DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL

Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! Once you have completed immigration procedures at Noi Bai International Airport, say hello to the local guide and transfer to your hotel in the city center. Spend the day at leisure trying spa treatments, sipping Vietnamese coffee, and soaking up the charm of the banyan-tree lined crooked streets of the Old Quarter.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 2: HANOI CITY TOUR (B,L)

Nowhere in Southeast Asia exudes such an intoxicating atmosphere of tradition and modernity as in Hanoi. And what better way to experience this blend than with a full-day tour of the city’s most important sites?

Begin with a visit to the famed Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university dating back to 1076, followed by a short drive to the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long – Hanoi’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, continue to Hanoi’s picturesque West Lake area, with stops at the sixth century Tran Quoc Buddhist Pagoda and the nearby Taoist temple of Quan Thanh, dedicated to one of the principal deities in Taoism.

The afternoon commences with a much-deserved, Hanoian-styled lunch served at a local restaurant before an exploration of the Old Quarter’s 36 famous labyrinth-like streets, named for the products historically sold there. Take a break at a typical Hanoian café trying Vietnamese coffee or traditional desserts (chè), before ending the tour in the heart of the city around Hoan Kiem Lake and its island temple, Ngoc Son.

Overnight in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI – HALONG BAY (B,L,D)

After such an eventful day yesterday, sit back and relax with a 3-day 2-night cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage of Halong Bay, located 2-hours outside of Hanoi. Take in the mystical scenery of Halong Bay from the jetty and proceed with check-in formalities before sitting down for lunch as the ship begins to cruise through thousands of limestone islands jutting out of the emerald sea.

In the afternoon, depending on the ship’s itinerary, you have the opportunity to join in with included activities or to simple just take in the sights from your cabin or the sundeck. Sightseeing usually includes kayaking or being rowed by bamboo boat through colorful floating villages as well as a cave visit, although all activities are subject to change due to cruise selection and weather conditions. Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night, and dinner is served on board.

Overnight on board in Halong Bay.

DAY 4: HALONG BAY – LAN HA BAY – CAT BA ISLAND (B,L,D)

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s calm waters or join a Tai Chi session on the sun deck, heading down to the restaurant for a large breakfast buffet. You’ll spend the day exploring the smallest of three bays within the Gulf of Tonkin, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island, the largest of 367 islands in the area.

Transfer to a tender (a small boat) while the ship anchors and participate in interesting experiences such as swimming in lagoons, sunbathing, kayaking through caves, and cycling or hiking on Cat Ba Island.  A detailed cruise itinerary will be provided upon your request. Lunch and dinner are served on board.

Overnight on board in Halong Bay.

DAY 5: HALONG BAY – DONG HOI (B)

Start another morning in the beauty of Halong Bay, this time with an early morning excursion, such as Surprise Cave or Ti Top look out. Breakfast is served while the vessel cruises slowly through the magnificent rock formations towards the port and shore.

Disembark the cruise and return to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, boarding a short flight to Quang Binh province in Central Vietnam, home to Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, the park contains and protects over 104 km of caves and underground rivers, making it one of the most spectacular limestone karst ecosystems in the world.

Overnight in Dong Hoi.

DAY 6: PARADISE CAVE - PHONG NHA CAVE (B,L)

Fill up on breakfast before beginning the adventure of a lifetime in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park.    

Buckle up and make the 70km journey by vehicle from Dong Hoi to deep in the heart of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, where you will find Paradise Cave, isolated and covered by the jungle, standing at 200 meters above sea level and 31 km long.

After a 1km walk along a flat trail (electric cars are available for an additional charge), you’ll reach the entrance by heading up a staircase or cement ramp. From there, squeeze through the cave entrance one by one to access the large inner cavern, known to be nearly 150 meters wide with a height of 72 meters! Explore the first kilometer of the cave by walking across an accessible flat path with stretched out wooden stairs along an illuminated walkway as your guide explains the history behind the area and points out impressive cave formations.

After lunch at a local restaurant, it’s time to visit Phong Nha Cave, known for its breathtaking underground river. Board a private longtail boat and float at a leisurely pace for 5km upstream the Son River to the entrance of Phong Nha Cave, passing local villages and scenes of peaceful countryside on the way. Not only is the Phong Nha cave one of the top caves in Vietnam, it’s also historically significant due to its use as a hospital and munitions store along the Ho Chi Minh Trail during the Vietnam-American war. With a length of 7729 meters and a 13,969 meter long underground river within its walls, Phong Nha Cave is one of the longest water caves on Earth.

Inside, the cave opens out and walls of stalactites, Gaudí-like in their shape, are illuminated by electric lighting, as your boat takes you about 1.5 km into the cave. Step out onto a subterranean beach, following a circular route within the cave and viewing spectacular rock formations named “Lion”, “Fairy Caves”, “the Royal Court”, and “Buddha”.

Overnight in Dong Hoi.

DAY 7: DONG HOI – HUE (B,L)

After breakfast, grab your things and transfer south by car to the previous capital of Vietnam, Hue. The 3.5 hour drive takes you through lush jungles, quaint villages, and mountain roads, arriving to Hue just in time for lunch at a local restaurant. Get a quick peek into Hue culture with a visit to Dong Ba Market, the oldest of its kind in the city, before checking in to your hotel and enjoying the rest of the afternoon free at leisure.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 8: THE IMPERIAL CITY OF HUE (B,L)

History comes alive today with an in-depth tour of Vietnam’s previous capital city during the Nguyen dynasty’s reign from 1802 – 1945. Much of Hue is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s easy to see why when visiting the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City in the city center. Modeled on Beijing’s Forbidden City, the 19^th century palace’s detailed stonework and pavilions still retain a feeling of regal grandeur, even as they are currently in the process of restoration due to heavy damage sustained in the 1960s.  

Follow the Perfume River’s winding trails to Thien Mu Pagoda, long regarded as the symbol of Hue since its foundation in 1601. The octagonal seven-tier stupa is still a site of Buddhist workshop to this day, with a huge bell heard every day from the city center.

Sit down for a luscious Hue-styled lunch in a traditional garden house restaurant before ending the tour with visits to the impressive burial grounds of Emperor Minh Mang set amidst tranquil gardens and ponds and its polar opposite, Emperor Khai Dinh’s tomb designed as an eclectic mix of Vietnamese and European motifs.

Overnight in Hue.

DAY 9: HUE – DANANG – HOI AN (B)

Spend the morning at leisure in Hue before leaving for the acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An. The 3.5-hour stunning drive offers you peeks of hidden beaches and sparkling turquoise waters, culminating with a ride on the Hai Van Pass, a legendary mountain road often surrounded by clouds just outside of Danang.   

Upon arrival in Hoi An, check-in to your hotel and relax at leisure for the rest of the day.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 10: MY SON SANCTUARY – HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B,L)

Feel like Indian Jones and Lara Croft with a journey through time to the UNESCO World Heritage temple complex of My Son Sanctuary. An hour’s drive away from Hoi An, this complex of Hindu temples from the 7^th – 13^th centuries are all that remains from the once grand Champa Kingdom. Venture around the paths, visiting the numerous ruins and soaking in the atmosphere of this historic site, heading back to Hoi An just in time for a lunch.

Then, taken some time during an afternoon walking tour to explore Hoi An’s Ancient Town’s charming architecture and pagodas, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, open-air market, and eclectic array of colorful shops and galleries. As evening falls, stroll around town and relax along the enchanting riverside lit up by thousands of lanterns at night.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 11: HOI AN AT LEISURE (B)

Enjoy a free day without any scheduled activities. Try your hand at fashion designing with a local tailor within the city, or take the opportunity to visit An Bang and Cua Dai beach nearby. We recommend cycling through the peaceful countryside or trying a hands-on cooking class with a local chef in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 12: DANANG - HO CHI MINH CITY (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Danang Airport for a one-hour flight to the southern region of the country and Vietnam’s largest city, the sprawling metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City. Once you’ve arrived, head to your hotel in the heart of the city and enjoy the rest of the day free at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 13: A DAY IN THE MEKONG DELTA (B,L)

Leave the hustle and bustle of Saigon and transfer by van to the lush countryside and floating world of the Mekong Delta. Start with a visit of Cai Be floating market, followed by a cruise to Tan Phong Island where you can cycle through small villages on the island. Ride along the pathways and visit local families making traditional products such as handicraft items made from water hyacinth, roofs made from palm leaves, and hammocks made from coconut ropes.

Then, sit down for a lunch filled with Mekong Delta specialties in a typical Mekong orchard. Make sure to take a walk around the orchard, sipping cups of tea while listening to traditional music (đờn ca tài tử) in an ancient house. Return to the boat and continue cruising on the Mekong River, witnessing everyday life in the region passing by while sampling local fresh fruits. You’ll make stops at local family-run businesses producing rice wine, pop rice, coconut candy, and rice paper, with the final visit at a brick kiln to observe how bricks are made in a traditional style. Disembark the cruise at Vinh Long City and return to Ho Chi Minh City in the early evening.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 14: SAIGON CITY TOUR – AO SHOW (B,D)

Sleep in this morning and indulge in a late breakfast before joining in a half-day tour around what the locals affectionately refer to as Saigon. Snap photos of the city’s most historic attractions, such as the Reunification Hall, (formerly known as the Presidential Palace), and the beautifully preserved colonial architecture of Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall, and Old Saigon Post Office.

End the day at the historic Saigon Opera House for the incredible A O Show by Lune Production, also known as the Cirque du Soleil of Vietnam. Enjoy a night of theatrical visual arts including contemporary dance, acrobatics, and bamboo work amidst the beauty of the theater's French style décor and live music in the air. End the night with dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight Ho Chi Minh City.

Note: The AO Show is usually scheduled 4-5 nights per week, so you may attend on Day 12, 13, or 14 depending on availability.

DAY 15: HO CHI MINH CITY DEPARTURE (B)

Spend the day at leisure until it’s time to transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your onward booked transportation. If you’d like to extend your adventure in Vietnam, ask us about relaxing beach breaks on the tropical island paradise of Phu Quoc or the windswept coast of Ho Tram.

Please contact us for the best rates.

+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)

+ Visa fees, travel insurance

+ Meals other than those mentioned in the program

+ Early check-in or late check-out fees if applicable

+ Camera/video entrance fees (if any)

+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone etc.)

+ Additional transfers required due to emergency situations

+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24^th Dec and 31^st Dec

+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above

+ It’s recommended to tip your guide and driver AUD10/day/guest.

+ International and domestic flights (quoted separately)

+ Visa fees, travel insurance

+ Meals other than those mentioned in the program

+ Early check-in or late check-out fees if applicable

+ Camera/video entrance fees (if any)

+ Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone etc.)

+ Additional transfers required due to emergency situations

+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24^th Dec and 31^st Dec

+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above

+ It’s recommended to tip your guide and driver USD8/day/guest.

PAYMENTS

A deposit of 30% of the total booking is required within three days from the date of confirmation. The balance payment is due at 45 days prior to tour commencement date. For bookings made less than 45 days, full payment is required. Bookings will be cancelled if payments are not received by the due date(s).

Payment can be made via bank transfer or credit cards. In addition to the total payable amount, credit card payments will incur a merchant fee of 2.5% for MasterCard and Visa, 3% for American Express. Any bank charges and merchant fees must be covered by the customer.

CANCELLATIONS

Confirmed bookings must be cancelled by the party leader in writing (by email) and this will only be effective once the written cancellation is confirmed by FantaSea Vietnam. Cancellation by the party leader will be subject to the following cancellation fees from the date the written cancellation is received:

+ more than 45 days prior to tour date - 10% of total cost

+ between 31 and 45 days prior to tour date - 25% of total cost

+ between 16 and 30 days prior to tour date - 50% of total cost

+ within 15 days prior to tour date or “no show” - 100% of total cost.

AMENDMENTS

Any amendments to confirmed bookings must be requested by the party leader in writing (by email). Whilst we will endeavor to assist, we cannot guarantee that requests will be met. If we can make the requested change, you will be provided with a quote detailing any additional costs, whether incurred due to your amendments, imposed by a Third-Party Travel Provider, or our amendment fees. In all cases, the following amendment fees shall apply:

+ If amendments are made more than 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the first amendment is free of charge. From the second amendment: a charge of U$80 per amendment for a short trip (less than 7 nights) or U$150 per amendment for a long journey (7 nights or more).

+ If amendments are made within 45 days prior to scheduled tour date: the above standard cancellation fees will apply, and full price will apply to new travel arrangements.

We will not charge any cancellation/amendment fees if it is due to a breach by us of any of our obligations or due to our fault; or if the Third-Party Travel Provider amends your booking through no fault of the customer.