Floating village and limestone islands in Ha Long Bay
International

Vibrating Vietnam

7 Nights / 8 Days: Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Da Nang, Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay

Destination
Vietnam
Duration
7 Nights / 8 Days
Departure
Dates on request
Starts and ends
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City; depart Hanoi

Overview

South to north through Vietnam in eight days: Saigon's markets and the Cu Chi Tunnels, a flight to Da Nang for lantern-lit Hoi An and the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, then Hanoi's Old Quarter, the caves and river of Ninh Binh, and a day cruise on Ha Long Bay.

The package includes internal flights with 20 kg baggage, hotels on double sharing with breakfast, guided day tours, entry fees and the boat trips in the programme.

Highlights

  • Saigon walking tour at sunset
  • Cu Chi Tunnels
  • Basket boat ride and Hoi An ancient town
  • Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills by cable car
  • Hanoi Old Quarter and Train Street
  • Trang An boat ride and Mua Cave
  • Ha Long Bay cruise with kayaking

Destination photos are for illustration and do not show specific hotels or included activities.

Day-by-day itinerary

8 days. Saigon, the Cu Chi Tunnels, lantern-lit Hoi An, the Golden Bridge at Ba Na Hills, Ninh Binh and a Ha Long Bay cruise.

  1. Ho Chi Minh City skyline at dusk

    Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City arrival and walking tour

    • Guide and driver welcome you at the airport; about 20 minutes to the centre and hotel check-in.
    • Optional on your own: Grab two-wheelers to Independence Palace, the pink cathedral and Book Street.
    • From 5 pm, a walking tour of Saigon including a market used by locals, and Nguyen Hue walking street at nightfall.
    • Optional: sunset from Bitexco Tower (ticket not included). Tour ends at the city hall.
  2. Forest camp at the Cu Chi Tunnels

    Day 2: Cu Chi Tunnels

    • About 1.5 hours' drive after breakfast.
    • Introduction and video on how the tunnels were built and how people survived the war.
    • Explore the tunnel system, with living areas, kitchens, field hospitals and command centres.
    • Tea and cassava, the wartime guerrilla food; optional shooting range.
  3. Hoi An old town lit by lanterns along the river

    Day 3: Fly to Da Nang; Hoi An by night

    • Fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang.
    • Evening basket boat ride, then Hoi An ancient town: the Japanese Bridge, Chinese streets, the old Phung Hung house, the market and the old port.
    • On the 1st and 15th of each lunar month the old town is lit by thousands of lanterns.
    • Back to Da Nang for the night.
  4. Golden Bridge held by giant stone hands, Ba Na Hills

    Day 4: Ba Na Hills and the Golden Bridge

    • Pick-up 7:45 to 8:00 am; cable car from Suoi Mo station to Marseille station.
    • The Golden Bridge, held up by giant stone hands.
    • Le Jardin D'Amour, with nine themed gardens, and Linh Ung Pagoda.
    • Afternoon at Fantasy Park and King Peak, then the cable car back.
  5. Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple at night, Hanoi

    Day 5: Fly to Hanoi; Old Quarter

    • Morning flight to Hanoi; about 35 minutes from Noi Bai airport to the centre.
    • Walking tour of the Old Quarter and Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake.
    • A well-known cafe in the Old Quarter, then Train Street for egg coffee as the train passes.
  6. Limestone cliffs over the river at Trang An, Ninh Binh

    Day 6: Ninh Binh: Mua Cave and Trang An

    • Pick-up from the Old Quarter and drive through the countryside to Ninh Binh.
    • 10:30 am: Mua Cave and 500 steps to the top of Mua Mountain for views over Hoa Lu.
    • Lunch, then a small-boat trip at Trang An past limestone cliffs, rice fields and the Sang, Toi, Ba Giot and Nau Ruou caves.
    • Back in Hanoi in the evening.
  7. Floating village and limestone islands in Ha Long Bay

    Day 7: Ha Long Bay cruise

    • Pick-up 8:15 to 8:30 am; expressway to Tuan Chau harbour, arriving around noon.
    • 5 to 6 hour cruise among the islands with lunch on board.
    • Surprising Cave, then Ti Top Island's beach and viewpoint.
    • Kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave; sunset on the upper deck.
    • Back in Hanoi around 9 pm.

  8. Day 8: Departure from Hanoi

    • Free time until check-out, then transfer to the airport.

Accommodation and transport

Accommodation

  • Hotels on double sharing with breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Hanoi

Transport

  • Internal flights with 20 kg baggage allowance
  • Day tours on a private basis
  • Shared transfer Hanoi to Ha Long Bay and back
  • Boat trips as in the programme

Meals

  • 7 breakfasts and 1 lunch (on the Ha Long Bay cruise)

Inclusions and exclusions

Included

  • Accommodation with breakfast on double sharing
  • Shared transfer Hanoi to Ha Long and back
  • Day tours on a private basis
  • Internal flights with 20 kg baggage allowance
  • Meals as in the programme (7 breakfasts and 1 lunch)
  • Entry fees for the sites in the programme
  • Boat trips as in the programme
  • Qualified tour guides throughout, except free time

Not included

  • Vietnam visa
  • Meals not in the programme
  • International flights and airport tax
  • Single supplement
  • Early check-in and late check-out
  • Hotel or room upgrade
  • Drinks, personal expenses and services not in the programme
  • Travel insurance
  • GST and TCS as applicable
  • Wax museum, cotton animal game and carnival games at Fantasy Park
  • Bitexco Tower ticket

Important notes and conditions

  • Travel insurance is mandatory and is not included.
  • All sightseeing is primarily on foot.
  • Last-moment changes to the programme are not accepted.
  • Participants who misbehave can be removed from the trip without notice.

Cancellation policy

  • No refund on the initial booking amount.
  • Cancellation 45 days before the trip: 50% of the trip cost charged.
  • Cancellation 0 to 45 days before the trip: 100% of the trip cost charged.
  • If weather or government restrictions cancel an activity, an alternate is offered where possible. No refund applies.

Terms

  • The company is not liable for weather, flight cancellations, strikes, political unrest or other force majeure; extra costs are paid by the traveller on the spot.
  • Travellers accept the hazards of adventure and cultural travel at their own risk.
  • The tour leader's decision is final during the tour.
  • Mumbai jurisdiction applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are international flights included?

No. Internal flights within Vietnam (with 20 kg baggage) are included; international flights, airport tax and the Vietnam visa are not.

Which meals are included?

Seven breakfasts and one lunch on the Ha Long Bay cruise.

Is travel insurance needed?

Yes. Travel insurance is mandatory and not included in the price.

When can we travel?

Dates are on request. Ask on WhatsApp for a quotation and availability.

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