nice. Thank you Faraway Holidays. Mrs and Mrs E from Brighton.
As a guide, the price is from £2059 per person. However, prices can vary by dates of travel and according to the standard of accommodation you wish to stay in. Call us on 01249 467 163 to discuss your preferences.
Request a quote for a holiday including this tour
What's included?
- Hotel accommodation based on twin or triple share with daily breakfast
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Transport
- English speaking local guide
- Entrance fee and boat fee
- Victoria speed boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
- Mineral water provided
- Services charges, room tax and baggage handling
Rates are not inclusive of:
- Optional tours
- Travel insurance
- Visa fee
- Departure airport tax
- Tipping for tour guides & drivers
- Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone, souvenirs and laundry etc
