Vietnam In a Nutshell
Itinerary
- Itinerary:Hanoi - Bai Tu Long Bay - Hanoi - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City
- Duration:13 days / 12 nights (flexible)
- Price:From £ 1,695.- per person (excluding flights)
Days 1-3 – Xin Chao Hanoi!
Hanoi is a capital city crammed with character. Motorbikes zip through tangled streets, food hawkers serve up steaming bowls of pho and fruit stalls spill onto shady boulevards. You’ll stay near the heart of the atmospheric Old Quarter and we’ll arrange a unique introduction to Hanoi and the Vietnamese language with a local guide who’ll double as your tutor. It’s a great way to get to know the city like a local.
Days 3-4 – Drift between limestone peaks
You’ll be collected from your hotel by minibus bright and early and taken to the coastal town of Halong, approximately 4 hours away. This is where the junk boat awaits you. A turquoise bay peppered with tropical outcrops, Bai Tu Long Bay is every bit as beautiful as neighbouring Halong, but with fewer crowds. Rich in stunning views, you’ll drift between emerald karst islets and laze on tiny beaches. You’ll stay aboard a traditional Chinese junk boat, rocked to sleep by the rhythm of the water.
Days 4-5 – Back to Hanoi
After your cruise, a minibus transfer will be waiting to take you back to Hanoi where you can relax before the next leg of your holiday in Vietnam. You’ll have one more night in Hanoi, head out to the night market to pick up some souvenirs or take a leisurely stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have a Bun Cha – a tasty dish of grilled pork and noodles originating in Hanoi.
Days 5-8 – Classic Hoi An
Today, you’ll make your own way to the airport to fly from Hanoi to Danang. Flights usually take about 90 minutes. On arrival you’ll find a private transfer waiting to take you the 45 minutes further south to Hoi An. Watch lanterns twinkle along the river and meet the local tailors in Hoi An, Vietnam’s most atmospheric town. A jumble of crumbling Chinese shop houses, artist studios and riverside restaurants, it’s crammed with charm. The pace is slow and the food is scrumptious. In recent years, Hoi An has become something of a national treasure with its day dreamy, timeless atmosphere.
During your stay you will be getting crafty making your own souvenirs from bamboo! You’ll be collected from your hotel in Hoi An and transferred the 20 minutes to the Bay Mau Coconut village where you’ll meet your teacher. This local family have been creating household items from bamboo for three generations and once they’ve shown you the ropes, it’s your turn to get creative. You’ll be supported along the way but what you create is up to you!
Days 8-10 – Scooting through Saigon
We’ll arrange your transfer by private car from your Hoi An hotel back to Danang airport. Here you’ll board a quick 90 minute domestic flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon. Scoot through Saigon on a vintage Vespa, searching for hidden street food hotspots. Zip through the backstreets after dark, sample the best traditional snacks in the city and listen to live music as you sip on Vietnamese coffee. It’s a night tour and foodie adventure rolled into one. After all, Ho Chi Minh is a city that comes alive as night falls. You’ll stay in a comfy hotel near the central market.
Days 10-13 – A taste of life on the Mekong
You’ll be picked up bright and early from your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and transferred to the Mekong Delta. It’s about 2.5 hours to the pier from where you’ll head out on the water. Get a real glimpse of delta life as you leave the big city behind you and twist through the tiny waterways of the Mekong. Spend a night in the home of a local Vietnamese family and cycle along waterside paths. It’s the perfect way to learn how to cook those delicious delta specialities! Spend the night in Can Tho and the next morning rise early to discover the frenetic floating market at Cai Rang.
You’ll return to Ho Chi Minh City by minibus where you’ll spend another night in the same hotel as before. The next day your time in Vietnam comes to an end and you’ll make your own way to Ho Chi Minh City Airport to begin your journey home.
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
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- Price:from £ 2,065.- per person (excluding flights)
- Included:In Style accommodation, excursions, transport and meals as described above
For the locations included in this itinerary we have alternative options available in terms of comfort. Our In Style options can be more luxurious, offer something unique or offer a more comfortable transport option – all with that local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your itinerary select our In Style option below.
