Days 1-3 – Flavours of 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 in the heart of the atmospheric Old Quarter and during your stay you’ll embark on a culinary and cultural journey through Hanoi with your private guide. You’ll learn all about local legends, admire the ancient architecture and taste a range of delicacies from grilled pork to vermicelli dumplings as you wander the streets of the Old Quarter.
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 fly from Hanoi to Danang, with a quick 90-minute journey. On arrival, a private transfer will take you to Hoi An, about 45 minutes south. Known for its charming lantern-lit streets, Hoi An is a mix of historic Chinese shop houses, artist studios, and riverside eateries. The town’s laid-back vibe and delicious food make it a national treasure. While there, you’ll join a small group for a cooking class, starting with a visit to the vibrant local market to pick up fresh ingredients. After learning to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch of your creations, leaving the afternoon free for you to explore.
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.
Accommodation
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