Highlights
Catch a glimpse of Vietnam on this immersive 12-day tailor-made program showcasing the best of the country, from north to south. Explore diverse landscapes, learning about the intriguing history and rich culture throughout Vietnam’s 3 major regions. From the old charm of Hoi An and Hue and the buzzing streets of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to the natural wonders of Halong Bay and idyllic countryside of the Mekong Delta, this Vietnam holiday is the perfect way to get acquainted with this Southeast Asia darling
Details
DAY 1: HANOI ARRIVAL
Xin Chào and welcome to the stunning capital of Vietnam, Hanoi! 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, by cyclo (a three-wheeled bicycle taxi). 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 an overnight 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 – HOI AN (B)
Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise over the calming waters of the bay or join a Tai Chi session on the sun deck. Choose to join in on a final shore excursion or take the time to relax on board until breakfast is served as the vessel cruises back to the port.
Then, it’s time to jet-set down to central Vietnam, with a short flight to Danang from Hai Phong Airport. Upon arrival to the coastal city, make the remaining 30-minute journey by private transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure, perhaps strolling around town and relaxing along the enchanting riverside lit up by thousands of lanterns at night.
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 5: HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN (B/L)
Dive into the enchanting history and culture of another fabulous UNESCO World Heritage Site today with a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town. Wander the charming streets lined with honey-yellow buildings and swaying lanterns, stopping first at Chua Ong Pagoda. This ancient structure showcasing Chinese architectural influences dates back to 1653, and within its walls, visitors can smell the sweet aroma of incense. Nearby stands Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Jinshang Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea.
After taking in the fascinating 200-year-old Tan Ky House, enjoy a short rest at one of Hoi An’s most iconic structures, the beautiful and intricately decorated Japanese Covered Bridge. The day’s activities end with a revitalizing cup of tea at the Reaching Out teahouse, a refurbished 18th century teahouse turned social enterprise organization dedicated to supporting hearing-impaired locals with opportunities to work and integrate in their communities. Stop for lunch before enjoying the rest of the day at your leisure. Hoi An is a shopping mecca for anyone who loves paintings, art, lanterns, and tailormade clothing. Shop till you drop!
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 6: HOI AN COUNTRYSIDE (B,L)
Gain insights into the daily life of Hoi An with a visit to 2 different villages outside of the city in the countryside. First, cycle through rice paddies to Tra Que Village on the outskirts of Hoi An. This charming village is well known for its luscious fields where local farmers grow organic vegetables and herbs. Discover the many types of fresh and fragrant herbs and learn about organic farming techniques before sitting down for lunch at a nearby local restaurant. If you’re up for it, you may even get the chance to ride a buffalo before leaving!
Next up is Cam Thanh Village along the banks of the Thu Bon River. Drift down seven hectares of mangrove forests filled with water coconut trees whilst sitting in bamboo basket boats, meeting local fishermen for a hands-on fishing experience.
Overnight in Hoi An.
DAY 7: HOI AN – HUE (B,L)
After breakfast, check-out from your Hoi An accommodation and head north by private transfer through Da Nang and the legendary Hai Van Pass to the former capital of Vietnam, Hue. The ride takes between 3 – 4 hours along coastal roads offering peeks of hidden beaches, turquoise waters, and idyllic fishing villages.
Your first introduction to Hue will be through food at a local restaurant for lunch, passing afterwards by Dong Ba Market for a short post-meal walk. This market is the oldest of its kind in Hue with hundreds of stalls selling all manners of items. Check-in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure, although we do recommend trying a Perfume River Dinner Cruise if you are feeling in the mood to explore.
Overnight in Hue.
DAY 8: HUE IMPERIAL CITY (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 19th 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 – HO CHI MINH CITY (B)
Take in one last breakfast at your hotel before departing from Hue Airport to Vietnam’s largest city, the cosmopolitan Ho Chi Minh City. Once you’ve touched down at Tan Son Nhat Airport, grab your things and continue to the city center where your hotel is for the next few nights.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
DAY 10: CU CHI TUNNELS – HO CHI MINH CITY TOUR (B,L)
Today’s all about modern history, and what better way to learn than with a half-day tour of Cu Chi Tunnels, an incredible underground tunnel network constructed by Vietcong guerrillas during the Vietnam American War. Hear the tales of how these tunnels were built and visit two sections of the tunnel where it is still possible to crawl inside to experience first-hand what life was like living underground. Afterwards, return to Ho Chi Minh City in time to enjoy a late lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, explore the old Saigon with a walking tour of its most iconic buildings, starting with the Reunification Hall, formally called the Presidential Palace. Then, take a stroll in Ho Chi Minh City’s colonial quarter, walking past scenes of everyday life on the way, admiring the beautiful architecture of the City Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Old Saigon Post Office.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
DAY 11: 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 12: 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 country-hop to Cambodia’s Phnom Penh and Siem Reap with a cruise up the Mekong River!
Special Rates
Please contact us for the best rates.
Services included
+ 10-nights hotel accommodation in twin/double share room
+ 1-night stay in Halong Bay cruise in twin/double share cabin
+ Meals as mentioned in the program (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
+ English, French or Chinese speaking local guide in each region (please enquire for other languages)
+ Tours and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle unless stated otherwise
+ Entrance fees for all mentioned visits, activities and tours
+ VAT and service charges.
Services not included
+ 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)
+ Additional transfers required due to emergency situations
+ Peak season surcharges and compulsory gala dinners on 24th Dec and 31st Dec
+ Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above
+ It’s recommended to tip your guide and driver USD8/day/guest.
Terms & Conditions
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.
