Description
Looking for the full experience tour of Vietnam? This 12-day Vietnam itinerary takes you through Ho Chi Minh, Hoi An, Hanoi & Halong Bay with plenty of action and highlights to immerse yourself into this enchanting culture. Picture yourself relishing delicious local eats in a cooking class, journey in a traditional boat, stopping in exciting & iconic hotspots, and even staying on a junk boat. Get ready for a true Vietnam travel experience!
Vietnam Experience Highlights:
Departures
- Departs Ho Chi Minh City at 6:00pm
- Ends in Hanoi at 9:00am
Dining Summary
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
What’s included
- 11 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Lunch (L)
- 2 Dinner (D)
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
- 15 included experiences
- ALL INTERNAL TRANSPORT
- ALL ACCOMMODATION
What’s not included
- Flights to/from the start/end location
- Travel insurance
- Free-time Add-ons
Included Experience
Mekong River Delta:
- Grab your buddies and take a shot at catching an elephant ear fish for dinner. FYI: it tastes better than it looks.
- Watch and learn as local craftspeople make rice wine, tea, sweets and more local delicacies.
Ho Chi Minh City:
- Brave this subterranean world. The hand-dug tunnels were built by the Viet Cong to hide out during the war.
- Tick off all of the landmarks on your bucket list – Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and the Presidential Palace.
- A meaningful reminder of the atrocities of the Vietnam War and its impact on local people and wildlife.
- Passports at the ready folks.
Hoi An:
- This 15th century port and UNESCO site is best explored on two wheels with a local expert. Don’t forget your Go-Pro!
Da Nang:
- Next stop, Hanoi. But before we hit the streets, it’s time to hit the sky one more time.
Hanoi:
- Gorge on a delicious, high-quality meal crafted by trainees looking to fine-tune their hospitality skills. The KOTO Community provides guidance, training and career prospects to the underprivileged young people of Vietnam.
- Listen up culture-lovers. This shrine – dedicated to ancient philosopher Confucius – is known as ‘Vietnam’s first university’.
- Take a look at the resting place of Vietnamese revolutionary leader and President Ho Chi Minh. This is where he, along with his party, declared the independence of Vietnam.
Ninh Binh:
- Cool tropical breeze. Lush-green landscapes. And an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the shimmery silhouette.
Halong Bay:
- Grab your new BFFs and hang out in this mini paradise. The powdery sand and turquoise waters will bless you with #islandvibes
- The best way to drift off into dreamy sleep? Drifting along the Gulf of Tonkin in a traditional Chinese-style Junk Boat, of course!
- Yet another work of art from Mother Nature. These huge underground caves are made for exploring. But can you spot the ‘mammoth’?
Itinerary
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh city, formerly known as Saigon. This is one of Asia’s most exhilarating cities, steeped in grand history and post-Vietnam war memories. You’ll meet your travel comrades and have a free evening to explore. Oh yes, this is the right way to get your Vietnam trip started.
Ho Chi Minh City
Today we leave Ho Chi Minh City, exchanging fast paced city life for an energy that’s a little more quaint. Such is the contrasting beauty of Vietnam.
Mekong River Delta
Our journey in a traditional boat will prove just how dramatically this river’s fringes can vary. We’ll visit a rice paper factory and sip some of Vietnam’s famous rice whiskey. A home-cooked meal and local musicians will round off our day as we settle in for a night at a local homestay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Catch Your Own Dinner
- See artisans at work
Mekong River Delta
After an early breakfast we’ll make our way back to Ho Chi Minh City, detouring past Viet Cong’s Cu Chi Tunnels. See traps, hidden doors & some of the 250kms of tunnels that Vietnamese resistance fighters dug by hand, and even go down into the skinny tunnels to experience them first hand in this look into Vietnam’s staggering past.
Ho Chi Minh City
Back in the addictive mayhem of Vietnam’s biggest city you will have free time to carry on your explorations. Continuing to eat your way through Vietnam’s culinary highlights would be one wise way to use your time (we think).
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Crawl through Củ Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City
This morning we’ll put on our discovery boots, hitting up the highlights of Ho Chi Minh on a city walking tour and then checking out the harrowing but important War Remnants Museum. Later, we’ll catch a flight to a coastal town overlooking the South China Sea.
Nha Trang
Golden sand beaches, turquoise waters and a bustling night life – this is Nha Trang. And you have the whole afternoon to explore at your leisure (beach vibes comin right up).
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing Highlights
- Pay Respects at the War Remnants Museum
- Fly to Nha Trang
Nha Trang
Good news – we have a whole full day to soak up Nha Trang before heading to Hoi An. Have a massage, sign up for the optional cruise, or just hang on the beach before returning to our hotel to freshen up for our overnight train experience.
Overnight Train to Hoi An
Tonight, we’ll head north via our comfy overnight train – where you’ll wake up in our next destination and ready to explore it all.
Meals: Breakfast
Overnight Train to Hoi An
Time to rise and shine. After travelling North overnight, you’ll be waking up in stunning Hoi An.
Hoi An
With Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and European influences, Hoi An has no shortage of charm and architectural interest. Bike riding through the vibrant town, visiting an ancient house & ordering custom-made clothes at an artful tailor are just some of the activities that will colour our day. Tonight you can opt into a Vietnamese cooking class, whipping up a storm of up to 4 traditional dishes.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Guided Cycling: Hoi An Ancient Town
Morning travellers! The day is all yours. Poke around in galleries & market stalls (the best shopping spots in Vietnam in our opinion) and devour all of the delectable treats on offer. And for a dose of culture, you could ride on one of Vietnam’s very own Bamboo Basket Boats (Yes, the ones that you’ve probably seen on Instagram). And to top it all off, we’ll grab some fresh coconut water straight from the tree to your tummy.
Meals: Breakfast
Hoi An
Leaving Hoi An will be sad. But we’re heading to Hanoi, so there’s hardly an excuse to not be excited. We’ll grab a quick breakfast and head to Da Nang…
Da Nang
Fasten your seatbelts, folks. We’ll catch our internal flight to Hanoi from this quaint coastal town.
Hanoi
Welcome to the city where all the bustling magic happens! We bet you’re starving from all that travel. That’s why we’ll head straight to the KOTO restaurant – a unique dining experience that supports disadvantaged youth in Vietnam. And with our tummies happy and full, we’ll visit the Temple of Literature (AKA Vietnam’s first-ever university.) But the sight-seeing doesn’t end there. It’s time to make our way to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, dedicated to a Vietnamese revolutionary leader. In the evening, you’re free to explore the capital however you like.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences:
- Included Flight Da Nang to Hanoi
- Get a Unique Dining Experience at KOTO Restaurant MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Learn at the Temple of Literature
- See the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
Hanoi
Next up, we’re heading to the epicentre of Vietnam’s show-stopping natural beauty.
Ninh Binh
Do you see them? Those lovely landscapes are all yours to admire and explore today. Get inside Vietnam’s legendary army jeep and let’s get going. Spend the afternoon cherishing the crisp air and greenery. And if you love bird-watching, make sure to have your binoculars ready at all times.
Meals: Breakfast
Ninh Binh
Up and about at the crack of dawn today! We’re climbing up 500 steps to the top of the Mua Cave to witness an incredible sunrise over the valley. (You certainly don’t wanna forget your camera for this one).
Halong Bay
A drive through stunning scenery will evoke plenty of ‘oh wow’s’, but it only gets beer as we board our home for the night, a Chinese-style junk boat in Halong Bay. Feel the serenity kicking in immediately as we drift the limestone island seas of the Gulf of Tonkin. We’ll pass hidden lagoons, thick forests & dreamy grottos and also chill atop the Ti Top Island. A fresh seafood dinner and sunset at our docking spot will polish off a wonderful day packed with unforgeable moments and
experiences.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences
Catch a Serene Sunrise at the Mua Cave
Chill at Ti Top Island
Stay on a Junk Boat
Halong Bay
Today will be all about the leisurely vibes as we wake up to breakfast with a quick stop to explore the Sung Sot Caves. Make the most of your time on the junk boat – the views don’t get much beer than this.
Hanoi
After heading back to Hanoi we find ourselves enjoying our final night together on tour. Save the choir of tears for tomorrow – this evening is all about making the most of your free time and staying positive so why not join us for one last family dinner and then onto Ta Hien to dance the night away.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences: Stroll around the Sung Sot Caves
Enjoy one final breakfast with the squad this morning before this epic Vietnam trip wraps up. Hug it out & make plans to reunite sometimes soon – Latin America perhaps?
Meals: Breakfast
Important Info
TRAVELLERS WITH A MIDDLE NAME PLEASE CONTACT RESERVATIONS TO PROVIDE AS SERVICES CANNOT BE BOOKED WITOUT THIS INFORMATION. Trip starts in Ho Chi Minh City at 6:00pm and ends in Hanoi at 9:00am Full Passport Information (inclusive of middle name) is required at time of booking as services cannot be booked without this information. Chargeable Arrival transfers are available for this trip in to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN Airport Only). Departure transfers are not available. Full Flight Information must be provided if transfers are required to be booked. Please note that during the Contiki Special Stays in Mekong River Delta and Halong Bay travellers will be accommodated in shared rooming (single supplement does not apply on these nights). Accommodation on the overnight train from Nha Trang to Da Nang will be accommodated in private four berth cabins. Australian Passport holders are required to obtain a visa for Vietnam prior to departure from Australia. Travellers are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of the trip. This trip is operated by Contiki Holidays Asia Limited & you have one of our awesome Trip Managers on board. In South East Asia we contract our Ground services through a local Destination Management Company, called Trails of Indochina. Their local guides & our Trip Manager will look after you through-out the trip.
Please ensure that your name is correct on your ticket, as per your passport. Name changes or amendments may incur Contiki and/or Airline fees. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for their selected holiday as well as any necessary vaccinations. It is compulsory for travellers to take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses before travelling on a Contiki holiday. We strongly recommend insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property, and is arranged at time of deposit. Contiki has the right to refuse travellers without the required insurance cover to join our trips. For full details please visit www.contiki.com/booking-conditions. As Contiki trips are specifically designed for likeminded 18-35 year old travellers, to confirm space on the trip each travellers date of birth must be provided. Full payment must be received no later than 60 days before the trip start date.
